
2 0 0 7
VOLVO S40
120 06 Starting  and driving
General information 122
Fuel requirements125
Starting the vehicle129
Starting the car with keyless  drive (option as available)131
Manual transmission, 5-speed133
Manual transmission, 6-speed134
Automatic transmission135
Shiftlock override138
All Wheel Drive (option)139
Brake system140
Stability system142
Towing144
Jump starting146
Towing a  trailer147
Detachable trailer hitch149
Transporting loads150
121 06 Starting  and driving
122 06 Starting  and driving
General information
Economical driving conserves natural resources
Better  driving economy may be  obtained  by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts and  stops and  adjusting the speed of
your vehicle to immediate traffic  conditions.
ProCarManuals.com 

Driving through  water
The vehicle can be  driven through water up to a  depth of approximately 9 in. (25 cm), at a  maximum speed of 6 mph
(10 km/h).
 Take particular care when driving through flowing water.
 Clean the electrical connections for trailer wiring after driving in mud or water
 When driving through water, maintain low speed and  do not stop in the water.
 WARNING 
After driving through water, press lightly on the brake pedal to ensure that the brakes are functioning normally.
Water  or mud can make the brake linings slippery, resulting in delayed braking effect.
 CAUTION 
 Engine damage will occur if water is drawn into the air cleaner.
 If the vehicle is driven through water deeper than 9 in (25 cm), water may enter the differential  and  the
transmission. This reduces the oil's lubricating capacity and  may shorten  the service life of these components.
 Do not allow the vehicle to stand in water up to the door sills longer than absolutely necessary.  This could result
in electrical malfunctions.
 If the engine has been stopped while the car is in water, do not attempt to restart the engine. Have the car towed
out of the water.
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
is not approved by Volvo. Different types of antifreeze  must  not be  mixed.
 Volvo recommends using only genuine Volvo antifreeze  in your vehicle's radiator. Your Volvo retailer stocks plenty
of Volvo engine coolant  to help protect your vehicle during cold weather.
 Try  to keep the fuel tank well filled - this  prevents the formation  of condensation in the tank. In addition, in
extremely cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to add  fuel line de -icer before refueling.
 The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-weather starting as
well as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine is warming up. For winter use, 5W -30 oil, particularly the
synthetic type
1, is recommended. Be sure to use good quality oil but do not use cold-weather oil for hard driving or in
warm weather. See  page 231
 for more information.
 The load placed on the battery is greater during the winter since the windshield wipers, lighting, etc. are used more
often. Moreover,  the capacity of the battery decreases as the temperature drops. In very cold weather, a  poorly charged
battery can freeze  and  be  damaged. It is therefore advisable to check the state of
1 Synthetic  oil is not used when  the oil is changed  at the normal maintenance intervals except at owner request and at additional charge. Please
consult your Volvo retailer.
124 06 Starting  and driving
General information
charge more frequently and  spray an  antirust oil on the battery posts.
ProCarManuals.com 

 CAUTION 
 Do not refuel with the engine running1. Turn  the ignition off or to position I. If the ignition is on, an  incorrect
reading could occur in the fuel gauge
 After refueling, close the fuel filler  cap by turning it clockwise until it clicks into place.
 Avoid overfilling the fuel tank. Do not press the handle on the filler  nozzle more than one  extra time. Too much
fuel in the tank in hot weather conditions can cause the fuel to overflow. Overfilling  could also cause damage to the
emission control systems.
 Avoid spilling  gasoline during refueling. In addition to causing damage to the environment, gasolines containing
alcohol  can cause damage to painted  surfaces, which  may not be  covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
 Do not use gasolines containing methanol (methyl alcohol,  wood alcohol). This practice can result in vehicle
performance deterioration and  can damage critical parts  in the fuel system. Such damage may not be  covered under
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
1If the fuel  filler  cap  is not closed  tightly or if the engine is running when  the vehicle is refueled, the Check  Engine Light  (malfunction  indicator
lamp)  may indicate  a fault.  However, your vehicle's performance will  not be  affected.  Use  only  Volvo original or approved fuel  filler  caps.
128 06 Starting  and driving
Ignition switch/Steering wheel lock
Ignition switch and steering wheel  lock
0 - Locked position 
Remove the key  to lock the steering wheel1. Never  turn the key  to position 0 while driving or when the vehicle is
being towed.
 NOTE 
A ticking sound may be  audible  if the key  is turned to a  position between 0 and  I. To stop this  sound, turn the key  to
position II and  back to position 0.
I - Intermediate position
2 
Certain  accessories, radio, etc. on, daytime running lights off.
1Automatic transmission:  the gear selector must  be  in  the Park position.  The  optional keyless  drive start control does not need to  be  removed.
2Please  be  aware  that leaving  the key in  this positions I  or II will  increase battery  drain.
II - Drive position 
ProCarManuals.com 

Depress the clutch  pedal completely  when changing gears1.
Remove your foot from  the clutch  pedal while driving. The shift pattern should be  followed.
Overdrive (5th gear) should be  used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy.
1 Clutch interlock
The  clutch must  be  fully depressed  before  you can  start your car.  If the clutch is not depressed, it  will  not be  possible to  start the engine.
Engaging reverse gear, 5-speed transmission
Reverse gear should only be  engaged from  a  complete stop.
 CAUTION 
Never  shift into reverse  while moving forward.
 WARNING 
An extra mat on the driver's floor  can cause the accelerator,  brake, and/or clutch  pedal to catch. Check that the
movement of these pedals is not impeded.  Not more than one  protective floor  covering may be  used at one  time.
134 06 Starting  and driving
Manual transmission, 6-speed
ProCarManuals.com 

6-speed manual transmission  (option on certain models)
Depress the clutch  pedal completely  when changing gears1.
Remove your foot from  the clutch  pedal while driving. The shift pattern should be  followed.
Overdrive (5th and  6th gears)  should be  used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy.
1 Clutch interlock
The  clutch must  be  fully depressed  before  you can  start your car.  If the clutch is not depressed, it  will  not be  possible to  start the engine.
Engaging reverse gear, 6-speed transmission
Reverse gear should only be  engaged from  a  complete stop.
 NOTE 
Reverse gear is electronically  blocked and  cannot be  selected if the vehicle is moving at a  speed of approximately 13
mph (20km/h).
 CAUTION 
Never  shift into reverse  while moving forward.
 WARNING 
An extra mat on the driver's floor  can cause the accelerator,  brake, and/or clutch  pedal to catch. Check that the
ProCarManuals.com 

To manually  override the Shiftlock system:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
3. There is a  small cover below  P-R-N-D on the gear selector panel. Open the rear edge of the panel.
4. Insert the key  blade (see page 109
) into the opening and  press it down until it bottoms.
5. With the key  blade pressed down, move the gear selector out of the P position.
139 06 Starting  and driving
All Wheel Drive (option)
All Wheel Drive (AWD) - general information
Your Volvo can be  equipped with permanent All Wheel Drive (option), which  means that power is distributed
automatically  between the front  and  rear wheels. Under normal 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. Never  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 a  placard
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). See  also the tire inflation pressure tables beginning on page 158
.
Temporary Spare
The temporary spare tire is for temporary, low-speed, 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. (80 km/h) or for distances greater than 50
miles (80 km).
Never  install  snow chains on a  temporary spare.
140 06 Starting  and driving
Brake system
Brake circuit malfunction
The brake system is a  hydraulic system consisting of two separate brake circuits.  If a  problem should occur in one  of
these circuits,  it is still  possible to stop the vehicle with the other brake circuit.
If the brake pedal must  be  depressed  farther than normal and  requires greater foot pressure, the stopping  distance will
be  longer.
A warning light in the instrument panel will light up to warn the driver that a  fault has occurred.
ProCarManuals.com 

If this  light comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately and  check the brake fluid level  in the reservoir.
 NOTE 
Press the brake pedal hard and  maintain pressure on the pedal - do not pump the brakes.
 WARNING 
If the fluid level  is below  the MIN  mark in the reservoir or if a  brake system message is shown in the information
display: DO  NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed  to a  Volvo retailer and  have the brake system inspected.
Power brakes function only when the engine is running
The power brakes utilize vacuum pressure which  is only created  when the engine is running. Never  let the vehicle roll
to a  stop with the engine switched off.
If the power brakes are not working, the brake pedal must  be  pressed approximately five times harder than usual to
make up for the lack of power assistance. This can happen for example when towing your vehicle or if the engine is
switched off when the vehicle is rolling. The brake pedal feels harder than usual.
Water on brake discs and brake pads  affects braking
Driving in rain and  slush or passing through an  automatic  car wash can cause 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 weather.
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 of the brakes is less efficient than when driving on level  roads.
To reduce the strain on the brakes, shift into a  lower gear and  let the engine help with the braking. Do not forget that if
you are towing a  trailer, the brakes will be  subjected to a  greater than normal load.
Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
The Anti-lock Braking System  (ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stopping and  steering) during severe braking
conditions by limiting brake lockup. When the system "senses" impending lockup, braking pressure is automatically
modulated in order to help prevent lockup that could lead to a  skid.
The system performs  a self -diagnostic test when the engine is started and when the vehicle  first reaches a speed
of approximately 12 m.p.h.  (20 km/h) . The brake pedal will pulsate several times and  a  sound may be  audible  from
the ABS  control module. This is normal.
141 06 Starting  and driving
Brake system
For optimal ABS  braking effect:
1. Press down on the brake pedal with full force. The pedal will pulsate.
ProCarManuals.com 

2. Steer the vehicle in the direction of travel and  keep the brake pedal depressed.
Electronic Brake Force  Distribution (EBD)
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 switching of the ABS  modulator will be  audible  and  the brake pedal will pulsate during braking. Please be  aware
that ABS  does not increase the absolute braking potential of the vehicle. While  control will be  enhanced, ABS  will not
shorten  stopping  distances on slippery surfaces.
If the warning lamp lights up there is a  malfunction of the ABS  system (the standard braking system will still  function)
and  the vehicle should be  driven cautiously to a  Volvo retailer for inspection.
 WARNING 
If the BRAKE and  ABS  warning symbols light at the same time, there may be  a  problem in the brake system. If the
brake fluid level  is normal in these circumstances, drive carefully to the nearest Volvo workshop  to have the brake
system checked.
Emergency Brake Assistance  - EBA
EBA is designed to provide full brake effect immediately in the event of sudden, hard braking. The system is activated
by the speed with which  the brake pedal is depressed.
When the EBA system is activated, the brake pedal will go down and  pressure in the brake system immediately
increases to the maximum level.  Maintain full pressure on the brake pedal in order to utilize the system completely.
EBA is automatically  deactivated when the brake pedal is released.
 NOTE 
 When the EBA system is activated, the brake pedal will go down and  pressure in the brake system immediately
increases to the maximum level.  You must  maintain full pressure on the brake pedal in order to utilize the system
completely.  There will be  no braking effect if the pedal is released. EBA is automatically  deactivated when the brake
pedal is released.
 When the vehicle has been parked for some time, the brake pedal may sink more than usual when the engine is
started. This is normal and  the pedal will return to its  usual position when it is released.
142 06 Starting  and driving
Stability system
Stability Traction Control (STC)/Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC)
The stability system consists of a  number of functions designed help reduce wheel spin, counteract skidding,  and  to
generally help improve directional stability.
A pulsating sound will be  audible  when the system is actively operating and  is normal.
ProCarManuals.com