06 Starting and driving
Brake system
06
145 BRAKE Brake circuit malfunction
The brake system is a hydraulic system con-
sisting of two master cylinders and two sepa-
rate brake circuits. If a problem 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 failure – Service
urgent message is displayed in the text
window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle
towed to a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician and have the brake system
inspected.
NOTE
When the vehicle is at a standstill and the
engine is idling, e.g. at a traffic light and the
brake pedal is depressed, the pedal may go
down slightly. This is a normal function of
the power-assisted brake system.
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 systemThe 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)If the warning lamp lights up there
is a malfunction of the ABS system
(the standard braking system will
however function) and the vehicle
should be driven cautiously to a
trained and qualified Volvo service technician
for inspection. The Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stop-
ping and steering) during severe braking con-
ditions by limiting brake lockup. When the sys-
tem "senses" impending lockup, braking pres-
sure is automatically modulated in order to help
prevent lockup, which could lead to a skid.
The system performs a self-diagnostic test
when the engine is started and when the
09 Maintenance and servicing
Engine compartment09
207
G027074
Brake fluid reservoir
Relay/fuse box
Air cleaner
Radiator
Dipstick-engine oil
Filler cap-engine oil
Washer fluid reservoir
Power steering fluid reservoir
Expansion tank-coolant
Data plate
Battery (under floor in rear cargo area)
WARNING
The cooling fan (located behind the radiator)
may start or continue to operate (for up to
6 minutes) after the engine has been
switched off.
09 Maintenance and servicing
Fluids 09
212
WARNING
•Never remove the radiator cap while the
engine is warm. Wait until the vehicle
cools.
•If it is necessary to top up the coolant
when the engine is warm, unscrew the
expansion tank cap slowly so that the
overpressure dissipates.
Brake fluid reservoir
G000000
The brake fluid should always be above the
MIN mark on the side of the reservoir. Check,
without removing the cap, that there is suffi-
cient fluid in the reservoir.Fluid type: DOT 4+ boiling point >536 °F
(280 °C), P/N 9437433.
Replace: Every second year or 30,000 miles
(48,000 km). The fluid should be replaced once
a year or every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) when
driving under extremely hard conditions
(mountain driving, etc.).
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.
Power steering fluid reservoir
FULL
ADD
G026991
The fluid level should always be between the
ADD and FULL marks.
Fluid type: Volvo synthetic power steering fluid
(Pentosin CHF 11S) P/N 1161529 or equiva-
lent.
Replace: No fluid change required.
If a problem should occur in the power steering
system or if the vehicle has no electrical 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
Fluids
11
270* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Specifications and capacities
CategorySpecification
Fuel tank21.1 US gals. (80 liters)
Octane rating: unleaded gasoline, minimum octane requirement AKI 87,
recommended rating AKI 91 or above (See also page 130)
Transmission oilA
TF-80SC
JWS 3309
7.4 US qts. (7.0 liters)
Miscellaneous
Power steering
Windshield washer reservoir
Brake fluid
Air conditioning systemMiscellaneous
1.1 US qts. (1.0 liters)
6.9 US qts. (6.5 liters)
0.63 US qts. (0.6 liters)
Front – 2.2 lb. (1 kg), Rear* 2.9 lb. (1.3 kg) R 134a (HFC134a)
Coolant
3.2 6-cyl.
V8Volvo original coolant/antifreeze (Thermostat begins to open at 194 ° F
(90 ° C)).
7.9 US qts. (7.5 liters)
10.7 US qts. (10.2 liters)
Brake fluidDOT 4+ boiling point >536 °F (280 °C), P/N 9437433
Power steering fluidVolvo synthetic power steering fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S) P/N 1161529 or
equivalent 1.1 US quarts (1.0 liters)
12 Index
12
283
L
Label information..................................... 264
Lighting panel............................................ 63
Load carriers............................................ 157
Locking steering wheel............................ 137
Locking the car........................................ 124
Locks, child safety................................... 126
Long distance trips.................................. 158
Low beam headlight.................................. 66
M
Maintenance............................................ 202
Maintenance, periodic............................. 203
Malfunction indicator light......................... 57
Mirrors
door, folding......................................... 60
power door........................................... 81
rearview, auto-dim function.................. 80
Moonroof................................................... 83
MP3 player, connecting........................... 253
Multifilter with air quality sensor................ 94
O
OBD II...................................................... 203
Occupant safety........................................ 16
Oil quality................................................. 208
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II)...... 203
On Call Roadside Assistance.................. 278
Owner maintenance................................. 203
P
Paint - color code....................................198
Panel lighting, instrument.......................... 64
Park assist.......................................149, 150
Parking brake............................................. 76
warning symbol.................................... 56
Parking lights............................................. 63
Passenger’s side front airbag, disabling. . . 25
Periodic owner-performed maintenance. 203
Permissible axle weight........................... 176
Polishing.................................................. 195
Power moonroof........................................ 83
Power seat............................................... 100Power steering fluid................................. 212
R
Radiator................................................... 207
Radio functions........................................ 241
HD digital radio................................... 246
Rain sensor - windshield wipers................ 68
Rear seat entertainment..........................259
Rear suspension...................................... 272
Rearview mirror with compass.................. 80
Rear window defroster.............................. 70
Recalls, child restraints.............................. 46
Recirculation.............................................. 95
REDUCE SPEED........................................ 58
Refrigerant (A/C system)............................ 90
Refrigerator (XC90 Executive).................. 113
Registering child restraints........................ 46
Remote key.............................................. 121
replacing the battery........................... 123
Reporting safety defects
Canada................................................. 17
USA....................................................... 16