2009 VOLVO V50 tow

02 Instruments and controlsParking brake
0274
Parking brake (hand brake)
G026348
The parking brake lever is located between the
front seats.
NOTE
The indicator light will illuminate even if the
parking brake has only been partially
applied.When applying the parking brake1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Pull the parking brake lever up firmly to its
full extent.
3. Release the brake pedal and ensure that
the vehicle is at a standstill.4. If the vehicle rolls, the parking brake lever
must be pulled more firmly.
5. When parking a vehicle always put the gear
selector in first gear (for manual transmis-
sion) or P (for automatic transmission).
Parking on a hill•
If the vehicle is pointing uphill, turn the front
wheels so that they point away from the
curb.
•
If the vehicle is pointing downhill, turn the
front wheels so that they point toward the
curb.
Releasing the parking brake1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Pull the lever up slightly, press the button
at the end of the lever and lower the lever
completely.
WARNING
Pull up the parking brake lever up firmly to
its full extent.

02 Instruments and controls
Mirrors
02``77 Rearview mirror
G020146
Day/night controlNormal positionNight position, reduces glare from follow-
ing traffic
Night positionTo reduce glare from the headlights of follow-
ing vehicles, use control (1) to switch between
the normal and night-driving positions.Auto-dim function (option)An optional integrated sensor reacts to head-
lights from following traffic and automatically
reduces glare.
Rearview mirror with compass (option)
G029930
The upper right-hand corner of the rearview
mirror has an integrated display that shows the
compass direction toward which the car is
pointing. Eight different directions can be dis-
played:
N,NE
,E,SE
,S,SW
,W and
NW
. The
display shows your car's orientation with
respect to true north.
Calibrating the compass
G031045
The earth is divided into 15 magnetic zones.
The compass is initially set for the zone to
which the car was delivered, and should
always be adjusted if the car is driven to a new
magnetic zone. A "
C" will be displayed if cali-
bration becomes necessary.
To calibrate the compass:
1. Stop the car in a large, open area, away
from traffic.
2. Using a pen or similar object, hold the but-
ton (1) depressed for at least 6 seconds.
"
C" will be displayed.

02 Instruments and controls
Personal settings
02``83
•
Global (All doors) – unlocks all doors and
the tailgate with one press on the remote
control.
•
Two Step (Two-stage unlocking) – This
alternative unlocks the driver's door with
one press on the remote control. A second
press unlocks the passenger's door and
the tailgate.
Automatically folding the door mirrorsThe setting makes it possible to automatically
fold the door mirrors in or out when the vehicle
is locked or unlocked. See page 78.Operating side windowsThe following alternative can be selected for
opening all side windows at the same time by
pressing and holding the Unlock switch in
either of the front doors (see page 127 for
additional information)
1
NOTE
The ignition key must be in position I or
higher (see page 143) before all side win-
dows can be opened using the switches in
the front doors.•
Auto open all windows On/Off
Temporarily turning off the alarm
sensor(s)The alarm sensors can be temporarily turned
off (if, for example, a person or a pet remains
in the vehicle when the doors are locked from
outside with the remote control). There are two
alternatives:
Activate once
and
Ask on exit
,
see page 118 and 130 .
Approach lightingThis alternative determines the length of time
for which the car's lights will remain on when
the Approach light button on the central lock-
ing system's remote control is pressed. Inter-
vals of 30/60/90 seconds may be selected, see
teh section "Remote control functions" for
more information.Home safe lightingThis alternative determines the length of time
for which the car's lights will remain on when
the high beam lever on the steering column is
pulled toward the wheel with the ignition
switched off. Intervals of 30/60/90 seconds
may be selected, see page 64 for information
on using this function.
Information•
VIN number – The VIN (Vehicle Identifica-
tion Number) is the car's unique identity
number.
•
Number of Keys – the number of keys reg-
istered for the car is displayed here.
Climate functions•
Blower speed in AUTO mode – the blower
speed can be set to AUTO mode in models
equipped with ECC. Choose between
"Low", "Normal" and "High".
•
Timer for recirculation – when the timer is
active, the air recirculates in the car for 3–
12 minutes depending on the ambient tem-
perature. Select On/Off depending on
whether the recirculation timer is to be
active or not.
Keyless locking and unlocking (option as
available)The following alternatives can be selected for
locking and unlocking the doors and tailgate:•
All doors – all doors are locked or unlocked
at the same time.
•
Doors on the same side – front and rear
doors on the same side are unlocked
together.
1This menu alternative also makes it possible to open all side windows by pressing and holding the Unlock button on the remote control for several seconds.

03 ClimateAir vents
0392
Air vents in the dashboard
G019942
OpenClosedHorizontal air flowVertical air flow
Direct the outer air vents toward the side win-
dows to defrost.

03 ClimateAir distribution
0399
Air distribution
Use:
Air distribution
Use:
Defroster.
Air is not recirculated in
this mode.
Air conditioning is always
engaged.
There is also a certain
amount of airflow to the
panel air vents.
Defrost/de-fog the wind-
shield and front side win-
dows.
Air to the floor and win-
dows.
There is also a certain
amount of airflow to the
dashboard air vents.
For comfortable condi-
tions and good defrosting
in cold weather.
Medium to high blower
speed.
Air to windshield and front
side windows.
There is also a certain
amount of airflow to the
dashboard air vents.
Prevents fogging in cold
or humid weather (blower
speed should be moder-
ate to high).
Air to the floor and from
the dashboard air vents.
For sunny weather with
cool ambient tempera-
tures.
Air to the windows and
from the dashboard air
vents.
For good comfort in
warm, dry weather.
Air to the floor.
There is a certain amount
of airflow to the dash-
board and window air
vents.
To warm the feet.
Airflow directed to the
head and chest from the
dashboard air vents.
To ensure efficient cooling
in a warm weather.
Airflow to the windows,
dashboard air vents, and
floor.
For cooler air toward the
feet, or for warmer air
toward the head and
chest.

05 Locks and alarmAlarm (option)
05130
The alarm systemThe alarm is automatically armed whenever the
car is locked with the remote control, or if a
front lock button is depressed.
When armed, the alarm continuously monitors
a number of points on the car. The following
conditions will trigger the alarm:•
The hood is forced open.
•
The tailgate is forced open.
•
A door is forced open.
•
The ignition switch is tampered with
•
An attempt is made to start the car with a
non-approved key (a key not coded to the
car's ignition).
•
If there is movement in the passenger com-
partment (if the car is equipped with the
optional movement sensor).
•
The car is lifted or towed (if the car is equip-
ped with the optional inclination sensor)
•
The battery is disconnected (while the
alarm is armed).
•
The siren is disconnected when the alarm
is disarmed.
The alarm indicator light
G020227
Alarm indicator lightThe status of the alarm system is indicated by
the indicator light on at the top of the dash-
board (see the illustration):•
Indicator light off – the alarm is not armed
•
The indicator light flashes every two sec-
onds – the alarm is armed
•
The indicator light flashes rapidly before
the ignition is switched on – the alarm has
been triggered. The message "
ALARM
TRIGGERED
,CHECK CAR
" will also be
displayed.
•
Fault in the alarm system: If a fault has
been detected in the alarm system, a mes-
sage will be shown in the information dis-
play. Contact your Volvo retailer to have
the alarm system inspected and repaired if
necessary.
Arming the alarmPress the LOCK button on the remote control,
or press the central lock button on one of the
front doors with the door open. One long flash
of the turn signals will confirm that the alarm is
armed.Disarming the alarmPress the UNLOCK button on the remote con-
trol or insert the key in the ignition
1 to disarm
the alarm. Two short flashes from the car's
direction indicators confirm that the alarm has
been deactivated and that all doors are
unlocked.
1On vehicles with the optional keyless drive, press in the start control in the ignition switch.

G020912
134
General information............................................................................... 136
Fuel requirements................................................................................. 140
Ignition switch....................................................................................... 143
Starting the vehicle............................................................................... 144
Starting the vehicle with keyless drive (option as available).................146
Manual transmission, 5-speed (certain markets only)..........................147
Manual transmission, 6-speed (certain markets only)..........................148
Automatic transmission (option)........................................................... 149
Shiftlock override.................................................................................. 151
All Wheel Drive (option)......................................................................... 152
Brake system........................................................................................ 153
Stability system..................................................................................... 155
Towing................................................................................................... 157
Jump starting........................................................................................ 159
Towing a trailer...................................................................................... 160
Detachable trailer hitch......................................................................... 162
Transporting loads................................................................................ 163
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)–option......................................164
Park assist (Option/accessory)............................................................. 168

06 Starting and driving
General information
06``137 Handling, roadholding
Vehicle 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 the
"Tire pressure" section. Loads should be dis-
tributed so that capacity weight or maximum
permissible axle loads are not exceeded.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
flowing water.
•
Clean the electrical connections for trailer
wiring 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.
Cold weather precautionsIf you wish to check your vehicle before the
approach of cold weather, the following advice
is worth noting:•
Make sure that the engine coolant contains
50 percent antifreeze. Any other mixture
will reduce freeze protection. This gives
protection against freezing down to –31 °F
(–35 °C). See section "Coolant". The use of
"recycled" antifreeze is not approved byVolvo. Different types of antifreeze must
not be mixed.
•
Volvo recommends using only genuine
Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's radiator.
Your Volvo retailer stocks plenty of Volvo
engine coolant to help protect your vehicle
during cold weather.
•
Try to keep the fuel tank well filled – this
prevents the formation of condensation in
the tank. In addition, in extremely cold
weather conditions it is worthwhile to add
fuel line de-icer before refueling.
•
The viscosity of the engine oil is important.
Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves
cold-weather starting as well as decreas-
ing fuel consumption while the engine is
warming up. For winter use, 5W-30 oil, par-
ticularly the synthetic type
1, is recom-
mended. Be sure to use good quality oil but
do not use cold-weather oil for hard driving
or in warm weather, see page 269 for more
information.
•
The load placed on the battery is greater
during the winter since the windshield wip-
ers, lighting, etc. are used more often.
Moreover, the capacity of the battery
decreases as the temperature drops. In
very cold weather, a poorly charged bat-
tery can freeze and be damaged. It is there-
fore advisable to check the state of charge
1Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintenance intervals except at owner request and at additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.