
in our plants 50% since 1991.
Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into production a  three-way catalytic converter with a  Lambda sond, now
called the heated oxygen  sensor, in 1976. The current version  of this  highly efficient system reduces emissions  of
harmful substances (CO, HC, NOx) from  the exhaust pipe by approximately 95-99% and  the search to eliminate the
remaining emissions  continues. Volvo is the only automobile manufacturer to offer  CFC-free retrofit kits  for the air
conditioning system of all models as far back as the 1975 model 240. Advanced electronic  engine controls and  cleaner
fuels  are bringing us closer to our goal. After Volvo vehicles and  parts  have fulfilled their use, recycling is the next
critical step in completing the life cycle. The metal content  is about 75% of the total weight of a  vehicle, which  makes
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.
 WARNING 
PROPOSITION  65 WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its  constituents, and  certain vehicle components contain  or emit chemicals known to the
state of California to cause cancer, and  birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained
in vehicles and  certain products  of component  wear  contain  or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer, and  birth defects or other reproductive harm.
10 Introduction
 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
.
11 Introduction
This page left intentionally blank. 

in our plants 50% since 1991.
Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into production a  three-way catalytic converter with a  Lambda sond, now
called the heated oxygen  sensor, in 1976. The current version  of this  highly efficient system reduces emissions  of
harmful substances (CO, HC, NOx) from  the exhaust pipe by approximately 95-99% and  the search to eliminate the
remaining emissions  continues. Volvo is the only automobile manufacturer to offer  CFC-free retrofit kits  for the air
conditioning system of all models as far back as the 1975 model 240. Advanced electronic  engine controls and  cleaner
fuels  are bringing us closer to our goal. After Volvo vehicles and  parts  have fulfilled their use, recycling is the next
critical step in completing the life cycle. The metal content  is about 75% of the total weight of a  vehicle, which  makes
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.
 WARNING 
PROPOSITION  65 WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its  constituents, and  certain vehicle components contain  or emit chemicals known to the
state of California to cause cancer, and  birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained
in vehicles and  certain products  of component  wear  contain  or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer, and  birth defects or other reproductive harm.
10 Introduction
 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
.
11 Introduction
This page left intentionally blank. 

Indicator and  warning symbols
High beam and  turn signal indicators
Function check
All indicator and  warning symbols light up in ignition mode II  or when the engine is started. When the engine has
started, all the symbols should go out except the parking brake symbol,  which  only goes out when the brake is
disengaged.
If the engine does not start or if the function check is carried out in ignition mode II , all symbols go out after 5
seconds except the
75 03 Your driving  environment
Instruments and controls
symbol  for faults in the vehicle's emissions  system and  the symbol  for low oil pressure.
Certain  symbols may not have their functions illustrated, depending on the vehicle's equipment.
Indicator and warning symbols
Trailer turn signal indicator
If you are towing a  trailer, this  light will flash  simultaneously with the trailer's turn signals. If the light does not flash,
or if they flash  faster than usual when signaling a  turn, the turn signals on the trailer or on the vehicle are not
functioning properly.
Malfunction  Indicator Light
As you drive, a  computer called On- Board  Diagnostics II (OBDII)  monitors your vehicle's engine, transmission,
electrical and  emission systems.
The malfunction indicator (CHECK ENGINE) light will illuminate 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 malfunction indicator (CHECK ENGINE) light may have many causes. Sometimes,  you may not notice  a  change in
your car's behavior. Even so, an  uncorrected condition could hurt fuel economy, emission controls, and  drivability.
Extended driving without correcting the cause could even damage other components in your vehicle.
Canadian models are equipped with this  symbol: 
Anti-lock Brake System  (ABS) warning light
If the warning light comes on, there may be  a  malfunction in the ABS  system (the standard braking system will still
function). Check the system by:
1. Stopping in a  safe place and  switching off the ignition.
76 03 Your driving  environment
Instruments and controls
2. Restart the engine.
3. If the warning light goes off, no further action  is required.
If the warning light remains on, the vehicle should be  driven to a  trained and  qualified Volvo service technician for
inspection. See  page 113
 for additional information.
Canadian models are equipped with this  symbol:
Rear fog light
This symbol  indicates that the rear fog light (located in the driver's side tail light cluster) is on.
Stability system
This indicator symbol  flashes when the DSTC (Dynamic Stability and  Traction Control system) is actively working to
stabilize the vehicle. See  page 151
 for more detailed information.
Tire pressure monitoring  system (TPMS) - option
This symbol  illuminates  to indicate that tire pressure in one  or more tires is low. See  page 242
 for detailed information.
Low fuel level
When this  light comes on, there are approximately 2.1 US gallons (8 liters) of fuel remaining in the tank.
Information symbol
The information symbol  illuminates  and  a  text message is displayed if a  fault is detected in one  of the vehicle's
systems. The message can be  erased and  the symbol  can be  turned off by pressing the READ  button (see page 124
 for
information) or this  will take place automatically  after a  short time (the length of time varies, depending on the
function affected).
The information symbol  may also illuminate together with other symbols.
High beam indicator 

This symbol  illuminates  when the high beam headlights are on, or if the high beam flash  function is used.
Left turn signal indicator
Right turn signal indicator
 NOTE 
 Both  turn signal indicators  will flash  when the hazard warning flashers are used.
 If either of these indicators  flash  faster than normal, the direction indicators  are not functioning properly.
Indicator and warning symbols
Low oil pressure
If the light comes on while driving, stop the vehicle, stop the engine immediately, and  check the engine oil level.  If the
oil level  is normal and  the light stays on after restart, have the vehicle towed  to the nearest trained and  qualified Volvo
service technician. This is normal, provided it goes off when the engine speed is increased.
Parking brake applied
This symbol  illuminates  when the parking brake is applied.  On models
77 03 Your driving  environment
Instruments and controls
equipped with the electric  parking brake, this  symbol  flashes while the brake is being applied  and  then glows steadily.
A flashing symbol  means that a  fault has been detected. See  the message in the information display.
Canadian models are equipped with this  symbol: 
 NOTE  

This symbol  also comes on when the mechanical parking brake is only slightly  applied.
Airbags - 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.
Seat belt reminder
This symbol  comes on for approximately 6 seconds if the driver has not fastened his or her seat belt.
Generator not charging
This symbol  comes on during driving if a  fault has occurred in the electrical system. Contact an  authorized Volvo
workshop.
Engine temperature
Engine overheating can result from  low oil or coolant  levels, towing or hard driving at high heat and  altitude, or
mechanical malfunction. Engine overheating will be  signaled with text and  a  red warning triangle in the middle of the
instrument display. The exact text will depend on the degree of overheating. It may range from  " HIGH ENGINE
TEMP - SLOW DOWN " to "HIGH ENGINE TEMP - STOP  ENGINE ." If appropriate, other messages, such as
" COOLANT LEVEL LOW " will also be  displayed. If your engine does overheat  so that you must  stop the engine,
always allow the engine to cool before attempting to check oil and  coolant  levels.
Fault in brake system
If this  symbol  lights, the brake fluid level  may be  too low. Stop the vehicle in a  safe place and  check the level  in the
brake fluid reservoir, see page 211
. If the level  in the reservoir is below  MIN , the vehicle should be  transported to an
authorized Volvo workshop  to have the brake system checked.
If the brake and  ABS  symbols come on at the same time, there may be  a  fault in the brake force distribution system.
1. Stop the vehicle in a  safe place and  turn off the engine.
2. Restart the engine.
 If both symbols extinguish, continue  driving.
 If the symbols remain on, check the level  in the brake fluid reservoir. See  page 211. If the brake fluid level  is
normal but the symbols are still  lit, the vehicle can be  driven, with great care, to an  authorized Volvo workshop  to
have the brake system checked.
 If the level  in the reservoir is below  MIN , the vehicle should be  transported to an  authorized Volvo workshop  to
have the brake system checked.
 WARNING 
 If the fluid level  is below  the MIN  mark in the reservoir or if a  warning 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.
 If the ABS  and  Brake system lights are on at the same time, there is a  risk of reduced vehicle stability.
78 03 Your driving  environment
Instruments and controls 

Shiftlock override
If the vehicle cannot be  driven, for example because of a  dead battery, the gear selector must  be  moved from  the P
position so that the vehicle can be  moved
1.
Lift away the rubber mat on the floor  of the storage compartment behind the center  console and  open  the hatch.
Insert the key  blade into the opening as far as possible. Press the key  blade down and  keep it held down. Move the
gear selector from  the P  position. For information on the key  blade, see page 52
.
1If the battery  is dead, the optional electric  parking brake cannot be  applied  or released. Connect  an  auxiliary  battery  if the battery  voltage  is too
low, see page 109
.
112 03 Your driving  environment
Transmission
All Wheel Drive - AWD1
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  of the 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.
1Standard  on certain models.
113 03 Your driving  environment
Brakes
Brake system
The brake system is a  hydraulic system consisting of two separate brake circuits.  If a  problem should occur in one  of
these circuits,  it is still  possible to stop the vehicle with the other brake circuit.
If the brake pedal must  be  depressed  farther than normal and  requires greater foot pressure, the stopping  distance will
be  longer.
A warning light in the instrument panel will light up to warn the driver that a  fault has occurred.
If this  light comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately and  check the brake fluid level  in the reservoir. 

2 0 0 8
VOLVO S80
186 05 During  your  trip
Driving recommendations 188
Refueling192
Loading198
Towing a  trailer201
Emergency towing204
187 05 During  your  trip
188 05 During  your  trip
Driving recommendations
General  information
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.
 Use the transmission's Drive ( D) position as often as possible and  avoid using kickdown.
 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.