2007 Volvo XC70
Spin control (SC)
The spin control function is designed to help prevent the drive wheels f\
rom spinning while the vehicle is
accelerating.
Under certain circumstances, such as when driving with snow chains, or d\
riving in deep snow or loose
sand, it may be advisable to temporarily switch off this function for ma\
ximum tractive force.
Temporarily switching off Spin control
V70R
Press the DSTC button on the center control panel (see
page 50) for at least a half a second. "DSTC
SPIN CONTROL OFF" will be displayed and the indicator light in the butto\
n will go out.
Other V70 models
- Turn the thumb-wheel (1) on the left-side steering wheel lever until\
the STC/DSTC menu is displayed.
- Hold down the RESET button (2) to toggle between STC/DSTC SPIN CONTR\
OL ON or OFF.
NOTE:
l The message STC/DSTC SPIN CONTROL OFF indicates that the stability syste\
m's spin control
function has temporarily been switched off.
l The stability control indicator light will illuminate and remain on until spin control has been
reactivated.
l STC/DSTC ON indicates that all system functions are active1.
l The spin control function is automatically enabled each time the engine \
is started.
1. V70R only: the indicator light in the DSTC button will illuminate to \
indicate that all stability system functions
are on.
pg. 140 Starting and driving
Stability system
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Active Yaw Control (AYC) - DSTC only
This function helps maintain directional stability, for example when cor\
nering, by braking one or more
of the wheels if the vehicle shows a tendency to skid or slide laterally\
.
R-models only
The AYC function can be deactivated. This is done by pressing the DSTC b\
utton on the center control
panel (see the illustration on page 50) for approximately one second. \
This procedure must be repeated 5
times, after which "DSTC REDUCED FUNCTION" will be displayed in the text\
window. AYC will be
automatically reactivated the next time the ignition is switched on.
The indicator light in the DSTC button will be off.
WARNING!
The car's handling and stability characteristics will be altered if the \
STC or DSTC system functions
have been disabled.
STC/DSTC-related messages in the text window
l "TRACTION CONTROL TEMPORARILY OFF" - The system has been temporarily swi\
tched off
due to high brake temperature and will automatically switch on again whe\
n the brakes have cooled.
"ANTI SKID SERVICE REQUIRED" - the system has been automatically disenga\
ged due to a fault. An
authorized Volvo retailer should check the system.
Symbols in the instrument panel
The Stability Control indicator light
This light indicates different conditions, depending on how it illuminat\
es.
The Stability Control indicator light illuminates for approximately 2 se\
conds
This indicates that the system is performing a self-diagnostic test when\
the ignition is switched on.
The Stability Control indicator light flashes
This indicates that the stability system is actively functioning to help\
counteract wheel spin and/or a skid.
The Stability Control indicator light glows steadily
"ANTI SKID SERVICE REQUIRED" will be displayed in the text window at the\
same time.
A fault is indicated in the stability system.
- Stop the vehicle in a safe place and switch off the engine.
- Restart the engine.
- If the indicator light goes out, the fault was temporary and no furthe\
r action is required.
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2007 Volvo XC70
- If the indicator light remains on, drive to an authorized Volvo worksh\
op as soon as possible to have the
system checked.
The Stability Control indicator light glows steadily
If "STC/DSTC SPIN CONTROL OFF" is displayed in the text window at the sa\
me time, this is a
reminder that spin control has been disabled by the driver.
The warning symbol
The warning symbol glows steadily yellow
NOTE: The system has been temporarily switched off due to high brake temperat\
ure. "TRACTION
CONTROL TEMPORARILY OFF" will be displayed. The system will automaticall\
y switch on again
when the brakes have cooled.
pg. 141 Starting and driving
Stability system
WARNING!
The stability system is intended to help improve driving safety. It supp\
lements, but can never replace,
the driver's judgement and responsibility when operating the vehicle. Sp\
eed and driving style should
always be adapted to traffic and road conditions.
pg. 142 Starting and driving
Towing
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l Maximum distance with front wheels on ground: 50 miles (80 km).
l While the vehicle is being towed, try to keep the tow rope taut at all t\
imes.
l The vehicle should only be towed in forward direction.
CAUTION!
- Please check with state and local authorities before attempting this t\
ype of towing, as vehicles being
towed are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length \
and type of towing device,
lighting, etc.
- If the vehicle's battery is dead, do not attempt to start the vehicle \
by pushing or pulling it as this will
damage the three-way catalytic converter(s). The engine must be jump s\
tarted using an auxiliary
battery (see
page 144).
- If the vehicle is being towed on a flat bed truck, the towing eyelets \
must not be used to secure the
vehicle on the flat bed. Consult the tow truck operator.
pg. 143 Starting and driving
Towing
WARNING!
Remember that the power brakes and power steering will not function when\
engine is not running.
The braking and steering systems will function but the brake pedal press\
ure required is 3 - 4 times
above normal and greater steering effort must be exerted.
The towing eyelets must not be used for pulling another vehicle out of a\
ditch or for any similar
purpose involving severe strain.
Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the vehicle up onto a flat bed tow\
truck.
Towing vehicles with front wheel drive/All Wheel Drive
Volvo recommends the use of flat bed equipment.
If wheel lift equipment must be used, please use extreme caution to help\
avoid damage to the vehicle. In
this case, the vehicle should be towed with the rear wheels on the groun\
d if at all possible.
If it is absolutely necessary to tow the vehicle with the front wheels o\
n the ground, please refer to the
towing information on the previous page.
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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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2007 Volvo XC70
l Check periodically that the load carriers and load are properly secured.\
l Remember that the vehicle's center of gravity and handling change when y\
ou carry a load on the roof.
l The vehicle's wind resistance and fuel consumption will increase with th\
e size of the load.
l 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. Se\
e 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 carri\
er attachment into the attachment
bracket under the roof molding.
- Turn the tightening wheel to secure the load carrier in the attachment\
bracket.
pg. 149 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. 150 Starting and driving
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2007 Volvo XC70
Load carrier cover
The vehicle's ignition key or the stud on the edge of the supplied torqu\
e wrench can be used to undo or
tighten the cover. Turn a quarter turn (90 degrees). See illustration.\
pg. 151 Starting and driving
Cold weather precautions
If you wish to check your vehicle before the approach of cold weather, t\
he following advice is worth
noting:
l Make sure that the engine coolant contains 50 percent antifreeze. Any ot\
her 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 typ\
es of antifreeze must not
be mixed.
l Volvo recommends using only genuine Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's r\
adiator. Your Volvo
retailer stocks plenty of Volvo engine coolant to protect your vehicle d\
uring cold weather.
l 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 f\
uel line de-icer before refueling.
l 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 "E\
ngine oil" for more information.
l 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.
l Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter driving - see section "Wheels
and tires."
l To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents containing antifreeze (see
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2007 Volvo XC70
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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