06 Starting and driving
General information
06
142
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.
•On models with a manual transmission,
use the highest gear possible, depending
on the vehicle's speed.
•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 liftgate open: Driving with
the liftgate open could lead to poisonous
exhaust gases entering the passenger com-
partment. If the liftgate 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
144
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 220 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
151
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: Models equipped an auto-
matic transmission have a keylock sys-
tem. 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.
WARNING
•Always place the gear selector in Park
(P) (manual transmission: first or reverse
gear) and apply the parking brake
before leaving the vehicle.and apply the
parking brake before leaving the vehi-
cle. Never leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running.
•Always open garage doors fully before
starting the engine inside a garage to
ensure adequate ventilation. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monox-
ide, which is invisible and odorless but
very poisonous.
CAUTION
Automatic transmission: The engine
should be idling when you move the gear
selector. Never accelerate until after you
feel the transmission engage! Accelerating
immediately after selecting a gear will cause
harsh engagement and premature trans-
mission wear. Selecting P or N when idling
at a standstill for prolonged periods of time
will help prevent overheating of the auto-
matic transmission fluid.
1The optional keyless drive start control does not need to be removed from the ignition switch.
11 Specifications
Fuel, oils, and fluids
11
277 Specifications and capacities
CategorySpecificationCapacity
Fuel tankOctane rating: unleaded gasoline, minimum
octane requirement AKI 87, recommended rat-
ing AKI 91 or above.15.9 US gallons (60 liters)
Engine oil (with filter replacement)See page 279 for information on engine oil
specifications.6.1 US quarts (5.8 liters)
Automatic transmission oilJWS 33098.14 US quarts (7.7 liters)
Manual transmission oilBOT 350 M36-speed: 2.0 US quarts (1.9 liters)
CoolantVolvo original coolant/antifreeze (50/50 mix-
ture of water and anti-freeze)10.5 US quarts (10 liters) – models with automatic
transmission
10 US quarts (9.5 liters) – models with manual trans-
mission
Brake fluidDOT 4+ boiling point >536 °F (280 °C), P/N
94374330.63 US quarts (0.6 liters)
Power steering fluidWSS M2C204-A or equivalent1.3 US quarts (1.2 liters) – system and reservoir com-
bined
Washer fluid reservoirUse washer fluid solvent in cold weather con-
ditions.4.2 US qts (4 liters)
Air conditioning systemRefrigerant – R134a1.2 lbs. (530 grams)
11 Specifications
Fuel, oils, and fluids
11
278
NOTE
The transmission oil does not normally need
to be changed during the service life of the
vehicle. However, it may be necessary to
replace the oil if the vehicle is often driven
in areas of sustained temperature extremes
(hot or cold), when towing a trailer over long
distances, for prolonged driving in moun-
tainous areas, or if the vehicle is often driven
short distances in temperatures under 40 °F
(5 °C).
12 Index
12
288
1, 2, 3 ...
12-volt sockets.......................................... 63
A
A/C (air conditioning)................................. 92
ABS (anti-lock brake system).................. 159
Accessory installation warning.................. 15
Adaptive brake lights............................... 158
Airbags
front...................................................... 24
inflatable curtain................................... 33
side impact........................................... 31
Airbag system............................................ 24
Air conditioning.......................................... 92
Air distribution table................................. 102
Air vents..................................................... 94
Alarm system........................................... 137
turning off sensors.............................. 138
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)................. 159
Approach lighting...................................... 84
Audio files................................................ 260Audio system
audio functions................................... 247
automatic sound control..................... 251
AUX port............................................. 248
Bluetooth streaming audio................. 249
compact disc care.............................. 261
Dolby Surround Pro Logic II............... 250
equalizer............................................. 251
HD digital radio................................... 254
menu settings..................................... 263
radio functions.................................... 252
selecting a sound source.................... 247
Sirius satellite radio............................256
sound settings.................................... 250
steering wheel keypad........................ 247
storing radio stations.......................... 252
USB/iPod Ÿ connector........................ 248
Auto-dim rearview mirror........................... 78
Autolock..................................................... 83
Automatic locking retractor....................... 39
Automatic sound control.........................251
Automatic transmission........................... 155
kickdown............................................ 156
oil........................................................ 277
shiftlock override................................ 157
Automatic transmission - Geartronic....... 156AUX port.................................................. 248
Axle weight......................................187, 275
B
Backrest, rear seat, folding...................... 118
Bass......................................................... 250
Battery
maintenance....................................... 226
remote key, replacing......................... 128
specifications...................................... 282
warning symbols................................. 226
Battery – replacing................................... 227
Black box................................................... 13
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)..... 169
Bluetooth cell phone connection............. 264
Booster cushion
accessory............................................. 46
Brake fluid........................................ 224, 277
Brake lights........................................ 66, 158
Brake system
anti-lock brakes (ABS)........................ 159
Brake pad inspection.......................... 158
emergency brake assistance.............. 160
12 Index
12
292
Liftgate wiper/washer................................ 74
Lighting panel...................................... 64, 65
Load anchoring eyelets...........................121
Loading the vehicle
roof loads............................................ 168
Locking
from the inside.................................... 135
glove compartment............................. 136
Locking the vehicle.................................. 131
Long distance trips.................................. 144
Lug nuts (wheel nuts)............................... 199
M
Maintenance............................................ 216
hoisting the vehicle............................. 217
performed by the owner.....................217
Manual climate control.............................. 95
Manual transmission................................ 154
Mirrors....................................................... 78
Model plate.............................................. 273
Moonroof................................................... 81
Motor oil........................................... 221, 279
checking............................................. 221
N
Net in cargo area..................................... 123
O
Occupant safety........................................ 18
Occupant weight sensor............................ 28
Octane recommendations.......................146
Oil............................................................. 221
changing............................................. 221
checking............................................. 221
On Call Roadside Assistance.................. 286
Opening the hood.................................... 219
Owner maintenance................................. 217
P
Panel lighting, instrument.......................... 66
Park assist............................................... 173
Parking brake........................................... 161
Parking lights............................................. 66
Passenger’s side front airbag, disabling. . . 28Periodic owner-performed maintenance. 217
Permissible axle weight........................... 187
Personal settings....................................... 83
Power door mirrors.................................... 79
Power front seat...................................... 110
memory function................................. 111
Power moonroof........................................ 81
Power steering fluid................................. 224
Power windows......................................... 77
Pregnancy, using seat belts during........... 21
R
Radio
Sirius satellite radio............................256
Radio functions........................................ 252
HD digital radio................................... 254
Rain sensor - windshield wipers................ 74
Rear fog light............................................. 66
Rear park assist....................................... 173
Rear seat backrests, folding down.......... 118
Rearview mirror.......................................... 78
auto-dim function................................. 78