Page 17 of 89

1 Coolant temperature gauge
Do not drive the car with the pointer in the red range. The pointer should be approximately midway on the gauge
face when driving. If the pointer approaches the red range repeatedly, check coolant level. See page 117
.
2 Coolant temperature warning light
If this light comes on while driving, the coolant temperature is too high. Stop the engine and check the coolant level in
the expansion tank. See page 117
.
3 Odometer
4 Speedometer
The longer the knob is turned, the faster the setting will change.
5 Trip odometer
This indicator measures shorter distances. The last digit indicates 1/10 mile/kilometer.
6 Button for setting clock/resetting trip odometer
In both cases, the ignition must be switched on
Clock: Without pressing the button, turn it clockwise to advance the clock, or counterclockwise to set the clock back.
Trip odometer: Press the button to reset the trip odometer.
7 Tachometer
Reads thousands of engine rpm. The needle should never be in the solid red range.
8 Clock, Trip Computer/Ambient temperature
NOTE: See page 27- 29
for information on the trip computer.
9 Low fuel level warning light
When this light comes on, there are approximately 1.9 US gal. (7 liters) of fuel remaining in the tank.
10 Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: 16 US gallons (60 liters).
When refuelling the fuel gauge needle will not register until the volume of gasoline in the tank exceeds 3.2 US gal. (12
liters).
pg. 21 Indicator and warning lights
ProCarManuals.com
Page 18 of 89

1 Turn signal, left
2 Turn signal, right
3 Low washer fluid level
4 Brake light* failure warning
5 Turn indicator - trailer (certain models)
6 Front fog lights on
7 Door open
8 Rear fog light on
9 Seat belt warning
10 High beams on
11 Fault in SRS system
12 Brake circuit not working (brake fluid level too low) and EBD
13 Battery charge failure
14 Parking brake applied
15 Low oil pressure
16 ABS (anti-lock brakes) malfunction
17 Automatic transmission: position W, 4 or 3 or L
18 Malfunction indicator light
19 Immobilizer on
20 Service Reminder Indicator
21 DSA (option)
22 High coolant temperature warning light
23 Low fuel warning light
Starting check
After a few seconds, all lights except 16 and 19 will go out. Once the engine starts, these lights will also go out.
* Indicates failure of a brake light, not failure of the braking system (see item 12).
pg. 22 Warning lights
The warning lights described on pages 22 and 23 should never stay on when driving
When the ignition key is turned on and before the engine starts, all of the warning lights should go on to test the
function of the bulbs. Should a light not go off after the engine has started, the system indicated should be inspected.
However, the parking brake reminder light will not go off until the parking brake has been fully released.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
If the light comes on (or stays on after the vehicle has started), the SRS diagnostic system has detected a fault. Drive to
an authorized Volvo retailer for an inspection of the system. See the SRS section for more information.
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 114.
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.
Parking brake reminder light
This light will be on when the parking brake (hand brake) is applied. The parking brake lever is situated between the
front seats.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 19 of 89

Canadian models are equipped with this warning light:
WARNING!
If the fluid level is below the lowest MIN mark in the brake fluid reservoir: DO NOT DRIVE. Tow the car to a
Volvo retailer and have the brake system checked and any leakage repaired.
Brake failure warning light
If the light comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately, open the hood and check the brake fluid level
in the reservoir. See page 116
for reservoir position.
If the control lamp still stays on, the EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) is not working.
Drive to your Volvo retailer. See ABS control lamp and also page 73.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light:
Bulb failure warning light
The light will come on if one of the brake light bulbs are defective when the brake pedal is pressed.
Check the fuse and bulb. See sections "Replacing bulbs" and "fuses".
pg. 23 Warning lights, Daytime Running Lights
DSA (option)
Dynamic Stability Assistance
This is a system which helps keep the drive wheels from spinning. The light flashes if the road surface is slippery, the
wheels are spinning and the system is working.
The control light comes on if a fault occurs in the DSA system. It also comes on if the system is switched off via the
switch.
For more information see page 30.
Service Reminder Light
This light will come on according to preset service intervals or after 750 hours of driving or after 12 months,
whichever occurs first. It is a reminder to the driver that the service interval has been exceeded. The light will stay on
for 2 minutes after start until reset by the servicing retailer.
Anti-lock Brake system (ABS)
If the warning lamp lights up there is a malfunction of the ABS system (the standard braking system will however
function). The vehicle should be driven to a Volvo retailer for inspection.
See page 73
for additional information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
On-Board Diagnostics 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
ProCarManuals.com
Page 20 of 89

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 Check Engine
Lamp may indicate a fault. However, your vehicle's performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo original or
approved fuel filler caps.
Daytime Running Lights:
The S40 and V40 come from the factory with daytime running lights activated. Carry out the following steps if you
will deactivate them (in the U.S. only *). These steps may be carried out again to reactivate and deactivate the daytime
running lights as desired.
Programming for On or OFF
Turn the headlight switch to position
.
Turn the ignition key in position II.
Pull the turn signal lever towards you and hold it while turning the headlight switch to position 0.
WARNING!
Do not activate or deactivate the daytime running lights while driving. Laws in your area may mandate the use of
daytime running lights. Check your local laws before deactivating daytime running lights.
* The use of daytime running lights is mandatory in Canada.
pg. 24 Headlights, Parking lights, Instrument illumination, Fog lights
A Headlights and parking lights 0 Switch position
Ignition key in positions 0+I: All lights switched off.
Ignition key in position II:
Low beam headlights on (+ front and rear parking lights, license plate light and instrument lighting).
Switch position
Parking lights front and rear.
Ignition key in positions 0, I and II
Parking lights should only be used when the car is parked, never when the car is being driven.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 21 of 89

It also switches on the position lights in bumpers, and license plate light (and the instrument lights in position II).
Switch position
Ignition key in positions 0 and I: All lights off.
Ignition key in position II: Headlights on (+ parking lights front and rear, license plate light, position lights in
the bumpers and instrument lights).
Note: You have to turn the light switch to this position in order to switch on high beams.
B Instrument lighting dimmer
Instrument lighting can be dimmed to 6% of maximum lighting.
C Rear fog light *
The rear fog light (located in the driver's side tail light cluster) is considerably brighter than the normal tail lights and
should be used only when the atmospheric conditions, such as fog, rain, snow, smoke or dust reduce the daytime or
night-time visibility of other vehicles to less than 500 ft (150 meters).
- Rear fog light: press
- headlights or front fog lights must be activated
D Front Fog lights
Ignition key must always be in position II.
Headlight or parking lights must be activated
- Front fog lights (option): press
Switching fog lights off
To switch the fog lights off, press the appropriate fog light switch again.
If headlights or parking lights are switched off, the fog lights will also go out. The fog lights are also switched off
when the ignition is switched off and must be switched back on manually if required when the ignition is switched on
again.
The front fog lights switch off automatically when the high beams are switched on.
* By design, there is one rear fog light only, located in the driver's side tail light cluster.
pg. 25 Turn signals, Home Safe lighting, Wipers/washers
Turn signalsWipers/washers
Turn signals
1 Lane change position. In maneuvers such as lane changing, the driver can flash the turn signals by moving the turn
ProCarManuals.com
Page 22 of 89

signal lever to the first stop and holding it there. The lever will return to the neutral position when released.
2 Signal lever engaged for normal turns.
3 High beam/low beam switch (headlights on).
Move the lever towards the steering wheel and release it.
4 Headlight flasher (headlights off).
Move the lever towards the steering wheel. The headlight high beam will be on until the lever is released.
NOTE: A defective turn signal bulb will cause the turn signal indicator and remaining signal lights to flash more
rapidly than normal.
Home Safe lighting
When you leave your car at night, you can make use of the exterior courtesy lighting function:
Remove the key from the ignition switch.
Pull the turn signal lever towards the steering wheel (as when using the headlight flasher function).
The low beam headlights will now remain on for 30 seconds to light your way.
Repeat the above measures if you want to switch off the Home Safe Lighting.
Wipers/washers
1 "Single sweep" position:
The switch returns automatically when released.
2 Intermittent wiper
The wipers will sweep approximately every 5 seconds (car speed depending).
3 Wipers, normal speed
4 Wipers, high speed
5 Windshield wiper/washer, headlight wiper/washer.
The wipers will make 2-3 sweeps across the windshield and headlights and 1 additional sweep after 3 seconds.
6 Tailgate window wiper (V40)
The tailgate wiper switch has three positions:
: Intermittent
O : Off
: Continuous
Tip function When pressing switch 7 briefly the wiper will make one sweep, independent of the interval
Backing up When the vehicle is put into reverse with the windshield wipers on and tailgate wiper off, the rear window
wiper will come on for two sweeps.
7 Tailgate window washer (V40)
The washer keeps working for as long as you keep the button depressed.
The wiper will make 2-3 sweeps after the lever is released and 1 sweep after 3 seconds.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 23 of 89
Contents | Top of Page
ProCarManuals.com
Page 24 of 89
2 0 0 4
VOLVO
S40 & V40
Chapter 3 - Body and interior
pg. 39 Body and interior
Body and interior
The seats, moonroof, mirrors, etc. are described on the following pages. Keys
40
Remote keyless entry system41
Doors and locks42
Alarm43
Trunk/Tailgate/Glove compartment45
Opening the trunk from the inside (S40)46
Front seats47
Child safety locks49
Rear/side view mirrors/Vanity mirrors50
Interior lights51
Power moonroof52
Hood/Luggage cover53
Storage compartments54
Folding rear seat55
Securing cargo56
Cargo space/Trunk light, Spare tire, jack57
Side cargo net, Cargo net58
Weight distribution, Handling, Roadholding, Roof rack59
pg. 40 Keys
ProCarManuals.com