2011 VOLVO XC90 towing capacity

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.

07 Wheels and tires
Vehicle loading
07
182
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maxi-
mum return of vehicle design performance.
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself
with the following terms for determining your
vehicle's weight ratings, with or without a
trailer, from the vehicle's Federal/ Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/
CMVSS) label, and the vehicle's tire informa-
tion placard.
Curb weightThe weight of the vehicle including a full tank
of fuel and all standard equipment. It does not
include passengers, cargo, or optional equip-
ment.
Capacity weightAll weight added to the curb weight, including
cargo and optional equipment. When towing,
trailer hitch tongue load is also part of cargo
weight.
NOTE
For trailer towing information, please refer to
the section "Towing a trailer."
Permissible axle weightThe maximum allowable weight that can be
carried by a single axle (front or rear). Thesenumbers are shown on the Federal/Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/
CMVSS) label. The total load on each axle must
never exceed its maximum permissible weight.
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)The vehicle's curb weight + cargo + passen-
gers.
A table listing important weight limits for your
vehicle, is in chapter "Dimension and weights".
For the location of the various labels in your
vehicle, see page 276
Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit
•Locate the statement "the combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX pounds" on your vehi-
cle's placard.
•Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
•Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or
XXX pounds.
•The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the "XXX" amount
equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750 (5 x
150) = 650 lbs.)
•Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
•If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual
1 to determine
how this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
WARNING
•Exceeding the permissible axle weight,
gross vehicle weight, or any other
weight rating limits can cause tire over-
heating resulting in permanent defor-
mation or catastrophic failure.
•Do not use replacement tires with lower
load carrying capacities than the tires
that were original equipment on the
vehicle because this will lower the vehi-
cle's GVW rating. Use only tires with the
correct load carrying capacity. Consult
your Volvo retailer for information.
1For "Towing a trailer" see page 158.

12 Index
12
294
1, 2, 3 ...
12-volt sockets.......................................... 79
A
A/C (air conditioning)...........................98, 99
ABS.......................................................... 149
Accessory installation warning.................. 15
Airbag system............................................ 23
Air cleaner................................................ 213
Air conditioning.......................................... 94
Air distribution...................................... 96, 99
Air quality sensor....................................... 98
Air vents..................................................... 96
Alarm........................................................ 131
All Wheel Drive......................................... 148
All Wheel Drive – towing.......................... 157
Anti-lock brake system
warning light......................................... 60
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)................. 149
Ashtray..................................................... 114Audio
system introduction............................ 244
Audio system
HD digital radio................................... 251
Rear seat entertainment..................... 270
Sirius satellite radio............................255
AUTO (climate control)....................... 99, 100
Automatic transmission........................... 144
Autostart..........................................139, 141
AUX (audio system).................................259
Average speed........................................... 75
AWD......................................................... 148
B
Bass......................................................... 247
Battery..................................................... 211
maintenance....................................... 220
specifications...................................... 287
Battery – replacing................................... 221
Belt check................................................ 212
Black box................................................... 13
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)..... 165
Blower (fan).............................................. 100Bluetooth cell phone connection............. 265
Booster cushion
accessory............................................. 46
integrated.............................................. 51
Brake fluid................................................ 218
Brake system........................................... 149
Bulbs........................................................ 223
Bulbs, replacing....................................... 223
C
Capacities, fluids..................................... 282
Capacity weight....................................... 182
Cargo area cover..................................... 121
Cargo grid................................................ 120
Cargo net................................................. 118
Catalytic converter, three-way................. 289
CD Pause................................................. 261
Cell phone, hands-free connection......... 265
Center console buttons............................. 64
Central locking system - remote key....... 125
Changing a wheel.................................... 193
Changing coolant....................................212