2009 VOLVO C30 steering wheel

06 Starting and drivingGeneral information
06134
Economical driving conserves natural
resourcesBetter 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 tem-
perature 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 kick-
down.
•
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 con-
sumption.
•
At highway driving speeds, fuel consump-
tion 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 liftgate open: Driving with
the liftgate open could lead to poisonous
exhaust gases entering the passenger com-
partment. If the liftgate must be kept open
for any reason, proceed as follows:
1. Close the windows.
2. Set the ventilation system control to air
flow to floor, windshield and side win-
dows and the blower control to its high-
est setting.Weight distribution affects handlingAt 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.

06 Starting and driving
General information
06
137
•
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 your
Volvo retailer only.
•
Check all lights, including high beams.
•
Reflective warning triangles are legally
required in some states/provinces.
•
Have a word with your Volvo retailer if you
intend to drive in countries where it may be
difficult to obtain the correct fuel.
•
Consider your destination. If you will be
driving through an area where snow or ice
are likely to occur, consider snow tires.

06 Starting and driving
Ignition switch
06
141 Ignition switch positions
0 – Locked position
Remove the key to lock the
steering wheel
1. Never turn
the key to position 0 while
driving or when the vehicle is
being towed.
NOTE
A ticking sound may be audible if the key is
turned to a position between 0 and I. To
stop this sound, turn the key to position II
and back to position 0.I – Intermediate position
2
Certain accessories, radio,
etc. on, daytime running lights
off.
II – Drive position
The key's position when driv-
ing. The vehicle's entire elec-
trical system is activated.
III – Start position
Turn the key to this position
and release it immediately.
The key returns automatically
to the Drive position.
A chime will sound if the key
is left in the ignition and the
driver's door is opened (does not apply to vehi-
cles with the optional keyless drive).
1Automatic transmission: the gear selector must be in the Park position. The optional keyless drive start control does not need to be removed.2Please be aware that leaving the key in this positions I or II will increase battery drain.

06 Starting and drivingStarting the vehicle
06142
To start the engine
WARNING
Before starting, check that the seat, steering
wheel and mirrors are adjusted properly.
Make sure the brake pedal can be
depressed completely. Adjust the seat if
necessary.1. Fasten the seat belt.
2. Apply the parking brake if not already set.
The gear selector should be locked in the
Park (P) position (Shiftlock). See also page
148.
Manual transmission: The clutch must be
fully depressed.
NOTE
After a cold start, idle speed may be notice-
ably higher than normal for a short period.
This is done to help bring components in the
emission control system to their normal
operating temperature as quickly as possi-
ble, which enables them to control emis-
sions and help reduce the vehicle's impact
on the environment.3. The vehicle is equipped with an autostart
feature. Without touching the throttlepedal, turn the key to position III and
release it. The starter motor will then oper-
ate automatically (for up to ten seconds)
until the engine starts. If the engine fails to
start, repeat this step.
4. To release the gear selector from the Park
(P) position, the engine must be running (or
the ignition key must be in position II) and
the brake pedal must be depressed.
5. Select the desired gear. On models with an
automatic transmission, the gear engages
after a very slight delay which is especially
noticeable when selecting R.
NOTE
•
Immobilizer: If two of the keys to your
vehicle are close together, e.g., on the
same key ring when you try to start the
vehicle, this could cause interference in
the immobilizer system and result in the
vehicle not starting. If this should occur,
remove one of the keys from the key
ring before trying to start the vehicle
again.
•
Keylock: Models equipped an auto-
matic transmission have a keylock sys-
tem. When the engine is switched off,
the gear selector must be in the Park
(P) position before the key can be
removed from the ignition switch
1.
•
When starting in cold weather, the
transmission may shift up at slightly
higher engine speeds than normal until
the automatic transmission fluid rea-
ches normal operating temperature.
•
Do not race a cold engine immediately
after starting. Oil flow may not reach
some lubrication points fast enough to
prevent engine damage.
1The optional keyless drive start control does not need to be removed from the ignition switch.

06 Starting and driving
Stability system
06``151 Dynamic Stability Traction Control
(DSTC)
The stability system consists of a number of
functions designed help reduce wheel spin,
counteract skidding, and to generally help
improve directional stability.
A pulsating sound will be audible when the
system is actively operating and is normal.Traction control – TCThis function is designed to help reduce wheel
spin by transferring power from a drive wheel
that begins to lose traction to the wheel on the
opposite side of the vehicle (on the same axle).
TC is most active at low speeds.
This is one of the stability system's permanent
functions and cannot be switched off.
G020349
A- thumb wheel, B - RESET buttonSpin control (SC)The spin control function is designed to help
prevent the drive wheels from spinning while
the vehicle is accelerating.
Under certain circumstances, such as when
driving with snow chains, or driving in deep
snow or loose sand, it may be advisable to
temporarily switch off this function for maxi-
mum tractive force.Temporarily switching off Spin control1. Turn the thumbwheel (A) on the left-side
steering wheel lever until the
DSTC
menu
is displayed.2.
Hold down the RESET button (B) to toggle
between
DSTC SPIN CONTROL ON
or
OFF
.NOTE
•
The message
DSTC SPIN CONTROL
OFF
indicates that the stability sys-
tem's spin control function has tempo-
rarily been switched off.
•
The stability control indicator light will illuminate and remain on until spin
control has been reactivated.
•
The spin control function is automati-
cally enabled each time the engine is
started.
•
DSTC ON
indicates that all system
functions are active.
Active yaw control – AYC (DSTC only)This function helps maintain directional stabil-
ity, for example when cornering, by braking
one or more of the wheels if the vehicle shows
a tendency to skid or slide laterally.
This is one of the stability system's permanent
functions and cannot be switched off.

06 Starting and driving
Towing
06``153 Emergency towing
3
G007607
The towing eyelet is located under the floor of
the cargo area. This eyelet must be screwed
into the positions provided on the right sides of
either the front or rear bumper (see the illustra-
tion).To attach the towing eyelet:1. Press the mark on the lower edge of the
cover (1) to open it.
2. Screw the towing eyelet in place first by
hand and then using the tire iron until it is
securely in place.After the vehicle has been towed, the eyelet
should be removed and returned to its storage
space. Press the cover back into position.
WARNING
Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the
vehicle up onto a flat bed tow truck.Towing a vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground
WARNING
Volvo does not recommend towing a disa-
bled vehicle behind another vehicle. Signif-
icant difficulty in steering and braking,
combined with unfavorable weather, traffic,
and road conditions may make it impossible
to maintain vehicle control.1. Apply the parking brake.
WARNING
Towing a vehicle with a locked steering
wheel will make the vehicle impossible to
steer.2. Insert the key into the ignition to unlock the
steering wheel. The steering wheel must be
unlocked. With the engine off and the vehi-cle at a standstill, great effort will be
required to turn the steering wheel.
3.
Turn the ignition key to position II.
4. Place the gear selector in neutral. For vehi-
cles with automatic transmissions, follow
instruction on page 148, "Shiftlock over-
ride" to allow the gear selector to be moved
from the Park position.
5. Keep firm pressure on the brake pedal
while releasing the parking brake.
6. When towing has been completed, return
the gear selector to Park (automatic) or
Reverse (manual) and apply the parking
brake.
The following points should also be
observed:•
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). Never
exceed local towing speed limits and heed
all local towing restrictions.
•
Never tow farther than 50 miles (80 km).
•
Keep the tow rope taut at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.
•
The disabled vehicle should be towed in
the forward direction only.

06 Starting and drivingTowing
06154
WARNING
•
Never allow a vehicle to be towed with-
out a driver behind the wheel of the
disabled vehicle.
•
Never remove the key from the ignition
while the vehicle is moving. The steering
wheel could lock, making it impossible
to steer the vehicle.
•
When the engine is not running, steering
resistance and the effort needed to
apply the brakes will be great.
•
Never attempt to tow a vehicle with a
dead battery at night.CAUTION
•
Check with state and local authorities
before attempting this type of towing,
as vehicles being towed are subject to
regulations regarding maximum towing
speed, length and type of towing
device, lighting, marker flags, etc.
•
Never attempt to push- or tow-start a
vehicle with a dead battery. This would
inject unburned fuel into the three-way
catalytic converter(s), causing over-
heating, backfiring, and damage, see
page 155 for instructions on jump star-
ting the vehicle.
Towing vehicles with front wheel driveVolvo recommends the use of flat bed equip-
ment for towing vehicles with front wheel drive.
If wheel lift equipment must be used, please
use extreme caution to help avoid damage to
the vehicle.
In this case, the vehicle should be towed with
the rear wheels on the ground if at all possible.
If it is absolutely necessary to tow the vehicle
with the front wheels on the ground, please
refer to the towing information on the previous
page.•
Sling-type equipment applied at the front
will damage radiator and air conditioning
lines.
•
It is equally important not to use sling-type
equipment at the rear or apply lifting equip-
ment inside the rear wheels; serious dam-
age to the rear axle may result.
•
If the vehicle is being towed on a flat bed
truck, the towing eyelets must not be used
to secure the vehicle on the flat bed. Con-
sult the tow truck operator.
WARNING
•
Remember that the power brakes and
power steering will not function when
engine is not running. The braking and
steering systems will function but the
brake pedal pressure required is
3 – 5 times above normal and greater
steering effort must be exerted.
•
The towing eyelets must not be used for
pulling the vehicle out of a ditch or for
any similar purpose involving severe
strain. Do not use the towing eyelets to
pull the vehicle up onto a flat bed tow
truck.

07 Wheels and tiresTire rotation
07180
G020325
The arrows shows the direction of rotation of the
tireSummer and winter tires•
When switching between summer and
winter tires, mark the tires to indicate
where they were mounted on the car, 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 skid-
ding).
•
Contact a Volvo workshop if you are
unsure about the tread depth.
Tire rotationYour vehicle has no recommended tire rota-
tion. The following information is intended to
help you understand why.Tread setAs 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 performanceYour 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 diagnosticsEvery suspension needs periodic inspection
and maintenance. A tire's wear pattern can bean aid in detecting a suspension problem. Each
tire, if left in place, tells a story about the sus-
pension. Tire rotation, on the other hand, could
make suspension wear harder to detect. Early
detection is very important, because suspen-
sion problems can make tire wear worse.
If you do rotate your tires…Please follow the tire manufacturer's recom-
mendations, as outlined in the tire manufactur-
ers tire warranty pamphlet.
Your Volvo retailer can also provide guidance
based on your particular driving circumstan-
ces.