2008 VOLVO S80 Owners Manual

being towed behind a car or truck.
WARNING
BLIS does not react to cyclists or mopeds.
BLIS does not react to vehicles that are standing still.
The function of the BLIS cameras may be affected by intense light, or when driving at night in areas where there
are no external sources of light (e.g., street lights, other vehicles, etc.). In such cases, the system may react as if the
cameras were obscured.
In both of the above mentioned conditions, a message will appear in the information display.
When driving in such conditions, the system's function will be limited or it may be temporarily switched off. See
page 182
for instructions.
When the message is no longer displayed, BLIS will return to normal function.
The BLIS cameras have the same limitation as the human eye. In other words, their "vision is impaired" by
adverse weather conditions such as heavy snowfall, dense fog, etc.
181 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Blind Spot Information System (option)
Limitations
In certain situations, the BLIS indicator light(s) may illuminate even when there are no other vehicles in the area
monitored by the system.
NOTE
If the BLIS indicator lights illuminate occasionally even when there are no other vehicles in the blind area, this does
not indicate a fault in the system. In the event of a fault, Blind spot syst. service required will be displayed.
The following are several examples of situations in which the BLIS indicator light(s) may illuminate even when there
are no other vehicles in the area monitored by the system.
Cleaning the BLIS camera lenses
In order to function optimally, the BLIS camera lenses must be kept clean. They can be wiped clean with a soft cloth
or wet sponge.
CAUTION
Clean the lenses carefully to avoid scratching.
The lenses are electrically heated to help melt ice or snow. If necessary, gently brush away snow from the lenses.

182 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Blind Spot Information System (option)
Switching BLIS on and off
BLIS is automatically activated when the ignition is switched on. The indicator lights will provide confirmation by
flashing 3 times.
The system can be switched off by pressing the BLIS button in the center console (see the illustration). The indicator
light in the button goes out when the system is switched off, and a text message is displayed.
BLIS can be switched on again by pressing the button. The indicator light in the button will illuminate and a new
text message will be displayed. Press the READ button (see page 124
) to erase the message.
BLIS system messages
183 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Passenger compartment convenience
Storage spaces

184 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Passenger compartment convenience
Compartment in door panel
Storage pocket on the front edge of the front seat cushions
Glove compartment
Storage compartment, 12-volt socket and AUX input
Jacket holder
Rear seat cup holder
Storage pocket
Jacket holder
The jacket hanger is located on the inboard side of the front passenger's seat head restraint. It is only intended for
hanging light garments.
Tunnel console

Storage compartment (for CDs, etc.) under armrest.
Includes cup holder for driver and passenger, 12 V socket and small storage compartment.
Cigarette lighter and ashtray (option)
Your Volvo retailer has lighters and ashtrays available as accessories.
Glove compartment
The owner's manual and maps can be kept here. There are also holders for pens and fuel cards. The glove
compartment can be locked manually with the key blade, see page 64
.
185 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Passenger compartment convenience
Vanity mirror
The light comes on automatically when the cover is lifted.

12-volt sockets
The electrical socket can be used for 12-volt accessories such as cell phone chargers and coolers. The maximum
current is 10 A. For the socket to supply current, the ignition must be in at least mode I, see page 80
.
WARNING
Always keep the sockets covered when not in use.

Contents | Top of Page

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.

At highway 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 intervals.
WARNING
Driving with the trunk open : Driving with the trunk open could lead to poisonous exhaust gases entering the
passenger compartment. If the trunk must be kept open for any reason, proceed as follows:
Close the windows
Set the ventilation system control to air flow to floor, windshield and side windows and the blower control to its
highest setting.
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 cargo
area, 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 the "Tire pressure" section. Loads should be distributed
so that capacity weight
189 05 During your trip
Driving recommendations
or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded.
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 vehicle is in water, do not attempt to restart it. Have the vehicle towed
out of the water.
Engine and cooling system
Under special conditions, for example when driving in hilly terrain, extreme heat or with heavy loads, there is a risk
that the engine and cooling system will overheat. Proceed as follows to avoid overheating the engine.
Maintain a low speed when driving with a trailer up long, steep hills.
Do not turn the engine off immediately when stopping after a hard drive.
WARNING
The cooling fan may start or continue to operate (for up to 6 minutes) after the engine has been switched off.
Remove any auxiliary lights from in front of the grille when driving in hot weather conditions.
Do not exceed engine speeds of 4500 rpm if driving with a trailer in hilly terrain. The oil temperature could become
too high.
Conserving electrical current
Keep the following in mind to help minimize battery drain:
When the engine is not running, avoid using ignition mode II . Many electrical systems (the audio system, the
optional navigation system, power windows, etc) will function in ignition modes 0 and I . These modes reduce drain on
the battery.
Please keep in mind that using systems, accessories, etc., that consume a great deal of current when the engine is not
running could result in the battery being completely drained.
The optional 12 volt socket in the trunk provides electrical current even with the ignition switched off, which drains
the battery.
190 05 During your trip
Driving recommendations
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 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
Have the transmission oil level checked.
Check condition of drive belts.
Check state of the battery's charge.