2011 VOLVO XC90 maintenance

09 Maintenance and servicing
Fluids 09
218
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.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Wiper blades09
219 Windshield wiper blades
To change a windshield wiper blade:
1. Fold the wiper arm out from the windshield
and hold the wiper blade.
2. Press in the grooved catches and pull out
the wiper blade.
3. Insert a new wiper blade and ensure that it
is securely in place.
NOTE
The driver's side wiper blade is longer than
the one on the passenger's side.
Tailgate wiper blade
G026959
To change a tailgate wiper blade:
1. Pull the wiper arm rearward, away from the
tailgate window.
2. Pull out the wiper blade as shown in the
illustration.
3. Press the new wiper blade into place.
Check that it is properly secured.
NOTE
Keeping the windshield/tailgate window
and wiper blades clean helps improve visi-
bility and prolongs the service life of the
wiper blades, see page 200 for washing
instructions.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Battery 09
220
Battery maintenance
The battery in your vehicle is located under the
floor of the cargo compartment.
Driving habits and conditions, climate, the
number of starts, etc. all affect the service life
and function of the battery. In order for your
battery to perform satisfactorily, keep the fol-
lowing in mind:
•Use a screw driver to open the caps or
cover and a flashlight to inspect the level.
•If necessary, add distilled water. The level
should never be above the indicator.
•The fluid level should be checked if the
battery has been recharged.
•After inspection, be sure the cap over each
battery cell or the cover is securely in
place.
•Check that the battery cables are correctly
connected and properly tightened.
•Never disconnect the battery when the
engine is running, or when the key is in the
ignition. This could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
•The battery should be disconnected from
the vehicle when a battery charger is used
directly on the battery.
•To help keep the battery in good condition,
the vehicle should be driven for at least 15minutes a week or connected to a charger
with an automatic charging function.
•If the battery is fully discharged a number
of times, this may shorten its service life.
Keeping the battery fully charged helps
prolong its service life.
•The service life of a battery is affected by
factors such as driving conditions and cli-
mate. Extreme cold may also further
decrease the battery’s starting capacity.
•Because the battery’s starting capacity
decreases with time, it may be necessary
to recharge it if the vehicle is not driven for
an extended period of time or if the vehicle
is usually only driven short distances.
•
WARNING
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the state of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
WARNING
•Never expose the battery to open flame
or electric spark.
•Do not smoke near the battery.
•Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do
not allow battery fluid to contact eyes,
skin, fabrics or painted surfaces. If con-
tact occurs, flush the affected area
immediately with water. Obtain medical
help immediately if eyes are affected.
NOTE
Used batteries should be properly disposed
of at a recycling station or similar facility, or
taken to your Volvo retailer.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Battery09

221 Symbols
Wear protection goggles
See owner’s manual for
details
Keep away from children
Corrosive
No smoking, no open
flames, no sparks
Explosion
Replacing the battery
DRAIN PIPE
xxxx xxxxx xx xxxxx DISCONNECT REMOVAL OF BATTERYO CABLE FIRSTxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxx xx+-
WARNING
xxxx xxxxx xx xxxxx
G027076
1. Switch off the ignition.
2.
Wait at least 5 minutes after switching
off the ignition before disconnecting the
battery so that all information in the vehi-
cle's electrical system can be stored in the
control modules.
3. Remove the retaining bracket and unscrew
the cover over the battery. Wait at least
5 minutes after switching off the ignition
before disconnecting the battery so that all
information in the vehicle's electrical sys-
tem can be stored in the control modules.
4. Disconnect the negative (ground) cable
first.
G027075

09 Maintenance and servicing
Battery 09
222
5. Disconnect the positive cable and pull the
ventilation hose from the battery.
6. Lift out the old battery and put a new bat-
tery into place.
7. Connect the positive cable first.
8. Connect the negative (ground) cable.
9. Be sure that the ventilation hose is securely
connected to the battery and that the other
end of the hose is properly routed through
the ventilation opening in the floor of the
battery compartment.
G030884
Ventilation hose
10. Reinstall the cover and retaining bracket
and screw it securely in place.
NOTE
After the battery has been disconnected or
replaced, lock and unlock the vehicle with
the central locking system's remote key to
reactivate such features as the power win-
dows, moonroof, courtesy lighting, etc.
WARNING
•The battery generates hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. The
battery is fitted with a ventilation hose
which vents hydrogen gas out of the
battery compartment through a ventila-
tion opening in the bottom of this com-
partment. If the battery must be
replaced, it is essential that the ventila-
tion hose is properly connected to the
battery and that it is routed through the
ventilation opening provided (see illus-
tration).
•Be sure the ventilation hose is free of
debris.
•Only use replacement batteries equip-
ped with a ventilation hose. Consult a
trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Replacing bulbs09

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.223
When replacing bulbs, keep the following
points in mind:
•Never touch the glass of bulbs with your
fingers. Grease and oils from your fingers
vaporize in the heat and will leave a deposit
on the reflector, which will damage it.
•The optional Active Bending Light bulbs
contain trace amounts of mercury. These
bulbs should always be disposed of by an
authorized Volvo retailer.
The following bulbs should only be replaced by
a trained and qualified Volvo service techni-
cian:
•Active Bending Lights
•Courtesy (dome) lighting
•Reading lights
•Glove compartment lights
•Turn signals and courtesy lights in the side
door mirrors
•High-mounted brake lights
Replacing high/low beams/turn signal/
parking light bulbs
WARNING
•The engine should not be running when
changing bulbs.
•If the engine has been running just prior
to replacing bulbs in the headlight hous-
ing, please keep in mind that compo-
nents in the engine compartment will be
hot.
G027081
The entire lamp housing must be lifted out
when replacing these bulbs.To lift out the lamp housing:
1. Switch off the ignition.
2. Open the hood.
3. Pull up the retaining pins (see the illustra-
tion).
4. Lift out the lamp housing.
G027083
WARNING
Active Bending Lights* - due to the high
voltage used by these headlights, these
bulbs should only be replaced by a trained
and qualified Volvo service technician.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Replacing bulbs 09
224* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Location of the bulbs in the headlight
housing
G027082
Low beam headlight/Active Bending
Lights*
High beam headlight
Turn signal
Parking light
Side marker light
Replacing the low beam bulb (Halogen
headlights)
G027088
1. Remove the plastic cover over the bulb by
turning it counterclockwise.
2. Pull the connector from the lamp housing.
3. Loosen the bulb's retaining spring by first
moving it to the right and then moving it out
of the way.
4. Pull out the bulb from the holder.
5. Insert the new bulb (without touching the
glass) in the holder.
6. Move the retaining spring up and push it
slightly to the left until it seats properly.7. Press the bulb holder into place on the
headlight housing.
8. Reinstall the plastic cap. The let-
ters "HAUT" on the cap must be upward.
Replacing the high beam bulb (Halogen
headlights)
G027085
1. Remove the rubber cover by pulling it off.
2. Pull the connector from the lamp housing.
3. Loosen the bulb's retaining spring by first
moving it to the right and then moving it out
of the way.
4. Pull out the bulb from the holder.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Replacing bulbs09

225
5. Insert the new bulb (without touching the
glass) in the holder.
6. Move the retaining spring up and push it
slightly to the left until it seats properly.
7. Press the bulb holder into place on the
headlight housing.
8. Press the rubber cover into place.
Replacing the high beam bulb (Active
Bending Lights)
G027090
1. Remove the rubber cover over the bulb by
pulling it off.
2. Turn the bulb holder counterclockwise and
pull it out of the headlight housing.3. Remove the connector from the bulb unit
by pressing the lock tab out and pulling.
4. Connect the connector to the new bulb unit
until it clicks into place.
5. Press a new bulb unit into the headlight
housing and turn it clockwise into place.
6. Reinstall the plastic cover.
Replacing parking light/side marker
light bulbs
G028409
1. Turn the lamp holder approximately 1/4
turn counterclockwise and pull it out of the
headlight housing.
2. Pull the bulb straight out.3. Align the guide lugs on the side of the base
of the new bulb in the grooves in the holder
and press it into place.
4. Press the lamp holder into the place in the
headlight housing and turn it approxi-
mately 1/4 turn clockwise.
Replacing the turn signal bulb
G027089
1. Turn the lamp holder approximately 1/4
turn counterclockwise and pull it out of the
headlight housing.
2. Press in the bulb slightly and pull it out of
the holder.