2007 Volvo XC70
WARNING!
Never switch off the ignition (turn the ignition key to position 0) or\
remove the key from the ignition
switch while the vehicle is in motion. This could cause the steering whe\
el to lock, which would make
the vehicle impossible to steer.
pg. 127 Starting and driving
General driving information
Economical driving conserves natural resources
Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid\
starts and stops and
adjusting the speed of your vehicle to immediate traffic conditions. Obs\
erve the following rules:
l Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by \
driving with a light foot on
the accelerator pedal for the first few minutes of operation. A cold eng\
ine uses more fuel and is subject
to increased wear.
l Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle for driving short distances. \
This does not allow the engine
to reach normal operating temperature.
l Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
l Do not exceed posted speed limits.
l Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the vehicle.
l Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tir\
es are cold).
l Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
l Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc, increase air resistance and also f\
uel consumption.
l Avoid using automatic transmission kickdown feature unless necessary.
l However, at higher driving speeds, fuel consumption will be lower with t\
he air conditioning on and
the windows closed than with the air conditioning off and the windows op\
en.
l Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you le\
arn how to drive more
economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:
l Dirty air cleaner
l Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
l Dragging brakes
l Incorrect front end alignment. Some of the above mentioned items and oth\
ers 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.
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2007 Volvo XC70
CAUTION!
Be careful to avoid inadvertently engaging reverse while moving
forward.
pg. 130 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission (option)
P (Park)
Use this position when starting the engine or parking the vehicle.
Never use P while the vehicle is in motion.
The parking brake should be set whenever the vehicle is parked.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK)\
. To release the gear selector
from this position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key mus\
t be in position II) and the brake
pedal must be depressed.
WARNING!
Never leave the vehicle unattended when the engine is running. If, by mi\
stake, the gear selector is
moved from P, the vehicle may start moving.
R (Reverse)
Never engage R while the vehicle is moving.
N (Neutral)
Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.
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2007 Volvo XC70
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible\
to help improve fuel economy.
The vehicle should not be moving when shifting from R to the D position.
4 (Intermediate gear)
The transmission will shift automatically between gears 4, 3, 2 or 1 fro\
m this position. The transmission
cannot shift up to (D)rive from fourth gear.
3 (Intermediate gear)
The transmission will shift automatically between gears 3, 2 and 1 from \
this position. The transmission
cannot shift up to fourth gear or (D)rive from third gear.
L (Low gears)
The transmission is locked in gears 1 and 2 when the selector is in this\
position.
NOTE: Gears 4, 3, or L can be used if you are driving in a mountainous area, \
towing a trailer or to
increase engine braking effect. The transmission has a built-in limiter \
designed to help prevent excessive
engine speeds (high rpm) when gears 4, 3 or L are selected.
pg. 131 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission (option)
W - Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction
l Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D)rive position.
l Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage th\
is driving mode (see
illustration).
l When the W driving mode is engaged, this is displayed in the instrument \
panel (see page 46).
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2007 Volvo XC70
l This mode may be selected for starting/ moving off on slippery roads.
NOTE: R-models are not equipped with this button.
Shift gate positions
The gear selector can be moved freely between N and D. Depressing the button on the front of the gear
selector knob enables you to move the gear selector to positions P, R, N\
, D, 4, 3 and L.
"Kickdown"
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing t\
he accelerator pedal fully and
briskly. An upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a part\
icular gear or by releasing the
accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway\
speeds.
Cold starts
When driving before the engine has reached its normal operating temperat\
ure, the transmission will shift
up at slightly higher engine speeds to heat the three-way catalytic conv\
erter as quickly as possible.
Automatic transmission - adaptive system
The automatic transmission is controlled by an adaptive control system t\
hat constantly monitors the way
in which the transmission functions. It senses and adapts each gear shif\
t for optimal performance.
pg. 132 Starting and driving
Geartronic (option)
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2007 Volvo XC70
Shift gate positions
You can move the gear selector freely between the (MAN)ual and (D)rive positions while driving.
Depress the button on the front of the gear selector knob to move betwee\
n the R, N, D, and P positions.
Manual shifting
You can move the gear selector freely between the (MAN)ual and (D)rive positions while driving. Gears
3, 4, 5, and 6 (where applicable) have a "lock-up" function which redu\
ces engine speed and helps save
fuel.
The currently selected gear will be displayed in the instrument panel (\
see
page 46).
pg. 133 Starting and driving
Geartronic (option)
l To access the (MAN)ual shifting position from (D)rive, move the gear selector to the left to MAN.
l To return to the (D)rive position from MAN, move the gear selector to the right.
While driving
If you select the (MAN)ual position while driving, the gear that was being used in the (D)rive position
will also initially be selected in (MAN)ual position.
l Move the gear selector forward (toward "+") to shift to a higher gear \
or rearward (toward "-") to shift
to a lower gear.
l If you hold the gear selector toward "-", the transmission will downshif\
t one gear and will utilize the
braking power of the engine. If the current speed is too high for using \
a lower gear, the downshift will
not occur until the speed has decreased enough to allow the lower gear t\
o be used.
l If you slow down to a very low speed, the transmission will automaticall\
y shift down.
l When starting in the (MAN)ual position, 3rd gear is the highest gear that may be selected.
NOTE: Kickdown does not function when the transmission is in the manual shift\
(Geartronic) mode.
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2007 Volvo XC70
The gear selector must be in the D (Drive) position.
Kickdown
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing t\
he accelerator pedal fully and
briskly. An upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a part\
icular gear or by releasing the
accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway\
speeds.
Kickdown does not function when the transmission is in the manual shift \
(Geartronic) mode.
W - Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction
Please refer to the information on
page 131.
Sport mode (R-models only)
R-models are equipped with a (S)port button that can be used to engage\
/disengage the Sport shifting
mode. An indicator light in the button will go on when Sport mode is eng\
aged.
With Sport mode engaged, the transmission will shift up at higher rpm in\
first and second gears, and will
also shift down at higher rpm for more immediate engine response during \
acceleration and deceleration.
pg. 134 Starting and driving
All Wheel Drive (option)
All Wheel Drive (AWD) - general information
Your Volvo can be equipped with permanent All Wheel Drive, which means t\
hat power is distributed
automatically between the front and rear wheels. Under normal driving co\
nditions, most engine's power
is directed to the front wheels. However, if there is any tendency for t\
he front wheels to spin, an
electronically controlled coupling distributes power to the wheels that \
have the best traction.
Tire dimensions
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2007 Volvo XC70
Trailer towing does not normally present any particular problems, but ta\
ke into consideration:
l Increase tire pressure to recommended full. See section "Wheels and tire\
s."
l When your vehicle is new, avoid towing heavy trailers during the first 6\
20 miles (1000 km).
l Recommended hitch tongue load is: Trailer weights below 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg) - 110 lbs (50 kg)
Trailer weights above 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg) - 165 lbs (75 kg)
l Maximum speed when towing a trailer: 50 mph (80 km/h).
l Engine and transmission are subject to increased loads. Therefore, engin\
e coolant temperature should
be closely watched when driving in hot climates or hilly terrain. Use a \
lower gear and turn off the air
conditioner if the temperature gauge needle enters the red range.
l If the automatic transmission begins to overheat, a message will be disp\
layed in the text window.
l Avoid overload and other abusive operation.
l Hauling a trailer affects handling, durability, and economy.
l It is necessary to balance trailer brakes with the towing vehicle brakes\
to provide a safe stop (check
and observe state/ local regulations).
l Do not connect the trailer's brake system directly to the vehicle's brak\
e system.
l More frequent vehicle maintenance is required.
l Remove the ball and drawbar assembly when the hitch is not being used.
l Volvo recommends the use of synthetic engine oil when towing a trailer o\
ver long distances or in
mountainous areas.
WARNING!
l Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor should s\
afety chains be attached
to the bumper.
l Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle rear axle must not be used.
l Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to the vehicle\
brake system, nor a trailer's
lighting system directly to the vehicle lighting system. Consult your ne\
arest authorized Volvo retailer
for correct installation.
l When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety wire must be correctly faste\
ned to the hole or hook
provided in the trailer hitch on the vehicle. The safety wire should nev\
er be fastened to or wound
around the drawbar ball.
NOTE:
l When parking the vehicle with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking bra\
ke before putting the gear
selector in (P)ark (first/ reverse gear on manual transmissions).
pg. 146 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
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page 189 for the location of the washer fluid reservoir). This is important sin\
ce 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
l 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 tran\
smission)
l Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D)rive position.
l Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage th\
is driving mode.
l An LED in the button will light up to indicate that W is engaged and thi\
s will also be displayed in the
instrument panel (see
page 46).
l 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 maint\
enance service intervals.
pg. 152 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 p\
lugs 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\
:
l Check that engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.
l Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage.
l Check transmission oil level1.
l Check condition of drive belts.
l Check state of the battery's charge.
l Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and replace those th\
at are worn. Check tire pressures.
l The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be checked b\
y your Volvo retailer only.
l Check all lights, including high beams.
l Reflective warning triangles are legal requirement in some countries.
l Have a word with your Volvo retailer if you intend to drive in countries\
where it may be difficult to
obtain the correct fuel.
l Consider your destination. If you will be driving through an area where \
snow or ice are likely to
occur, consider snow tires.
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