2007 VOLVO XC90 towing

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

Areas monitored by BLIS
Distance A = approx. 10 ft. (3 meters)
Distance B = approx. 31 ft. (9.5 meters)
When does BLIS function
The system functions when your vehicle is moving at speeds above 6 mph (\
10 km/h).
When you pass another vehicle:
The system reacts when you pass another vehicle at a speed of up to 6 mp\
h (10 km/h) faster than that vehicle.
When you are passed by another vehicle:
The system reacts if your vehicle is passed by another vehicle at a spee\
d of up to 43 mph (70 km/h) faster than your
vehicle.
pg. 146 Starting and driving
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) - option
WARNING!
l BLIS does not function in sharp curves.
l BLIS does not function when your vehicle is backing up.
l If you are towing a wide trailer, this may prevent the BLIS cameras from\
detecting other vehicles in adjacent
lanes.
How BLIS functions in daylight and darkness
Daylight
BLIS reacts to the shape of surrounding vehicles. The system is designed to help detect motor ve\
hicles such as cars,
trucks, buses, motorcycles, etc.
Darkness
BLIS reacts to the headlights of surrounding vehicles. In order to be detected by BLIS, a vehicle in \
the blind area must
have its headlights on. This means, for example, that the system will no\
t detect a trailer without headlights that is being
towed behind a car or truck.
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2007 Volvo XC90
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maximum return of vehicle des\
ign performance.
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following ter\
ms for determining your vehicle's
weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle's Federal/ C\
anadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards (FMVSS/CMVSS) label, and the vehicle's tire information plac\
ard.
Curb weight
The weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all standard\
equipment. It does not include
passengers, cargo, or optional equipment.
Capacity weight
All weight added to the curb weight, including cargo and optional equipm\
ent. When towing, trailer hitch
tongue load is also part of cargo weight.
NOTE: For trailer towing information, please refer to the section "Towing a t\
railer" on
page 137.
Permissible axle weight
The maximum allowable weight that can be carried by a single axle (fron\
t or rear). These numbers are
shown on the Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/ CM\
VSS) label. The total
load on each axle must never exceed its maximum permissible weight.
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)
The vehicle's curb weight + cargo + passengers.
NOTE:
l The location of the various labels in your vehicle can be found on page 208.
l A table listing important weight limits for your vehicle can be found on\
page 209.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
- Locate the statement "the combined weight of occupants and cargo shoul\
d never exceed XXX pounds''
on your vehicle's placard.
- Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will b\
e riding in your vehicle.
- Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kil\
ograms or XXX pounds.
- The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage \
load capacity. For example, if
the "XXX'' amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passen\
gers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400- 750 (5\
x 150) = 650 lbs.)
- Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the\
vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculat\
ed in Step 4.
- If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will \
be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual
1 to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capa\
city of
your vehicle.
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2007 Volvo XC90
1. See "Towing a trailer" on page 137.
pg. 162 Wheels and tires
Vehicle loading
WARNING!
l Exceeding the permissible axle weight, gross vehicle weight, or any othe\
r weight rating limits can
cause tire overheating resulting in permanent deformation or catastrophi\
c failure.
l Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than th\
e tires that were original
equipment on the vehicle because this will lower the vehicle's GVW ratin\
g. Replacement tires with a
higher limit than the originals do not increase the vehicle's GVW rating\
limitations.
pg. 163 Wheels and tires
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
ALL PASSENGER VEHICLE TIRES MUST CONFORM TO FEDERAL SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION TO THESE GRADES
Quality grades can be found, where applicable, on the tire sidewall betw\
een the tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of th\
e tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For example\
, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a t\
ire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, ho\
wever, and many depart
significantly from the norm due to variation in driving habits, maintena\
nce practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
TRACTION
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C, as mea\
sured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete\
. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
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2007 Volvo XC90
Engine oil
Oil specifications
Engine oil must meet the minimum ILSAC specification GF-3, API SL, and A\
CEA A1/ B1. Lower
quality oils may not offer the same fuel economy, engine performance, or\
engine protection.
Volvo recommends
.
Depending on your driving habits, premium or synthetic oils may provide \
superior fuel economy and
engine protection. Consult your Volvo retailer for recommendations on pr\
emium or synthetic oils.
Oil additives must not be used.
NOTE: Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal mainten\
ance services. This oil is
only used at customer request, at additional charge. Please consult your\
Volvo retailer.
Oil viscosity (stable ambient temperatures)
Operation in hot climates
When temperatures exceed 86° F (30° C) in your area, Volvo recom\
mends, for the protection of your
engine, that you use a heavier weight oil, such as such as SAE 5W-40 or \
0W-40. See the viscosity chart.
Operation in temperate climates
Incorrect viscosity oil can shorten engine life. Under normal use when t\
emperatures do not exceed 86° F
(30° C), SAE 5W-30 will provide good fuel economy and engine protec\
tion. See the viscosity chart.
Extreme engine operation
Synthetic oils meeting SAE 0W-30 or 0W-40 and complying with oil quality\
requirements are
recommended for driving in areas of sustained temperature extremes (hot\
or cold), when towing a trailer
over long distances, and for prolonged driving in mountainous areas.
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2007 Volvo XC90
Fuel tank 21.1 US gals. (80 liters) Minimum octane requirement - AKI 87 (RON
91) - unleaded fuel (See also page 117)
Transmission oil
1
TF-80SC 7.4 US qts. (7.0 liters)
Miscellaneous
Power steering 1.1 US qts. (1.0 liters)
Windshield washer
reservoir 6.9 US qts. (6.5 liters)
Brake fluid 0.63 US qts. (0.6 liters)
Air conditioning system Front - 2.2 lb. (1 kg), Rear (option) 2.9 lb. (1.3 kg) R 134a (HF\
C134a)
Coolant Volvo original coolant/antifreeze (Thermostat begins to open at 194°\
F
(90° C)).
3.2 6-cyl. 7.9 US qts. (7.5 liters)
V8 10.7 US qts. (10.2 liters)
1. The transmission oil does not normally need to be changed during the \
service life of the vehicle. However, it
may be necessary to replace the oil if the vehicle is often driven in ar\
eas of sustained temperature extremes (hot
or cold), when towing a trailer over long distances, for prolonged driv\
ing in mountainous areas, or if the vehicle
is often driven short distances in temperatures under 40°F (5°C)\
.
Transmission
Oil grade:
Type: JWS 3309
Different types of oil should never be mixed.
Power steering
Grade: Volvo synthetic power steering fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S) P/N 1161529 o\
r equivalent.
Brake fluid
Fluid type: DOT 4+ boiling point >536° F (280° C), P/N 9437433
Rear suspension
Individual rear wheel suspension with longitudinal support arms, double \
link arms and track rods.
Front suspension
Spring strut suspension with integrated shock absorbers and control arms\
linked to
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2007 Volvo XC90
2 0 0 7
VOLVO XC90
Index

pg. 241-244 Index
A
A/C (air conditioning)
81
ABS
2, 49, 128
Accessory installation (special warnings)
5
Active Bi-Xenon headlights (ABL)
52, 55
Air cleaner
185
Air conditioning
76
Air distribution
78, 81
Air quality sensor
82
Air vents
78
Alarm
111
All Wheel Drive
126
All Wheel Drive - towing
135
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
2, 49
Ashtray
65, 94
Audio system
219
AUTO (climate control)
80
Autostart
119, 121
AUX (audio system)
232
Average speed
62
AWD
126
B
Bass
225
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