pedal for the first few minutes of operation. A cold engine uses more fuel and is subject to increased wear.
Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle for driving short distances. This does not allow the engine to reach
normal operating temperature.
Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
Use the transmission's (D)rive position as often as possible and avoid using kickdown.
Do not exceed posted speed limits.
Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the vehicle.
Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc, increase air resistance and also fuel consumption.
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, proceed as follows:
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).
pg. 93 General information
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle handling. Therefore, check that the tires are inflated to
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
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on the floor.
Tires not mounted on rims should be stored on their sides or standing upright, but should not be suspended.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
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 124
.
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. 121 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).
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Tires with tread designed to roll in only one direction are marked with an arrow on the sidewall.
Incorrectly mounted tires impair the car's braking properties and ability to force aside rain, snow and slush.
The tires with the most tread should always be at the rear (to reduce the risk of skidding).
Contact a Volvo workshop if you are unsure about the tread depth.
pg. 133 Changing a wheel
Changing a wheel
The spare tire, jack, and crank are located under the carpet on the floor of the trunk.
To change a tire:
1. Engage the parking brake.
2. Put the gear selector in (P)ark.
3. Block the wheels that are on the ground with wooden blocks or large stones.
4. Remove the wheel cap (where applicable) using the lug wrench in the tool bag.
5. With the car still on the ground, use the lug wrench to loosen the wheel nuts 1/2 - 1 turn by exerting downward
pressure. Turn the nuts counterclockwise to loosen.
6. There are two jack attachment points on each side of the car. Position the jack correctly in the attachment (see
illustration above) and crank while simultaneously guiding the base of the jack to the ground. The base of the jack
must be flat on a level, firm, non-slippery surface. Before raising the car, check that the jack is still correctly
positioned in the attachment.
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Safety locks, child88
Seat belt maintenance13
Seat belt reminder13, 37
Seat belts11
SEE MANUAL39
SERVICE REQUIRED39
Shiftlock2
Shiftlock override105
Side impact protection (SIPS) airbags21
Side marker light, replacing155
Speedometer34
Spin control - SC109
SRS warning light37
Stability system40, 109, 110
Start inhibitor (immobilizer)82
Station formats168
STC40, 109
Steering wheel adjustment48
Steering wheel lock98
Stone chips, paint touch-up139
STOP ENGINE39
STOP SAFELY39
Storage compartments76
Storing wheels and tires120
Sunroof (moonroof)54
T
Tachometer34
Tail light bulb holder, removing156
Technician certification183
Temperature gauge34
Three-way catalytic converter182
TIME FOR REGULAR SERVICE39
Tire inflation pressure tables124
Tire rotation132
Tires, changing133
Tires, general information120
Tires, storing120
Traction control - TC109
Transmission, automatic103, 104
Tread wear indicator121
Trip computer43
Trip odometer34
Trunk80
Trunk lighting, replacing157
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Trunk, limiting access to85
Trunk, opening from the inside87
Turn signal bulb, replacing155
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading128
Unlock (personal settings)56
Unlocking the fuel filler door41
V
Valet locking85
Vanity mirror74
Vanity mirror lighting, replacing157
Vehicle Event Data142
Vehicle Identification Number176
Vehicle loading127
Volvo and the environment3
Volvo Customer Care Center, contacting1, 16, 19
Volvo Inflatable Curtain22
Volvo maintenance142
Volvo On Call Roadside Assistance183
W
W Winter/Wet driving mode104
Warning flashers48
Warning symbol34, 35
Warranties142
Washer fluid147
Washing the car136
Waxing137
Weight distribution92
Weights177
Wheel nuts131
Wheels, removing133, 134
Wheels, storing120
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)23
Windshield washer fluid147
Windshield wiper blades149
Windshield wipers46
Winter/Wet driving mode104
Wiper blades149
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