
2 0 0 8
VOLVO V70
190 05 During your trip
Driving recommendations 192
Refueling196
Loading202
Cargo area208
Towing a trailer213
Emergency towing216
191 05 During your trip
192 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).
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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 cargo area provides electrical current even with the ignition switched off, which
drains the battery.
194 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.
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Load carriers are available as Volvo accessories. Observe the following points when in use:
To avoid damaging your vehicle and to achieve maximum safety when driving, we recommend using the load
carriers that Volvo has developed especially for your vehicle.
Volvo-approved removable roof racks are designed to carry the maximum allowable roof load for this vehicle: 220
lbs (100 kg). For non-Volvo roof racks, check the manufacturer's weight limits for the rack.
Never exceed the rack manufacturer's weigh limits and never exceed the maximum rated roof load of 220 lbs (100
kg).
Avoid single-point loads. Distribute loads evenly.
Place heavier cargo at the bottom of the load.
Secure the cargo correctly with appropriate tie-down equipment.
Check periodically that the load carriers and load are properly secured.
Remember that the vehicle's center of gravity and handling change when you carry a load on the roof.
212 05 During your trip
Cargo area
The vehicle's wind resistance and fuel consumption will increase with the size of the load.
Drive smoothly. Avoid rapid starts, fast cornering and hard braking.
213 05 During your trip
Towing a trailer
Introduction
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches that are specially designed for the vehicle.
NOTE
See page 274
for the maximum trailer and tongue weights recommended by Volvo.
Observe the legal requirements of the state/province in which the vehicles are
All Volvo models are equipped with energy- absorbing shock-mounted bumpers. Trailer hitch installation should
not interfere with the proper operation of this bumper system.
Trailer towing does not normally present any particular problems, but take into consideration:
Increase tire pressure to recommended full. See the tire inflation tables on pages 250 and 251.
When your vehicle is new, avoid towing heavy trailers during the first 620 miles (1,000 km).
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.
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with the "Temporary Spare" in use. Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
CAUTION
The vehicle must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a spare tire other than the one that came
with the vehicle. The use of different size wheels can seriously damage your car's transmission.
261 06 Maintenance and specifications
Wheels and tires
Summer and winter tires
When switching between summer and winter tires, mark the tires to indicate where they were mounted on the
vehicle, e.g. LF = left front, RR = right rear.
Tires with tread designed to roll in only one direction are marked with an arrow on the sidewall.
Incorrectly mounted tires impair the car's braking properties and ability to force aside rain, snow and slush.
The tires with the most tread should always be at the rear (to reduce the risk of skidding).
Contact a Volvo workshop if you are unsure about the tread depth.
Tire rotation
Your vehicle has no recommended tire rotation. The following information is intended to help you understand why.
Tread set
As a tire ages and the rubber cures, front and rear tires set at different angles. Therefore, if tires are rotated, the tread
will eventually set at an angle that is a compromise. Even if ride, handling, and road noise may still seem acceptable,
they may not be optimal. Further, tires that are rotated, but not on a regular basis, may actually cause more tire noise,
faster tire wear, and unpleasant changes in steering feel and vehicle handling.
A tire that can fully adapt to its position will provide better steering feel, lower tire noise, and better fuel economy.
Braking stability performance
Your vehicle is driven mainly by the front tires, which will wear faster. This can be beneficial. Having more tread on
the rear tires will help reduce oversteer. Oversteer is when a vehicle wants to keep turning because of momentum and
dynamic forces on its suspension.
Suspension wear diagnostics
Every suspension needs periodic inspection and maintenance. A tire's wear pattern can be an aid in detecting a
suspension problem. Each tire, if left in place, tells a story about the suspension. Tire rotation, on the other hand, could
make suspension wear harder to detect. Early detection is very important, because suspension problems can make tire
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1Under normal driving conditions the transmission oil does not need changing during its service life. However, it may be necessary under adverse
driving conditions.
2Models without headlight washers
280 06 Maintenance and specifications
Specifications
Electrical system
General information
12 volt system with a voltage -regulated alternator. Single pole system in which the chassis and engine block are used
as conductors. The negative terminal is connected to the chassis.
WARNING
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the state of
California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
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Automatic transmission
Geartronic113
general description112- 113
oil279
shiftlock override113
Axle weight 256
B
Battery
changing 238-239
maintenance238
remote control, replacing60
specifications280
warning symbols237
Black box 6, 220
Blind Spot Information System(BLIS)182-184
Blinkers (turn signals)93
Booster cushion, integrated45-47
Booster cushions41
Brake lights91
emergency brake lights91
Brake system
checking fluid level 227
emergency brake assistance116
fluid279
general information115
Hill Descent Control117, 118
warning light77
Bulbs
cargo area lighting 233
fog lights232
footwell lighting233
headlights228- 230
introduction228
license plate lights233
side marker lights231
specifications234
taillight232
vanity mirror234
C
Capacity weight 256
Cargo area
changing bulbs 23
cover209
floor rails205
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F
Federal Clean Air Act220
Floor rails205
Fluid specifications279
Fog lights
front 76
front, changing bulbs232
front/rear91, 92
Four C (active chassis system) 155
Front airbags19-21
disconnecting passenger's side airbag22- 24
Front fog lights76, 91
changing bulbs232
Front park assist 178-180
Front seats84
heated131
Fuel filler cap 200
Fuel filler door
opening automatically 198
opening manually199
Fuel level warning light 76
Fuel requirements196-197
Fuel tank volume279
Fuses240-244
G
Gas tank volume279
Gasoline requirements197
Gauges74
Geartronic automatic transmission113
General warnings7
Generator warning light77
Glossary of tire terminology255
Glove compartment, locking65
Grocery bag holder207
Gross vehicle weight256
H
Hazard warning flashers92
Headlight washers97
Headlights
active bi-xenon® lights 90
changing bulbs229- 230
high beam flash90
high/low beams90
switch90
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warning light77
T
Tailgate
driving with it open 192
locking/unlocking65
power operated203
wiper/washer98
Tailgate wiper, replacing the blade 236
Taillights, changing bulbs232
Temporary spare tire260
Three-way catalytic converter200
Tire pressure monitoring system252
indicator light76
Tires
age 246
changing from summer to winter261
designations254
glossary of terms255
improving economy246
inflation pressure247- 248
inflation pressure tables250- 251
snow259
spare260
specifications249
storing245
studded259
tire pressure monitoring system252- 253
uniform tire quality grading258
Top tether anchors (child restraint systems) 43
Touching up paint269
Towing a trailer213-214
trailer hitch215
Towing eyelet 216
Towing the vehicle216, 217
Traction control153
Trailer hitch215
Trailer towing213-214
trailer hitch215
Transmission
Geartronic 113
general description112- 113
oil279
shiftlock override113
Tread wear indicator 245
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