Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc, increase air resistance and also fuel consumption.
Avoid using automatic transmission kickdown feature unless necessary.
However, at higher driving speeds, fuel consumption will be lower with the air conditioning on and the windows
closed than with the air conditioning off and the windows open.
Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you learn how to drive more economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:
Dirty air cleaner
Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
Dragging brakes
Incorrect front end alignment.
Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard Maintenance Service intervals.
NOTE: Vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions should use (D)rive as often as possible and avoid using
"kickdown" to help improve fuel economy.
CAUTION!
Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.e. flooded roadways, etc.). Damage to the engine could
result if excess water is drawn in through the air intake system. Never drive the vehicle in water deeper than 1 foot
(300 mm).
pg. 114 Starting and driving
Handling and road holding
Weight distribution affects handling
At the specified curb weight your vehicle has a tendency to understeer, which means that the steering wheel has to be
turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvature of a bend.
This ensures good stability and reduces the risk of rear wheel skid. Remember that these properties can alter with the
vehicle load. The heavier the load in the trunk (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg), the less the tendency to understeer.
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle handling. 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 permissible axle loads are not exceeded.
Speed-sensitive power steering (Option on certain models)
With this feature, the steering is most responsive at lower speeds to make parking, driving in city traffic, etc., easier.
The effect of the power steering diminishes as you accelerate for greater stability at highway speeds.
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!
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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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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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12-volt system with voltage controlled generator. Single wire system in which the chassis and engine block are used as
conductors, grounded on the chassis.
Battery
Voltage: 12 V
Cold start capacity (CCA): 600 A
Reserve capacity (RC): 115 min
Capacity (Ah): 70
If you must replace your battery, be sure to replace it with a battery of the same cold start capacity and reserve
capacity as the original (See the decal on the battery).
Generator
Max. current: 140 A
Starter motor
Power: 1.4 kW
Spark plugs
P/N272313-8 or equivalent
Gap: 0.028-0.032 in. (0.7-0.8 mm)
Tightening torque: 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm)
Firing order: 1-2-4-5-3
WARNING!
The distributor ignition system operates at very high voltages. Special safety precautions must be followed to
prevent injury. Always turn the ignition off when:
Replacing distributor ignition components e.g. plugs, coil, etc.
Do not touch any part of the distributor ignition system while the engine is running. This may result in unintended
movements and body injury.
pg. 209 Specifications
Engine specifications
Engine designation
Specification B5244T5B5254T2B5254T4
Output (kW/rps) 191/92154/83
220/92
1
Output(hp/rpm) 257/5500208/5000300/55001
Torque (Nm/rps) 330/42-87320/25-75
400/31-95
2
Torque(ft. lbs./rpm) 258/2100-5000236/1500-4500
295/1950-52502
No. of cylinders 555
Bore (in./mm) 3.19/813.19/813.27/83
Stroke (in./mm) 3.67/93.23.67/93.23.67/93.2
Cylinder displacement (l) 2.4 (146.5 cu in)2.52 (153.8)2.52 (153.8)
Compression ratio 8.5:19.0:18.5:1
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C
Capacities202
Capacity weight153
Carbon Monoxide - Important Warning107
Catalytic converter205
Central locking system - remote control97
Changing coolant172
Check Engine warning light46
Child safety child restraints31
Child safety lock102
Climate system72
Clock44
Coat hanger89
Cold weather precautions136
Coolant176
changing172
checking level of172
Coolant - changing176
Cooling system204
Courtesy light84
Cruise control60
Cup holders
center console88
rear seat
87
Curb weight153
Current fuel consumption59
D
Defroster75
Detachable trailer hitch133
Door mirror defroster58
Door mirrors51
Driver distraction5
Driving economically113
DSTC50
Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC)50
E
Economical driving113
Electric socket51
Electrical system207
Electrically operated moonroof68
Emission inspection170
Engine - starting111
Engine compartment173
Engine oil174, 203
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