Points to keep in mind
Before you operate your vehicle for the first time, please familiarize yourself with the new-engine oil consumption
information on page 209
. You should also be familiar with the information found in the chapters "Instruments and
controls," and "Starting and driving."
Information contained in the balance of the manual is extremely useful and should be read after operating the
vehicle for the first time.
The manual is structured so that it can be used for reference. For this reason, it should be kept in the vehicle for
ready access.
Do not export your Volvo to another country before investigating that country's applicable safety and emission
control requirements. In some cases it may be difficult or impossible to comply with these requirements. Modifications
to the emission control system(s) may render your Volvo not certifiable for legal operation in the U.S., Canada and
other countries.
All information, illustrations and specifications contained in this manual are based on the latest product information
available at the time of publication. Please note that some vehicles may be equipped differently, depending on special
legal requirements. Optional equipment described in this manual may not be available in all markets.
Volvo reserves the right to make model changes at any time, or to change specifications or design without notice
and without incurring obligation.
WARNING
If your vehicle is involved in an accident, unseen damage may affect its drivability and safety.
WARNING
CALIFORNIA proposition 65
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to the
state of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained
in vehicles and certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
7 Introduction
Volvo and the environment
Volvo is committed to the well being of its customers. As a natural part of this commitment, we care about the
environment in which we all live. Caring for the environment means an everyday involvement in reducing our
environmental impact. Volvo's environmental activities are based on a holistic view, which means we consider the
overall environmental impact of a product throughout its complete life cycle. In this context, design, production,
product use, and recycling are all important considerations. In production, Volvo has partly or completely phased out
several chemicals including CFCs, lead chromates, asbestos, and cadmium; and reduced the number of chemicals used
in our plants 50% since 1991.
Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into production a three-way catalytic converter with a Lambda sond, now
called the heated oxygen sensor, in 1976. The current version of this highly efficient system reduces emissions of
harmful substances (CO, HC, NOx) from the exhaust pipe by approximately 95-99% and the search to eliminate the
remaining emissions continues. Volvo is the only automobile manufacturer to offer CFC-free retrofit kits for the air
conditioning system of all models as far back as the 1975 model 240. Advanced electronic engine controls and cleaner
fuels are bringing us closer to our goal. After Volvo vehicles and parts have fulfilled their use, recycling is the next
critical step in completing the life cycle. The metal content is about 75% of the total weight of a vehicle, which makes
the vehicle among the most recycled industrial products. In order to have efficient and well-controlled recycling,
dismantling information is available for all Volvo models. For Volvo, all homogeneous plastic parts weighing more
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During the first minute:
The seat belt reminder function only reacts if the driver has not fastened his/her seat belt.
The indicator light above the mirror and the symbol in the instrument panel will light up and stay lit until the seat
belt has been fastened.
A chime will sound for 6 seconds. The frequency of the chiming increases with the speed of the car.
After one minute has elapsed:
The seat belt reminder reacts if the driver and/or the front seat passenger have not fastened their seat belts.
The indicator light above the mirror and the symbol in the instrument panel will light up and stay lit until the seat
belt(s) have been fastened, or until the remaining 5 minutes of the 6-minute cycle have elapsed.
The chime will sound for 6 seconds, at 30-second intervals. The frequency of the chiming increases with the speed
of the car.
After 6 minutes, the chime will no longer sound and the indicator lights will go out.
Seat belt maintenance
Check periodically that the seat belts are in good condition. Use water and a mild detergent for cleaning. Check seat
belt mechanism function as follows: attach the seat belt and pull rapidly on the strap.
17 01 Safety
Supplemental Restraint System
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
As an enhancement to the three-point seat belts, your Volvo is equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).
Volvo's SRS consists of seat belt pretensioners, front airbags, side impact airbags, the occupant weight sensor, and
inflatable curtains. All of these systems are monitored by the SRS control module. An SRS warning light in the
instrument panel (see the illustration) illuminates when the ignition key is turned to position I, II, or III, and will
normally go out after approximately 7 seconds if no faults are detected in the system.
Where applicable, a text message will also be displayed when the SRS warning light illuminates. If this warning
symbol is not functioning properly, the general warning symbol
illuminates and either SRS AIRBAG SERVICE
URGENT or SRS AIRBAG SERVICE REQUIRED will be displayed.
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WARNING
If the SRS warning light stays on after the engine has started or if it illuminates while you are driving, have the
vehicle inspected by a trained and qualified Volvo service technician as soon as possible.
Never try to repair any component or part of the SRS yourself. Any interference in the system could cause
malfunction and serious injury. All work on these systems should be performed by a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician.
WARNING
If your vehicle has been subjected to flood conditions (e.g. soaked carpeting/standing water on the floor of the
vehicle) or if your vehicle has become flood-damaged in any way, do not attempt to start the vehicle or put the key
in the ignition before disconnecting the battery (see below). This may cause airbag deployment which could result in
personal injury. Have the vehicle towed to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician for repairs.
Automatic transmission:
Before attempting to tow the vehicle, use the following procedure to override the shiftlock system to move the
gear selector to the neutral position:
- Switch off the ignition for at least 10 minutes and disconnect the battery
- Wait at least one minute. - Insert the key in the ignition and turn it to position II.
- Press firmly on the brake pedal.
- Move the gear selector from Park ( P) to the Neutral ( N) position. See page 146
for information on manually
overriding the shiftlock system.
18 01 Safety
Front airbags
The front airbag system
The front airbags supplement the three-point seat belts. For these airbags to provide the protection intended, seat belts
must be worn at all times.
The front airbag system includes gas generators surrounded by the airbags, and deceleration sensors that activate the
gas generators, causing the airbags to be inflated with nitrogen gas.
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page 18).
There should be no loose articles, e.g. coffee cups, on the floor, seat, or dashboard area.
Never try to open the airbag cover on the steering wheel or the passenger's side dashboard. This should only be
done by a trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury to the vehicle occupants.
21 01 Safety
Occupant Weight Sensor
Disabling the passenger's side front airbag
Volvo recommends that ALL occupants (adults and children) shorter than 4 feet 7 inches (140 cm) be seated in the rear
seat of any vehicle with a passenger's side front airbag, and be properly restrained. Children should always be seated
in child restraints appropriate for their size and weight. See also the child safety recommendations beginning on page
30.
The Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS) is designed to meet the regulatory requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard (FMVSS) 208 and is designed to disable (will not inflate) the passenger's side front airbag under certain
conditions.
The OWS works with sensors that are part of the front passenger's seat and seat belt. The sensors are designed to
detect the presence of a properly seated occupant and determine if the passenger's side front airbag should be enabled
(may inflate) or disabled (will not inflate).
The OWS will disable (will not inflate) the passenger's side front airbag when:
the front passenger's seat is unoccupied, or has small/medium objects in the front seat,
the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant seat that is installed according to the
manufacturer's instructions,
the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing child restraint that is installed according to
the manufacturer's instructions,
the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat,
a front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of time,
a child or a small person occupies the front passenger's seat.
The OWS uses a PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp which will illuminate and stay on to remind you that the
passenger's side front airbag is disabled. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is located in the overhead
console, near the base of the rearview mirror.
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If a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger's seat, but the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is
on, it is possible that the person isn't sitting properly in the seat. If this happens:
Turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the seatback in an upright position.
Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person's legs comfortably extended.
Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the system to
detect that person and enable the passenger's frontal airbag.
If the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp remains on even after this, the person should be advised to ride
in the rear seat.
This condition reflects limitations of the OWS classification capability. It does not indicate OWS malfunction.
23 01 Safety
Occupant Weight Sensor
Modifications
If you are considering modifying your vehicle in any way to accommodate a disability, for example by altering or
adapting the driver's or front passenger's seat(s) and/or airbag systems, please contact Volvo at:
In the USA :
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC
Customer Care Center
P.O. Box 914 Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647-0914
1-800-458-1552
In Canada :
Volvo Cars of Canada Corp.
National Customer Service
175 Gordon Baker Road
North York, Ontario M2H 2N7
1-800-663-8255
WARNING
No objects that add to the total weight on the seat should be placed on the front passenger's seat. If a child is
seated in the front passenger's seat with any additional weight, this extra weight could cause the OWS system to
enable the airbag, which might cause it to deploy in the event of a collision, thereby injuring the child.
The seat belt should never be wrapped around an object on the front passenger's seat. This could interfere with the
OWS system's function.
The front passenger's seat belt should never be used in a way that exerts more pressure on the passenger than
normal. This could increase the pressure exerted on the weight sensor by a child, and could result in the airbag being
enabled, which might cause it to deploy in the event of a collision, thereby injuring the child.
WARNING
Keep the following points in mind with respect to the OWS system. Failure to follow these instructions could
adversely affect the system's function and result in serious injury to the occupant of the front passenger's seat:
The full weight of the front seat passenger should always be on the seat cushion. The passenger should never lift
him/herself off the seat cushion using the armrest in the door or the center console, by pressing the feet on the floor,
by sitting on the edge of the seat cushion, or by pressing against the backrest in a way that reduces pressure on the
seat cushion. This could cause OWS to disable the passenger's side front airbag.
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2 0 0 8
VOLVO C70
78 03 Climate
General information 80
Air vents81
Electronic Climate Control (ECC)82
Air distribution86
79 03 Climate
80 03 Climate
General information
Air conditioning - A/C
Your car is equipped with an Electronic Climate Control (ECC).
The air conditioning system can be switched off, but for optimal air quality in the passenger compartment and to
prevent the windows from fogging, the air conditioning should be left on - even in cool weather.
NOTE
In warm weather, a small amount of water may accumulate under the car when it has been parked. This water is
condensation from the A/C system and is normal.
Ice and snow
Always keep the air intake grille at the base of the windshield free of snow.
Fog on the inside of the windows
The defroster function should be used to remove fog or mist from the inside of the windows. Keeping the windows
clean with a commercially available window washing spray will also help prevent fogging or misting.
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Climate control maintenance
Special tools and equipment are required to maintain and carry out repairs on the climate system. Work of this type
should only be done by a trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
Refrigerant
Volvo cares about the environment. The air conditioning system in your car contains a CFC-free refrigerant - R134a.
This substance will not deplete the ozone layer. The system contains 1.2 lbs (530 g) R134a (HFC 134a), and uses PAG
oil.
Passenger compartment filter
Replace the cabin air filter with a new one at the recommended intervals. Please refer to your Warranty and Service
Records Information booklet, or consult a trained and qualified Volvo service technician for these intervals. The filter
should be replaced more often when driving under dirty and dusty conditions. The filter cannot be cleaned and
therefore should always be replaced with a new one.
NOTE
There are different types of cabin air filters. Ensure that the correct type is installed.
Display
The display above the climate control panel shows the climate settings that have been made.
Personal settings
There are two functions in the climate system that can be set to your preferences:
Blower speed to Auto mode (models with ECC only).
Timer controlled recirculation of the air in the passenger compartment.
For information about how to make these settings, see the Personal settings section on page 71
.
81 03 Climate
Air vents
Air vents in the dashboard
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8. Heated front passenger's seat
9. Rear window and door mirror defrosters
10. Temperature selector
NOTE
The sunlight sensor on the upper side of the dashboard and the passenger compartment temperature sensor, located
behind the climate system control panel, should not be obstructed.
The air conditioning system is temporarily switched off during full throttle acceleration.
ECC functions
1. Auto - On/Off
The AUTO function automatically regulates climate control to maintain the desired temperature. The automatic
function controls heating, air conditioning, blower speed, recirculation, and air distribution.
If you select one or more manual functions, the remaining functions continue to be controlled automatically. All
manual settings are
83 03 Climate
Electronic Climate Control (ECC)
switched off when AUTO is switched on. AUTO CLIMATE is shown in the display.
2. Blower speed
The blower speed can be increased or decreased by turning the knob. The blower speed is regulated automatically if
AUTO is selected. The previously set blower speed is disconnected.
NOTE
If the knob is turned counterclockwise and the blower indication in the display goes out, the blower and the air
conditioning are switched off. The display shows the blower symbol and OFF.
3. Recirculation
This function can be used to shut out exhaust fumes, smoke, etc from the passenger compartment. The air in the
passenger compartment is then recirculated, i.e. no air from outside the car is taken into the car when this function is
activated.
If the air in the car recirculates for too long, there is a risk of condensation forming on the insides of the windows,
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