2009 VOLVO XC60 load capacity

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 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

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
Wheels and tires06
}}
261
Vehicle loading
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maxi-
mum return of vehicle design performance.
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself
with the following terms for determining your
vehicle\fs weight ratings, with or without a
trailer, from the vehicle\fs Federal/Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/
CMVSS) label, and the vehicle\fs tire informa-
tion placard:
Curb weightThe weight of the vehicle including a full tank
of fuel and all standard equipment. It does not
include passengers, cargo, or optional equip-
ment.
Capacity weightAll weight added to the curb weight, including
cargo and optional equipment. When towing,
trailer hitch tongue load is also part of cargo
weight.
NOTE
For trailer towing information, please refer to
the section "Towing a trailer"

on page 217.
Permissible axle weightThe maximum allowable weight that can be
carried by a single axle (front or rear). These
numbers are shown on the Federal/Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/
CMVSS) label. The total load on each axle must
never exceed its maximum permissible weight.
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)The vehicle\fs curb weight + cargo + passen-
gers.
NOTE \b
The location of the various labels in your
vehicle can be found on page 279

.
\b A table listing important weight limits for
your vehicle can be found on page
282.
Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit
1. Locate the statement "the combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX pounds" on your vehi-
cle\fs placard. 2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or
XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the "XXX" amount
equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 – 750
(5 × 150) = 650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual 1
to determine
how this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle. 1
See the section "Trailer Towing on page
217.

06 Maintenance and specificationsSpecifications 06
282 Dimension In. (mm)
H Track, rear 62.4 (1586)
I Load width, floor 42.9 (1090)
J Width 74.4 (1891)
K Width, incl. door mirrors 84.3 (2142)
Weights
Category USA Canada
Gross vehicle weight 5380 lbs 2440 kg
Capacity weight 950 lbs 430 kg
Permissible axle weights, front 2840 lbs 1290 kg
Permissible axle weights, rear 2645 lbs 1200 kg
Curb weight 4190 – 4230 lbs 1910 – 1930 kg
Max. roof load 220 lbs 100 kg
Max. trailer weights Without brakes: 1650 lbs
With brakes, 1 7/8” ball: 2,000 lbs
With brakes, 2” ball: 3,300 lbs Without brakes: 750 kg
With brakes, 1 7/8” ball: 900 kg
With brakes, 2” ball: 1500 kg
Max. tongue weight 165 lbs 75 kg