2003 VOLVO XC90 light

2003 VOLVO XC90
WARNING!
Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor should s\
afety chains be attached to
the bumper.
Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle rear axle must not be used.
Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to the vehicle\
brake system, nor a trailer's
lighting system directly to the vehicle lighting system. Consult your ne\
arest authorized Volvo retailer
for correct installation.
When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety wire must be correctly faste\
ned to the hole or hook provided
in the trailer hitch on the vehicle. The safety wire should never be fas\
tened to or wound around the
drawbar ball.
pg. 104 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer (contd)
NOTE!
- When parking the vehicle with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking b\
rake before putting the gear
selector in (P)ark. When starting on a hill, put the gear selector in \
(D)rive before releasing the parking
brake.
- If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift positions while towing a tr\
ailer, make sure the gear you select
does not put too much strain on the engine (using too high a gear).
- The drawbar assembly/trailer hitch may be rated for trailers heavier t\
han the vehicle is designed to tow.
Please adhere to Volvo's recommended trailer weights.
Leveling
If your vehicle is equipped with automatic levelling, the rear suspensio\
n always retains the correct ride
height regardless of the load. When the vehicle is stationary, the rear \
suspension lowers, which is
normal.
pg. 105 Starting and driving
Detachable trailer hitch - installing/removing
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2003 VOLVO XC90
Load carrier cover
The vehicle's ignition key or the stud on the edge of the supplied torqu\
e wrench can be used to undo or
tighten the cover. Turn a quarter turn (90 degrees). See illustration.\

pg. 107 Starting and driving
Cold weather precautions
If you wish to check your vehicle before the approach of cold weather, t\
he following advice is worth
noting:
l Make sure that the engine coolant contains 50 percent antifreeze. Any ot\
her mixture will reduce
freeze protection. This gives protection against freezing down to -31°\
F (-35°C). See section "Coolant".
The use of "recycled" antifreeze is not approved by Volvo. Different typ\
es of antifreeze must not
be mixed.
l Volvo recommends using only genuine Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's r\
adiator. Your Volvo
retailer stocks plenty of Volvo engine coolant to help protect your vehi\
cle during cold weather.
l Try to keep the fuel tank well filled - this prevents the formation of condensation in the tank. \
In
addition, in extremely cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to add f\
uel line de-icer before refueling.
l The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-
weather starting as well as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine\
is warming up. For winter use,
5W-30 oil, particularly the synthetic type*, is recommended. Be sure to \
use good quality oil but do not
use cold-weather oil for hard driving or in warm weather. See section "E\
ngine oil" for more information.
l The load placed on the battery is greater during the winter since the windshield wipers, lighting, etc\
.
are used more often. Moreover, the capacity of the battery decreases as \
the temperature drops. In very
cold weather, a poorly charged battery can freeze and be damaged. It is \
therefore advisable to check the
state of charge more frequently and spray an antirust oil on the battery\
posts.
l Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter driving - see section "Wheels
and tires."
l To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents containing antifreeze (see
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2003 VOLVO XC90
page 128 for the location of the washer fluid reservoir).
This is important since dirt is often splashed on the windshield during \
winter driving, requiring the
frequent use of the washers and wipers. Volvo Washer Solvent should be d\
iluted as follows:
Down to 14° F (-10° C): 1 part washer solvent and 4 parts water \
Down to 5° F (-15° C): 1 part washer solvent and 3 parts water
Down to 0° F (-18° C): 1 part washer solvent and 2 parts water
Down to -18° F (-28° C): 1 part washer solvent and 1 part water \
l Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
NOTE: Avoid the use of de-icing sprays as they can cause damage to the locks.
W Winter/Wet driving modeÐenhanced vehicle traction
l Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D)rive position.
l Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage th\
is driving mode.
l An LED in the button will light up to indicate that W is engaged and thi\
s will also be displayed in the
instrument panel (see
page 24).
l This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.
* Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal mainte\
nance intervals except at owner
request and at additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.
pg. 108 Starting and driving
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked at a Volvo retailer\
before driving long distances.
Your retailer will also be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark p\
lugs and wiper blades for your use
in the event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be checked before any long trip\
:
l Check that engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.
l Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage
l Check transmission oil level*.
l Check condition of drive belts.
l Check state of the battery's charge.
l Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and replace those th\
at are worn. Check tire pressures.
l The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be checked b\
y your Volvo retailer only.
l Check all lights, including high beams.
l Reflective warning triangles are legally required in some states/provinc\
es.
l Have a word with your Volvo retailer if you intend to drive in countries\
where it may be difficult to
obtain the correct fuel.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
2 0 0 3
VOLVO XC90
Vehicle care

pg. 109 Vehicle care
Washing and cleaning the vehicle110
Paint touch up112
pg. 110 Vehicle care
Washing and cleaning the vehicle
l The vehicle should be washed at regular intervals since dirt, dust, inse\
cts and tar spots adhere to the
paint and may cause damage. It is particularly important to wash the veh\
icle frequently in the wintertime
to prevent corrosion, when salt has been used on the roads.
l When washing the vehicle, do not expose it to direct sunlight. Use lukew\
arm water to soften the dirt
before you wash with a sponge, and plenty of water, to avoid scratching.\

l Bird droppings: Remove from paintwork as soon as possible. Otherwise the\
finish may be
permanently damaged.
l A detergent can be used to facilitate the softening of dirt and oil.
l A water-soluble grease solvent may be used in cases of sticky dirt. Howe\
ver, use a wash place
equipped with a drainage separator.
l Dry the vehicle with a clean chamois and remember to clean the drain hol\
es in the doors and rocker
panels.
l Tar spots can be removed with kerosene or tar remover after the vehicle \
has been washed.
l A stiff-bristle brush and lukewarm soapy water can be used to clean the \
wiper blades. Frequent
cleaning improves visibility considerably.
l Wash off the dirt from the underside (wheel housings, fenders, etc.). \
l In areas of high industrial fallout, more frequent washing is recommende\
d.
l After cleaning the engine, the spark plug wells should be inspected for \
water and blown dry if
necessary.
Suitable detergents: Special vehicle washing detergents should be used. A suitable mixture i\
s about 2.5
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2003 VOLVO XC90
beneficial.
l Before applying polish or wax the vehicle must be washed and dried. Tar \
spots can be removed with
kerosene or tar remover. Difficult spots may require a fine rubbing comp\
ound.
l After polishing use liquid or paste wax.
l Several commercially available products contain both polish and wax.
l Waxing alone does not substitute for polishing a dull surface.
l A wide range of polymer-based waxes can be purchased today. These waxes \
are easy to use and
produce a long-lasting, high-gloss finish that protects the bodywork aga\
inst oxidation, road dirt and
fading.
l Do not polish or wax your vehicle in direct sunlight (the surface of th\
e vehicle should not be warmer
than 113° F (45° C).
Cleaning the upholstery
l The fabric can be cleaned with soapy water or a detergent. For more diff\
icult spots caused by oil, ice
cream, shoe polish, grease, etc., use a clothing/fabric stain remover.
l The plastic in the upholstery can be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild \
soap solution.
l Leather upholstery/suede-like upholstery (alcanteraTM) can be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild soap
solution. For more difficult spots, Volvo offers a leather care kit.
l Under no circumstances should gasoline, naphtha or similar cleaning agen\
ts be used on the plastic or
the leather since these can cause damage.
Cleaning the seat belts
Clean only with lukewarm water and a mild soap solution.
Cleaning floor mats
The floor mats should be vacuumed or brushed clean regularly, especially\
during winter when they
should be taken out for drying. Spots on textile mats can be removed wit\
h a mild detergent.
Bear in mind
l Take extra care when removing stains such as ink or lipstick since the c\
oloring can spread.
l Use solvents sparingly. Too much solvent can damage the seat padding.
l Start from the outside of the stain and work toward the center.
pg. 112 Vehicle care
Paint touch up
Paint damage requires immediate attention to avoid rusting. Make it a ha\
bit to check the finish regularly
- when washing the vehicle for instance. Touch-up if necessary.
Paint repairs require special equipment and skill. Contact your Volvo re\
tailer for any extensive damage.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
However, for optimum road holding on icy or snow-covered roads, we recom\
mend suitable winter tires
on all four wheels. When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires are\
the same size designation, type
(radial) and preferably from the same manufacturer, on all four wheels\
. Otherwise there is a risk of
altering the vehicle's roadholding and handling characteristics.
NOTE: When storing wheel/tire assemblies (e.g. winter tires and wheels), eit\
her stand the assemblies
upright, or suspend them off the ground. Laying wheel/tire assemblies on\
their sides for prolonged
periods can cause wheel and/or tire damage.
New tires
Remember that tires are perishable goods. As of 2000, manufacturing year\
and week will be indicated
with 4 digits (e.g. 0015 means that the tire is manufactured year 2000,\
week 15).
Improving tire economy:
l Maintain correct tire pressure. See the tire pressure label on the insid\
e of the fuel filler door.
l Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard braking and tire screeching.
l Tire wear increases with speed.
l Correct front wheel alignment is very important.
l Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy and driving comfort.
l If tires are rotated, they must be kept on the same side of the vehicle \
so that they revolve in the same
direction as before rotation.
l Hitting curbs or potholes can damage the tires and/or wheels permanently\
.
Flat spots
All tires become warm during use. After cooling, when the vehicle is par\
ked, the tires have a tendency to
distort slightly, forming flat spots. These flat spots can cause vibrati\
ons similar to the vibrations caused
by unbalanced wheels. They do, however, disappear when the tire warms up\
. The degree to which flat
spots form depends on the type of cord used in the tire. In cold weather\
, it takes longer for the tire to
warm up and consequently longer for the flat spot to disappear.
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Returning the spare wheel to its storage compartment
NOTE: The space under the vehicle is designed to hold the special spare wheel \
only. Other fullsize
wheels will not fit in this compartment.
Returning the spare wheel to the storage compartment
1. Use the crank (turn it counterclockwise) to lower the spare wheel's\
retaining cable.
2. Pass the toggle at the end of the cable through the center hole in th\
e spare wheel. Pivot the toggle 90
degrees so that when raised, the wheel will rest on the toggle.
3. Retract the retaining cable slightly by slowly turning the crank cloc\
kwise several times.
4. Position the wheel so that it is not obstructed by components in the \
exhaust system.
5. Continue to raise the wheel by turning the crank clockwise.Raise the \
wheel a little bit at a time and
guide it around the rear axle until it is securely seated in the storage\
area.
6. When it is no longer possible to turn the crank any further, check th\
at the spare wheel is securely in
position in the storage compartment.
pg. 120 Wheels and tires

Jack attachment points
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2003 VOLVO XC90
The fuel filter should be replaced at 120,000 miles (193,000 km). The \
filter is replaced as a complete
unit. Replace more frequently if contaminated fuel is introduced into th\
e tank, or if there is reason to
suspect that this has occurred.
Fuel system, including filler cap, tank, lines, and connections
The ability of the fuel system to contain hydrocarbons depends upon a le\
ak-free system. Inspect fuel
lines every 30,000 miles (48,000 km). Check for proper sealing of the \
fuel filler cap, which contains "O"
ring seals.
NOTE: If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running\
when the vehicle is refueled,
the Check Engine light (Malfunction Indicator) may indicate a fault. H\
owever, your vehicle's
performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo original or approved fu\
el filler caps.
Timing belt
For proper functioning of the engine and emission control systems, the t\
iming belt and belt pretensioner
must be replaced every 120,000 miles (193,000 km). Engine damage will \
occur if the belt fails.
PCV system
(on turbocharged models)
The nipple in the intake manifold and the filter at the end of the PCV h\
ose in the air cleaner should be
inspected and cleaned at 120,000 miles (193,000 km), and again at 150,\
000 miles (240,000 km).
Spark plugs
The spark plugs should be replaced every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) unde\
r normal driving conditions.
City driving or fast highway driving may necessitate replacement sooner.\
Under normal driving conditions, spark plugs require no maintenance betw\
een replacement intervals.
When installing new plugs, be sure to use the right type and to tighten \
them correctly. When changing
the plugs, clean the terminals and rubber seals. Also check that the sup\
pressor connectors are in good
condition. Cracked or damaged connectors should be replaced.
pg. 126 Maintenance
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