05 During your trip
Driving recommendations
05
204
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 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:
•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 cargo area, 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.
05 During your trip
Driving recommendations
05
206
the ignition switched off, which drains the
battery.
•The optional 12 volt socket in the cargo
area provides electrical current even with
the ignition switched off, which drains the
battery.
Before a long distance tripIt is always worthwhile to have your vehicle
checked by a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician before driving long distances.
Your retailer will also be able to supply you with
bulbs, fuses, spark plugs and wiper blades for
your use in the event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be
checked before any long trip:
•Check that engine runs smoothly and that
fuel consumption is normal.
•Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage
•Have the transmission oil level checked.
•Check condition of drive belts.
•Check state of the battery's charge.
•Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as
well), and replace those that are worn.
Check tire pressures.
•The brakes, front wheel alignment, and
steering gear should be checked by a
trained and qualified Volvo service techni-
cian only.
•Check all lights, including high beams.
•Reflective warning triangles are legally
required in some states/provinces.
•Have a word with a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician if you intend to
drive in countries where it may be difficult
to obtain the correct fuel.
•Consider your destination. If you will be
driving through an area where snow or ice
are likely to occur, consider snow tires.
Cold weather precautionsIf you wish to check your vehicle before the
approach of cold weather, the following advice
is worth noting:
•Make sure that the engine coolant contains
50 percent antifreeze. Any other mixture
will reduce freeze protection. This gives
protection against freezing down to
–31 °F (–35 °C). The use of "recycled" anti-
freeze is not approved by Volvo. Different
types of antifreeze must not be mixed.
•Volvo recommends using only genuine
Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's radiator.
•Try to keep the fuel tank well filled – this
helps prevent the formation of condensa-
tion in the tank. In addition, in extremely
cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to
add fuel line de-icer before refueling.
•The viscosity of the engine oil is important.
Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improvescold-weather starting as well as decreas-
ing fuel consumption while the engine is
warming up. For winter use, 5W-30 oil, par-
ticularly the synthetic type, is recom-
mended. Be sure to use good quality oil but
do not use cold-weather oil for hard driving
or in warm weather, see page 287 for more
information on engine oil.
NOTE
Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is
changed at the normal maintenance inter-
vals except at owner request and at addi-
tional charge.
•The load placed on the battery is greater
during the winter since the windshield wip-
ers, lighting, etc. are used more often.
Moreover, the capacity of the battery
decreases as the temperature drops. In
very cold weather, a poorly charged bat-
tery can freeze and be damaged. It is there-
fore advisable to check the state of charge
more frequently and spray an anti-rust oil
on the battery posts.
•Volvo recommends the use of snow tires
on all four wheels for winter driving, see
page 264.
•To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from
freezing, add washer solvents containing
antifreeze. This is important since dirt is
often splashed on the windshield during
05 During your trip
Emergency towing
05
221 Towing eyelet
Location of the towing eyelet
Attaching the towing eyelet
The towing eyelet is located under the floor of
the cargo area, with the spare tire. This eyelet
must be screwed into the positions providedon the right sides of either the front or rear
bumper (see illustration).
CAUTION
If the vehicle is being towed on a flat bed
truck, the towing eyelets must not be used
to pull the vehicle up onto the flat bed.
NOTE
On certain models equipped with a trailer
hitch, the towing eyelet cannot be screwed
into the hole in the rear bumper. The towing
rope should be attached to the trailer hitch
instead. For this reason, the detachable
section of the trailer hitch should be safely
stowed in the vehicle at all times.
Attaching the towing eyelet
Use a coin to pry open the lower edge of
the cover.
Screw the towing eyelet in place, first by
hand and then using the tire iron until it is
securely in place.
After the vehicle has been towed, the eyelet
should be removed and returned to its storage
location.Press the cover for the attachment point back
into position.
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.
Precautions when the vehicle is in tow
•The steering wheel must be unlocked. The
remote key must be in the ignition slot1.
•Attach jumper cables (see page 108) to
provide current for releasing the optional
electric parking brake and to move the gear
selector from the P position.
•The gear selector must be in position N.
•Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h). Do not
exceed the maximum allowable towing
speed.
1On vehicles with the optional keyless drive, the remote key must be in the passenger compartment.
06 Maintenance and specifications
Fluids
06
233
The brake fluid should always be between the
MIN and MAX marks on the inside of the res-
ervoir. 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 a trained
and qualified Volvo service technician.
Always entrust brake fluid changing to a
trained and qualified Volvo service 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.
Filling1. Turn and open the cover.
2. Unscrew the reservoir cap and fill the fluid.
The level must be between the MIN and
MAX marks.
Power steering fluid
Check the level frequently. The fluid does not
require changing. The fluid level must be
between the MIN and MAX marks. For capaci-
ties and recommended fluid grade, see
page 288.
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.
CAUTION
Keep the area around the power steering
fluid reservoir clean when checking.
06 Maintenance and specifications
Wiper blades and washer fluid
06
242
Wiper blades
The windshield wiper blades are different
lengths. The blade on the driver’s side is longer
than the one on the passenger side.
Service positionThe wiper blades must be in the service (verti-
cal) position for replacement or washing.
1.
Switch off the ignition (ignition mode 0, see
page 79) and keep the remote key in the
ignition slot
1.
2. Move the right steering wheel lever up and
hold it for at least 1 second. The wipers will
then move to the vertical position on the
windshield.The wipers will return to the normal position
when the vehicle is started.
Replacing the windshield wiper blades
With the wipers in the service position, fold
out the wiper arm from the windshield.
Press the button on the wiper blade attach-
ment and pull the wiper blade straight out,
parallel with the wiper arm.
Slide in the new wiper blade until it clicks
into place.
Check that the blade is securely in place.
CleaningKeeping the windshield and wiper blades clean
helps improve visibility and prolongs the serv-
ice life of the wiper blades. Clean the wiper
blades with a stiff-bristle brush and lukewarm
soap solution or car washing detergent.
1Does not apply to vehicles with the optional keyless drive.
06 Maintenance and specifications
Fuses
06
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.251 Under the glove compartment
Fold aside the iupholstery covering the fuse
box.
1. Press the cover's lock and fold it up.
2. The fuses are accessible.
Positions
FunctionA
Rain sensor*5
SRS system10
ABS brakes. Electric parking
brake5
FunctionA
Accelerator pedal, heated
seats*7.5
–
ICM display, CD & Radio15
Steering wheel module7.5
–
High beam15
FunctionA
Laminated panoramic roof*20
Backup lights7.5
–
Front fog light*15
Windshield washers15
Adaptive cruise control ACC*10
–
06 Maintenance and specifications
Wheels and tires
06
269
WARNING
•After using the tire sealing system, the
vehicle should not be driven farther than
approximately 120 miles (200 km).
•Have the tire inspected by a trained and
qualified Volvo service technician as
soon as possible to determine if it can
be permanently repaired or must be
replaced.
•The vehicle should not be driven faster
than 50 mph (80 km/h) while using a tire
that has been temporarily repaired with
the tire sealing system.
•After using the tire sealing system, drive
carefully and avoid abrupt steering
maneuvers and sudden stops.
Tire sealing system–overview
Speed limit sticker
On/Off switch
Electrical wire
Bottle holder (orange cover)
Protective hose cover
Air release knob
Hose
Bottle with sealing compound
Air pressure gauge
WARNING
Please keep the following points in mind
when using the tire sealing system:
•The sealing compound bottle (no. 8 in
the illustration) contains 1.2-Ethanol
and natural rubber-latex. These sub-
stances are harmful if swallowed.
•The contents of this bottle may cause
allergic skin reactions or otherwise be
potentially harmful to the skin, the cen-
tral nervous system, and the eyes.
Precautions:
•Keep out of reach of children.
•Do not ingest the contents.
•Avoid prolonged or repeated contact
with the skin.
•Hands should be washed thoroughly
after handling.
First aid:
•Skin: Wash affected areas of skin with
soap and water. Get medical attention
if symptoms occur.
•Eyes: Flush with plenty of water for least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting the
06 Maintenance and specifications
Wheels and tires
06
270
upper and lower eyelids. Get medical
attention if symptoms occur.
•Inhalation: Move the person to fresh air.
If irritation persists, get medical atten-
tion.
Tire sealing system–temporarily
repairing a flat tire
G014338
Temporarily repairing a flat tire is done in two
stages:
•Stage 1: The hole is sealed by pumping
sealing compound into the tire. The car is
then driven a short distance to distribute
the sealing compound in the tire.
NOTE
Do not remove any foreign objects (nails,
etc.) from the tire before using the sealing
system.
•Stage 2: The tire’s inflation pressure is
checked and adjusted if necessary.
WARNING
•Never leave the tire sealing system
unattended when it is operating.
•Keep the tire sealing system away from
children.
•Be sure the vehicle is parked safely off
the road and away from moving traffic.
•Apply the parking brake.
Stage 1: Sealing the hole1. Open the cover on the tire sealing kit.2. Peel off the speed limit sticker and affix it
to the steering wheel hub where it will be
clearly visible to the driver.
3. Ensure that the on/off switch is in posi-
tion 0 (the 0 side of the switch should be
pressed down).
WARNING
Contact with the sealing compound may
cause skin irritation. If contact occurs, wash
the affected area immediately with soap and
water.
4. 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.
5. Screw the bottle into the bottle holder.