2009 VOLVO XC60 warning

04 Comfort and driving pleasureBlind Spot Information System* 04
194
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
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
\b
BLIS does not function in sharp curves.
\b BLIS does not function when your vehi-
cle is backing up.
\b 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
Daylight
BLIS 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 \b
BLIS does not react to cyclists or
mopeds.
\b BLIS does not react to vehicles that are
standing still.
\b 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.
\b In both of the above mentioned condi-
tions, a message will appear in the infor-
mation display.
\b When driving in such conditions, the
system\fs function will be limited or it
may be temporarily switched off, see
page 195 for instructions.
\b When the message is no longer dis-
played, BLIS will return to normal func-
tion.
\b 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.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Passenger compartment convenience04
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction. 199
Vanity mirror
Vanity mirror with lighting
The light comes on automatically when the
cover is lifted.
12-volt sockets 12-volt socket in the front tunnel console
12-volt socket in the rear center console
The electrical socket can be used for 12-volt
accessories such as cell phone chargers and
coolers. The maximum current is 10 A. For thesocket to supply current, the ignition must be
in at least mode I, see page 79.
WARNING Always keep the sockets covered when not
in use.
12-volt socket in the cargo area*
Fold down the cover to access the electrical
socket.
NOTE
The 12-volt socket in the cargo area pro-
vides electrical current even when the igni-
tion is switched off. Using the socket while
the engine is not running will drain the bat-
tery. G021438 G031435 G021440 G031436

05 During your tripDriving recommendations 05
202 General information
Economical driving conserves natural
resources
Better 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:
\b
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.
\b Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle
for driving short distances. This does not
allow the engine to reach normal operating
temperature.
\b Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration
and hard braking.
\b Use the transmission\fs Drive (
D) position
as often as possible and avoid using kick-
down.
\b Do not exceed posted speed limits.
\b Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra
load) in the vehicle.
\b Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire
pressure regularly (when tires are cold). \b
Remove snow tires when threat of snow or
ice has ended.
\b Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc,
increase air resistance and also fuel con-
sumption.
\b 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.
\b Using the onboard trip computer\fs fuel
consumption modes can help you learn
how to drive more economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage
are:
\b Dirty air cleaner
\b Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
\b Dragging brakes
\b 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:
\b
Close the windows
\b 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.
Handling, roadholdingVehicle 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.

05 During your trip
Driving recommendations05
}}
203
Driving through water
\b
The vehicle can be driven through water up
to a depth of approximately 10 in. (25 cm),
at a maximum speed of 6 mph (10 km/h).
\b Take particular care when driving through
flowing water.
\b Clean the electrical connections for trailer
wiring after driving in mud or water.
\b 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 \b
Engine damage will occur if water is
drawn into the air cleaner.
\b If the vehicle is driven through water
deeper than 10 in (25 cm), water may
enter the differential and the transmis-
sion. This reduces the oil\fs lubricating
capacity and may shorten the service
life of these components.
\b Do not allow the vehicle to stand in
water up to the door sills longer than
absolutely necessary. This could result
in electrical malfunctions.
\b If the engine has been stopped while the
vehicle is in water, do not attempt to
restart it. Have the vehicle towed out of
the water.
Engine and cooling systemUnder special conditions, for example when
driving in hilly terrain, extreme heat or with
heavy loads, there is a risk that the engine and
cooling system will overheat. Proceed as fol-
lows to avoid overheating the engine.
\b
Maintain a low speed when driving with a
trailer up long, steep hills.
\b Do not turn the engine off immediately
when stopping after a hard drive.
WARNING The cooling fan may start or continue to
operate (for up to 6 minutes) after the engine
has been switched off.
\b
Remove any auxiliary lights from in front of
the grille when driving in hot weather con-
ditions.
\b Do not exceed engine speeds of 4500 rpm
if driving with a trailer in hilly terrain. The oil
temperature could become too high.
Conserving electrical currentKeep the following in mind to help minimize
battery drain:
\bWhen the engine is not running, avoid
using ignition mode
II. Many electrical sys-
tems (the audio system, the optional navi-
gation system, power windows, etc) will
function in ignition modes 0 and I. These
modes reduce drain on the battery.
\b Please keep in mind that using systems,
accessories, etc., that consume a great
deal of current when the engine is not run-
ning could result in the battery being com-
pletely drained.
\b The optional 12 volt socket in the cargo
area provides electrical current even with
the ignition switched off, which drains the
battery.

05 During your tripDriving recommendations 05
204
Before a long distance tripIt is always worthwhile to have your vehicle
checked by a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician before driving long distances.
Your retailer 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:
\b
Check that engine runs smoothly and that
fuel consumption is normal.
\b Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage
\b Have the transmission oil level checked.
\b Check condition of drive belts.
\b Check state of the battery\fs charge.
\b Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as
well), and replace those that are worn.
Check tire pressures.
\b The brakes, front wheel alignment, and
steering gear should be checked by a
trained and qualified Volvo service techni-
cian only.
\b Check all lights, including high beams.
\b Reflective warning triangles are legally
required in some states/provinces.
\b Have a word with a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician if you intend to
drive in countries where it may be difficult
to obtain the correct fuel. \b
Consider your destination. If you will be
driving through an area where snow or ice
are likely to occur, consider snow tires.
Cold weather precautionsIf you wish to check your vehicle before the
approach of cold weather, the following advice
is worth noting:
\bMake 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). The use of "recycled" anti-
freeze is not approved by Volvo. Different
types of antifreeze must not be mixed.
\b Volvo recommends using only genuine
Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle\fs radiator.
\b Try to keep the fuel tank well filled – this
helps prevent the formation of condensa-
tion in the tank. In addition, in extremely
cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to
add fuel line de-icer before refueling.
\b 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, 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 283 for more
information on engine oil.
NOTE Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is
changed at the normal maintenance inter-
vals except at owner request and at addi-
tional charge.
\b
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
more frequently and spray an anti-rust oil
on the battery posts.
\b Volvo recommends the use of snow tires
on all four wheels for winter driving, see
page 262.
\b To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from
freezing, add washer solvents containing
antifreeze. This is important since dirt is
often splashed on the windshield during
winter driving, requiring the frequent use of
the washers and wipers. Volvo Washer
Solvent should be diluted 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 solvent and 3 parts water Down to
0 °F (–18 °C): 1 part washer solvent and

05 During your trip
Refueling05
}}
207
Octane rating
Minimum octane
Typical pump octane label
Volvo engines are designed to run on unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating of 87
1
or above.
Please be aware that the engine specifications
for horsepower and torque listed on page
283 are based on the use of premium fuel.
Demanding drivingIn demanding driving conditions, such as oper-
ating the vehicle in hot weather, towing a trailer,
or driving for extended periods at higher alti-
tudes than normal, it may be advisable to
switch to higher octane fuel (91 or higher) or to
change gasoline brands to fully utilize your engine\fs capacity, and for the smoothest pos-
sible operation.
NOTE When switching to higher octane fuel or
changing gasoline brands, it may be neces-
sary to fill the tank more than once before a
difference in engine operation is noticeable.
Fuel FormulationsDo not use gasoline that contains lead as a
knock inhibitor, and do not use lead additives.
Besides damaging the exhaust emission con-
trol systems on your vehicle, lead has been
strongly linked to certain forms of cancer.
Many fuels contain benzene as a solvent.
Unburned benzene has been strongly linked to
certain forms of cancer. If you live in an area
where you must fill your own gas tank, take
precautions. These may include:
\b
standing upwind away from the filler nozzle
while refueling
\b refueling only at gas stations with vapor
recovery systems that fully seal the mouth
of the filler neck during refueling
\b wearing neoprene gloves while handling a
fuel filler nozzle.
Use of AdditivesWith the exception of gas line antifreeze during
winter months, do not add solvents, thicken-
ers, or other store-bought additives to your
vehicle\fs fuel, cooling, or lubricating systems.
Overuse may damage your engine, and some
of these additives contain organically volatile
chemicals. Do not needlessly expose yourself
to these chemicals.
WARNING Never carry a cell phone that is
switched
on while refueling your vehicle. If the phone
rings, this may cause a spark that could
ignite gasoline fumes, resulting in fire and
injury.
WARNING Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless,
and odorless gas. It is present in all exhaust
gases. If you ever smell exhaust fumes
inside the vehicle, make sure the passenger
compartment is ventilated, and immediately
return the vehicle to a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for correction.
1
AKI (ANTI KNOCK INDEX) is an average of the Research Octane Number (R\
ON) and the Motor Octane Number (MON), MON+RON/2.
G028920

05 During your tripLoading 05
210
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Introduction
The load carrying capacity of your vehicle is
determined by factors such as the number of
passengers, the amount of cargo, the weight
of any accessories that may be installed, etc.
To increase loading space, the rear seat backr-
ests can be folded down, see page 83.
When loading the cargo area, keep the follow-
ing in mind:
\b
Load objects in the cargo area against the
backrest whenever possible.
\b Unstable loads can be secured to the load
anchoring eyelets with straps or web lash-
ings to help keep them from shifting.
\b Stop the engine and apply the parking
brake when loading or unloading long
objects. The gear selector can be knocked
out of position by long loads, which could
set the vehicle in motion.
WARNING \b
Stop the engine, put the gear selector in
P, and apply the parking brake when
loading or unloading long objects.
\b The vehicle\fs driving characteristics
may change depending on the weight
and distribution of the load.
\b A 44-pound (20 kg) object produces a
force of 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) in a
headon collision at 30 mph (50 km/h).
\b The cargo area and rear seat should not
be loaded to a level higher than 2 in.
(5 cm) below the upper edge of the rear
side windows. Objects placed higher
than this level could impede the func-
tion of the Volvo Inflatable Curtain. Load anchoring eyelets
The load anchoring eyelets on both sides of the
vehicle are used to fasten straps, etc., to help
anchor items in the cargo area. G031966

05 During your trip
Loading05
}}
211
WARNING\b
Cover sharp edges on long loads to help
prevent injury to occupants. Secure the
load to help prevent shifting during sud-
den stops.
\b Always secure large and heavy objects
with a seat belt or cargo retaining
straps.
\b Always secure the load to help prevent
it from moving in the event of sudden
stops.
\b Switch off the engine, apply the parking
brake and put the gear selector in P
when loading and unloading the vehicle. Grocery bag holder*
Grocery bag holder under the floor of the cargo
area
The grocery bag holder holds shopping bags
in place.
1. Open the hatch in the floor of the cargo
area.
2. Secure the shopping bags with the strap. Roof loads
Using load carriersLoad carriers are available as Volvo accesso-
ries. Observe the following points when in use:
\b
To avoid damaging your vehicle and to
achieve maximum safety when driving, we
recommend using the load carriers that
Volvo has developed especially for your
vehicle.
\b Volvo-approved removable roof racks are
designed to carry the maximum allowable
roof load for this vehicle: 220 lbs (100 kg).
For non-Volvo roof racks, check the man-
ufacturer\fs weight limits for the rack.
\b Never exceed the rack manufacturer\fs
weigh limits and never exceed the maxi-
mum rated roof load of 220 lbs (100 kg).
\b Avoid single-point loads. Distribute loads
evenly.
\b Place heavier cargo at the bottom of the
load.
\b Secure the cargo correctly with appropri-
ate tie-down equipment.
\b Check periodically that the load carriers
and load are properly secured.
\b Remember that the vehicle\fs center of
gravity and handling change when you
carry a load on the roof. G017745