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VOLVO S80
Chapter 1 - Safety
pg. 1 Safety
Not wearing a seat belt is like believing "It'll never happen to me!" Volvo, the inventor of the three-point seat belt,
urges you and all adult occupants of your car to wear seat belts and ensure that children are properly restrained, using
an infant, car or booster seat determined by age, weight and height. Volvo also believes no child should sit in the front
seat of a car.
Fact: In every state and province, some type of child-restraint legislation has been passed. Additionally, most states
and provinces have already made it mandatory for occupants of a car to use seat belts.
So, urging you to "buckle up" is not just our recommendation - legislation in your state or province may mandate seat
belt usage. The few seconds it takes to buckle up may one day allow you to say, "It's a good thing I was wearing my
seat belt."
Seat belts
2
Center head restraint3
Front airbags (SRS)4
Side impact airbags (SIPS)8
Volvo Inflatable Curtain (VIC)9
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)10
Occupant safety11
Child safety12
Brake system16
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)17
Stability Traction Control (STC)18
Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC)18
pg. 2 Seat belts
Seat belts
Always fasten the seat belts before you drive or ride . A chime will sound several times if the driver has not
fastened his seat belt.
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Oil pressure warning light
If the light comes on while driving, stop the car and then stop the engine immediately and check the engine oil
level . See page 123
. If the light stays on after restart, have the car towed to the nearest authorized Volvo retailer. After
hard driving, the light may come on occasionally when the engine is idling. This is normal, provided it goes off when
the engine speed is increased.
Generator warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running, have the charging system checked.
* Rear fog light, if used, and trailer turn signal, if towing a trailer, will go on while driving.
pg. 27 Indicator and warning lights
Rear fog light
This light indicates that the rear fog light is on.
CHECK
ENGINE
Malfunction indicator lamp
On-Board Diagnostic II (OBDII): As you drive, a computer called "OBDII" monitors your car's engine, transmission,
electrical and emission systems. The CHECK ENGINE light will light up if the computer senses a condition that
potentially may need correcting. When this happens, please have your car checked by a Volvo retailer as soon as
possible.
A CHECK ENGINE light may have many causes. Sometimes, you may not notice a change in your car's behavior.
Even so, an uncorrected condition could hurt fuel economy, emission cleanliness, and driveability. Extended driving
without correcting the cause could even damage other components in your car.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light:
NOTE : If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the car is refueled, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may indicate a fault. However, your vehicle's performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo
original or approved fuel filler caps.
Anti-lock Brake System ABS
If the warning light comes on, there is a malfunction of the ABS system (the standard braking system pwill however
function). The vehicle should be driven to a Volvo retailer for inspection. See page 17
for additional information.
Stability Traction Control (STC) system (option), or Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system
(option)
This indicator light will flash with STC or DSTC is actively working to stabilize the car. See pages 18-19
for more
detailed information.
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Manual shifting - Geartronic
You can move the gear selector freely between the (MAN) ual and (D)rive positions while driving. Gears 2, 3, and 4
have a "lock -up" function which reduces engine speed and helps save fuel.
The currently selected gear will be displayed in the instrument panel (see page 25
).
To access the (MAN)ual shifting position from (D)rive, pull the gear selector back slightly from D and move it to
the left to MAN.
To return to the (D)rive position from MAN, move the gear selector to the right and push it forward to the (D)rive
position.
While driving
If you select the (MAN)ual position while driving, the gear that was being used in the (D)rive position will also
initially be selected in (MAN)ual position.
Move the gear selector forward (toward "+") to shift to a higher gear or rearward (toward "-") to shift to a lower
gear.
If you hold the gear selector toward "-", the transmission will downshift one gear , and will utilize the braking power
of the engine. If the current speed is too high for using a lower gear, the downshift will not occur until the speed has
decreased enough to allow the lower gear to be used.
If you slow down to a very low speed, the transmission will automatically shift down.
When starting in the (MAN)ual position, 3rd gear is the highest gear that may be selected.
NOTE: Kickdown (see previous page) does not function when the transmission is in the manual shift (geartronic)
mode. The gear selector must be in D (Drive) position.
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.
pg. 78 Four -C active chassis system
Four-C (option)
Your car can be optionally equipped with the Four-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) system.
This system is based on a number of sensors that continuously monitor factors such as the car's lateral and vertical
movements, speed, and movements of the wheels. The sensors receive data up to 500 times per second, which is used
to provide extremely fast and precise adjustment of each shock absorber. The system adjusts the stiffness of the shock
absorbers approximately 100 times per second.
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Temporary Spare (certain models)
The spare tire in your car is called a "Temporary Spare". It has the following designation: T125/80 R17.
Recommended tire pressure (see decal on fuel filler door) should be maintained irrespective of which position on the
car the Temporary Spare tire is used on.
In the event of damage to this tire, a new one can be purchased from your Volvo retailer.
WARNING!
Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Temporary Spare" tire other than as a temporary replacement for a
punctured tire. In other words, it must be replaced as soon as possible by a standard tire. Road holding and handling
may be affected with the "Temporary Spare" in use. Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). Do not drive farther than 50
miles (80 km) on a temporary spare tire.
CAUTION:
The car must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a spare tire other than the one that came with
the car. The use of different size wheels can seriously damage your car's transmission.
NOTE: Certain models may be equipped with a full-size spare tire. When used, it should be inflated to the same
pressure as the tire it is replacing.
* Please note that the tire information label indicates pressure for both comfort and fuel economy.
pg. 97 Wheels and tires
Uniform tire quality grading
ALL PASSENGER CAR TIRES MUST CONFORM TO FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN
ADDITION TO THESE GRADES
Quality grades can be found, where applicable, on the tire sidewall between the tread should and maximum section
width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one half (1 1/2) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and many depart significantly from the norm due to variation in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
TRACTION
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C, as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature grades are AA (the highest), A, B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
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Safety defects - reporting..........11
Safety locks - child..........67
Seat belt maintenance..........11
Seat belts..........2, 3, 14
Seat belts - cleaning..........115
Seats - front..........52
Servicing..........119, 120
Shiftlock..........73, 74, 76
Side direction indicator - replacing..........111
Side impact airbag system (SIPS)..........8
Side marker lights - replacing..........111
Sideview mirrors..........40
Sideview mirrors - heated..........37
Sideview mirrors - memory function..........40
Snow chains..........95
Snow tires..........95
Spare tire.......... 57, 96
Spark plugs..........119, 134
Specifications..........132
Speed -sensitive power steering..........811
SRS..........6
SRS diagnostic system..........26
Stability Traction Control (STC)..........17, 29
Start inhibitor (immobilizer)..........60, 73
Starting the engine..........73
Steering wheel adjustment ........ 36
Steering wheel lock..........36
Storage compartment in center console..........56
Storage compartments..........55/a>
Studded tires..........95
Sun blinds..........42
Supplemental Restraint System..........4, 26
Suspension..........134
Switches in center console ........ 29
T
Tachometer..........25
Tail light bulbs - replacing ........ 108
Temperature gauge..........25
Temporary spare tire..........96
Text window..........28
Three-way catalytic converters..........91
Timing belt..........119
Tire pressure..........96
Tires..........81, 94 - 97
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VOLVO S80
Back Cover
Back Cover
Accessory Installation - Important Warning
We strongly recommend that Volvo owners install only genuine, Volvo-approved accessories, and that accessory
installations be performed only by the factory-trained technicians at your authorized Volvo retailer.
Genuine Volvo accessories are tested to ensure compatibility with the performance, safety, and emission systems in
your car. Additionally, your authorized Volvo retailer knows where accessories may and may not be safely installed in
your Volvo. In all cases, please consult your authorized Volvo retailer before installing any accessory in or on your
car.
Accessories that have not been approved by Volvo may or may not be specifically tested for compatibility with your
car. Additionally, an inexperienced installer may not be familiar with some of your car's systems.
Any of your car's performance and safety systems could be adversely affected if you install accessories that Volvo
has not tested, or if you allow accessories to be installed by someone unfamiliar with your car.
Damage caused by unapproved or improperly installed accessories may not be covered by your new car warranty.
See your Warranty and Service Records Information booklet for more warranty information. Volvo assumes no
responsibility for death, injury, or expenses that may result from the installation of non-genuine accessories.
Driver Distraction
Driver distraction results from driver activities that are not directly related to controlling the car in the driving
environment. Your new Volvo is, or can be, equipped with many feature-rich entertainment and communication
systems. These include hands-free cellular telephones, navigation systems, and multipurpose audio systems. You may
also own other portable electronic devices for your own convenience. When used properly and safely, they enrich the
driving experience. Improperly used, any of these could cause a distraction.
For all of these systems, we want to provide the following warning that reflects the strong Volvo concern for your
safety:
Never use these devices or any feature of your vehicle in a way that distracts you from the task of driving safely.
Distraction can lead to a serious accident.
In addition to this general warning, we offer the following guidance regarding specific newer features that may be
found in your vehicles:
Never use a hand -held cellular telephone while driving. Some jurisdictions prohibit cellular telephone use by a
driver while the vehicle is moving.
If your car is equipped with a navigation system, set and make changes to your travel itinerary only with the vehicle
parked.
Never program your audio system while the vehicle is moving. Program radio presets with the vehicle parked, and
use your programmed presets to make radio use quicker and simpler.
Never use portable computers or personal digital assistants while the vehicle is moving.
A driver has a responsibility to do everything possible to ensure his or her own safety and the safety of passengers in
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