Have the car towed to an authorized Volvo retailer. Never drive with the airbags deployed.
Have an authorized Volvo retailer replace the SRS system components.
Use only new, Genuine Volvo Parts when replacing SRS components (airbags, seat belts, tensioners, etc.).
When are the airbags NOT deployed?
Not all frontal collisions activate the SRS system. If the collision involves a nonrigid object (e.g., a snow drift or
bush), or a rigid, fixed object at a low speed, the SRS system will not necessarily deploy. Front airbags do not
normally deploy in a side impact collision, in a collision from the rear or in a rollover situation. The amount of
damage to the bodywork does not reliably indicate if the airbags should have deployed or not.
Seat belts - the heart of the Volvo safety system
The heart of the Volvo safety system is the three-point seat belt (a Volvo invention)! In order for the SRS system to
provide the protection intended, seat belts must be worn at all times by everyone in the car. The SRS system is a
supplement to the seat belts.
WARNING!
If your car has been subjected to flood conditions (e.g. soaked carpeting/standing water on the floor of the vehicle)
or if your car has become flood-damaged in any way, do not attempt to start the vehicle or put the key in the ignition
before disconnecting the battery (see below). This may cause airbag deployment which could result in personal
injury. Have the car towed to an authorized Volvo retailer for repairs.
Automatic transmission:
Before attempting to tow the car, use the following procedure to override the shiftlock system to move the gear
selector to the neutral position.
Switch off the ignition for at least 10 minutes and disconnect the battery
Wait at least one minute
Insert the key in the ignition and turn it to position II
Press firmly on the brake pedal.
Move the gear selector from (P)ark to the (N)eutral position.
WARNING!
Never drive with the airbags deployed. The fact that they hang out can impair the steering of your car. Other safety
systems can also be damaged. The smoke and dust formed when the airbags are deployed can cause skin and eye
irritation in the event of prolonged exposure.
pg. 8 Side impact airbags (SIPS)
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A
Locking and unlocking the car63/64
Alarm65
Power windows39
Sideview mirror controls40
B
Glove compartment55
C
Automatic transmission74
Geartronic76
Parking brake38
Center console switches29
D
Power seat adjustment52
Heated seats (option)37
Cleaning upholstery115
E
Folding rear seat58
Panel for long loads56
Folding down head restraint29
Adjusting center head restraint3
Child safety locks67
Integrated booster cushion13
pg. 23 Exterior
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Instrument panel lighting32
Button to unlock fuel filler door32
pg. 25 Instrument panel
1 Turn signals
2 Text window
3 Temperature gauge
The pointer should be approximately midway on the gauge when driving.
Do not drive the car if the warning light is on. The text window will provide you with additional information.
If the engine temperature remains high, check coolant level - see page 118
.
4 Trip odometer/reset button
The trip odometer is used for measuring shorter distances. The last digit indicates 1/10 mile/kilometer. Press the button
quickly to toggle between trip odometers 1 and 2. Hold in the button for more than 2 seconds to reset.
5 Odometer
6 Speedometer
7 General warning light (see page 26
).
8 High beam indicator light
9 Tachometer
Indicates engine speed in thousands of rpm. Do not drive for long with the needle in the red section. The engine has an
built-in function preventing too high an engine speed. When this function operates, you may discern some pulsation,
which is normal.
10 Gear and driving mode indicator
The currently selected driving mode is displayed here. If you use the Geartronic function on the automatic
transmission, the currently selected gear will be displayed.
11 Ambient temperature indicator
This sensor indicates the air temperature outside your car. A "snowflake" symbol in the text window is displayed when
the temperature is in the range of 23 - 36° F (-5 - +2° C).
Please note that this symbol does not indicate a fault with your car.
At low speeds or when the car is not moving, the temperature readings may be slightly higher than the actual ambient
temperature.
12 Clock/reset button
Turn the button to adjust the clock.
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2 0 0 4
VOLVO S80
Chapter 6 - Starting and driving
pg. 69 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements70
Refueling72
Starting the engine73
Automatic transmission74
Four-C active chassis system78
Rear Parking assistance79
Driving economy80
Points to remember81
Roof racks/load carriers82
Emergency towing83
Vehicle towing information84
Towing a trailer85
Jump starting88
Winter driving89
Long distance trips90
Three-way catalytic converter91
pg. 70 Fuel requirements
Fuel requirements
Octane rating
Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium gasoline with an octane rating AKI of 91,
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When starting in cold weather, the transmission may shift up at slightly higher engine speeds than normal until the
automatic transmission fluid reaches normal operating temperature.
CAUTION:
The engine should be idling when you move the gear selector. Never accelerate until after you feel the transmission
engage! Accelerating immediately after selecting a gear will cause harsh gear engagement and premature transmission
wear.
Selecting P or N when idling at a standstill for prolonged periods of time will help prevent overheating of the
automatic transmission fluid.
Do not race a cold engine immediately after starting. Oil flow may not reach some lubrication points fast enough to
prevent engine damage.
WARNING!
Always place the gear selector in Park and apply the parking brake before leaving the vehicle. Never leave the car
unattended with the engine running.
Always open the garage doors fully before starting the engine inside a garage to ensure adequate ventilation. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which is invisible and odorless but very poisonous.
* Your car is equipped with an electronic start inhibitor (immobilizer). The keys you received with your car are
specially coded. The code in the key is transmitted to an antenna in the ignition switch where it is compared to the
code stored in the start inhibitor module. The car can only be started if a properly coded key is used.
If two of the keys to your car are close together, e.g., on the same key ring, when you try to start the car, this could
cause interference in the immobilizer system and result in the car not starting. If this should occur, remove one of the
keys from the key ring before trying to start the car again.
pg. 74 Automatic transmission
P (Park)
Use this position when starting the engine or parking the car.
Never use P while the car is in motion.
The parking brake should also be set whenever the car is parked.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the gear selector from this
position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in position II) and the brake pedal must be
depressed.
WARNING!
Never leave the car unattended when the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear selector is moved from P, the car
may start moving.
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R (Reverse)
Never engage R while the car is moving forward.
N (Neutral)
Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. The car should
not be moving when shifting from R to the D position.
3 (Intermediate gear)
The transmission will shift automatically between gears 3, 2 or 1 from this position. The transmission cannot shift up
to (D)rive from third gear.
2 (Intermediate gear)
The transmission will shift automatically between gears 2 and 1 from this position. The transmission cannot shift up
to third gear from second gear.
1 (Low gear)
If you select this gear at speeds above 30 mph (50 km/h), the transmission will first shift to second gear and then to
first gear at lower speeds.
NOTE: The intermediate and low gears can be used for:
Driving in a mountainous area
Towing a trailer
Increasing the braking effect of the engine.
The transmission has a built-in limiter designed to help prevent excessive engine speeds (high rpm) when gears 3, 2
or 1 are selected.
Kickdown
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An
upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway speeds.
Automatic transmission - adaptive system
The automatic transmission is controlled by an adaptive control system that constantly monitors the way in which the
transmission functions. It senses and adapts each gear shift for optimal performance. The system also monitors your
particular driving style and adapts gear shifting accordingly.
pg. 75 Automatic transmission
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Automatic transmission - shift gate positions
The gear selector can be moved freely between N and D.
Depressing the selector knob enables you to move the gear selector to positions P, R, N, D, 3, 2 and 1.
W Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction
Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D)rive position.
Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage this driving mode (see illustration).
An LED in the button will light up to indicate that W is engaged and this will also be displayed in the instrument
panel (see page 25
).
This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.
Cold starts
When driving before the engine has reached its normal operating temperature, the transmission will shift up at slightly
higher engine speeds to heat the three-way catalytic converter as quickly as possible.
pg. 76 Automatic transmission (Geartronic)
P (Park)
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Use this position when starting the engine or parking the car.
Never use P while the car is in motion.
The parking brake should also be set whenever the car is parked.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the gear selector from this
position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in position II) and the brake pedal must be
depressed.WARNING!
Never leave the car unattended when the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear selector is moved from P, the car
may start moving.
R (Reverse)
Never engage R while the car is moving forward.
N (Neutral)
Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. The car should
not be moving when shifting from R to the D position.
Kickdown
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An
upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway speeds. Kickdown does not function
when the transmission is in the manual shift (geartronic) mode (see next page).
Shift gate positions
Automatic transmission - adaptive system
The automatic transmission is controlled by an adaptive control system that constantly monitors the way in which the
transmission functions. It senses and adapts each gear shift for optimal performance. The system also monitors your
particular driving style and adapts gear shifting accordingly.
Automatic transmission - shift gate positions
You can move the gear selector freely between the (MAN) ual and (D)rive positions while driving.
Depress the selector knob on the front side of the gear selector to move between the R, N, D and P positions.
Please see the following page for information on using the Geartronic manual shift mode.
pg. 77 Automatic transmission (Geartronic)
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