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!
Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.e. floode\
d roadways, etc.). Damage to
the engine could result if excess water is drawn in through the air inta\
ke system. Never drive the
vehicle in water deeper than 1 foot (300 mm).
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 curvatur\
e of a bend.
This ensures good stability and reduces the risk of rear wheel skid. Rem\
ember that these properties can
alter with the vehicle load.
The heavier the load in the cargo area (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg), the les\
s the tendency to understeer.
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle hand\
ling. Therefore, check that the tires
are inflated to the recommended pressure according to the vehicle load. \
See "Tire pressure" section.
pg. 128 Starting and driving
General driving information
Loads should be distributed so that capacity weight or maximum permissib\
le 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 ma\
ke parking, driving in city traffic,
etc., easier. The effect of the power steering diminishes as you acceler\
ate 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 fl\
owing 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 wa\
ter.
WARNING!
After driving through water, press lightly on the brake pedal to ensure \
that the brakes are functioning
normally. Water or mud can make the brake linings slippery, resulting in\
delayed braking effect.
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2007 Volvo XC70
reservoir.
NOTE: Press the brake pedal hard and maintain pressure on the pedal - do not \
pump the brakes.
WARNING!
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a "Brake\
failure - Service urgent"
message is displayed in the text window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle \
towed to a Volvo
retailer and have the brake system inspected.
NOTE: When the vehicle is at a standstill and the engine is idling, e.g. at a\
traffic light and the brake
pedal is depressed, the pedal may go down slightly. This is a normal fun\
ction of the power-assisted
brake system.
Power brakes function only when the engine is running
The power brakes utilize vacuum pressure which is only created when the \
engine is running. Never let
the vehicle roll to a stop with the engine switched off.
If the power brakes are not working, the brake pedal must be pressed app\
roximately four times harder
than usual to make up for the lack of power assistance. This can happen \
for example when towing your
vehicle or if the engine is switched off when the vehicle is rolling. Th\
e brake pedal feels harder than
usual.
Water on brake discs and brake pads affects braking
Driving in rain and slush or passing through an automatic car wash can c\
ause water to collect on the
brake discs and pads. This will cause a delay in braking effect when the\
pedal is depressed. To avoid
such a delay when the brakes are needed, depress the pedal occasionally \
when driving through rain,
slush etc. This will remove the water from the brakes. Check that brake \
application feels normal. This
should also be done after washing or starting in very damp or cold weath\
er.
Severe strain on the brake system
The brakes will be subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or\
hilly areas or towing. Vehicle
speed is usually slower, which means that the cooling of the brakes is l\
ess efficient than when driving on
level roads. To reduce the strain on the brakes, shift into a lower gear\
and let the engine help with the
braking. Do not forget that, if you are towing a trailer, the brakes wil\
l be subjected to a greater than
normal load.
pg. 137 Starting and driving
Brake system
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2007 Volvo XC70
Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
If the warning lamp lights up there is a malfunction of the ABS system (\
the standard braking system will
however function) and the vehicle should be driven cautiously to a Volv\
o retailer for inspection. The
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stop\
ping and steering) during severe
braking conditions by limiting brake lockup. When the system "senses" im\
pending lockup, braking
pressure is automatically modulated in order to help prevent lockup, whi\
ch could lead to a skid.
The system performs a self-diagnostic test when the engine is started an\
d when the vehicle first
reaches a speed of approximately 12 mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and a
sound may be audible from the ABS control module. This is normal.
To obtain optimal effect from the ABS system, constant pressure should b\
e kept on the brake pedal. Do
not pump the brake pedal.
The switching of the ABS modulator will be audible and the brake pedal w\
ill pulsate during braking.
Please be aware that ABS does not increase the absolute braking potentia\
l of the vehicle. While control
will be enhanced, ABS will not shorten stopping distances on slippery su\
rfaces.
ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
EBD is an integrated part of the ABS system. EBD regulates the hydraulic\
pressure to the rear brakes to
help provide optimal braking capacity. The brake pedal will pulsate duri\
ng braking, which is normal.
If the BRAKE and ABS warning lights come on at the same time, this could\
indicate a fault in the brake
system.
- Stop the vehicle in a suitable place and switch off the engine.
- Restart the engine.
- If both warning lights go off, no further action is required.
- If both lights are still on after the engine has been restarted, switc\
h off the engine again and check the
brake fluid level (see
page 193 for the location of the brake fluid reservoir).
WARNING!
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a "Brake\
failure - Service urgent"
message is displayed in the text window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle \
towed to a Volvo
retailer and have the brake system inspected.
- If the brake fluid level is above the MIN mark, drive carefully to an \
authorized Volvo retailer and have
the brake system inspected.
Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)
The EBA function is designed to provide full brake effect immediately in\
the event of sudden, hard
braking. The system is activated by the speed with which you depress the\
brake pedal.
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2007 Volvo XC70
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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2007 Volvo XC70
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
engine compartment (2), located under a small black plastic cover atta\
ched to the fuse box cover,
marked with a "+" sign. Remove the cover on the main fuse box if necessa\
ry to access this terminal.
Then connect the auxiliary battery's negative (-) terminal (3) to th\
e ground point in your vehicle's engine
compartment (4).
- Start the engine in the assisting vehicle, then start the engine in th\
e vehicle with dead battery.
- After the engine has started, first remove the negative (-) terminal\
jumper cable. Then remove the
positive (+) terminal jumper cable.
WARNING!
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead \
compounds, chemicals known
to the state of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash h\
ands after handling.
WARNING!
l Do not connect the jumper cable to any part of the fuel system or to any\
moving parts. Avoid
touching hot manifolds.
l Never expose the battery to open flame or electric spark.
l Do not smoke near the battery.
l Batteries generate hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive.
l Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow battery fluid to cont\
act eyes, skin, fabrics or
painted surfaces. If contact occurs, flush the affected area immediately\
with water. Obtain medical
help immediately if eyes are affected.
l Failure to follow the instructions for jump starting can lead to persona\
l injury.
pg. 145 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches that are specially des\
igned for the vehicle.
l Maximum trailer weight recommended by Volvo is:
Trailers without brakes: 1650 lbs (750 kg)
Trailers with brakes: 2" (50 mm) ball - 3300 lbs (1500 kg), 1 7/8" (\
47 mm) ball - 2000 lbs (900 kg).
Observe the legal requirements of the state/province in which the vehicl\
es are
l All Volvo models are equipped with energy-absorbing shock-mounted bumper\
s. Trailer hitch
installation should not interfere with the proper operation of this bump\
er system.
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