2010 VOLVO V50 power steering fluid

06 Starting and driving
Brake system
06

155 Brake circuit malfunction
The brake system is a hydraulic system con-
sisting of two separate brake circuits. If a prob-
lem should occur in one of these circuits, it is
still possible to stop the vehicle with the other
brake circuit.
If the brake pedal must be depressed farther
than normal and requires greater foot pressure,
the stopping distance will be longer.
A warning light in the instrument panel will light
up to warn the driver that a fault has occurred.
If this light comes on while driving or braking,
stop immediately and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir.
NOTE
Press the brake pedal hard and maintain
pressure on the pedal – do not pump the
brakes.
WARNING
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the
reservoir or if a brake system message is
shown in the information display, DO NOT
DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed to a Volvo
retailer and have the brake system inspec-
ted.
Power brakes function only when the
engine is running
The power brakes utilize vacuum pressure
which is only created when the engine is run-
ning. Never let the vehicle roll to a stop with the
engine switched off.
If the power brakes are not working, consider-
ably higher pressure will be required on the
brake pedal to compensate for the lack of
power assistance. This can happen for exam-
ple when towing your vehicle or if the engine is
switched off when the vehicle is rolling. The
brake pedal feels harder than usual.
Water on brake discs and brake pads
affects braking
Driving in rain and slush or passing through an
automatic car wash can cause water to collect
on the brake discs and pads. This will cause a
delay in braking effect when the pedal is
depressed. To avoid such a delay when the
brakes are needed, depress the pedal occa-
sionally when driving through rain, slush, etc.
This will remove the water from the brakes.
Check that brake application feels normal. This
should also be done after washing or starting
in very damp or cold weather.
Severe strain on the brake system
The brakes will be subject to severe strain
when driving in mountains or hilly areas, or
when towing a trailer. Vehicle speed is usually
slower, which means that the cooling of the
brakes is less efficient than when driving on
level roads. To reduce the strain on the brakes,
shift into a lower gear and let the engine help
with the braking. Do not forget that if you are
towing a trailer, the brakes will be subjected to
a greater than normal load.
Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps to
improve vehicle control (stopping and steering)
during severe braking conditions by limiting
brake lockup. When the system "senses"
impending lockup, braking pressure is auto-
matically modulated in order to help prevent
lockup that could lead to a skid.
The system performs a self-diagnostic test
when the engine is started and when the
vehicle first reaches a speed of approxi-
mately 12 mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal will
pulsate several times and a sound may be
audible from the ABS control module. This is
normal.

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
Fluids09
221
WARNING
Never remove the radiator cap while the
engine is warm. Wait until the vehicle cools.
If it is necessary to top off the coolant when
the engine is warm, unscrew the expansion
tank cap slowly so that the overpressure
dissipates.
Brake fluid
G020333
Brake fluid reservoir
The brake fluid should always be between the
MIN and MAX marks on the side of the reser-
voir. Check, without removing the cap, that
there is sufficient fluid in the reservoir.
Fluid type: DOT 4+ boiling point >536 °F(280 °C), P/N 9437433
Replace: The fluid should be replaced accord-
ing to the intervals specified in the Warranty
and Service Records Information booklet.
When driving under extremely hard conditions
(mountain driving, etc), it may be necessary to
replace the fluid more often. Consult your
Volvo retailer. Always entrust brake fluid
changing to a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician.
WARNING
•If the fluid level is below the MIN mark
in the reservoir or if a brake-related
message is shown in the information
display: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the car
towed to a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician and have the brake
system inspected.
•Dot 4+ should never be mixed with any
other type of brake fluid.
Power steering fluid
The fluid level is checked at each service inter-
val.
Fluid type: Volvo power steering fluid or equiv-
alent.
Replace: No fluid change required.
WARNING
If a problem should occur in the power
steering system or if the vehicle has no elec-
trical current and must be towed, it is still
possible to steer the vehicle. However, keep
in mind that greater effort will be required to
turn the steering wheel.

11 Specifications
Fuel, oils, and fluids
11

273 Specifications and capacities
CategorySpecificationCapacity
Fuel tankOctane rating: unleaded gasoline, minimum
octane requirement AKI 87, recommended rat-
ing AKI 91 or above.15.9 US gallons (60 liters)
Models with All Wheel Drive have a tank volume of
15 US gallons (57 liters).
Models with engine code 39 have a fuel tank capacity
of 14 US gallons (53 liters). This code is the 6th and
7th digits from the left in your vehicle's VIN number.
see page 268 for the location of the VIN plate.
Engine oil (with filter replacement)See page 275 for information on engine oil
specifications.6.1 US quarts (5.8 liters)
Automatic transmission oilJWS 33098.14 US quarts (7.7 liters)
Manual transmission oilBOT 350 M35-speed: 2.2 US quarts (2.1 liters)
6-speed: 2.0 US quarts (1.9 liters) – turbo models
CoolantVolvo original coolant/antifreeze (50/50 mix-
ture of water and anti-freeze)10.5 US quarts (10 liters) – models with automatic
transmission
10 US quarts (9.5 liters) – models with manual trans-
mission
Brake fluidDOT 4+ boiling point >536 °F (280 °C), P/N
94374330.63 US quarts (0.6 liters)
Power steering fluidWSS M2C204-A or equivalent1.3 US quarts (1.2 liters) – system and reservoir com-
bined

12 Index
12
286
Locks, child safety................................... 132
Long distance trips.................................. 140
Lug nuts (wheel nuts)............................... 191
M
Maintenance............................................ 212
hoisting the vehicle............................. 214
performed by the owner.....................214
Manual climate control.............................. 95
Manual transmission........................ 149, 150
Mirrors....................................................... 79
Model plate.............................................. 269
Moonroof................................................... 82
Motor oil........................................... 218, 275
checking............................................. 218
N
Net in cargo area.............................118, 119
O
Occupant safety........................................ 16
Occupant weight sensor............................ 26
Octane recommendations.......................142
Oil............................................................. 218
changing............................................. 218
checking............................................. 218
On Call Roadside Assistance.................. 281
Opening the hood.................................... 216
Owner maintenance................................. 214
P
Panel lighting, instrument.......................... 64
Park assist............................................... 170
Parking brake............................................. 76
Parking lights............................................. 63
Passenger’s side front airbag, disabling. . . 26
Periodic owner-performed maintenance. 214
Permissible axle weight........................... 186
Personal settings....................................... 84
Power door mirrors.................................... 80Power front seat...................................... 105
memory function................................. 106
Power moonroof........................................ 82
Power steering fluid................................. 221
Power windows......................................... 77
Pregnancy, using seat belts during........... 19
R
Radio
Sirius satellite radio............................251
Radio functions........................................ 247
HD digital radio................................... 249
Rain sensor - windshield wipers................ 73
Rear fog light............................................. 64
Rear park assist....................................... 170
Rear seat backrests, folding down.......... 115
Rear seats
center head restraint........................... 115
Rearview mirror.......................................... 79
auto-dim function................................. 79
Rearview mirror with compass.................. 79
Recalls, child restraints.............................. 46
Refrigerant (A/C system).................... 92, 273