2009 VOLVO V50 Owner´s Manual

07 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation
07
177 Checking tire pressure
Cold tiresInflation pressure should be checked when the
tires are cold.
The tires are considered to be cold when
they have the same temperature as the sur-
rounding (ambient) air.
This temperature is normally reached after the
car 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, see page 178,
or see the inflation pressure placard.
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 also page 180 for an explanation of the
designations on the sidewall of the tire.

07 Wheels and tiresInflation pressure—U.S. models
07178
Tire inflation pressure tableThe 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 pressure up to five persons psi (kPa)Front
Rear
205/55R16 91V M+S
32 (220)
32 (220)
205/50R17 93V
Extra Load M+S
35 (240)
35 (240)
215/45R18
A 93W
Extra load
35 (240)
35 (240)
Temporary spare tire
T125/85R16 99M
61 (420)
61 (420)
ATires of this type may not be mounted on vehicles equipped with the optional self-leveling system.

07 Wheels and tires
Inflation pressure—Canadian models
07
179 Tire inflation pressure table
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
A
psi (kPa)
Front
Rear
Front
Rear
205/55R16 91V M+S
36 (250)
36 (250)
30 (210)
30 (210)
205/50R17 93V Extra Load
M+S
36 (250)
36 (250)
35 (240)
32 (220)
215/45R18 93W Extra
load
B
36 (250)
36 (250)
35 (240)
32 (220)
Temporary spare tire
T125/85R16 99M
61 (420)
61 (420)
61 (420)
61 (420)
AOptional pressure may not be used for homologation of fuel consumption or emissions.BTires of this type may not be mounted on vehicles equipped with the optional self-leveling system.

07 Wheels and tiresTire designations
07180
Tire designations
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 indicates that the tire meets all federal
standards. The next two numbers or letters
are the plant code where it was manufac-
tured, the next two are the tire size code
and the last four numbers represent the
week and year the tire was built. For exam-
ple, 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
marketing codes used at the manufactur-
er'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.

07 Wheels and tires
Tire designations
07
181
Maximum Load: Indicates the maximum
load in pounds and kilograms that can be
carried by the tire. Refer to the vehicle's tire
information placard or the safety certifica-
tion label, located on the B-Pillar or the
driver's door or on the inside of the fuel filler
door on Canadian models, for the correct
tire pressure for your vehicle.Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature
grades: See page 185 for more informa-
tion.Maximum permissible inflation
pressure: The greatest amount of air pres-
sure that should ever be put in the tire. This
limit is set by the tire manufacturer.
The tire suppliers may have additional mark-
ings, notes or warnings such as standard load,
radial tubeless, etc.

07 Wheels and tiresGlossary of tire terminology
07182
Terminology•
Tire information placard: A placard
showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire
sizes, recommended inflation pressure,
and the maximum weight the vehicle can
carry.
•
Tire Identification Number (TIN): A num-
ber on the sidewall of each tire providing
information about the tire brand and man-
ufacturing plant, tire size and date of man-
ufacturer.
•
Inflation pressure: A measure of the
amount of air in a tire.
•
Standard load: A class of P-metric or Met-
ric tires designed to carry a maximum load
at 35 psi [37 psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires].
Increasing the inflation pressure beyond
this pressure will not increase the tires load
carrying capability.
•
Extra load: A class of P-metric or Metric
tires designed to carry a heavier maximum
load at 41 psi [43 psi (2.9 bar) for Metric
tires]. Increasing the inflation pressure
beyond this pressure will not increase the
tires load carrying capability.
•
kPa: Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pres-
sure.
•
PSI: Pounds per square inch, a standard
unit of air pressure.
•
B-pillar: The structural member at the side
of the vehicle behind the front door.
•
Bead area of the tire: Area of the tire next
to the rim.
•
Sidewall of the tire: Area between the
bead area and the tread.
•
Tread area of the tire: Area of the perim-
eter of the tire that contacts the road when
mounted on the vehicle.
•
Rim: The metal support (wheel) for a tire or
a tire and tube assembly upon which the
tire beads are seated.
•
Maximum load rating: a figure indicating
the maximum load in pounds and kilo-
grams that can be carried by the tire. This
rating is established by the tire manufac-
turer.
•
Maximum permissible inflation pres-
sure: the greatest amount of air pressure
that should ever be put in the tire. This limit
is set by the tire manufacturer.
•
Recommended tire inflation pressure:
inflation pressure, established by Volvo,
which is based on the type of tires that are
mounted on a vehicle at the factory. This
inflation pressure is affected by the number
of occupants in the car, the amount of
cargo, and the speed at which the vehicle
will be driven for a prolonged period. This
information can be found on the tire infla-
tion placard(s) located on the driver's sideB-pillar or on the inside of the fuel filler door
on Canadian models, and in the tire infla-
tion table in this chapter.
•
Cold tires: The tires are considered to be
cold when they have the same temperature
as the surrounding (ambient) air. This tem-
perature is normally reached after the car
has been parked for at least 3 hours.
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maxi-
mum return of vehicle design performance.

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 tiresVehicle loading
07184
WARNING
•
Exceeding the permissible axle weight,
gross vehicle weight, or any other
weight rating limits can cause tire over-
heating resulting in permanent defor-
mation or catastrophic failure.
•
Do not use replacement tires with lower
load carrying capacities than the tires
that were original equipment on the
vehicle because this will lower the vehi-
cle's GVW rating. Replacement tires
with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the vehicle's GVW rating
limitations.