
2. Pull the lever up slightly, press the button at the end of the lever and lower the lever completely.
WARNING
Pull up the parking brake lever up firmly to its full extent.
69 02 Instruments and controls
12-volt socket
Auxiliary sockets
The 12-volt sockets can be used to plug in certain accessories such as cellular telephones, etc. The key must be in
position I (or higher) for the auxiliary socket to function.
NOTE
The cover should be folded down when the auxiliary socket is not in use.
Cigarette lighter/ashtrays
The auxiliary sockets can also be used for cigarette lighters, which are available at your Volvo retailer.
Volvo vehicles in North America do not have an ashtray in the front seat as standard equipment. If you want to have an
ashtray in the front seat, please contact your Volvo retailer.
70 02 Instruments and controls
Power windows
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3. Raise/lower seat height: pump the seat up or down.
4. Lumbar support: turn the control for firmer or softer lumbar support.
5. Backrest tilt: turn the control to adjust the angle of the backrest.
6. Control panel for optional power seat (see page 94
for more information).
WARNING
Do not adjust the seat while driving. The seat should be adjusted so that the brake pedal can be depressed fully. In
addition, position the seat as far rearward as comfort and control allow.
Check that the seat is securely locked into position after adjusting.
93 04 Interior
Front seats
Folding the backrests in the front seat
The front passenger seat backrest can be folded to a horizontal position to make room for a long load. Fold the
backrest as follows:
Move the seat as far back as possible.
Adjust the backrest to the upright position.
Lift the catches on the rear of the backrest.
Without releasing the catches, push the backrest forward.
Move the seat as far forward as possible so that the head restraint slides under the glove compartment.
WARNING
Cover sharp edges on the load to help prevent injury to occupants. Secure the load to help prevent shifting during
sudden stops.
94 04 Interior
Front seats
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The position of the seat is now stored in the remote control.
Automatic seat adjustment
To move the seat to the position in which you left it:
1. Unlock the driver's door with the same remote control (the one used to lock the doors)
95 04 Interior
Front seats
2. Open the driver's door within 2 minutes.
The driver's seat will automatically move to the position in which you left it.
NOTE
The seat will move to this position even if someone else has moved it to a different seating position and locked the
vehicle with a different remote control.
This feature will work in the same way with all of the remote control transmitters (up to 3) that you use with your
vehicle.
This feature will not function if you lock your vehicle with the key.
WARNING
Because the driver's seat can be adjusted with the ignition off, children should never be left unattended in the
vehicle.
Movement of the seat can be STOPPED at any time by pressing any button on the power seat control panel.
Do not adjust the seat while driving. The seat should be adjusted so that the brake pedal can be depressed fully. In
addition, position the seat as far rearward as comfort and control allow.
The seat rails on the floor must not be obstructed in any way when the seat is in motion.
Programming the memory (option)
Three different seating and door mirror positions can be stored in the driver seat's memory.
The following example explains how button 1 can be programmed. Buttons 2 and 3 can be programmed in the same
way.
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Both rear seat backrests can be folded down, together or individually to enable you to transport long objects.
Fold the rear seat backrests as follows:
1. Check first that the head restraint is folded down.
2. Pull the handle in the cargo compartment as shown in the illustration.
3. Fold the backrest down.
WARNING
Keep vehicle doors and the luggage compartment locked and keep keys out of a child's reach. Unsupervised children
could lock themselves in an open trunk and risk injury. Children should be taught not to play in vehicles.
On hot days, the temperature in the trunk or vehicle interior can rise very quickly. Exposure of people to these high
temperatures for even a short period of time can cause heat-related injury or death. Small children are particularly at
risk.
WARNING
When the backrest is returned to the upright position, check that it is properly locked in place. Return the head
restraints to the upright position.
Long loads should always be securely anchored to help avoid injury in the event of a sudden stop.
Always turn the engine off and apply the parking brake when loading/unloading the vehicle.
Place the transmission in the P position (automatic transmission) to help prevent inadvertent movement of the gear
selector.
The vehicle features a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat. This function is performed by handles inside the trunk, and
also provides a means for children and adults to enter the passenger compartment in the event they become locked
inside the trunk.
Adults are advised to familiarize themselves with the operation and location of the release handles.
To fold down the rear seats from inside the trunk, pull the release control handles located on either side of the
trunk.
104 04 Interior
Rear seat and trunk
Carrying long loads (ski hatch)
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2 0 0 8
VOLVO S60
120 06 Starting and driving
General information 122
Fuel requirements124
Refueling125
Starting the vehicle127
Economical driving129
Handling and road holding130
Manual transmission131
Automatic transmission (option)132
All Wheel Drive (option)136
Brake system137
Stability system139
Towing141
Jump starting143
Towing a trailer144
Detachable trailer hitch146
Load carriers (accessory)147
Cold weather precautions149
Before a long distance trip150
Front/rear park assist (option/accessory)151
121 06 Starting and driving
122 06 Starting and driving
General information
Engine oil
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Before starting, check that the seat, steering wheel and mirrors are adjusted properly. Make sure the brake pedal can
be depressed completely. Adjust the seat if necessary. See pages 92 and 94
.
2. Apply the parking brake (hand brake) if not already set. The gear selector (automatic transmission) is locked in the
( P )ark position ( SHIFTLOCK ). Manual transmission: the clutch must be fully depressed.
3. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key
1 to the starting position. Allow the starter to operate for
up to 10 seconds. Release the key as soon as the engine starts. If the engine fails to start, repeat this step.
1If two of the keys to your vehicle are close together, e.g. on the same key ring, when you try to start the vehicle, this could cause interference in
the immobilizer system and result in the vehicle not starting. If this should occur, remove one of the keys from the key ring before trying to start
the vehicle again.
NOTE
If the key blade section of the remote is not fully folded out when starting the vehicle, the immobilizer function
may make it impossible to start the engine.
After a cold start, idle speed may be noticeably higher than normal for a short period. This is done to help bring
components in the emission control system to their normal operating temperature as quickly as possible, which
enables them to control emissions and help reduce the vehicle's impact on the environment.
To release the gear selector from the P position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in
position II) and the brake pedal must be depressed.
Select the desired gear. The gear engages after a very slight delay which is especially noticeable when selecting R.
NOTE
Your vehicle is equipped with a KEYLOCK system (automatic transmission). When the engine is switched off, the
gear selector must be in the P position before the key can be removed from the ignition switch.
When starting in cold weather, the transmission may shift up at slightly higher engine speeds than normal until the
automatic transmission fluid reaches normal operating temperature.
WARNING
An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pedal to catch. Check that the movement of the
accelerator pedal is not impeded. No more than one protective floor covering may be used at one time.
WARNING
Always place the gear selector in Park or in reverse on models with a manual transmission, and apply the parking
brake before leaving the vehicle. Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running.
Always open garage doors fully before starting the engine inside a garage to ensure adequate ventilation. The exhaust
gases contain carbon monoxide, which is invisible and odorless but very poisonous
128 06 Starting and driving
Starting the vehicle
CAUTION
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Never switch off the ignition (turn the ignition key to position 0) or remove the key from the ignition switch while
the vehicle is in motion. This could cause the steering wheel to lock, which would make the vehicle impossible to
steer.
129 06 Starting and driving
Economical driving
Economical driving conserves natural resources
Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts and stops and adjusting the speed of
your vehicle to immediate traffic conditions. Observe the following rules:
Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by driving with a light foot on the accelerator
pedal for the first few minutes of operation. A cold engine uses more fuel and is subject to increased wear.
Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle for driving short distances. This does not allow the engine to reach
normal operating temperature.
Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
Do not exceed posted speed limits.
Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the vehicle.
Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc, increase air resistance and also fuel consumption.
Avoid using automatic transmission kickdown feature unless necessary.
However, at higher driving speeds, fuel consumption will be lower with the air conditioning on and the windows
closed than with the air conditioning off and the windows open.
Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you learn how to drive more economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:
Dirty air cleaner
Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
Dragging brakes
Incorrect front end alignment. Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard
Maintenance Service intervals.
NOTE
Vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions should use (D)rive as often as possible and avoid using "kickdown"
to help improve fuel economy.
CAUTION
Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.e. flooded roadways, etc.). Damage to the engine could
result if excess water is drawn in through the air intake system. Never drive the vehicle in water deeper than 1 foot
(300 mm).
130 06 Starting and driving
Handling and road holding
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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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