2006 VOLVO XC90
pg. 71 Interior
Securing cargo
Securing cargo
As a safety precaution, all cargo in your vehicle should be securely anc\
hored to keep it from being thrown forward in the
event of sudden braking, etc. The vehicle is equipped with eyelets in th\
e cargo space to which straps or other cargo
restraints can be attached.
WARNING!
The eyelets are not to be used as passenger restraints or as anchorages \
for child
restraints.
Consult your Volvo retailer about suitable accessories for this purpose.\
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
mph (50 km/h)!
Keep the following in mind when loading the vehicle:
l The load carrying capacity of your vehicle is determined by factors such\
as the number of passengers, the amount of
cargo, the weight of any accessories that may be installed, etc. See the\
section "Vehicle loading" in the chapter "Wheel and
tires" for more detailed information.
l Load the cargo against the backrest.
l Load heavy cargo as low as possible.
l If no one is sitting in the outboard rear seat(s), reinforce the backr\
est by fastening the seat belts.
l Never load cargo above the backrest without a cargo net.
WARNING!
When the rear backrest(s) are folded down, the vehicle should not be l\
oaded to a level higher than 2 in. (5 cm) below the
upper edge of the rear side windows. Objects placed higher than this lev\
el could impede the function of the Inflatable
Curtain.
pg. 72 Interior
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2006 VOLVO XC90
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle hand\
ling. Therefore, check that the tires
are inflated to the recommended pressure according to the vehicle load. \
See "Tire pressure" section.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity weight or maximum permissib\
le axle loads are not exceeded.
Driving on rough/unpaved surfaces
The Volvo XC90 is designed primarily for onroad driving, and it has exce\
llent handling characteristics
on very rough or unpaved roads.
When driving on poorly maintained or unpaved roads, please keep the foll\
owing in mind:
l Reduce speed on rough surfaces to minimize possible damage to the vehicl\
e's underbody.
l When driving on soft surfaces such as dry sand or snow, try to avoid sto\
pping if at all possible.
WARNING!
Avoid driving diagonally across steep inclines as this could increase th\
e risk of a roll-over. Try to
drive straight up or down the slope.
If the road is very steep, avoid turning the vehicle around to help avoi\
d the risk of rolling over. Back
the vehicle up or down the incline instead.
NOTE: Avoid driving on steep inclines if the fuel tank is nearly empty. If the\
flow of fuel to the engine
is interrupted due to the vehicle's angle of inclination, this could res\
ult in damage to the three-way
catalytic converter. We recommend keeping the fuel tank at least half fu\
ll when driving on steep inclines.
Driving through water
l The vehicle should not be driven through water that is deeper than 18 in\
ches (48 cm). Driving through
deeper water could result in damage to transmission components or the di\
fferential, or to the engine if
excess water is drawn in through the air intake system.
l Drive slowly and avoid stopping when driving through water.
l After having driven through water, apply the brakes lightly several time\
s to remove water, mud, etc
from the brake discs.
l Never allow the vehicle to stand in water above the door sills. This cou\
ld result in damage to the
electrical system.
Conserving electrical current
Keep the following in mind to help minimize battery drain:
l When the engine is not running, avoid turning the ignition key to positi\
on II (see page 90). Many
electrical systems (the audio system, the optional infotainment/navigat\
ion systems, power windows, etc)
will function with the ignition key in position I. This position reduces\
drain on the battery.
l Please keep in mind that using systems, accessories, etc that consume a \
great deal of current when the
engine is not running could result in the battery being completely drain\
ed.
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2006 VOLVO XC90
Driving in rain and slush or passing through an automatic car wash can c\
ause water to collect on the
brake discs and pads. This will cause a delay in braking effect when the\
pedal is depressed. To avoid
such a delay when the brakes are needed, depress the pedal occasionally \
when driving through rain,
slush, etc. This will remove the water from the brakes. Check that brake\
application feels normal. This
should also be done after washing or starting in very damp or cold weath\
er.
Severe strain on the brake system
The brakes will be subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or\
hilly areas, or when towing a
trailer. Vehicle speed is usually slower, which means that the cooling o\
f the brakes is less efficient than
when driving on level roads. To reduce the strain on the brakes, shift i\
nto a lower gear and let the engine
help with the braking. Do not forget that if you are towing a trailer, t\
he brakes will be subjected to a
greater than normal load.
pg. 97 Starting and driving
Brake system (contd)
Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
If the warning lamp lights up there is a malfunction of the ABS system (\
the standard braking system will
however function) and the vehicle should be driven cautiously to a Volv\
o retailer for inspection. The
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stop\
ping and steering) during severe
braking conditions by limiting brake lockup. When the system "senses" im\
pending lockup, braking
pressure is automatically modulated in order to help prevent lockup, whi\
ch could lead to a skid.
This system performs a self-diagnostic test when the engine is started a\
nd when the vehicle first
reaches a speed of approximately 12 mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and a
sound may be audible from the ABS control module. This is normal.
To obtain optimal effect from the ABS system, constant pressure should b\
e kept on the brake pedal. Do
not pump the brake pedal.
The switching of the ABS modulator will be audible and the brake pedal w\
ill pulsate during braking.
Please be aware that ABS does not increase the absolute braking potentia\
l of the vehicle. While control
will be enhanced, ABS will not shorten stopping distances on slippery su\
rfaces.
ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
EBD is an integrated part of the ABS system. EBD regulates the hydraulic\
pressure to the rear brakes to
help provide optimal braking capacity. The brake pedal will pulsate duri\
ng braking, which is normal.
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2006 VOLVO XC90
Max. trailer
hitch tongue
load400 lbs
(180 kg)
400 lbs
(180 kg)400 lbs
(180 kg)400 lbs
(180 kg)370 lbs
(165 kg)250 lbs (115
kg)
140 lbs (65 kg)
NOTE:
l Recommended hitch tongue load: not more than 10% of the trailer's weight\
.
The trailer load should be positioned so that it does not shift and the \
tongue load should be 10% of the
trailer's weight. However, the tongue load should not exceed the maximum\
permissible weights
indicated in the table above.
l When towing trailers without brakes, the maximum permissible trailer wei\
ght is 1,700 lbs (750 kg).
l If necessary, redistribute the weight of any cargo in the trailer to avo\
id excessive weight on the trailer
hitch.
l The maximum trailer weight listed in the table for All Wheel Drive model\
s, 5,000 lbs (2250 kg) is
only applicable when there are not more than two occupants in the vehicl\
e, in the front seats, with a
combined weight of 300 lbs (135 kg), with no other cargo in the vehicl\
e.
pg. 105 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer (contd)
l The maximum weight listed for Front Wheel Drive models, 4,000 lbs (1800\
kg) is only applicable
when there are not more than four occupants in the vehicle, in the front\
seats and second row of seats,
with a combined weight of 600 lbs (270 kg), with no other cargo in the\
vehicle.
l Please be aware that the load on the trailer hitch is part of the vehicl\
e's total load carrying capacity.
The amount of cargo in the vehicle and the trailer must be limited so th\
at the gross vehicle weight and
maximum permissible rear axle weight
(see page 173) are not exceeded.
l Vehicles used for towing a trailer on a regular basis, or for long-dista\
nce highway towing should be
equipped with an automatic transmission oil cooler and Volvo's automatic\
self-leveling system for the
rear suspension. Consult your Volvo retailer.
l Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches that are specially des\
igned for the vehicle.
l All Volvo models are equipped with energy-absorbing shock-mounted bumper\
s. Trailer hitch
installation should not interfere with the proper operation of this bump\
er system.
l Increase tire pressure to recommended full inflation pressure. See chapt\
er "Wheels and tires."
l When your vehicle is new, avoid towing heavy trailers during the first 6\
20 miles (1,000 km).
l Engine and transmission are subject to increased loads. Therefore, engin\
e coolant temperature should
be closely watched when driving in hot climates or hilly terrain. Use a \
lower gear and turn off the air
conditioner if the temperature gauge needle enters the red range.
l If the automatic transmission begins to overheat, a message will be disp\
layed in the text window.
l Hauling a trailer affects handling, durability, and economy.
l It is necessary to balance trailer brakes with the towing vehicle brakes\
to provide a safe stop (check
and observe state/local regulations).
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2006 VOLVO XC90
Tire inflation placard on Canadian models
NOTE: The placards shown indicate inflation pressure for the tires installed \
on the car at the factory
only.
l Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pressure, including the spa\
re, at least once a month and
before long trips. You are strongly urged to buy a reliable tire pressur\
e gauge, as automatic service
station gauges may be inaccurate.
l Use the recommended cold inflation pressure for optimum tire performance\
and wear.
l Under-inflation or over-inflation may cause uneven treadwear patterns.
WARNING!
- Under-inflation is the most common cause of tire failure and may resul\
t in severe tire cracking, tread
separation, or "blowout," with unexpected loss of vehicle control and in\
creased risk of injury.
- Under-inflated tires reduce the load carrying capacity of your vehicle\
.
When weather temperature changes occur, tire inflation pressures also ch\
ange. A 10-degree temperature
drop causes a corresponding drop of 1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressur\
e. Check your tire pressures
frequently and adjust them to the proper pressure, which can be found on\
the vehicle's tire information
placard or certification label.
Checking tire pressure
Cold tires
Inflation pressure should be checked when the tires are cold.
The tires are considered to be cold when they have the same temperature \
as the surrounding
(ambient) air.
This temperature is normally reached after the car has been parked for a\
t least 3 hours.
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2006 VOLVO XC90
l PSI: Pounds per square inch, a standard unit of air pressure.
l B-pillar: The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the front door\
.
l Bead area of the tire: Area of the tire next to the rim.
l Sidewall of the tire: Area between the bead area and the tread.
l Tread area of the tire: Area of the perimeter of the tire that contacts the road when mounted \
on the
vehicle.
l Rim: The metal support (wheel) for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upo\
n which the tire beads are
seated.
l Maximum load rating: a figure indicating the maximum load in pounds and kilograms that can \
be
carried by the tire. This rating is established by the tire manufacturer\
.
l Maximum permissible inflation pressure: the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be
put in the tire. This limit is set by the tire manufacturer.
l Recommended tire inflation pressure: inflation pressure, established by Volvo, which is based on
the type of tires that are mounted on a vehicle at the factory. This inf\
lation pressure is affected by the
number of occupants in the car, the amount of cargo, and the speed at wh\
ich the vehicle will be driven
for a prolonged period. This information can be found on the tire inflat\
ion placard(s) located on the
driver's side B-pillar or on the inside of the fuel filler door on Canad\
ian models, and in the tire inflation
table in this chapter.
l Cold tires: The tires are considered to be cold when they have the same temperatur\
e as the
surrounding (ambient) air. This temperature is normally reached after \
the car has been parked for at least
3 hours.
pg. 121 Wheels and tires
Vehicle loading
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maximum return of vehicle des\
ign performance. Before
loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for \
determining your vehicle's weight
ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle's Federal/Canadian \
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(FMVSS/CMVSS) label, and the vehicle's tire information placard:
Curb weight
The weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all standard\
equipment. It does not include
passengers, cargo, or optional equipment.
Capacity weight
All weight added to the curb weight, including cargo and optional equipm\
ent. When towing, trailer hitch
tongue load is also part of cargo weight.
NOTE: For trailer towing information, please refer to the section "Towin\
g a trailer" on
page 104.
Permissible axle weight
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2006 VOLVO XC90
The maximum allowable weight that can be carried by a single axle (fron\
t or rear). These numbers are
shown on the Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/CMV\
SS) label. The total load
on each axle must never exceed its maximum permissible weight.
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)
The vehicle's curb weight + cargo + passengers.
NOTE:
l The location of the various labels in your vehicle can be found on page 172.
l A table listing important weight limits for your vehicle can be found on\
page 173.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
(1) Locate the statement "the combined weight of occupants and cargo s\
hould never exceed XXX
pounds" on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that wi\
ll be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX\
kilograms or XXX pounds.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and lugg\
age load capacity. For example, if
the "XXX" amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passeng\
ers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750 (5 \
x 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on\
the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculat\
ed in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer w\
ill be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual
1 to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capa\
city of
your vehicle.
WARNING!
- Exceeding the permissible axle weight, gross vehicle weight, or any ot\
her weight rating limits can
cause tire overheating resulting in permanent deformation or catastrophi\
c failure.
- Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than \
the tires that were original
equipment on the vehicle because this will lower the vehicle's GVW ratin\
g. Replacement tires with a
higher limit than the originals do not increase the vehicle's GVW rating\
limitations.
1. See "Towing a trailer" on
page 104
pg. 122 Wheels and tires
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2006 VOLVO XC90
Standards (FMVSS) specifications (USA) and Ministry of Transport (C\
MVSS) standards (Canada) Your
Volvo is designed to meet all applicable safety standards, as evidenced \
by the certification label on the
facing side of the driver's door. For further information regarding thes\
e regulations, please consult your
Volvo retailer.
6. Loads and Tire Pressures U.S. models only
Certain models will only have one decal, depending on the specifications\
of the vehicle.
7. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
1
The VIN plate is located on the top left surface of the dashboard. The V\
IN is also stamped on the right
hand door pillar.
8. Model plate
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Codes for color and upholstery, e\
tc. The plate is located in the
engine compartment, on the inside of the left front fender.
1. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) should always be quoted in \
all correspondence concerning
your vehicle with the retailer and when ordering parts.
pg. 173 Specifications
Weights
Gross vehicle weight* USACanada
5-seat, 5-cyl, FWD 5640
lbs -
5-seat, 5-cyl, AWD 5790
lbs 2630 kg
5-seat, 8-cyl, AWD 5900
lbs 2680 kg
7-seat, 5-cyl, FWD 5840
lbs -
7-seat, 5-cyl, AWD 6005
lbs 2720 kg
7-seat, 8-cyl, AWD 6080
lbs 2760 kg
Capacity weight
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