2009 VOLVO S40 wheel

06 Starting and driving
General information
06
139
•
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
143 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
06144
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
151.
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 drivingAll Wheel Drive (option)
06152
All Wheel Drive (AWD) – general
informationYour Volvo can be equipped with permanent
All Wheel Drive (option), 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.Tire dimensionsVolvo recommends that you always drive on
tires of the same brand, size, construction
(radial), tread pattern, load, speed, traction,
temperature, and treadwear rating. Never drive
on mixed tires, except for brief periods when
the temporary spare tire is in use.
Always use properly inflated tires of correct
dimensions. Tire size and inflation pressures
are shown on a placard located on the driver's
side B-pillar (the structural member at the side
of the vehicle, at the rear of the driver's door
opening). See also page 178 for the tire infla-
tion pressure tables beginning, .
Temporary SpareThe temporary spare tire is for temporary, low-
speed, short-distance use only. Replace it with
a full-sized tire as soon as possible. Do not
drive on the temporary spare at speeds above
50 mph (80 km/h).
Never install snow chains on a temporary
spare.

06 Starting and driving
Stability system
06``155 Stability Traction Control (STC)/
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.Function/
system
STC
DSTC
A
TC
X
X
SC
X
X
AYC
X
AOption on certain models.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
1.
Temporarily switching off Spin control1. Turn the thumbwheel (A) on the left-side
steering wheel lever until the
STC/DSTC
menu is displayed.
2.
Hold down the RESET button (B) to toggle
between
STC/DSTC SPIN CONTROL
ON
or
OFF
.
NOTE
•
The message
STC/DSTC SPIN
CONTROL OFF indicates that the sta-
bility system's spin control function has
temporarily 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.
•
STC/DSTC ON
indicates that all sys-
tem 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.
1Models equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD) have an integrated traction control function that cannot be disabled. DSTC is optional on AWD models.

06 Starting and drivingStability system
06156
This is one of the stability system's permanent
functions and cannot be switched off.
WARNING
The car's handling and stability characteris-
tics will be altered if the STC/DSTC system
functions have been disabled.STC/DSTC-related messages in the text
window•
"TRACTION CONTROL TEMPORARILY
OFF
" – The system has been temporarily
switched off due to high brake temperature
and will automatically switch on again
when the brakes have cooled.
•
"ANTI SKID SERVICE REQUIRED
" – the
system has been automatically disen-
gaged due to a fault. A trained and qualified
Volvo service technician should check the
system.
Symbols used by the stability system
Stability system indicator light
Information symbol
If the
and
symbols light up at the same
time, read the message in the display.
If only the symbol lights up, this indicates
one of the following situations:
•
The light illuminates for approximately
2 seconds to indicate that the system is
performing a self-diagnostic test when the
engine is started.
•
If the light flashes while driving, this indi-
cates that the stability system is actively
functioning to help counteract wheel spin
and/or a skid.
•
If this light stays on after the engine has
started or comes on while driving, there
may be a fault in the stability system. Con-
sult a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician.
•
If Spin control has been intentionally
switched off, a message is displayed and
the light will stay on as a reminder that this
function has been disabled by the driver.
WARNING
The stability system is intended to help
improve driving safety. It supplements, but
can never replace, the driver's judgement
and responsibility when operating the vehi-
cle. Speed and driving style should always
be adapted to traffic and road conditions.

06 Starting and driving
Towing
06``157 Emergency towing
G030710
The towing eyelet is located under the floor of
the trunk. This eyelet must be screwed into the
positions provided on the right sides of either
the front or rear bumper (see the illustration).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 151, "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
06158
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 159 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.