The towing eyelet is located under the floor of the cargo area with the optional temporary spare tire or in the bag
stowed in the ski hatch. This eyelet must be screwed into the positions provided on the right sides of either the front or
rear bumper (see illustrations).
To attach the towing eyelet:
1. Press the mark on the lower edge of the cover (1) to open it
2. Screw the towing eyelet in place first by hand and then using the tire iron until it is securely in place.
After the vehicle has been towed
1. The eyelet should be removed and returned to the tool bag.
2. Press the cover back into position.
152 06 Starting and driving
Towing
Towing a vehicle with all four wheels on the ground
WARNING
Volvo does not recommend towing a disabled vehicle behind another vehicle. Significant difficulty in steering and
braking, combined with unfavorable weather, traffic, and road conditions may make it impossible to maintain vehicle
control.
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Insert the key into the ignition to unlock the steering wheel. The steering wheel must be unlocked. With the engine
off and the vehicle at a standstill, great effort will be required to turn the steering wheel.
WARNING
Towing a vehicle with a locked steering wheel will make the vehicle impossible to steer.
3. Turn the ignition key to position II.
4. Place the gear selector in neutral. For vehicles with automatic transmissions, follow instruction on page 146
, "
Shiftlock override" to allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position.
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5. Keep firm pressure on the brake pedal while releasing the parking brake.
6. When towing has been completed, return the gear selector to Park (automatic) or Reverse (manual) and apply the
parking brake.
The following points should also be observed:
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). Never exceed local towing speed limits and heed all local towing restrictions.
Never tow farther than 50 miles (80 km) .
Keep the tow rope taut at all times while the vehicle is in motion.
The disabled vehicle should be towed in the forward direction only.
WARNING
Never allow a vehicle to be towed without a driver behind the wheel of the disabled vehicle.
Never remove the key from the ignition while the vehicle is moving. The steering wheel could lock, making it
impossible to steer the vehicle.
When the engine is not running, steering resistance and the effort needed to apply the brakes will be great.
Never attempt to tow a vehicle with a dead battery at night.
CAUTION
Check with state and local authorities before attempting this type of towing, as vehicles being towed are subject to
regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length and type of towing device, lighting, marker flags, etc.
Never attempt to push- or tow-start a vehicle with a dead battery. This would inject unburned fuel into the three-
way catalytic converter(s), causing overheating, backfiring, and damage. See page 154
for instructions on jump
starting the vehicle
153 06 Starting and driving
Towing
Towing vehicles with front wheel drive
Volvo recommends the use of flat bed equipment for towing vehicles with front wheel drive. If wheel lift equipment
must be used, please use extreme caution to help avoid damage to the vehicle.
In this case, the vehicle should be towed with the rear wheels on the ground if at all possible.
If it is absolutely necessary to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on the ground, please refer to the towing
information on the previous page.
Sling-type equipment applied at the front will damage radiator and air conditioning lines.
It is equally important not to use sling -type equipment at the rear or apply lifting equipment inside the rear wheels;
serious damage to the rear axle may result.
If the vehicle is being towed on a flat bed truck, the towing eyelets must not be used to secure the vehicle on the flat
bed. Consult the tow truck operator.
WARNING
Remember that the power brakes and power steering will not function when engine is not running. The braking
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1. Remove the cotter pin (C) from the locking bolt and slide the locking bolt (B) out of the ball holder (A)/hitch
assembly (D).
2. Pull the ball holder (A) out of the hitch assembly (D).
NOTE
A cover for the hitch assembly is also included in the kit.
158 06 Starting and driving
Transporting loads
Loading the vehicle
Your vehicle's load-carrying capacity is affected by factors such as:
the number of passengers
tire inflation
the amount of optional or accessory equipment installed
the amount of cargo
See the chapter "Wheels and tires" for more detailed information.
Before loading the car, turn off the engine, and apply the parking brake when loading or unloading long objects. The
gear selector can be inadvertently knocked out of position by long cargo, causing the car to move.
Keep the following in mind when loading the vehicle:
Load the cargo in the cargo area against the rear seat backrest.
Load heavy cargo as low as possible.
Center wide loads.
Secure all cargo with restraining straps anchored to the load securing eyelets.
Cover sharp edges on the load.
WARNING
Remember that an object weighing 44 lbs (20 kg) produces a force of 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg) in a head-on collision
at 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h)!
When the rear backrest(s) are folded down, the vehicle should not be loaded to a level higher than 2 in. (5 cm)
below the upper edge of the rear side windows. Objects placed higher than this level could impede the function of
the Volvo Inflatable Curtain.
159 06 Starting and driving
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)-option
Introduction
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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 car 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.
181 07 Wheels and tires
Wheel nuts
Wheel nuts
There are two different types of wheel nut, depending on whether the wheels are steel or aluminum.
Steel rims - low nut
Steel rims are normally secured using the low type of nut, although steel rims may also use the high type.
WARNING
Never use the short type of nut for aluminium wheels. This could cause the wheel to come loose.
Aluminum wheels - high nut
Only the high type of nut can be used for aluminum wheels. This is considerably different from other types of nut
because it has a rotating conical thrust washer.
NOTE
This nut can also be used on steel wheels.
Lockable wheel nut
If steel wheels with lockable wheel nuts are used in combination with wheel covers, the lockable wheel nut must be
fitted to the stud nearest the air valve. The wheel cover cannot otherwise be installed on the wheel.
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183 07 Wheels and tires
Temporary spare
Temporary spare (option)
The spare tire in your car is called a "Temporary Spare".
Recommended tire pressure (see the placard on the B-pillar) should be maintained irrespective of which position on
the car 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.
Location of the optional spare wheel and tools
The spare wheel is packed in a storage bag and is located under the panel in the floor of the trunk.
On cars with a spare wheel, the jack and lug wrench are secured in a foam plastic block placed in the center of the
wheel.
CAUTION
The car 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.
The retaining straps securing the spare wheel is attached to two eyelets in the floor of the spare wheel's storage
compartment.
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.
184 07 Wheels and tires
Changing a wheel
Changing a wheel
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Temporarily repairing a flat tire is done in two stages:
Stage 1: The hole is sealed by pumping sealing compound into the tire. The car is then driven a short distance to
distribute the sealing compound in the tire.
NOTE
Do not remove any foreign objects (nails, etc.) from the tire before using the sealing system.
NOTE
Stage 2: The tire's inflation pressure is checked and adjusted if necessary.
WARNING
Never leave the tire sealing system unattended when it is operating.
Keep the tire sealing system away from children.
Be sure the vehicle is parked safely off the road and away from moving traffic.
Apply the parking brake.
Stage 1: Sealing the hole
1. Open the cover on the tire sealing kit.
2. Peel off the speed limit sticker and affix it to the steering wheel hub where it will be clearly visible to the driver.
3. Ensure that the on/off switch is in position 0 (the 0 side of the switch should be pressed down).
4. Put on the gloves included in the tire sealing system.
5. Unscrew the orange cover over the bottle holder and unscrew the cap on the bottle of sealing compound.
NOTE
Do not break the seal on the bottle. This occurs automatically when the bottle is screwed into the holder.
6. Screw the bottle into the bottle holder.
WARNING
The bottle is equipped with a catch to keep it securely in place and help prevent sealing compound leakage. Once in
place, the bottle cannot be unscrewed. This must be done by a Volvo retailer.
7. Remove the valve cap from the tire's inflation valve and screw the tire sealing system's hose connector onto the
valve as tightly as possible by hand.
8. Connect the electrical wire to the nearest 12-volt socket in the vehicle.
190 07 Wheels and tires
Tire sealing system
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NOTE
When washing the car, remember to remove dirt from the drain holes in the doors and sills.
Exterior components
Volvo recommends the use of special cleaning products, available at your Volvo retailer, for cleaning colored plastic,
rubber, or ornamental components such as chromed strips on the exterior of your vehicle. The instructions for using
these products should be followed carefully. Solvents or stain removers should not be used.
CAUTION
Avoid waxing or polishing plastic or rubber components
Polishing chromed strips can wear away or damage the surface
Polishes containing abrasive substances should not be used
CAUTION
During high pressure washing, the spray mouthpiece must never be closer to the vehicle than 13" (30 cm). Do not
spray into the locks.
Dirt, snow, etc., on the headlights can reduce lighting capacity considerably. Clean the headlights regularly, for
example when refueling.
When washing or steam cleaning the engine, avoid spraying water or steam directly on the electrical components
or toward the rear side of the engine.
Chromed wheels : Clean chrome-plated wheels using the same detergents used for the body of the vehicle.
Aggressive wheel-cleaning agents can permanently stain chrome-plated wheels.
197 08 Car care
Washing and cleaning the vehicle
Automatic washing - simple and quick
We do NOT recommend washing your car in an automatic wash during the first six months (because the paint will not
have hardened sufficiently).
An automatic wash is a simple and quick way to clean your car, but it is worth remembering that it may not be as
thorough as when you yourself go over the car with sponge and water.
Keeping the underbody clean is most important, especially in the winter. Some automatic washers do not have
facilities for washing the underbody.
CAUTION
Before driving into an automatic car wash, turn off the optional rain sensor to avoid damaging the windshield
wipers.
Make sure that side view mirrors, auxiliary lamps, etc, are secure, and that any antenna(s) are retracted or removed.
Otherwise there is risk of the machine dislodging them.
WARNING
When the car is driven immediately after being washed, apply the brakes several times in order to remove any
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1. Fold out the wiper arm.
2. Press the button on the wiper blade attachment and pull straight out (1), parallel with the wiper arm.
3. Press a new wiper blade (2) until it clicks into place.
4. Ensure the blade is securely attached (3).
5. Fold in the wiper arm.
NOTE
The wiper blades are different lengths. The blade on the driver's side is longer than the one on the passenger's side.
Keeping the windshield and wiper blades clean helps improve visibility and prolongs the service life of the wiper
blades. See page 196
for washing instructions.
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