
NOTE:
The ROPS system is designed to function regardless of whether the power retractable hard top is up or down. By
design, the tops of the roll bars are equipped with a point in order to pierce the rear window if the top is up.
If ROPS has deployed, the system should be inspected and repaired if necessary by a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician.
WARNING!
The rear seat of the Volvo C70 is intended for two occupants, and only two rear seat belts are provided. The center
section of the seat should never be used to seat a passenger.
No objects should be placed over the roll bars or behind the rear seat head restraints.
All repairs or maintenance to the ROPS system should only be performed by a trained Volvo service technician.
pg. 26 Safety
Collision status
Driving after a collision
If the car has been involved in a collision, the text CRASH STATUS SEE MANUAL may appear in the information
display. This indicates that the car's functionality has been reduced.
NOTE: This text can only be shown if the display is undamaged and the car's electrical system is intact.
COLLISION STATUS is a feature that is triggered if one or more of the safety systems (e.g. front or side airbags, an
inflatable curtain, or one or more of the seat belt tensioners) has deployed. The collision may have damaged an
important function in the car, such as the fuel lines, sensors for one of the safety systems, the brake system, etc.
WARNING!
Never attempt to repair the car yourself or to reset the electrical system after the car has displayed CRASH
STATUS SEE MANUAL. This could result in injury or improper system function.
Restoring the car to normal operating status should only be done by a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician.
After CRASH STATUS SEE MANUAL has been displayed, if you detect the odor of fuel vapor, or see any signs
of fuel leakage, do not attempt to start the car. Leave the car immediately.
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pg. 28 Safety
Child safety
Children should be seated safely
Volvo recommends the proper use of restraint systems for all occupants including children. Remember that, regardless
of age and size, a child should always be properly restrained in a car.
Your car is also equipped with ISOFIX/ LATCH attachments, which make it more convenient to install child seats.
Some restraint systems for children are designed to be secured in the vehicle by lap belts or the lap portion of a lap-
shoulder belt. Such child restraint systems can help protect children in cars in the event of an accident only if they are
used properly. However, children could be endangered in a crash if the child restraints are not properly secured in the
vehicle. Failure to follow the installation instructions for your child restraint can result in your child striking the
vehicle's interior in a sudden stop.
Holding a child in your arms is NOT a suitable substitute for a child restraint system. In an accident, a child held in a
person's arms can be crushed between the vehicle's interior and an unrestrained person. The child could also be injured
by striking the interior, or by being ejected from the vehicle during a sudden maneuver or impact. The same can also
happen if the infant or child rides unrestrained on the seat. Other occupants should also be properly restrained to help
reduce the chance of injuring or increasing the injury of a child.
All states and provinces have legislation governing how and where children should be carried in a car. Find out the
regulations existing in your state or province. Recent accident statistics have shown that children are safer in rear
seating positions than front seating positions when properly restrained. A child restraint system can help protect a child
in a vehicle. Here's what to look for when selecting a child restraint system:
It should have a label certifying that it meets applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213) - or
in Canada, CMVSS 213.
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Make sure the child restraint system is approved for the child's height, weight and development - the label required
by the standard or regulation, or instructions for infant restraints, typically provide this information.
In using any child restraint system, we urge you to carefully look over the instructions that are provided with the
restraint. Be sure you understand them and can use the device properly and safely in this vehicle. A misused child
restraint system can result in increased injuries for both the infant or child and other occupants in the vehicle.
When a child has outgrown the child safety seat, you should use the rear seat with the standard seat belt fastened. The
best way to help protect the child here is to place the child on a cushion so that the seat belt is properly located on the
hips. Legislation in your state or province may mandate the use of a child seat or cushion in combination with the seat
belt, depending on the child's age and/or size. Please check local regulations.
A specially designed and tested booster cushion (not available in Canada) can be obtained from your Volvo retailer for
children weighing 33 - 80 lb. (15 - 36 kg) and 38-54 inches (97 - 137 cm) in height.
pg. 29 Safety
Child safety
WARNING!
Do not use child safety seats or child booster cushions/backrests in the front passenger's seat. We also recommend
that children under 4 feet 7 inches (140 cm) in height who have outgrown these devices sit in the rear seat with the
seat belt fastened.
Keep vehicle doors and trunk locked and keep keys out of a child's reach. Unsupervised children could lock
themselves in an open trunk and risk injury. Children should be taught not to play in vehicles.
On hot days, the temperature in the trunk or vehicle interior can rise very quickly. Exposure to these high
temperatures for even a short period of time can cause heat-related injury or death. Small children are particularly at
risk.
ISOFIX/LATCH anchors
Lower anchors for ISOFIX-equipped child seats are located in the rear seats, hidden below the backrest cushions.
Symbols on the seat back upholstery mark the anchor positions as shown. To access the anchors, kneel on the seat
cushion and locate the anchors by feel. Always follow your child seat manufacturer's installation instructions.
pg. 30 Safety
Child safety
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Automatic Locking Retractor/ Emergency Locking Retractor
To make child seat installation easier, each seat belt (except for the driver's belt) is equipped with a locking mechanism
to help keep the seat belt taut.
When attaching the seat belt to a child seat:
Attach the seat belt to the child seat according to the child seat manufacturer's instructions.
Pull the seat belt out as far as possible.
Insert the seat belt latch plate into the buckle (lock) in the usual way.
Release the seat belt and pull it taut around the child seat.
A sound from the seat belt retractor will be audible at this time and is normal. The belt will now be locked in place.
This function is automatically disabled when the seat belt is unlocked and the belt is fully retracted.
Volvo's recommendations
Why does Volvo believe that no child should sit in the front seat of a car? It's quite simple really. A front airbag is a
very powerful device designed, by law, to help protect an adult.
Because of the size of the airbag and its speed of inflation, a child should never be placed in the front seat, even if he
or she is properly belted or strapped into a child safety seat. Volvo has been an innovator in safety for over seventy-
five years, and we'll continue to do our part. But we need your help. Please remember to put your children in the back
seat, and buckle them up.
WARNING!
Do not use child safety seats or child booster cushions/backrests in the front passenger's seat. We also recommend
that children who have outgrown these devices sit in the rear seat with the seat belt properly fastened.
Volvo has some very specific recommendations:
Always wear your seat belt.
Airbags are a SUPPLEMENTAL safety device which, when used with a three-point seat belt can help reduce serious
injuries during certain types of accidents. Volvo recommends that you do not disconnect the airbag system in your
vehicle.
Volvo strongly recommends that everyone in the vehicle be properly restrained.
Volvo recommends that ALL occupants (adults and children) shorter than 4 feet 7 inches (140 cm) be seated in the
back seat of any vehicle with a front passenger side airbag.
Drive safely!
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the front seats. Always pull up this lever as far as possible when applying the parking brake. Canadian models are
equipped with this symbol
.
3. SRS 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 SRS system's diagnostic functions have detected a fault in a seat belt lock or
tensioner, a front airbag, side impact airbag, and/or an inflatable curtain. Have the system(s) inspected by a trained and
qualified Volvo service technician as soon as possible.
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. If
the oil level is normal and the light stays on after restart, have the car towed to the nearest trained and qualified Volvo
service technician. 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
See page 13 for detailed information.
6.Generator warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running, have the charging system checked by a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician.
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 157
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 a trained and qualified Volvo service technician
and have the brake system inspected.
pg. 36 Instruments and controls
Symbols on the center 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.
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Replacing the backrest cushion
Begin by guiding the lower section of the cushion into place. Then press the upper section of the cushion into place.
NOTE: This cushion is locked in place when the vehicle is locked with the remote control. See page 89
.
Securing long objects
Long objects should be secured with one of the rear seat belts.
Wrap the belt once around the object and lock the belt in the retractor as usual.
If the vehicle is equipped with the optional ski bag, pass the seat belt through the bag's handle before fastening the seat
belt.
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well as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine is warming up. For winter use, 5W -30 oil, particularly the
synthetic type1, is recommended. Be sure to use good quality oil but do not use cold-weather oil for hard driving or in
warm weather. See page 191
for more information.
The load placed on the battery is greater during the winter since the windshield wipers, lighting, etc. are used more
often. Moreover, the capacity of the battery decreases as the temperature drops. In very cold weather, a poorly charged
battery can freeze and be damaged. It is therefore advisable to check the state of charge more frequently and spray an
anti-rust oil on the battery posts.
Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter driving - see the chapter "Wheels and tires."
To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents containing antifreeze (see page 157 for the
location of the washer fluid reservoir). This is important since dirt is often splashed on the windshield during winter
driving, requiring the frequent use of the washers and wipers. Volvo Washer Solvent should be diluted as follows:
Down to 14° F (-10° C): 1 part washer solvent and 4 parts water Down to 5° F (-15° C): 1 part washer solvent and 3
parts water Down to 0° F (-18° C): 1 part washer solvent and 2 parts water Down to -18° F (-28° C): 1 part washer
solvent and 1 part water.
Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
NOTE: Avoid using de -icing sprays as they can cause damage to the locks.
Conserving electrical current
Keep the following in mind to help minimize battery drain:
When the engine is not running, avoid turning the ignition key to position II. Many electrical systems (the audio
system, the optional navigation system, power windows, etc) will function with the ignition key in position I. This
position reduces drain on the battery.
Please keep in mind that using systems, accessories, etc that consume a great deal of current when the engine is not
1. Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintenance intervals except at owner request and at additional charge.
pg. 100 Starting and driving
General information
running could result in the battery being completely drained.
The optional 12 volt socket in the trunk provides electrical current even with the ignition switched off, which drains
the battery.
NOTE: If the ignition is switched on, a warning message will be displayed in the text window in the instrument panel
when the battery charge is low.
An energy conserving function designed into the vehicle's electrical system will switch off certain functions or reduce
the load on the battery by, e.g., reducing the audio system's volume.
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked by a trained and qualified Volvo service technician before
driving long distances. Your retailer will also be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark plugs and wiper blades for
your use in the event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be checked before any long trip:
Check that engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.
Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage
Have the transmission oil level checked2.
Check condition of drive belts.
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Steering wheel lock
When the key is removed from the ignition, the steering wheel locks so that it cannot be turned.
If the front wheels are hard up against a curb, the steering wheel lock may be under too much tension to unlock. If so,
the key will turn in the ignition switch but the car will not start. At the same time, a message "Steering locked" will
appear in the driver information text display.
If this happens:
Remove the key from the ignition.
Turn the steering wheel slightly and hold it to relieve pressure on the lock mechanism. Reinsert it the key. The
steering should immediately unlock. If not, try again.
NOTE: In order to help reduce vehicle theft, make sure the steering wheel lock is engaged before leaving the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never switch off the ignition (turn the ignition key to position 0) or remove the key from the ignition switch while
the vehicle is in motion. This could cause the steering wheel to lock, which would make the vehicle impossible to
steer.
1. The gear selector must be in the Park position.
2. Please be aware that leaving the key in this position will increase battery drain.
pg. 105 Starting and driving
Starting the engine
To start the engine:
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.
Apply the parking brake, if not already set. The gear selector (automatic transmission) is locked in the (P)ark position
(SHIFTLOCK). See also page 108
.
Manual transmission: The clutch must be fully depressed.
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.
Autostart (T5 turbo with automatic transmission only)
This function makes it possible to start the vehicle without holding the key in position III. Turn the key to position III
and release it. The starter motor will then operate automatically (for up to ten seconds) until the engine starts.
NOTE: After a cold start, idle speed may be noticeably higher than normal for a short period. This is done to help
bring components in the emission control system to their normal operating temperature as quickly as possible, which
enables them to control emissions and help reduce the vehicle's impact on the environment.
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.
To release the gear selector from the (P)ark position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in
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