2012 VOLVO XC70 Owner´s Manual

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Loading
06

273
ing the outer handle twice. The tailgate can
then be opened/closed manually.
Folding down the rear seat backrests
The rear seat backrests can be folded down for
additional loading space, see page 88.
Load anchoring eyelets
The load anchoring eyelets on both sides of the
vehicle are used to fasten straps, etc., to help
anchor items in the cargo area.
WARNING
•Cover sharp edges on long loads to help
prevent injury to occupants. Secure the
load to help prevent shifting during sud-
den stops.
•Always secure large and heavy objects
with a seat belt or cargo retaining
straps.
•Always secure the load to help prevent
it from moving in the event of sudden
stops.
•Switch off the engine, apply the parking
brake and put the gear selector in P
when loading and unloading the vehicle.
Cargo area floor rails and hooks
Load secured in upper and lower hooks
The floor of the cargo compartment has rails
on opposite sides of the vehicle equipped with
hooks for anchoring loads with straps, nets,
etc.
Cleaning the railsDirt or other small objects that collect in the
rails can make moving, locking, unlocking, and
removing the hooks more difficult. Objects can
be removed from the rails with a vacuum
cleaner, and the rails can be cleaned with a
moist cloth.
Moving the load anchoring hooks
G017742
To move a hook, fold it down in the direc-
tion in which its opening points.
Press the hook down lightly and move it to
the desired position.

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274
Fold up the hook. It will lock in place.
NOTE
There should be at least 2 in. (50 cm)
between the hooks in the rail.
WARNING
Switch off the engine, apply the parking
brake and put the gear selector in P when
loading and unloading the vehicle.
Removing a hook
G018134
The load-securing hooks can easily be
removed, for example, to clean the rail.
To remove a hook, fold it down in the direc-
tion in which its opening points.
Press the hook down lightly and move the
it to an opening in the rail.
Pull the hook straight up.
Replace a hook in the rail in the reverse order.
NOTE
In order to return a removed hook into a rail,
it must be pressed down lightly.
Reinserting a hook
G019581
Upper illustration: hooks correctly installed, Lower
illustration: hooks incorrectly installed
It is important to insert the hooks correctly in
the rails. The hooks' openings should point
away from each other.
•The opening on the hook closest to the rear
seat backrest should point toward the
backrest.
•The opening on the hook closest to the
tailgate should point toward the tailgate.
WARNING
The hooks must be installed correctly in the
rail. Incorrectly installed hooks will be folded
down by the strap, allowing them to move.
The load will then no longer be securely
anchored.
Straps for securing loads
G019397
Securing loads
Wrapping straps a full turn around the hooks
helps keep them in place.

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* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.275
NOTE
The straps should preferably be approxi-
mately 1 in. (25 mm) in width.
Grocery bag holder*
G017745
Grocery bag holder under the floor of the cargo
area
The grocery bag holder holds shopping bags
in place.
1. Open the hatch in the floor of the cargo
area.
2. Secure the shopping bags with the strap.
Roof loads
Using load carriersLoad carriers are available as Volvo accesso-
ries. Observe the following points when in use:
•To avoid damaging your vehicle and to
achieve maximum safety when driving, we
recommend using the load carriers that
Volvo has developed especially for your
vehicle.
•Volvo-approved removable roof racks are
designed to carry the maximum allowable
roof load for this vehicle: 220 lbs (100 kg).
For non-Volvo roof racks, check the man-
ufacturer's weight limits for the rack.
•Never exceed the rack manufacturer's
weigh limits and never exceed the maxi-
mum rated roof load of 220 lbs (100 kg).
•Avoid single-point loads. Distribute loads
evenly.
•Place heavier cargo at the bottom of the
load.
•Secure the cargo correctly with appropri-
ate tie-down equipment.
•Check periodically that the load carriers
and load are properly secured.
•Remember that the vehicle's center of
gravity and handling change when you
carry a load on the roof.
•The vehicle's wind resistance and fuel con-
sumption will increase with the size of the
load.
•Drive smoothly. Avoid rapid starts, fast
cornering and hard braking.

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Cargo area
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276* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Steel cargo grid*
G017748
Your vehicle can be equipped with a steel grid
that helps prevent objects in the cargo area
from moving forward into the passenger com-
partment.
Folding the grid up/downGrasp the lowering edge of the grid and pull it
rearward/upward, or push it downward/for-
ward.
NOTE
If the steel grid is to be used with the
optional cargo area cover, the grid must be
folded down before the cargo area cover is
put in place.
Installing the steel cargo gridIn order to install the steel grid, the rear seat
backrests must be completely folded down,
see page 88 for instructions.
NOTE
•The steel cargo grid is easiest to install
by two people, and should be folded
down.
•When installing the grid, the handle
should be on the front side of the grid
(see illustrations
– ).
Put the handle in the installation position,
see the illustration. Press lightly on the
handle in order to turn it to this position,
see the arrow.
Press in the piston toward the grid and
press it into the attachment bracket near
the ceiling.
Turn the handle 90° . Press lightly as
shown in illustration
if necessary.
Attach the grid
by moving the handle
90°.
Do the same on the opposite side of the
vehicle.
G018367
G018368
G018369
Installing the cargo grid

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* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.277 Cargo area cover*
G031977
G017749
Use
•Pull the cover over the cargo and hook it
into the holes in the rear cargo area pillars.
•To retract (roll up) the cover, release it from
the holes and guide it toward the rear seat
backrest.
Installing the cover1. Press the end piece on one side of the
cargo area cover into the retaining bracket
in the side panel of the cargo area
.
2.
Do the same on the opposite side
.
3. Press both sides of the cover until they
click into place
. The red mark will no
longer be visible.
4. Check that both ends of the cover are
securely locked in place.
Removing the cover1. Press one of the end pieces of the cover
inward.
2. Pull the cover carefully upward and out-
ward. The other end will release automati-
cally from its retaining bracket.
Folding down the cargo area cover's rear
flap
The cargo area cover's rear flap points hori-
zontally when the cover is retracted (rolled up).
To fold it down:
Pull the flap slightly rearward past its sup-
ports and fold it down.
NOTE
On models equipped with this cover, it
should be removed before a child seat is
attached to the child restraint anchors.
Cargo net*
Storage compartment for the cargo net
Two cassettes containing nylon cargo nets are
stored in a compartment under the cargo area
floor.

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Cargo area
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278
Attaching the cassette(s)
The two-sections of the net are attached to the
rear side of the rear seat backrest. The cas-
settes have different widths, and the widest
section should be mounted on the right side
(seen from the rear of the vehicle).
1. Fold down the rear seat backrests.
2. Align the cassette’s mounting rail above
the mounting brackets on the backrest
.
3. Slide the cassette onto the mounting
brackets
.
4. Return the backrest to the upright position.
Using the net(s)
G018246
With the backrests uprightThe net is pulled up from the cassette and locks
in position after approximately 1 minute.
Pull up the right side of the net by grasping
its strap.
Insert the net’s rod in the retaining bracket
on the right side near the ceiling and press
it forward. It will click into place.
Extend the left section of the rod and insert
it in the bracket on the left side of the cargo
compartment. Press it forward until it clicks
into place.
Pull up the left side of the cargo net and
secure it on the rod.
NOTE
•The net can be fastened in the same
way if the rear seat backrests are folded
down. In this case, use the retaining
brackets near the ceiling, above the
front seats.
•The front passenger's seat backrest
can also be folded down for carrying
long objects, see page 84.
Removing the cargo net cassettes1. Retract the net(s) in the reverse order.
2. Fold the entire rear seat backrest down.
3. Slide the cassettes outward until they
release from the mounting brackets.
WARNING
•When not in use, return the cassettes to
their storage compartment under the
cargo area floor.
•Objects in the cargo area should be
securely anchored, even if the cargo net
is correctly installed and in use.

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279
Using the cargo net with the cargo area
cover
G018247
Straps for pulling up the net
The cargo net(s) can also be pulled up from the
backrest when the cargo area cover is pulled
out.
The straps for pulling up the cargo net are
located at the arrows in the illustration. Follow
the same procedure as for using the nets with
the backrests upright.

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Towing a trailer
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280
Introduction
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer
hitches that are specially designed for the vehi-
cle.
NOTE
See page 355 for the maximum trailer and
tongue weights recommended by Volvo.
•Observe the legal requirements of the
state/province in which the vehicles are
•All Volvo models are equipped with
energy-absorbing shock-mounted bump-
ers. Trailer hitch installation should not
interfere with the proper operation of this
bumper system.
Trailer towing does not normally present any
particular problems, but take into considera-
tion:
•Increase tire pressure to recommended full
pressure. See the tire inflation table on
page 293.
•When your vehicle is new, avoid towing
heavy trailers during the first 620 miles
(1,000 km).
•Maximum speed when towing a trailer:
50 mph (80 km/h).
•Engine and transmission are subject to
increased loads. Therefore, engine coolant
temperature should be closely watchedwhen driving in hot climates or hilly terrain.
Use a lower gear and turn off the air con-
ditioner if the temperature gauge needle
enters the red range.
•If the automatic transmission begins to
overheat, a message will be displayed in
the text window.
•Avoid overload and other abusive opera-
tion.
•Hauling a trailer affects handling, durabil-
ity, and economy.
•It is necessary to balance trailer brakes
with the towing vehicle brakes to provide a
safe stop (check and observe state/local
regulations).
•Do not connect the trailer's brake system
directly to the vehicle's brake system.
•More frequent vehicle maintenance is
required.
•Remove the ball holder when the hitch is
not being used.
•Volvo recommends the use of synthetic
engine oil when towing a trailer over long
distances or in mountainous areas.
WARNING
•Bumper-attached trailer hitches must
not be used on Volvos, nor should
safety chains be attached to the
bumper.
•Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle
rear axle must not be used.
•Never connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to the vehicle
brake system, nor a trailer's lighting
system directly to the vehicle lighting
system. Consult your nearest author-
ized Volvo retailer for correct installa-
tion.
•When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety
wire must be correctly fastened to the
hole or hook provided in the trailer hitch
on the vehicle. The safety wire should
never be fastened to or wound around
the drawbar ball.