
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
Emergency towing05
221
NOTEDuring towing, ignition mode
II should be
used so that the lighting can be switched on.
CAUTION Vehicles with AWD (All Wheel Drive) with the
front wheels off the ground should not be
towed at speeds above 50 mph (70 km/h) or
for distances longer than 30 miles (50 km).
CAUTION
\b
Please check with state and local
authorities before attempting this type
of towing, as vehicles being towed are
subject to regulations regarding maxi-
mum towing speed, length and type of
towing device, lighting, etc.
\b If the vehicle\fs battery is dead, do not
attempt to start the vehicle by pushing
or pulling it as this will damage the
three-way catalytic converter(s). The
engine must be jump started using an
auxiliary battery (see page 107).
\b If the vehicle is being towed on a flat bed
truck, the towing eyelets must not be
used to pull the vehicle up onto the flat
bed or to secure the vehicle on the flat
bed. Consult the tow truck operator.
Towing vehicles with front wheel drive/
All Wheel Drive
Volvo recommends the use of flat bed equip-
ment.
\b
If wheel lift equipment must be used,
please use extreme caution to help avoid
damage to the vehicle.
In this case, the
vehicle should be towed with the rear
wheels on the ground if at all possible.
\b If it is absolutely necessary to tow the vehi-
cle with the front wheels on the ground,
please refer to the towing information on
page 220.
CAUTION \b
Sling-type equipment applied at the
front will damage radiator and air con-
ditioning lines.
\b It is equally important not to use sling-
type equipment at the rear or apply lift-
ing equipment inside the rear wheels;
serious damage to the rear axle may
result.
\b If the vehicle is being towed on a flat bed
truck, the towing eyelets must not be
used to secure the vehicle on the flat
bed. Consult the tow truck operator.

222 Volvo maintenance
........................................................................\
........ 224
Maintaining your car ........................................................................\
...... 225
Hood and engine compartment ............................................................ 227
Engine oil........................................................................\
....................... 228
Fluids........................................................................\
............................. 230
Replacing bulbs ........................................................................\
............ 232
Wiper blades and washer fluid .............................................................. 240
Battery........................................................................\
........................... 242
Fuses........................................................................\
............................. 245
Wheels and tires........................................................\
............................ 253
Vehicle care ........................................................................\
................... 274
Label information ........................................................................\
.......... 279
Specifications..........................................................\
.............................. 281
Volvo programs ........................................................................\
............. 287
G02092
2

06 Maintenance and specifications
Maintaining your car06
}}
225
Owner maintenance
Periodic maintenance requirements and inter-
vals are described in your vehicle\fs Warranty
and Service Records Information booklet.
The following points can be carried out
between the normally scheduled maintenance
services.
Each time the car is refueled:
\b
Check the engine oil level.
\b Clean the windshield, windshield wipers,
headlights, and tail lights.
Monthly:
\bCheck cold tire pressure in all tires. Inspect
the tires for wear.
\b Check that engine coolant and other fluid
levels are between the indicated "min" and
"max" markings.
\b Clean interior glass surfaces with a glass
cleaner and soft paper towels.
\b Wipe driver information displays with a soft
cloth.
\b Visually inspect battery terminals for cor-
rosion. Corrosion may indicate a loose ter-
minal connector, or a battery near the end
of its useful service life. Consult your Volvo
retailer for additional information.
As needed:Wash the car, including the undercarriage, to
reduce wear that can be caused by a buildup
of dirt, and corrosion that can be caused by salt
residues.
Clean leaves and twigs from air intake vents at
the base of the windshield, and from other pla-
ces where they may collect.
NOTE Complete service information for qualified
technicians is available online for purchase
or subscription at www.volvotechinfo.com.
Hoisting the vehicle
If a garage jack is used to lift the vehicle, the
two jack attachments points should be used.They are specially reinforced to bear the weight
of the vehicle. A garage jack can also be placed
under the front of the engine support frame.
Take care not to damage the splash guard
under the engine. Ensure that the jack is posi-
tioned so that the vehicle cannot slide off it.
Always use axle stands or similar structures.
If a two-post hoist is used to lift the vehicle, the
front and rear lift arm pads should be centered
under the reinforced lift plates on the inboard
edge of the sill rail (see illustration).
Emission inspection readiness
What is an Onboard Diagnostic System
(OBD II)?
OBD II is part of your vehicle\fs computerized
engine management system. It stores diagnos-
tic information about your vehicle\fs emission
controls. It can light the Check Engine light
(MIL) if it detects an emission control "fault." A
"fault" is a component or system that is not
performing within an expected range. A fault
may be permanent or temporary. OBD II will
store a message about any fault.
How do states use OBD II for emission
inspections?
Many states connect a computer directly to a
vehicle\fs OBD II system. The inspector can
then read "faults." In some states, this type of

06 Maintenance and specificationsMaintaining your car 06
226 inspection has replaced the tailpipe emission
test.
How can my vehicle fail OBD II emission
inspection?
Your vehicle can fail OBD II emission inspec-
tion for any of the following reasons.
\b
If your Check Engine (MIL) light is lit, your
vehicle may fail inspection.
\b If your vehicle\fs Check Engine light was lit,
but went out without any action on your
part, OBD II will still have a recorded fault.
Your vehicle may pass or fail, depending
on the inspection practices in your area.
\b If you had recent service that required dis-
connecting the battery, OBD II diagnostic
information may be incomplete and "not
ready" for inspection. A vehicle that is not
ready may fail inspection.
How can I prepare for my next OBD II
emission inspection?
\bIf your Check Engine (MIL) light is lit – or
was lit but went out without service, have
your vehicle diagnosed and, if necessary,
serviced by a qualified Volvo technician.
\b If you recently had service for a lit Check
Engine light, or if you had service that
required disconnecting the battery, a
period of driving is necessary to bring the
OBD II system to "ready" for inspection. A
half-hour trip of mixed stop-and-go/high- way driving is typically needed to allow
OBD II to reach readiness. Your Volvo
retailer can provide you with more infor-
mation on planning a trip.
\b Maintain your vehicle in accordance with
your vehicle\fs maintenance schedule.

06 Maintenance and specifications
Hood and engine compartment06
227
Opening and closing the hood
Pull the lever located under the left side of
the dash to release the hood lock. A sym-
bol will illuminate when the hood has been
released.
Lift the hood slightly. Press the release
control (located under the right front edge
of the hood) to the left, and lift the hood
WARNING Check that the hood locks properly when
closed.
Engine compartment, overview
The appearance of the engine compartment
may vary depending on engine model.
Coolant expansion tank
Power steering fluid reservoir
Engine oil dipstick
Radiator
Filler cap for engine oil
Cover over brake fluid reservoir Battery
Relay and fuse box
Washer fluid reservoir
Air cleaner
WARNING
The cooling fan may start or continue to
operate (for up to 6 minutes) after the engine
has been switched off.
WARNING
The ignition should always be completely
switched off before performing any opera-
tions in the engine compartment.
The distributor ignition system operates at
very high voltages. Special safety precau-
tions must be followed to prevent injury.
Always turn the ignition off when:
\b
Replacing distributor ignition compo-
nents e.g. plugs, coil, etc.
\b Do not touch any part of the distributor
ignition system while the engine is run-
ning. This may result in unintended
movements and body injury. G031910 G031911

06 Maintenance and specificationsBattery 06
242 Warning symbols on the battery
Wear protective goggles.
Keep away from children.
Avoid smoking, open flames,
and/or sparks.
See the owner\fs manual.
Contains corrosive acid.
Risk of explosion
NOTE A used battery should be disposed of in an
environmentally responsible manner. Con-
sult your Volvo retailer or take the battery to
a recycling station.
Handling
\b
Check that the battery cables are correctly
connected and tightened.
\b Never disconnect the battery when the
engine is running (for example, when
replacing the battery).
The service life and function of the battery is
influenced by factors such as the number of
starts, discharging, driving style, driving con-
ditions, climatic conditions etc.
Never use a quick charger to charge the bat-
tery.WARNING \b
Never expose the battery to open flame
or electric spark.
\b Do not smoke near the battery.
\b Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do
not allow battery fluid to contact eyes,
skin, fabrics or painted surfaces. If con-
tact occurs, flush the affected area
immediately with water. Obtain medical
help immediately if eyes are affected.
NOTE The life of the battery is shortened if it
becomes discharged repeatedly.
Maintenance
\b
Regularly check that the electrolyte level is
correct and never fill above the level mark.
\b Check all cells. Use a large screwdriver or
a coin to remove the cell caps. Each cell
has its own maximum and minimum level
mark.
\b If necessary, top up with distilled water to
the battery\fs maximum mark.
\b Tighten the cell caps thoroughly.