2006 VOLVO XC90
pg. 95 Starting and driving
All Wheel Drive
All Wheel Drive (AWD) - general information
Your Volvo can be equipped with permanent All Wheel Drive (option), wh\
ich means that power is
distributed automatically between the front and rear wheels. Under norma\
l driving conditions, most of
the engine's power is directed to the front wheels. However, if there is\
any tendency for the front wheels
to spin, an electronically controlled coupling distributes power to the \
wheels that have the best traction.
Tire dimensions
Volvo recommends that you always drive on tires of the same brand, size,\
construction (radial), tread
pattern, load-, speed-, traction-, temperature-, and treadwear rating. N\
ever drive on mixed tires, except
for brief periods when the temporary spare tire is in use.
Always use properly inflated tires of correct dimensions. Tire size and \
inflation pressures are shown on
the tire inflation pressure placards, located on the driver's side B-pil\
lar (the structural member at the side
of the vehicle, at the rear of the driver's door opening), or on the in\
side of the fuel filler door on
Canadian models.
Temporary Spare
The temporary spare tire is for temporary, lowspeed, short-distance use \
only. Replace it with a full-sized
tire as soon as possible. Do not drive on the temporary spare at speeds \
above 50 m.p.h. (80km/h) or for
distances greater than 50 miles (80 km).
Never install snow chains on a temporary spare.
Contents | Top of Page
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2006 VOLVO XC90
l Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and replace those th\
at are worn. Check tire pressures.
l The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be checked b\
y your Volvo retailer only.
l Check all lights, including high beams.
l Reflective warning triangles are legally required in some states/provinc\
es.
l Have a word with your Volvo retailer if you intend to drive in countries\
where it may be difficult to
obtain the correct fuel.
l Consider your destination. If you will be driving through an area where \
snow or ice are likely to
occur, consider snow tires.
* To prevent injury from contact with hot surfaces, do not inspect your \
vehicle's transmission fluid
yourself. Have your vehicle's transmission fluid level inspected by a qu\
alified Volvo service technician.
pg. 110 Starting and driving
Contents | Top of Page
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2006 VOLVO XC90
2 0 0 6
VOLVO XC90
Wheels and tires
pg. 111 Wheels and tires
General information112
Tire inflation pressure tables116
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - option on certain U.S. models\
only117
Tire designations119
Glossary of tire terminology120
Vehicle loading121
Uniform Tire Quality Grading122
Snow chains, snow tire, studded tires123
Temporary Spare124
Changing wheels125
Tire sealing system (option on certain models)130
pg. 112 Wheels and tires
General information
General information
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the vehicle's tire info\
rmation placard on the Bpillar (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.
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2006 VOLVO XC90
WARNING!
- The wheel and tire sizes for your Volvo are specified to meet stringen\
t stability and handling
requirements. Unapproved wheel/ tire size combinations can negatively af\
fect your vehicle's stability
and handling. Approved tire sizes are shown in the Tire inflation pressu\
re tables on
page 116.
- Any damage caused by installation of unapproved wheel/tire size combin\
ations 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. 113 Wheels and tires
New tires
Remember that tires are perishable goods. As of 2000, the manufacturing \
week and year will be
indicated with 4 digits (e.g. 1502 means that the tire illustrated was \
manufactured during week 15 of
2002).
Tire age
Tires degrade over time, even when they are not being used, which can af\
fect their reliability and
roadholding characteristics. Therefore, all tires older than 6 years (i\
ncluding the spare tire and winter
tires) should be inspected by a qualified technician, regardless of app\
earance or mileage. Heat caused by
hot climates or frequent high loading conditions can accelerate the agin\
g process.
A tire's age can be determined by the DOT stamp on the sidewall (see th\
e illustration above).
A tire with e.g., visible cracks or discoloration should be replaced imm\
ediately.
Improving tire economy:
l Maintain correct tire pressure. See the tire pressure table on page 116.
l Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard braking and tire screeching.
l Tire wear increases with speed.
l Correct front wheel alignment is very important.
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2006 VOLVO XC90
pg. 115 Wheels and tires
After driving a distance of approximately 1 mile (1.6 km), the tires a\
re considered to be hot. If you have
to drive farther than this distance to pump your tire(s), check and re\
cord the tire pressure first and add
the appropriate air pressure when you get to the pump.
If checking tire pressure when the tire is hot, never "bleed" or reduce \
air pressure. The tires are hot from
driving and it is normal for pressures to increase above recommended col\
d pressures. A hot tire at or
below recommended cold inflation pressure could be significantly under-i\
nflated.
To check inflation pressure:
1. Remove the cap from the valve on one tire, then firmly press the tire\
gauge onto the valve.
2. Add air to reach the recommended air pressure
3. Replace the valve cap.
4. Repeat this procedure for each tire, including the spare.
5. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other o\
bjects embedded that could
puncture the tire and cause an air leak.
6. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or\
other irregularities.
NOTE:
l If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in th\
e center of the valve. Then
recheck the pressure with your tire gauge.
l Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure than the other tires.\
Consult the tire inflation table
on
page 116 or see the inflation pressure placard.
pg. 116 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure tables
Tire pressures recommended by Volvo for your vehicle. Refer to the tire \
inflation placard for
information specific to the tires installed on your vehicle at the facto\
ry. Cold tire pressure for vehicle loads up to 1160 lbs (525 kg)a
Tire size Front, psi (kPa) Rear, psi (kPa)
XC90
225/70R16
235/65R17
235/60R18
255/50R19 39 (270)
39 (270)
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2006 VOLVO XC90
Temporary spare tire
T155/85R18 61 (420)
61 (420)
a. These weights include the weight of all occupants of the car plus car\
go.
Optional tire pressure. These inflation pressures may only be used when \
the vehicle is not fully loaded. Optional cold tire pressure that may only be used for vehicle loads up t\
o 495 lbs (225 kg).
Tire size Front, psi (kPa) Rear, psi (kPa)
XC90
225/70R16
235/65R17
235/60R18
255/50R19 32 (220)
32 (220)
Temporary spare tire
T155/85R18 61 (420)
61 (420)
NOTE: The optional tire pressure shown in the table above may not be used on \
XC90s equipped with
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (option as available). Vehicles wi\
th this system must use the
standard tire pressure listed in the table in the left column (39 psi/2\
70 kPa).
pg. 117 Wheels and tires
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - option on certain U.S. models\
only
The tire pressure monitoring system uses sensors mounted in the tire val\
ves to check inflation pressure
levels. When the vehicle is moving at a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h) or f\
aster, these sensors transmit
inflation pressure data to a receiver located in the vehicle.
USA - FCC ID: MRXTG315AM04
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject\
to the following conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device mu\
st accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
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2006 VOLVO XC90
(contd. on following page)
pg. 118 Wheels and tires
Changing tires
Please note the following when changing or replacing the factory install\
ed TPMS wheels/tires on the
vehicle:
l Only the factory-mounted wheels are equipped with TPMS sensors in the va\
lves.
l If the vehicle is equipped with a temporary spare tire, this tire does n\
ot have a TPMS sensor.
l If winter wheels without TPMS sensors are mounted on the vehicle, TIRE P\
RESS SYST SERVICE
REQUIRED will be displayed each time the vehicle is driven above 25 mph \
(40 km/h) for 10 minutes or
more.
l Once TPMS sensors are properly installed, the warning message should not\
reappear.
l Volvo recommends that TPMS sensors be fitted on all wheels used on the v\
ehicle. 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 strai\
ght onto the valve to help
avoid bending or otherwise damaging the valve.
WARNING!
Incorrect inflation pressure could lead to tire failure, resulting in a \
loss of control of the
vehicle.
pg. 119 Wheels and tires
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2006 VOLVO XC90
- Studded tires should be run-in 300-600 miles (500-1000 km) during wh\
ich 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 st\
udded winter tires before
installing such tires.
1. Where permitted
pg. 124 Wheels and tires
Temporary Spare
The spare tire in your car is called a "Temporary Spare".
Recommended tire pressure (see the placard on the B-pillar or on the fu\
el filler door) should be
maintained irrespective of which position on the car the temporary spare\
tire is used on. In the event of
damage to this tire, a new one can be purchased from your Volvo retailer\
.
WARNING!
! Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Temporary Spare" tire ot\
her than as a temporary
replacement for a punctured tire. It must be replaced as soon as possibl\
e by a standard tire. Road
holding and handling may be affected with the "Temporary Spare" in use. \
Do not exceed 50 mph (80
km/h). Do not drive farther than 50 miles (80 km) on a temporary spar\
e tire.
CAUTION:
The car must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a\
spare tire other than the one
that came with the car. The use of different size wheels can seriously d\
amage your car's transmission.
pg. 125 Wheels and tires
Changing wheels
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