
3 Contents
03 Your driving environment
Instruments and controls72
Ignition modes80
Seats82
Steering wheel87
Lighting89
Wipers and washers95
Power windows97
Mirrors99
Power moonroof101
HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver103
Starting the engine
107
Transmission110
Brakes113
Parking brake115
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Menus and messages122
Climate system126
Audio system134
Trip computer147
Compass149
Stability system151
Active chassis system-Four C153
Cruise control154
Adaptive Cruise Control-ACC156
Distance Alert163
Collision Warning with Auto-
brake (option)166
Driver Alert System -option
171
Park assist (option)176
Blind Spot Information System
(option)179
Passenger compartment
convenience183
05 During your trip
Driving recommendations
188
Refueling192
Loading198
Towing a trailer201
Emergency towing204
4 Contents
06 Maintenance and specifications
Volvo maintenance 208
Maintaining your car209
Hood and engine compartment211
Engine oil212
Fluids214
Replacing bulbs216
Wiper blades and washer fluid224
Battery226
Fuses230
Wheels and tires235
Vehicle care262
Label information267
Specifications269
Volvo programs277
07 Index
Index278

3 Contents
03 Your driving environment
Instruments and controls72
Ignition modes80
Seats82
Steering wheel87
Lighting89
Wipers and washers95
Power windows97
Mirrors99
Power moonroof101
HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver103
Starting the engine
107
Transmission110
Brakes113
Parking brake115
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Menus and messages122
Climate system126
Audio system134
Trip computer147
Compass149
Stability system151
Active chassis system-Four C153
Cruise control154
Adaptive Cruise Control-ACC156
Distance Alert163
Collision Warning with Auto-
brake (option)166
Driver Alert System -option
171
Park assist (option)176
Blind Spot Information System
(option)179
Passenger compartment
convenience183
05 During your trip
Driving recommendations
188
Refueling192
Loading198
Towing a trailer201
Emergency towing204
4 Contents
06 Maintenance and specifications
Volvo maintenance 208
Maintaining your car209
Hood and engine compartment211
Engine oil212
Fluids214
Replacing bulbs216
Wiper blades and washer fluid224
Battery226
Fuses230
Wheels and tires235
Vehicle care262
Label information267
Specifications269
Volvo programs277
07 Index
Index278

2 0 0 8
VOLVO S80
70 03 Your driving environment
Instruments and controls 72
Ignition modes80
Seats82
Steering wheel87
Lighting89
Wipers and washers95
Power windows97
Mirrors99
Power moonroof101
HomeLink® Universal Transceiver103
Starting the engine107
Transmission110
Brakes113
Parking brake115
71 03 Your driving environment
72 03 Your driving environment
Instruments and controls
Instrument overview

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

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

1. Pull the release control handle(s).
2. Fold the backrest forward. Adjust the center seat head restraint if necessary.
NOTE
The outboard head restraints must be folded up (in the upright position) before lowering the backrests.
WARNING
Keep vehicle doors and the trunk 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 Park ( P) position to help prevent inadvertent movement of the gear selector.
The vehicle features a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat. The backrest(s) can be folded down by pulling the release
control handles inside the trunk.
Rear center head restraint
The center head restraint should be adjusted according to the passenger's height. The restraint should be carefully
adjusted to support the occupant's head.
Pull the head restraint up as required. To lower, press the button at the base of the head restraint's left support while
pressing the head restrain down.
WARNING
The center rear seat head restraint should only be in its lowest position when this seat is NOT occupied. When the
center position is occupied, the head restraint should be correctly adjusted to the passenger's height.
86 03 Your driving environment

Parking lights
The front and rear parking lights can be turned on even when the ignition is switched off.
Turn the headlight control to the center position (the license plate lighting comes on at the same time).
The lighting also comes on when the trunk lid is opened in order to alert anyone traveling behind your vehicle.
91 03 Your driving environment
Lighting
Brake lights
The brake lights come on automatically when the brakes are applied.
Emergency brake lights (EBL)
Emergency Brake Lights, EBL, activate in the event of sudden braking or if the ABS system is activated. This function
causes an additional taillight on each side of the vehicle to illuminate to help alert vehicles traveling behind.
The EBL function activates if:
The ABS system activates for more than approximately a half second
In the event of sudden braking while the vehicle is moving at speeds above approximately 6 mph (10 km/h)
When the vehicle has come to a stop, the brake lights and additional taillights remain on for as long as the brake pedal
is depressed or until braking force on the vehicle is reduced.
Front fog lights