Keep your windshield and headlights clean.
Replace wiper blades when they start to leave streaks.
Take into account the traffic, road, and weather conditions, particularly with regard to stopping distance.
Reporting safety defects in the U.S.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Volvo Cars
of North America. If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety
defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems between you, your retailer, or Volvo Cars of North America. To contact NHTSA, you
may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1- 800-424-9393 (or 202-366-0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or
write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington D.C. 20590. You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.
Volvo strongly recommends that if your vehicle is covered under a service campaign, safety or emission recall or
similar action, it should be completed as soon as possible. Please check with your local retailer or Volvo Cars of North
America, LLC if your vehicle is covered under these conditions. NHTSA can be reached at:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov
or by phone at:
pg. 13 Occupant safety
1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327- 4236) (toll free)
1-800-424-9393 (toll free)
1-202-366-0123 (in the Washington DC area)
pg. 14 Seat belts
Seat belts
Using seat belts
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 occupants of your vehicle 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 vehicle.
Most states and provinces make it mandatory for occupants of a vehicle to use seat belts.
So, urging you to buckle up is not just our recommendation. The few seconds it takes to buckle your seat belt may one
day allow you to say "It's a good thing I was wearing my seat belt."
The outboard seat belts are equipped with tensioners that reduce slack in the belts.
These tensioners are triggered in situations where the airbags deploy. The front seat belts also include a tension
reducing device which, in the event of a collision, limits the peak forces exerted by the seat belt on the occupant.
WARNING!
Never use a seat belt for more than one occupant. Never wear the shoulder portion of the belt under the arm, behind
the back or otherwise out of position. Such use could cause injury in the event of an accident. As seat belts lose
much of their strength when exposed to violent stretching, they should be replaced after any collision, even if they
appear to be undamaged.
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14. Temperature gauge
The gauge indicates the temperature of the engine cooling system. If the temperature is abnormally high and the needle
enters the red zone, a message is shown in the display. Bear in mind that extra lamps in front of the air intake reduce
the cooling capacity at high outside temperatures and high engine loads.
15. Indicator and warning symbols
1. Models with All Wheel Drive have a tank volume of 15 US gallons (57 liters).
Models with engine code 39 have a fuel tank capacity of 14.5 US gallons (55 liters). This code is the 6th and 7th digits
from the left in your vehicle's VIN number. See page 184
for the location of the VIN plate.
pg. 39 Indicator and warning symbols
Function check
The indicator and warning symbols light up when you turn the ignition key to the driving position (position II) before
starting. This shows that the symbols are functioning. When the engine starts, all symbols go out. If the engine is not
started within 5 seconds, all of the symbols except CHECK ENGINE and
will go out. Certain symbols may not
have their functions illustrated, depending on the car's equipment. The PARK BRAKE symbol will not go out until the
parking brake has been released.
Symbols in the center of the instrument panel
Warning symbol
The red warning symbol lights up to indicate a fault that could affect the car's driveability. A text explaining the nature
of the fault will also be shown in the information display. This symbol may also light up in combination with other
indicator or warning symbols.
If the red warning symbol lights up:
1. Stop the car as soon as possible in a suitable location.
2. Read the message in the information display.
3. Follow the instructions provided, or contact an authorized Volvo Retailer or workshop.
Information symbol
The yellow information symbol lights up to alert the driver to a message in the information display. This symbol may
also light up in combination with other indicator or warning symbols.
NOTE: The car can still be driven after the information symbol has come on. The car can be driven for 1-2 weeks
after service-related information has been displayed.
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pg. 41 Symbols on the right side of the instrument panel
Symbols - right side of instrument panel
1. Turn signal indicator for trailer (certain models)
If you are towing a trailer, this light will flash simultaneously with the turn signals on the trailer. If the light
does not flash when signaling, one of the turn signals on the trailer or on the car are not functioning properly.
2. Parking brake applied
This light is 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 symbol
.
3. Safety system warning light
If this light comes on while the car is being driven, or remains on for longer than approximately 10 seconds
after the car has been started, the safety system's diagnostic functions have detected a fault in a seat belt lock, SRS,
SIPS, and/or VIC system. Drive to an authorized Volvo retailer to have the system(s) inspected.
4. Oil pressure warning light
If the light comes on while driving, stop the car, stop the engine immediately, and check the engine oil level.
See if the oil level is normal and 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.
5. Seat belt reminder
This symbol (and the seat belt reminder light above the rear view mirror) will light up if either front seat
occupant has not buckled his/her seat belt. If the car is not moving, the symbols will go out after approximately 6
seconds.
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6. Generator warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running, have the charging system checked by an authorized Volvo
workshop.
7. Brake failure warning light
If this light comes on while driving or braking, stop the car as quickly as possible in a safe place, open the
hood, and check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. See page 148
for the location of the reservoir.
Canadian models are equipped with this symbol .
WARNING!
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a "Brake failure - Service urgent" message is displayed
in the information display: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the car towed to an authorized Volvo retailer and have the brake
system inspected.
pg. 42 Symbols on the right side of the instrument panel
If the BRAKE and ABS warning lights come on at the same time, this could indicate a fault in the brake system.
In this case:
1. Stop the car in a suitable place and switch off the engine.
2. Restart the engine.
3. If both warning lights go off, no further action is required and the car can be driven.
4. If both lights remain on after the engine has been restarted, switch off the engine again and check the brake fluid
level. See page 148
for the location of the reservoir.
Door open warning
The driver will be alerted if one of the doors, the hood, or the trunk lid are open or ajar.
At low speeds
If the car is moving at a speed of less than approximately 4 m.p.h. (7 km/h), the Information symbol in the
instrument panel will light up and a message will be shown in the information display indicating which door(s), etc is
not completely closed.
At higher speeds
If the car is moving at a speed above approximately 4 m.p.h. (7 km/h), the Warning symbol in the
instrument panel will light up and a message will be shown in the information display indicating which door(s), etc is
not completely closed.
Hood and trunk
If the hood and/or trunk lid is not completely closed, the Information symbol in the instrument panel will
light up and a message will be displayed, regardless of the vehicle's speed.
pg. 43 Information display
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The front fog lights will only function with the ignition key in at least position II. These lights can only be used in
combination with the low beam headlights or the parking lights. These lights will be automatically switched off the
next time the car is started.
An LED in the switch indicates when the front fog lights are on.
4. Unlocking the fuel filler door
With the ignition switched off, press this button to unlock the fuel filler door. Please note that the fuel filler door will
remain unlocked until the car begins to move
pg. 46 Lighting panel
forward. An audible click will be heard when the fuel filler door re-locks.
Manually releasing the fuel filler door
If it should be necessary, the fuel filler door can be opened manually from the inside the trunk.
To do so:
1. Move the cover panel to one side.
2. This exposes a handle, located near the fuel filler door locking mechanism.
Pull the handle rearward to release the fuel filler door.
5. Rear fog light
The single rear fog light is located in the driver's side tail light cluster. The ignition key must be in at least position II
for the rear fog light to function. This light is considerably brighter than the normal tail lights and should be used only
when conditions such as fog, rain, snow, smoke or dust reduce visibility for other vehicles to less than 500 ft. (150
meters). An LED in the switch indicates when the rear fog light is on. The rear fog light will only function in
combination with the high/ low beam headlights or the optional front fog lights.
pg. 47 Left-side steering wheel lever
Turn signals, high/low beams, headlight flasher, exterior courtesy lights
Lane change position (1)
When changing lanes, the driver can flash the turn signals by moving the turn signal lever to the first stop and
releasing it. This will cause the turn signal to flash three times.
Position for normal turns (2)
NOTE: If the turn signal indicator flashes faster than normal, check for a burned-out turn signal bulb.
With the headlights on: high/low beams (3)
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The alarm is automatically armed whenever the car is locked with the remote control.
When armed, the alarm continuously monitors a number of points on the car. The following conditions will trigger the
alarm:
The hood is forced open.
The trunk is forced open.
A door is forced open.
The ignition switch is tampered with
An attempt is made to start the car with a non-approved key (a key not coded to the car's ignition).
If there is movement in the passenger compartment (if the car is equipped with the optional movement sensor).
The car is lifted or towed (if the car is equipped with the optional inclination sensor)
The battery is disconnected (while the alarm is armed).
The siren is disconnected when the alarm is disarmed.
The alarm indicator light
The status of the alarm system is indicated by the indicator light on at the top of the dashboard (see illustration):
Indicator light off - the alarm is not armed
The indicator light flashes every two seconds - the alarm is armed
The indicator light flashes rapidly before the ignition is switched on - the alarm has been triggered. The message
"ALARM TRIGGERED, CHECK CAR" will also be displayed.
Fault in the alarm system: If a fault has been detected in the alarm system, a message will be shown in the
information display. Contact your Volvo retailer to have the alarm system inspected and repaired if necessary.
Arming the alarm
Press the LOCK button on the remote control, or press the central lock button on one of the front doors with the door
open. One long flash of the turn signals will confirm that the alarm is armed.
Disarming the alarm
Press the UNLOCK button on the remote control or unlock the doors with the key control. Two short flashes from the
car's direction indicators confirm that the alarm has been deactivated and that all doors are unlocked.
Turning off (stopping) the alarm
If the alarm is sounding, it can be stopped by pressing the UNLOCK button on the remote control or by inserting the
key in the ignition switch.
Audible/visual alarm signal
An audible alarm signal is given by a battery powered siren. The alarm cycle lasts for 30 seconds.
pg. 95 Alarm
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2 0 0 5
VOLVO S40
Chapter 7 - Starting and driving
pg. 97 Starting and driving
General information98
Fuel requirements101
Starting the vehicle104
Manual transmission107
Automatic transmission - Geartronic108
All Wheel Drive (option)110
Brake system111
Stability system113
Rear park assist115
Towing116
Jump starting118
Towing a trailer119
Trailer towing120
Detachable trailer hitch121
Transporting loads122
pg. 98 General information
Economical driving conserves natural resources
Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts and stops and adjusting the speed of
your vehicle to immediate traffic conditions.
Observe the following rules:
Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by driving with a light foot on the accelerator
pedal for the first few minutes of operation. A cold engine uses more fuel and is subject to increased wear.
Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle for driving short distances. This does not allow the engine to reach
normal operating temperature.
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Immobilizer: If two of the keys to your vehicle are close together, e.g., on the same key ring when you try to start
the vehicle, this could cause interference in the immobilizer system and result in the vehicle not starting. If this should
occur, remove one of the keys from the key ring before trying to start the vehicle again.
Keylock: Your vehicle is equipped with a keylock system. When the engine is switched off, the gear selector must
be in the (P)ark position before the key can be removed from the ignition switch.
When starting in cold weather, the automatic transmission may shift up at slightly higher engine speeds than normal
until the automatic transmission fluid reaches normal operating temperature.
Do not race a cold engine immediately after starting. Oil flow may not reach some lubrication points fast enough to
prevent engine damage.
WARNING!
Volvo's floor mats are specially manufactured for your car. They must be firmly secured in the clips on the floor so
that they cannot slide and become trapped under the pedals on the driver's side.
pg. 105 Starting the vehicle
CAUTION!
Automatic transmission: 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 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.
WARNING!
Always place the gear selector in Park and apply the parking brake before leaving the vehicle. Never leave the
vehicle unattended with the engine running.
Always open 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.
pg. 106 Ignition switch and steering wheel lock
0 - Locked position
Remove the key to lock the steering wheel1. Never turn the key to position 0 while driving or when the vehicle is
being towed.
NOTE: A ticking sound may be audible if the key is turned to a position between 0 and I. To stop this sound, turn the
key to position II and back to position 0.
I - Intermediate position
2
Certain accessories, radio, etc. on, daytime running lights off
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