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2003 VOLVO XC90
Weight distribution affects handling
At the specified curb weight your vehicle has a tendency to understeer, \
which means that the steering
wheel has to be turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvatur\
e of a bend. This ensures good
stability and reduces the risk of rear wheel skid. Remember that these p\
roperties can alter with the
vehicle load. The heavier the load in the cargo area, the less the tende\
ncy to understeer.
WARNING!
Driving with the tailgate open: Driving with the tailgate open could lead to poisonous exhaust gases
entering the passenger compartment. If the tailgate must be kept open fo\
r any reason, proceed as
follows
- Close the windows
- Set the ventilation system control to air flow to floor, windshield an\
d side windows and blower
control to its highest setting.
CAUTION
Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.e. floode\
d roadways, etc.). Damage to
the engine could result if excess water is drawn in through the air inta\
ke system. Never drive the
vehicle in water deeper than 18 inches (48 cm).
pg. 90 Starting and driving
General information (contd)
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle hand\
ling. Therefore, check that the tires
are inflated to the recommended pressure according to the vehicle load. \
See "Tire pressure" section.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity weight or maximum permissib\
le axle loads are not exceeded.
Driving on rough/unpaved surfaces
The Volvo XC90 is designed primarily for onroad driving, and it has exce\
llent handling characteristics
on very rough or unpaved roads.
When driving on poorly maintained or unpaved roads, please keep the foll\
owing in mind:
l Reduce speed on rough surfaces to minimize possible damage to the vehicl\
e's underbody.
l When driving on soft surfaces such as dry sand or snow, try to avoid sto\
pping if at all possible.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
Rear Parking Assistance (option) is used to assist you when backing in\
to parking spaces, etc by
providing an audible tone as you back up. The system is automatically ac\
tivated when you select reverse
gear.
It utilizes ultrasound sensors located in the rear bumper to measure the\
distance to a vehicle or other
object, or a person who may be behind the vehicle.
When the system is active:
1. The audio system's volume will be reduced.
2. An intermittent signal will be audible from the audio system's speake\
rs to indicate that as you back
up, you are approaching a person, object, parked vehicle, etc. The signa\
ls begin when the vehicle is at a
distance of approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters) from an object/person, e\
tc.
3. At a distance of approximately 1 foot (30 cm), the signal will beco\
me constant.
Switching off the system
Towing a trailer, carrying bicycles in a tailgate-mounted carrier, etc, \
could trigger the reverse warning
system.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
Lowering the spare wheel
Changing wheels - lowering the spare wheel
The spare wheel is located under the floor of the rear cargo compartment\
. It can be lowered using the
crank that is stored in the tool bag.
WARNING!
When raising or lowering the spare wheel, please keep in mind that compo\
nents in the exhaust system
may be very hot.
Lowering the spare wheel:
1. Fold down the lower section of the tailgate.
2. Fold up the rear section of the floor in the cargo compartment.
3. Take the two sections of the crank from the tool bag and connect them\
to each other.
4. Insert the hooked end of the crank in the spare wheel retaining attac\
hment (see the illustration above).
5. Lower the spare wheel under the vehicle by turning the crank counterc\
lockwise until it is not possible
to turn it further.
6. Pivot the toggle at the end of the cable 90 degrees to release it fro\
m the spare wheel.
7. Crank up the cable again by turning the crank clockwise.
8. Place the wheel with the flat tire in the vehicle's cargo compartment\
. There is a plastic storage bag for
this purpose in the tool bag. CAUTION
When the spare wheel is mounted on the vehicle, the retaining cable coul\
d damage the underside of
the vehicle if it is not retracted.
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Page 167 of 242
2003 VOLVO XC90
Tailgate wiper blade
1. Pull the wiper blade out, away from the tailgate window.
2. Pull the wiper blade outward, toward the tailgate.
3. Press the new wiper blade into place. Check that it is properly secur\
ed.
Contents | Top of Page
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2003 VOLVO XC90
D - Parking light - P21 4W
Replacing bulbs in the tail light cluster
1. Switch off all lights and turn ignition key to position 0.
2. Fold down the lower section of the tailgate, and fold up the rear sec\
tion of the cargo area floor.
3. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional grocery bag holder, deta\
ch the holder's bands.
4. Remove the corner panel (1 in the illustration above).
5. Open the cover (2) in the side panel by pulling the tab (3) upwar\
d/outward.
6. Loosen the bolts (4) with the 10 mm wrench (found in the tool bag)\
.
7. Pull the entire tail light housing straight out.
8. Disconnect the wiring.
9. Place the tail light housing on a soft cloth to avoid scratching the \
lens.
10. Turn the lamp holder(s) counterclockwise and pull out.
11. Turn the bulb counterclockwise and remove. Insert a new bulb.
12. Place the lamp holder in the groove and turn clockwise.
13. Press wiring back into place.
14. Align the tail light housing with the holes for the retaining bolts \
and press it into place.
15. Tighten the retaining bolts.
16. Reinsert the side and corner panels.
pg. 142 Maintenance
Bulbs (contd)
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2003 VOLVO XC90
3. Vacuum pump15
4. Oxygen sensors 20
5. Crankcase ventilation heater, solenoid valves 10
6. Mass air flow sensor, engine control module, injectors 15
7. -
8. A/C compressor, accelerator pedal position sensor, E-box
fan 10
9. Horn 15
10. Tailgate washer 10
11. A/C compressor, ignition coils 20
12. Brake light contact 5
13. Windshield wipers 25
14. ABS/DSTC 30
15. Headlight washers 25
16. Windshield washers 15
17. Low beam, right 10
18. Low beam, left 10
19. ABS/DSTC 30
20. High beam, left 15
21. High beam, right 15
22. Starter motor 25
23. Engine control module, system relay 5
24. -
pg. 147 Maintenance
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2003 VOLVO XC90
Fuses in the cargo compartment No. Amperage
1. Rear electrical module, cargo compartment lighting 10
2. Rear fog light 10
3. Brake lights 15
4. Backup lights 10
5. Rear window defroster, relay 15I - accessories (rear) 5
6. Tailgate release 10
7. Electric socket 12V in cargo compartment 15
8. Central locking rear doors/tailgate, fuel filler door 20
9. Trailer hitch (30 feed) 15
10. Antenna 5
11. Accessory control module (AEM) 15
12. Washer - tailgate window 15
13. Subwoofer/rear A/C (option) 15
14. Brake lights 7.5
15. Trailer hitch (15I feed), reverse warning system
(option) 20
16. -
17. All Wheel Drive control module 7.5
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2003 VOLVO XC90
K
Keylock
ii, 87
Keys
74
L
LED illumination
33
Lighting panel
31
Locking
77
Locking steering wheel
88
Locks
73
Long distance trips
108
Lubricants
153
M
Maintenance services
124
Malfunction indicator light
27
Messages in the display
28
Moonroof (electrically operated)
43
Multifilter with air quality sensor
51
O
Occupant safety
21
Octane rating
84
Odometer
24
Oil pressure
27
Oil quality
129
Oil viscosity
129
Opening the hood
38
Opening the tailgate
39
P
P Park
91
Paint
112
Paint - color code
112
Paintwork damage
112
Parking brake
27, 38
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