08 Car care
Washing and cleaning the car
08
205
Automatic washing – simple and quickWe do NOT recommend washing your car in an
automatic wash during the first six months
(because the paint will not have hardened suf-
ficiently).
An automatic wash is a simple and quick way
to clean your car, but it is worth remembering
that it may not be as thorough as when you
yourself go over the car with sponge and water.
Keeping the underbody clean is most impor-
tant, especially in the winter. Some automatic
washers do not have facilities for washing the
underbody.
CAUTION
•Before driving into an automatic car
wash, turn off the optional rain sensor to
avoid damaging the windshield wipers.
•Make sure that side view mirrors, auxil-
iary lamps, etc, are secure, and that any
antenna(s) are retracted or removed.
Otherwise there is risk of the machine
dislodging them
•Chromed wheels: Clean chrome-
plated wheels using the same deter-
gents used for the body of the vehicle.
Aggressive wheel-cleaning agents can
permanently stain chrome-plated
wheels.
WARNING
•When the car is driven immediately after
being washed, apply the brakes several
times in order to remove any moisture
from the brake linings.
•Engine cleaning agents should not be
used when the engine is warm. This
constitutes a fire risk.
Exterior lightingCondensation may form temporarily on the
inside of the lenses of exterior lights such as
headlights, fog lights, or taillights. This is nor-
mal and the lights are designed to withstand
moisture. Normally, condensation will dissi-
pate after the lights have been on for a short
time.
Polishing and Waxing
•Normally, polishing is not required during
the first year after delivery, however, wax-
ing may be beneficial.
•Before applying polish or wax the vehicle
must be washed and dried. Tar spots can
be removed with kerosene or tar remover.
Difficult spots may require a fine rubbing
compound.
•After polishing use liquid or paste wax.
•Several commercially available products
contain both polish and wax.
•Waxing alone does not substitute for pol-
ishing a dull surface.
•A wide range of polymer-based waxes can
be purchased today. These waxes are easy
to use and produce a long-lasting, high-
gloss finish that protects the bodywork
against oxidation, road dirt and fading.
•Do not polish or wax your vehicle in direct
sunlight (the surface of the vehicle should
not be warmer than 113 °F (45 °C).
CAUTION
Volvo does not recommend the use of long-
life or durable paint protection coatings,
some of which may claim to prevent pitting,
fading, oxidation, etc. These coatings have
not been tested by Volvo for compatibility
with your vehicle's clear coat. Some of them
may cause the clear coat to soften, crack,
or cloud. Damage caused by application of
paint protection coatings may not be cov-
ered under your vehicle's paint warranty.
G020922
210
Volvo maintenance................................................................................ 212
Maintaining your car............................................................................. 214
Hood..................................................................................................... 216
Engine compartment............................................................................. 217
Engine oil............................................................................................... 218
Fluids..................................................................................................... 220
Wiper blades......................................................................................... 222
Battery................................................................................................... 223
Replacing bulbs.................................................................................... 225
Fuses..................................................................................................... 232
09 Maintenance and servicing
Maintaining your car 09
214
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
215
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
Engine compartment09
217
G026456
Cooling system expansion tank
Power steering fluid reservoir (concealed
behind the headlight)
Dipstick – engine oil
Radiator
Cooling fan
Washer fluid reservoir
Engine oil filler cap
Brake/clutch fluid reservoir
Battery
Relay/fuse box
Air cleaner
WARNING
The cooling fan may start or continue to
operate (for up to 6 minutes) after the engine
has been switched off.
09 Maintenance and servicing
Engine oil 09
218
Changing engine oil and oil filter
See page 275 for oil specifications. Refer to
the Warranty and Service Records Information
booklet for information on the oil change inter-
vals.
Volvo recommends Castrol.
NOTE
•Volvo does not recommend the use of
oil additives.
•Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is
changed at the normal maintenance
intervals except at owner request and at
additional charge. Please consult a
trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician.
Checking and adding oilThe 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
•The car should be parked on a level surface
when the oil is checked.
•If the engine is warm, wait for at least
10–15 minutes after the engine has been
switched off before checking the oil.
G020338
Location of dipstick and oil filler cap
Checking 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.
3. Add oil if necessary. If the level is close to
the MIN mark, add approximately
1 US quart (1 liter) of oil.
4. Run the engine until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
5. Switch off the engine and wait for at least
10–15 minutes and recheck the oil level. If
necessary, add oil until the level is near the
MAX mark.
G020336
CAUTION
•Not checking the oil level regularly can
result in serious engine damage if the oil
level becomes too low.
•Oil that is lower than the specified qual-
ity can damage the engine.
•Always add oil of the same type and
viscosity as already used.
•Never fill oil above the MAX mark. This
could cause an increase in oil consump-
tion.
09 Maintenance and servicing
Engine oil09
219
WARNING
Do not allow oil to spill onto or come into
contact with hot exhaust pipe surfaces
NOTE
Volvo uses different systems to indicate a
low oil level or pressure. Some models have
an oil pressure sensor, in which case a
warning symbol (see page 57) is used to
indicate low oil pressure. Other models have
an oil level sensor, in which case the driver
is alerted by the warning symbol in the cen-
ter of the instrument panel and a text in the
information display. Some models use both
systems. Contact an authorized Volvo
retailer for more information.
09 Maintenance and servicing
Fluids 09
220
Washer fluid
G026425
Washer fluid reservoir
The washer fluid reservoir is located in the
engine compartment and holds approximately
6.8 US qts (6.5 liters). During cold weather, the
reservoir should be filled with windshield
washer solvent containing antifreeze.
Coolant
G020334
Coolant reservoir
Normally, the coolant does not need to be
changed. If the system must be drained, con-
sult a trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician.
CAUTION
•If necessary, top up the cooling system
with Volvo Genuine Coolant/Antifreeze
only (a 50/50 mix of water and anti-
freeze).
•Different types of antifreeze/coolant
may not be mixed.
•If the cooling system is drained, it
should be flushed with clean water or
premixed anti-freeze before it is refilled
with the correct mixture of water/anti-
freeze.
•The cooling system must always be
kept filled to the correct level, and the
level must be between the MIN and
MAX marks. If it is not kept filled, there
can be high local temperatures in the
engine which could result in damage.
Check coolant regularly!
•Do not top up with water only. This
reduces the rust-protective and anti-
freeze qualities of the coolant and has a
lower boiling point. It can also cause
damage to the cooling system if it
should freeze.
•Do not use chlorinated tap water in the
vehicles cooling system.