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VOLVO V70
Chapter 7 - Wheels and tires
pg.109 Wheels and tires
General information, Wear indicator, Tire economy, Flat spots110
Snow chains, Snow tires/studded tires111
Inflation pressure, Vehicle loading, Spare tire112
Uniform tire quality grading113
Changing wheels114
pg. 110 Wheels and tires
General information
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the tire information label on the inside of the fuel filler door.
The following is an example of a tire designation code: 225/55 R16
225 = tire width in mm.
55 = tire profile. This is the relationship (in percent) between the section height and width of the tire.
R = radial tires.
16 = diameter in inches.
The tires have good road holding characteristics and offer good handling on dry and wet surfaces. It should be noted
however that the tires have been developed to give these features on snow/ice-free surfaces. Certain models are
equipped with "all-season" tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree of road holding on slippery surfaces
than tires without the "all-season" rating. However, for optimum road holding on icy or snow covered roads - we
recommend suitable winter tires on all four wheels . When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires are the same
dimensions, type (radial) and preferably from the same manufacturer, on all four wheels. Do not use bias ply tires.
Otherwise there is a risk of altering the car's roadholding and handling characteristics.
NOTE: When storing wheel/tire assemblies (e.g. snow tires and wheels), either stand the assemblies upright, or
suspend them off the ground. Laying wheel/tire assemblies on their sides for prolonged periods can cause wheel and/or
tire damage.
CAUTION: R-models only: 16" wheels may not be used. Consult your Volvo retailer about the types of wheels that
may be mounted on R-models.
Wear indicator
The tires have wear indicator strips running across or parallel to the tread. When approx. 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 have very poor grip in rain or snow.
To improve tire economy:
Maintain correct tire pressure. See the tire pressure label on the inside of the fuel filler door.
Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard braking and tire screeching.
Tire wear increases with speed.
Correct front wheel alignment is very important.
Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy and driving comfort.
Volvo does not recommend rotating the tires. However, if tires are rotated, they must be kept on the same side of the
car so that they revolve in the same direction as before rotation.
Hitting curbs or potholes can damage the tires and/or wheels permanently.
Flat spots
All tires become warm during use. After cooling, when the vehicle is parked, the tires have a tendency to distort
slightly, forming flat spots. These flat spots can cause vibrations similar to the vibrations caused by unbalanced wheels.
They do, however, disappear when the tire warms up. The degree to which flat spots form depends on the type of cord
used in the tire. Remember that, in cold weather, it takes longer for the tire to warm up and consequently longer for the
flat spot to disappear.
CAUTION: The car must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions/specifications or with a spare tire other
than the one that came with the car. The use of different size wheels can seriously damage your car's transmission or
driveline.
pg. 111 Wheels and tires
Snow chains
Snow chains can be used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
Snow chains should be installed on front wheels only. Use only Volvo approved snow chains.
Special snow chains must be mounted on 215/55 R16. Consult your Volvo retailer.
If accessory, aftermarket or "custom" tires and wheels are installed and are of a size different than the original tires
and wheels, chains in some cases CANNOT be used. Sufficient clearances between chains and brakes, suspension and
body components must be maintained. Snow chains cannot be used on 17" wheels*.
Some strap -on type chains will interfere with brake components and therefore CANNOT be used.
All Wheel Drive models: Snow chains should only be installed on the front wheels. Only chains adapted for AWD
models should be used.
Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow chain information.
CAUTION:
Check local regulations regarding the use of snow chains before installing.
Always follow the chain manufacturer's installation instructions carefully. Install chains as tightly as possible and
retighten periodically.
Never exceed the chain manufacturer's specified maximum speed limit. In no case should you exceed 31 mph (50
km/h).
Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns when driving with snow chains.
Vehicle handling can be adversely affected when driving with chains. Avoid fast maneuvering and hard braking.
Never allow the wheels to lock up during braking.
* V70R - Volvo offers specially designed chains that can be used on 225/45/R17 tires.
Snow tires, studded tires **
Tires for winter use:
Owners who live in or regularly travel through areas with sustained periods of snow or icy driving conditions
are strongly advised to fit suitable winter tires to help retain the highest degree of traction. It is important to
install winter tires on all four wheels to help retain traction during cornering, braking, and accelerating. Failure to do
so could reduce traction to an unsafe level or adversely affect handling. Volvo does not recommend tire rotation.
However, as with any other radial tires, if rotated, the tires must be kept on the same side of the car so that they
revolve in the same direction as before rotation.
Volvo recommends the use of winter tires with the following dimensions:
Non-turbo models: 195/65 R15
Turbo models (not V70 or V70R): 205/55 R16
V70: 215/65 R16
V70R: 225/45/R17
Winter tires wear more quickly on dry roads in warm weather. They should be removed when the winter driving
season has ended.
Studded tires should be run-in 300-600 miles (500-1000 km) during which the car should be driven as smoothly as
possible to give the studs the opportunity to seat properly in the tires. The tires should have the same rotational
direction throughout their entire lifetime. In other words, if you wish to rotate the wheels, make sure that the same
wheels are always on the same side of the car.
NOTE: Please consult state or provincial regulations restricting the use of studded winter tires before installing such
tires.
** Where permitted.
pg. 112 Wheels and tires
NOTE: Certain models may be equipped with a full-size spare tire. When used, it should be inflated to the same
pressure as the tire it is replacing.
*Please note that the tire information label indicates pressure for both comfort and fuel economy.
pg. 113 Wheels and tires
Uniform tire quality grading
ALL PASSENGER CAR TIRES MUST CONFORM TO FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN
ADDITION TO THESE GRADES
Quality grades can be found, where applicable, on the tire sidewall between the tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one half (1 1/2) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and many depart significantly from the norm due to variation in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
TRACTION
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C, as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and is not a measure of
cornering (turning) traction.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature grades are AA (the highest), A, B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a minimum level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law. WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.
pg. 114 Changing wheels
Adjust the bass by pressing the button to extend the control and turning it to the left (less bass) or to the right (more
bass). A "detent" indicates "equalized" bass. Press the button back in when you have made the adjustment.
Treble
Adjust the treble by pressing the button to extend the control, pulling it out as far as possible, and then turning it to the
left (less treble) or to the right (more treble). A "detent" indicates "equalized" treble. Press the button back in when you
have made the adjustment.
Band selector
Turn "SOURCE" knob to select FM or AM. The station and band are displayed. You can also select cassette deck,
CD, or optional CD changer with this knob.
Active sound control (ASC)
The ASC (Active Sound Control) automatically adapts volume to vehicle speed.
Press the ASC button (HU-613) for several seconds to switch this function ON or OFF. This function is included in
the Advanced User Mode on the HU -803 equipped with this feature.
"ASC ON" or "ASC OFF" will be shown in the display for several seconds.
pg. 157 Audio systems HU-613/HU-803
Fader - Balance front/rear
Adjust front/rear speaker balance by pressing the button to extend the control and turning it to the left (more sound
from the rear speakers) or to the right (more sound from the front speakers). A "detent" indicates "equalized" balance.
Press the button back in when you have made the adjustment.
Balance right/left
Adjust left/right speaker balance by pressing the button to extend the control, pulling it out as far as possible and then
turning it to the left (more sound from the left speakers) or to the right (more sound from the right speakers). A
"detent" indicates "equalized" balance. Press the button back in when you have made the adjustment.
Climate system - general information47
Clock27
Clutch interlock89
Coat hanger61
Coin compartment59
Cold weather driving105
Combination filter48, 51
Coolant133
Cooling system - general information97
Courtesy light76
Courtesy lights (front) - replacing126
Courtesy lights - exterior76
Cruise control33
Cup holder59
Cup holder in the center console60
D
Detachable trailer hitch - installing103
Dimensions145
Direction indicators36
Distributor ignition system149
Door step courtesy lights - replacing125
Doors and locks76
Drive belt133
Driver's seat and remote keyless entry system57
Driving economy96
Driving mode indicator27
Driving mode W91, 93, 105
Driving with trunk open97
E
Economical driving96
Electric socket in cargo compartment67
Electrical system150
Electrical system - general information97
Electrically operated front seats56
Electrically operated moonroof42
Electrically operated sideview mirrors41
Electrically operated windows40
Electronic Brake Force Distribution19
Electronic Climate Control (ECC)48 - 51
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)14
Emergency towing100, 101
Emergency warning flashers38
Emissions systems132
Engine - specifications147