2011 VOLVO V50 warning light

02 Instruments and controls
Information display
02

61 Messages
G019617
When an indicator or warning light in the instru-
ment panel comes on, a message is also
shown in the information display. To read a
message:
1.
Press the READ button (1).
2.
Pressing READ repeatedly enables you to
scroll to any other messages that may be
stored.
NOTE
If a message is displayed when e.g. you are
using the trip computer, this message must
be read before you can access the trip com-
puter.
MessageMeaning
.....STOP
SAFELYAStop the vehicle in a
safe place and switch
off the engine to help
prevent the risk of seri-
ous damage.
HIGH ENGINE
TEMP STOP
SAFELYStop the vehicle in a
safe place and switch
off the engine to help
prevent the risk of seri-
ous damage.
......SERVICE
URGENTATake your car to a
trained and qualified
Volvo service techni-
cian for inspection
immediately.
......SEE MAN-
UALARefer to your owner's
manual. For additional
information, please
contact your Volvo
retailer.
MessageMeaning
.....SERVICE
REQUIREDATake your car to a
trained and qualified
Volvo service techni-
cian for inspection as
soon as possible (but
preferably before the
next scheduled mainte-
nance service).
BOOK TIME
FOR MAINTE-
NANCEBook time for service at
an authorized Volvo
workshop.
TIME FOR
REGULAR
MAINTE-
NANCEThis message is affec-
ted by the number of
miles/km driven, by the
number of months, or
by the number of engine
hours since the service
reminder was reset at
the most recent regu-
larly scheduled service.
MAINTE-
NANCE OVER-
DUEIf the vehicle is not serv-
iced according to
schedule, the warranty
may not apply to dam-
aged parts, etc.

02 Instruments and controls
Steering wheel adjustment, Hazard warning flashers
02
76
Steering wheel adjustment
G027308
Both the height and the reach of the steering
wheel can be adjusted to a comfortable posi-
tion for the driver.
1. Pull down the lever on the steering column
to release the steering wheel.
2. Adjust the steering wheel to a suitable
position.
3. Press the lever back into place to lock the
steering wheel in the new position. If nec-
essary, press the steering wheel slightly
while pressing the lever into the locked
position.Check that the steering wheel is locked in the
new position.
WARNING
Never adjust the steering wheel while driv-
ing.
Hazard warning flashers
G020144
The four-way flasher should be used to indi-
cate that the vehicle has become a traffic haz-
ard.
1. Press the triangular button in the center
dash.2. Press the button again to turn off the flash-
ers.
NOTE
•Regulations regarding the use of the
hazard warning flasher may vary,
depending on where you live.
•The hazard warning flashers will be acti-
vated automatically if an airbag
deploys.

02 Instruments and controls
Power windows
02

77 Operation
Control panel in driver's door
Open/close front windows
Open/close rear windows
The power windows are controlled by buttons
in the arm rests.
•The ignition must be ON (ignition key in
position I, II or the engine running) for the
power windows to function.
•The power windows will also function after
the ignition has been switched off as long
as neither of the front doors has been
opened.
Opening a windowLightly press down the front edge of any of the
buttons (A or B) to the first detent ("stop") to
open a window to the position of your choice.
WARNING
•Always remove the ignition key when
the vehicle is unattended.
•Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
•Make sure that the windows are com-
pletely unobstructed before they are
operated.
1. Press the front part of any of the buttons (A
or B) as far down as possible and release
to automatically open the window com-
pletely.
2. To stop the window at any time, pull the
button up.
NOTE
To reduce buffeting wind noise if the rear
windows are opened, also open the front
windows slightly.
Closing a window1. Lightly pull up the front edge of any of the
buttons (A or B) to the first detent ("stop")to close a window to the position of your
choice.
2. Pull the front part of any of the buttons (A
or B) up as far as possible and release to
automatically close the window com-
pletely. To stop the window at any time,
press the button down.
Lockout switch for rear windows
Lockout switch
The electrically operated rear door windows
can be disabled by a switch located on the
driver's door (see illustration).
If the light in the switch is OFF: The rear door
windows can be raised or lowered with the

02 Instruments and controls
Mirrors
02
80* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
G026409
Magnetic zones
3. Press button (1) for at least 3 seconds to
display the number of the current magnetic
zone.
4. Press button (1) repeatedly until the num-
ber for the required geographical area (
1–15) is displayed. "C" will be displayed
again.
5. Drive slowly in a circle at a maximum speed
of 6 mph (10 km/h) until a compass direc-
tion is displayed.
Calibration is complete.
Power door mirrors
The mirror control switches are located on the
driver's door armrest.
Adjusting the mirrors
WARNING
•The mirrors should always be adjusted
prior to driving.
•Objects seen in the passenger's side
wide-angle door mirror are closer than
they appear to be.
Driver's door mirror:
Press the L button (a light in the switch will
go on) to activate the adjustment control.Use this control to adjust the driver's door
mirror.
Passenger's door mirror:1.
Press the R switch (a light in the switch will
go on) to activate the adjustment control.
Use this control to adjust the passenger's
door mirror.
2. After you have adjusted the mirror(s), press
the L or R switch again (the LED will go out)
to deactivate the adjustment control.
Storing the mirrors' positionThe position of the door mirrors is stored when
the vehicle is locked. The next time the driver's
door is unlocked with the same remote key and
that door is opened within 2 minutes, the
optional power driver's seat and side door mir-
rors will automatically move to the position that
they were in when the doors were most
recently locked with the same remote key.
Folding power door mirrors*The mirrors can be folded in for parking/driving
in narrow spaces.
Folding the mirrors in1.
Press down the L and R mirror control but-
tons on the driver's door at the same time.
2. Release them after approximately one sec-
ond. The mirrors automatically fold in to the
fully retracted position.

02 Instruments and controls
HomeLink® Wireless Control System*
02

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.87 Introduction
G030070
The HomeLink1 Wireless Control System pro-
vides a convenient way to replace up to three
hand-held radio-frequency (RF) transmitters
used to activate devices such as gate opera-
tors, garage door openers, entry door locks,
security systems, even home lighting. Addi-
tional HomeLink information can be found on
the Internet at www.homelink.com.
WARNING
•If you use HomeLink to open a garage
door or gate, be sure no one is near the
gate or door while it is in motion.
•When programming a garage door
opener, it is advised to park outside of
the garage.
•Do not use HomeLink with any garage
door opener that lacks safety stop and
reverse features as required by U.S.
federal safety standards (this includes
any garage door opener model manu-
factured before April 1, 1982). A garage
door that cannot detect an object - sig-
naling the door to stop and reverse -
does not meet current U.S. federal
safety standards. For more information,
contact HomeLink at:
www.homelink.com.
Retain the original transmitter of the RF device
you are programming for use in other vehicles
as well as for future HomeLink programming. It
is also suggested that upon the sale of the
vehicle, the programmed HomeLink buttons be
erased for security purposes. Refer to “Erasing
HomeLink Buttons”.
Programming HomeLink
NOTE
Some vehicles may require the ignition
switch to be turned on or to the second
(“accessories”) position for programming
and/or operation of HomeLink. It is also rec-
ommended that a new battery be placed in
the hand-held transmitter of the device
being programmed to HomeLink for quicker
training and accurate transmission of the
radio-frequency signal.
1. Position the end of your hand-held trans-
mitter 1–3 inches (5–14 cm) away from the
HomeLink button you wish to program
while keeping the indicator light in view.
2. Simultaneously press and hold both the
chosen HomeLink and hand-held transmit-
ter buttons until the HomeLink indicator
light changes from a slow to a rapidly blink-
ing light. Now you may release both the
HomeLink and hand-held transmitter but-
tons.
1HomeLink and the HomeLink house are registered trademarks of Johnson Controls, Inc.

04 Interior
Cargo area
04
119
Retracting the cargo net1. Pull back one of the net's attachments to
the large hole in the mounting bracket.
2. Pull the attachment out of the mounting
bracket.
3. Do the same on the opposite side of the
vehicle.
4. Lower the net into its holder.
Removing the cargo net's holder1. Fold down the backrests
2. Push the holder out until it releases from its
retaining brackets.
Using the net with the cargo area cover
G020769
1. Fold the rear seat backrests forward
slightly. Begin by folding the narrower sec-
tion of the backrest.
2. Pull the cargo net up and to the rear.
3. Return the backrests to the upright posi-
tion.
Insert the net's end attachments into the
mounting brackets (see the illustration).
WARNING
The red lock indicator on the rear seat
backrests is VISIBLE when the backrest is
NOT locked in position and hidden when the
backrest is correctly locked in place. When
the backrest is in the upright position, it
must always be correctly locked in place.
Load anchoring eyelets
G014757
The eyelets in the cargo area can be used to
fasten accessory load and lashing straps, load
nets, and other load anchors.

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
General information
06

139 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.
WARNING
After driving through water, press lightly on
the brake pedal to ensure that the brakes
are functioning normally. Water or mud can
make the brake linings slippery, resulting in
delayed braking effect.
CAUTION
•Engine damage will occur if water is
drawn into the air cleaner.
•If the vehicle is driven through water
deeper than 9 in. (25 cm), water may
enter the differential and the transmis-
sion. This reduces the oil's lubricating
capacity and may shorten the service
life of these components.
•Do not allow the vehicle to stand in
water up to the door sills longer than
absolutely necessary. This could result
in electrical malfunctions.
•If the engine has been stopped while the
car is in water, do not attempt to restart
the engine. Have the car towed out of
the water.
Cold weather precautions
If 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). See section "Coolant". The use of
"recycled" antifreeze is not approved byVolvo. Different types of antifreeze must
not be mixed.
•Volvo recommends using only genuine
Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's radiator.
Your Volvo retailer stocks plenty of Volvo
engine coolant to help protect your vehicle
during cold weather.
•Try to keep the fuel tank well filled – this
prevents the formation of condensation 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) improves
cold-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
1, 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 272 for more
information.
•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
1Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintenance intervals except at owner request and at additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.