2008 VOLVO S40 tires

Do not connect the jumper cable to any part of the fuel system or to any moving parts. Avoid touching hot
manifolds.
Batteries generate hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin, fabrics or painted surfaces. If
contact occurs, flush the affected area immediately with water. Obtain medical help immediately if eyes are affected.
Never expose the battery to open flame or electric spark.
Do not smoke near the battery.
Failure to follow the instructions for jump starting can lead to personal injury.
Do not touch the jumper cables during the attempt to start the vehicle. This could cause sparks.
154 06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
General information
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches that are specially designed for the vehicle.
CAUTION
Models equipped with the B5244S7 engine (engine code 39, which is the 6th and 7th digits from the left in your
vehicle's VIN number, see page 249
for the location of the VIN plate), may not be used to tow trailers or vehicles of
any kind. This could cause damage to the vehicle's emission control systems.
Maximum trailer weights recommended by Volvo are:
Trailers without brakes: 1,540 lbs (700 kg).
Trailers with brakes: 2,000 lbs (900 kg) Observe the legal requirements of the state/province in which the vehicles
are registered.
The maximum recommended hitch tongue load is 165 lbs (75 kg).
All Volvo models are equipped with energy-absorbing shock-mounted bumpers. Trailer hitch installation should not
interfere with the proper operation of this bumper system.
Trailer towing does not normally present any particular problems, but take into consideration:
Increase tire pressure to recommended full. See the chapter "Wheels and tires."
When your vehicle is new, avoid towing heavy trailers during the first 620 miles (1,000 km).
Maximum speed when towing a trailer: 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).
Engine and transmission are subject to increased loads. Therefore, engine coolant temperature should be closely
watched when driving in hot climates or hilly terrain. Use a lower gear and turn off the air conditioner if the
temperature gauge needle enters the red range.
If the automatic transmission begins to overheat, a message will be displayed in the information display.
Avoid overload and other abusive operation.
Hauling a trailer affects handling, durability, and economy.
It is necessary to balance trailer brakes with the towing vehicle brakes to provide a safe stop (check and observe
state/local regulations).
Do not connect the trailer's brake system directly to the vehicle's brake system.
More frequent vehicle maintenance is required.
Remove the ball and drawbar assembly when the hitch is not being used.
Volvo recommends the use of synthetic engine oil when towing a trailer over long distances or in mountainous
areas.
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3. Align the hole in the ball holder with the one in the hitch assembly.
4. Slide the locking bolt through the hitch assembly/ball holder.
5. Insert the cotter pin in the hole at the end of the locking bolt.
Removing the ball holder
1. Remove the cotter pin from the locking bolt and slide the locking bolt out of the ball holder/hitch assembly.
2. Pull the ball holder out of the hitch assembly.
NOTE
A cover for the hitch assembly is also included in the kit.
157 06 Starting and driving
Transporting loads
Loading the car
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.
Seats can be folded down and head restraints removed to extend the cargo compartment. See page 107.
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.
Load carriers (accessory)
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NOTE
Front park assist is disengaged automatically when the parking brake is applied.
If the vehicle is equipped with front and rear park assist, both systems will be deactivated by pressing the button.
Audible signals from the park assist system
The Park Assist system uses an intermittent tone that pulses faster as you come close to an object, and becomes
constant when you are within approximately 1 ft (30 cm) of an object in front of or behind the vehicle. If the volume
of another source from the audio system is high, this will be automatically lowered.
If there are objects within this distance both behind and in front of the vehicle, the signal alternates between front and
rear speakers.
Faults in the system
If the information symbol illuminates and PARK ASSIST SERVICE REQUIRED is shown on the information
display, this indicates that the system is not functioning properly and has been disengaged. Consult a trained and
qualified Volvo service technician.
CAUTION
In certain circumstances, the park assist system may give unexpected warning signals that can be caused by external
sound sources that use the same ultrasound frequencies as the system. This may include such things as the horns of
other vehicles, wet tires on asphalt, pneumatic brakes, motorcycle exhaust pipes, etc. This does not indicate a fault in
the system.
164 06 Starting and driving
Park assist (option/accessory)
Cleaning the sensors
The sensors must be cleaned regularly to ensure that they work properly. Clean them with water and a suitable car
washing detergent.
NOTE
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2 0 0 8
VOLVO S40
166 07 Wheels and tires
General information 168
Tire inflation170
Tire designations174
Glossary of tire terminology176
Vehicle loading177
Uniform tire quality gradings179
Snow chains, snow tires, studded tires180
Temporary spare181
Wheel nuts182
Tire rotation183
Changing a wheel184
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)187
167 07 Wheels and tires
168 07 Wheels and tires
General information
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the vehicle's tire information placard on the B-pillar (the structural
member at the side of the vehicle, at the rear of the driver's door opening), or on the inside of the fuel filler door on
Canadian models.
The tires have good road holding characteristics and offer good handling on dry and wet surfaces. It should be noted
however that the tires have been developed to give these features on snow/ice-free surfaces.
Certain models are equipped with "all-season" tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree of road holding on
slippery surfaces than tires without the "all-season" rating. However, for optimum road holding on icy or snow-
covered roads, we recommend suitable winter tires on all four wheels.
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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 pages 172 and 173
.
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.
169 07 Wheels and tires
General information
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New Tires
Remember that tires are perishable goods. As of 2000, the manufacturing week and year (Department of
Transportation (DOT) stamp) will be indicated with 4 digits (e.g. 1502 means that the tire illustrated was manufactured
during week 15 of 2002).
Tire age
Tires degrade over time, even when they are not being used. It is recommended that tires generally be replaced after 6
years of normal service. Heat caused by hot climates, frequent high loading conditions or Ultra Violet (U.V) exposure
can accelerate the aging process.
You should replace the spare tire when you replace the other road tires due to the aging of the spare.
A tire's age can be determined by the DOT stamp on the sidewall (see the illustration).
A tire with e.g., visible cracks or discoloration should be replaced immediately.
Improving tire economy:
Maintain correct tire pressure. See the tire pressure tables beginning on page 172.
Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard braking and tire screeching.
Tire wear increases with speed.
Correct front wheel alignment is very important.
Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy and driving comfort.
Tires must maintain the same direction of rotation throughout their lifetime.
When replacing tires, the tires with the most tread should be mounted on the rear wheels to reduce the chance of
oversteer during hard braking.
Hitting curbs or potholes can damage the tires and/or wheels permanently.
170 07 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation
Inflation placards
Check tire inflation pressure regularly.
Tables listing the recommended inflation pressure for your vehicle can be found on pages 172 and 173
. A tire inflation
pressure placard is also located on the driver's side Bpillar (the structural member at the side of the vehicle, at the rear
of the driver's door opening). This placard indicates the designation of the factory-mounted tires on your vehicle, as
well as load limits and inflation pressure.
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NOTE
The placards shown indicate inflation pressure for the tires installed on the car at the factory only.
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pressure, including the spare, at least once a month and before long trips.
You are strongly urged to buy a reliable tire pressure gauge, as automatic service station gauges may be inaccurate.
Use the recommended cold inflation pressure for optimum tire performance and wear.
Under-inflation or over-inflation may cause uneven treadwear patterns.
WARNING
Under-inflation is the most common cause of tire failure and may result in severe tire cracking, tread separation,
or "blowout," with unexpected loss of vehicle control and increased risk of injury.
Under-inflated tires reduce the load carrying capacity of your vehicle.
When weather temperature changes occur, tire inflation pressures also change. A 10-degree temperature drop causes a
corresponding drop of 1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure. Check your tire pressures frequently and adjust them to the
proper pressure, which can be found on the vehicle's tire information placard or certification label.
Checking tire pressure
Cold tires
Inflation pressure should be checked when the tires are cold.
The tires are considered to be cold when they have the same temperature as the surrounding (ambient) air.
171 07 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation
This temperature is normally reached after the car has been parked for at least 3 hours.
After driving a distance of approximately 1 mile (1.6 km), the tires are considered to be hot. If you have to drive
farther than this distance to pump your tire(s), check and record the tire pressure first and add the appropriate air
pressure when you get to the pump.
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If checking tire pressure when the tire is hot, never "bleed" or reduce air pressure. The tires are hot from driving and it
is normal for pressures to increase above recommended cold pressures. A hot tire at or below recommended cold
inflation pressure could be significantly under-inflated.
To check inflation pressure:
1. Remove the cap from the valve on one tire, then firmly press the tire gauge onto the valve.
2. Add air to reach the recommended air pressure
3. Replace the valve cap.
4. Repeat this procedure for each tire, including the spare.
5. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other objects embedded that could puncture the tire and
cause an air leak.
6. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or other irregularities.
NOTE
If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve. Then recheck the
pressure with your tire gauge.
Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure than the other tires. Consult the tire inflation table on page
172/173 or see the inflation pressure placard.
Tire pressures recommended by Volvo for your vehicle. Refer to the tire inflation placard for information specific
to the tires installed on your vehicle at the factory.
172 07 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation
Tire inflation pressure tables - U.S. models
The following tire pressures are recommended by Volvo for your vehicle. Refer to the tire inflation placard for
information specific to the tires installed on your vehicle at the factory.
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