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VOLVO S80
Chapter 7 - Wheels and tires
pg. 97 Wheels and tires
General  information98
Tire inflation99
Tire inflation pressure tables101
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)102
Self supporting run flat  tires103
Tire designations104
Glossary of tire terminology105
Vehicle loading106
Uniform tire quality  grading107
Snow chains, snow tires, studded tires108
Temporary spare109
Changing a wheel110
pg. 98 Wheels and tires
General  information
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according  to the vehicle's tire information placard  on the 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.
The tires have good road holding characteristics and  offer  good handling on dry and  wet  surfaces. It should be  noted
however  that the tires have been developed to give these features on snow/ice-free surfaces.
Certain  models are equipped with "all-season"  tires, which  provide a  somewhat higher degree of road holding on
slippery surfaces than tires without the "all-season"  rating. However, for optimum road holding on icy or snow-
covered roads, we recommend suitable winter tires on all four wheels.
When replacing tires, be  sure that the new tires are the same size designation, type (radial)  and  preferably from  the
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same manufacturer, on all four wheels. Otherwise there is a  risk of altering the car's roadholding and  handling
characteristics.
NOTE: When storing wheel/tire assemblies (e.g. winter tires and  wheels), either stand the assemblies upright, or
suspend them off the ground. Laying wheel/tire assemblies on their sides for prolonged periods  can cause wheel and/or
tire damage.
Tread wear indicator
The tires have wear  indicator strips running across or parallel to the tread. The letters  TWI are printed on the side of
the tire. When approximately 1/16" (1.6 mm) is left on the tread, these strips become visible and  indicate that the tire
should be  replaced.  Tires with less than 1/16" (1.6 mm) tread offer  very poor traction.
When replacing worn tires, it is recommended that the tire be  identical  in type (radial)  and  size as the one  being
replaced.  Using a  tire of the same make (manufacturer) will prevent alteration of the driving characteristics of the
vehicle.
New tires
Remember that tires are perishable goods. As of 2000, the manufacturing week and  year will be  indicated with 4 digits
(e.g. 1502 means that the tire illustrated was manufactured during week 15 of 2002).
Improving tire economy:
• Maintain correct tire pressure. See  the tire pressure table  on page 101.
• Drive smoothly:  avoid fast  starts, hard braking and  tire screeching.
• Tire wear  increases with speed.
• Correct front  wheel alignment is very important.
• Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy and  driving comfort.
• Tires must  maintain the same direction of rotation throughout their lifetime.
• When replacing tires, the tires with the most  tread should be  mounted on the rear wheels to reduce the chance of
oversteer during hard braking.
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run flat tires.
Tires of this  type have specially reinforced sidewalls that make it possible to continue  driving in the event of a  drop in
inflation pressure. Tires of this  type are mounted on special rims.
NOTE: Self supporting run flat tires are only available in conjunction with TPMS.
If a  self  supporting run flat tire should lose inflation pressure, the yellow TPMS warning symbol  (
) in the
instrument panel lights up to alert the driver, and  a  message will be  shown in the text window in the instrument panel.
If this  occurs, reduce vehicle speed to a  maximum of 50 mph (80 km/h). The vehicle can be  driven approximately 50
miles (80 km), or somewhat farther if the vehicle is not heavily  loaded. The tire should be  replaced  as soon as
possible.
Hard braking and  sudden steering maneuvers should be  avoided.
In certain cases, it may be  difficult to see which  self  supporting run flat tire is defective. To determine which  tire is
damaged, check the inflation pressure of all four tires.
WARNING!
• Only specially trained persons should mount self  supporting run flat tires. 
• If self  supporting run flat tires are mounted, the vehicle must  be  equipped with a  Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
• After a  low pressure warning has been displayed, do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). 
• Avoid severe cornering and  hard braking, and  minimize the distance traveled before replacing the self  supporting
run flat tire. 
• Self supporting run flat tires cannot be  repaired. They must  be  replaced  if damaged or punctured.
pg. 104 Wheels and tires
Tire designations
Federal law  mandates that tire manufacturers place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires (see the
illustration).
The following information is listed on the tire sidewall:
The tire designation (the following figures are examples of a  tire designation):
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![VOLVO S80 2005  Owners Manual Metric tires]. Increasing the inflation pressure beyond  this  pressure will not increase the tires load carrying capability.
• Extra  load: A class  of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a  VOLVO S80 2005  Owners Manual Metric tires]. Increasing the inflation pressure beyond  this  pressure will not increase the tires load carrying capability.
• Extra  load: A class  of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a](/manual-img/45/58528/w960_58528-71.png)
Metric tires]. Increasing the inflation pressure beyond  this  pressure will not increase the tires load carrying capability.
• Extra  load: A class  of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a  heavier  maximum load at 41 psi [43 psi (2.9 bar)
for Metric tires]. Increasing the inflation pressure beyond  this  pressure will not increase the tires load carrying
capability.
• kPa: Kilopascal, a  metric unit of air pressure.
• PSI:  Pounds  per square inch, a  standard unit of air pressure.
• B-pillar:  The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the front  door.
• Bead area of the tire:  Area  of the tire next to the rim.
• Sidewall of the tire:  Area  between the bead area and  the tread.
• Tread area of the tire:  Area  of the perimeter of the tire that contacts the road when mounted on the vehicle.
• Rim:  The metal support (wheel) for a  tire or a  tire and  tube assembly upon which  the tire beads are seated.
• Maximum  load rating:  a  figure indicating the maximum load in pounds and  kilograms that can be  carried by the
tire. This rating is established  by the tire manufacturer.
• Maximum  permissible inflation pressure:  the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be  put in the tire.
This limit is set by the tire manufacturer.
• Recommended tire inflation pressure: inflation pressure, established  by Volvo, which  is based on the type of tires
that are mounted on a  vehicle at the factory. This inflation pressure is affected by the number of occupants in the car,
the amount of cargo, and  the speed at which  the vehicle will be  driven for a  prolonged period. This information can be
found on the tire inflation placard(s) located on the driver's side B-pillar or on the inside of the fuel filler  door on
Canadian models, and  in the tire inflation table  in this  chapter.
• Cold tires:  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. 106 Wheels and tires
Vehicle loading
Properly  loading your vehicle will provide maximum return of vehicle design performance.
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle's weight
ratings, with or without a  trailer, from  the vehicle's Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(FMVSS/CMVSS) label,  and  the vehicle's tire information placard:
Curb weight
The weight of the vehicle including a  full tank of fuel and  all standard equipment. It does not include  passengers,
cargo, or optional equipment.
Capacity weight
All weight added to the curb weight, including cargo and  optional equipment. When towing, trailer hitch tongue load
is also part of cargo weight.
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ADDITION TO  THESE GRADES
Quality grades can be  found, where  applicable, on the tire sidewall between the tread should and  maximum section
width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA  Temperature A
TREADWEAR 
The treadwear  grade is a  comparative  rating based on the wear  rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions
on a  specified government test course. For example, a  tire graded 150 would wear  one  and  one  half (1 1/2) times as
well on the government course as a  tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however,  and  many depart significantly from  the norm due  to variation in driving habits,
service practices and  differences  in road characteristics and  climate.
TRACTION  
The traction grades, from  highest to lowest, are AA,  A, B, and  C, as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and  concrete.  A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned  to this  tire is based on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and  does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
TEMPERATURE  
The temperature grades are AA  (the highest), A, B, and  C, representing  the tire's resistance  to the generation of heat
and  its  ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a  specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and  reduce tire life, and  excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a  minimum level  of performance that all
passenger  car tires must  meet  under the Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and  A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this  tire is established  for a  tire that is properly inflated and  not overloaded.  Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and  possible
tire failure.
pg. 108 Wheels and tires
Snow chains, snow tire, studded tires
Snow chains
Snow chains can be  used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
• Snow chains should be  installed on front  wheels only. Use only Volvo approved snow chains.
• If accessory,  aftermarket or "custom" tires and  wheels are installed and  are of a  size different  than the original tires
and  wheels, chains in some cases CANNOT be  used. Sufficient  clearances between chains and  brakes, suspension and
body components must  be  maintained.
• Some strap -on type chains will interfere  with brake components and  therefore CANNOT be  used.
• All Wheel Drive models: Snow chains should only be  installed on the front  wheels. Only chains adapted for AWD
models should be  used.
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Fuel 
Minimum  octane requirement - AKI 87 (RON  91) 
Volume (fuel  tank): 21.1 US gals (80 liters) on T6 models, or 18 US gal. (68 liters) on the S80 All Wheel Drive and
the S80 2.5T Front Wheel Drive.
Washer fluid  reservoir  
Volume:  6 cyl: 4.7 US qts. (4.5 liters)
All specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
pg. 148 Fuel  system, Distributor ignition  system, Suspension
Fuel system  
The engine is equipped with a  multiport fuel injection system.
Distributor ignition system  
Firing  order: 15-3-6-2-4
Distributor ignition setting: Not adjustable
Spark plugs: B 6284 T: P/N 271367-4 (or equivalent)
B 5254 T2: Champion RC8PYP 8 (or equivalent)
Spark plug gap: 0.028-0.032" (0.7-0.8 mm)
Tightening torque: 18.4 ft. lbs. (25 Nm)
WARNING!
The distributor ignition system operates at very high voltages. Special  safety precautions must  be  followed to
prevent injury. Always turn the ignition off when:
 Replacing distributor ignition components e.g.  plugs, coil, etc.
 Do not touch any  part of the distributor ignition system while the engine is running. This may result in unintended
movements and  body injury.
Front  suspension  
Spring strut suspension with integrated shock absorbers and  control arms  linked to the support frame. Power-assisted
rack and  pinion steering. Safety type steering column. 
The alignment specifications apply to an  unladen car but include  fuel, coolant  and  spare wheel.
Rear suspension  
Individual rear wheel suspension with longitudinal support arms,  double link arms  and  track rods.
Vehicle loading
The tires on your Volvo should perform to specifications at all normal loads when inflated as recommended on the tire
information label.  The label  is located on the inside of the fuel filler  door and  lists vehicle design limits. Do not load
your car beyond  the load limits indicated.
WARNING!
Improperly inflated tires will reduce tire life, adversely affect vehicle handling and  can possibly lead to failure
resulting in loss of vehicle control without prior  warning.
All specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
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