2009 VOLVO V50 towing

06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06
161
NOTE
•
When parking the vehicle with a trailer
on a hill, apply the parking brake before
putting the gear selector in Park (P) or
in reverse on models with a manual
transmission. Always follow the trailer
manufacturer's recommendations for
wheel chocking.
•
If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift
positions while towing a trailer, or if the
vehicle is equipped with a manual trans-
mission, make sure the gear you select
does not put too much strain on the
engine (using too high a gear).
•
The drawbar assembly/trailer hitch may
be rated for trailers heavier than the
vehicle is designed to tow. Please
adhere to Volvo's recommended trailer
weights.
•
Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines
exceeding 15%.

06 Starting and driving
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)–option
06``165 When does BLIS function
The system functions when your vehicle is
moving at speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).
When you pass another vehicle:
The system reacts when you pass another
vehicle at a speed of up to 6 mph (10 km/h)
faster than that vehicle.
When you are passed by another vehicle:
The system reacts if your vehicle is passed by
another vehicle at a speed of up to 43 mph
(70 km/h) faster than your vehicle.
WARNING
•
BLIS does not function in sharp curves.
•
BLIS does not function when your vehi-
cle is backing up.
•
If you are towing a wide trailer, this may
prevent the BLIS cameras from detect-
ing other vehicles in adjacent lanes.
How BLIS functions in daylight and
darkness
DaylightBLIS reacts to the shape of surrounding vehi-
cles. The system is designed to help detect
motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses,
motorcycles, etc.
DarknessBLIS reacts to the headlights of surrounding
vehicles. In order to be detected by BLIS, a
vehicle in the blind area must have its head-
lights on. This means, for example, that the
system will not detect a trailer without head-
lights that is being towed behind a car or truck.
WARNING
•
BLIS does not react to cyclists or
mopeds.
•
BLIS does not react to vehicles that are
standing still.
•
The function of the BLIS cameras may
be affected by intense light, or when
driving at night in areas where there are
no external sources of light (e.g., street
lights, other vehicles, etc.). In such
cases, the system may react as if the
cameras were obscured.
•
In both of the above mentioned condi-
tions, a message will appear in the infor-
mation display.
•
When driving in such conditions, the
system's function will be limited or it
may be temporarily switched off, see
page 166 for instructions.
•
When the message is no longer dis-
played, BLIS will return to normal func-
tion.
•
The BLIS cameras have the same limi-
tation as the human eye. In other words,
their "vision is impaired" by adverse
weather conditions such as heavy
snowfall, dense fog, etc.

06 Starting and drivingPark assist (Option/accessory)
06168
Introduction
G020294
Front/rear park assistThe park assist system is designed to assist
you when driving into parking spaces, garages,
etc. It utilizes four ultrasound sensors located
in one or both bumpers to measure the dis-
tance to a vehicle, object or a person who may
be close to the front or rear of your vehicle.
Park assist is available in two versions:•
Rear bumper only
•
Front and rear bumpers
WARNING
Park Assist is an information system, NOT a
safety system. This system is designed to
be a supplementary aid when parking the
vehicle. It is not, however, intended to
replace the driver's attention and judge-
ment.FunctionThe system is activated automatically when the
vehicle is started. The indicator light in the but-
ton in the center console illuminates.•
The front park assist system is active from
the time the engine is started until the vehi-
cle exceeds a speed of approximately
10 mph (15 km/h). It is also active when the
vehicle is backing up.
•
Rear park assist is active when the engine
is running and reverse gear has been
selected.
Rear park assistThe distance monitored behind the vehicle is
approximately 5 ft (1.5 m). The signal comes
from the rear speakers.
The system must be deactivated when towing
a trailer, carrying bicycles in a rear-mounted
carrier, etc, which could trigger the rear park
assist system's sensors.
NOTE
Rear park assist is deactivated automati-
cally when towing a trailer if Volvo genuine
trailer wiring is used.Front park assistThe distance monitored in front of the vehicle
is approximately 2.5 ft (0.8 m). The audible sig-
nal comes from the audio system's front
speakers.
It may not be possible to combine auxiliary
headlights and front park assist since these
lights could trigger the system's sensors.

07 Wheels and tires
Vehicle loading
07``183 Loading the vehicle
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself
with the following terms for determining your
vehicle's weight ratings, with or without a
trailer, from the vehicle's Federal/Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/
CMVSS) label, and the vehicle's tire informa-
tion placard:Curb weightThe weight of the vehicle including a full tank
of fuel and all standard equipment. It does not
include passengers, cargo, or optional equip-
ment.Capacity weightAll weight added to the curb weight, including
cargo and optional equipment. When towing,
trailer hitch tongue load is also part of cargo
weight.
NOTE
For trailer towing information, please refer to
the section "Towing a trailer", see
page 160.Permissible axle weightThe maximum allowable weight that can be
carried by a single axle (front or rear). These
numbers are shown on the Federal/CanadianMotor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/
CMVSS) label. The total load on each axle must
never exceed its maximum permissible weight.
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)The vehicle's curb weight + cargo + passen-
gers.
NOTE
•
The location of the various labels in your
vehicle can be found on page 262.
•
A table listing important weight limits for
your vehicle can be found on page
265.
Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit(1) Locate the statement "the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX pounds" on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your vehi-
cle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX
pounds.(4) The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the "XXX" amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lbs. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400–750 (5×150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load
from your trailer will be transferred to your vehi-
cle. Consult this manual
1 to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.
1See "Towing a trailer"

07 Wheels and tiresTire Sealing System
07194
3. Ensure that the on/off switch is in position
0 (the 0 side of the switch should be
pressed down).
4. Put on the gloves included in the tire seal-
ing system.
WARNING
Contact with the sealing compound may
cause skin irritation. If contact occurs, wash
the affected area immediately with soap and
water.5. Unscrew the orange cover over the bottle
holder and unscrew the cap on the bottle
of sealing compound.
NOTE
Do not break the seal on the bottle. This
occurs automatically when the bottle is
screwed into the holder.6. Screw the bottle into the bottle holder.
WARNING
The bottle is equipped with a catch to keep
it securely in place and help prevent sealing
compound leakage. Once in place, the bot-
tle cannot be unscrewed. This must be done
by a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician.7. Remove the valve cap from the tire’s infla-
tion valve and screw the tire sealing sys-
tem’s hose connector onto the valve as
tightly as possible by hand.
8. Connect the electrical wire to the nearest
12-volt socket in the vehicle.
9. Start the vehicle’s engine.
10. Start the tire sealing system’s compressor
by pressing the on/off switch to position I.
WARNING
•Never stand next to the tire being inflated
when the compressor is in operation.•If cracks, bubbles, etc. form on the tire,
switch off the compressor immediately.•If there is visible damage to the sidewall
or the rim, the tire cannot be repaired.
The vehicle should not be driven if this
occurs. Contact a towing service or
Volvo On Call Roadside Assistance if
applicable.NOTE
The air pressure gauge will temporarily
show an increase in pressure to approxi-
mately 88 psi (6 bar) while the sealing com-
pound is being pumped into the tire. The
pressure should return to a normal level
after approximately 30 seconds.11. Within seven minutes, inflate the tire to
between 22—44 psi (1.8—3.0 bar). Switch
off the compressor briefly to get a clear
reading from the pressure gauge. The
compressor should not be used for more
than 10 minutes at a time to avoid over-
heating.

11 SpecificationsFuel, oils, and fluids
11268
Category
Specification
Capacity
Washer fluid reservoir
Use washer fluid solvent in cold weather con-
ditions.
6.8 US quarts (6.5 liters)
Air conditioning system
Refrigerant – R134a
1.2 lbs. (530 grams)
NOTE
The transmission oil does not normally need
to be changed during the service life of the
vehicle. However, it may be necessary to
replace the oil if the vehicle is often driven
in areas of sustained temperature extremes
(hot or cold), when towing a trailer over long
distances, for prolonged driving in moun-
tainous areas, or if the vehicle is often driven
short distances in temperatures under 40 °F
(5 °C).

12 Index
12278
Driving economically................................ 136
Driving through water..............................137
DSTC, stability system............................. 155EEconomical driving..................................136
Electrical current – conserving................ 138
Electrically operated moonroof.................. 80
Electrical system...................................... 272
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD)........................................................ 154
Electronic Climate Control......................... 91
air distribution table.............................. 99
Electronic Climate Control (ECC) - option. 96
Emergency brake....................................... 74
Emergency locking retractor...................... 35
Emergency starting.................................. 159
Emergency towing................................... 157
Emission inspection readiness................ 212
Engine
specifications...................................... 270
starting................................................ 144
starting with keyless drive.................. 146Engine compartment overview................ 215
Engine oil................................................. 216
changing............................................. 216
checking............................................. 216
specifications...................................... 269
volumes.............................................. 267
Equalizer, audio system........................... 243
Eyelets for anchoring loads..................... 115
FFederal Clean Air Act............................... 210
Flat tires
changing............................................. 190
repairing with tire sealing system....... 192
Fluids and oils.......................................... 267
FM1/FM2 menu....................................... 244
Fog lights
front...................................................... 62
rear........................................................ 62
Front airbags.............................................. 22
disconnecting passenger’s side airbag 26
Front fog lights........................................... 62
Front park assist...................................... 168Front seats............................................... 102
folding backrests................................ 102
manually operated.............................. 102
power.................................................. 103
Fuel filler door
unlocking.............................................. 63
Fuel gauge................................................. 51
Fuel requirements.................................... 140
Fuel tank volume...................................... 267
Fuses, replacing....................................... 230
GGasoline requirements............................. 140
Geartronic................................................ 150
Generator................................................. 272
Glossary of tire terminology..................... 182
Glove compartment................................. 108
locking................................................ 127
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)............183, 265

12 Index
12282
glossary of terms................................ 182
improving economy............................ 175
inflation............................................... 176
inflation pressure, checking................ 177
inflation pressure table, Canadian mod-
els.......................................................179
inflation pressure table, US models.... 178
load ratings......................................... 177
rotation............................................... 189
snow...................................................186
spare................................................... 187
speed ratings...................................... 177
storing................................................. 174
studded............................................... 186
tire pressure monitoring system......... 197
tire sealing system.............................. 192
tread wear indicator............................ 175
uniform tire quality grading................. 185
winter driving...................................... 186
Tire sealing system.................................. 192
Top tether anchors (child restraint sys-
tems).......................................................... 44
Towing a trailer........................................ 160
trailer hitch.......................................... 162
Towing the vehicle................................... 157
Trailer hitch - detachable......................... 162
Trailer towing........................................... 160Transmission
Geartronic........................................... 150
manual........................................ 147, 148
shiftlock override................................ 151
Tread wear indicator................................ 175
Treble....................................................... 242
Trip computer............................................ 66
Trips, long distance................................. 138
Turn signals............................................... 64
indicator lights...................................... 51
UUniform Tire Quality Grading...................185VVehicle dimensions.................................. 264
Vehicle Event Data................................... 210
Vehicle loading......................................... 183
roof loads............................................ 163
Vehicle maintenance
performed by the owner.....................212
Vehicle towing.......................................... 157Vehicle weights........................................ 265
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)......... 263
Volvo Inflatable Curtain.............................. 30
Volvo On Call Roadside Assistance........ 275
WWarning flashers, hazard........................... 73
Warning symbol......................................... 53
Warranties................................................ 210
Washer fluid..................................... 218, 267
Washer fluid reservoir......................215, 218
Water, driving through............................. 137
Weights.................................................... 265
Wheel nuts............................................... 188
Wheels.....................................................174
changing............................................. 190
storing................................................. 174
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)....... 31
Windows
power.................................................... 75
Windshield washer fluid reservoir............215
Windshield wiper blades.......................... 220