the vehicle among the most recycled industrial products. In order to have efficient and well-controlled recycling,
dismantling information is available for all Volvo models. For Volvo, all homogeneous plastic parts weighing more
than 3.4 oz. (100 grams) are marked with international symbols that indicate how the component is to be sorted for
recycling. In addition to continuous environmental refinement of conventional gasoline-powered internal combustion
engines, Volvo is actively looking at advanced technology alternative-fuel vehicles.
When you drive a Volvo, you become our partner in the work to lessen the car's impact on the environment. To reduce
your vehicle's environmental impact, you can:
Maintain proper air pressure in your tires. Tests have shown decreased fuel economy with improperly inflated tires.
Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your Warranty and Service Records Information booklet.
Drive at a constant speed whenever possible.
See a trained and qualified Volvo service technician as soon as possible for inspection if the check engine
(malfunction indicator) light illuminates, or stays on after the vehicle has started.
Properly dispose of any vehicle-related waste such as used motor oil, used batteries, brake pads, etc.
When cleaning your vehicle, please use genuine Volvo car care products. All Volvo car care products are
formulated to be environmentally friendly.
For additional information regarding the environmental activities in which Volvo Cars of North America, LLC and
Volvo Car Corporation
8 Introduction
Volvo and the environment
are involved, visit our Internet home page at: http://www.volvocars.us.
WARNING
Certain components of this vehicle such as air bag modules, seat belt pretensioners, adaptive steering columns, and
button cell batteries may contain Perchlorate material. Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life
disposal. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
.
9 Introduction
Important warnings
Accessory Installation
We strongly recommend that Volvo owners install only genuine, Volvo-approved accessories, and that accessory
installations be performed only by a trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
Genuine Volvo accessories are tested to ensure compatibility with the performance, safety, and emission systems in
your vehicle. Additionally, a trained and qualified Volvo service technician knows where accessories may and may not
be safely installed in your Volvo. In all cases, please consult a trained and qualified Volvo service technician before
installing any accessory in or on your vehicle.
Accessories that have not been approved by Volvo may or may not be specifically tested for compatibility with your
vehicle. Additionally, an inexperienced installer may not be familiar with some of your vehicle's systems.
Any of your vehicle's performance and safety systems could be adversely affected if you install accessories that
Volvo has not tested, or if you allow accessories to be installed by someone unfamiliar with your vehicle.
Damage caused by unapproved or improperly installed accessories may not be covered by your new vehicle
warranty. See your Warranty and Service Records Information booklet for more warranty information. Volvo assumes
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the vehicle among the most recycled industrial products. In order to have efficient and well-controlled recycling,
dismantling information is available for all Volvo models. For Volvo, all homogeneous plastic parts weighing more
than 3.4 oz. (100 grams) are marked with international symbols that indicate how the component is to be sorted for
recycling. In addition to continuous environmental refinement of conventional gasoline-powered internal combustion
engines, Volvo is actively looking at advanced technology alternative-fuel vehicles.
When you drive a Volvo, you become our partner in the work to lessen the car's impact on the environment. To reduce
your vehicle's environmental impact, you can:
Maintain proper air pressure in your tires. Tests have shown decreased fuel economy with improperly inflated tires.
Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your Warranty and Service Records Information booklet.
Drive at a constant speed whenever possible.
See a trained and qualified Volvo service technician as soon as possible for inspection if the check engine
(malfunction indicator) light illuminates, or stays on after the vehicle has started.
Properly dispose of any vehicle-related waste such as used motor oil, used batteries, brake pads, etc.
When cleaning your vehicle, please use genuine Volvo car care products. All Volvo car care products are
formulated to be environmentally friendly.
For additional information regarding the environmental activities in which Volvo Cars of North America, LLC and
Volvo Car Corporation
8 Introduction
Volvo and the environment
are involved, visit our Internet home page at: http://www.volvocars.us.
WARNING
Certain components of this vehicle such as air bag modules, seat belt pretensioners, adaptive steering columns, and
button cell batteries may contain Perchlorate material. Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life
disposal. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
.
9 Introduction
Important warnings
Accessory Installation
We strongly recommend that Volvo owners install only genuine, Volvo-approved accessories, and that accessory
installations be performed only by a trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
Genuine Volvo accessories are tested to ensure compatibility with the performance, safety, and emission systems in
your vehicle. Additionally, a trained and qualified Volvo service technician knows where accessories may and may not
be safely installed in your Volvo. In all cases, please consult a trained and qualified Volvo service technician before
installing any accessory in or on your vehicle.
Accessories that have not been approved by Volvo may or may not be specifically tested for compatibility with your
vehicle. Additionally, an inexperienced installer may not be familiar with some of your vehicle's systems.
Any of your vehicle's performance and safety systems could be adversely affected if you install accessories that
Volvo has not tested, or if you allow accessories to be installed by someone unfamiliar with your vehicle.
Damage caused by unapproved or improperly installed accessories may not be covered by your new vehicle
warranty. See your Warranty and Service Records Information booklet for more warranty information. Volvo assumes
ProCarManuals.com
1On certain engines, the symbol for low oil pressure is not used. Instead, a text warning is provided in the information display, see also page 52.
Warning symbol in the center of the instrument panel
This symbol shines as a red or yellow light depending on the severity of the discovered fault.
Red symbol - Stop the vehicle as soon as possible in a suitable location and read the message shown in the text window.
The symbol and accompanying text will remain on until the fault has been corrected.
Yellow symbol - Follow the instructions shown in the text window. The text can be erased by pressing the READ button
(see page 52
), or will disappear automatically after two minutes.
When the message "TIME FOR REGULAR SERVICE" is displayed, the text can be erased and the yellow symbol light
can be turned off by pressing the READ button. The text will disappear and the symbol light will go out automatically
after two minutes.
Symbols in the instrument panel
Seat belt reminder
This symbol lights up to indicate that the driver has not fastened his/her seat belt.
Supplemental Restraint System SRS
If this light comes on while the vehicle is being driven, or remains on for longer than approximately 10 seconds after the
vehicle has been started, the SRS system's diagnostic functions have detected a fault in a seat belt lock or pretensioner, a
front airbag, side impact airbag, and/or an inflatable curtain. Have the system(s) inspected by a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician as soon as possible.
BRAKE - Brake failure warning light
If the light comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately, open the hood and check the brake fluid level in the
reservoir. See page 196
.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light.
50 02 Instruments and controls
Instrument and warning symbols
If the BRAKE and ABS warning lights come on at the same time, this could indicate a fault in the brake system.
1. Stop the vehicle in a suitable place and switch off the engine.
2. Restart the engine.
3. If both warning lights go off, no further action is required.
4. If both lights are still on after the engine has been restarted, switch off the engine again and check the brake fluid level
(see page 196
for the location of the brake fluid reservoir).
5. If the brake fluid level is above the MIN mark, drive carefully to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician and
have the brake system inspected.
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WARNING
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a "Brake failure - Service urgent" message is displayed in
the text window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician and
have the brake system inspected.
PARK BRAKE - Parking brake applied
This light will be on when the parking brake (hand brake) is applied. The parking brake lever is situated between the
front seats. See also page 68
for additional information.
Canadian models are equipped with this symbol.
Oil pressure warning light1 If the light comes on while driving, stop the vehicle and then stop the engine
immediately and check the engine oil level. See page 193
. If the light stays on after restart, have the vehicle towed to
the nearest trained and qualified Volvo service technician. After hard driving, the light may come on occasionally when
the engine is idling. This is normal, provided it goes off when the engine speed is increased.
Generator warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running, have the charging system checked.
Rear fog light
This light indicates that the fog light is on.
1On certain engines, the symbol for low oil pressure is not used. Instead, a text warning is provided in the information display, see also page 52.
CHECK ENGINE - Malfunction indicator light
On-Board Diagnostics II (OBDII): As you drive, a computer called "OBDII" monitors your vehicle's engine,
transmission, electrical and emission systems. The CHECK ENGINE light will light up if the computer senses a
condition that potentially may need correcting. When this happens, please have your vehicle checked by a trained and
qualified Volvo service technician as soon as possible.
A CHECK ENGINE light may have many causes. Sometimes, you may not notice a change in your vehicle's behavior.
Even so, an uncorrected condition could hurt fuel economy, emission cleanliness, and driveability. Extended driving
without correcting the cause could even damage other components in your vehicle.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light.
Anti-lock brake system ABS
If the warning light comes on, there is a malfunction of the ABS system (the standard braking system will still function).
The vehicle should be driven to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician for inspection. See page 137
for
additional information.
51 02 Instruments and controls
Instrument and warning symbols
Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC) system
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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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Increase tire pressure to recommended full. See section "Wheels and tires."
When your vehicle is new, avoid towing heavy trailers during the first 620 miles (1000 km).
Recommended hitch tongue load is:
Trailer weights below 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg) - 110lbs (50kg)
Trailer weights above 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg) - 165lbs (75kg)
Maximum speed when towing a trailer: 50 mph (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 text window.
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.
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 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.
NOTE
When parking the vehicle with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking brake before putting the gear selector in P
(first/reverse gear on manual transmissions). Always follow the trailer manufacturer's recommendations for wheel
chocking.
When starting on a hill, put the gear selector in D before releasing the parking brake.
If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift positions while towing a trailer, make sure
145 06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
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.
Leveling
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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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