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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WARNING
Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor should safety chains be attached to the bumper.
Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle's rear axle must not be used.
Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to the vehicle brake system, nor a trailer's lighting system
directly to the vehicle lighting system. Consult your nearest trained and qualified Volvo service technician for correct
installation.
When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety wire must be correctly fastened to the hole or hook provided in the
trailer hitch on the vehicle. The safety wire should never be fastened to or wound around the drawbar ball.
155 06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
NOTE
When parking the vehicle with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking brake before putting the gear selector in Park
( P ) or in reverse on models with a manual transmission. Always follow the trailer manufacturer's recommendations
for wheel chocking.
If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift positions while towing a trailer, or if the vehicle is equipped with a
manual transmission, make sure the gear you select does not put too much strain on the engine (using too high a
gear).
The drawbar assembly/trailer hitch may be rated for trailers heavier than the vehicle is designed to tow. Please
adhere to Volvo's recommended trailer weights.
Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines exceeding 15%.
156 06 Starting and driving
Detachable trailer hitch
Installing the ball holder
1. If necessary, remove the cotter pin from the locking bolt and slide the locking bolt out of the hitch assembly.
2. Slide the ball holder into the hitch assembly.
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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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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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1Tires of this type may not be mounted on vehicles equipped with the optional self- leveling system.
Load ratings
The load ratings in the tables above translate as follows:
91 = 1365 lbs (615 kg), 93 = 1433 lbs (650 kg), 99 = 1709 lbs (755 kg)
Speed ratings
The speed ratings in the tables translate as follows:
M = 81 mph (130 km/h), V= 149 mph (240 km/h), W= 168 mph (270 km/h)
See also page 174
for an explanation of the designations on the sidewall of the tire.
173 07 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation
Tire inflation pressure tables - Canadian 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.
1Optional pressure may not be used for homologation of fuel consumption or emissions.
2Tires of this type may not be mounted on vehicles equipped with the optional self- leveling system.
174 07 Wheels and tires
Tire designations
Tire designations
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11. Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature grades: See page 179 for more information.
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.
175 07 Wheels and tires
Tire designations
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
176 07 Wheels and tires
Glossary of tire terminology
Glossary of 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
capability.
kPa : Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pressure.
PSI: Pounds per square inch, a standard unit of air pressure.
B-pillar : The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the front door.
Bead area of the tire : Area of the tire next to the rim.
Sidewall of the tire: Area between the bead area and the tread.
Tread area of the tire : Area of the perimeter of the tire that contacts the road when mounted on the vehicle.
Rim: The metal support (wheel) for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upon which the tire beads are seated.
Maximum load rating : a figure indicating the maximum load in pounds and kilograms that can be carried by the
tire. This rating is established by the tire manufacturer.
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.
Recommended tire inflation pressure : inflation pressure, established by Volvo, which is based on the type of tires
that are mounted on a vehicle at the factory. This inflation pressure is affected by the number of occupants in the car,
the amount of cargo, and the speed at which the vehicle will be driven for a prolonged period. This information can be
found on the tire inflation placard(s) located on the driver's side B-pillar or on the inside of the fuel filler door on
Canadian models, and in the tire inflation table in this chapter.
Cold tires : The tires are considered to be cold when they have the same temperature as the surrounding (ambient)
air. This temperature is normally reached after the car has been parked for at least 3 hours.
177 07 Wheels and tires
Vehicle loading
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NOTE
A total of 30 stations can be stored; 10 stations each in AM, FM1 and FM2.
Automatically storing a station
Pressing AUTO (7) automatically searches for and stores up to ten strong AM or FM stations in a separate memory. If
more than ten stations are found, the ten strongest ones are stored. This function is especially useful in areas in which
you are not familiar with radio stations or their frequencies.
To use the AUTO function:
1. Select a waveband using the AM/FM button (1).
2. Start the search by pressing AUTO until AUTO STORING appears in the display.
When the search is completed, AUTO STORING will no longer be displayed. If there are no stations with sufficient
signal strength, NO AST FOUND is displayed.
The auto-stored stations can be selected using the preset buttons (2).
Press EXIT (6) to terminate the automatic storing function.
When the radio is in auto-store mode, AUTO is shown in the display. AUTO disappears when you return to normal
radio mode, which can be done by briefly pressing AM/FM (1), EXIT (6), or AUTO (7).
236 10 Audio
Radio functions
To return to the Auto-store mode, press the AUTO button briefly and select a stored station by pressing one of the
preset buttons (2).
Saving auto-stored stations in the preset memory
An auto-stored station can be saved in the memory for manually preset stations.
1. Press AUTO (7) briefly.
2. Auto is displayed.
3. Press one of the preset buttons (2) under which the station is to be stored. Hold down the button until STATION
STORED is displayed.
The radio will then exit auto-store mode and the stored station can be selected by pressing the preset button.
Scanning
SCAN (4) automatically searches through the selected waveband for strong AM or FM stations. When the radio finds a
station, that station will be played for approximately 8 seconds, after which scanning resumes.
Activating/deactivating SCAN
1. Select radio mode using the AM/FM button (2).
2. Press SCAN to activate the function. SCAN is shown in the display.
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Ensure that INSERT DISC is displayed before inserting a disc.
If a CD position in the changer containing a disc is selected, and the audio system is in CD mode when it is
switched on, the CD will play automatically.
CD eject
Eject from Single CD player
Press the eject button (3) to eject the disc.
Eject from 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.
242 10 Audio
CD player/CD changer (option)
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.
CD Pause
When the audio system volume is turned off completely, the CD player will pause and will resume playing when the
volume is turned up again.
Audio files
In addition to playing normal music CDs, the CD player/changer can also play discs containing files in mp3 or wma
format.
NOTE
Certain discs that are copy protected cannot be read by the player.
When a disc with audio files is inserted in the player, the player scans the disc's folders before it begins playing the
files. The length of time that this takes depends on the quality of the disc.
Navigating the disc and playing tracks
If a disc with audio files is in the CD player, press ENTER to display a list of folders on the disc. Use the up and
down arrows in the navigation control (see the illustration on page 241
) to move among the folders on the disc. Audio
files have
the symbol and folders containing these files have the symbol. Press ENTER to play a selected
folder or a file.
When the music file has been played, the player will continue to play the rest of the files in the current folder. When
all of the files in the folder have been played, the player will automatically go to the next folder and play the files in it.
Press the left or right arrow key on the navigation control if the entire name of the current track does not fit in the
display.
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