2010 VOLVO S40 towing

06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06
163
NOTE
•When parking the vehicle with a trailer
on a hill, apply the parking brake before
putting the gear selector in Park (P) or
in reverse on models with a manual
transmission. Always follow the trailer
manufacturer's recommendations for
wheel chocking.
•If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift
positions while towing a trailer, or if the
vehicle is equipped with a manual trans-
mission, make sure the gear you select
does not put too much strain on the
engine (using too high a gear).
•The drawbar assembly/trailer hitch may
be rated for trailers heavier than the
vehicle is designed to tow. Please
adhere to Volvo's recommended trailer
weights.
•Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines
exceeding 15%.

06 Starting and driving
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)*
06

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.167 When does BLIS function
The system functions when your vehicle is
moving at speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).
When you pass another vehicle:
The system reacts when you pass another
vehicle at a speed of up to 6 mph (10 km/h)
faster than that vehicle.
When you are passed by another vehicle:
The system reacts if your vehicle is passed by
another vehicle at a speed of up to 43 mph
(70 km/h) faster than your vehicle.
WARNING
•BLIS does not function in sharp curves.
•BLIS does not function when your vehi-
cle is backing up.
•If you are towing a wide trailer, this may
prevent the BLIS cameras from detect-
ing other vehicles in adjacent lanes.
How BLIS functions in daylight and
darkness
Daylight
BLIS reacts to the shape of surrounding vehi-
cles. The system is designed to help detect
motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses,
motorcycles, etc.
DarknessBLIS reacts to the headlights of surrounding
vehicles. In order to be detected by BLIS, a
vehicle in the blind area must have its head-
lights on. This means, for example, that the
system will not detect a trailer without head-
lights that is being towed behind a car or truck.WARNING
•BLIS does not react to cyclists or
mopeds.
•BLIS does not react to vehicles that are
standing still.
•The function of the BLIS cameras may
be affected by intense light, or when
driving at night in areas where there are
no external sources of light (e.g., street
lights, other vehicles, etc.). In such
cases, the system may react as if the
cameras were obscured.
•In both of the above mentioned condi-
tions, a message will appear in the infor-
mation display.
•When driving in such conditions, the
system's function will be limited or it
may be temporarily switched off, see
page 168 for instructions.
•When the message is no longer dis-
played, BLIS will return to normal func-
tion.
•The BLIS cameras have the same limi-
tation as the human eye. In other words,
their "vision is impaired" by adverse
weather conditions such as heavy
snowfall, dense fog, etc.

06 Starting and driving
Park assist*
06
170* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Introduction
Front/rear park assist
The park assist system is designed to assist
you when driving into parking spaces, garages,
etc. It utilizes four ultrasound sensors located
in one or both bumpers to measure the dis-
tance to a vehicle, object or a person who may
be close to the front or rear of your vehicle.
Park assist is available in two versions:
•Rear bumper only
•Front and rear bumpers
WARNING
Park Assist is an information system, NOT a
safety system. This system is designed to
be a supplementary aid when parking the
vehicle. It is not, however, intended to
replace the driver's attention and judge-
ment.
Function
The system is activated automatically when the
vehicle is started. The indicator light in the but-
ton in the center console illuminates.
•The front park assist system is active from
the time the engine is started until the vehi-
cle exceeds a speed of approximately
10 mph (15 km/h). It is also active when the
vehicle is backing up.
•Rear park assist is active when the engine
is running and reverse gear has been
selected.
Rear park assistThe distance monitored behind the vehicle is
approximately 5 ft (1.5 m). The signal comes
from the rear speakers.
The system must be deactivated when towing
a trailer, carrying bicycles in a rear-mounted
carrier, etc, which could trigger the rear park
assist system's sensors.
NOTE
Rear park assist is deactivated automati-
cally when towing a trailer if Volvo genuine
trailer wiring is used.
Front park assistThe distance monitored in front of the vehicle
is approximately 2.5 ft (0.8 m). The audible sig-
nal comes from the audio system's front
speakers.
It may not be possible to combine auxiliary
headlights and front park assist since these
lights could trigger the system's sensors.

07 Wheels and tires
Vehicle loading
07
186
Loading the vehicle
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself
with the following terms for determining your
vehicle's weight ratings, with or without a
trailer, from the vehicle's Federal/Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/
CMVSS) label, and the vehicle's 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", see
page 162.
Permissible axle weightThe maximum allowable weight that can be
carried by a single axle (front or rear). These
numbers are shown on the Federal/CanadianMotor 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's curb weight + cargo + passen-
gers.
NOTE
•The location of the various labels in your
vehicle can be found on page 268.
•A table listing important weight limits for
your vehicle can be found on page
271.
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's 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 lbs. 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 manual1 to determine
how this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
1See "Towing a trailer"

07 Wheels and tires
Tire Sealing System
07
196
4. Put on the gloves included in the tire seal-
ing system.
WARNING
Contact with the sealing compound may
cause skin irritation. If contact occurs, wash
the affected area immediately with soap and
water.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Connect the electrical wire to the nearest
12-volt socket in the vehicle.
9. Start the vehicle’s engine.
10. Start the tire sealing system’s compressor
by pressing the on/off switch to position I.
WARNING
•Never stand next to the tire being inflated
when the compressor is in operation.
•If cracks, bubbles, etc. form on the tire,
switch off the compressor immediately.
•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.
11. 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.
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 Specifications
Fuel, oils, and fluids
11
274
CategorySpecificationCapacity
Washer fluid reservoirUse washer fluid solvent in cold weather con-
ditions.6.8 US quarts (6.5 liters)
Air conditioning systemRefrigerant – R134a1.2 lbs. (530 grams)
NOTE
The transmission oil does not normally need
to be changed during the service life of the
vehicle. However, it may be necessary to
replace the oil if the vehicle is often driven
in areas of sustained temperature extremes
(hot or cold), when towing a trailer over long
distances, for prolonged driving in moun-
tainous areas, or if the vehicle is often driven
short distances in temperatures under 40 °F
(5 °C).

12 Index
12
284
E
Economical driving.................................. 138
Electrical current – conserving................ 140
Electrically operated moonroof.................. 81
Electrical system...................................... 278
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD)........................................................ 156
Electronic Climate Control......................... 93
air distribution table............................ 101
Electronic Climate Control (ECC)............... 98
Emergency brake....................................... 75
Emergency locking retractor...................... 36
Emergency starting.................................. 161
Emergency towing................................... 159
Emission inspection readiness................ 214
Engine
specifications...................................... 276
starting................................................ 146
starting with keyless drive.................. 148
Engine compartment overview................217
Engine oil................................................. 218
changing............................................. 218
checking............................................. 218specifications...................................... 275
volumes.............................................. 273
Equalizer, audio system........................... 245
Eyelets for anchoring loads..................... 117
F
Federal Clean Air Act............................... 212
Flat tires
changing............................................. 192
repairing with tire sealing system....... 194
Fluids and oils.......................................... 273
FM1/FM2 menu....................................... 247
Fog lights
front...................................................... 64
rear........................................................ 64
Front airbags.............................................. 22
disconnecting passenger’s side airbag 26
Front fog lights........................................... 64
Front park assist...................................... 170
Front seats............................................... 104
adjusting the head restraints.............. 107
folding backrests................................ 104
manually operated.............................. 104
power.................................................. 105Fuel filler door
unlocking.............................................. 65
Fuel gauge................................................. 53
Fuel requirements.................................... 142
Fuel tank volume.....................................273
Fuses, replacing......................................232G
Gasoline requirements............................. 142
Geartronic................................................ 152
Glossary of tire terminology..................... 185
Glove compartment................................. 112
locking................................................ 130
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)............186, 271
H
Hand brake (parking brake)....................... 75
Hazard warning flashers............................ 74
HD digital radio........................................ 249
Headlights.................................................. 63
Active Bending Lights........................... 63

12 Index
12
288
inflation pressure table, Canadian mod-
els.......................................................182
inflation pressure table, US models.... 181
load ratings......................................... 180
rotation............................................... 177
snow...................................................189
spare................................................... 190
speed ratings...................................... 180
storing................................................. 177
studded............................................... 189
tire pressure monitoring system......... 199
tire sealing system.............................. 194
tread wear indicator............................ 178
uniform tire quality grading................. 188
winter driving...................................... 189
Tire sealing system.................................. 194
Top tether anchors (child restraint sys-
tems).......................................................... 46
Towing a trailer........................................ 162
trailer hitch.......................................... 164
Towing the vehicle................................... 159
Trailer hitch - detachable......................... 164
Trailer towing........................................... 162Transmission
Geartronic........................................... 152
manual........................................ 149, 150
shiftlock override................................ 153
Tread wear indicator................................ 178
Treble....................................................... 244
Trip computer............................................ 68
Trips, long distance................................. 140
Trunk
opening from the inside...................... 129
Turn signals............................................... 66
indicator lights...................................... 53
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading...................188
V
Valet locking............................................ 124
Vehicle dimensions.................................. 270
Vehicle Event Data................................... 212
Vehicle loading........................................ 186
roof loads............................................ 165Vehicle maintenance
performed by the owner.....................214
Vehicle towing.........................................159
Vehicle weights........................................ 271
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)......... 269
Volvo Inflatable Curtain.............................. 30
Volvo On Call Roadside Assistance........ 281
W
Warning flashers, hazard........................... 74
Warning symbol......................................... 55
Warranties................................................ 212
Washer fluid..................................... 220, 273
Washer fluid reservoir......................217, 220
Water, driving through............................. 139
Weights.................................................... 271
Wheel nuts............................................... 191
Wheels.....................................................176
changing............................................. 192
storing................................................. 177
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)....... 32