
06 Maintenance and specifications
Wheels and tires06
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Introduction
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according
to the vehicle\fs tire information placard on the
B-pillar (the structural member at the side of
the vehicle, at the rear of the driver\fs door
opening), or on the inside of the fuel filler door
on Canadian models.
CAUTION
Some Volvo models are equipped with an
Ultra High Performance tire and wheel com-
bination designed to provide maximum dry
pavement performance with consideration
for hydroplaning resistance. As such, they
may be more susceptible to road hazard
damage and, depending on driving condi-
tions, may achieve a tread life of less than
20,000 miles (30,000 km). Even if this vehi-
cle is equipped with Volvo’s advanced AWD
or DSTC system, these tires are not
designed for winter driving, and should be
replaced with winter tires when weather
conditions dictate.
The tires have good road holding characteris-
tics and offer good handling on dry and wet
surfaces. It should be noted however that the
tires have been developed to give these fea-
tures on snow/ice-free surfaces.
Certain models are equipped with "all-season"
tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree of road holding on slippery surfaces than tires
without the "all-season" rating. However, for
optimum road holding on icy or snow-covered
roads, we recommend suitable winter tires on
all four wheels.
When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires
are the same size designation, type (radial) and
preferably from the same manufacturer, on all
four wheels. Otherwise there is a risk of altering
the car\fs roadholding and handling characte-
ristics.
New Tires
Remember that tires are perishable goods. As
of 2000, the manufacturing week and year
(Department of Transportation (DOT) stamp)
will be indicated with 4 digits (e.g. 1502 means
that the tire illustrated was manufactured dur-
ing week 15 of 2002).
Tire ageTires degrade over time, even when they are
not being used. It is recommended that tires
generally be replaced after 6 years of normal
service. Heat caused by hot climates, frequent
high loading conditions or Ultra Violet (U.V)
exposure can accelerate the aging process.
You should replace the spare tire when you
replace the other road tires due to the aging of
the spare.
A tire\fs age can be determined by the DOT
stamp on the sidewall (see the illustration).
A tire with e.g., visible cracks or discoloration
should be replaced immediately.
Improving tire economy
\b
Maintain correct tire pressure. For the tire
pressure tables, see page 258.
\b Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard
braking and tire screeching.
\b Tire wear increases with speed.
\b Correct front wheel alignment is very
important.
\b Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy
and driving comfort.
\b Tires must maintain the same direction of
rotation throughout their lifetime.
\b When replacing tires, the tires with the
most tread should be mounted on the rear G021823

06 Maintenance and specificationsWheels and tires 06
256
NOTE \b
The placards shown indicate inflation
pressure for the tires installed on the
vehicle at the factory only.
\b A certain amount of air seepage from
the tires occurs naturally and tire pres-
sure fluctuates with seasonal changes
in temperature. Always check tire pres-
sure regularly. \b
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation
pressure, including the spare, at least once
a month and before long trips. You are
strongly urged to buy a reliable tire pres-
sure gauge, as automatic service station
gauges may be inaccurate.
\b Use the recommended cold inflation pres-
sure for optimum tire performance and
wear.
\b Under-inflation or over-inflation may cause
uneven treadwear patterns.
NOTE A certain amount of air seepage from the
tires occurs naturally and tire pressure fluc-
tuates with seasonal changes in tempera-
ture. Always check tire pressure regularly.
WARNING \b
Under-inflation is the most common
cause of tire failure and may result in
severe tire cracking, tread separation,
or "blow-out," with unexpected loss of
vehicle control and increased risk of
injury.
\b Under-inflated tires reduce the load car-
rying capacity of your vehicle. Tire inflation placard on Canadian models
When weather temperature changes occur, tire
inflation pressures also change. A 10-degree
temperature drop causes a corresponding
drop of 1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure. Check
your tire pressures frequently and adjust them
to the proper pressure, which can be found onthe vehicle\fs tire information placard or certifi-
cation label.
Checking tire pressure
Cold tires
Inflation 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
vehicle 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 dis-
tance to pump your tire(s), check and record
the tire pressure first and add the appropriate
air pressure 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. G032522

06 Maintenance and specifications
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267
Accessing the tire sealing systemThe tire sealing system is stowed under the
floor of the cargo area. To access it:
1.
Fold up or remove any protective floor cov-
ering or carpet.
2. Open the floor hatch.
3. Remove the retaining screws.
4. Lift out the foam plastic block holding the jack and lug wrench.
5. Lift out the tire sealing system.
NOTE \b
The tire sealing system is only intended
to seal holes on the tire’s tread area, not
the sidewall.
\b Tires with large holes or tears cannot be
repaired with the tire sealing system.
WARNING \b
After using the tire sealing system, the
vehicle should not be driven farther than
approximately 120 miles (200 km).
\b Have the tire inspected by a trained and
qualified Volvo service technician as
soon as possible to determine if it can
be permanently repaired or must be
replaced.
\b The vehicle should not be driven faster
than 50 mph (80 km/h) while using a tire
that has been temporarily repaired with
the tire sealing system.
\b After using the tire sealing system, drive
carefully and avoid abrupt steering
maneuvers and sudden stops. Tire sealing system–overview
Speed limit sticker
On/Off switch
Electrical wire
Bottle holder (orange cover)
Protective hose cover
Air release knob
Hose
Bottle with sealing compound
Air pressure gauge

06 Maintenance and specifications
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269
3. Ensure that the on/off switch is in posi-
tion 0 (the 0 side of the switch should be
pressed down).
WARNING Contact with the sealing compound may
cause skin irritation. If contact occurs, wash
the affected area immediately with soap and
water.
4. Unscrew the orange cover over the bottle
holder and unscrew the cap on the bottle
of sealing compound.
NOTE Do not break the seal on the bottle. This
occurs automatically when the bottle is
screwed into the holder.
5. Screw the bottle into the bottle holder.
WARNING
The bottle is equipped with a catch to keep
it securely in place and help prevent sealing
compound leakage. Once in place, the bot-
tle cannot be unscrewed. This must be done
by a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician. 6.
Remove the valve cap from the tire’s infla-
tion valve and screw the tire sealing sys-
tem’s hose connector onto the valve as
tightly as possible by hand.
7. Connect the electrical wire to the nearest 12-volt socket in the vehicle.
8. Start the vehicle’s engine.
WARNING The vehicle´s engine should be running
when the tire sealing system is used to avoid
battery drain. Therefore, be sure the vehicle
is parked in a well ventilated place, or out-
doors, before using the system.
9.
Start the tire sealing system’s compressor
by pressing the on/off switch to position I.
WARNING \b
Never stand next to the tire being inflated
when the compressor is in operation.
\b If cracks, bubbles, etc. form on the tire,
switch off the compressor immediately.
\b If there is visible damage to the sidewall
or the rim, the tire cannot be repaired.
The vehicle should not be driven if this
occurs. Contact a towing service or
Volvo On Call Roadside Assistance if
applicable.
NOTE The air pressure gauge will temporarily
show an increase in pressure to approxi-
mately 88 psi (6 bar) while the sealing com-
pound is being pumped into the tire. The
pressure should return to a normal level
after approximately 30 seconds.
10. Within seven minutes, inflate the tire to
between
22—44 psi (1.8—3.0 bar). Switch
off the compressor briefly to get a clear
reading from the pressure gauge. The
compressor should not be used for more
than 10 minutes at a time to avoid over-
heating.

06 Maintenance and specificationsWheels and tires 06
270
CAUTION The compressor should not be used for
more than 10 minutes at a time to avoid
overheating.
WARNING
If the pressure remains below 22 psi
(1.8 bar) after approximately seven minutes,
turn off the compressor. In this case, the
hole is too large to be sealed and the vehicle
should not be driven.
11.
Switch off the compressor and disconnect
the electrical wire from the 12-volt
socket.
12. Unscrew the hose from the tire’s inflation valve and reinstall the valve cap.
13. Immediately drive the vehicle for approxi- mately 2 miles (3 km) at a maximum speed
of 50 mph (80 km/h) to distribute the seal-
ing compound in the tire.
NOTE \b
Safely stow the tire sealing system in a
convenient place as it will soon be used
again to check the tire’s inflation pres-
sure.
\b The empty bottle of sealing compound
cannot be removed from the bottle
holder. Consult a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician to have the
bottle removed and properly disposed
of.
WARNING If heavy vibrations, unsteady steering
behavior, or noises should occur while driv-
ing, reduce speed and park the vehicle in a
safe place. Recheck the tire for bumps,
cracks, or other visible damage, and
recheck its inflation pressure. If the pressure
is below 19 psi (1.3 bar), do not continue
driving. Have the vehicle towed to a trained
and qualified Volvo service technician.
Stage 2: Checking inflation pressure1. Connect the tire sealing system as descri-
bed in stage 1.
2. Refer to the inflation pressure tablesfor the
correct inflation pressure. If the tire needs
to be inflated, start the tire sealing system’s compressor. If necessary, release air from
the tire by turning the air release knob
counterclockwise.
CAUTION The compressor should not be used for
more than 10 minutes at a time to avoid
overheating.
WARNING
If you interrupt your trip for more than 1
hour, check the inflation pressure in the
damaged tire again before continuing.
Replacing the sealing compound
container
The sealing compound container must be
replaced if:
\b
the tire sealing system has been used to
repair a tire
\b the container’s expiration date has passed
(see the date on decal).

06 Maintenance and specificationsWheels and tires 06
272 When low inflation pressure is detected, TPMS
will light up the tire pressure warning light
(
) (also referred to as a telltale) in the
instrument panel and will display one of the
following messages in the text window: LOW
TIRE PRESS. CHECK TIRES or VERY LOW
TIRE PRESSURE.
NOTE If a fault occurs in TPMS, the tire pressure
warning light will flash for approximately
1 minute and TIRE PRESS SYST
SERVICE REQUIRED will be displayed.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your
vehicle has tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pres-
sure telltale when one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when
the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pres-
sure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated
tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the
vehicle\fs handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er\fs responsibility to maintain correct tire pres-
sure, even if under-inflation has not reached
the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low
tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with
the low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as
long as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may
occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one
or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or alternate tires
and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to
function properly.
NOTE
TPMS indicates low tire pressure but does
not replace normal tire maintenance. For
information on correct tire pressure, please
refer to the Tire inflation pressure tables or
consult your Volvo retailer.
Erasing warning messagesWhen a low tire pressure warning message has
been displayed, and the tire pressure warning
light has come on:
1. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the
inflation pressure of all four tires.
2. Re-inflate the tire(s) to the correct pressure
(consult the tire pressure placard or the
tables beginning on page
258.
3. In certain cases, it may be necessary to drive the vehicle for several minutes at a
speed of 20 mph (30 km/h) or faster. This
will erase the warning text and the warning
light will go out.

06 Maintenance and specifications
Wheels and tires06
273
WARNINGIncorrect inflation pressure could lead to tire
failure, resulting in a loss of control of the
vehicle.
Changing wheels with TPMSPlease note the following when changing or
replacing the factory installed TPMS wheels/
tires on the vehicle:
\b
Only the factory-mounted wheels are
equipped with TPMS sensors in the valves.
\b If the vehicle is equipped with a temporary
spare tire, this tire does not have a TPMS
sensor.
\b If wheels without TPMS sensors are moun-
ted on the vehicle, TIRE PRESS SYST
SERVICE REQUIRED will be displayed
each time the vehicle is driven above
25 mph (40 km/h) for 10 minutes or more.
\b Once TPMS sensors are properly installed,
the warning message should not reappear.
If the message is still displayed, drive the
vehicle for several minutes at a speed of
20 mph (30 km/h) or faster to erase the
message.
\b Volvo recommends that TPMS sensors be
fitted on all wheels used on the vehicle.
Volvo does not recommend moving sen-
sors back and forth between sets of
wheels.
NOTE \b
If you change to tires with a different
recommended inflation pressure, the
TPMS system must be recalibrated to
these tires. This must be done by a
trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician.
\b If a tire is changed, or if the TPMS sen-
sor is moved to another wheel, the sen-
sor\fs seal, nut, and valve core should be
replaced.
\b When installing TPMS sensors, the
vehicle must be parked for at least
15 minutes with the ignition off. if the
vehicle is driven within 15 minutes, a
TPMS error message will be displayed.
CAUTION When inflating tires with TPMS valves, press
the pump\fs mouthpiece straight onto the
valve to help avoid bending or otherwise
damaging the valve.

06 Maintenance and specificationsVehicle care 06
274 Washing the car
WARNING
Be sure that the compressor is not con-
nected to a 12-volt socket while replacing
the container.
The following points should be kept in mind
when washing and cleaning the car:
\b
The car should be washed at regular inter-
vals since dirt, dust, insects and tar spots
adhere to the paint and may cause dam-
age. To help prevent corrosion, it is partic-
ularly important to wash the car frequently
in the wintertime.
\b Avoid washing your car in direct sunlight.
Doing so may cause detergents and wax
to dry out and become abrasive. To avoid
scratching, use lukewarm water to soften
the dirt before you wash with a soft
sponge, and plenty of sudsy water.
\b Bird droppings: Remove from paintwork
as soon as possible. Otherwise the finish
may be permanently damaged.
\b A detergent can be used to facilitate the
softening of dirt and oil.
\b A water-soluble grease solvent may be
used in cases of sticky dirt. However, use
a wash place equipped with a drainage
separator. \b
Dry the car with a clean chamois and
remember to clean the drain holes in the
doors and rocker panels.
\b Tar spots can be removed with kerosene
or tar remover after the car has been
washed.
\b A stiff-bristle brush and lukewarm soapy
water can be used to clean the wiper
blades. Frequent cleaning of the wind-
shield and wiper blades improves visibility
considerably and also helps prolong the
service life of the wiper blades.
\b Wash off the dirt from the underside (wheel
housings, fenders, etc).
\b In areas of high industrial fallout, more fre-
quent washing is recommended.
\b After cleaning the engine, the spark plug
wells should be inspected for water and
blown dry if necessary.
NOTE When washing the car, remember to remove
dirt from the drain holes in the doors and
sills.
CAUTION \b
During high pressure washing, the
spray mouthpiece must never be closer
to the vehicle than 13" (30 cm). Do not
spray into the locks.
\b Dirt, snow, etc., on the headlights can
reduce lighting capacity considerably.
Clean the headlights regularly, for
example when refueling.
\b When washing or steam cleaning the
engine, avoid spraying water or steam
directly on the electrical components or
toward the rear side of the engine. Spe-
cial moonroof cautions:
\b Always close the moonroof and sun
shade before washing your vehicle.
\b Never use abrasive cleaning agents on
the moonroof.
\b Never use wax on the rubber seals
around the moonroof.
Exterior componentsVolvo recommends the use of special cleaning
products, available at your Volvo retailer, for
cleaning colored plastic, rubber, or ornamental
components such as chromed strips on the
exterior of your vehicle. The instructions for
using these products should be followed care-