06 Starting and driving
General information
06
138
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 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:
1. Close the windows.
2. 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 handling
At 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.
06 Starting and driving
Towing
06
160
WARNING
•Never allow a vehicle to be towed with-
out a driver behind the wheel of the dis-
abled vehicle.
•Never remove the key from the ignition
while the vehicle is moving. The steering
wheel could lock, making it impossible
to steer the vehicle.
•When the engine is not running, steering
resistance and the effort needed to
apply the brakes will be great.
•Never attempt to tow a vehicle with a
dead battery at night.
CAUTION
•Check with state and local authorities
before attempting this type of towing,
as vehicles being towed are subject to
regulations regarding maximum towing
speed, length and type of towing
device, lighting, marker flags, etc.
•Never attempt to push- or tow-start a
vehicle with a dead battery. This would
inject unburned fuel into the three-way
catalytic converter(s), causing over-
heating, backfiring, and damage, see
page 161 for instructions on jump star-
ting the vehicle.
Towing vehicles with front wheel drive
Volvo recommends the use of flat bed equip-
ment for towing vehicles with front wheel drive.
If wheel lift equipment must be used, please
use extreme caution to help avoid damage to
the vehicle.
In this case, the vehicle should be towed with
the rear wheels on the ground if at all possible.
If it is absolutely necessary to tow the vehicle
with the front wheels on the ground, please
refer to the towing information on the previous
page.
•Sling-type equipment applied at the front
will damage radiator and air conditioning
lines.
•It is equally important not to use sling-type
equipment at the rear or apply lifting equip-
ment inside the rear wheels; serious dam-
age to the rear axle may result.
•If the vehicle is being towed on a flat bed
truck, the towing eyelets must not be used
to secure the vehicle on the flat bed. Con-
sult the tow truck operator.
WARNING
•Remember that the power brakes and
power steering will not function when
engine is not running. The braking and
steering systems will function but con-
siderably higher pressure will be
required on the brake pedal and greater
steering effort must be exerted.
•The towing eyelets must not be used for
pulling the vehicle out of a ditch or for
any similar purpose involving severe
strain. Do not use the towing eyelets to
pull the vehicle up onto a flat bed tow
truck.
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
282
1, 2, 3 ...
12-volt sockets.......................................... 62
A
A/C (air conditioning)................................. 92
ABS (anti-lock brake system).................. 155
Airbags
front...................................................... 22
inflatable curtain................................... 30
side impact........................................... 29
Airbag system............................................ 22
Air conditioning.......................................... 92
Air distribution table................................. 101
Air vents..................................................... 94
Alarm system........................................... 133
turning off sensors.............................. 134
All Wheel Drive......................................... 154
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)................. 155
Approach lighting...................................... 85
Audio files................................................ 256Audio system
audio functions................................... 242
automatic sound control..................... 246
AUX port............................................. 242
CD changer......................................... 255
CD player/changer.............................. 255
compact disc care.............................. 257
Dolby Surround Pro Logic II............... 245
equalizer............................................. 245
HD digital radio................................... 249
menu settings..................................... 259
radio functions.................................... 247
selecting a sound source.................... 242
Sirius satellite radio............................251
sound settings.................................... 244
steering wheel keypad........................ 243
storing radio stations.......................... 247
subwoofer........................................... 245
USB/iPod Ÿ connector........................ 243
Auto-dim rearview mirror........................... 79
Autolock..................................................... 84
Automatic locking retractor....................... 35
Automatic sound control.........................246
Automatic transmission........................... 151
kickdown............................................ 152
oil........................................................ 273
shiftlock override................................ 153Automatic transmission - Geartronic....... 152
AUX port.................................................. 242
Axle weight......................................186, 271
B
Backrest, rear seat, folding...................... 115
Bass......................................................... 244
Battery
maintenance....................................... 223
remote key, replacing......................... 123
specifications...................................... 278
warning symbols................................. 223
Battery – replacing................................... 224
Black Box (Vehicle Event Data)............... 212
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)..... 166
Bluetooth cell phone connection............. 260
Booster cushion
accessory............................................. 42
Brake fluid........................................ 221, 273
Brake lights................................................ 64
Brake system
anti-lock brakes (ABS)........................ 155
emergency brake assistance.............. 156