2004 VOLVO XC70 towing

2004 VOLVO XC70
Power brakes function only when the engine is running
The power brakes utilize vacuum pressure which is only created when the \
engine is running. Never let
the vehicle roll to a stop with the engine switched off.
If the power brakes are not working, the brake pedal must be pressed app\
roximately four times harder
than usual to make up for the lack of power assistance. This can happen \
for example when towing your
vehicle or if the engine is switched off when the vehicle is rolling. Th\
e brake pedal feels harder than
usual.
Water on brake discs and brake pads affects braking
Driving in rain and slush or passing through an automatic car wash can c\
ause water to collect on the
brake discs and pads. This will cause a delay in braking effect when the\
pedal is depressed. To avoid
such a delay when the brakes are needed, depress the pedal occasionally \
when driving through rain,
slush etc. This will remove the water from the brakes. Check that brake \
application feels normal. This
should also be done after washing or starting in very damp or cold weath\
er.
Severe strain on the brake system
The brakes will be subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or\
hilly areas or towing. Vehicle
speed is usually slower, which means that the cooling of the brakes is l\
ess efficient than when driving on
level roads. To reduce the strain on the brakes, shift into a lower gear\
and let the engine help with the
braking. Do not forget that, if you are towing a trailer, the brakes wil\
l be subjected to a greater than
normal load.
pg. 19 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)


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) and the vehicle should be driven cautiously to a Volv\
o retailer for inspection. The
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stop\
ping and steering) during severe
braking conditions by limiting brake lockup. When the system "senses" im\
pending lockup, braking
pressure is automatically modulated in order to help prevent lockup, whi\
ch could lead to a skid.
The system performs a self-diagnostic test when the engine is started an\
d when the vehicle first
reaches a speed of approximately 12 mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and a
sound may be audible from the ABS control module. This is normal.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2004/2004_XC70/04xc70_01b.htm (11 of 15)12/30/20\
06 4:32:55 PM

2004 VOLVO XC70
fault. Drive to an authorized Volvo retailer for an inspection of the sy\
stem. See the SRS section for more
information.
Brake failure warning light
If the light comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately, open t\
he 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 engi\
ne 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 w\
hen 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
If the light comes on while the engine is running, have the charging sys\
tem checked.
* Rear fog light, if used, and trailer turn signal, if towing a trailer,\
will go on while driving.

file:///K|/ownersdocs/2004/2004_XC70/04xc70_02a.htm (7 of 14)12/30/200\
6 4:32:56 PM

2004 VOLVO XC70
Stability Traction Control (STC) system (option), or Dynamic
Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system (option)
An indicator light will flash when STC or DSTC is actively working to st\
abilize the car. See pages 20-21 for
more detailed information.

Turn signal indicator - trailer (certain models)
If you are towing a trailer, this light will flash simultaneously with t\
he turn signals on the trailer. If the light
does not flash when signaling, neither the trailer's turn signals nor th\
e car's turn signals are functioning.

Seat belt reminder
This symbol lights up to indicate that the driver has not fastened his/h\
er seat belt.


pg. 30 Text information window
Messages in the text window
When a warning light in the instrument panel comes on, a message is also\
displayed in the text window. After
you have read the message, you can erase it by pressing button A (see i\
llustration above).
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2004/2004_XC70/04xc70_02a.htm (9 of 14)12/30/200\
6 4:32:56 PM

2004 VOLVO XC70

pg. 100 Emergency towing


Front towing eyelet
Emergency towing
The towing eyelet is located in the tool bag, under the floor of the car\
go area, with the spare tire. This
eyelet must be screwed into the positions provided on the right sides of\
either the front or rear bumper
(see illustration). To attach the towing eyelet:
l Use a coin to pry open the lower edge of the cover (A).
l Screw the towing eyelet in place, first by hand and then using the tire \
iron (B) until it is securely in
place.
After the car has been towed, the eyelet should be removed and returned \
to the tool bag. Press the cover
back into position.

file:///K|/ownersdocs/2004/2004_XC70/04xc70_06b.htm (1 of 10)12/30/200\
6 4:33:02 PM

2004 VOLVO XC70
Rear towing eyelet
Precautions when the car is in tow
l The steering wheel must be unlocked. Turn the ignition key to position I\
or II.
l The gear selector must be in position N.
l Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h)
l Maximum distance with front wheels on ground: 50 miles (80 km).
l While the car is being towed, try to keep the tow rope taut at all times\
.
l Cars with an automatic transmission should only be towed in forward dire\
ction.
CAUTION:
l Please check with state and local authorities before attempting this typ\
e of towing, as vehicles being
towed are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length \
and type of towing device,
lighting, etc.
l If the car's battery is dead, do not attempt to start the vehicle by pus\
hing or pulling it as this will
damage the three-way catalytic converter(s). The engine must be jump s\
tarted using an auxiliary battery
(see
page 104).
l If the car is being towed on a flat bed truck, the towing eyelets must n\
ot be used to secure the car on
the flat bed. Consult the tow truck operator.
WARNING!
l Remember that the power brakes and power steering will not function when\
engine is not running.
The braking and steering systems will function but the brake pedal press\
ure required is 3 - 4 times
above normal and greater steering effort must be exerted.
l The towing eyelets must not be used for pulling another vehicle out of a\
ditch or for any similar
purpose involving severe strain.
l Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the car up onto a flat bed tow tru\
ck.


pg. 101 Vehicle towing information

file:///K|/ownersdocs/2004/2004_XC70/04xc70_06b.htm (2 of 10)12/30/200\
6 4:33:02 PM

2004 VOLVO XC70
Towing cars with all wheel drive/front wheel drive
Volvo recommends the use of flat bed equipment. If wheel lift equipment \
must be used, please use
extreme caution to help avoid damage to the car. In this case, the car should be towed with the rear
wheels on the ground if at all possible.
If it is absolutely necessary to tow the vehicle with the front wheels o\
n the ground, please refer to the
towing information on the previous page.
CAUTION:
l The car must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions/specifica\
tions or with a spare tire
other than the one that came with the car. The use of different size whe\
els can seriously damage your
car's transmission.
l Sling-type equipment applied at the front will damage radiator and air c\
onditioning lines.
l It is equally important not to use sling-type equipment at the rear or a\
pply lifting equipment inside the
rear wheels; serious damage to the rear axle may result.
l If the car is being towed on a flat bed truck, the towing eyelets must n\
ot be used to secure the car on
the flat bed. Consult the tow truck operator.
WARNING!
l Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the car up onto a flat bed tow tru\
ck.
s


file:///K|/ownersdocs/2004/2004_XC70/04xc70_06b.htm (3 of 10)12/30/200\
6 4:33:02 PM

2004 VOLVO XC70
pg. 102 Towing a trailer
When preparing for trailer towing, observe the following:
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches which are specially de\
signed for the car.
l Maximum trailer weight recommended by Volvo is:
Trailers without brakes: 1100 lbs (500 kg)
Trailers with brakes: 3300 lbs* (1,500 kg),
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 car is new, avoid towing heavy trailers during the first 620 m\
iles (1000 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) - 165 lbs (75 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.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2004/2004_XC70/04xc70_06b.htm (4 of 10)12/30/200\
6 4:33:02 PM

2004 VOLVO XC70
WARNING!
l Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvo's, nor should \
safety chains be attached
to the bumper.
l Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle rear axle must not be used.
l Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to the vehicle\
brake system, nor a trailer's
lighting system directly to the vehicle lighting system. Consult your ne\
arest authorized Volvo retailer
for correct installation.
l When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety wire must be correctly faste\
ned to the hole or hook
provided in the trailer hitch on the car. The safety wire should never b\
e fastened to or wound around
the drawbar ball.
NOTE:
l When parking the car with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking brake before putting the gear selector
in (P)ark. When starting on a hill, put the gear selector in (D)rive\
before releasing the parking brake.
l If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift positions while towing a trai\
ler, make sure the gear you select
does not put too much strain on the engine (using too high a gear).
l The drawbar assembly/trailer hitch may be certified for trailers that ar\
e heavier than the car is
designed to tow. Please adhere to Volvo's recommended trailer weights.
* When driving for prolonged periods at temperatures above 86° F (30\
° C), the maximum recommended
weight is 2000 lbs (900 kg).

pg. 103 Detachable trailer hitch (accessory) - installing/removing


A - ball holder, B - locking bolt, C - cotter pin, D - hitch assembly
Installing the ball holder
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2004/2004_XC70/04xc70_06b.htm (5 of 10)12/30/200\
6 4:33:02 PM