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. PremAir is a registered trademark of Engelhard Corporation.
Top of Page
ProCarManuals.com
2 0 0 5
VOLVO V70
Chapter 6 - Starting and driving
pg. 87 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements88
Fuel Formulations89
Refueling90
Starting the engine91
Manual transmission93
Automatic transmission (AW5)94
Automatic transmission (Geartronic)96
All Wheel Drive98
Four-C active chassis system99
Front/rear park assist (option/accessory)100
Driving economy, Handling101
Points to remember102
Roof racks/load carriers103
Emergency towing105
Vehicle towing information106
Towing a trailer107
Detachable trailer hitch108
Jump starting109
Winter driving110
Long distance trips111
Three-way catalytic converter112
pg. 88 Fuel requirements
Fuel requirements
ProCarManuals.com
Octane rating: Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium gasoline with an octane
rating AKI 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).
Deposit control gasoline (detergent additives)
Volvo recommends the use of detergent gasoline to control engine deposits. Detergent gasoline is effective in keeping
injectors and intake valves clean. Consistent use of deposit control gasolines will help ensure good driveability and
fuel economy. If you are not sure whether the gasoline contains deposit control additives, check with the service
station operator.
Unleaded fuel
Each Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter and must use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. and Canadian regulations
require that pumps delivering unleaded gasoline be labelled "UNLEADED". Only these pumps have nozzles which fit
your car's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel into a vehicle labelled "unleaded gasoline only". Leaded
gasoline damages the three-way catalytic converter and the heated oxygen sensor system. Repeated use of leaded
gasoline will lessen the effectiveness of the emission control system and could result in loss of emission warranty
coverage. State and local vehicle inspection programs will make detection of misfueling easier, possibly resulting in
emission test failure for misfueled vehicles.
NOTE: Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines contain an octane enhancing additive called methyl-cyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). If such fuels are used, your Emission Control System performance may be affected,
and the Check Engine light (malfunction indicator lamp) located on your instrument panel may light. If this occurs,
please return your vehicle to an authorized Volvo retailer for service.
Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers
"Oxygenated fuels"
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing "oxygenates" which are usually alcohols or ethers. In some areas, state or
local laws require that the service pump be marked indicating use of alcohols or ethers.
However, there are areas in which the pumps are unmarked. If you are not sure whether there is alcohol or ethers in the
gasoline you buy, check with the service station operator. To meet seasonal air quality standards, some areas require
the use of "oxygenated" fuel.
Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygenated fuels; however, the octane ratings listed on this page must still be
met.
Alcohol - Ethanol: Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may be used. Ethanol may also be referred to as
Ethyl alcohol, or "Gasohol".
Ethers - MTBE: Fuels containing up to 15% MTBE may be used.
CAUTION! 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.
pg. 89 Fuel requirements
Carbon Monoxide - Important Warning
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. It is present in all exhaust gases. If you ever smell
exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, make sure the passenger compartment is ventilated, and immediately return the
vehicle to your retailer for correction.
ProCarManuals.com
This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.
NOTE: R-models are not equipped with this button.
Kickdown
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An
upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway speeds.
Cold starts
When driving before the engine has reached its normal operating temperature, the transmission will shift up at slightly
higher engine speeds to heat the three-way catalytic converter as quickly as possible.
pg. 96 Automatic transmission (Geartronic)
P (Park)
Use this position when starting the engine or parking the car.
Never use P while the car is in motion. The parking brake should be set whenever the car is parked.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the gear selector from this
position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in position II) and the brake pedal must be
depressed.
WARNING!
Never leave the car unattended when the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear selector is moved from P, the car
may start moving.
R (Reverse)
Never engage R while the car is moving forward.
N (Neutral)
Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. The car should
not be moving when shifting from R to the D position.
Kickdown
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An
ProCarManuals.com
AWD
- general information98
B
Backrest (center) - 3-section rear seat68
Battery110, 166
- maintenance156
- replacing155
- ventilation hose155
Booster cushion14
Brake failure warning light30
Brake fluid154
Brake system20
Bulbs (list)166
Bulbs - replacing135-141
C
Capacities (oils and fluids)159
, 164
Cargo compartment cover75
Cargo compartment lighting71
Cargo eyelets72
Cargo net73
Catalytic converters - three-way112
Center armrest - 3-section rear seat69
Center backrest (3-section rear seat)68
Center console - switches33
Center head restraint - 3-section rear seat68
Center head restraint - rear seat3
Center seat head restraint67
Central locking buttons83
Changing a wheel126
Chassis settings (R-models)99
Child booster cushion14
Child Restraint Anchorages17
Child safety13, 14, 16, 18
Child safety locks - rear doors86
Child seat anchors, ISOFIX17
Climate controls52-55
Climate system - general information51
Clock29
Clutch interlock93
Coat hanger65
Cold weather driving110
Combination filter52, 55
Coolant148
Cooling system - general information102
ProCarManuals.com
Subwoofer76, 173
Supplemental Restraint System4, 30
Suspension165
Switches in center console33
T
Tachometer29
Tailgate - locking/unlocking83
Tailgate wiper blade - replacing157
Temperature gauge29
Text window32
Three-way catalytic converters112
Timing belt149
Tire Pressure Monitoring System118
Tires114, 127
Tires - changing126
Tool bag76
Towing a trailer107
Towing eyelet105
Towing the car105, 106
Trailer towing107
Trailer weight - maximum162
Transmission - automatic94-99
Trip computer34
Trip odometer29
Turn signals39
U
Unlocking the tailgate83
Upholstery - cleaning145
V
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)160
Ventilation50
Ventilation hose, battery155
Volvo On Call167
Volumes (oils and fluids)164
W
Warning flashers42
Warning light - center30
Warning lights30, 31
Warranty146
Washer fluid reservoir150
Washer fluid solvent110
Washing the car143-145
Water repellent glass41
Water repellent glass - cleaning143
ProCarManuals.com