
Climate control maintenance
Special  tools  and  equipment are required to maintain and  carry out repairs on the climate  system. Work of this  type
should only be  done  by a  trained and  qualified Volvo service technician.
Refrigerant
Volvo cares about the environment. The air conditioning system in your vehicle contains a  CFC-free refrigerant -
R134a (HFC134a). This substance will not deplete the ozone layer. The system contains 1.5 lbs (700 g) R134a and
uses PAG  oil.
Climate system blower
The climate  system blower will be  automatically  switched off when the engine is not running (even if the ignition key
is in position I or II) to avoid unnecessary  battery drain. To activate the blower, turn the control to the desired setting.
Passenger compartment blower
Approximately 50 minutes after the ignition is turned off, the blower may come on automatically,  and  run for seven
minutes, to remove condensation in the A/C evaporator.
pg. 73 Climate
Air distribution
Air  distribution
The incoming air is distributed through 14 ventilation points  in the passenger  compartment.
Air  vents in the dash
A. Open
B. Closed
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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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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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made with particular thoroughness when the engine is new or when the cooling system has been drained.
Do not remove the filler  cap other than for topping up with coolant.  Frequent removal may prevent coolant  circulation
between the engine and  the expansion tank during engine warm up and  cooling.
Changing coolant
Normally, the coolant  does not need to be  changed. If the system must  be  drained, consult your Volvo retailer.
NOTE: Do not top off with water only. This reduces the rust-protective and  antifreeze  qualities of the coolant  and  has
a  lower boiling point. It can also cause damage to the cooling system if it should freeze.  Top off with Volvo Genuine
Coolant/Antifreeze only (a 50/ 50 mix of water and  antifreeze).
CAUTION!
The cooling system must  always be  kept filled to the correct level.  If it is not kept filled, there can be  high local
temperatures in the engine which  could result in damage. Different types of antifreeze/ coolant  may not be  mixed.
WARNING!
Never  remove the radiator cap while the engine is warm. Wait  until the vehicle cools.
pg. 173 Maintenance and servicing
Hood and engine compartment
Opening the hood
- Pull the lever located under the left side of the dash to release the hood lock.
- Lift the hood slightly.
- Press up the release control located under the front  edge of the hood (at the center) and  lift.
WARNING!
Check that the hood locks properly when closed!
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 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.
Checking and adding  oil
The oil level  should be  checked every time the vehicle is refueled. This is especially important during the period up to
the first scheduled maintenance service.
 The vehicle should be  parked on a  level  surface  when the oil is checked.
If the engine is warm, wait for at least 10-15 minutes after the engine has been switched off before checking the oil.
Checking the oil
- Pull out the dipstick and  wipe  it with a  lint-free rag.
- Reinsert the dipstick, pull it out, and  check the oil level.
- Add oil if necessary.  If the level  is close to the MIN  mark, add  approximately 1 US quart (1 liter)  of oil.
- Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
- Switch off the engine and  wait for at least 10-15 minutes and  recheck the oil level.  If necessary,  add  oil until the
level  is near the mark.
CAUTION!
- Not checking the oil level  regularly can result in serious engine damage if the oil level  becomes too low.
- Never  fill oil above the MAX mark. This could cause an  increase in oil consumption.
- Not checking the oil level  regularly can result in serious engine damage if the oil level  becomes too low.
- Always add  oil of the same type and  viscosity as already  used.
WARNING!
Do not allow oil to spill onto or come into contact with hot exhaust pipe surfaces.
R-models
R-models are equipped with an  oil level  warning system. If the engine oil level  becomes too low, the warning light in
the instrument panel will come on and  a  warning will be  displayed in the text window.
 If the yellow warning light in the instrument panel comes on and  the text OIL LEVEL LOW/FILL OIL is displayed,
stop safely as soon as possible and  add  1 qt (1 liter)  of oil. Check the oil level  with the dipstick before restarting the
engine.
 If the red warning light in the instrument panel comes on and  the text OIL LEVEL LOW/STOP SAFELY-->STOP
ENGINE -->SEE MANUAL is displayed, stop safely as soon as possible and  add  oil (not more than 1.6 qts (1.5
liters). Check the oil level  with the dipstick before restarting the engine. If no oil level  is visible on the dipstick, do not
start the engine. Have the vehicle towed  to an  authorized Volvo workshop.
pg. 176 Maintenance and servicing
Fluids
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Washer fluid  reservoir
The washer fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment and  holds approx. 6.8 US qts (6.4 liters) or 4.8 US qts
(4.5 liters) on the S60 R.
During cold weather, the reservoir should be  filled with windshield washer solvent containing antifreeze.
Changing coolant
Normally, the coolant  does not need to be  changed. If the system must  be  drained, consult your Volvo retailer.
NOTE: Do not top off with water only. This reduces the rust-protective and  antifreeze  qualities of the coolant  and  has
a  lower boiling point. It can also cause damage to the cooling system if it should freeze.  Top off with Volvo Genuine
Coolant/Antifreeze only (a 50/ 50 mix of water and  antifreeze).
CAUTION!
The cooling system must  always be  kept filled to the correct level.  If it is not kept filled, there can be  high local
temperatures in the engine which  could result in damage. Different types of antifreeze/ coolant  may not be  mixed.
Check coolant  regularly!
WARNING!
 Never  remove the radiator cap while the engine is warm. Wait  until the vehicle cools.
 If it is necessary  to top up the coolant  when the engine is warm, unscrew the expansion tank cap slowly so that the
overpressure dissipates.
pg. 177 Maintenance and servicing
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Fluids
Clutch and brake fluid  reservoir
The clutch  and  brake fluid should always be  above the MIN  mark on the side of the reservoir. Check, without
removing the cap, that there is sufficient fluid in the reservoir.
Fluid type: DOT 4+  boiling point >536  °F (280 °C), P/N 9437433.
Replace: Every second year or 30,000 miles (48,000 km). The fluid should be  replaced  once a  year or every 15,000
miles (24,000 km) when driving under extremely hard conditions (mountain driving, etc.).
Always entrust brake fluid changing to an  authorized Volvo retailer.
Power steering fluid  reservoir
The fluid level  should always be  between the ADD and  FULL marks.
Fluid type: Volvo synthetic power steering fluid (Pentosin CHF  11S) P/N 1161529 or equivalent.
Replace:  No fluid change required.
NOTE:  If a  problem should occur in the power steering system or if the vehicle has no electrical current and  must  be
towed,  it is still  possible to steer the vehicle. However, keep in mind that greater effort will be  required to turn the
steering wheel.
pg. 178 Maintenance and servicing
Wiper blades
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Fluids
Transmission1
Oil grade
Manual: MTF 97309
Automatic :
AW5 
TF-80SC (S60R) JWS 3309
JWS 3309
Different types of oil should never be  mixed.
Power steering
Grade:  Volvo synthetic power steering fluid (Pentosin CHF  11S) P/N 1161529 or equivalent.
Brake fluid
Fluid type:  DOT 4+  boiling point >536°F (280°C).
Cooling system Type Positive pressure, closed system.
Coolant Volvo original coolant/ antifreeze
Volume 9.3 US qts (8.8 liters)
The thermostat begins to open  at 194°F (90°C).
1. The  transmission oil does not normally need to  be  changed  during the service life  of the vehicle. However, it  may be  necessary to  replace the oil
if the vehicle is often driven  in  areas of sustained temperature  extremes (hot or cold), when  towing  a trailer  over  long  distances, for  prolonged
driving in  mountainous  areas, or if the vehicle is often driven  short distances in  temperatures  under 40°F (5°C).
pg. 205 Specifications
Three way catalytic converter
Three-way catalytic converter cautions
 Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain  engine malfunctions, particularly involving the electrical, fuel or
distributor ignition systems, may cause unusually high three-way catalytic converter temperatures. Do not continue  to
operate  your vehicle if you detect engine misfire, noticeable loss of power or other unusual operating conditions, such
as engine overheating or backfiring. A properly tuned engine will help avoid malfunctions that could damage the three-
way catalytic converter.
 Do not park your vehicle over combustible materials, such as grass or leaves, which  can come into contact with the
hot exhaust system and  cause such materials to ignite under certain wind and  weather conditions.
 Excessive starter cranking (in excess of one  minute), or an  intermittently  firing or flooded engine can cause three-
way catalytic converter or exhaust system overheating.
 Remember that tampering or unauthorized modifications to the engine, the Electronic Control Module, or the vehicle
may be  illegal and  can cause three-way catalytic converter or exhaust system overheating. This includes:
- Altering fuel injection setting or components.
- Altering emission system components or location or removing components.
- Repeated use of leaded fuel.
NOTE:  Unleaded fuel is required for vehicles with three-way catalytic converters.
pg. 206 Specifications
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