2009 VOLVO S60 tow

03 ClimateAir distribution
0388
Air distribution
G027330
The incoming air is distributed through 14 ven-
tilation points in the passenger compartment.
Air vents in the dash
G027329
OpenClosedHorizontal air flowVertical air flow
•
Direct the outer air vents toward the side
windows to defrost.
•
In cold weather, close the air vents in the
center of the dash to direct as much air as
possible toward the windows.
Air vents in the door pillars
0
G027064
OpenClosedHorizontal air flowVertical air flow
•
Direct the outer air vents toward the side
windows to defrost.
•
In cold weather, close the air vents in the
center of the dash to direct as much air as
possible toward the windows.

04 Interior
Spare wheel, tools and jack
04
*Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
105
G027201
Spare wheel* Securing bracket Tool bag* with towing eyelet Jack*
The spare wheel, jack and tool bag are located
under the floor of the trunk. To access the
spare tire:
1. Pull up the floor mats.
2. Remove the jack and tool bag.
3. Unscrew the spare wheel and lift it out.
WARNING
Make sure that the spare tire, jack and tool
bag are properly secured with the securing
bracket to help keep these components in
place in the event of a sudden stop.If the vehicle is equipped with a grocery bag
holder:
1. Turn the two clips, which are located at the
rear corner of the mat, 90°.
2. Pull the front of the floor mat back towards
the trunk lid opening.
3. Lift the mat slightly and turn 90° to lift it out.
4. Lift the mat out of the trunk.
5. Unscrew the spare tire and lift it out.
6. Return and secure everything in reverse
order.
See page 170 for more information on using
the jack.

05 Locks and alarmChild safety locks
05114
Manual child safety locks - rear doors
AB
G021514
Control for child safety lock - left rear doorThe controls are located on the rear door
jambs. Use the ignition key or a screwdriver to
adjust these controls.
A. The door cannot be opened from the
inside. Normal operation from the outside.
B. The door lock functions normally.
G021515
Control for child safety lock - right rear door
WARNING
Remember, in the event of an accident, the
rear seat passengers cannot open the doors
from the inside with the buttons in position
A.The alarm is automatically armed whenever
you lock your vehicle.
When armed, the alarm continuously monitors
a number of points on the vehicle. The follow-
ing conditions will set off the alarm:•
The hood is forced open.
•
The trunk is forced open.
•
A door is forced open.
•
The ignition switch is tampered with.
•
If there is movement in the passenger com-
partment (if the vehicle is equipped with
the optional movement sensor).
•
The vehicle is lifted or towed (if the vehicle
is equipped with the optional inclination
sensor).
•
The battery is disconnected (while the
alarm is armed).
•
The siren is disconnected when the alarm
is disarmed.
Arming the alarmPress the LOCK button on the remote control,
lock the vehicle using the key in the driver's
door or press the central lock button on the
driver's door with the door open. One long
flash of the turn signals will confirm that the
alarm is armed.

G020912
118
General information............................................................................... 120
Fuel requirements................................................................................. 121
Refueling............................................................................................... 122
Starting the vehicle............................................................................... 124
Economical driving................................................................................ 127
Handling and road holding.................................................................... 128
Manual transmission............................................................................. 129
Automatic transmission (option)........................................................... 130
All Wheel Drive (option)......................................................................... 134
Brake system........................................................................................ 135
Stability system..................................................................................... 138
Towing................................................................................................... 140
Jump starting........................................................................................ 142
Towing a trailer...................................................................................... 143
Detachable trailer hitch......................................................................... 145
Load carriers (accessory)...................................................................... 146
Cold weather precautions..................................................................... 148
Before a long distance trip.................................................................... 149
Front/rear park assist (option/accessory)............................................. 150

06 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements
06
121 Octane rating
Minimum octane
G028920
Typical pump octane labelVolvo recommends premium for best perform-
ance, but using 87 octane or above will not
affect engine reliability.
Volvo engines are designed to achieve rated
horsepower, torque, and fuel economy per-
formance using premium 91 octane fuel.Demanding drivingIn demanding driving conditions, such as oper-
ating the vehicle in hot weather, towing a trailer,
or driving for extended periods at higher alti-
tudes than normal, it may be advisable to
switch to higher octane fuel (91 or higher) or to
change gasoline brands to fully utilize yourengine's capacity, and for the smoothest pos-
sible operation.
NOTE
When switching to higher octane fuel or
changing gasoline brands, it may be neces-
sary to fill the tank more than once before a
difference in engine operation is noticeable.Fuel FormulationsDo not use gasoline that contains lead as a
knock inhibitor, and do not use lead additives.
Besides damaging the exhaust emission con-
trol systems on your vehicle, lead has been
strongly linked to certain forms of cancer.
Many fuels contain benzene as a solvent.
Unburned benzene has been strongly linked to
certain forms of cancer. If you live in an area
where you must fill your own gas tank, take
precautions. These may include:•
standing upwind away from the filler nozzle
while refueling
•
refueling only at gas stations with vapor
recovery systems that fully seal the mouth
of the filler neck during refueling
•
wearing neoprene gloves while handling a
fuel filler nozzle.
Use of AdditivesWith the exception of gas line antifreeze during
winter months, do not add solvents, thicken-
ers, or other store-bought additives to your
vehicle's fuel, cooling, or lubricating systems.
Overuse may damage your engine, and some
of these additives contain organically volatile
chemicals. Do not needlessly expose yourself
to these chemicals.

06 Starting and driving
Starting the vehicle
06``125
WARNING
Always place the gear selector in Park or in
reverse on models with a manual transmis-
sion, and apply the parking brake before
leaving the vehicle. Never leave the vehicle
unattended with the engine running.
Always open garage doors fully before star-
ting the engine inside a garage to ensure
adequate ventilation. The exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide, which is invisible
and odorless but very poisonous
CAUTION
Automatic transmission
The engine should be idling when you move
the gear selector. Never accelerate until
after you feel the transmission engage!
Accelerating immediately after selecting a
gear will cause harsh engagement and pre-
mature transmission wear.
SelectingP or N when idling at a standstill
for prolonged periods of time will help pre-
vent overheating of the automatic transmis-
sion fluid.Do not race a cold engine immediately after
starting.
Ignition switch and steering wheel lock
0 – Locked position:
Remove the key to lock
the steering wheel
A.
I – Intermediate posi-
tion
B – "radio position":
Certain accessories,
radio, etc. on, daytime
running lights off.
II – Drive position: The
key position when driving.
The vehicle's entire elec-
trical system is con-
nected.
III – Start position:
Release the key when the
engine starts. 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.AThe gear selector must be in the P (Park) position (automatic
transmission).BPlease be aware that leaving the key in this position will
increase battery drain.
WARNING
Never turn the key to position 0 while driving
or when the vehicle is being towed.Steering wheel lockThe steering wheel lock might be under tension
when the vehicle is parked.
Turn the steering wheel slightly to free the igni-
tion key.
In order to help reduce vehicle theft, make
sure the steering wheel lock is engaged
before leaving the vehicle.

06 Starting and drivingHandling and road holding
06128
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 trunk (max. 220 lbs,
100 kg), the less the tendency to understeer.Handling, roadholdingVehicle 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
"Tire pressure" section.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity
weight or maximum permissible axle loads are
not exceeded.
Speed-sensitive power steering
(Option on certain models)With this feature, the steering is most respon-
sive at lower speeds to make parking, driving
in city traffic, etc., easier. The effect of the
power steering diminishes as you accelerate
for greater stability at highway speeds.Driving through waterThe 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 flow-
ing water.
Clean the electrical connections for trailer wir-
ing 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 transmis-
sion. 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
car is in water, do not attempt to restart
the engine. Have the car towed out of
the water.

06 Starting and drivingAutomatic transmission (option)
06130
P (Park)
G031105
Use this position when starting the engine or
parking the vehicle.
CAUTION
The vehicle must be stationary when posi-
tionP is selected.The parking brake should be set whenever the
vehicle is parked.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the
P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the gear
selector from this position, the engine must be
running (or the ignition key must be in posi-
tionII) and the brake pedal must be depressed.
WARNING
Never leave the vehicle unattended when
the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear
selector is moved from P, the vehicle may
start moving.R (Reverse)Never engage R while the vehicle is moving.N (Neutral)Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking
brake.D (Drive)D is the normal driving position and should be
used as often as possible to help improve fuel
economy. The vehicle should not be moving
when shifting from R to the D position.4 (Intermediate gear)The transmission will shift automatically
between gears 4, 3, 2 or 1 from this position.
The transmission cannot shift up to D from
fourth gear.
3 (Intermediate gear)The transmission will shift automatically
between gears 3, 2 and 1 from this position.
The transmission cannot shift up to fourth gear
orD from third gear.L (Low gears)The transmission is locked in gears 1 and 2
when the selector is in this position.
NOTE
Gears4,3, or L can be used if you are driv-
ing in a mountainous area, towing a trailer
or to increase engine braking effect.
The transmission has a built-in limiter
designed to help prevent excessive engine
speeds (high rpm) when gears 4,3, or L are
selected.