2009 VOLVO V50 check transmission fluid

06 Starting and drivingGeneral information
06138
more frequently and spray an anti-rust oil
on the battery posts.
•
Volvo recommends the use of snow tires
on all four wheels for winter driving – see
the chapter "Wheels and tires."
•
To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from
freezing, add washer solvents containing
antifreeze (see page 215 for the location of
the washer fluid reservoir). This is impor-
tant since dirt is often splashed on the
windshield during winter driving, requiring
the frequent use of the washers and wip-
ers. Volvo Washer Solvent should be dilu-
ted as follows: Down to 14 °F (–10 °C): 1
part washer solvent and 4 parts water
Down to 5° F (–15° C): 1 part washer sol-
vent and 3 parts water Down to 0° F
(–18° C): 1 part washer solvent and 2 parts
water Down to –18° F (–28° C): 1 part
washer solvent and 1 part water.
•
Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.NOTE
Avoid using de-icing sprays as they can
cause damage to the locks.
Conserving electrical currentKeep the following in mind to help minimize
battery drain:•
When the engine is not running, avoid turn-
ing the ignition key to position II. Many
electrical systems (the audio system, the
optional navigation system, power win-
dows, etc) will function with the ignition key
in position I. This position reduces drain on
the battery.
•
Please keep in mind that using systems,
accessories, etc that consume a great deal
of current when the engine is not running
could result in the battery being completely
drained.
•
The optional 12 volt socket in the cargo
area (certain models only) provides electri-
cal current even with the ignition switched
off, which drains the battery.
NOTE
•
If the ignition is switched on, a warning
message will be displayed in the text
window in the instrument panel when
the battery charge is low.
•
An energy conserving function
designed into the vehicle's electrical
system will switch off certain functions
or reduce the load on the battery by,
e.g., reducing the audio system's vol-
ume.
Before a long distance tripIt is always worthwhile to have your vehicle
checked at a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician before driving long distances.
Your trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician will also be able to supply you with
bulbs, fuses, spark plugs and wiper blades for
your use in the event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be
checked before any long trip:•
Check that engine runs smoothly and that
fuel consumption is normal.
•
Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage
•
Have the transmission oil level checked
2.
•
Check condition of drive belts.
2To prevent injury from contact with hot surfaces, do not inspect your vehicle's transmission fluid yourself. Have your vehicle's transmission fluid level inspected by a qualified Volvo service technician.

06 Starting and drivingStarting the vehicle
06144
To start the engine
WARNING
Before starting, check that the seat, steering
wheel and mirrors are adjusted properly.
Make sure the brake pedal can be
depressed completely. Adjust the seat if
necessary.1. Fasten the seat belt.
2. Apply the parking brake if not already set.
The gear selector should be locked in the
Park (P) position (Shiftlock). See also page
151.
Manual transmission: The clutch must be
fully depressed.
NOTE
After a cold start, idle speed may be notice-
ably higher than normal for a short period.
This is done to help bring components in the
emission control system to their normal
operating temperature as quickly as possi-
ble, which enables them to control emis-
sions and help reduce the vehicle's impact
on the environment.3. The vehicle is equipped with an autostart
feature. Without touching the throttlepedal, turn the key to position III and
release it. The starter motor will then oper-
ate automatically (for up to ten seconds)
until the engine starts. If the engine fails to
start, repeat this step.
4. To release the gear selector from the Park
(P) position, the engine must be running (or
the ignition key must be in position II) and
the brake pedal must be depressed.
5. Select the desired gear. On models with an
automatic transmission, the gear engages
after a very slight delay which is especially
noticeable when selecting R.
NOTE
•
Immobilizer: If two of the keys to your
vehicle are close together, e.g., on the
same key ring when you try to start the
vehicle, this could cause interference in
the immobilizer system and result in the
vehicle not starting. If this should occur,
remove one of the keys from the key
ring before trying to start the vehicle
again.
•
Keylock: Models equipped an auto-
matic transmission have a keylock sys-
tem. When the engine is switched off,
the gear selector must be in the Park
(P) position before the key can be
removed from the ignition switch
1.
•
When starting in cold weather, the
transmission may shift up at slightly
higher engine speeds than normal until
the automatic transmission fluid rea-
ches normal operating temperature.
•
Do not race a cold engine immediately
after starting. Oil flow may not reach
some lubrication points fast enough to
prevent engine damage.
1The optional keyless drive start control does not need to be removed from the ignition switch.

12 Index
12280
Long distance trips.................................. 138
Lug nuts (wheel nuts)............................... 188MMaintenance............................................ 210
performed by the owner.....................212
Manual climate control.............................. 93
Manual transmission........................ 147, 148
Mirrors.................................................. 77, 78
Model plate.............................................. 263
Moonroof................................................... 80
Motor oil........................................... 216, 269
checking............................................. 216NNet in cargo area.............................114, 115OOccupant safety........................................ 16
Occupant weight sensor............................ 26Octane recommendations.......................140
Oil............................................................. 216
changing............................................. 216
checking............................................. 216
On Call Roadside Assistance.................. 275
Opening the hood.................................... 214
Owner maintenance................................. 212
PPanel lighting, instrument.......................... 62
Park assist............................................... 168
Parking brake............................................. 74
Parking lights............................................. 61
Passenger’s side front airbag, disabling. . . 26
Periodic owner-performed maintenance. 212
Permissible axle weight........................... 183
Personal settings....................................... 82
Power door mirrors.................................... 78
Power front seat...................................... 103
memory function................................. 103
Power moonroof........................................ 80
Power steering fluid................................. 219Power windows......................................... 75
Pregnancy, using seat belts during........... 19
RRadio
Sirius satellite radio............................ 245
Radio functions........................................ 244
Rain sensor - windshield wipers................ 71
Rear fog light............................................. 62
Rear park assist....................................... 168
Rear seat backrests, folding down.......... 111
Rear seats
center head restraint........................... 111
Rearview mirror.......................................... 77
auto-dim function................................. 77
Rearview mirror with compass (option)..... 77
Recalls, child restraints.............................. 45
Refrigerant (A/C system).................... 90, 267
Refueling.................................................. 142
fuel tank volume.................................267
Registering child restraints........................ 45
Remote control........................................ 118
battery replacement............................ 120

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