Volvo and the environment
Volvo is committed to the well being of our customers. As a natural part of this commitment, we care about the
environment in which we all live. Caring for the environment means an everyday involvement in reducing our
environmental impact.
Volvo's environmental activities are based on a holistic view, which means we consider the overall environmental
impact of a product throughout its complete life cycle. In this context, design, production, product use, and recycling
are all important considerations.
In production, Volvo has partly or completely phased out several chemicals including freons, lead chromates,
naphtanates, asbestos, mercury and cadmium; and reduced the amount of chemicals used in our plants 50% since 1991.
In use, Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into production a three-way catalytic converter with a Lambda
sond, now called oxygen sensor, in 1976. The current version of this highly efficient system reduces emissions of
harmful substances (CO, HC, NOx) from the exhaust pipe by approximately 95% and the search to eliminate the
remaining emissions continues. Volvo is the only automobile manufacturer to offer CFC-free retrofit kits for the air
conditioning system for all models as far back as the M/Y 1975 240. Advanced electronic engine controls, refined
purification systems and cleaner fuels are bringing us closer to our goal.
After Volvo cars and parts have fulfilled their use, recycling is the next critical step in completing the life cycle. The
metal content is about 75% of the total weight of a car, which makes the car among the most recycled industrial
products. In order to have efficient and well controlled recycling, many Volvo variants have printed dismantling
manuals, indicating the weight and material of individual components. For Volvo, all homogeneous plastic parts
weighing more than 1.7 oz. (50 grams) are marked with international symbols that indicate how the component is to be
sorted for recycling.
In addition to continuous environmental refinement of conventional gasoline-powered internal combustion engines,
Volvo is actively looking at advanced technology alternative-fuel vehicles.
When you drive a Volvo, you become our partner in the work to lessen the car's impact on the environment.
To reduce your vehicle's environmental impact, you can:
Maintain proper air pressure in your tires. Tests have shown decreased fuel economy with improperly inflated tires
Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your Warranty and Service Records Information booklet.
Drive at a constant speed
See an authorized Volvo retailer as soon as possible for inspection if the check engine (malfunction indicator) lamp
illuminates, or stays on after the vehicle has started
Properly dispose of any vehicle related waste such as used motor oil, used batteries, brake pads, etc.
When cleaning your car, use Volvo's own car care products, all of which have systematically been adapted to the
environment
PremAir®
On the surface of the radiator in the engine compartment, there is a special coating called PremAir®. PremAir® works
as a catalytic converter, converting most of the ozone passing through the radiator into oxygen, thereby reducing
harmful ground-level ozone.
For additional information regarding the environmental activities in which Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. and
Volvo Cars of Canada, Ltd. are involved, visit our Internet Home Page at:
http://www.volvocars.com
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Warning lamp in the center of the instrument panel
This lamp lights up red or yellow depending on the severity of the fault that has been detected.
Yellow light: Follow the instructions shown in the text window.
Red light: Stop the car as soon as possible in a suitable location and read the message shown in the text window.
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.
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 134
for reservoir position and page 137 for instructions.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light:
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 138
. 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.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light:
Generator warning light
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SEE MANUAL: Refer to your owner's manual. For additional information, please contact your Volvo retailer.
SERVICE REQUIRED: Take your car to an authorized Volvo retailer for inspection at your convenience (but
preferably before the next scheduled maintenance service).
FIX NEXT SERVICE: Have the system affected inspected at the next scheduled maintenance service.
TIME FOR REGULAR SERVICE: This light will come on at 7,500 mile (12,000 km) intervals, after 750 hours of
driving or after 12 months, whichever occurs first, to remind 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.
1) OIL LEVEL LOW/FILL OIL* Check the oil level and top up if necessary. See page 138
.
2) OIL LEVEL LOW/STOP SAFELY* Stop as soon as possible and switch off the engine, check the oil level and
top up if necessary. See page 138
.
2) OIL LEVEL LOW/STOP ENGINE* Stop as soon as possible and switch off the engine, check the oil level and
top up if necessary. See page 138
.
2) OIL LEVEL LOW/SEE MANUAL* Stop as soon as possible and switch off the engine, check the oil level and
top up if necessary. See page 138
.
* These messages apply to R-models only.
1) Orange warning triangle, see page 28
.
2) Red warning triangle, see page 28
.
pg. 31 Switches in the center console
The positions of these buttons may vary, depending on the specifications of your car
1. Not in use
2. Not in use
3. Not in use
4. Stability Traction Control (STC)*/Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC)**
Press this switch for at least half a second to turn the Spin Control (SC) function of the STC/DSTC system on or off.
R-models only:
The Active Yaw Control function can be deactivated. See page 20
for more information.
An LED in the switch will light up to indicate that the system is on. See pages 20-21
for more information on
STC/DSTC. The SC function should be switched off if you, for any reason, temporarily have to drive with tires of
different dimensions (e.g., spare tire).
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that capacity weight or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded.
Speed-sensitive power steering
(Option on certain models)
With this feature, the steering is most responsive at lower speeds to make parking, driving in city traffic, etc., easier.
The effect of the power steering diminishes as you accelerate for greater stability at highway speeds.
Weight distribution affects handling
At the specified curb weight your car has a tendency to understeer, which means that the steering wheel has to be
turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvature of a bend. This ensures good stability and reduces the risk
of rear wheel skid. Remember that these properties can alter with the vehicle load. The heavier the load on the rear of
the vehicle (e.g., heavily loaded (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg) cargo area or when towing a trailer, the less the tendency to
understeer.
pg. 97 Points to remember
Cooling system
The risk for engine overheating is greatest, especially in hot weather, when:
Towing a trailer up steep inclines for prolonged periods at wide open throttle and low engine rpm.
Stopping the engine suddenly after high speed driving (so-called "after-boiling" can occur).
To avoid overheating, the following rules should be followed:
Do not drive for prolonged periods at engine speeds above 4500 rpm if you are towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
Reduce speed when towing a trailer up long, steep inclines. The risk of overheating can be reduced by switching off
the air conditioning system for a short time.
Do not let the engine idle unnecessarily for prolonged periods.
Do not mount auxiliary lamps in front of the grill.
When the risk of overheating is imminent, or in the event of overheating (the temperature gauge goes repeatedly into,
or stays continually in, the red section), the following precautions should be taken:
Switch off the air conditioning system.
Pull off the road, away from traffic, stop the car and put the gear selector into neutral.
Switch the heater to full (maximum) position. Increase the engine speed to approx. 2000 rpm (twice idling speed)
until the temperature begins to drop.
WARNING!
Do not remove coolant expansion tank cap. The coolant will be extremely hot.
If necessary, see page 133
and 136 for information on checking and topping-up the coolant level.
CAUTION: Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.e. flooded roadways, etc.). Damage to the
engine could result if excess water is drawn in through the air intake system. Never drive the vehicle in water deeper
than 1 foot (300 mm). See the flood warning on page 7
.
WARNING!
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Locking steering wheel35
Long distance trip106
Long loads57
M
Maintenance service131
Malfunction indicator lamp29
Manual climate control with air conditioning52-54
Manual transmission89
Memory function - front seats56
Mirrors41
Mirrors, sideview - memory function41
Moonroof42
N
Net - cargo69
Nylon cargo net69
O
Occupant safety17
Octane rating84
Odometer27
Oil - engine105, 137, 138
Oil pressure warning light28
Opening the hood136
P
Paint touch-up128
Panic function (alarm)80
Parking brake39
Parking brake reminder light28
Parking lights34
Passenger's seat backrest - folding57
PCV system134
Pen holder61
Polishing130
Power moonroof42
Power seats56
Power steering - speed sensitive96
Power steering fluid139
Power windows40
R
R-models, checking oil level138
Radio153
Rain sensor - windshield wipers37
Reading lights - front/rear74
Rear fog light29, 35
Rear reading lights74
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the vehicle and others sharing the roadway. Avoiding distractions is part of that responsibility.
The following should be checked regularly: *
1 Washer fluid reservoir should be filled with water and solvent (wintertime: windshield washer anti-freeze). See
page 135.
2 Power steering - When cold, the level must not be above the COLD mark and when hot it must not be above the
HOT mark. Top up if the level drops to the ADD mark with ATF fluid. See page 139.
3 Coolant level should be between the expansion tank marks. Mixture: 50% anti-freeze and 50% water. See page 133.
4 Engine oil level should be between the dipstick marks. The distance between the marks represents approx.
1.6 US qts (1.5 liters). See page 138.
5 Brake fluid - check, without removing the cap, that the level is above the MIN mark. Use brake fluid DOT 4+. See
page 139.
* Engine oil should be checked each time the car is refuelled.
Octane rating, see page 84.
Tire pressure, see label located on the inside of the fuel tank cover.
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