2007 Volvo XC70
Federal law mandates that tire manufacturers place standardized informat\
ion on the sidewall of all tires
(see the illustration).
The following information is listed on the tire sidewall:
The tire designation (the following figures are examples of a tire desi\
gnation):
1. 215: the width of the tire (in millimeters) from sidewall edge to s\
idewall edge. The larger the number,
the wider the tire.
2. 65: The ratio of the tire's height to its width.
3. R: Radial tire.
4. 15: The diameter of the wheel rim (in inches).
5. 95: The tire's load index. In this example, a load index of 95 equals\
a maximum load of 1521 lbs (690
kg).
6. H: The tire's speed rating, or the maximum speed at which the tire is\
designed to be driven for
extended periods of time, carrying a permissible load for the vehicle, a\
nd with correct inflation pressure.
For example, H indicates a speed rating of 130 mph (210 km/h).
NOTE: This information may not appear on the tire because it is not required \
by law.
7. M+S or M/S = Mud and Snow, AT = All Terrain, AS = All Season
8. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN): This begins with the let\
ters "DOT" and indicates that the
tire meets all federal standards. The next two numbers or letters are th\
e plant code where it was
manufactured, the next two are the tire size code and the last four numb\
ers represent the week and year
the tire was built. For example, the numbers 317 mean the 31st week of 1\
997. After 2000 the numbers
go to four digits. For example, 2501 means the 25th week of 2001. The nu\
mbers in between are
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2007 Volvo XC70
marketing codes used at the manufacturer's discretion. This information \
helps a tire manufacturer
identify a tire for safety recall purposes.
9. Tire Ply Composition and Material Used: Indicates the number of plies\
indicates or the number of
layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread and sidewall. Tire manu\
facturers also must indicate the
ply materials in the tire and the sidewall, which include steel, nylon, \
polyester, and others.
10. Maximum Load: Indicates the maximum load in pounds and kilograms tha\
t can be carried by the
tire. Refer to the vehicle's tire information placard or the safety cert\
ification label, located on the B-Pillar
or the driver's door or on the inside of the fuel filler door on Canadia\
n models, for the correct tire
pressure for your vehicle.
11. Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature grades: See
page 169 for more information.
12. Maximum permissible inflation pressure: the greatest amount of air p\
ressure that should ever be put
in the tire. This limit is set by the tire manufacturer.
pg. 166 Wheels and tires
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such as s\
tandard load, radial tubeless,
etc.
l Tire information placard: A placard showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes, recommende\
d
inflation pressure, and the maximum weight the vehicle can carry.
l Tire Identification Number (TIN): A number on the sidewall of each tire providing information
about the tire brand and manufacturing plant, tire size and date of manu\
facturer.
l Inflation pressure: A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
l Standard load: A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a maximum load a\
t 35 psi [37
psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires]. Increasing the inflation pressure bey\
ond this pressure will not increase the
tires load carrying capability.
l Extra load: A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a heavier maximu\
m load at 41 psi
[43 psi (2.9 bar) for Metric tires]. Increasing the inflation pressure\
beyond this pressure will not increase
the tires load carrying capability.
l kPa: Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pressure.
l PSI: Pounds per square inch, a standard unit of air pressure.
l B-pillar: The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the front door\
.
l Bead area of the tire: Area of the tire next to the rim.
l Sidewall of the tire: Area between the bead area and the tread.
l Tread area of the tire: Area of the perimeter of the tire that contacts the road when mounted \
on the
vehicle.
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2007 Volvo XC70
pg. 170 Wheels and tires
Snow chains, snow tires, studded tires
Snow chains
Snow chains can be used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
l Snow chains should be installed on front wheels only. Use only Volvo app\
roved snow chains.
l 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. Sufficie\
nt clearances between chains
and brakes, suspension and body components must be maintained.
l Some strap-on type chains will interfere with brake components and there\
fore CANNOT be used.
l All Wheel Drive models: Snow chains should only be installed on the fron\
t 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 instal\
ling. Always follow the chain
manufacturer's installation instructions carefully. Install chains as ti\
ghtly as possible and retighten
periodically.
- Never exceed the chain manufacturer's specified maximum speed limit. (\
Under no circumstances
should you exceed 31 mph (50 km/h)).
- Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns when driving with snow chains.
- The handling of the vehicle can be adversely affected when driving wit\
h chains. Avoid fast or sharp
turns as well as locked wheel braking.
Snow tires, studded tires
1
Tires for winter use:
l Owners who live in or regularly commute through areas with sustained per\
iods of snow or icy driving
conditions are strongly advised to fit suitable winter tires to help ret\
ain the highest degree of traction.
l It is important to install winter tires on all four wheels to help retai\
n traction during cornering,
braking, and accelerating. Failure to do so could reduce traction to an \
unsafe level or adversely affect
handling.
l Do not mix tires of different design as this could also negatively affec\
t overall tire road grip.
l Winter tires wear more quickly on dry roads in warm weather. They should\
be removed when the
winter driving season has ended.
l Studded tires should be run-in 300-600 miles (500-1000 km) during whic\
h the vehicle 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 lifeti\
me.
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2007 Volvo XC70
NOTE: Please consult state or provincial regulations restricting the use of s\
tudded winter tires before
installing such tires.
1. Where permitted
pg. 171 Wheels and tires
Temporary spare
The spare tire in your vehicle is called a "Temporary Spare".
Recommended tire pressure (see the placard on the B-pillar or on the fu\
el filler door) should be
maintained irrespective of which position on the vehicle the temporary s\
pare tire is used on.
In the event of damage to this tire, a new one can be purchased from you\
r Volvo retailer.
WARNING!
Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Temporary Spare" tire othe\
r than as a temporary
replacement for a punctured tire. It must be replaced as soon as possibl\
e by a standard tire. Road
holding and handling may be affected with the "Temporary Spare" in use. \
Do not exceed 50 mph (80
km/h). Do not drive farther than 50 miles (80 km) on a temporary spar\
e tire.
CAUTION!
The vehicle must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or wi\
th a spare tire other than the
one that came with the vehicle. The use of different size wheels can ser\
iously damage your vehicle's
transmission.
pg. 172 Wheels and tires
Temporary spare
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2007 Volvo XC70
CAUTION!
- The vehicle must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or \
with a spare tire other than
the one that came with the vehicle. The use of different size wheels can\
seriously damage your
vehicle's transmission.
- Correct tightening torque on wheel bolts must be observed. The wheel b\
olts should never be greased
or lubricated. The extended, chromed wheel bolts must not be used with s\
teel rims, as they make it
impossible to fit the hub caps.
- Locking wheel bolts can be used on both aluminum and steel wheels. If \
hub caps are used on steel
wheels, the locking wheel bolt should be mounted in the hole as far from\
the tire's inflation valve as
possible. It would otherwise not be possible to mount the hub cap on the\
wheel.
pg. 175 Wheels and tires
Changing wheels
- Position the jack correctly on the bar in the attachment (see illustr\
ation above) and crank while
simultaneously guiding the base of the jack to the ground. The base of t\
he jack must be flat on a level,
firm, non-slippery surface. Before raising the vehicle, check that the j\
ack is still correctly positioned in
the attachment.
- Raise the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is lifted off the grou\
nd.
- Unscrew the wheel bolts completely and carefully remove the wheel so a\
s not to damage the threads on
the studs.
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