2007 Volvo XC90
Difficult driving conditions
Driving on rough/unpaved surfaces
The Volvo XC90 is designed primarily for on-road driving, and it has exc\
ellent handling characteristics on very rough or
unpaved roads.
When driving on poorly maintained or unpaved roads, please keep the foll\
owing in mind:
l Reduce speed on rough surfaces to minimize possible damage to the vehicl\
e's underbody.
l When driving on soft surfaces such as dry sand or snow, try to avoid sto\
pping if at all possible.
WARNING!
Avoid driving diagonally across steep inclines as this could increase th\
e risk of a roll-over. Try to drive straight up or
down the slope.
If the road is very steep, avoid turning the vehicle around to help avoi\
d the risk of rolling over. Back the vehicle up or
down the incline instead.
NOTE: Avoid driving on steep inclines if the fuel tank is nearly empty. If th\
e flow of fuel to the engine is interrupted due
to the vehicle's angle of inclination, this could result in damage to th\
e three-way catalytic converter. We recommend
keeping the fuel tank at least half full when driving on steep inclines.\
Driving through water
The vehicle can be driven through water up to a depth of approximately 1\
8 inches (48 cm), at a maximum speed of 6 mph
(10 km/h).
Take particular care when driving through flowing 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.
CAUTION!
l Engine damage will occur if water is drawn into the air cleaner.
l If the vehicle is driven through water deeper than 18 in (48 cm), wate\
r may enter the differential and the
transmission. This reduces the oil's lubricating capacity and may shorte\
n the service life of these components.
l Do not allow the vehicle to stand in water up to the door sills longer t\
han absolutely necessary. This could result in
electrical malfunctions.
l If the engine has been stopped while the car is in water, do not attempt\
to restart the engine. Have the car towed out
of the water.
pg. 124 Starting and driving
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2007 Volvo XC90
Towing a trailer
The maximum weights recommended by Volvo for trailers with brakes are shown in the table below.
NOTE:
l Recommended hitch tongue load: not more than 10% of the trailer's weight\
. The trailer load should be positioned
so that it does not shift and the tongue load should be 10% of the trail\
er's weight. However, the tongue load should not
exceed the maximum permissible weights indicated in the table above.
l When towing trailers without brakes, the maximum permissible trailer weight is 1,700 lbs (750 kg).\
l If necessary, redistribute the weight of any cargo in the trailer to avo\
id excessive weight on the trailer hitch.
l The maximum trailer weight listed in the table for All Wheel Drive model\
s, 5,000 lbs (2250 kg) is only applicable when
there are not more than two occupants in the vehicle, in the front seats\
, with a combined weight of 300 lbs (135 kg), with
no other cargo in the vehicle.
l The maximum weight listed for Front Wheel Drive models, 4,000 lbs (1800\
kg) is only applicable when there are not
more than four occupants in the vehicle, in the front seats and second r\
ow of seats, with a combined weight of 600 lbs (270
kg), with no other cargo in the vehicle.
pg. 138 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
l Please be aware that the load on the trailer hitch is part of the vehicl\
e's total load carrying capacity. The amount of cargo
in the vehicle and the trailer must be limited so that the gross vehicle\
weight and maximum permissible rear axle weight
(see
page 209) are not exceeded.
l Vehicles used for towing a trailer on a regular basis, or for long-dista\
nce highway towing should be equipped with an
automatic transmission oil cooler and Volvo's automatic self-leveling sy\
stem for the rear suspension. Consult your Volvo
retailer.
l Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches that are specially des\
igned for the vehicle.
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 bumper system.
l Increase tire pressure to recommended full inflation pressure. See chapt\
er "Wheels and tires."
l When your vehicle is new, avoid towing heavy trailers during the first 6\
20 miles (1,000 km).
l Engine and transmission are subject to increased loads. Therefore, engin\
e coolant temperature should be closely
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2007 Volvo XC90
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 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 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.
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.
When starting on a hill, put the gear selector in (D)rive before relea\
sing the parking brake. Always follow the trailer
manufacturer's recommendations for wheel chocking.
l If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift positions while towing a trai\
ler, make sure the gear you select does not put too
much strain on the engine (using too high a gear).
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 nearest 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 never be fastened to or wou\
nd around the drawbar ball.
pg. 139 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
Smoother starts with a trailer
Models equipped with the V8-engine and the 6-speed automatic transmissio\
n have a built-in function that reduces
acceleration slightly in first gear when the vehicle is towing a trailer\
. This is done to help avoid wheel spin and to make
starting off smoother.
l This function is activated when the trailer's electrical connector is pl\
ugged into the electrical socket mounted near the
trailer hitch.
l The function is automatically deactivated when the trailer's wiring is d\
isconnected from the socket. The vehicle will
then accelerate normally.
NOTE: Since this function is activated when a connector is plugged into the e\
lectrical socket near the trailer hitch, it will
be activated by any electrical equipment (e.g. bicycle racks with light\
ing, etc) that is plugged in, and will remain active
until the equipment is unplugged from the socket.
Leveling
If your vehicle is equipped with automatic leveling, the rear suspension\
always retains the correct ride height regardless of
the load.
l The system adjusts the rear suspension to the correct level after the ve\
hicle has been driven a short distance.
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2007 Volvo XC90
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. 143 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 sec\
tion "Coolant". The use of "recycled" antifreeze is not
approved by Volvo. Different types 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 during 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 fuel line de-icer before\
refueling.
l The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-weat\
her starting as well
as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine is warming up. For winte\
r use, 5W-30 oil, particularly the synthetic type
1,
is recommended. Be sure to use good quality oil but do not use cold-weat\
her oil for hard driving or in warm weather. See
section "Engine 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 temperatur\
e drops. In very cold weather, a poorly charged
battery can freeze and be damaged. It is therefore advisable to check th\
e 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 page 188 for the
location of the washer fluid reservoir). This is important since dirt i\
s often splashed on the windshield during winter
driving, requiring the frequent use of the washers and wipers. Volvo Was\
her 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.
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2007 Volvo XC90
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.
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 except at owner request and at
additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.
pg. 144 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 plugs and wiper blad\
es 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 legally required in some states/provinc\
es.
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.
1. To prevent injury from contact with hot surfaces, do not inspect your\
vehicle's transmission fluid yourself. Have your vehicle's
transmission fluid level inspected by a qualified Volvo service technici\
an.
pg. 145 Starting and driving
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) - option
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2007 Volvo XC90
2 0 0 7
VOLVO XC90
Maintenance
pg. 179 Maintenance
Volvo service
180
Maintaining your car
181
Emission inspection
readiness
182
Working on your vehicle
183
Engine compartment
185
Engine oil
186
Fluids
188
Wiper blades
190
Battery
191
Replacing bulbs
194
Fuses
201
pg. 180 Maintenance
Volvo service
Maintenance service
Periodic maintenance will help keep your vehicle running well. Your Warr\
anty and Service Records
Information booklet provides a comprehensive maintenance schedule up to \
150,000 miles (240,000 km)
of vehicle service. This maintenance program contains inspections and se\
rvices necessary for the proper
function of your vehicle, and includes components that affect vehicle em\
issions. The maintenance
services contain several checks that require special instruments and too\
ls and therefore must be
performed by a qualified technician. Volvo advises you to follow the ser\
vice program outlined in this
booklet. To keep your Volvo in top condition, specify time-tested and pr\
oven Genuine Volvo Parts and
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2007 Volvo XC90
pg. 181 Maintenance
Maintaining your car
Owner maintenance
Periodic maintenance requirements and intervals are described in your ve\
hicle's Warranty and Service
Records Information booklet.
The following points can be carried out between the normally scheduled m\
aintenance services.
Each time the vehicle is refueled:
l Check the engine oil level
l Clean the windshield, windshield wipers, headlights, and tail lights
Monthly:
l Check cold tire pressure in all tires. Inspect the tires for wear.
l Check that engine coolant and other fluid levels are between the indicat\
ed "min" and "max" markings.
l Clean interior glass surfaces with a glass cleaner and soft paper towels\
.
l Wipe driver information displays with a soft cloth.
l Visually inspect battery terminals for corrosion. Corrosion may indicate\
a loose terminal connector, or
a battery near the end of its useful service life. Consult your Volvo re\
tailer for additional information.
As needed:
l Wash the vehicle, including the undercarriage, to reduce wear that can b\
e caused by a buildup of dirt,
and corrosion that can be caused by salt residues.
l Clean leaves and twigs from air intake vents at the base of the windshie\
ld, and from other places
where they may collect.
NOTE: Complete service information for qualified technicians is available onl\
ine for purchase or
subscription at
www.volvotechinfo.com.
pg. 182 Maintenance
Emission inspection readiness
What is an Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II)?
OBD II is part of your vehicle's computerized engine management system. \
It stores diagnostic
information about your vehicle's emission controls. It can light the Che\
ck Engine light (MIL) if it detects
an emission control "fault." A "fault" is a component or system that is \
not performing within an expected
range. A fault may be permanent or temporary. OBD II will store a messag\
e about any fault.
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2007 Volvo XC90
l Never disconnect the battery when the engine is running (e.g. when repl\
acing the battery).
l Never use a fast charger to charge the battery. The battery cables shoul\
d be disconnected when
recharging.
l The battery contains acid that is both corrosive and poisonous. It is im\
portant that the battery is
handled in an environmentally friendly way. Let your Volvo dealer assist\
you.
Hoisting the vehicle
If a garage jack is used to lift the vehicle, the two jack attachments p\
oints should be used. They are
specially reinforced to bear the weight of the vehicle (see the illustr\
ation above). A garage jack can also
be placed under the front of the engine support frame. Take care not to \
damage the splash guard under
the engine. Ensure that the jack is positioned so that the vehicle canno\
t slide off it. Always use axle
stands or similar structures. The vehicle's gross vehicle weight is betw\
een 5770 lbs (2630 kg) and 6080
lbs (2760 kg). Use a jack and stands rated for this weight.
If a two-post hoist is used to lift the vehicle, the front and rear lift\
arm pads should be centered under the
reinforced lift plates on the inboard edge of the sill rail (see illust\
ration).
pg. 184 Maintenance
Working on your vehicle
WARNING!
The ignition system has very high voltage! The voltage in the ignition s\
ystem is dangerous!
Do not touch spark plugs, ignition cables or the ignition coil when the \
engine is running or the
ignition is switched on!
The ignition should be switched off when:
l Conducting engine tests.
l Replacing parts in the ignition system, such as spark plugs, ignition co\
il, distributor, ignition
cables, etc.
WARNING!
Never try to repair any part of the SRS/ SIPS/WHIPS/IC systems yourself. Any \
interference in the
system could cause malfunction and serious injury. Any work should only \
be performed by an
authorized Volvo workshop.
Belt check
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