05 During your trip
Driving recommendations
05
196
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:
•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.
•Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle
for driving short distances. This does not
allow the engine to reach normal operating
temperature.
•Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration
and hard braking.
•Use the transmission's Drive (D) position
as often as possible and avoid using kick-
down.
•Do not exceed posted speed limits.
•Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra
load) in the vehicle.
•Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire
pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
•Remove snow tires when threat of snow or
ice has ended.
•Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc,
increase air resistance and also fuel con-
sumption.
•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.
•Using the onboard trip computer's fuel
consumption modes can help you learn
how to drive more economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage
are:
•Dirty air cleaner
•Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
•Dragging brakes
•Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and others
are checked at the standard maintenance
intervals.
WARNING
Driving with the trunk open: Driving with
the trunk open could lead to poisonous
exhaust gases entering the passenger com-
partment. If the trunk must be kept open for
any reason, proceed as follows:
•Close the windows
•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 trunk, 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.
07 Index
07
288
T
Temporary spare tire............................... 255
Three-way catalytic converter................. 203
Tire designations.....................................251
Tire Pressure Monitoring System....263, 264
indicator light........................................ 75
Tires.........................................................244
age...................................................... 244
changing from summer to winter........ 245
glossary of terms................................ 252
improving economy............................ 244
inflation pressure........................246, 247
inflation pressure tables.............249, 250
rotation............................................... 245
snow...................................................254
spare................................................... 255
specifications...................................... 248
storing................................................. 245
studded............................................... 254
tire pressure monitoring system......... 263
tread wear indicator............................ 246
uniform tire quality grading................. 254
Top tether anchors (child restraint sys-
tems).......................................................... 44
Touching up paint.................................... 269Towing a trailer................................207, 208
trailer hitch.......................................... 208
Towing the vehicle........................... 209, 210
Traction control........................................ 156
Trailer towing...................................207, 208
trailer hitch.......................................... 208
Transmission
general description.....................111, 112
oil........................................................ 278
shiftlock override................................ 112
Tread wear indicator................................ 246
Trip computer.......................................... 153
Trip odometers.......................................... 78
Trips, long distance................................. 197
Trunk
changing bulbs................................... 228
driving with it open.............................196
Turn signals............................................... 93
changing bulbs................................... 225
indicator lights...................................... 75
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading...................254
Unlocking the vehicle................................ 54
Upholstery care....................................... 268
V
Vanity mirror............................................ 191
changing bulbs................................... 228
Vehicle Event Data............................... 9, 214
Vehicle loading................................204, 252
roof loads............................................ 206
Vehicle maintenance................................ 214
performed by the owner.....................215
Vehicle weights........................................ 274
Ventilated seats....................................... 129
Volvo and the environment........................ 11
Volvo Inflatable Curtain.............................. 30
Volvo maintenance.................................. 214
Volvo On Call Roadside Assistance........ 280
Volvo programs.......................................280
