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.
180 07 Wheels and tires
Snow chains, snow tires, studded tires
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.
CAUTION
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.
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182 07 Wheels and tires
Tire rotation
Summer and winter tires
When switching between summer and winter tires, mark the tires to indicate where they were mounted on the car,
e.g. LF = left front, RR = right rear
Tires with tread designed to roll in only one direction are marked with an arrow on the sidewall.
Incorrectly mounted tires impair the car's braking properties and ability to force aside rain, snow and slush.
The tires with the most tread should always be at the rear (to reduce the risk of skidding).
Contact a Volvo workshop if you are unsure about the tread depth.
Tire rotation
Your vehicle has no recommended tire rotation. The following information is intended to help you understand why.
Tread set
As a tire ages and the rubber cures, front and rear tires set at different angles. Therefore, if tires are rotated, the tread
will eventually set at an angle that is a compromise. Even if ride, handling, and road noise may still seem acceptable,
they may not be optimal. Further, tires that are rotated, but not on a regular basis, may actually cause more tire noise,
faster tire wear, and unpleasant changes in steering feel and vehicle handling.
A tire that can fully adapt to its position will provide better steering feel, lower tire noise, and better fuel economy.
Braking stability performance
Your vehicle is driven mainly by the front tires, which will wear faster. This can be beneficial. Having more tread on
the rear tires will help reduce oversteer. Oversteer is when a vehicle wants to keep turning because of momentum and
dynamic forces on its suspension.
Suspension wear diagnostics
Every suspension needs periodic inspection and maintenance. A tire's wear pattern can be an aid in detecting a
suspension problem. Each tire, if left in place, tells a story about the suspension. Tire rotation, on the other hand, could
make suspension wear harder to detect. Early detection is very important, because suspension problems can make tire
wear worse.
If you do rotate your tires...
Please follow the tire manufacturer's recommendations, as outlined in the tire manufacturers tire warranty pamphlet.
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