
2007 Volvo XC90 
Fuel requirements 
Octane rating 
Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium g\
asoline with an AKI octane rating of 91 or 
above. AKI (ANTI KNOCK INDEX) is an average of the Research Octane Num\
ber, RON, and the Motor Octane Number, 
MON. ((RON + MON)/2). The minimum octane requirement is AKI 87 (RON\
 91).
Deposit control gasoline (detergent additives) 
Volvo recommends the use of detergent gasoline to control engine deposit\
s. Detergent gasoline is effective in keeping 
injectors and intake valves clean. Consistent use of deposit control gas\
olines will help ensure good drivability and fuel 
economy. If you are not sure whether the gasoline contains deposit contr\
ol additives, check with the service station 
operator.
NOTE: Volvo does not recommend the use of external fuel injector cleaning sys\
tems.
Unleaded fuel 
Each Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter and must use only unleade\
d gasoline. U.S. and Canadian regulations 
require that pumps delivering unleaded gasoline be labelled "UNLEADED". \
Only these pumps have nozzles which fit 
your vehicle's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel into\
 a vehicle labelled "unleaded gasoline only". Leaded 
gasoline damages the three-way catalytic converter and the heated oxygen\
 sensor system. Repeated use of leaded gasoline 
will lessen the effectiveness of the emission control system and could r\
esult in loss of emission warranty coverage. State 
and local vehicle inspection programs will make detection of misfueling \
easier, possibly resulting in emission test failure 
for misfueled vehicles.
NOTE: Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines contain an octane enhancing additive c\
alled methyl-cyclopentadienyl 
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). If such fuels are used, your Emission Con\
trol System performance may be affected, and 
the Check Engine Light (malfunction indicator lamp) located on your in\
strument panel may light. If this occurs, please 
return your vehicle to an authorized Volvo retailer for maintenance.
Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers "Oxygenated fuels" 
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing "oxygenates" which are usua\
lly alcohols or ethers. In some areas, state or 
local laws require that the service pump be marked indicating use of alc\
ohols or ethers. However, there are areas in which 
the pumps are unmarked. If you are not sure whether there is alcohol or \
ethers in the gasoline you buy, check with the 
service station operator. To meet seasonal air quality standards, some a\
reas require the use of "oxygenated" fuel. 
Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygenated" fuels; however, the o\
ctane ratings listed on this page must still be met. 
Alcohol - Ethanol: Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may be u\
sed. Ethanol may also be referred to as Ethyl 
alcohol, or "Gasohol". 
Ethers - MTBE: Fuels containing up to 15% MTBE may be used. 
pg. 115 Starting and driving 
Fuel requirements 
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2007 Volvo XC90 
Octane rating 
Volvo engines are designed to achieve rated horsepower, torque, and fuel\
 economy performance using premium 91 octane 
fuel. Volvo recommends premium for best performance, but using 87 octane\
 or above will not affect engine reliability. 
In demanding driving conditions, such as operating the vehicle in hot we\
ather, towing a trailer, or driving for extended 
periods at higher altitudes than normal, it may be advisable to switch t\
o higher octane fuel (91 or higher) or to change 
gasoline brands to fully utilize your engine's capacity, and for the smo\
othest possible operation. 
NOTE: When switching to higher octane fuel or changing gasoline brands, it ma\
y be necessary to fill the tank more than 
once before a difference in engine operation is noticeable.
Fuel Formulations 
Do not use gasoline that contains lead as a knock inhibitor, and do not \
use lead additives. Besides damaging the exhaust 
emission control systems on your vehicle, lead has been strongly linked \
to certain forms of cancer. 
Many fuels contain benzene as a solvent. Unburned benzene has been stron\
gly linked to certain forms of cancer. If you 
live in an area where you must fill your own gas tank, take precautions.\
 These may include: 
l     standing upwind away from the filler nozzle while refueling 
l     refueling only at gas stations with vapor recovery systems that fully se\
al the mouth of the filler neck during refueling 
l     wearing neoprene gloves while handling a fuel filler nozzle.
Use of Additives 
With the exception of gas line antifreeze during winter months, do not a\
dd solvents, thickeners, or other store-bought 
additives to your vehicle's fuel, cooling, or lubricating systems. Overu\
se may damage your engine, and some of these 
additives contain organically volatile chemicals. Do not needlessly expo\
se yourself to these chemicals. 
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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 
American Petroleum Institute (API) symbol 
The API Service Symbol "donut" is divided into three parts: 
l     The upper section describes the oil's performance level. 
l     The center identifies the oil's viscosity. 
l     The lower section indicates whether the oil has demonstrated energy-cons\
erving properties in a 
standard test in comparison to a reference oil. 
pg. 187 Maintenance 
Engine oil 
Changing engine oil and oil filter 
See the previous page for oil specifications and 
page 212 for oil volumes. Refer to the Warranty and 
Service Records Information booklet for information on the oil change in\
tervals.
NOTE: 
l     Volvo does not recommend the use of oil additives. 
l     Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintena\
nce intervals except at owner 
request and at additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.
Checking and adding oil 
The oil level should be checked every time the vehicle is refueled. This\
 is especially important during 
the period up to the first scheduled maintenance service. 
l     The vehicle should be parked on a level surface when the oil is checked.\
 
l     If the engine is warm, wait for at least 10-15 minutes after the engine has been switched off\
 before 
checking the oil. 
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