2008 VOLVO S60 ECO mode

Weight distribution affects handling
At the specified curb weight your vehicle has a tendency to understeer, which means that the steering wheel has to be
turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvature of a bend.
This ensures good stability and reduces the risk of rear wheel skid. Remember that these properties can alter with the
vehicle load.
The heavier the load in the trunk (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg), the less the tendency to understeer.
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle handling. Therefore, check that the tires are inflated to
the recommended pressure according to the vehicle load. See "Tire pressure" section.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity weight or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded.
Speed-sensitive power steering (Option on certain models)
With this feature, the steering is most responsive at lower speeds to make parking, driving in city traffic, etc., easier.
The effect of the power steering diminishes as you accelerate for greater stability at highway speeds.
Driving through water
The vehicle can be driven through water up to a depth of approximately 9 in. (25 cm), at a maximum speed of 6 mph
(10 km/h).
Take particular care when driving through flowing water.
Clean the electrical connections for trailer wiring after driving in mud or water.
When driving through water, maintain low speed and do not stop in the water.
WARNING
After driving through water, press lightly on the brake pedal to ensure that the brakes are functioning normally.
Water or mud can make the brake linings slippery, resulting in delayed braking effect.
CAUTION
Engine damage will occur if water is drawn into the air cleaner.
If the vehicle is driven through water deeper than 9 in (25 cm), water may enter the differential and the
transmission. This reduces the oil's lubricating capacity and may shorten the service life of these components.
Do not allow the vehicle to stand in water up to the door sills longer than absolutely necessary. This could result
in electrical malfunctions.
If the engine has been stopped while the car is in water, do not attempt to restart the engine. Have the car towed
out of the water.
131 06 Starting and driving
Manual transmission
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6-speed manual transmission (option on certain models)
Depress the clutch pedal completely when changing gears1.
Remove your foot from the clutch pedal while driving. The shift pattern should be followed.
Fifth and sixth gears should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy.
1Clutch interlock
The clutch must be fully depressed before you can start your vehicle. If the clutch is not depressed, it will not be possible to start the engine.
WARNING
An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pedal and/or the clutch pedal to catch. Check that the
movement of these pedals is not impeded. Not more than one protective floor covering may be used at one time.
Engaging reverse gear
Never engage R while the vehicle is moving.
CAUTION
Be careful to avoid inadvertently engaging reverse while moving forward.
132 06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission (option)
P (Park)
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Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. The vehicle
should not be moving when shifting from R to the D position.
Shift gate positions
You can move the gear selector freely between the MAN and D positions while driving.
Depress the button on the front of the gear selector knob to move between the R, N, D, and P positions.
135 06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission (option)
Manual shifting
You can move the gear selector freely between the MAN and D positions to select forward gears while driving. Gears
3, 4, 5, and 6 (where applicable) have a "lock -up" function which reduces engine speed and helps save fuel.
NOTE
Reverse, Neutral, and Park cannot be selected in Geartronic mode.
The currently selected gear will be displayed in the instrument panel (see page 48
).
To access the MAN shifting position from D , move the gear selector to the left to MAN .
To return to the D position from MAN , move the gear selector to the right.
While driving
If you select the MAN position while driving, the gear that was being used in the D position will also initially be
selected in MAN position.
Move the gear selector forward (toward "+") to shift to a higher gear or rearward (toward "-") to shift to a lower
gear.
If you hold the gear selector toward "-", the transmission will downshift one gear and will utilize the braking power
of the engine. If the current speed is too high for using a lower gear, the downshift will not occur until the speed has
decreased enough to allow the lower gear to be used.
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If you slow down to a very low speed, the transmission will automatically shift down.
When starting in the MAN position, 3rd gear is the highest gear that may be selected.
NOTE
Kickdown does not function when the transmission is in the manual shift (Geartronic) mode.The gear selector must
be in the D position.
Kickdown
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An
upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway speeds.
Kickdown does not function when the transmission is in the manual shift (Geartronic) mode.
W - Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction
Please refer to the information on page 133
.
136 06 Starting and driving
All Wheel Drive (option)
All Wheel Drive (AWD) - general information
Your Volvo can be equipped with permanent All Wheel Drive, which means that power is distributed automatically
between the front and rear wheels. Under normal driving conditions, most engine's power is directed to the front
wheels. However, if there is any tendency for the front wheels to spin, an electronically controlled coupling distributes
power to the wheels that have the best traction.
Tire dimensions
Volvo recommends that you always drive on tires of the same brand, size, construction (radial), tread pattern, load-,
speed-, traction- , temperature-, and treadwear rating. Never drive on mixed tires, except for brief periods when the
temporary spare tire is in use.
Always use properly inflated tires of correct dimensions. Tire size and inflation pressures are shown on the tire
inflation pressure placards, located on the driver's side 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.
Temporary Spare
The temporary spare tire is for temporary, low-speed, short-distance use only. Replace it with a full-sized tire as soon
as possible. Do not drive on the temporary spare at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h) or for distances greater than 50
miles (80 km).
Never install snow chains on a temporary spare.
137 06 Starting and driving
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Follow these instructions to jump start your vehicle's dead battery or to jump start another vehicle's dead battery using
your vehicle. Although your vehicle's battery is located under the floor of the trunk, jumper cables should be
connected in the engine compartment, to the points shown in the illustrations.
If the 12-volt auxiliary battery to be used is in another vehicle, check that the vehicles are not touching to prevent
premature completion of a circuit. Be sure to follow jump starting instructions provided for the other vehicle.
To jump start your vehicle:
1. Switch off the ignition.
2. First connect the auxiliary battery positive (+) terminal (1) to the positive (+) terminal in your vehicle's engine
compartment (2), located under a small black plastic cover attached to the fuse box cover, marked with a "+" sign.
Remove the cover on the main fuse box if necessary to access this terminal. Then connect the auxiliary battery's
negative (-) terminal (3) to the ground point in your vehicle's engine compartment (4).
3. Start the engine in the assisting vehicle, then start the engine in the vehicle with dead battery.
4. After the engine has started, first remove the negative (-) terminal jumper cable. Then remove the positive (+)
terminal jumper cable.
WARNING
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the state of
California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
WARNING
Do not connect the jumper cable to any part of the fuel system or to any moving parts. Avoid touching hot
manifolds.
Never expose the battery to open flame or electric spark.
Do not smoke near the battery.
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.
Failure to follow the instructions for jump starting can lead to personal injury.
144 06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches that are specially designed for the vehicle.
Maximum trailer weight recommended by Volvo is:
Trailers without brakes: 1650 lbs (750 kg)
Trailers with brakes:
2" (50 mm) ball - 3300 lbs* (1500 kg), 1 7/8" (47 mm) ball - 2000 lbs (900 kg). Observe the legal requirements of the
state/province in which the vehicles are
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:
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well as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine is warming up. For winter use, 5W - 30 oil, particularly the
synthetic type1, is recommended. Be sure to use good quality oil but do not use cold-weather oil for hard driving or in
warm weather. See section "Engine oil" for more information.
The load placed on the battery is greater during the winter since the windshield wipers, lighting, etc. are used more
often. Moreover, the capacity of the battery decreases as the temperature drops. In very cold weather, a poorly charged
battery can freeze and be damaged. It is therefore advisable to check the state of charge more frequently and spray an
antirust oil on the battery posts.
Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter driving - see section "Wheels and tires."
To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents containing antifreeze (see page 195 for
the location of the washer fluid reservoir). This is important since dirt is often splashed on the windshield during
winter driving, requiring the frequent use of the washers and wipers. Volvo Washer Solvent should be diluted as
follows:
- Down to 14° F (-10° C): 1 part washer solvent and 4 parts water
- Down to 5° F (-15° C): 1 part washer solvent and 3 parts water
- Down to 0° F (-18° C): 1 part washer solvent and 2 parts water
- Down to -18° F (-28° C): 1 part washer solvent and 1 part water
Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
1Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintenance service intervals.
NOTE
Avoid the use of de -icing sprays as they can cause damage to the locks.
W - Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction (automatic transmission)
Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the D position.
Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage this driving mode.
An LED in the button will light up to indicate that W is engaged and this will also be displayed in the instrument
panel (see page 48
).
This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.
150 06 Starting and driving
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked by a trained and qualified Volvo service technician before
driving long distances. Your retailer or service technician will also be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark plugs
and wiper blades for your use in the event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be checked before any long trip:
Check that engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.
Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage.
Check transmission oil level1.
Check condition of drive belts.
Check state of the battery's charge.
Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and replace those that are worn. Check tire pressures.
The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be checked by a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician only.
Check all lights, including high beams.
Reflective warning triangles are legal requirement in some countries.
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Checking tire pressure
A certain amount of air seepage from the tires occurs naturally and tire pressure fluctuates with seasonal changes in
temperature. Always check tire pressure regularly.
Cold tires
Inflation pressure should be checked when the tires are cold.
159 07 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation
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 vehicle 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.
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 tables on pages 160
and 161, or see the inflation pressure placard.
160 07 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure table - 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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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 164
for an explanation of the designations on the sidewall of the tire.
161 07 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure table - 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.
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