2009 VOLVO S60 Owner´s Manual

07
WHEELS AND TIRES

07 Wheels and tiresGeneral information
07154
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according
to the vehicle's tire information placard on the
B-pillar (the structural member at the side of
the vehicle, at the rear of the driver's door
opening), or on the inside of the fuel filler door
on Canadian models.
CAUTION
Some Volvo models are equipped with an
Ultra High Performance tire and wheel com-
bination designed to provide maximum dry
pavement performance with consideration
for hydroplaning resistance. As such, they
may be more susceptible to road hazard
damage and, depending on driving condi-
tions, may achieve a tread life of less than
20,000 miles (30,000 km). Even if this vehi-
cle is equipped with Volvo’s advanced AWD
or DSTC system, these tires are not
designed for winter driving, and should be
replaced with winter tires when weather
conditions dictate.The tires have good road holding characteris-
tics and offer good handling on dry and wet
surfaces. It should be noted however that the
tires have been developed to give these fea-
tures on snow/ice-free surfaces.
Certain models are equipped with "all-season"
tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree
of road holding on slippery surfaces than tires
without the "all-season" rating. However, foroptimum road holding on icy or snow-covered
roads, we recommend suitable winter tires on
all four wheels.
When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires
are the same size designation, type (radial) and
preferably from the same manufacturer, on all
four wheels. Otherwise there is a risk of altering
the vehicle's roadholding and handling charac-
teristics.
Storing wheels and tiresWhen storing complete wheels (tires mounted
on rims), they should be suspended off the
floor or placed on their sides on the floor.
Tires not mounted on rims should be stored on
their sides or standing upright, but should not
be suspended.
CAUTION
Tires should preferably be stored in a cool,
dry, dark place, and should never be stored
in close proximity to solvents, gasoline, oils,
etc.
WARNING
The wheel and tire sizes for your Volvo are
specified to meet stringent stability and
handling requirements. Unapproved wheel/
tire size combinations can negatively affect
your vehicle's stability and handling.
Approved tire sizes are shown in the Tire
inflation pressure tables on pages 158 and
159.
Any damage caused by installation of unap-
proved wheel/tire size combinations will not
be covered by your new vehicle warranty.
Volvo assumes no responsibility for death,
injury, or expenses that may result from
such installations.

07 Wheels and tires
General information
07
155 Tread wear indicator
G020323
Tread wear indicatorThe tires have wear indicator strips running
across or parallel to the tread. The letters TWI
are printed on the side of the tire. When
approximately 1/16 " (1.6 mm) is left on the
tread, these strips become visible and indicate
that the tire should be replaced. Tires with less
than 1/16 " (1.6 mm) tread offer very poor trac-
tion.
When replacing worn tires, it is recommended
that the tire be identical in type (radial) and size
as the one being replaced. Using a tire of the
same make (manufacturer) will prevent altera-
tion of the driving characteristics of the vehicle.
New tires
Remember that tires are per-
ishable goods. As of 2000, the
manufacturing week and year
will be indicated with 4 digits
(e.g. 1502 means that the tire
illustrated was manufactured
during week 15 of 2002).
Tire ageTires degrade over time, even when they are
not being used. It is recommended that tires
generally be replaced after 6 years of normal
service. Heat caused by hot climates, frequent
high loading conditions or Ultra Violet (U.V)
exposure can accelerate the aging process.
You should replace the spare tire when you
replace the other road tires due to the aging of
the spare.
A tire's age can be determined by the DOT
stamp on the sidewall (see the illustration
above).
A tire with e.g., visible cracks or discoloration
should be replaced immediately.Improving tire economy:•
Maintain correct tire pressure. See the tire
pressure tables on pages 158 and 159.
•
Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard
braking and tire screeching.
•
Tire wear increases with speed.
•
Correct front wheel alignment is very
important.
•
Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy
and driving comfort.
•
Tires must maintain the same direction of
rotation throughout their lifetime.
When replacing tires, the tires with the most
tread should be mounted on the rear wheels to
reduce the chance of oversteer during hard
braking.
Hitting curbs or potholes can damage the tires
and/or wheels permanently.

07 Wheels and tiresTire inflation
07156
G032513
Tire inflation placards on U.S. modelsCheck tire inflation pressure regularly.
Tables listing the recommended inflation pres-
sure for your vehicle can be found on pages
158 and 159. A tire inflation pressure placard
is also 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). This plac-
ard indicates the designation of the factory-
mounted tires on your vehicle, as well as load
limits and inflation pressure.
G032520
Tire inflation placard on Canadian models
NOTE
The placards shown indicate inflation pres-
sure for the tires installed on the vehicle at
the factory only.•
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation
pressure, including the spare, at least once
a month and before long trips. You are
strongly urged to buy a reliable tire pres-
sure gauge, as automatic service station
gauges may be inaccurate.
•
Use the recommended cold inflation pres-
sure for optimum tire performance and
wear.
•
Under-inflation or over-inflation may cause
uneven treadwear patterns.WARNING
Under-inflation is the most common cause
of tire failure and may result in severe tire
cracking, tread separation, or "blowout,"
with unexpected loss of vehicle control and
increased risk of injury.
Under-inflated tires reduce the load carrying
capacity of your vehicle.When weather temperature changes occur, tire
inflation pressures also change. A 10-degree
temperature drop causes a corresponding
drop of 1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure. Check
your tire pressures frequently and adjust them
to the proper pressure, which can be found on
the vehicle's tire information placard or certifi-
cation label.Checking tire pressureA certain amount of air seepage from the tires
occurs naturally and tire pressure fluctuates
with seasonal changes in temperature. Always
check tire pressure regularly.Cold tiresInflation pressure should be checked when the
tires are cold.

07 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation
07
157
The tires are considered to be cold when they
have the same temperature as the surrounding
(ambient) air.
This temperature is normally reached after the
vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours.
After driving a distance of approximately 1 mile
(1.6 km), the tires are considered to be hot. If
you have to drive farther than this distance to
pump your tire(s), check and record the tire
pressure first and add the appropriate air pres-
sure when you get to the pump.
If checking tire pressure when the tire is hot,
never "bleed" or reduce air pressure. The tires
are hot from driving and it is normal for pres-
sures to increase above recommended cold
pressures. A hot tire at or below recommended
cold inflation pressure could be significantly
under-inflated.To check inflation pressure:1. Remove the cap from the valve on one tire,
then firmly press the tire gauge onto the
valve.
2. Add air to reach the recommended air
pressure.
3. Replace the valve cap.
4. Repeat this procedure for each tire, includ-
ing the spare.5. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there
are no nails or other objects embedded
that could puncture the tire and cause an
air leak.
6. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are
no gouges, cuts, bulges or other irregular-
ities.
NOTE
If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing
on the metal stem in the center of the valve.
Then recheck the pressure with your tire
gauge.
Some spare tires require higher inflation
pressure than the other tires. Consult the
tire inflation tables on pages 158 and 159,
or see the inflation pressure placard.

07 Wheels and tiresTire inflation pressure table - U.S. models
07158
The following tire pressures are recommended
by Volvo for your vehicle. Refer to the tire infla-
tion placard for information specific to the tires
installed on your vehicle at the factory.Cold tire pressures up to five per-
sonsTire size
Front, psi
(kPa)
Rear, psi
(kPa)
195/65R15
205/55R16
215/55R16
235/45R17
35 (240)
35 (240)
235/40R18
39 (270)
39 (270)
Temporary
spare tire
T125/80R17
61 (420)
61 (420)
Load ratingsThe load ratings in the tables above translate
as follows:
91 = 1365 lbs (615 kg)
93 = 1433 lbs (650 kg)
99 = 1709 lbs (755 kg)
Speed ratingsThe speed ratings in the tables translate as fol-
lows:
M = 81 mph (130 km/h)
V= 149 mph (240 km/h)
W= 168 mph (270 km/h)
See page 160 for an explanation of the desig-
nations on the sidewall of the tire.

07 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure table - Canadian models
07
159
The following tire pressures are recommended
by Volvo for your vehicle. Refer to the tire infla-tion placard for information specific to the tires
installed on your vehicle at the factory.Tire size
Cold tire pressures up to five persons psi (kPa)
Optional pressure up to three persons psi (kPa)
Front
Rear
Front
Rear
195/65R15
205/55R16
215/55R16
235/45R17
38 (260)
38 (260)
32 (220)
32 (220)
235/40R18
39 (270)
39 (270)
35 (240)
35 (240)
Temporary spare tire
T125/80R17
61 (420)
61 (420)
61 (420)
61 (420)

07 Wheels and tiresTire designations
07160
123456
1211108
7
9
G026442
Federal law mandates that tire manufacturers
place standardized information on the sidewall
of all tires (see the illustration).
The following information is listed on the tire
sidewall:
The tire designation (the following figures are
examples of a tire designation):
215: the width of the tire (in millimeters)
from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. The
larger the number, the wider the tire.65: The ratio of the tire's height to its width.R: Radial tire.15: The diameter of the wheel rim (in
inches).
95: The tire's load index. In this example, a
load index of 95 equals a maximum load of
1521 lbs (690 kg).H: The tire's speed rating, or the maximum
speed at which the tire is designed to be
driven for extended periods of time, carry-
ing a permissible load for the vehicle, and
with correct inflation pressure. For exam-
ple, H indicates a speed rating of 130 mph
(210 km/h).NOTE
This information may not appear on the tire
because it is not required by law.
M+S or M/S = Mud and Snow; AT = All
Terrain;AS = All SeasonU.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN):
This begins with the letters "DOT" and indi-
cates that the tire meets all federal stand-
ards. The next two numbers or letters are
the plant code where it was manufactured,
the next two are the tire size code and the
last four numbers represent the week and
year the tire was built. For example, the
numbers 317 mean the 31st week of 1997.
After 2000 the numbers go to four digits.
For example, 2501 means the 25th week of
2001. The numbers in between are mar-
keting codes used at the manufacturer's
discretion. This information helps a tire
manufacturer identify a tire for safety recall
purposes.Tire Ply Composition and Material Used:
Indicates the number of plies indicates or
the number of layers of rubber-coated fab-
ric in the tire tread and sidewall. Tire man-
ufacturers also must indicate the ply mate-
rials in the tire and the sidewall, which
include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.