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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To avoid damaging your vehicle and to achieve maximum safety when driving, we recommend using the load
carriers that Volvo has developed especially for your vehicle.
Volvo-approved removable roof racks are designed to carry the maximum allowable roof load for this vehicle: 220
lbs (100 kg). For Non-Volvo roof racks, check the manufacturer's weight limits for the rack.
Never exceed the rack manufacturer's weigh limits and never exceed the maximum rated roof load of 220 lbs (100
kg).
Avoid single-point loads. Distribute loads evenly.
Place heavier cargo at the bottom of the load.
Secure the cargo correctly with appropriate tie-down equipment.
Check periodically that the load carriers and load are properly secured.
Remember that the vehicle's center of gravity and handling change when you carry a load on the roof.
The vehicle's wind resistance and fuel consumption will increase with the size of the load.
Drive smoothly. Avoid rapid starts, fast cornering and hard braking.
Attaching load carriers
The attachment brackets for the load carriers are located under the roof molding.
- Make sure that the load carriers are placed in the right direction. See the mark on the decal under the cover.
- Press the guide lugs into the holes (1).
- Carefully lower the opposite side of the load carrier to the roof.
- Loosen the tightening wheel slightly. Slide the hook on the load carrier attachment into the attachment bracket under
the roof molding.
- Turn the tightening wheel to secure the load carrier in the attachment bracket.
pg. 135 Starting and driving
Load carriers (accessory)
- Repeat this procedure for the other load carrier attachments.
- Check that the hooks on all four load carrier attachments are securely tightened in the respective attachment brackets
on the roof of the vehicle.
- Press down the covers.
Check periodically that the load carriers and load are properly secured.
pg. 136 Starting and driving
Cold weather precautions
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Replacing the battery
- Switch off the ignition and remove the key.
- Wait at least 5 minutes after switching off the ignition before disconnecting the battery so that all information in the
vehicle's electrical system can be stored in the control modules.
- Remove the bolts on the retaining bracket over the battery and lift out the bracket.
- Fold up the plastic cover over the negative (ground) battery terminal. or unscrew the cover over the battery.
- Disconnect the negative cable.
- Lift off the plastic cover if necessary and disconnect the positive cable
- Pull the ventilation hose from the battery.
- Lift out the old battery.
Installing a new battery
- Put a new battery into place.
- Put the lower retaining bracket in place and retighten the bolt.
- Reconnect the positive cable.
- Press the cover for the positive battery terminal into place and fold down the lid of the plastic cover.
- Connect the negative (ground) cable and fold down the plastic cover if applicable.
- Be sure that the ventilation hose is securely connected to the battery and that the other end of the hose is properly
routed through the ventilation opening in the floor of the battery compartment (see the illustration).
- Reinstall the retaining bracket over the battery and retighten the nuts.
WARNING!
Ventilation hose:
The battery generates hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive. The battery is fitted with a ventilation
hose which vents hydrogen gas out of the battery compartment through a ventilation opening in the bottom of this
compartment. If the battery must be replaced, it is essential that the ventilation hose is properly connected to the
battery and that it is routed through the ventilation opening provided (see illustration).
Be sure the ventilation hose is free of debris.
Only use replacement batteries equipped with a ventilation hose. Consult your Volvo retailer.
NOTE: After the battery has been disconnected or replaced, lock and unlock the vehicle with the central locking
system's remote control to reactivate such features as the power windows, moonroof, courtesy lighting, etc.
pg. 182 Maintenance and servicing
Replacing bulbs
When replacing bulbs, keep the following points in mind:
Never touch the glass of bulbs with your fingers. Grease and oils from your fingers vaporize in the heat and will
leave a deposit on the reflector, which will damage it.
The optional Active Bi -Xenon headlight bulbs contain trace amounts of mercury. These bulbs should always be
disposed of by an authorized Volvo retailer.
The following bulbs should only be replaced by an authorized Volvo service technician:
- Active Bi -Xenon headlights,
- Courtesy (dome) lighting,
- Reading lights,
- Glove compartment lights
- Turn signals and courtesy lights in the side door mirrors
- High-mounted brake lights
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Permissible axle weight153
Polishing163
Power moonroof68
Power seat82
Power steering fluid177
Power steering, speed sensitive114
Power windows63
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING130
R
Radiator173
Radio215
Rain sensor - windshield wipers56
Rear park assist138
Rear seat, folding backrests90
Rear suspension206
Rear window defroster58
Recirculation76
REDUCE SPEED49
Refrigerant (A/C system)72
Refueling109
Reporting safety defects
Canada11
USA
10
Roadholding114
Roof racks (load carriers)134
Run flat tires150
S
Safety defects, reporting
Canada11
Safety defects, reporting USA
10
SEE MANUAL49
Self supporting run flat tires150
Service168
Service key96
Service reminder45
SERVICE REQUIRED49
SERVICE URGENT49
Shiftlock2, 111
Side marker light187
Side marker light, changing186
Ski hatch91
Snow chains156
Snow tires156
Spare wheel93
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