When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires are the same size designation, type (radial) and preferably from the
same manufacturer, on all four wheels. Otherwise there is a risk of altering the car's roadholding and handling
characteristics.
Storing wheels and tires
When storing complete wheels (tires mounted on rims), they should be suspended off the floor or placed on their sides
on the floor. Tires not mounted on rims should be stored on their sides or standing upright, but should not be
suspended.
WARNING
Tires should preferably be stored in a cool, dry, dark place, and should never be stored in close proximity to
solvents, gasoline, oils, etc.
WARNING
The wheel and tire sizes for your Volvo are specified to meet stringent stability and handling requirements.
Unapproved wheel/tire size combinations can negatively affect your vehicle's stability and handling. Approved tire
sizes are shown in the Tire inflation pressure tables on page 170
.
Any damage caused by installation of unapproved wheel/tire size combinations will not be covered by your new
vehicle warranty. Volvo assumes no responsibility for death, injury, or expenses that may result from such
installations.
Tread wear indicator
The tires have wear indicator strips running across or parallel to the tread. The letters TWI are printed on the side of
the tire. When approximately 1/16" (1.6 mm) is left on the tread, these strips become visible and indicate that the tire
should be replaced. Tires with less than 1/16" (1.6 mm) tread offer very poor traction.
When replacing worn tires, it is recommended that the tire be identical in type (radial) and size as the one being
replaced. Using a tire of the same make (manufacturer) will prevent alteration of the driving characteristics of the
vehicle.
167 07 Wheels and tires
General information
6. H: The tire's speed rating, or the maximum speed at which the tire is designed to be driven for extended periods of
time, carrying a permissible load for the vehicle, and with correct inflation pressure. For example, H indicates a speed
rating of 130 mph (210 km/h).
NOTE
This information may not appear on the tire because it is not required by law.
7. M+S or M/S = Mud and Snow, AT = All Terrain, AS = All Season
8. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) : This begins with the letters "DOT" and indicates that the tire meets
all federal standards. The next two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was manufactured, the next two are
the tire size code and the last four numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. For example, the numbers
317 mean the 31st week of 1997. After 2000 the numbers go to four digits. For example, 2501 means the 25th week of
2001. The numbers in between are marketing codes used at the manufacturer's discretion. This information helps a tire
manufacturer identify a tire for safety recall purposes.
9. Tire Ply Composition and Material Used: Indicates the number of plies indicates or the number of layers of rubber-
coated fabric in the tire tread and sidewall. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the ply materials in the tire and the
sidewall, which include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
10. Maximum Load : Indicates the maximum load in pounds and kilograms that can be carried by the tire. Refer to the
vehicle's tire information placard or the safety certification label, located on the B-Pillar or the driver's door or on the
inside of the fuel filler door on Canadian models, for the correct tire pressure for your vehicle.
11. Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature grades : See page 176
for more information.
173 07 Wheels and tires
Tire designations
12. Maximum permissible inflation pressure: the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire.
This limit is set by the tire manufacturer.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
174 07 Wheels and tires
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire terminology
Tire information placard : A placard showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes, recommended inflation
pressure, and the maximum weight the vehicle can carry.
Tire Identification Number (TIN) : A number on the sidewall of each tire providing information about the tire
brand and manufacturing plant, tire size and date of manufacturer.
Inflation pressure : A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
Standard load: A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a maximum load at 35 psi [37 psi (2.5 bar) for
Metric tires]. Increasing the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase the tires load carrying capability.
Extra load : A class of P-metric or Metric tires designed to carry a heavier maximum load at 41 psi [43 psi (2.9 bar)
for Metric tires]. Increasing the inflation pressure beyond this pressure will not increase the tires load carrying
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and is not a measure of
cornering (turning) traction.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature grades are AA (the highest), A, B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a minimum level of performance that all
passenger vehicle tires must meet under the Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and tire
failure.
177 07 Wheels and tires
Winter driving
Snow chains
Snow chains can be used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
Snow chains should be installed on front wheels only. Use only Volvo approved snow chains.
If accessory, aftermarket or "custom" tires and wheels are installed and are of a size different than the original tires
and wheels, chains in some cases CANNOT be used. Sufficient clearances between chains and brakes, suspension and
body components must be maintained.
Some strap -on type chains will interfere with brake components and therefore CANNOT be used.
Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow chain information.
WARNING
Check local regulations regarding the use of snow chains before installing.
Always follow the chain manufacturer's installation instructions carefully. Install chains as tightly as possible and
retighten periodically.
Never exceed the chain manufacturer's specified maximum speed limit. (Under no circumstances should you
exceed 31 mph (50 km/h).
Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns when driving with snow chains.
The handling of the vehicle can be adversely affected when driving with chains. Avoid fast or sharp turns as well
as locked wheel braking.
Snow tires, studded tires
Tires for winter use:
Owners who live in or regularly commute through areas with sustained periods of snow or icy driving conditions are
strongly advised to fit suitable winter tires to help retain the highest degree of traction.
It is important to install winter tires on all four wheels to help retain traction during cornering, braking, and
accelerating. Failure to do so could reduce traction to an unsafe level or adversely affect handling.
Do not mix tires of different design as this could also negatively affect overall tire road grip.
Winter tires wear more quickly on dry roads in warm weather. They should be removed when the winter driving
season has ended.
Studded tires should be run-in 300-600 miles (500-1000 km) during which the vehicle should be driven as smoothly
as possible to give the studs the opportunity to seat properly in the tires. The tires should have the same rotational
direction throughout their entire lifetime.
NOTE
Please consult state or provincial regulations restricting the use of studded winter tires before installing such tires.
178 07 Wheels and tires
Temporary spare
The spare tire in your vehicle is called a "Temporary Spare".
Recommended tire pressure (see the placard on the B-pillar should be maintained irrespective of which position on the
vehicle the temporary spare tire is used on.
In the event of damage to this tire, a new one can be purchased from your Volvo retailer.
WARNING
Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Temporary Spare" tire other than as a temporary replacement for a
punctured tire. It must be replaced as soon as possible by a standard tire. Road holding and handling may be affected
with the "Temporary Spare" in use.
CAUTION
The vehicle must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a spare tire other than the one that came
with the car. The use of different size wheels can seriously damage your car's transmission.
179 07 Wheels and tires
Wheel nuts
Block the wheels standing on the ground, use rigid wooden blocks or large stones.
The jack should be kept well-greased and clean, and should not be damaged.
No objects should be placed between the base of jack and the ground, or between the jack and the attachment bar
on the vehicle.
Installing the wheel
1. Clean the contact surfaces on the wheel and hub.
2. Lift the wheel and place it on the hub.
3. Install the wheel nuts and tighten hand -tight. Using the lug wrench, tighten crosswise until all nuts are snug.
4. Lower the vehicle to the ground and alternately tighten the bolts crosswise to 96 ft. lbs. (130 Nm).
5. Install the wheel cap (where applicable).
184 07 Wheels and tires
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Introduction
The tire pressure monitoring system uses sensors mounted in the tire valves to check inflation pressure levels. When
the vehicle is moving at a speed of approximately 20 mph (30 km/h) or faster, these sensors transmit inflation pressure
data to a receiver located in the vehicle.
NOTE
USA - FCC ID: KR5S122780002
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
When low inflation pressure is detected, TPMS will light up the tire pressure warning light (
) (also referred to as a
telltale) in the instrument panel, and will display a message in the text window. The wording of this message is
determined by the degree of inflation pressure loss.
NOTE
If a fault occurs in TPMS, the tire pressure warning light will flash for approximately 1 minute and TIRE PRESS
SYST SERVICE REQUIRED will be displayed.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
Disc text (CD changer only)
Certain CDs contain information about the disc, such as the titles of the tracks, etc. This information can be shown in
the display by activating the DISC TEXT function.
1. Press MENU. Select the menu for relevant sound source and press ENTER .
2. Select DISC TEXT in the menu and press ENTER .
3. If information is stored on the disc, it will now appear in the display.
To deactivate this function, select DISC TEXT in the menu and press ENTER.
Scan
This function plays the first 10 seconds of each track/file on the CD.
Press SCAN .
Press EXIT or SCAN to stop the scan function and listen to an entire track/file.
CD eject
Single CD player
Press the eject button (3) to eject the disc.
CD changer
This function makes it possible to eject a single disc, or to eject all of the discs in the changer.
Press the eject button (3) briefly to eject the disc that is currently playing.
A longer press (more than two seconds) starts the process of ejecting all of the discs in the changer.
NOTE
The Eject all function can only be used while the vehicle is at a standstill and will be cancelled if the vehicle
begins to move.
For reasons of traffic safety, the ejected CD must be removed within 12 seconds or it will be automatically drawn
back into the slot and the CD player will enter pause mode. Press the CD button to restart the disc.
Compact disc care
Keep the following in mind when playing/handling compact discs
Do not put tape or labels on the disc itself. They could become stuck in the player.
CDR discs can cause listening problems due to the quality of the disc or recording equipment used.
242 10 Audio
CD player/CD changer (option)
DualDisc: The audio side of a DualDisc (combined CD/DVD) does not meet CD specifications and may not play in
your audio system.
Keep the discs clean. Wipe them with a soft, clean, lint-free cloth, working from the center outward. If necessary,
dampen the cloth with a neutral soap solution. Dry thoroughly before using.
Never use cleaning spray or antistatic liquid. Use only cleaners specifically made for CDs.
Use discs of the correct size only (3.5" discs should never be used).
Volvo does not recommend the use of plastic outer rings on the disc.