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VOLVO V70
Chapter 7 - Wheels and tires
pg.117 Wheels and tires
General information118
Tire inflation120
Tire inflation pressure tables122
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)123
Self supporting run flat tires125
Tire designations126
Glossary of tire terminology127
Vehicle loading128
Uniform Tire Quality Grading129
Snow chains, snow tires, studded tires130
Temporary spare131
Changing a wheel132
pg. 118 Wheels and tires
General information
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the vehicle's tire information placard on the B-pillar (the structural
member at the side of the vehicle, at the rear of the driver's door opening), or on the inside of the fuel filler door on
Canadian models.
The tires have good road holding characteristics and offer good handling on dry and wet surfaces. It should be noted
however that the tires have been developed to give these features on snow/ice-free surfaces.
Certain models are equipped with "all-season" tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree of road holding on
slippery surfaces than tires without the "all-season" rating. However, for optimum road holding on icy or snow-
covered roads, we recommend suitable winter tires on all four wheels.
When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires are the same size designation, type (radial) and preferably from the
same manufacturer, on all four wheels. Otherwise there is a risk of altering the car's roadholding and handling
characteristics.
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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.
A tire's age can be determined by the DOT stamp on the sidewall (see the illustration above).
A tire with e.g., visible cracks or discoloration should be replaced immediately.
Improving tire economy:
• Maintain correct tire pressure. See the tire pressure table on page 122
.
• Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard braking and tire screeching.
• Tire wear increases with speed.
• Correct front wheel alignment is very important.
• Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy and driving comfort.
• Tires must maintain the same direction of rotation throughout their lifetime.
• When replacing tires, the tires with the most tread should be mounted on the rear wheels to reduce the chance of
oversteer during hard braking.
Hitting curbs or potholes can damage the tires and/or wheels permanently.
pg. 120 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation
Check tire inflation pressure regularly.
A table listing the recommended inflation pressure for your vehicle can be found on page 122
. Tire inflation pressure
placards are also located on the driver's side B-pillar (the structural member at the side of the vehicle, at the rear of the
driver's door opening), or on the inside of the fuel filler door on Canadian models. These placards indicate the
designation of the factory-mounted tires on your vehicle, as well as load limits and inflation pressure.
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Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should consult
the appropriate section of this owner's manual to determine the proper tire inflation pressure.) When the low tire
pressure telltale is illuminated, one or more of your tires is significantly underinflated. You should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability. Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction
telltale to indicate when the system is not operating properly. When the malfunction telltale is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of incompatible replacement tires on the vehicle. Always check the TPMS
malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement tires are
compatible with the TPMS.
NOTE: TPMS indicates low tire pressure but does not replace normal tire maintenance. For information on correct tire
pressure, please refer to the table on page 122
, or consult your Volvo retailer.
Erasing warning messages
When a low tire pressure warning message has been displayed, and the tire pressure warning light has come on:
1. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the inflation pressure of all four tires.
2. Re-inflate the tire(s) to the correct pressure (consult the tire pressure placard or the table on page 122
).
3. Drive the car for several minutes at a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h) or faster.
This will erase the warning text and the warning light will go out.
WARNING!
Incorrect inflation pressure could lead to tire failure, resulting in a loss of control of the vehicle.
(Contd. on following page)
pg. 124 Wheels and tires
Changing tires
Please note the following when changing or replacing the factory installed TPMS wheels/ tires on the vehicle:
Only the factory-mounted wheels are equipped with TPMS sensors in the valves.
If the vehicle is equipped with a temporary spare tire, this tire does not have a TPMS sensor.
If winter wheels without TPMS sensors are mounted on the vehicle, TIRE PRESS SYST SERVICE REQUIRED will
be displayed each time the vehicle is driven above 25 mph (40 km/h) for 10 minutes or more.
Once TPMS sensors are properly installed, the warning message should not reappear.
Volvo recommends that TPMS sensors be fitted on all wheels used on the vehicle. Volvo does not recommend
moving sensors back and forth between sets of wheels.
CAUTION!
When inflating tires with TPMS valves, press the pump's mouthpiece straight onto the valve to help avoid bending or
otherwise damaging the valve.
pg. 125 Wheels and tires
Self supporting run flat tires (option)
Certain models equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) can also be equipped with self supporting
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passenger vehicle tires must meet under the Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and tire
failure.
pg. 130 Wheels and tires
Snow chains, snow tires, studded tires
Snow chains
Snow chains can be used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
• Snow chains should be installed on front wheels only. Use only Volvo approved snow chains.
• If accessory, aftermarket or "custom" tires and wheels are installed and are of a size different than the original tires
and wheels, chains in some cases CANNOT be used. Sufficient clearances between chains and brakes, suspension and
body components must be maintained.
• Some strap -on type chains will interfere with brake components and therefore CANNOT be used.
• All Wheel Drive models: Snow chains should only be installed on the front wheels. Only chains adapted for AWD
models should be used.
Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow chain information.
CAUTION:
• Check local regulations regarding the use of snow chains before installing.
• Always follow the chain manufacturer's installation instructions carefully. Install chains as tightly as possible and
retighten periodically.
• Never exceed the chain manufacturer's specified maximum speed limit. (Under no circumstances should you exceed
31 mph (50 km/h)).
• Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns when driving with snow chains.
• The handling of the vehicle can be adversely affected when driving with chains. Avoid fast or sharp turns as well as
locked wheel braking.
Snow tires, studded tires
1
Tires for winter use:
• Owners who live in or regularly commute through areas with sustained periods of snow or icy driving conditions are
strongly advised to fit suitable winter tires to help retain the highest degree of traction.
• It is important to install winter tires on all four wheels to help retain traction during cornering, braking, and
accelerating. Failure to do so could reduce traction to an unsafe level or adversely affect handling.
• Do not mix tires of different design as this could also negatively affect overall tire road grip.
• Winter tires wear more quickly on dry roads in warm weather. They should be removed when the winter driving
season has ended.
• Studded tires should be run-in 300-600 miles (500-1000 km) during which the car should be driven as smoothly as
possible to give the studs the opportunity to seat properly in the tires. The tires should have the same rotational
direction throughout their entire lifetime.
NOTE: Please consult state or provincial regulations restricting the use of studded winter tires before installing such
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Loosen wheel bolts
There is a jack attachment located in the center on each side of the car. Position the jack on the bar in the attachment
as shown in 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.
WARNING!
The jack's attachment must engage the bar in the jack attachment (see inset illustration above). The car's weight must
not rest on the jack attachment.
Attaching the jack
Raise the vehicle until both wheels on the side of the car where the jack is attached are lifted off the ground. Unscrew
the wheel bolts completely and carefully remove the wheel so as not to damage the thread on the studs.
NOTE: To avoid excessive wear and the necessity of rebalancing, mark and reinstall wheels in the same location and
position as before removal. To lessen the chance of imbalance, each wheel hub is equipped with a guide stud to ensure
that a removed wheel can be reinstalled in its original position (as when changing over to winter tires/wheels).
pg. 133 Changing a wheel
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Warranty152
Washer fluid reservoir157, 170
Washer fluid solvent110
Washing the car149-151
Water repellent glass39, 149
Waxing150
Weight distribution101
Wheels changing132
Wheels and tires - storing118
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)15, 16
Windows - electrically operated42
Windshield washer solvent110
Windshield wiper blades - replacing164
Windshield wipers/washers38
Winter driving110
Winter/Wet driving mode95, 97, 110
Wiper blades - replacing164
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