
3. Release the brake pedal and ensure that the vehicle is at a standstill.
4. If the vehicle rolls, the parking brake lever must be pulled more firmly.
5. When parking a vehicle always put the gear selector in first gear (for manual transmission) or P (for automatic
transmission).
Parking on a hill
If the vehicle is pointing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they point away from the curb.
If the vehicle is pointing downhill, turn the front wheels so that they point toward the curb.
Releasing the parking brake
1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Pull the lever up slightly, press the button at the end of the lever and lower the lever completely.
WARNING
Pull up the parking brake lever up firmly to its full extent.
70 02 Instruments and controls
12-volt sockets
12-volt socket (front seat)
The 12-volt socket can be used to plug in certain accessories such as cellular telephones, etc. The maximum current is
10A. The key must be in position I (or higher) for the auxiliary socket to function.
Ashtrays/cigarette lighter
The auxiliary socket can also be used for a cigarette lighter
1, and ashtrays1 are also available. Please contact your Volvo
retailer.
1 Accessory.
NOTE
The cover should be kept on when the auxiliary socket is not in use.

2. Use this control to raise or lower the front edge of the seat cushion.
3. Use this control to raise or lower the rear edge of the seat cushion.
4. Turn this knob (option on some passenger's seats) to adjust the firmness of the lumbar support
1.
5. Turn this knob to adjust the backrest tilt.
6. Control panel for power seats.
WARNING
Do not adjust the seat while driving.
Adjust the driver's seat and seat belt (see page 14) before driving. The seat should be adjusted so that the brake
pedal can be depressed fully.
Position the seat as far rearward as comfort and control allow.
1Also applies to the optional power seat.
Accessing the rear seat
Seat access buttons (power seat shown)
Manual seat
Moving the seat forward:
1. Remove the seat belt from its guide (see page 17
).
2. Pull up control 1 (see the illustration), hold it up, and fold the backrest forward until it locks in position.
3. Slide the seat forward.
Moving the seat rearward:
1. With the backrest folded forward in the locked position , slide the seat rearward to its original position.
2. Pull up control 1, hold it up, and fold up the backrest to the upright position.
3. Return the seat belt to its guide.
99 04 Interior
Front seats
Power seats

1. Adjust the seat to the desired position.
2. When you leave the car, lock it using the remote control.
3. The next time the driver's door is unlocked with the same remote control and that door is opened within 2 minutes,
the driver's seat and side door mirrors will automatically move to the position that they were in when the doors were
most recently locked with the same remote control.
NOTE
The memory function in the remote control operates independently of the memory function in the seat.
WARNING
Because the driver's seat can be adjusted with the ignition off, children should never be left unattended in the car.
Movement of the seat can be STOPPED at any time by pressing any button on the power seat control panel.
Do not adjust the seat while driving. The seat should be adjusted so that the brake pedal can be depressed fully. In
addition, position the seat as far rearward as comfort and control allow.
The seat rails on the floor must not be obstructed in any way when the seat is in motion.
102 04 Interior
Interior lighting
Interior lighting
1. Front driver's side reading light, on/off
2. Courtesy lighting
3. Front passenger's side reading light, on/off
The front and rear reading lights can be activated when the ignition key is position I or II, or when the engine is
running. The front reading lights are switched on and off by pressing buttons 1 or 3.
The courtesy lighting (2) can be set to three positions:
Press the left side of the button: the interior courtesy lighting turns on.
Neutral position: the interior courtesy lighting comes on when a door is opened, and is switched off 10 seconds after
the door is closed.

2 0 0 8
VOLVO C30
130 06 Starting and driving
General information 132
Fuel requirements136
Ignition switch/Steering wheel lock139
Starting the vehicle141
Starting the vehicle (keyless drive)143
Manual transmission, 6-speed144
Automatic transmission (option)145
Shiftlock override147
Brake system148
Dynamic Stability Traction Control150
Towing152
Jump starting154
Transporting loads155
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)-option156
Park assist (Option/accessory)160
131 06 Starting and driving
132 06 Starting and driving
General 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.
Observe the following rules:

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 engine uses more fuel and is subject to increased wear.
Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle for driving short distances. This does not allow the engine to reach
normal operating temperature.
Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
Use the transmission's (D)rive position as often as possible and avoid using kickdown.
Do not exceed posted speed limits.
Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the vehicle.
Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc., increase air resistance and also fuel consumption.
At highway driving speeds, fuel consumption will be lower with the air conditioning on and the windows closed
than with the air conditioning off and the windows open.
Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you learn how to drive more economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:
Dirty air cleaner
Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
Dragging brakes
Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard maintenance intervals.
WARNING
Driving with the rear liftgate open : Driving with the rear liftgate open could lead to poisonous exhaust gases
entering the passenger compartment. If the rear liftgate must be kept open for any reason, proceed as follows:
Close the windows
Set the ventilation system control to air flow to floor, windshield and side windows and the blower control to its
highest setting.
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 curvature of a bend. This ensures good stability and reduces the risk
of rear wheel skid. Remember that these properties can alter with the vehicle load. The heavier the load in the cargo
area, the less the tendency to understeer.
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle handling. Therefore, check that the tires are inflated to
the recommended pressure according to the vehicle load. See the "Tire pressure" section. Loads should be distributed
so that capacity weight
133 06 Starting and driving
General information
or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded.
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 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 water.
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
Engine damage will occur if water is drawn into the air cleaner.
If the vehicle is driven through water deeper than 9 in (25 cm), water may enter the differential and the
transmission. This reduces the oil's lubricating capacity and may shorten the service life of these components.
Do not allow the vehicle to stand in water up to the door sills longer than absolutely necessary. This could result
in electrical malfunctions.
If the engine has been stopped while the vehicle is in water, do not attempt to restart the engine. Have the vehicle
towed out of the water.
Cold weather precautions
If you wish to check your vehicle before the approach of cold weather, the following advice is worth noting:
Make sure that the engine coolant contains 50 percent antifreeze. Any other mixture will reduce freeze protection.
This gives protection against freezing down to -31°F (-35°C). See section "Coolant." The use of "recycled" antifreeze
is not approved by Volvo. Different types of antifreeze must not be mixed.
Volvo recommends using only genuine Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's radiator. Your Volvo retailer stocks plenty
of Volvo engine coolant to help protect your vehicle during cold weather.
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.
The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-weather starting as
well as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine is warming up. For winter use, 5W -30 oil, particularly the
synthetic type
1, is recommended. Be sure to use good quality oil but do not use cold-weather oil for hard driving or in
warm weather. See page 251
for more information.
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 temperature drops. In very cold weather, a poorly charged
battery can freeze and be damaged. It is therefore advisable to check the state of charge
1Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintenance intervals except at owner request and at additional charge. Please
consult a trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
134 06 Starting and driving
General information
more frequently and spray an anti-rust oil on the battery posts.
Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter driving - see the chapter "Wheels and tires."
To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents containing antifreeze (see page 202 for the
location of the washer fluid reservoir). This is important since dirt is often splashed on the windshield during winter

driving, requiring the frequent use of the washers and wipers. Volvo Washer 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.
Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
NOTE
Avoid using de -icing sprays as they can cause damage to the locks.
Conserving electrical current
Keep the following in mind to help minimize battery drain:
When the engine is not running, avoid turning the ignition key to position II. Many electrical systems (the audio
system, the optional navigation system, power windows, etc) will function with the ignition key in position I. This
position reduces drain on the battery.
Please keep in mind that using systems, accessories, etc that consume a great deal of current when the engine is not
running could result in the battery being completely drained.
The optional 12 volt socket in the cargo area provides electrical current even with the ignition switched off, which
drains the battery.
NOTE
If the ignition is switched on, a warning message will be displayed in the text window in the instrument panel
when the battery charge is low.
An energy conserving function designed into the vehicle's electrical system will switch off certain functions or
reduce the load on the battery by, e.g., reducing the audio system's volume.
135 06 Starting and driving
General information
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked by a trained and qualified Volvo service technician before
driving long distances. An authorized Volvo retailer will also be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark plugs and
wiper blades for your use in the event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be checked before any long trip:
Check that the engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.
Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage.
Have the transmission oil level checked1.
Check condition of drive belts.
Check state of the battery's charge.
Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and replace those that are worn. Check tire pressures.
The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be checked by a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician only.
Check all lights, including high beams.
Reflective warning triangles are legally required in some states/provinces.
Have a word with a trained and qualified Volvo service technician if you intend to drive in countries where it may

141 06 Starting and driving
Starting the vehicle
To start the engine
1. Fasten the seat belt.
WARNING
Before starting, check that the seat, steering wheel and mirrors are adjusted properly. Make sure the brake pedal can
be depressed completely. Adjust the seat if necessary.
2. Apply the parking brake if not already set. The gear selector should be locked in the (P)ark position (Shiftlock). See
also page 147
.
Manual transmission : the clutch must be fully depressed.
3. The vehicle is equipped with an autostart feature. Without touching the throttle pedal, turn the key to position III
and release it. The starter motor will then operate automatically (for up to ten seconds) until the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start, repeat this step.
NOTE
After a cold start, idle speed may be noticeably higher than normal for a short period. This is done to help bring
components in the emission control system to their normal operating temperature as quickly as possible, which
enables them to control emissions and help reduce the vehicle's impact on the environment.
4. To release the gear selector from the (P)ark position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in
position II) and the brake pedal must be depressed.
5. Select the desired gear. On models with an automatic transmission, the gear engages after a very slight delay which
is especially noticeable when selecting R.
NOTE
Immobilizer : If two of the keys to your vehicle are close together, e.g., on the same key ring when you try to start
the vehicle, this could cause interference in the immobilizer system and result in the vehicle not starting. If this
should occur, remove one of the keys from the key ring before trying to start the vehicle again.
Keylock: Models equipped an automatic transmission have a keylock system. When the engine is switched off, the
gear selector must be in the ( P)ark position before the key can be removed from the ignition switch
1.
When starting in cold weather, the transmission may shift up at slightly higher engine speeds than normal until the
automatic transmission fluid reaches normal operating temperature.
Do not race a cold engine immediately after starting. Oil flow may not reach some lubrication points fast enough
to prevent engine damage.
1The optional keyless drive start control does not need to be removed from the ignition switch.
142 06 Starting and driving
Starting the vehicle