2011 VOLVO V50 light

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
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The eyelets in the cargo area can be used to
fasten accessory load and lashing straps, load
nets, and other load anchors.

05 Locks and alarm
Remote key and key blade
05

123 remote key functions
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Lock – Press the Lock button on the
remote once to lock all doors and the tail-
gate. The turn signals will flash once to
confirm locking.
NOTE
The car can also be locked if a door is open
(does not apply to vehicles with the optional
keyless drive).
Unlock – Press the Unlock button on the
remote once to unlock the driver's door.
After a short pause, press the Unlock but-
ton a second time within 10 seconds to
unlock the other doors and the tailgate. A
long press (at least two seconds) opens all
side windows.
NOTE
•The turn signals flash to confirm that the
vehicle has been correctly locked/
unlocked with the remote key or the
optional keyless drive. When locking the
vehicle, the turn signals will flash a con-
firmation only if all the doors are
securely closed and locked. Flashing
confirmation for locking and unlocking
may be customized in the vehicle's Per-
sonal settings menu, see page 84 for
more information.
•The two-step unlocking function can be
changed so that one press of the
Unlock button unlocks all of the doors
and the tailgate. See Personal settings
page 84 for more information.
•Automatic relocking: If the doors are
unlocked, the locks will automatically reen-
gage (re-lock) and the alarm will rearm after2 minutes unless a door or the tailgate has
been opened.
•Automatic locking: When the car starts to
move, the doors and tailgate can be locked
automatically. This feature can be turned
on or off, see Personal settings on page
84 for more information.
•Airbag deployment will automatically
attempt to unlock the doors.
Approach lighting – As you approach the
car: Press the button on the remote key to
illuminate the area around the car in dark
conditions. Pressing the button once lights
up the interior lighting, parking lights, and
license plate lighting. These lights will
switch off automatically after 30, 60 or
90 seconds. See the Personal settings pa
ge 84 for information about adjusting the
time setting.
Unlock tailgate – Press the button once to
disarm the alarm system and unlock only
the tailgate. After closing, the tailgate will
not automatically relock. Press Lock to
relock it and rearm the alarm.
NOTE
This function will not open the tailgate.

05 Locks and alarm
Remote key and key blade
05
124
Panic alarm – This button can be used to
attract attention during emergency situa-
tions. To activate the panic alarm, press
and hold the red button for at least 3 sec-
onds or press it twice within 3 seconds.
The turn signals and horn will be activated.
The panic alarm will stop automatically
after 30 seconds. To deactivate, wait
approximately 5 seconds and press the red
button again.
NOTE
This button will NOT unlock the car.
Weak battery in the remote key
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When the battery begins to lose its charge, the
Information symbol in the instrument panel
(see page 56) lights up and
KEY BATTERY
LOW VOLTAGE is shown in the information
display.
Replacing the battery in the remote key
If the range of the transmitter is noticeably
reduced, this indicates that the battery (type
CR 2450, 3V) is weak and should be replaced.
To replace the battery:
1. Place the remote key with the keypad
downward. Pry open the cover with a small
slotted screwdriver.
2. Remove the cover.
CAUTION
When replacing the battery, avoid touching
the electrical circuitry in the other half of the
remote key.
3. Note how the + and – sides of the battery
are positioned on the inside of the cover
(see the underside of the cover).
4. Pry out and replace the battery. Avoid
touching the battery and its contact surfa-
ces with your fingers.
5. Press the cover back into place.The old battery should be disposed of properly
at a recycling center or by a trained and quali-
fied Volvo service technician.
Key blade
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Removing the key blade
The key blade can be removed from the remote
key. When removed, it can be used as follows:
•To lock/unlock the driver’s door
•To lock/unlock the glove compartment,
see page 131.
Removing the key bladeSlide the spring loaded catch to the side.

05 Locks and alarm
Alarm*
05

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.133 The alarm system
The alarm is automatically armed whenever the
car is locked with the remote key, or if a front
lock button is depressed.
When armed, the alarm continuously monitors
a number of points on the car. The following
conditions will trigger the alarm:
•The hood is forced open.
•The tailgate is forced open.
•A door is forced open.
•The ignition switch is tampered with
•An attempt is made to start the car with a
non-approved key (a key not coded to the
car's ignition).
•If there is movement in the passenger com-
partment (if the car is equipped with the
optional movement sensor).
•The car is lifted or towed (if the car is equip-
ped with the optional inclination sensor)
•The battery is disconnected (while the
alarm is armed).
•The siren is disconnected when the alarm
is disarmed.
The alarm indicator light
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Alarm indicator light
The status of the alarm system is indicated by
the indicator light on at the top of the dash-
board (see the illustration):
•Indicator light off – the alarm is not armed
•The indicator light flashes every two sec-
onds – the alarm is armed
•The indicator light flashes rapidly before
the ignition is switched on – the alarm has
been triggered. The message
ALARM
TRIGGERED CHECK CAR will also be
displayed.
•Fault in the alarm system: If a fault has
been detected in the alarm system, a mes-
sage will be shown in the information dis-
play. Contact your Volvo retailer to have
the alarm system inspected and repaired if
necessary.
Arming the alarm

Press the LOCK button on the remote key,
or press the central lock button on one of
the front doors with the door open. One
long flash of the turn signals will confirm
that the alarm is armed.
Disarming the alarm

Press the UNLOCK button on the remote
key or insert the key in the ignition1 to dis-
arm the alarm. Two short flashes from the
car's direction indicators confirm that the
alarm has been deactivated and that all
doors are unlocked.
1On vehicles with the optional keyless drive, press in the start control in the ignition switch.

05 Locks and alarm
Alarm*
05
134* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Turning off (stopping) the alarm
If the alarm is sounding, it can be stopped by
pressing the UNLOCK button on the remote
key or by inserting the key in the ignition switch.
The driver's door must first be unlocked with
the key blade.
NOTE
On vehicles equipped with the optional key-
less drive, the start control must be
removed from the ignition switch before the
key can be inserted, see page 148 for
instructions.
Audible/visual alarm signal
An audible alarm signal is given by a battery
powered siren. The alarm cycle lasts for
30 seconds.
NOTE
The visual alarm signal is given by flashing
all turn signals and turning on the interior
lighting for approximately 5 minutes.
Temporarily turning off the accessory
alarm sensor(s)
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Display
MENU
EXIT
ENTER
Menu navigation controlsIn certain situations it may be desirable to turn
off the accessory inclination and movement
alarm sensors if, for example, you drive your
vehicle onto a ferry where the rocking of the
boat could trigger the alarm or if a pet is left in
the vehicle with the doors locked.
To do so:
1.
Press MENU to enter the menu system and
scroll to
Car settings… (for a more
detailed description of the menus, see
page 84.
2.
Select
Reduced guard….
3.
Select
Activate once and the messageREDUCED GUARD SEE MANUAL will
appear in the information display. The
alarm sensors will be turned off when the
vehicle is locked.
or
Select
Ask on exit. Each time the ignition
key is turned to position 0, the message
Reduced guard ask on exit Press
ENTER to reduce guard until engine
has started. Press EXIT to cancel.
will
be displayed. Select one of the alterna-
tives:
•If the alarm sensors are to be deactivated,
press ENTER and then lock the vehicle.

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.

06 Starting and driving
General information
06
141
•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 your
Volvo retailer only.
•Check all lights, including high beams.
•Reflective warning triangles are legally
required in some states/provinces.
•Have a word with your Volvo retailer 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.