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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At highway driving speeds, fuel consumption will be lower with the air conditioning on and the windows closed
than with the air conditioning off and the windows open.
Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you learn how to drive more economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:
Dirty air cleaner
Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
Dragging brakes
Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard maintenance intervals.
Weight distribution affects handling
At the specified curb weight your vehicle 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 cargo
area, the less the tendency to understeer.
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,
Close the windows
Set the ventilation system control to air flow to floor, windshield and side windows and the 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 18
inches (48 cm).
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle handling. Therefore, check that the tires are inflated to
pg. 99 Starting and driving
General information
the recommended pressure according to the vehicle load. See the "Tire pressure" section. Loads should be distributed
so that capacity weight or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded.
Cold weather precautions
If you wish to check your vehicle before the approach of cold weather, the following advice is worth noting:
Make sure that the engine coolant contains 50 percent antifreeze. Any other mixture will reduce freeze protection.
This gives protection against freezing down to -31°F (-35°C). See section "Coolant". The use of "recycled" antifreeze
is not approved by Volvo. Different types of antifreeze must not be mixed.
Volvo recommends using only genuine Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's radiator.
Try to keep the fuel tank well filled - this prevents the formation of condensation in the tank. In addition, in
extremely cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to add fuel line de -icer before refueling.
The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-weather starting as
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Slide the ball holder into the hitch assembly.
Align the hole in the ball holder with the one in the hitch assembly.
Slide the locking bolt through the hitch assembly/ball holder.
Insert the cotter pin in the hole at the end of the locking bolt.
Removing the ball holder
Remove the cotter pin from the locking bolt and slide the locking bolt out of the ball holder/hitch assembly.
Pull the ball holder out of the hitch assembly.
NOTE: A cover for the hitch assembly is also included in the kit.
pg. 123 Starting and driving
Transporting loads
Loading the car Your vehicle's load-carrying capacity is affected by factors such as:
the number of passengers
tire inflation
the amount of optional or accessory equipment installed
the amount of cargo
See the chapter "Wheels and tires"
for more detailed information.
Before loading the car, turn off the engine, and apply the parking brake when loading or unloading long objects. The
gear selector can be inadvertently knocked out of position by long cargo, causing the car to move.
Keep the following in mind when loading the vehicle:
Load the cargo in the trunk against the rear seat backrest.
Load heavy cargo as low as possible.
Center wide loads.
Secure all cargo with restraining straps anchored to the load securing eyelets.
Cover sharp edges on the load.
WARNING!
Remember that an object weighing 44 lbs (20 kg) produces a force of 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg) in a head-on collision at
30 m.p.h. (50 km/h)!
pg. 124 Starting and driving
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Contents | Top of Page
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CAUTION!
Tires should preferably be stored in a cool, dry, dark place, and should never be stored in close proximity to
solvents, gasoline, oils, etc.
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.
WARNING!
The wheel and tire sizes for your Volvo are specified to meet stringent stability and handling requirements.
Unapproved wheel/tire size combinations can negatively affect your vehicle's stability and handling. Approved tire
sizes are shown in the Tire inflation pressure tables on page 130
.
Any damage caused by installation of unapproved wheel/tire size combinations will not be covered by your new
vehicle warranty. Volvo assumes no responsibility for death, injury, or expenses that may result from such
installations.
pg. 127 Wheels and tires
General information
New tires
Remember that tires are perishable goods. As of 2000, the manufacturing week and year (Department of
Transportation (DOT) stamp) will be indicated with 4 digits (e.g. 1502 means that the tire illustrated was manufactured
during week 15 of 2002).
Tire age
Tires degrade over time, even when they are not being used, which can affect their reliability and roadholding
characteristics. Therefore, all tires older than 6 years (including the spare tire and winter tires) should be inspected by a
qualified technician, regardless of appearance or mileage. Heat caused by hot climates or frequent high loading
conditions can accelerate the aging process.
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Your vehicle is equipped with a tire sealing system that enables you to temporarily seal a hole in the tread surface and
re-inflate a flat tire, or to adjust a tire's inflation pressure.
The tire sealing kit is stowed behind the ski hatch in the center of the rear seat backrest.
The jack, and lug wrench are secured in a foam plastic block located under the floor panel in the trunk.
The system consists of an air compressor, an integrated container for the sealing compound, wiring to connect the
system to the vehicle's electrical system via one of the 12-volt sockets, and a hose used to connect the system to the
tire's inflation valve.
NOTE:
The tire sealing system is only intended to seal holes on the tire's tread area, not the sidewall.
Tires with large holes or tears cannot be repaired with the tire sealing system.
WARNING!
After using the tire sealing system, the vehicle should not be driven farther than approximately 120 miles (200
km). Have the tire replaced as soon as possible.
The vehicle should not be driven faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) while using a tire that has been temporarily
repaired with the tire sealing system.
After using the tire sealing system, drive carefully and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers and sudden stops.
pg. 142 Wheels and tires
Tire sealing system
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Temporarily repairing a flat tire
Before using the tire sealing system, observe the following:
WARNING!
Never leave the tire sealing system unattended when it is operating.
Keep the tire sealing system kit away from children.
The vehicle's engine should be running when the tire sealing system is used to avoid battery drain. Therefore, be
sure the vehicle is parked in a well ventilated place before using the system.
Be sure the vehicle is parked safely off the road and away from moving traffic.
Apply the parking brake.
Do not remove any foreign objects (nails, etc.) from the tire.
Temporarily repairing a flat tire is done in two stages.
In the first stage, the hole is sealed by pumping sealing compound into the tire. The car is then driven a short
distance to distribute the sealing compound in the tire.
In the second stage, the tire's inflation pressure is checked and adjusted if necessary.
Stage 1: Sealing the hole
Peel off the speed limit sticker (1) and affix it to the steering wheel hub where it will be clearly visible to the driver.
Ensure that the orange switch (2) is in position 0 (the 0 side of the switch should be pressed down).
Pull out the electrical wire (5) and hose (4) from the side compartment (3).
Remove the valve cap from the tire's inflation valve and screw the hose connector onto the valve as tightly as
possible by hand.
Connect the electrical wire to the nearest 12-volt socket in the vehicle.
Release the safety catch (6) and turn the orange colored section of the sealing kit (7), which holds the sealing
compound container, 90 degrees until it clicks into the vertical position.
Start the vehicle's engine.
Start the tire sealing system's compressor by pressing the switch (2) to position I.
NOTE: The air pressure gauge (9) will temporarily show an increase in pressure to approximately 88 psi (6 bar) while
the sealing compound is being pumped into the tire. The pressure should return to a normal level after approximately
one minute.
pg. 143 Wheels and tires
Tire sealing system
WARNING!
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SEE MANUAL37
SERVICE REQUIRED37
Shiftlock2
Shiftlock override110
Side impact protection (SIPS) airbags21
Side marker light, replacing167
Sockets, 12 volt47
Spare tire138
Speedometer32
Spin control - SC113
SRS warning light35
Stability system113, 114
Start inhibitor (immobilizer)86
Starting the car105
Station formats180
Steering wheel adjustment46
Steering wheel lock104
Stone chips, paint touch-up151
STOP ENGINE37
STOP SAFELY37
Storage compartments79
Storing wheels and tires126
T
Tachometer32
Tail light bulb holder, removing168
Technician certification195
Temperature gauge32
Temporary cover75
Temporary spare tire138
Three-way catalytic converter194
TIME FOR REGULAR SERVICE37
Tire inflation pressure tables130
Tire rotation137
Tires, changing138
Tires, general information126
Tires, storing126
Traction control - TC113
Transmission, automatic108
Tread wear indicator127
Trip computer41
Trip odometer32
Trunk, loading82
Trunk divider71
Trunk lighting, replacing169
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