Blower
Blower speed can be increased or decreased by turning the knob. If the knob is set to 0, the air conditioning function is
automatically disengaged.
Temperature
Turn the control to set the temperature for the driver's and passenger's sides of the car. For cooler air, the air
conditioning function must be engaged.
Rear window and sideview mirror defrosters
This function defrosts/de-ices the rear window and sideview mirrors. The LED in the switch will light up to indicate
that the heating function is engaged. See page 38
for additional information on this function.
Never use ice scrapers made of metal as they can easily scratch the mirror surface.
Heated front seats (option)
Press the switch once for maximum seat heating. Both LEDs in the switch will be lit.
Press the switch a second time for comfort heating. One LED in the switch will be lit.
Press the switch a third time to turn the heating off completely. The LED will go off.
The seat heating for the passenger seat should be switched off when the seat is not occupied.
pg. 58 Climate control
Manual climate control with air conditioning, A/C (contd)
Recirculation
Recirculation can be used to shut out stale air, exhaust, etc. from the passenger compartment. The air in the passenger
compartment is then recirculated, i.e. no air from outside the car is taken into the car when this function is activated.
Recirculation (together with the air conditioning system) cools the passenger compartment more quickly in warm
weather.
If you allow the air in the car to recirculate, there is a risk of icing and fogging, especially in winter. The timer function
minimizes the risk of ice, misting and stale air.
Activate the timer function as follows:
Press for more than 3 seconds. The LED flashes for 5 seconds. The air recirculates in the car for 3-12 minutes
depending on the outside temperature.
The timer function is activated each time you press .
To switch off the timer function:
ProCarManuals.com
the light on for 30 seconds if:
You unlock the car from the outside with the key or remote control.
You switch off the ignition (turn the key to position 0).
The courtesy light stays on for 10 minutes if one of the doors is left open after the car is unlocked.
The courtesy light switches off if:
The engine is started.
The car is locked from the outside with the key or remote control.
The courtesy light can be switched off or on in all situations by briefly pressing the button.
When you switch the light on, it remains lit for 10 minutes.
You can disconnect the automatic function by pressing the courtesy light button for more than 3 seconds. Briefly
pressing the courtesy light button again automatically reconnects the function.
The courtesy light timer periods can be changed. Contact your Volvo retailer.
Rear reading lights
Reading lights - front/rear
The reading lights can be switched on or off by pressing the respective buttons. These lights switch off automatically
after 10 minutes if the engine is not running. If the engine is running, the lights stay on indefinitely. The lights can be
switched off at any time by pressing the button.
pg. 65 Interior
ProCarManuals.com
2 0 0 5
VOLVO S60
Starting and driving
pg. 83 Starting and driving
Engine oil 84
Refueling86
Starting the car87
General information89
Manual transmission91
Automatic transmission (option)92
Geartronic (option)94
All Wheel Drive (option)96
Four-C active chassis system97
Brake system98
Stability system100
Towing102
Jump starting104
Towing a trailer105
Detachable trailer hitch - installing107
Detachable trailer hitch - removing108
Attaching load carriers109
Cold weather precautions110
Before a long distance trip111
Front/rear park assist (option/accessory)112
pg. 84 Starting and driving
Engine Oil
Although some oil consumption occurs during normal engine operation, more oil is consumed when the engine is new
as the internal parts generate higher friction while wearing-in to each other. From the time the engine is new until the
first service is performed, the oil consumption could be higher than normal. For this reason, it is especially important
to check the oil every time you refuel your car during this period. See page 142
.
Fuel requirements
Octane rating
Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium gasoline with an AKI octane rating of 91
or above. AKI (ANTI KNOCK INDEX) is an average of the Research Octane Number, RON, and the Motor Octane
Number, MON. (RON + MON/2). The minimum octane requirement is AKI 87 (RON 91).
ProCarManuals.com
Do not refuel with the engine running *. Turn the ignition off or to position I. If the ignition is on, an incorrect reading
could occur in the fuel gauge
After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise until it clicks into place*.
Allow for fuel expansion by not overfilling the tank. Overfilling could also cause damage to the emission control
systems. Avoid spilling gasoline during refueling. In addition to causing damage to the environment, gasolines
containing alcohol can cause damage to painted surfaces, which may not be covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Do not use gasolines containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). This practice can result in vehicle
performance deterioration and can damage critical parts in the fuel system. Such damage may not be covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
* If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the car is refueled, the Check Engine Light
(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.
pg. 87 Starting and driving
Starting the car
Starting the engine
1. Fasten the seat belt.
WARNING!
Before starting, check that the seat, steering wheel and mirrors are adjusted properly. Make sure the brake pedal can
be depressed completely. Adjust the seat if necessary. See pages 60,
62.
2. Apply the parking brake (hand brake) if not already set. The gear selector (automatic transmission) is locked in the
(P )ark position ( SHIFTLOCK ).
Manual transmission: the clutch must be fully depressed.
3. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key* to the starting position. Allow the starter to operate for
up to 10 seconds. Release the key as soon as the engine starts. If the engine fails to start, repeat this step.
NOTE: On certain models, when the car is started, idle speed may be noticeably higher than normal for a short period,
depending on the temperature of the engine. This has been done to help bring components in the emission control
system to their normal operating temperature as quickly as possible, which enables them to function normally.
For cold starts at altitudes above 6000 ft (1800 meters), depress the accelerator pedal halfway and turn the key to the
starting position. Release the pedal slowly when the engine starts.
4. To release the gear selector from the ( P)ark position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in
position II) and the brake pedal must be depressed.
5. Select the desired gear. The gear engages after a very slight delay which is especially noticeable when selecting R.
NOTE: Your car is equipped with a KEYLOCK system (automatic transmission). 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 transmission may shift up at slightly higher engine speeds than normal until the
automatic transmission fluid reaches normal operating temperature.
ProCarManuals.com
Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard Maintenance Service intervals.
NOTE: Vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions should use (D)rive as often as possible and avoid using
"kickdown" to help improve fuel economy.
WARNING!
Driving with the trunk open: Driving with the trunk open could lead to poisonous exhaust gases entering the
passenger compartment.
If the trunk must be kept open for any reason, proceed as follows
- Close the windows
- Set the ventilation system control to air flow to floor, windshield and side windows and blower control to its
highest setting.
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).
pg. 90 Starting and driving
General information (contd)
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 in the trunk (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg), the less the tendency to understeer.
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle handling. Therefore, check that the tires are inflated to
the recommended pressure according to the vehicle load. See "Tire pressure" section.
Loads should be distributed so 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.
pg. 91 Starting and driving
Manual transmission
ProCarManuals.com
Please refer to the information on page 93.
Sport mode (R-models only)
R-models are equipped with a (S)port button that can be used to engage/disengage the Sport shifting mode. An
indicator light in the button will go on when Sport mode is engaged.
With Sport mode engaged, the transmission will shift up at higher rpm in first and second gears, and will also shift
down at higher rpm for more immediate engine response during acceleration and deceleration.
pg. 96 Starting and driving
All Wheel Drive (option)
All Wheel Drive (AWD) - general information
Your Volvo can be equipped with permanent All Wheel Drive, which means that power is distributed automatically
between the front and rear wheels. Under normal driving conditions, most engine's power is directed to the front
wheels. However, if there is any tendency for the front wheels to spin, an electronically controlled coupling distributes
power to the wheels that have the best traction.
Tire dimensions
Volvo recommends that you always drive on tires of the same brand, size, construction (radial), tread pattern, load-,
speed-, traction-, temperature-, and treadwear rating. Never drive on mixed tires, except for brief periods when the
temporary spare tire is in use.
Always use properly inflated tires of correct dimensions. Tire size and inflation pressures are shown on the tire
inflation pressure placards, located on the driver's side B-pillar (the structural member at the side of the vehicle, at the
rear of the driver's door opening), or on the inside of the fuel filler door on Canadian models.
Temporary Spare
The temporary spare tire is for temporary, low-speed, short-distance use only. Replace it with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. Do not drive on the temporary spare at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h) or for distances greater than 50 miles
(80 km.)
Never install snow chains on a temporary spare.
pg. 97 Starting and driving
Four-C active chassis system
Four-C active chassis
ProCarManuals.com
The FOUR-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) active chassis system, consisting of Comfort and Sport
modes, is available as an option.
NOTE:
The S60 R has a standard FOUR-C system consisting of Comfort, Sport, and Advanced sport modes. The buttons for
controlling these driving modes are located in center instrument panel, above the ventilation system panel vents, see
the illustration below. These buttons can be pressed at any time to change driving modes. An indicator light in the
selected button will come on to indicate the driving mode that is currently selected.
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.
Comfort
The Comfort mode chassis setting offers the greatest amount of shock absorption and the softest ride. This mode is
recommended for long-distance driving, or when driving in slippery conditions. The indicator light in the button will
be off when this mode is selected.
If Comfort mode was selected when the engine was switched off, this mode will still be active when the engine is
restarted.
Sport
In this mode, shock absorption is stiffer to reduce the car's body sway during cornering and to provide more immediate
steering response. The indicator light in the button will come on to indicate that Sport mode has been selected.
If this setting was selected when the engine was switched off, Sport mode will still be active when the engine is
restarted.
S60 R buttons on the dashboard
Advanced Sport (S60R only)
In this mode, movement of the shock absorbers is minimal, response from pressure on the throttle pedal is more direct,
and body sway in curves or when cornering is sharply reduced.
If Advanced sport mode was selected when the engine was switched off, Sport mode will be active when the engine
is restarted.
ProCarManuals.com
Tire inflation
Check tire inflation pressure regularly. A table listing the recommended inflation pressure for your vehicle can be
found on page 117
. Tire inflation pressure placards are also located on the driver's side B-pillar (the structural member
at the side of the vehicle, at the rear of the driver's door opening), or on the inside of the fuel filler door on Canadian
models. These placards indicate the designation of the factory-mounted tires on your vehicle, as well as load limits and
inflation pressure.
Tire inflation placard on Canadian models
NOTE: The placards shown indicate inflation pressure for the tires installed on the car at the factory only.
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pressure, including the spare, at least once a month and before long trips.
You are strongly urged to buy a reliable tire pressure gauge, as automatic service station gauges may be inaccurate.
Use the recommended cold inflation pressure for optimum tire performance and wear.
Under-inflation or over-inflation may cause uneven treadwear patterns.
WARNING!
-Under-inflation is the most common cause of tire failure and may result in severe tire cracking, tread separation, or
"blowout," with unexpected loss of vehicle control and increased risk of injury.
-Under-inflated tires reduce the load carrying capacity of your vehicle.
When weather temperature changes occur, tire inflation pressures also change. A 10-degree temperature drop causes a
corresponding drop of 1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure. Check your tire pressures frequently and adjust them to the
proper pressure, which can be found on the vehicle's tire information placard or certification label.
Checking tire pressure
Cold tires
Inflation pressure should be checked when the tires are cold.
The tires are considered to be cold when they have the same temperature as the surrounding (ambient) air.
This temperature is normally reached after the car has been parked for at least 3 hours.
pg. 116 Wheels and tires
After driving a distance of approximately 1 mile (1.6 km), the tires are considered to be hot. If you have to drive
farther than this distance to pump your tire(s), check and record the tire pressure first and add the appropriate air
pressure when you get to the pump.
If checking tire pressure when the tire is hot, never "bleed" or reduce air pressure. The tires are hot from driving and it
is normal for pressures to increase above recommended cold pressures. A hot tire at or below recommended cold
inflation pressure could be significantly under-inflated.
To check inflation pressure:
1. Remove the cap from the valve on one tire, then firmly press the tire gauge onto the valve.
ProCarManuals.com