03 Your driving environment
Instruments and controls03
}}
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction. 75Symbol Description
Left turn signal indicator
Right turn signal indicator
Trailer turn signal indicator
If you are towing a trailer, this light will flash
simultaneously with the trailer\fs turn signals. If
the light does not flash, or if they flash faster
than usual when signaling a turn, the turn sig-
nals on the trailer or on the vehicle are not
functioning properly.
Malfunction Indicator Light
As you drive, a computer called On-Board
Diagnostics II (OBDII) monitors your vehicle\fs
engine, transmission, electrical and emission
systems.
The malfunction indicator (CHECK ENGINE)
light will illuminate if the computer senses a
condition that potentially may need correcting.
When this happens, please have your vehicle
checked by a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician as soon as possible.
A malfunction indicator (CHECK ENGINE) light
may have many causes. Sometimes, you may
not notice a change in your car\fs behavior.
Even so, an uncorrected condition could hurt
fuel economy, emission controls, and drivabil-
ity. Extended driving without correcting the
cause could even damage other components
in your vehicle.
This light may illuminate if the fuel filler cap is
not closed tightly or if the engine was running
while the vehicle was refueled.
Canadian models are equipped with this sym-
bol:
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
warning light
If the warning light comes on, there may be a
malfunction in the ABS system (the standard
braking system will still function). Check the
system by:
1. Stopping in a safe place and switching off the ignition.
2. Restart the engine.
3. If the warning light goes off, no further action is required.
If the warning light remains on, the vehicle
should be driven to a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for inspection,
See
page 112 for additional information.
Canadian models are equipped with this sym-
bol:
Rear fog light
This symbol indicates that the rear fog light
(located in the driver\fs side tail light cluster) is
on.
Stability system
This indicator symbol flashes when the DSTC
(Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sys-
tem) is actively working to stabilize the vehicle,
155 for more detailed information.
Tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS)*
This symbol illuminates to indicate that tire
pressure in one or more tires is low, see
page 271 for detailed information.
Low fuel level
When this light comes on, the vehicle should
be refueled as soon as possible.
Information symbol
The information symbol illuminates and a text
message is displayed if a fault is detected in
one of the vehicle\fs systems. The message can
be erased and the symbol can be turned off by
pressing the READ button (see page 123 for
information) or this will take place automati-
cally after a short time (the length of time varies,
depending on the function affected).
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 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 tripRefueling 05
208
Opening/closing the fuel filler door The fuel filler door is located on the right rear
fender (indicated by an arrow beside the fuel
tank symbol on the information display
)
With the ignition switched off, press the button
on the lighting panel to unlock the fuel filler
door. Please note that the fuel filler door will
remain unlocked until the vehicle begins to
move forward. An audible click will be heard
when the fuel filler door relocks.
\b 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.
\b You can also keep the vehicle locked if you
remain inside it during refueling. The cen-
tral locking button does not lock the fuel
filler door. \b
Be sure the fuel filler door is not obstructed
and is completely closed after refueling.
\b Open the fuel filler cap slowly during hot
weather.
Close the fuel filler door by pressing it. A click
indicates that it is closed.
CAUTION \b
Avoid spilling gasoline during refueling.
In addition to causing damage to the
environment, gasolines containing
alcohol can cause damage to painted
surfaces, which may not be covered
under the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
Manually opening the fuel filler door If necessary, the fuel filler door can be opened
manually:
1.
Open the side hatch in the cargo compart-
ment (on the same side as the fuel filler
door).
2. Grasp the green cord with a handle.
3. Pull the cord straight rearward until the fuel
filler door clicks open.
Opening/closing the fuel cap Fuel vapor expands in hot weather. Open the
filler cap slowly.
After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turn-
ing it clockwise until it clicks into place. G000000 G022915
05 During your trip
Refueling05
209
CAUTION\b
Do not refuel with the engine running 2
.
Turn the ignition off or to position I. If the
ignition is on, an incorrect reading could
occur in the fuel gauge.
\b Avoid overfilling the fuel tank. Do not
press the handle on the filler nozzle
more than one extra time. Too much
fuel in the tank in hot weather conditions
can cause the fuel to overflow. Overfill-
ing could also cause damage to the
emission control systems. Emission controls
Three-way catalytic converter
\b
Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain
engine malfunctions, particularly involving
the electrical, fuel or distributor ignition
systems, may cause unusually high three-
way catalytic converter temperatures. Do
not continue to operate your vehicle if you
detect engine misfire, noticeable loss of
power or other unusual operating condi-
tions, such as engine overheating or back-
firing. A properly tuned engine will help avoid malfunctions that could damage the
three-way catalytic converter.
\b Do not park your vehicle over combustible
materials, such as grass or leaves, which
can come into contact with the hot exhaust
system and cause such materials to ignite
under certain wind and weather condi-
tions.
\b Excessive starter cranking (in excess of
one minute), or an intermittently firing or
flooded engine can cause three-way cata-
lytic converter or exhaust system over-
heating.
\b Remember that tampering or unauthorized
modifications to the engine, the Engine
Control Module, or the vehicle may be ille-
gal and can cause three-way catalytic con-
verter or exhaust system overheating. This
includes: altering fuel injection settings or
components, altering emission system
components or location or removing com-
ponents, and/or repeated use of leaded
fuel.
NOTE Unleaded fuel is required for vehicles with
three-way catalytic converters.
Heated oxygen sensorsThe heated oxygen sensors monitor the oxy-
gen content of the exhaust gases. Readings
are fed into a control module that continuously
monitors engine functions and controls fuel
injection. The ratio of fuel to air into the engine
is continuously adjusted for efficient combus-
tion to help reduce harmful emissions.
2
If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running\
when the vehicle is refueled, the Check Engine Light (malfunction indi\
cator lamp) may indicate a fault. However, your vehicle\fs
performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo original or approved fu\
el filler caps.
06 Maintenance and specificationsEngine oil 06
228 Checking the engine oil
The oil level should be checked every time the
vehicle is refueled. This is especially important
during the period up to the first scheduled
maintenance service.
\b
See page 283 for oil specifications.
\b Refer to the Warranty and Service Records
Information booklet for information on the
oil change intervals.
Volvo recommends Castrol oil products.
CAUTION \b
Not checking the oil level regularly can
result in serious engine damage if the oil
level becomes too low.
\b Oil that is lower than the specified qual-
ity can damage the engine.
\b Volvo does not recommend the use of
oil additives.
\b Always add oil of the same type and
viscosity as already used.
\b Never fill oil above the
MAX mark. This
could cause an increase in oil consump-
tion.
Checking and adding oil Location of the filler cap and dipstick
NOTE
Before checking the oil:
\b
The car should be parked on a level sur-
face when the oil is checked.
\b If the engine is warm, wait for at least
10 – 15 minutes after the engine has
been switched off before checking the
oil. The oil level must be between the MIN and MAX
marks on the dipstickChecking the oil1.
Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a lint-
free rag.
2. Reinsert the dipstick, pull it out, and check
the oil level. The level must be between the
MIN and MAX marks.
3. Add oil if necessary. If the level is close to the MIN mark, add approximately
0.5 US quarts (0.5 liters) of oil.
4. Recheck the level and add more oil if nec-
essary until the level is near the MAX mark. G031914 G02173
7
06 Maintenance and specificationsWheels and tires 06
260 10.
Maximum Load: Indicates the maximum
load in pounds and kilograms that can be
carried by the tire. Refer to the vehicle\fs tire
information placard or the safety certifica-
tion label, located on the B-Pillar or the
driver\fs door or on the inside of the fuel filler
door on Canadian models, for the correct
tire pressure for your vehicle.
11. Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature
grades: see page 262 for more informa-
tion.
12. Maximum permissible inflation pressure: the greatest amount of air pressure that
should ever be put in the tire. This limit is
set by the tire manufacturer.
Glossary of tire terminology
The tire suppliers may have additional mark-
ings, notes or warnings such as standard load,
radial tubeless, etc.
\b Tire information placard: A placard
showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire
sizes, recommended inflation pressure,
and the maximum weight the vehicle can
carry.
\b Tire Identification Number (TIN)
: A num-
ber on the sidewall of each tire providing
information about the tire brand and man-
ufacturing plant, tire size and date of man-
ufacturer. \b
Inflation pressure: A measure of the
amount of air in a tire.
\b Standard load: A class of P-metric or Met-
ric tires designed to carry a maximum load
at 35 psi [37 psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires].
Increasing the inflation pressure beyond
this pressure will not increase the tires load
carrying capability.
\b Extra load: A class of P-metric or Metric
tires designed to carry a heavier maximum
load at 41 psi [43 psi (2.9 bar) for Metric
tires]. Increasing the inflation pressure
beyond this pressure will not increase the
tire\fs load carrying capability.
\b kPa: Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pres-
sure.
\b PSI: Pounds per square inch, a standard
unit of air pressure.
\b B-pillar: The structural member at the side
of the vehicle behind the front door.
\b Bead area of the tire: Area of the tire next
to the rim.
\b Sidewall of the tire: Area between the
bead area and the tread.
\b Tread area of the tire: Area of the perim-
eter of the tire that contacts the road when
mounted on the vehicle.
\b Rim: The metal support (wheel) for a tire or
a tire and tube assembly upon which the
tire beads are seated. \b
Maximum load rating: a figure indicating
the maximum load in pounds and kilo-
grams that can be carried by the tire. This
rating is established by the tire manufac-
turer.
\b Maximum permissible inflation
pressure: the greatest amount of air pres-
sure that should ever be put in the tire. This
limit is set by the tire manufacturer.
\b Recommended tire inflation pressure:
inflation pressure, established by Volvo,
which is based on the type of tires that are
mounted on a vehicle at the factory. This
inflation pressure is affected by the number
of occupants in the vehicle, the amount of
cargo, and the speed at which the vehicle
will be driven for a prolonged period. This
information can be found on the tire infla-
tion placard(s) located on the driver\fs side
B-pillar or on the inside of the fuel filler door
on Canadian models, and in the tire infla-
tion table in this chapter.
\b Cold tires: The tires are considered to be
cold when they have the same temperature
as the surrounding (ambient) air. This tem-
perature is normally reached after the vehi-
cle has been parked for at least 3 hours.