2003 VOLVO XC90 oil temperature

2003 VOLVO XC90
WARNING!
Never switch off the ignition (turn the ignition key to position 0) or\
remove the key from the ignition
switch while the vehicle is in motion. This could cause the steering whe\
el to lock, which would make
the vehicle impossible to steer.
* The gear selector must be in the (P)ark position (automatic transmission).
** Please be aware that leaving the key in this position will increase b\
attery drain.
pg. 89 Starting and driving
General information
Economical driving conserves natural resources
Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid\
starts and stops and
adjusting the speed of your vehicle to immediate traffic conditions. Obs\
erve the following rules:
l Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by \
driving with a light foot on
the accelerator pedal for the first few minutes of operation. A cold eng\
ine uses more fuel and is subject
to increased wear.
l Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle for driving short distances. \
This does not allow the engine
to reach normal operating temperature.
l Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
l Use the transmission's (D)rive position as often as possible and avoid using "kickdown" to help
improve fuel economy.
l Do not exceed posted speed limits.
l Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the vehicle.
l Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tir\
es are cold).
l Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
l Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc, increase air resistance and also f\
uel consumption.
l At highway driving speeds, fuel consumption will be lower with the air c\
onditioning on and the
windows closed than with the air conditioning off and the windows open. \
l Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you le\
arn how to drive more
economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:
l Dirty air cleaner
l Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
l Dragging brakes
l Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard\
Maintenance intervals.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
pg. 103 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches that are specially des\
igned for the vehicle.
l Maximum trailer weights recommended by Volvo are:
All models - trailers without brakes: 1,650 lbs (750 kg)
Models with all wheel drive - trailers with brakes: 4,960 lbs (2250 kg)\

Models with front wheel drive - trailers with brakes: 3,970 lbs (1800 k\
g)
Observe the legal requirements of the state/province in which the vehicl\
es are registered.
l All Volvo models are equipped with energy-absorbing shock-mounted bumper\
s. Trailer hitch
installation should not interfere with the proper operation of this bump\
er system.
Trailer towing does not normally present any particular problems, but ta\
ke into consideration:
l Increase tire pressure to recommended full. See section "Wheels and tire\
s."
l When your vehicle is new, avoid towing heavy trailers during the first 6\
20 miles (1,000 km).
l Recommended hitch tongue load is: Trailer weights below 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg) - 110 lbs (50 kg)
Trailer weights above 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg) - 198 lbs (90 kg)
l Maximum speed when towing a trailer: 50 mph (80 km/h).
l Engine and transmission are subject to increased loads. Therefore, engin\
e coolant temperature should
be closely watched when driving in hot climates or hilly terrain. Use a \
lower gear and turn off the air
conditioner if the temperature gauge needle enters the red range.
l If the automatic transmission begins to overheat, a message will be disp\
layed in the text window.
l Avoid overload and other abusive operation.
l Hauling a trailer affects handling, durability, and economy.
l It is necessary to balance trailer brakes with the towing vehicle brakes\
to provide a safe stop (check
and observe state/local regulations).
l Do not connect the trailer's brake system directly to the vehicle's brak\
e system.
l More frequent vehicle maintenance is required.
l Remove the ball and drawbar assembly when the hitch is not being used.
l Volvo recommends the use of synthetic engine oil when towing a trailer o\
ver long distances or in
mountainous areas.
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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
Normally, the coolant does not need to be changed. If the system must be\
drained, consult your Volvo
retailer.
NOTE: Do not top off with water only. This reduces the rust-protective and ant\
ifreeze qualities of the
coolant and has a lower boiling point. It can also cause damage to the c\
ooling system if it should freeze.
Top off with Volvo Genuine Coolant/Antifreeze only (a 50/50 mix of wate\
r and antifreeze). CAUTION
The cooling system must always be kept filled to the correct level. If i\
t is not kept filled, there can be
high local temperatures in the engine which could result in damage. Diff\
erent types of antifreeze/
coolant may not be mixed.
WARNING!
Never remove the radiator cap while the engine is warm. Wait until the v\
ehicle
cools.
pg. 128 Maintenance
Engine compartment
Engine compartment
1. Brake fluid reservoir
2. Relay/fuse box
3. Air cleaner
4. Cooling fan
5. Radiator
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2003 VOLVO XC90
6. Dipstick - engine oil
7. Filler cap - engine oil
8. Washer fluid reservoir
9. Power steering fluid reservoir
10. Expansion tank - coolant
11. Data plate
12. Battery (under floor in rear cargo area)
WARNING!
The cooling fan (4) may start or continue to operate (for up to 6 min\
utes) after the engine has been
switched off.
pg. 129 Maintenance
Oil and fluids
Oil quality
Engine oil must meet the minimum ILSAC specification GF-2, including ACE\
A A1, API SJ, SJ/CF and
SJ/Energy Conserving.
Your Volvo has been certified to standards using ILSAC oil specification\
GF-2 5W-30. Volvo
recommends use of oil with a quality rating equal to or higher than ILSA\
C GF-2. Equivalent and better
oils include ACEA A1, API SJ, SJ/CF, and SJ/Energy conserving. Lower qua\
lity oils may not offer the
same fuel economy, engine performance, or engine protection.
Volvo Cars recommends Castrol.
Depending on your driving habits, premium or synthetic oils may provide \
superior fuel economy and
engine protection. Consult your Volvo retailer for recommendations on pr\
emium or synthetic oils.
Oil additives must not be used.
NOTE: Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintena\
nce is carried out. This
oil is only used at customer request, at additional charge. Please consu\
lt your Volvo retailer.
Operation in hot climates.
When temperatures exceed 86° F (30° C) in your area, Volvo recom\
mends, for the protection of your
engine, that you use a heavier weight oil, such as SAE 10W-30. See the v\
iscosity chart below.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
Oil viscosity (stable ambient temperatures)
Operation in temperate climates
Incorrect viscosity oil can shorten engine life. Under normal use when t\
emperatures do not exceed 86° F
(30° C), SAE 5W-30 will provide good fuel economy and engine protec\
tion. See the viscosity chart at
right.
Extreme engine operation
Synthetic oils meeting SAE 10W-30 and complying with oil quality require\
ments are recommended for
driving in areas of sustained temperature extremes (hot or cold), when\
towing a trailer over long
distances, and for prolonged driving in mountainous areas.
Changing oil and oil filter
Oil and oil filter changes should be made at 7,500 mile (12,000 km) in\
tervals.
Volvo does not recommend the use of oil additives.
Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintena\
nce intervals except at
ower request and at additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retaile\
r.
l The API Service Symbol "donut" is divided into three parts:
l The top half describes the oil's performance level.
l The center identifies the oil's viscosity.
l The bottom half tells whether the oil has demonstrated energy-conserving\
properties in a standard test
in comparison to a reference oil.
pg. 130 Maintenance
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2003 VOLVO XC90

Coolant reservoir
Changing coolant
Normally, the coolant does not need to be changed. If the system must be\
drained, consult your Volvo
retailer.
NOTE: Do not top off with water only. This reduces the rust-protective and ant\
ifreeze qualities of the
coolant and has a lower boiling point. It can also cause damage to the c\
ooling system if it should freeze.
Top off with Volvo Genuine Coolant/Antifreeze only (a 50/50 mix of wate\
r and antifreeze).
CAUTION
The cooling system must always be kept filled to the correct level. If i\
t is not kept filled, there can be
high local temperatures in the engine which could result in damage. Diff\
erent types of antifreeze/
coolant may not be mixed.
Check coolant regularly!
WARNING!
- Never remove the radiator cap while the engine is warm. Wait until the\
vehicle cools.
- If it is necessary to top up the coolant when the engine is warm, unsc\
rew the expansion tank cap
slowly so that the overpressure dissipates.
pg. 132 Interior
Oil and fluids (contd)
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