Introduction
Environment
14
Volvo and the environment
Volvo is committed to the well being of its cus-
tomers. As a natural part of this commitment,
we care about the environment in which we all
live. Caring for the environment means an
everyday involvement in reducing our environ-
mental impact. Volvo's environmental activities
are based on a holistic view, which means we
consider the overall environmental impact of a
product throughout its complete life cycle. In
this context, design, production, product use,
and recycling are all important considerations.
In production, Volvo has partly or completely
phased out several chemicals including CFCs,
lead chromates, asbestos, and cadmium; and
reduced the number of chemicals used in our
plants 50% since 1991.
Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into
production a three-way catalytic converter with
a Lambda sond, now called the heated oxygen
sensor, in 1976. The current version of this
highly efficient system reduces emissions of
harmful substances (CO, HC, NOx) from the
exhaust pipe by approximately 95 – 99% and
the search to eliminate the remaining emis-
sions continues. Volvo is the only automobile
manufacturer to offer CFC-free retrofit kits for
the air conditioning system of all models as far
back as the 1975 model 240. Advanced elec-
tronic engine controls and cleaner fuels are
bringing us closer to our goal. In addition tocontinuous environmental refinement of con-
ventional gasoline-powered internal combus-
tion engines, Volvo is actively looking at
advanced technology alternative-fuel vehicles.
When you drive a Volvo, you become our part-
ner in the work to lessen the car's impact on
the environment. To reduce your vehicle's
environmental impact, you can:
•Maintain proper air pressure in your tires.
Tests have shown decreased fuel econ-
omy with improperly inflated tires.
•Follow the recommended maintenance
schedule in your Warranty and Service
Records Information booklet.
•Drive at a constant speed whenever pos-
sible.
•See a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician as soon as possible for inspec-
tion if the check engine (malfunction indi-
cator) light illuminates, or stays on after the
vehicle has started.
•Properly dispose of any vehicle-related
waste such as used motor oil, used batter-
ies, brake pads, etc.
•When cleaning your vehicle, please use
genuine Volvo car care products. All Volvo
car care products are formulated to be
environmentally friendly.
RecyclingAs part of Volvo’s commitment to the environ-
ment, it is essential for the vehicle to be recy-
cled in an environmentally sound way. Almost
the entire vehicle can be recycled and for that
reason, the vehicle’s final owner is requested
to contact a Volvo retailer for information about
approved and certified recycling facilities.
03 Climate
General information
03
88
Air conditioning – A/C
Your car is equipped with a climate control
system that includes either manually adjusta-
ble air conditioning or optional Electronic Cli-
mate Control (ECC).
The air conditioning system can be switched
off, but for optimal air quality in the passenger
compartment and to prevent the windows from
fogging, the air conditioning should be left on
– even in cool weather.
NOTE
In warm weather, a small amount of water
may accumulate under the car when it has
been parked. This water is condensation
from the A/C system and is normal.
Ice and snow
Always keep the air intake grille at the base of
the windshield free of snow.
Fog on the inside of the windows
The defroster function should be used to
remove fog or mist from the inside of the win-
dows. Keeping the windows clean with a com-
mercially available window washing spray will
also help prevent fogging or misting
Climate control maintenance
Special tools and equipment are required to
maintain and carry out repairs on the climate
system. Work of this type should only be done
by a trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician.
Refrigerant
Volvo cares about the environment. The air
conditioning system in your car contains a
CFC-free refrigerant – R134a. This substance
will not deplete the ozone layer. The system
contains 1.2 lbs (530 g) R134a (HFC 134a), and
uses PAG oil.
Passenger compartment filter
Replace the cabin air filter with a new one at
the recommended intervals. Please refer to
your Warranty and Service Records Informa-
tion booklet, or consult a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for these intervals.
The filter should be replaced more often when
driving under dirty and dusty conditions. The
filter cannot be cleaned and therefore should
always be replaced with a new one.
NOTE
There are different types of cabin air filters.
Ensure that the correct type is installed.
Display
The display above the climate control panel
shows the climate settings that have been
made.
Personal settings
There are two functions in the climate system
that can be set to your preferences:
•Blower speed to Auto mode (models with
ECC only).
•Timer controlled recirculation of the air in
the passenger compartment.
03 Climate
Electronic Climate Control
03
91
G019518
Auto – On/Off
Blower speed
Recirculation
Defroster
Airflow controls
A/C – ON/OFF
Heated driver's seat
Heated front passenger's seat
Rear window and door mirror defrosters
Temperature selector
ECC functions
1. Auto – On/OffThe AUTO function automat-
ically regulates climate con-
trol to maintain the desired
temperature. The automatic
function controls heating, air
conditioning, blower speed,
recirculation, and air distribu-
tion.
If you select one or more manual functions, the
remaining functions continue to be controlled
automatically. All manual settings are switched
off when AUTO is switched on.
AUTO
CLIMATE is shown in the display.
2. Blower speedThe blower speed can be
increased or decreased by
turning the knob. The blower
speed is regulated automati-
cally if AUTO is selected. The
previously set blower speed is
disconnected.
NOTE
If the knob is turned counterclockwise and
the blower indication in the display goes
out, the blower and the air conditioning are
switched off. The display shows the blower
symbol and
OFF.
03 Climate
Electronic Climate Control
03
92* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
3. RecirculationThis function can be used to
shut out exhaust fumes,
smoke, etc from the passen-
ger compartment. The air in
the passenger compartment
is then recirculated, i.e. no air
from outside the car is taken
into the car when this function is activated.
If the air in the car recirculates for too long,
there is a risk of condensation forming on the
insides of the windows, especially in winter.
TimerThe timer function minimizes the risk of fogging
or stale air when the recirculation function is
selected, see page 80 for information on set-
ting the recirculation timer.
NOTE
Recirculation is always disengaged if the
defroster button is engaged to clear ice or
condensation from the side windows.
4. DefrosterDirects airflow to the wind-
shield and side windows and
increases blower speed.
When the defroster is acti-
vated:
•Air flows to the windows at high blower
speed.
•The LED in the defroster button lights up
when this function is activated. The air con-
ditioning system is controlled to provide
maximum air dehumidification.
•The air conditioning is automatically
switched on (can be switched off by press-
ing button 6).
The air is not recirculated.
5. Airflow controlsPress one of the three buttons
in the illustration to activate
the selected airflow. A symbol
in the display above the cli-
mate control panel and a lit
LED in the selected button
indicate that the manual func-
tion has been selected. With manually selected
airflow both warm and cool air can be selected.
See also the table on page 94.
6. Air conditioning On/OffON: The air conditioning sys-
tem is engaged when the ON
light is lit and is controlled
automatically by the system
to maintain the selected tem-
perature.
OFF: The system is disengaged when the
OFF lights up
When OFF is selected and the OFF LED is lit,
the air conditioning system is deactivated.
Other functions are still controlled automati-
cally.
When Defroster (4) is selected, the air condi-
tioning system is activated for maximum dehu-
midifying.
7 and 8. Heated front seats*Maximum heating: Press the
button once – both LEDs light
up.
Reduced heating: Press the
button a second time – one
LED lights up.
Seat heating off: Press the button a third time
– no LEDs are lit.
03 Climate
Electronic Climate Control
03
93
9. Rear window and door mirror
defrosters
Press to defrost the rear win-
dow and door mirrors.
The rear window and door
mirrors are defrosted simulta-
neously if the switch is
pressed once. The defrost
function is active if the LED in the switch is illu-
minated.
•The function can be switched off manually
by pressing the button.
•The defrost function switches off automat-
ically after 12–20 minutes, depending on
the outside temperature.
NOTE
•On certain markets, the defrost function
may remain on longer than 20 minutes
in cold weather to help keep the rear
window free from ice or condensation.
•This function is automatically switched
off when the power retractable hard top
is down.
10. Temperature selectorThe temperatures on the driv-
er's and passenger's sides
can be set separately using
the knob (with the thermome-
ter in it). The temperature can
be set for both sides of the car
when the ignition is switched
on (both LEDs will be on), which means that a
temperature setting will apply to both sides of
the car.
To set the temperature on one side of the car:
1. Press the knob once. The LED for one side
of the car will light up. Turn the knob to
adjust the temperature.
2. Press the knob a second time to set the
temperature on the opposite side of the
car.
3. Press the knob a third time to set the tem-
perature on both sides of the car at the
same time.
NOTE
Selecting a temperature that is higher or
lower than necessary will not heat or cool
the passenger compartment faster.
Sensors
•The sunlight sensor is on the upper side of
the dashboard
•The passenger compartment temperature
sensor is located behind the climate sys-
tem control panel.
•The ambient temperature sensor is in the
driver's side door mirror.
•The humidity sensor is in the rearview mir-
ror.
These sensors should never be obstructed.
NOTE
The sunlight sensor monitors the side of the
vehicle from which the sun shines into the
passenger compartment. This means that
the temperature may differ slightly between
the left and right air vents, even if the climate
system temperature is set to be the same
for both sides of the passenger compart-
ment.
AccelerationThe air conditioning system is temporarily
switched off during full throttle acceleration.
03 Climate
Air distribution
03
94
Air distributionUse:Air distributionUse:
Defroster.
Air is not recirculated in
this mode.
Air conditioning is always
engaged.
There is also a certain
amount of airflow to the
panel air vents.Defrost/de-fog the wind-
shield and front side win-
dows.Air to the floor and win-
dows.
There is also a certain
amount of airflow to the
dashboard air vents.For comfortable condi-
tions and good defrosting
in cold weather.
Medium to high blower
speed.
Air to windshield and front
side windows.
There is also a certain
amount of airflow to the
dashboard air vents.Prevents fogging in cold
or humid weather (blower
speed should be moder-
ate to high).Air to the floor and from
the dashboard air vents.For sunny weather with
cool ambient tempera-
tures.
Air to the windows and
from the dashboard air
vents.For good comfort in
warm, dry weather.Air to the floor.
There is a certain amount
of airflow to the dash-
board and window air
vents.To warm the feet.
Airflow directed to the
head and chest from the
dashboard air vents.To ensure efficient cooling
in a warm weather.Airflow to the windows,
dashboard air vents, and
floor.For cooler air toward the
feet, or for warmer air
toward the head and
chest.
06 Starting and driving
General information
06
140
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.
•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:
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.
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle 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.
Driving through water
The vehicle can be driven through water up to
a depth of approximately 9 in. (25 cm), at a
maximum speed of 6 mph (10 km/h).
•Take particular care when driving through
flowing water.
•Clean the electrical connections for trailer
wiring after driving in mud or water
•When driving through water, maintain low
speed and do not stop in the water.
06 Starting and driving
Towing
06
161
•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.