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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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