
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.
pg. 115 Starting and driving
Manual transmission
6-speed manual transmission  (option on certain models)
Depress the clutch  pedal completely  when changing gears
1.
Remove your foot from  the clutch  pedal while driving. The shift pattern should be  followed.
Fifth  and  sixth  gears should be  used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy.
WARNING!
An extra mat on the driver's floor  can cause the accelerator  pedal and/or the 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.
Engaging reverse gear
Never  engage R while the vehicle is moving. CAUTION!
Be careful to avoid inadvertently engaging reverse  while moving forward.
1. Clutch interlock
The  clutch must  be  fully depressed  before  you can  start your vehicle. If the clutch is not depressed, it  will  not be  possible to  start the engine.
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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.
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 failure - Service urgent" message is displayed
in the text window: DO  NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed  to a  Volvo retailer and  have the brake system
inspected.
NOTE:  When the vehicle is at a  standstill and  the engine is idling, e.g.  at a  traffic  light and  the brake pedal is
depressed,  the pedal may go down slightly.  This is a  normal function of the power-assisted brake system.
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 four 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 towing. 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.
pg. 123 Starting and driving
Brake system
 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  Volvo retailer for inspection. 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, which  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 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 be  kept on the brake pedal. Do not pump the
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brake pedal.
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.
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 during braking, which  is normal.
If the BRAKE and  ABS  warning lights come on at the same time, this  could indicate a  fault in the brake system.
- Stop the vehicle in a  suitable place and  switch off the engine.
- Restart the engine.
- If both warning lights go off, no further action  is required.
- If both lights are still  on after the engine has been restarted,  switch off the engine again and  check the brake fluid
level  (see page 173
 for the location of the brake fluid reservoir).
WARNING!
If the fluid level  is below  the MIN  mark in the reservoir or if a  "Brake failure - Service urgent" message is displayed
in the text window: DO  NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed  to a  Volvo retailer and  have the brake system
inspected.
- If the brake fluid level  is above the MIN  mark, drive carefully to an  authorized Volvo retailer and  have the brake
system inspected.
Emergency Brake Assistance  (EBA)
The EBA function is designed to provide full brake effect immediately in the event of sudden, hard braking. The
system is activated by the speed with which  you depress the brake pedal.
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
pg. 124 Starting and driving
Brake system
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.
pg. 125 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.
NOTE:  A pulsating sound will be  audible  when the system is actively operating and  is normal.
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Stability system
Active Yaw  Control (AYC) - DSTC only
This function helps maintain directional stability, for example when cornering, by braking one  or more of the wheels if
the vehicle shows  a  tendency to skid or slide laterally.
R-models only
The AYC function can be  deactivated. This is done  by pressing the DSTC button on the center  control panel (see the
illustration on page 50) for approximately one  second. This procedure must  be  repeated  5 times, after which  "DSTC
REDUCED FUNCTION" will be  displayed in the text window. AYC will be  automatically  reactivated  the next time
the ignition is switched on.
The indicator light in the DSTC button will be  off.
WARNING!
The car's handling and  stability characteristics will be  altered if the STC or DSTC system functions have been
disabled.
STC/DSTC-related messages in the text window
 "TRACTION CONTROL TEMPORARILY OFF" - The system has been temporarily switched off due  to high brake
temperature and  will automatically  switch on again when the brakes have cooled.
"ANTI SKID SERVICE REQUIRED" - the system has been automatically  disengaged due  to a  fault. An authorized
Volvo retailer should check the system.
Symbols in the instrument panel
The Stability Control indicator light
This light indicates different  conditions, depending on how it illuminates.
The Stability Control indicator light illuminates for approximately 2 seconds
This indicates that the system is performing a  self -diagnostic test when the ignition is switched on.
The Stability Control indicator light flashes
This indicates that the stability system is actively functioning to help counteract wheel spin and/or a  skid.
The Stability Control indicator light glows steadily
"ANTI SKID SERVICE REQUIRED" will be  displayed in the text window at the same time.
A fault is indicated in the stability system.
- Stop the vehicle in a  safe place and  switch off the engine.
- Restart the engine.
- If the indicator light goes out, the fault was temporary and  no further action  is required.
- If the indicator light remains on, drive to an  authorized Volvo workshop  as soon as possible to have the system
checked.
The Stability Control indicator light glows steadily
If "STC/DSTC SPIN CONTROL OFF" is displayed in the text window at the same time, this  is a  reminder that spin
control has been disabled by the driver.
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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 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  section "Engine oil" 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 charge more frequently and  spray an
antirust oil on the battery posts.
 Volvo recommends the use of snow tires  on all four wheels for winter driving - see section "Wheels and  tires."
 To prevent the washer fluid  reservoir from  freezing, add  washer solvents containing antifreeze  (see page 176 for
the location of the washer fluid reservoir).  This is important since dirt is often splashed  on the windshield during
winter driving, requiring the frequent use of the washers and  wipers. Volvo Washer Solvent should be  diluted as
follows:
- Down  to 14° F (-10° C) : 1 part washer solvent and  4 parts  water
- Down  to 5° F (-15° C) : 1 part washer solvent and  3 parts  water
- Down  to 0° F (-18° C) : 1 part washer solvent and  2 parts  water
- Down  to -18° F (-28° C) : 1 part washer solvent and  1 part water
 Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
NOTE:  Avoid the use of de -icing sprays as they can cause damage to the locks.
W - Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle  traction (automatic transmission)
 Mode W  will only function if the gear selector is in the ( D)rive position.
 Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage this  driving mode.
 An LED  in the button will light up to indicate that W  is engaged and  this  will also be  displayed in the instrument
panel (see page 44
).
 This mode may be  selected for starting/ moving off on slippery roads.
1. Synthetic  oil is not used when  the oil is changed  at the normal maintenance service intervals.
pg. 137 Starting and driving
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked at a  Volvo retailer before driving long distances. Your retailer
will also be  able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark plugs and  wiper blades for your use in the event that problems
occur.
As a  minimum, the following items should be  checked before any  long trip:
 Check that engine runs smoothly and  that fuel consumption is normal.
 Check for fuel, oil, and  fluid leakage.
 Check transmission oil level1.
 Check condition of drive belts.
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 Check state of the battery's charge.
 Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and  replace  those that are worn. Check tire pressures.
 The brakes, front  wheel alignment, and  steering gear should be  checked by your Volvo retailer only.
 Check all lights, including high beams.
 Reflective warning triangles  are legal  requirement in some countries.
 Have a  word with your Volvo retailer if you intend to drive in countries where  it may be  difficult to obtain the
correct fuel.
 Consider your destination. If you will be  driving through an  area where  snow or ice are likely to occur, consider
snow tires.
1. 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 qualified  Volvo service technician.
pg. 138 Starting and driving
Front/rear park assist (option/accessory)
A. Front (accessory as available) B. Rear (option)
Front/rear park assist
The park assist system(s) are designed to assist you when driving into parking spaces, garages, etc. They utilize
ultrasound sensors  located in the bumpers  to measure the distance to a  vehicle or other object,  or a  person who may be
close to the front  or rear of the vehicle.
When is park assist active?
Front:  the system is active from  the time the engine is started until the vehicle exceeds a  speed of approximately 10
mph (15 km/h). It is also active when the vehicle is backing up. Front park assist reactivates automatically  when the
vehicle's speed goes under 10 mph (15 km/h).
Rear:  the system is active when the engine is running and  reverse  gear is selected.
NOTE:
"PARK ASSIST ACTIVE"  will be  displayed.
 If the vehicle is equipped with front  and  rear park assist, both systems will either be  activated or deactivated
together. They cannot be  used separately.
 The indicator light in the button (see the illustration on page 51) will light up to indicate that park assist system(s)
are activated.
When park assist is actively working:
 The audio system's volume will be  reduced.
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 An intermittent signal will be  audible  from  the speakers  to indicate that you are approaching  a  person, object,
parked vehicle, etc. The signals begin when the distance between the bumper and  the object  is:
Rear: approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters)
Front : approximately 2.5 ft (0.8 meters)
 At a  distance of approximately 1 foot (30 cm), the signal will become constant. If objects are close to both the front
and  rear bumpers,  the signal will alternate  between the front  and  rear speakers.
Deactivating the system(s)
- Press the Park assist button on the center  console (see page 51
) to temporarily deactivate the system(s).
- The indicator light in the button will go out when the system(s) have been deactivated.
- If the vehicle is equipped with front  and  rear park assist, both systems will be  deactivated by pressing the button.
Park assist will be  automatically  reactivated  the next time the engine is started.
NOTE:  It may be  necessary  to deactivate one  or both of the park assist systems in certain cases.
Rear park assist : towing a  trailer, carrying bicycles in a  rear-mounted carrier, etc, could trigger the rear park assist
system's sensors.
Front  park assist : it may not be  possible to combine  auxiliary headlights and  front  park assist since these lights
could trigger the system's sensors.
pg. 139 Starting and driving
Front/rear park assist (option/accessory)
Faults in the system
If the yellow warning symbol  illuminates  and  a  message is shown in the information display, the system is not
functioning properly. Consult a  Volvo retailer or authorized service technician.
Cleaning the sensors
For the system to function properly, the sensors  in the front  and/or rear bumpers  should be  kept clean. They can be
cleaned with car washing detergent and  a  sponge.
WARNING!
These systems are designed to be  a  supplementary aid when parking the vehicle. They are not, however,  intended  to
replace  the driver's attention and  judgement.
CAUTION!
In certain circumstances, the park assist system may give unexpected warning signals that can be  caused by external
sound sources that use the same ultrasound frequencies as the system. This may include  such things  as the horns of
other vehicles, wet  tires on asphalt, pneumatic brakes, motorcycle exhaust pipes, etc. This does not indicate a  fault in
the system.
pg. 140 Starting and driving
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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
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.
pg. 143 Wheels and tires
General information
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 pages 146 and  147
.
 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.
 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. It is recommended that tires generally be  replaced  after 6
years of normal service. Heat caused by hot climates, frequent high loading conditions or Ultra Violet (U.V) exposure
can accelerate the aging process.
You should replace  the spare tire when you replace  the other road tires due  to the aging of the spare.
A tire's age can be  determined by the DOT stamp on the sidewall (see the illustration above).
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