2009 VOLVO V50 light

05 Locks and alarm
Remote control and key blade
05``119
NOTE
The car can also be locked if a door is open
(does not apply to vehicles with the optional
keyless drive).Unlock – Press the Unlock button on the
remote once to unlock the driver's door.
After a short pause, press the Unlock but-
ton a second time within 10 seconds to
unlock the other doors and the tailgate. A
long press (at least two seconds) opens all
side windows.
NOTE
•
The turn signals flash to confirm that the
vehicle has been correctly locked/
unlocked with the remote control or the
optional keyless drive. When locking the
vehicle, the turn signals will flash a con-
firmation only if all the doors are
securely closed and locked. Flashing
confirmation for locking and unlocking
may be customized in the vehicle's Per-
sonal settings menu, see page 82 for
more information.
•
The two-step unlocking function can be
changed so that one press of the
Unlock button unlocks all of the doors
and the tailgate. See Personal settings
page 82 for more information.
•
Automatic relocking: If the doors are
unlocked, the locks will automatically reen-
gage (re-lock) and the alarm will rearm after
2 minutes unless a door or the tailgate has
been opened.
•
Automatic locking: When the car starts to
move, the doors and tailgate can be locked
automatically. This feature can be turned
on or off, see Personal settings on page
82 for more information.
•
Airbag deployment will automatically
attempt to unlock the doors.
Approach lighting – As you approach the
car: Press the button on the remote control
to illuminate the area around the car in dark
conditions. Pressing the button once lights
up the interior lighting, parking lights, and
license plate lighting. These lights will
switch off automatically after 30, 60 or
90 seconds. See the Personal settings pa
ge 82 for information about adjusting the
time setting.Unlock tailgate – Press the button once to
disarm the alarm system and unlock only
the tailgate. After closing, the tailgate will
not automatically relock. Press Lock to
relock it and rearm the alarm.NOTE
This function will not open the tailgate.Panic alarm – This button can be used to
attract attention during emergency situa-
tions. To activate the panic alarm, press
and hold the red button for at least 3 sec-
onds or press it twice within 3 seconds.
The turn signals and horn will be activated.
The panic alarm will stop automatically
after 30 seconds. To deactivate, wait
approximately 5 seconds and press the red
button again.

05 Locks and alarmRemote control and key blade
05120
NOTE
This button will NOT unlock the car.Weak battery in the remote control
G019406
When the battery begins to lose its charge, the
Information symbol in the instrument panel
(see page 53) lights up and
KEY BATTERY
LOW VOLTAGE
is shown in the information
display.
Replacing the battery in the remote
controlIf the range of the transmitter is noticeably
reduced, this indicates that the battery (type
CR 2450, 3V) is weak and should be replaced.
To replace the battery:
1. Place the remote control with the keypad
downward. Pry open the cover with a small
slotted screwdriver.
2. Remove the cover.
CAUTION
When replacing the battery, avoid touching
the electrical circuitry in the other half of the
remote control.3. Note how the + and – sides of the battery
are positioned on the inside of the cover
(see the underside of the cover).
4. Pry out and replace the battery. Avoid
touching the battery and its contact surfa-
ces with your fingers.
5. Press the cover back into place.
The old battery should be disposed of properly
at a recycling center or by a trained and quali-
fied Volvo service technician.
Key blade
G019403
Removing the key bladeThe key blade can be removed from the remote
control. When removed, it can be used as fol-
lows:•
To lock/unlock the driver’s door
•
To lock/unlock the glove compartment,
see page 127
Removing the key blade
Slide the spring loaded catch to the side.While holding the catch, pull the key blade
out of the remote control.

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.

05 Locks and alarm
Alarm (option)
05``131 Turning off (stopping) the alarm
If the alarm is sounding, it can be stopped by
pressing the UNLOCK button on the remote
control or by inserting the key in the ignition
switch. The driver's door must first be
unlocked with the key blade.
NOTE
On vehicles equipped with the optional key-
less drive, the start control must be
removed from the ignition switch before the
key can be inserted, see page 146 for
instructions.Audible/visual alarm signalAn audible alarm signal is given by a battery
powered siren. The alarm cycle lasts for
30 seconds.
NOTE
The visual alarm signal is given by flashing
all turn signals and turning on the interior
lighting for approximately 5 minutes.
Temporarily turning off the accessory
alarm sensor(s)
G026313
DisplayMENUEXITENTERMenu navigation controlsIn certain situations it may be desirable to turn
off the accessory inclination and movement
alarm sensors if, for example, you drive your
vehicle onto a ferry where the rocking of the
boat could trigger the alarm or if a pet is left in
the vehicle with the doors locked.
To do so:
1.
PressMENU to enter the menu system and
scroll to
Car settings
(for a more detailed
description of the menus, see page 82.
2.
Select
Reduced guard
.
3.
Select
Activate once
and the message
Reduced guard – See manual
will
appear in the information display. The
alarm sensors will be turned off when the
vehicle is locked.
or
Select
Ask on exit
. Each time the ignition
key is turned to position 0, the message
Press ENTER to reduce guard until
engine is started. Press EXIT to
cancel
will be displayed. Select one of the
alternatives:
•
if the alarm sensors are to be deactivated,
pressENTER and then lock the vehicle.
The next time the ignition key is turned to posi-
tionII, the sensors will be reactivated and
Full
guard
will displayed.

06 Starting and drivingGeneral information
06136
Economical driving conserves natural
resourcesBetter driving economy may be obtained by
thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts and stops
and adjusting the speed of your vehicle to
immediate traffic conditions.
Observe the following rules:•
Bring the engine to normal operating tem-
perature as soon as possible by driving
with a light foot on the accelerator pedal for
the first few minutes of operation. A cold
engine uses more fuel and is subject to
increased wear.
•
Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle
for driving short distances. This does not
allow the engine to reach normal operating
temperature.
•
Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration
and hard braking.
•
Use the transmission's Drive (D) position
as often as possible and avoid using kick-
down.
•
Do not exceed posted speed limits.
•
Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra
load) in the vehicle.
•
Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire
pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
•
Remove snow tires when threat of snow or
ice has ended.
•
Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc,
increase air resistance and also fuel con-
sumption.
•
At highway driving speeds, fuel consump-
tion will be lower with the air conditioning
on and the windows closed than with the
air conditioning off and the windows open.
•
Using the onboard trip computer's fuel
consumption modes can help you learn
how to drive more economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage
are:•
Dirty air cleaner
•
Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
•
Dragging brakes
•
Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and others
are checked at the standard maintenance
intervals.
WARNING
Driving with the tailgate open: Driving with
the tailgate open could lead to poisonous
exhaust gases entering the passenger com-
partment. If the tailgate must be kept open
for any reason, proceed as follows:
1. Close the windows.
2. Set the ventilation system control to air
flow to floor, windshield and side win-
dows and the blower control to its high-
est setting.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 cargo area, the less
the tendency to understeer.

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.

06 Starting and driving
General information
06
139
•
Check state of the battery's charge.
•
Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as
well), and replace those that are worn.
Check tire pressures.
•
The brakes, front wheel alignment, and
steering gear should be checked by your
Volvo retailer only.
•
Check all lights, including high beams.
•
Reflective warning triangles are legally
required in some states/provinces.
•
Have a word with your Volvo retailer if you
intend to drive in countries where it may be
difficult to obtain the correct fuel.
•
Consider your destination. If you will be
driving through an area where snow or ice
are likely to occur, consider snow tires.

06 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements
06``141 Deposit control gasoline (detergent
additives)
Volvo recommends the use of detergent gas-
oline to control engine deposits. Detergent
gasoline is effective in keeping injectors and
intake valves clean. Consistent use of deposit
control gasolines will help ensure good driva-
bility and fuel economy. If you are not sure
whether the gasoline contains deposit control
additives, check with the service station oper-
ator.
NOTE
Volvo does not recommend the use of
store-bought fuel injector cleaning addi-
tives.Unleaded fuelEach Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter
and must use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. and
Canadian regulations require that pumps deliv-
ering unleaded gasoline be labelled "UNLEA-
DED". Only these pumps have nozzles which
fit your vehicle's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dis-
pense leaded fuel into a vehicle labelled
"unleaded gasoline only". Leaded gasoline
damages the three-way catalytic converter and
the heated oxygen sensor system. Repeated
use of leaded gasoline will lessen the effec-tiveness of the emission control system and
could result in loss of emission warranty cov-
erage. State and local vehicle inspection pro-
grams will make detection of misfueling easier,
possibly resulting in emission test failure for
misfueled vehicles.
NOTE
Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines contain
an octane enhancing additive called methyl-
cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). If such fuels are used, your Emission
Control System performance may be affec-
ted, and the Check Engine Light (malfunc-
tion indicator lamp) located on your instru-
ment panel may light. If this occurs, please
return your vehicle to a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for maintenance.Gasoline containing alcohol and ethersSome fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
"oxygenates" which are usually alcohols or
ethers. In some areas, state or local laws
require that the service pump be marked indi-
cating use of alcohols or ethers. However,
there are areas in which the pumps are
unmarked. If you are not sure whether there is
alcohol or ethers in the gasoline you buy, check
with the service station operator. To meet sea-
sonal air quality standards, some areas require
the use of "oxygenated" fuel. Volvo allows theuse of the following "oxygenated" fuels; how-
ever, the octane ratings listed on this page
must still be met. Alcohol – Ethanol: Fuels
containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may
be used. Ethanol may also be referred to as
Ethyl alcohol, or "Gasohol". Ethers – MTBE:
Fuels containing up to 15% MTBE may be
used.
Fuel filler doorPress the button on the light switch panel (see
the illustration on page 61) with the ignition
switched off to unlock the fuel filler door.
Please note that the fuel filler door will remain
unlocked until the vehicle begins to move for-
ward. An audible click will be heard when the
fuel filler door relocks.
If you intend to leave your vehicle while it is
being refueled, this feature enables you to lock
the doors/tailgate while leaving the fuel filler
door unlocked.
You can also keep the vehicle locked if you
remain inside it during refueling. The central
locking button does not lock the fuel filler door.
Be sure the fuel filler door is not obstructed and
is completely closed after refueling. Open the
fuel filler cap slowly during hot weather.