06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06
158
General information
•Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer
hitches that are specially designed for the
vehicle.
Maximum trailer weights recommended by
Volvo are:
•Trailers without brakes: 1,540 lbs
(700 kg).
•Trailers with brakes: 2,000 lbs (900 kg)
Observe the legal requirements of the
state/province in which the vehicles are
registered.
•The maximum recommended hitch
tongue load is 165 lbs (75 kg).
•All Volvo models are equipped with
energy-absorbing shock-mounted bump-
ers. Trailer hitch installation should not
interfere with the proper operation of this
bumper system.
Trailer towing does not normally present any
particular problems, but take into considera-
tion:
•Increase tire pressure to recommended
full. See the chapter "Wheels and tires."
•When your vehicle is new, avoid towing
heavy trailers during the first 620 miles
(1,000 km).
•Maximum speed when towing a trailer:
50 mph (80 km/h).
•Engine and transmission are subject to
increased loads. Therefore, engine coolant
temperature should be closely watched
when driving in hot climates or hilly terrain.
Use a lower gear and turn off the air con-
ditioner if the temperature gauge needle
enters the red range.
•If the automatic transmission begins to
overheat, a message will be displayed in
the information display.
•Avoid overload and other abusive opera-
tion.
•Hauling a trailer affects handling, durabil-
ity, and economy.
•It is necessary to balance trailer brakes
with the towing vehicle brakes to provide a
safe stop (check and observe state/local
regulations).
•Do not connect the trailer's brake system
directly to the vehicle's brake system.
•More frequent vehicle maintenance is
required.
•Remove the ball and drawbar assembly
when the hitch is not being used.
•Volvo recommends the use of synthetic
engine oil when towing a trailer over long
distances or in mountainous areas.
WARNING
•Bumper-attached trailer hitches must
not be used on Volvos, nor should
safety chains be attached to the
bumper.
•Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle's
rear axle must not be used.
•Never connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to the vehicle
brake system, nor a trailer's lighting
system directly to the vehicle lighting
system. Consult your nearest trained
and qualified Volvo service technician
for correct installation.
•When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety
wire must be correctly fastened to the
hole or hook provided in the trailer hitch
on the vehicle. The safety wire should
never be fastened to or wound around
the drawbar ball.
09 Maintenance and servicing
Maintaining your car 09
210
Owner maintenance
Periodic maintenance requirements and inter-
vals are described in your vehicle's 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:
•Check the engine oil level.
•Clean the windshield, windshield wipers,
headlights, and taillights.
Monthly:
•Check cold tire pressure in all tires. Inspect
the tires for wear.
•Check that engine coolant and other fluid
levels are between the indicated "min" and
"max" markings.
•Clean interior glass surfaces with a glass
cleaner and soft paper towels.
•Wipe driver information displays with a soft
cloth.
•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 a trained
and qualified Volvo service technician 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 places 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's computerized
engine management system. It stores diagnos-
tic information about your vehicle's 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.
09 Maintenance and servicing
Maintaining your car09
211
How Do States Use OBD II for Emission
Inspections?
Many states connect a computer directly to a
vehicle's OBD II system. The inspector can
then read "faults." In some states, this type of
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.
•If your Check Engine (MIL) light is lit, your
vehicle may fail inspection.
•If your vehicle's 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.
•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?
•If your Check Engine (MIL) light is lit – or
was lit but went out without service, haveyour vehicle diagnosed and, if necessary,
serviced by a qualified Volvo technician.
•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.
•Maintain your vehicle in accordance with
your vehicle's maintenance schedule.
09 Maintenance and servicing
Battery09
219 Battery maintenance
Driving habits and conditions, climate, the
number of starts, etc., all affect the service life
and function of the battery. In order for your
battery to perform satisfactorily, keep the fol-
lowing in mind:
Check the fluid level in each cell in the battery
every 24 months or every 15,000
1 miles
(24,000 km), whichever is sooner.
•Use a screw driver to open the caps or
cover and a flashlight to inspect the level.
•If necessary, add distilled water. The level
should never be above the indicator.
•The fluid level should be checked if the
battery has been recharged.
•After inspection, be sure the cap over each
battery cell or the cover is securely in
place.
•Check that the battery cables are correctly
connected and properly tightened.
•Never disconnect the battery when the
engine is running, or when the key is in the
ignition. This could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
•The battery should be disconnected from
the vehicle when a battery charger is used
directly on the battery.
•To help keep the battery in good condition,
the vehicle should be driven for at least 15
minutes a week or connected to a charger
with an automatic charging function.
•If the battery is fully discharged a number
of times, this may shorten its service life.
Keeping the battery fully charged helps
prolong its service life.
•The service life of a battery is affected by
factors such as driving conditions and cli-
mate. Extreme cold may also further
decrease the battery’s starting capacity.
•Because the battery’s starting capacity
decreases with time, it may be necessary
to recharge it if the vehicle is not driven for
an extended period of time or if the vehicle
is usually only driven short distances.
•
WARNING
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the state of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
Battery symbols
Wear protection goggles
See owner's manual for
details
Keep away from children
Corrosive
1More frequently in warm climates.
12 Index
12
280
Electrical system...................................... 274
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD)........................................................ 151
Electronic Climate Control
air distribution table.............................. 88
Electronic Climate Control (ECC)............... 85
Emergency brake....................................... 70
Emergency locking retractor...................... 34
Emergency starting.................................. 157
Emergency towing................................... 154
Emission inspection readiness................ 210
Engine
specifications...................................... 272
starting................................................ 143
starting with keyless drive.................. 145
Engine compartment overview................213
Engine oil................................................. 214
changing............................................. 214
checking............................................. 214
specifications...................................... 271
volumes.............................................. 269
Equalizer, audio system........................... 241
Eyelets for anchoring loads..................... 114F
Federal Clean Air Act............................... 208
Flat tires
changing............................................. 188
repairing with tire sealing system....... 190
Fluids and oils.......................................... 269
FM1/FM2 menu....................................... 243
Fog lights
front...................................................... 59
rear........................................................ 60
Front airbags.............................................. 22
disconnecting passenger’s side airbag 26
Front fog lights........................................... 59
Front park assist...................................... 166
Front seats................................................. 92
accessing the rear seat........................ 92
adjusting the head restraints................ 98
manually operated................................ 92
power.................................................... 96
Fuel filler door
opening manually................................. 60
unlocking.............................................. 60
Fuel gauge................................................. 49
Fuel requirements.................................... 139Fuel tank volume.....................................269
Fuses, replacing......................................228
G
Gasoline requirements............................. 139
Geartronic................................................ 148
Glossary of tire terminology..................... 181
Glove compartment................................. 109
locking................................................ 129
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)............182, 267
H
Hand brake (parking brake)....................... 70
Hazard warning flashers............................ 69
HD digital radio........................................ 245
Headlights.................................................. 59
changing bulbs................................... 221
high and low beams............................. 61
high beam flash.................................... 61
Headlight washers..................................... 67
High beam flash......................................... 61
12 Index
12
281
High beams................................................ 61
Hoisting the vehicle.................................210
Home safe lighting............................... 61, 76
Hood, opening......................................... 212
I
Ignition switch.......................................... 142
Immobilizer.............................................. 143
Immobilizer (start inhibitor)...................... 118
Indicator and warning symbols............ 49, 51
Inflatable Curtain........................................ 30
Inflation pressure..................................... 175
Inflation pressure, checking..................... 176
Inflation pressure table
Canadian models................................ 178
US models.......................................... 177
Information display..............................49, 56
messages in.......................................... 56
Information symbol.................................... 51
Inspection, preparing for......................... 210
Inspection readiness................................ 210
Instrument overview.................................. 46Instrument panel.................................. 46, 49
Instrument panel lighting........................... 60
Interior lighting......................................... 106
iPod Ÿ connector (audio system)............. 239
ISOFIX/LATCH anchors............................. 42J
Jacket hanger.......................................... 109
Jump starting........................................... 157
K
Key (ignition switch) positions................. 142
Key blade.........................................120, 125
Keyless drive
location of antennas (pacemaker warn-
ing)...................................................... 126
locking and unlocking the vehicle...... 124
power seat memory............................ 125
starting the engine.............................. 145
Keylock.................................................... 143
Kickdown.................................................148
L
Label information..................................... 264
LATCH (ISOFIX) anchors........................... 42
Lighting panel............................................ 59
Load anchoring eyelets...........................114
Locking
from the inside.................................... 128
glove compartment............................. 129
Locking the vehicle.................................. 124
Long distance trips.................................. 138
Long loads, ski hatch............................... 115
Lug nuts (wheel nuts)............................... 187
M
Maintenance............................................ 208
hoisting the vehicle............................. 210
performed by the owner.....................210
Manual transmission................................ 146
Mirrors....................................................... 72
Model plate.............................................. 265
Motor oil........................................... 214, 271
checking............................................. 214