2011 VOLVO V50 check transmission fluid

06 Starting and driving
General information
06
140
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
the chapter "Wheels and tires."
•To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from
freezing, add washer solvents containing
antifreeze (see page 216 for the location of
the washer fluid reservoir). This is impor-
tant since dirt is often splashed on the
windshield during winter driving, requiring
the frequent use of the washers and wip-
ers. Volvo Washer Solvent should be dilu-
ted as follows: Down to 14 °F (–10 °C):
1 part washer solvent and 4 parts water
Down to 5 °F (–15 °C): 1 part washer sol-
vent and 3 parts water Down to 0 °F
(–18 °C): 1 part washer solvent and 2 parts
water Down to –18 °F (–28 °C): 1 part
washer solvent and 1 part water.
•Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
NOTE
Avoid using de-icing sprays as they can
cause damage to the locks.
Conserving electrical current
Keep the following in mind to help minimize
battery drain:
•When the engine is not running, avoid turn-
ing the ignition key to position II. Many
electrical systems (the audio system, the
optional navigation system, power win-
dows, etc) will function with the ignition key
in position I. This position reduces drain on
the battery.
•Please keep in mind that using systems,
accessories, etc that consume a great deal
of current when the engine is not running
could result in the battery being completely
drained. Driving or having the engine run-
ning for approximately 15 minutes will help
keep the battery charged.
•The optional 12 volt socket in the cargo
area (certain models only) provides electri-
cal current even with the ignition switched
off, which drains the battery.
NOTE
•If the ignition is switched on, a warning
message will be displayed in the text
window in the instrument panel when
the battery charge is low.
•An energy conserving function
designed into the vehicle's electrical
system will switch off certain functions
or reduce the load on the battery by,
e.g., reducing the audio system's vol-
ume.
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle
checked at a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician before driving long distances.
Your trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician 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 checked2.
•Check condition of drive belts.
2To prevent injury from contact with hot surfaces, do not inspect your vehicle's transmission fluid yourself. Have your vehicle's transmission fluid level inspected by a qualified Volvo service technician.

06 Starting and driving
Starting the vehicle
06
146
To start the engine
WARNING
Before starting, check that the seat, steering
wheel and mirrors are adjusted properly.
Make sure the brake pedal can be
depressed completely. Adjust the seat if
necessary.
1. Fasten the seat belt.
2. Apply the parking brake if not already set.
The gear selector should be locked in the
Park (P) position (Shiftlock). See also page
151.
NOTE
After a cold start, idle speed may be notice-
ably higher than normal for a short period.
This is done to help bring components in the
emission control system to their normal
operating temperature as quickly as possi-
ble, which enables them to control emis-
sions and help reduce the vehicle's impact
on the environment.
3. The vehicle is equipped with an autostart
feature. Without touching the throttle
pedal, turn the key to position III and
release it. The starter motor will then oper-ate automatically (for up to ten seconds)
until the engine starts. If the engine fails to
start, repeat this step.
4. To release the gear selector from the Park
(P) position, the engine must be running (or
the ignition key must be in position II) and
the brake pedal must be depressed.
5. Select the desired gear. The gear engages
after a very slight delay, which is especially
noticeable when selecting R.
NOTE
•Immobilizer: If two of the keys to your
vehicle are close together, e.g., on the
same key ring when you try to start the
vehicle, this could cause interference in
the immobilizer system and result in the
vehicle not starting. If this should occur,
remove one of the keys from the key
ring before trying to start the vehicle
again.
•Keylock: The automatic transmission
has a keylock system. When the engine
is switched off, the gear selector must
be in the Park (P) position before the key
can be removed from the ignition
switch
1.
•When starting in cold weather, an auto-
matic transmission may shift up at
slightly higher engine speeds than nor-
mal until the automatic transmission
fluid reaches normal operating tem-
perature.
•Do not race a cold engine immediately
after starting. Oil flow may not reach
some lubrication points fast enough to
prevent engine damage.
1The optional keyless drive start control does not need to be removed from the ignition switch.

12 Index
12
288
changing from summer to winter........ 175
designations....................................... 181
glossary of terms................................ 183
improving economy............................ 174
inflation............................................... 177
inflation pressure, checking................ 177
inflation pressure table, Canadian mod-
els.......................................................180
inflation pressure table, US models.... 179
load ratings......................................... 178
rotation............................................... 175
snow...................................................187
spare................................................... 188
spare tire (location)............................. 190
speed ratings...................................... 178
storing................................................. 175
studded............................................... 187
tire pressure monitoring system......... 199
tire sealing system.............................. 192
tread wear indicator............................ 176
uniform tire quality grading................. 186
winter driving...................................... 187
Tire sealing system.................................. 192
Top tether anchors (child restraint sys-
tems).......................................................... 48
Towing a trailer........................................ 161
trailer hitch.......................................... 163Towing the vehicle................................... 158
Trailer hitch - detachable......................... 163
Trailer towing........................................... 161
Transmission
Geartronic........................................... 150
shiftlock override................................ 151
Tread wear indicator................................ 176
Treble....................................................... 244
Trip computer............................................ 69
Trips, long distance................................. 140
Turn signals............................................... 67
indicator lights...................................... 54
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading...................186
V
Vehicle dimensions.................................. 268
Vehicle Event Data..................................... 13
Vehicle loading........................................ 184
roof loads............................................ 164Vehicle maintenance................................ 212
performed by the owner.....................213
Vehicle towing.........................................158
Vehicle weights........................................ 269
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)......... 267
Volvo and the environment........................ 14
Volvo maintenance.................................. 212
Volvo On Call Roadside Assistance........ 280
W
Warning flashers, hazard........................... 76
Warning symbol......................................... 56
Warranties................................................ 212
Washer fluid..................................... 219, 271
Washer fluid reservoir......................216, 219
Water, driving through............................. 139
Weights.................................................... 269
Wheel nuts............................................... 189
Wheels.....................................................174
changing............................................. 197
storing................................................. 175
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)....... 34