2012 VOLVO C70 winter tires

06 Starting and driving
General information
06

141
WARNING
After driving through water, press lightly on
the brake pedal to ensure that the brakes
are functioning normally. Water or mud can
make the brake linings slippery, resulting in
delayed braking effect.
CAUTION
•Engine damage will occur if water is
drawn into the air cleaner.
•If the vehicle is driven through water
deeper than 9 in. (25 cm), water may
enter the differential and the transmis-
sion. This reduces the oil's lubricating
capacity and may shorten the service
life of these components.
•Do not allow the vehicle to stand in
water up to the door sills longer than
absolutely necessary. This could result
in electrical malfunctions.
•If the engine has been stopped while the
car is in water, do not attempt to restart
the engine. Have the car towed out of
the water.
Cold weather precautions
If you wish to check your vehicle before the
approach of cold weather, the following advice
is worth noting:
•Make sure that the engine coolant contains
50 percent antifreeze. Any other mixture
will reduce freeze protection. This gives
protection against freezing down to –31 °F
(–35 °C). See section "Coolant". The use of
"recycled" antifreeze is not approved by
Volvo. Different types of antifreeze must
not be mixed.
•Volvo recommends using only genuine
Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's radiator.
Your Volvo retailer stocks plenty of Volvo
engine coolant to help protect your vehicle
during cold weather.
•Try to keep the fuel tank well filled – this
prevents the formation of condensation in
the tank. In addition, in extremely cold
weather conditions it is worthwhile to add
fuel line de-icer before refueling.
•The viscosity of the engine oil is important.
Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves
cold-weather starting as well as decreas-
ing fuel consumption while the engine is
warming up. For winter use, 5W-30 oil, par-
ticularly the synthetic type
1, is recom-
mended. Be sure to use good quality oil but
do not use cold-weather oil for hard drivingor in warm weather, see page 277 for more
information.
•The load placed on the battery is greater
during the winter since the windshield wip-
ers, lighting, etc. are used more often.
Moreover, the capacity of the battery
decreases as the temperature drops. In
very cold weather, a poorly charged bat-
tery can freeze and be damaged. It is there-
fore advisable to check the state of charge
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 218 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
1Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintenance intervals except at owner request and at additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.

07 Wheels and tires
General information
07
176
Introduction
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according
to the vehicle's tire information placard on the
B-pillar (the structural member at the side of
the vehicle, at the rear of the driver's door
opening).
CAUTION
Some Volvo models are equipped with an
Ultra High Performance tire and wheel com-
bination designed to provide maximum dry
pavement performance with consideration
for hydroplaning resistance. They may be
more susceptible to road hazard damage
and, depending on driving conditions, may
achieve a tread life of less than 20,000 miles
(30,000 km). Even if this vehicle is equipped
with Volvo’s advanced DSTC system, these
tires are not designed for winter driving, and
should be replaced with winter tires when
weather conditions dictate.
The tires have good road holding characteris-
tics and offer good handling on dry and wet
surfaces. It should be noted however that the
tires have been developed to give these fea-
tures on snow/ice-free surfaces.
Most models are equipped with "all-season"
tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree
of road holding on slippery surfaces than tireswithout the "all-season" rating. However, for
optimum road holding on icy or snow-covered
roads, we recommend suitable winter tires on
all four wheels.
When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires
are the same size designation, type (radial) and
preferably from the same manufacturer, on all
four wheels. Otherwise there is a risk of altering
the car's roadholding and handling characte-
ristics.
New Tires
Remember that tires are perishable goods. As
of 2000, the manufacturing week and year
(Department of Transportation (DOT) stamp)
will be indicated with 4 digits (e.g., 1510 means
that the tire illustrated was manufactured dur-
ing week 15 of 2010).
Tire ageTires degrade over time, even when they are
not being used. It is recommended that tires
generally be replaced after 6 years of normal
service. Heat caused by hot climates, frequent
high loading conditions or Ultra Violet (U.V)
exposure can accelerate the aging process.
The temporary spare
1 should also be replaced
at 6-year intervals, even if it has never been
used.
A tire's age can be determined by the DOT
stamp on the sidewall (see the illustration).
A tire with e.g., visible cracks or discoloration
should be replaced immediately.
Improving tire economy
•Maintain correct tire pressure. For the tire
pressure tables, see page 181.
•Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard
braking and tire screeching.
•Tire wear increases with speed.
•Correct front wheel alignment is very
important.
•Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy
and driving comfort.
•Tires must maintain the same direction of
rotation throughout their lifetime.
1Option or accessory on some models

07 Wheels and tires
General information
07

177
•When replacing tires, the tires with the
most tread should be mounted on the rear
wheels to reduce the chance of oversteer
during hard braking.
•Hitting curbs or potholes can damage the
tires and/or wheels permanently.
Summer and winter tires
G020325
The arrows shows the direction of rotation of the
tire
•When switching between summer and
winter tires, mark the tires to indicate
where they were mounted on the car, e.g.,
LF = left front, RR = right rear
•Tires with tread designed to roll in only one
direction are marked with an arrow on the
sidewall.
•Incorrectly mounted tires impair the car's
braking properties and ability to force
aside rain, snow and slush.
•The tires with the most tread should always
be at the rear (to reduce the risk of skid-
ding).
•Contact a Volvo workshop if you are
unsure about the tread depth.
Storing wheels and tiresWhen storing complete wheels (tires mounted
on rims), they should be suspended off the
floor or placed on their sides on the floor.
Tires not mounted on rims should be stored on
their sides or standing upright, but should not
be suspended.
CAUTION
Tires should preferably be stored in a cool,
dry, dark place, and should never be stored
in close proximity to solvents, gasoline, oils,
etc.
WARNING
•The wheel and tire sizes for your Volvo
are specified to meet stringent stability
and handling requirements. Unap-
proved wheel/tire size combinations
can negatively affect your vehicle's sta-
bility and handling.
•Any damage caused by installation of
unapproved wheel/tire size combina-
tions will not be covered by your new
vehicle warranty. Volvo assumes no
responsibility for death, injury, or
expenses that may result from such
installations.
Tire wear
Tire rotationYour vehicle has no required tire rotation. Tire
wear is affected by a number of factors such
as tire inflation, ambient temperature, driving
style, etc.

07 Wheels and tires
Snow chains, snow tires, studded tires
07
188
Snow chains
Snow chains can be used on your Volvo with
the following restrictions:
•Snow chains should be installed on front
wheels only. Use only Volvo approved
snow chains.
•If accessory, aftermarket or "custom" tires
and wheels are installed and are of a size
different than the original tires and wheels,
chains in some cases CANNOT be used.
Sufficient clearances between chains and
brakes, suspension and body components
must be maintained.
•Some strap-on type chains will interfere
with brake components and therefore
CANNOT be used.
•Certain size tires may not allow the assem-
bly of snow chains/traction devices.
Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow
chain information.
CAUTION
•Check local regulations regarding the
use of snow chains before installing.
•Always follow the chain manufacturer's
installation instructions carefully. Install
chains as tightly as possible and
retighten periodically.
•Never exceed the chain manufacturer's
specified maximum speed limit. (Under
no circumstances should you exceed
31 mph (50 km/h).
•Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns
when driving with snow chains.
•The handling of the vehicle can be
adversely affected when driving with
chains. Avoid fast or sharp turns as well
as locked wheel braking.
Snow tires, studded tires
Tires for winter use:
•Owners who live in or regularly commute
through areas with sustained periods of
snow or icy driving conditions are strongly
advised to fit suitable winter tires to help
retain the highest degree of traction.
•It is important to install winter tires on all
four wheels to help retain traction during
cornering, braking, and accelerating. Fail-ure to do so could reduce traction to an
unsafe level or adversely affect handling.
•Do not mix tires of different design as this
could also negatively affect overall tire road
grip.
•Winter tires wear more quickly on dry roads
in warm weather. They should be removed
when the winter driving season has ended.
•Studded tires should be run-in
300–600 miles (500–1000 km) during
which the car should be driven as smoothly
as possible to give the studs the opportu-
nity to seat properly in the tires. The tires
should have the same rotational direction
throughout their entire lifetime.
NOTE
Please consult state or provincial regula-
tions restricting the use of studded winter
tires before installing such tires.

12 Index
12
291
Reporting safety defects
Canada................................................. 19
USA....................................................... 18
Roll-over protection system (ROPS).......... 37
S
Safety, occupant........................................ 18
Safety defects, reporting
Canada................................................. 19
USA....................................................... 18
Seat belt
reminder................................................ 22
Seat belts................................................... 20
Automatic locking retractor/Emergency
locking retractor.................................... 40
buckling................................................ 20
guides...................................................21
maintenance......................................... 23
pretensioners........................................ 20
unbuckling............................................ 21
use during pregnancy........................... 22
Seats, front................................................ 98
Shiftlock.....................................................13
override............................................... 153Side door mirrors....................................... 79
Side impact airbags................................... 32
Side impact protection (SIPS) airbags....... 32
Sirius satellite radio.................................. 255
Ski hatch.................................................. 119
Snow chains............................................ 188
Snow tires................................................ 188
Sound control, automatic........................249
Sound settings, audio system................. 248
Spare tire.........................................195, 196
Stability system....................................... 158
Dynamic Stability Traction Control
(DSTC)................................................ 158
Starting the engine..................................147
with keyless drive...............................149
Start inhibitor (immobilizer)..............122, 147
Steering wheel
adjusting............................................... 76
keypad................................................ 245
Storage compartments............................ 113
Studded tires........................................... 188
Subwoofer............................................... 248
Supplemental restraint system.................. 24
Symbols, overview................................... 282
T
Tachometer................................................ 54
Temporary spare tire.......................195, 196
Three-way catalytic converter................. 281
Tire inflation............................................. 179
Tire inflation pressure..............................181
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 201
Tires.........................................................176
age...................................................... 176
changing..................................... 196, 199
changing from summer to winter........ 177
designations....................................... 182
glossary of terms................................ 184
improving economy............................ 176
inflation............................................... 179
inflation pressure, checking................ 179
inflation pressure table.......................181
load ratings......................................... 180
rotation............................................... 177
snow...................................................188
spare................................................... 195
spare tire (location)............................. 196
speed ratings...................................... 180
storing................................................. 177
studded............................................... 188
tire pressure monitoring system......... 201

12 Index
12
292
tire sealing system.............................. 189
tread wear indicator............................ 178
uniform tire quality grading................. 187
winter driving...................................... 188
Tire sealing system.................................. 189
Towing a trailer........................................ 164
trailer hitch.......................................... 166
Towing the vehicle................................... 160
Trailer hitch - detachable......................... 166
Trailer towing........................................... 164
Transmission
Geartronic........................................... 152
shiftlock override................................ 153
Tread wear indicator................................ 178
Treble....................................................... 248
Trip computer............................................ 70
Trips, long distance................................. 142
Trunk
loading................................................117
opening from the inside...................... 133
opening mechanically......................... 133
Trunk divider (Power retractable hard
top)........................................................... 107
Turn signals............................................... 68
indicator lights...................................... 54U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading...................187
V
Valet locking............................................ 126
Vehicle dimensions.................................. 272
Vehicle Event Data..................................... 13
Vehicle loading........................................ 185
Vehicle maintenance................................ 214
performed by the owner.....................215
Vehicle towing.........................................160
Vehicle weights........................................ 273
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)......... 271
Volvo and the environment........................ 14
Volvo maintenance.................................. 214
Volvo On Call Roadside Assistance........ 284
W
Warning flashers, hazard........................... 76
Warning symbol......................................... 56Warranties................................................ 214
Washer fluid..................................... 221, 275
Washer fluid reservoir......................218, 221
Water, driving through............................. 140
Weights.................................................... 273
Wheel nuts............................................... 198
Wheels.....................................................176
changing............................................. 199
storing................................................. 177
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)....... 35
Wind blocker (power retractable hard top)
(Power retractable hard top).................... 110
Windows
power.................................................... 77
Windshield washer fluid reservoir............218
Windshield wiper blades.......................... 223
Windshield wipers...................................... 74
rain sensor............................................ 75
Winter tires............................................... 188
Wiper blades
replacing windshield wipers............... 223