2005 VOLVO XC90 Owners Manual

2005 VOLVO XC90
Erasing warning messages
When a low tire pressure warning message has been displayed, and the tir\
e pressure warning light has
come on:
1. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the inflation pressure of all four\
tires.
2. Re-inflate the tire(s) to the correct pressure (consult the tire p\
ressure placard or the table on
page 115).
3. Drive the car for at least one minute at a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h)\
or faster. This will erase the
warning text and the warning light will go out.
WARNING!
Incorrect inflation pressure could lead to tire failure, resulting in a \
loss of control of the
vehicle.
Changing tires
Please note the following when changing or replacing the factory install\
ed TPMS wheels/tires on the
vehicle:
Only the factory-mounted wheels are equipped with TPMS sensors in the va\
lves.
If the vehicle is equipped with a temporary spare tire, this tire does n\
ot have a TPMS sensor.
If, for example, winter wheels/tires are used that are not equipped with\
TPMS sensors, the message
TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED will be displayed after the car ha\
s been driven for
several minutes at approximately 35 mph (50 km/h) or faster.
This message will remain on until wheels with TPMS sensors are mounted o\
n the vehicle and it has been
driven for at least one minute at a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h) or faste\
r.
pg. 117 Wheels and tires
TPMS valves can be fitted on winter wheels or full-size spare wheels/tir\
es. Consult your Volvo retailer.
CAUTION:
When inflating tires with TPMS valves, press the pump's mouthpiece strai\
ght onto the valve to help
avoid bending or otherwise damaging the valve.
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2005 VOLVO XC90
pg. 118 Wheels and tires
Federal law mandates that tire manufacturers place standardized informat\
ion 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 desi\
gnation):
1. 215: the width of the tire (in millimeters) from sidewall edge to s\
idewall edge. The larger the number,
the wider the tire.
2. 65: The ratio of the tire's height to its width.
3. R: Radial tire.
4. 15: The diameter of the wheel rim (in inches).
5. 95: The tire's load index. In this example, a load index of 95 equals\
a maximum load of 1521 lbs (690
kg).
6. H: The tire's speed rating, or the maximum speed at which the tire is\
designed to be driven for
extended periods of time, carrying a permissible load for the vehicle, a\
nd with correct inflation pressure.
For example, H indicates a speed rating of 130 mph (210 km/h).
NOTE: This information may not appear on the tire because it is not required b\
y law.
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2005 VOLVO XC90
7. M+S or M/S = Mud and Snow, AT = All Terrain, AS = All Season
8. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN): This begins with the let\
ters "DOT" and indicates that the
tire meets all federal standards. The next two numbers or letters are th\
e plant code where it was
manufactured, the next two are the tire size code and the last four numb\
ers represent the week and year
the tire was built. For example, the numbers 317 mean the 31st week of 1\
997. After 2000 the numbers
go to four digits. For example, 2501 means the 25th week of 2001. The nu\
mbers in between are
marketing codes used at the manufacturer's discretion. This information \
helps a tire manufacturer
identify a tire for safety recall purposes.
9. Tire Ply Composition and Material Used: Indicates the number of plies\
indicates or the number of
layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread and sidewall. Tire manu\
facturers also must indicate the
ply materials in the tire and the sidewall, which include steel, nylon, \
polyester, and others.
10. Maximum Load: Indicates the maximum load in pounds and kilograms tha\
t can be carried by the
tire. Refer to the vehicle's tire information placard or the safety cert\
ification label, located on the B-Pillar
or the driver's door or on the inside of the fuel filler door on Canadia\
n models, for the correct tire
pressure for your vehicle.
11. Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature grades: See
page 121 for more information.
12. Maximum permissible inflation pressure: the greatest amount of air p\
ressure that should ever be put
in the tire. This limit is set by the tire manufacturer.
pg. 119 Wheels and tires
Glossary of tire terminology
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such \
as standard load, radial
tubeless, etc.
Glossary of tire terminology
l Tire information placard: A placard showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes, recommende\
d
inflation pressure, and the maximum weight the vehicle can carry.
l Tire Identification Number (TIN): A number on the sidewall of each tire providing information
about the tire brand and manufacturing plant, tire size and date of manu\
facturer.
l Inflation pressure: A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
l Standard load: A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a maximum load a\
t 35 psi [37
psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires]. Increasing the inflation pressure bey\
ond this pressure will not increase the
tires load carrying capability.
l Extra load: A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a heavier maximu\
m load at 41 psi
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2005 VOLVO XC90
[43 psi (2.9 bar) for Metric tires]. Increasing the inflation pressure\
beyond this pressure will not increase
the tires load carrying capability.
l kPa: Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pressure.
l PSI: Pounds per square inch, a standard unit of air pressure.
l B-pillar: The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the front door\
.
l Bead area of the tire: Area of the tire next to the rim.
l Sidewall of the tire: Area between the bead area and the tread.
l Tread area of the tire: Area of the perimeter of the tire that contacts the road when mounted \
on the
vehicle.
l Rim: The metal support (wheel) for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upo\
n which the tire beads are
seated.
l 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\
.
l 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.
l 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 inf\
lation pressure is affected by the
number of occupants in the car, the amount of cargo, and the speed at wh\
ich the vehicle will be driven
for a prolonged period. This information can be found on the tire inflat\
ion placard(s) located on the
driver's side B-pillar or on the inside of the fuel filler door on Canad\
ian models, and in the tire inflation
table in this chapter.
l Cold tires: The tires are considered to be cold when they have the same temperatur\
e as the
surrounding (ambient) air. This temperature is normally reached after \
the car has been parked for at least
3 hours.
pg. 120 Wheels and tires
Vehicle loading
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maximum return of vehicle des\
ign 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 equipm\
ent. When towing, trailer hitch
tongue load is also part of cargo weight.
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2005 VOLVO XC90
NOTE: For trailer towing information, please refer to the section "Towin\
g a trailer" on page 105.
Permissible axle weight
The maximum allowable weight that can be carried by a single axle (fron\
t or rear). These numbers are
shown on the Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/CMV\
SS) label. The total load
on each axle must never exceed its maximum permissible weight.
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)
The vehicle's curb weight + cargo + passengers.
NOTE:
l The location of the various labels in your vehicle can be found on page 164.
l A table listing important weight limits for your vehicle can be found on\
page 165.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
(1) Locate the statement "the combined weight of occupants and cargo s\
hould never exceed XXX
pounds" on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that wi\
ll be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX\
kilograms or XXX pounds.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and lugg\
age load capacity. For example, if
the "XXX" amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passeng\
ers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750 (5 \
x 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on\
the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculat\
ed in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer w\
ill be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual
1 to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capa\
city of
your vehicle.
WARNING!
- Exceeding the permissible axle weight, gross vehicle weight, or any ot\
her weight rating limits can
cause tire overheating resulting in permanent deformation or catastrophi\
c failure.
- Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than \
the tires that were original
equipment on the vehicle because this will lower the vehicle's GVW ratin\
g. Replacement tires with a
higher limit than the originals do not increase the vehicle's GVW rating\
limitations.
1. See "Towing a trailer" on
page 105
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pg. 121 Wheels and tires
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
ALL PASSENGER VEHICLE TIRES MUST CONFORM TO FEDERAL SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION TO THESE GRADES
Quality grades can be found, where applicable, on the tire sidewall betw\
een the tread shoulder
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 th\
e 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 t\
ire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, ho\
wever, and many depart
significantly from the norm due to variation in driving habits, maintena\
nce practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
TRACTION
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C, as mea\
sured 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 is not a
measure of 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 c\
ontrolled conditions on specified
indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the m\
aterial of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire \
failure. The grade C corresponds
to minimum level of performance that all passenger vehicle tires must me\
et under the Federal Motor
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of perfo\
rmance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
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WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is pr\
operly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive loading, either separatel\
y or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
pg. 122 Wheels and tires
Snow chains, snow tire, studded tires
Snow chains
Snow chains can be used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
l Snow chains should be installed on front wheels only. Use only Volvo app\
roved snow chains.
l 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. Sufficie\
nt clearances between chains
and brakes, suspension and body components must be maintained.
l Some strap-on type chains will interfere with brake components and there\
fore CANNOT be used.
l All Wheel Drive models: Snow chains should only be installed on the fron\
t wheels. Only chains
adapted for AWD models should be used.
NOTE: Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow chain information.
CAUTION
- Check local regulations regarding the use of snow chains before instal\
ling.
- Always follow the chain manufacturer's installation instructions caref\
ully. Install chains as tightly as
possible and retighten periodically.
- Never exceed the chain manufacturer's specified maximum speed limit. (\
Under no circumstances
should you exceed 31 mph 50 km/h)
- Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns when driving with snow chains.
- The handling of the vehicle can be adversely affected when driving wit\
h chains. Avoid fast or sharp
turns as well as locked wheel braking.
Snow tires, studded tires
1
Tires for winter use:
- Owners who live in or regularly commute through areas with sustained p\
eriods of snow or icy driving
conditions are strongly advised to fit suitable winter tires to help ret\
ain the highest degree of traction.
- It is important to install winter tires on all four wheels to help ret\
ain traction during cornering, braking,
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2005 VOLVO XC90
and accelerating. Failure to do so could reduce traction to an unsafe le\
vel or adversely affect handling.
- Do not mix tires of different design as this could also negatively aff\
ect overall tire road grip.
- Winter tires wear more quickly on dry roads in warm weather. They shou\
ld be removed when the
winter driving season has ended.
- Studded tires should be run-in 300-600 miles (500-1000 km) during wh\
ich the car should be driven as
smoothly as possible to give the studs the opportunity to seat properly \
in the tires. The tires should have
the same rotational direction throughout their entire lifetime.
NOTE: Please consult state or provincial regulations restricting the use of st\
udded winter tires before
installing such tires.
1 Where permitted
pg. 123 Wheels and tires
Temporary Spare
The spare tire in your car is called a "Temporary Spare".
Recommended tire pressure (see the placard on the B-pillar or on the fu\
el filler door) should be
maintained irrespective of which position on the car the temporary spare\
tire is used on. In the event of
damage to this tire, a new one can be purchased from your Volvo retailer\
.
WARNING!
! Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Temporary Spare" tire ot\
her than as a temporary
replacement for a punctured tire. It must be replaced as soon as possibl\
e by a standard tire. Road
holding and handling may be affected with the "Temporary Spare" in use. \
Do not exceed 50 mph (80
km/h). Do not drive farther than 50 miles (80 km) on a temporary spar\
e tire.
CAUTION:
The car must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a\
spare tire other than the one
that came with the car. The use of different size wheels can seriously d\
amage your car's transmission.
pg. 124 Wheels and tires
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