
2007 Volvo XC90
pg. 48 Instruments and controls
Indicator and warning symbols
BRAKE Brake failure warning light If the light comes on while driving or brak\
ing, stop immediately,
open the hood and check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. See
page 185 for reservoir position and
page 189 for instructions.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light
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 185 for the location of the brake fluid reservoir).
- If the brake fluid level is above the MIN mark, drive carefully to an \
authorized Volvo retailer and have
the brake system inspected.
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 an authorized
Volvo retailer and have the brake system inspected.
PARK BRAKE Parking brake applied This light will be on when the parking brake (ha\
nd brake) is
applied. applied. The parking brake pedal is located on the left side of\
the driver's footwell. See also
page 66 for additional information.
Canadian models are equipped with this symbol.
Oil pressure warning light If the light comes on while driving, stop the\
vehicle and then stop
the engine immediately and check the engine oil level. See
page 187. If the light stays on after restart,
have the vehicle towed to the nearest authorized Volvo retailer. After h\
ard driving, the light may come
on occasionally when the engine is idling. This is normal, provided it g\
oes off when the engine speed is
increased.
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2007 Volvo XC90
SERVICE REQUIRED Take your vehicle to an authorized Volvo retailer for
inspection at your convenience (but preferably before the next
scheduled maintenance service).
FIX NEXT SERVICE ave the system affected inspected at the next scheduled
maintenance service.
TIME FOR REGULAR SERVICE This message will be displayed at 7,500 mile (12,000 km)
intervals, after 750 hours of driving or after 12 months,
whichever occurs first, to remind the driver that the service
interval has been exceeded. The message will be displayed for
2 minutes each time the vehicle is started until reset by the
servicing retailer.
OIL LEVEL LOW - FILL OIL
1 Check the oil level and top up if necessary. See page 187.
OIL LEVEL LOW - STOP SAFELY
2Stop as soon as possible and switch off the engine, check the
oil level and top up if necessary. See
page 187.
OIL LEVEL LOW - STOP ENGINE
2Stop as soon as possible and switch off the engine, check the
oil level and top up if necessary. See
page 187.
OIL LEVEL LOW - SEE MANUAL
2Stop as soon as possible and switch off the engine, check the
oil level and top up if necessary. See
page 187.
DSTC SPIN CONTROL OFF The stability system's spin control function has been turned off.
See
page 130 for details.
1. Yellow warning symbol, see page 47.
2. Red warning symbol, see
page 47.
pg. 52 Instruments and controls
Switches in the center console
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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
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
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
Check the belt regularly to make sure it is in good condition and is cle\
an. A worn or dirty belt can cause
poor cooling and low alternator output as well as impair the operation o\
f the power steering and the air
conditioning unit.
NOTE: The drive belt is equipped with a self-tensioning mechanism and require\
s no adjustment
between changes.
WARNING!
The engine must not be running when this check is
performed.
Check coolant level
The cooling system must be filled with coolant and not leak to operate a\
t maximum efficiency. Check
the coolant level regularly. The level should be between the "MAX" and "\
MIN" marks on the expansion
tank. The check should be made with particular thoroughness when the eng\
ine is new or when the
cooling system has been drained.
Do not remove the filler cap other than for topping up with coolant. Fre\
quent removal may prevent
coolant circulation between the engine and the expansion tank during eng\
ine warm up and cooling.
Changing coolant
Normally, the coolant does not need to be changed. If the system must be\
drained, consult your Volvo
retailer.
NOTE: Do not top off with water only. This reduces the rust-protective and an\
tifreeze qualities of the
coolant and has a lower boiling point. It can also cause damage to the c\
ooling system if it should freeze.
Top off with Volvo Genuine Coolant/Antifreeze only (a 50/ 50 mix of wat\
er and antifreeze). CAUTION!
The cooling system must always be kept filled to the correct level. If i\
t is not kept filled, there can be
high local temperatures in the engine which could result in damage. Diff\
erent types of antifreeze/
coolant may not be mixed.
WARNING!
Never remove the radiator cap while the engine is warm. Wait until the v\
ehicle
cools.
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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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