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VOLVO S40
Chapter 3 - Instruments and controls
pg. 33 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel34
Indicator and warning symbols35
Symbols on the left side of the instrument panel36
Symbols on the right side of the instrument panel37
Information display39
Center console controls40
Lighting panel41
Left-side steering wheel lever42
Trip Computer43
Cruise control (option)44
Right-side steering wheel lever46
Rain Sensor47
Steering wheel adjustment, Hazard warning flashers48
Parking brake, 12 volt socket49
Power windows50
Mirrors52
Power moonroof (option)54
Personal settings56
Home Link® Universal Transceiver (option)58
pg. 34 Instrument panel
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1. Speedometer
2. Turn signal, left
3. Warning symbol
See the next page for additional information.
4. Information display
The display presents information and warning messages, the ambient temperature, and the clock, etc. When the
ambient temperature is between 23° and 36°F (-5° and +2°C), a snowflake symbol is shown in the display. This
symbol serves as a warning for possible slippery road surfaces. Please note that this symbol does not indicate a fault
with your car. At low speeds, or when the car is not moving, the temperature readings may be slightly higher than the
actual ambient temperature.
5. Information symbol
See the next page for additional information.
6. Turn signal, right
7. Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in thousands of revolutions per minute (rpm). Do not drive continuously with the
needle in the red area of the dial, which indicates maximum allowable engine rpm range. Instead, shift to a higher gear
or slow the vehicle down. The engine management system will automatically prevent excessively high engines speeds.
This will be noticeable as a pronounced unevenness in engine speed.
8. Indicator and warning symbols
9. Fuel gauge
The fuel tank holds approximately 15.9 US gallons (60 liters)
1. When a warning light in the gauge comes on, there are
approximately 2.1 US gallons (8 liters) of fuel remaining in the tank.
10. Trip odometer reset button
The trip odometers are used to measure short distances. Press the button briefly to switch between the odometer for the
car's total mileage and the two trip odometers, T1 and T2. A long press (more than 2 seconds) resets the currently
selected trip odometer.
11. Function display
This window displays information on functions such as the odometer, trip odometers, optional rain sensor, and cruise
control.
12. High beam indicator
13. Clock setting button
Turn the button to set the time.
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14. Temperature gauge
The gauge indicates the temperature of the engine cooling system. If the temperature is abnormally high and the needle
enters the red zone, a message is shown in the display. Bear in mind that auxiliary lamps in front of the air intake
reduce the cooling capacity at high outside temperatures and high engine loads.
15. Indicator and warning symbols
1. Models with All Wheel Drive have a tank volume of 15 US gallons (57 liters).
Models with engine code 39 have a fuel tank capacity of 14 US gallons (53 liters). This code is the 6th and 7th digits
from the left in your vehicle's VIN number. See page 176
for the location of the VIN plate.
pg. 35 Indicator and warning symbols
Function check
The indicator and warning symbols light up when you turn the ignition key to the driving position (position II) before
starting. This shows that the symbols are functioning. When the engine starts, all symbols go out. If the engine is not
started within 5 seconds, all of the symbols except CHECK ENGINE and
will go out. Certain symbols may not
have their functions illustrated, depending on the car's equipment. The PARK BRAKE symbol will not go out until the
parking brake has been released.
Symbols in the center of the instrument panel
Warning symbol
The red warning symbol lights up to indicate a fault that could affect the car's driveability. A text explaining the nature
of the fault will also be shown in the information display. The symbol and accompanying text will remain on until the
fault has been corrected. This symbol may also light up in combination with other indicator or warning symbols.
If the red warning symbol lights up:
1. Stop the car as soon as possible in a suitable location.
2. Read the message in the information display.
3. Follow the instructions provided, or contact a trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
Information symbol
The yellow information symbol lights up to alert the driver to a message in the information display. The message can
be erased by pressing the READ button (see page 39
), or will disappear automatically after two minutes.
When the message "TIME FOR REGULAR SERVICE" is displayed, the text can be erased and the information
symbol light can be turned off by pressing the READ button. The text will disappear and the symbol light will go out
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automatically after two minutes. This symbol may also light up in combination with other indicator or warning
symbols.
NOTE: The car can still be driven after the information symbol has come on. The car can be driven for 1-2 weeks
after service-related information has been displayed.
pg. 36 Symbols on the left side of the instrument panel
Symbols - left side of instrument panel
1. Malfunction indicator light
As you drive, a computer called On-Board Diagnostics II (OBDII) monitors your car's engine, transmission,
electrical and emission systems. The CHECK ENGINE light will light up if the computer senses a condition that
potentially may need correcting. When this happens, please have your car checked by a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician as soon as possible.
A CHECK ENGINE light may have many causes. Sometimes, you may not notice a change in your car's behavior.
Even so, an uncorrected condition could hurt fuel economy, emission controls, and driveability. Extended driving
without correcting the cause could even damage other components in your car.
Canadian models are equipped with this symbol .
2. Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
If the warning light comes on, there is a malfunction of the ABS system (the standard braking system will still
function). The vehicle should be driven to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician for inspection. See page
107 for additional information. Canadian models are equipped with this symbol .
3. Rear fog light
This symbol indicates that the rear fog light (located in the driver's side tail light cluster) is on.
4. Stability system STC or DSTC
This indicator symbol flashes when the STC (Stability and Traction control system) or the DSTC (Dynamic
Stability and Traction control system) is actively working to stabilize the car. See page 109
for more detailed
information.
5. Not in use
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6. Fuel level warning light
When this light comes on, there are approximately 2.1 US gallons (8 liters) of fuel remaining in the tank.
pg. 37 Symbols on the right side of the instrument panel
Symbols - right side of instrument panel
1. Turn signal indicator for trailer (certain models)
If you are towing a trailer, this light will flash simultaneously with the turn signals on the trailer. If the light
does not flash when signaling, one of the turn signals on the trailer or on the car are not functioning properly.
2. Parking brake applied
This light is on when the parking brake (hand brake) is applied. The parking brake lever is situated between
the front seats.
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 This symbol (and the seat belt reminder light above the rear view mirror) will light up if either front seat
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occupant has not buckled his/her seat belt. If the car is not moving, the symbols will go out after approximately 6
seconds.
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 145
for the location of the reservoir.
pg. 38 Symbols on the right side of the instrument panel
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.
If the BRAKE and ABS warning lights come on at the same time, this could indicate a fault in the brake system.
In this case:
1. Stop the car in a suitable place and switch off the engine.
2. Restart the engine.
3. If both warning lights go off, no further action is required and the car can be driven.
4. If both lights remain on after the engine has been restarted, switch off the engine again and check the brake fluid
level. See page 145
for the location of the reservoir.
Door open warning
The driver will be alerted if one of the doors, the hood, or the trunk lid are open or ajar.
At low speeds
If the car is moving at a speed of less than approximately 4 m.p.h. (7 km/h), the Information symbol in the
instrument panel will light up and a message will be shown in the information display indicating which door(s), etc is
not completely closed.
At higher speeds
If the car is moving at a speed above approximately 4 m.p.h. (7 km/h), the Warning symbol in the
instrument panel will light up and a message will be shown in the information display indicating which door(s), etc is
not completely closed.
Hood and trunk If the hood and/or trunk lid is not completely closed, the Information symbol in the instrument panel will
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light up and a message will be displayed, regardless of the vehicle's speed.
pg. 39 Information display
Messages
When an indicator or warning light in the instrument panel comes on, a message is also shown in the information
display. To read a message:
Press the READ button (A).
Pressing READ repeatedly enables you to scroll to any other messages that may be stored.
NOTE: If a message is displayed when e.g. you are using the trip computer, this message must be read before you can
access the trip computer.Message Meaning
STOP SAFELY Stop and switch off the engine to help prevent the risk of serious damage.
STOP ENGINE Stop and switch off the engine to help prevent the risk of serious damage.
SERVICE
URGENT Take your car to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician for inspection immediately.
SEE MANUAL Refer to your owner's manual. For additional information, please contact a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician.
SERVICE
REQUIRED Take your car to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician for inspection as soon as possible
(but preferably before the next scheduled maintenance service).
TIME FOR
REGULAR
SERVICE This message is affect by the number of miles/km driven, by the number of months, or by the
number of engine hours since the service reminder was reset at the most recent regularly scheduled
service.
pg. 40 Center console controls
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12 volt socket, stability system, auxiliary equipment
12 volt sockets
The 12 volt sockets can be used to plug in certain accessories such as cellular telephones, etc. The key must be in
position I (or higher) for the auxiliary socket to function. The auxiliary sockets can also be used for cigarette lighters,
which are available at your Volvo retailer.
NOTE: The cover should be kept on when the auxiliary socket is not in use.
Stability system STC or DSTC
The stability system - Stability and Traction Control (STC), or the optional Dynamic Stability and Traction Control
(DSTC) - activate automatically when the car is started. In certain situations, it may be necessary to disable the
system's anti-spin function, for example, while driving for a short period with tires of different dimensions.
To disable the anti-spin function:
Press the STC
1 or DSTC button for approximately one second. The indicator light in the button will go out, and
STC/DSTC SPIN CONTROL OFF will be shown in the information display.
1. Models equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD) have an integrated traction control function, and are not equipped
with an STC button. DSTC is optional.
WARNING!
The car's handling and stability characteristics will be altered with the anti-spin function disabled.
NOTE: The anti-spin function will be automatically reactivated when the engine is started.
Auxiliary equipment
The button to the right of the STC/DSTC button can be used for Volvo-installed optional or auxiliary equipment.
pg. 41 Lighting panel
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