2011 VOLVO XC90 towing

Contents
6* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
06
06 Starting and driving
General information................................134
Fuel requirements................................... 135
Refueling................................................. 137
Starting the vehicle................................. 139
Ignition switch and steering wheel lock. . 141
Economical driving.................................. 142
Difficult driving conditions...................... 143
Automatic transmission..........................144
Jump starting.......................................... 147
All Wheel Drive*....................................... 148
Brake system.......................................... 149
Parking brake.......................................... 151
Stability system....................................... 152
Front/rear park assist*............................. 154
Towing.................................................... 156
Towing a trailer....................................... 158
Detachable trailer hitch........................... 161
Load carriers (accessory)........................ 162
Cold weather precautions....................... 163
Before a long distance trip...................... 164
Blind Spot Information System*.............. 165
07
07 Wheels and tires
General information................................172
Tire inflation ............................................ 175
Tire inflation pressure tables – U.S. mod-
els............................................................ 177
Tire inflation pressure tables – Canadian
models.................................................... 178
Tire designations..................................... 179
Glossary of tire terminology.................... 181
Vehicle loading........................................ 182
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.................. 183
Snow chains, snow tires, studded tires. . 184
Temporary spare..................................... 185
Tire Sealing System ............................... 186
Changing wheels....................................191
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 195
08
08 Car care
Washing and cleaning the vehicle.......... 200
Paint touch up......................................... 204

02 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel
02
61
Rear fog lightThis light indicates that the fog
light is on.
CHECK ENGINE Malfunction indicator
light
On-Board Diagnostics II (OBDII): As you drive,
a computer called "OBDII" monitors your vehi-
cle's engine, transmission, electrical and emis-
sion systems. The CHECK ENGINE light will
light up if the computer senses a condition that
potentially may need correcting. When this
happens, please have your vehicle checked by
a trained and qualified Volvo service technician
as soon as possible.
A CHECK ENGINE light may have many cau-
ses. Sometimes, you may not notice a change
in your vehicle's behavior. Even so, an uncor-
rected condition could hurt fuel economy,
emission cleanliness, and driveability.
Extended driving without correcting the cause
could even damage other components in your
vehicle.
Canadian models are equipped
with this warning light.
ABS (Anti-lock brake system)If the warning light comes on, there
is a malfunction of the ABS system
(the standard braking system will
still function). The vehicle should
be driven to a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for inspection. See
page 149 for additional information.
DSTC systemThe Dynamic Stability and Traction
Control system (DSTC) is
explained in greater detail on page
152.
Tire pressure monitoring lightSee page 195 for more informa-
tion on this function.
Turn signal indicator – trailer (certain
models)
If you are towing a trailer, this light
will flash simultaneously with the
turn signals on the trailer. If the
light does not flash when signaling,
neither the trailer's turn signals nor
the vehicle's turn signals are functioning.

02 Instruments and controls
Center console buttons
02
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.65
NOTE
If the door mirrors have been inadvertently
pushed out of position (in a car wash, park-
ing lot, etc.) manually return them to normal
position. If mirror adjustment does not seem
to operate after manual folding, reset the
folding mirrors as follows:
•Turn the ignition key to position II.
•Manually fold the mirror(s) to the normal
position.
•Press the button to fold both mirrors in.
•Press the button again to fold the mir-
rors out to their normal position.
Park Assist*This system provides an audi-
ble warning when the vehicle is
being parked or if it is driven
close to a person or object. For
more information see
page 154.
NOTE
The system activates automatically when
the engine is started, and can be deacti-
vated by pressing this button (e.g. when
towing a trailer) or reactivated if necessary.
Auxiliary lightsThis button is used to switch on
auxiliary lights (if installed). A
light in the button will light up to
indicate that the auxiliary lights
are illuminated.
12 volt socketThis 12 volt socket can be used
to plug in certain accessories
such as cellular telephones,
etc. The ignition key must be in
position I (or higher) for the aux-
iliary socket to function.
NOTE
The auxiliary sockets can also be used for
cigarette lighters, which are available as
accessories at your Volvo retailer.
Power child locks*For more information on this
function, see page 130.

132* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
General information............................................................................... 134
Fuel requirements................................................................................. 135
Refueling............................................................................................... 137
Starting the vehicle............................................................................... 139
Ignition switch and steering wheel lock................................................ 141
Economical driving................................................................................ 142
Difficult driving conditions..................................................................... 143
Automatic transmission........................................................................ 144
Jump starting........................................................................................ 147
All Wheel Drive*..................................................................................... 148
Brake system........................................................................................ 149
Parking brake........................................................................................ 151
Stability system..................................................................................... 152
Front/rear park assist*........................................................................... 154
Towing.................................................................................................. 156
Towing a trailer...................................................................................... 158
Detachable trailer hitch......................................................................... 161
Load carriers (accessory)...................................................................... 162
Cold weather precautions..................................................................... 163
Before a long distance trip.................................................................... 164
Blind Spot Information System*............................................................ 165

06 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements
06

135 Octane rating
Minimum octane
G028920
Typical pump octane label
Volvo recommends premium for best perform-
ance, but using 87 octane1 or above will not
affect engine reliability.
Volvo engines are designed to achieve rated
horsepower, torque, and fuel economy per-
formance using premium 91 octane fuel.
Demanding drivingIn demanding driving conditions, such as oper-
ating the vehicle in hot weather, towing a trailer,
or driving for extended periods at higher alti-
tudes than normal, it may be advisable to
switch to higher octane fuel (91 or higher) or tochange gasoline brands to fully utilize your
engine's capacity, and for the smoothest pos-
sible operation.
NOTE
When switching to higher octane fuel or
changing gasoline brands, it may be neces-
sary to fill the tank more than once before a
difference in engine operation is noticeable.
Fuel FormulationsDo not use gasoline that contains lead as a
knock inhibitor, and do not use lead additives.
Besides damaging the exhaust emission con-
trol systems on your vehicle, lead has been
strongly linked to certain forms of cancer.
Many fuels contain benzene as a solvent.
Unburned benzene has been strongly linked to
certain forms of cancer. If you live in an area
where you must fill your own gas tank, take
precautions. These may include:
•standing upwind away from the filler nozzle
while refueling
•refueling only at gas stations with vapor
recovery systems that fully seal the mouth
of the filler neck during refueling
•wearing neoprene gloves while handling a
fuel filler nozzle.
Use of AdditivesWith the exception of gas line antifreeze during
winter months, do not add solvents, thicken-
ers, or other store-bought additives to your
vehicle's fuel, cooling, or lubricating systems.
Overuse may damage your engine, and some
of these additives contain organically volatile
chemicals. Do not needlessly expose yourself
to these chemicals.
WARNING
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless,
and odorless gas. It is present in all exhaust
gases. If you ever smell exhaust fumes
inside the vehicle, make sure the passenger
compartment is ventilated, and immediately
return the vehicle to a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for correction.
1AKI (ANTI KNOCK INDEX) is an average of the Research Octane Number (RON) and the Motor Octane Number (MON), MON+RON/2.

06 Starting and driving
Brake system
06

149 BRAKE Brake circuit malfunction
The brake system is a hydraulic system con-
sisting of two master cylinders and two sepa-
rate brake circuits. If a problem should occur in
one of these circuits, it is still possible to stop
the vehicle with the other brake circuit.
If the brake pedal must be depressed farther
than normal and requires greater foot pressure,
the stopping distance will be longer.
A warning light in the instrument panel will light
up to warn the driver that a fault has occurred.
If this light comes on while driving or braking,
stop immediately and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir.
NOTE
Press the brake pedal hard and maintain
pressure on the pedal – do not pump the
brakes.
WARNING
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the
reservoir or if a Brake failure – Service
urgent message is displayed in the text
window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle
towed to a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician and have the brake system
inspected.
NOTE
When the vehicle is at a standstill and the
engine is idling, e.g. at a traffic light and the
brake pedal is depressed, the pedal may go
down slightly. This is a normal function of
the power-assisted brake system.
Power brakes function only when the
engine is running
The power brakes utilize vacuum pressure
which is only created when the engine is run-
ning. Never let the vehicle roll to a stop with the
engine switched off.
If the power brakes are not working, consider-
ably higher pressure will be required on the
brake pedal to compensate for the lack of
power assistance. This can happen for exam-
ple when towing your vehicle or if the engine is
switched off when the vehicle is rolling. The
brake pedal feels harder than usual.
Water on brake discs and brake pads
affects braking
Driving in rain and slush or passing through an
automatic car wash can cause water to collect
on the brake discs and pads. This will cause a
delay in braking effect when the pedal is
depressed. To avoid such a delay when the
brakes are needed, depress the pedal occa-
sionally when driving through rain, slush etc.
This will remove the water from the brakes.Check that brake application feels normal. This
should also be done after washing or starting
in very damp or cold weather.
Severe strain on the brake systemThe brakes will be subject to severe strain
when driving in mountains or hilly areas, or
when towing a trailer. Vehicle speed is usually
slower, which means that the cooling of the
brakes is less efficient than when driving on
level roads. To reduce the strain on the brakes,
shift into a lower gear and let the engine help
with the braking. Do not forget that, if you are
towing a trailer, the brakes will be subjected to
a greater than normal load.
Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
If the ABS warning lamp lights up there is a
malfunction in the ABS system (the standard
braking system will however function) and the
vehicle should be driven cautiously to a trained
and qualified Volvo service technician for
inspection. The Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stop-
ping and steering) during severe braking con-
ditions by limiting brake lockup. When the sys-
tem "senses" impending lockup, braking pres-
sure is automatically modulated in order to help
prevent lockup, which could lead to a skid.
The system performs a self-diagnostic test
when the engine is started and when the
vehicle first reaches a speed of approxi-

06 Starting and driving
Front/rear park assist*
06
154* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Front/rear park assist
The park assist system is designed to assist
you when driving into parking spaces, garages,
etc. It utilizes four ultrasound sensors located
in one or both bumpers to measure the dis-
tance to a vehicle, object, or a person who may
be close to the front or rear of your vehicle.
Park assist is available in two versions:
•Rear bumper only
•Front and rear bumpers
WARNING
Park Assist is an information system, NOT a
safety system. This system is designed to
be a supplementary aid when parking the
vehicle. It is not, however, intended to
replace the driver's attention and judge-
ment.
Function
The system is activated automatically when the
vehicle is started. The indicator light in the but-
ton in the center console illuminates.
•The front park assist system is active from
the time the engine is started until the vehi-
cle exceeds a speed of approximately
10 mph (15 km/h). It is also active when the
vehicle is backing up.
•Rear park assist is active when the engine
is running and reverse gear has been
selected.
Rear park assistThe distance monitored behind the vehicle is
approximately 5 ft (1.5 m). The signal comes
from the rear speakers.
The system must be deactivated when towing
a trailer, carrying bicycles in a rear-mounted
carrier, etc, which could trigger the rear park
assist system's sensors.
NOTE
Rear park assist is deactivated automati-
cally when towing a trailer if Volvo genuine
trailer wiring is used.
Front park assistThe distance monitored in front of the vehicle
is approximately 2.5 ft (0.8 m). The audible sig-
nal comes from the audio system's front
speakers.
•It may not be possible to combine auxiliary
headlights and front park assist since
these lights could trigger the system's sen-
sors.
Activating/deactivating park assist
The system is activated automatically when the
vehicle is started.
•Press the Park assist button on the center
console (see page 64) to temporarily deac-
tivate the system(s). The indicator light in
the button will go out when the system has
been deactivated.
•Park assist will be automatically reactiva-
ted the next time the engine is started, or if
the button is pressed (the indicator light in
the button will illuminate).

06 Starting and driving
Towing
06
156
G027042
Positions for attaching towing eyelets
Emergency towingThe towing eyelet is located in the tool bag,
under the floor of the cargo area. This eyelet
must be screwed into the positions provided
on the right sides of either the front or rear
bumper (see illustrations).
To attach the towing eyelet:1. Use a coin to pry open the lower edge of
the cover (A)
2. Screw the towing eyelet (C) in place (B),
first by hand and then using the tire iron
until it is securely in place.After the vehicle has been towed, the eyelet
should be removed and returned to the tool
bag. Press the cover back into position.
WARNING
Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the
vehicle up onto a flat bed tow truck.
Precautions when the vehicle is in tow
•The steering wheel must be unlocked. Turn
the ignition key to position I or II.
•The gear selector must be in position N.
•Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h). Do not
exceed the maximum allowable towing
speed.
•Maximum distance with front wheels on
ground: 50 miles (80 km).
•While the vehicle is being towed, try to
keep the tow rope taut at all times.
•The vehicle should only be towed in the
forward direction.