2012 VOLVO XC90 ABS

06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06
160
Points to keep in mind when towing a
trailer
•When towing trailers without brakes, the
maximum permissible trailer weight is
1,700 lbs (750 kg).
•If necessary, redistribute the weight of any
cargo in the trailer to avoid excessive
weight on the trailer hitch.
•The maximum trailer weight listed in the
table for All Wheel Drive models, 5,000 lbs
(2250 kg) is only applicable when there are
not more than two occupants in the vehi-
cle, in the front seats, with a combined
weight of 300 lbs (135 kg), with no other
cargo in the vehicle.
•The maximum weight listed for Front
Wheel Drive models, 4,000 lbs (1800 kg) is
only applicable when there are not more
than four occupants in the vehicle, in the
front seats and second row of seats, with
a combined weight of 600 lbs (270 kg), with
no other cargo in the vehicle.
•Vehicles used for towing a trailer on a reg-
ular basis, or for long-distance highway
towing should be equipped with an auto-
matic transmission oil cooler and Volvo's
automatic self-leveling system for the rear
suspension. Consult your Volvo retailer.
•Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer
hitches that are specially designed for the
vehicle.
•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.
•Increase tire pressure to recommended full
inflation pressure. See chapter "Wheels
and tires."
•When your vehicle is new, avoid towing
heavy trailers during the first 620 miles
(1,000 km).
•Engine and transmission are subject to
increased loads. Therefore, engine coolant
temperature should be closely watched
when 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.
•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.
•Remove the ball and drawbar assembly
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.
NOTE
•When parking the vehicle with a trailer
on a hill, apply the parking brake before
putting the gear selector in P. When
starting on a hill, put the gear selector in
D before releasing the parking brake.
Always follow the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations for wheel chocking.
•If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift
positions while towing a trailer, make
sure the gear you select does not put
too much strain on the engine (using too
high a gear).

08 Car care
Washing and cleaning the vehicle
08
202
CAUTION
Volvo does not recommend the use of long-
life or durable paint protection coatings,
some of which may claim to prevent pitting,
fading, oxidation, etc. These coatings have
not been tested by Volvo for compatibility
with your vehicle's clear coat. Some of them
may cause the clear coat to soften, crack,
or cloud. Damage caused by application of
paint protection coatings may not be cov-
ered under your vehicle's paint warranty.
Mirrors with the water repellent glass
coating
•Do not apply wax, degreasing agents, etc
to this glass. This could damage the coa-
ting.
•Clean the glass surface with care to avoid
scratching.
NOTE
The water repellent coating is subject to
natural wear
•In order to maintain the coating's water
repellent characteristics, it should be trea-ted with a special compound that is avail-
able at your Volvo retailer.
•This treatment should be carried out for the
first time after three years, and thereafter
once a year.
Cleaning the upholstery
FabricClean with soapy water or a detergent. For
more difficult spots caused by oil, ice cream,
shoe polish, grease, etc., use a clothing/fabric
stain remover. Consult your Volvo retailer.
Interior plastic componentsCleaning interior plastic components should
be done with a cleaning agent specially
designed for this purpose. Consult your Volvo
retailer.
Alcantera™ suede-like materialSuede-like upholstery can be cleaned with a
soft cloth and mild soap solution.
Leather careVolvo's leather upholstery is manufactured
with a protectant to repel soiling. Over time,
sunlight, grease and dirt can break down the
protection. Staining, cracking, scuffing, and
fading can result.
Volvo offers an easy-to-use, non-greasy
leather care kit formulated to clean and beau-tify your vehicle's leather, and to renew the
protective qualities of its finish. The cleaner
removes dirt and oil buildup. The light cream
protectant restores a barrier against soil and
sunlight.
Volvo also offers a special leather softener that
should be applied after the cleaner and pro-
tectant. It leaves leather soft and smooth, and
reduces friction between leather and other fin-
ishes in the vehicle.
Volvo recommends cleaning, protecting and
conditioning your vehicle's leather two to four
times a year. Ask your Volvo retailer about
Leather Care Kit 951 0251 and Leather Soft-
ener 943 7429.
Cleaning leather upholstery1. Pour leather cleaner on a damp sponge
and squeeze it until the cleaner foams.
2. Apply the foam to the stain by moving the
sponge with circular movements.
3. Dampen the stain thoroughly with the
sponge. Let the sponge absorb the stain,
do not rub.
4. Dry the stain with soft paper towels or a
towel, and allow the leather to dry com-
pletely.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Replacing bulbs 09
230
Vanity mirror lights
G027080
1. Carefully insert a screwdriver and pry out
the lens.
2. Pry out the bulb and replace it.3. Carefully press the lower edge of lens onto
the four tabs and press the upper edge of
the lens into place.
License plate lights
G030886
1. Switch off the ignition.
2. Loosen the screws with a Torx screw-
driver.
3. Turn the bulb holder counterclockwise and
pull it out.
4. Pull out the defective bulb and insert a new
one.
5. Reinsert the bulb holder into the housing
and turn it clockwise.
6. Reinstall the housing and screw it into
place.
NOTE
Other bulbs may be difficult for you to
replace yourself. Let a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician replace these
bulbs if necessary.
Bulb specifications
Lighting functionWattageBulb
Low beam (halogen)55H11 LL
High beam (halogen)55H7 LL

09 Maintenance and servicing
Fuses 09
234* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Fuses in the engine compartment
G026972
When replacing fuses, be sure to replace a
blown fuse with a new one of the same color
and amperage (written on the fuse).
NoA
1ABS30
2ABS30
3Headlight washers35
4–20
5Auxiliary lights*35
NoA
6Starter motor relay25
7Windshield wipers15
8Fuel pump15
9Transmission control module
(6-cyl.)15
10Ignition coils, engine control
module20
11Throttle pedal sensor, A/C
compressor, e-box fan10
NoA
12Engine control module, fuel
injectors, mass airflow sensor15
13Intake manifold actuator (6-
cyl.)10
14Heated oxygen sensor20
15Crankcase ventilation, sole-
noid valves, A/C connection,
leakage diagnostics, engine
control module, mass airflow
sensor15

09 Maintenance and servicing
Fuses 09
238* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Fuse box in the passenger compartment, behind the plastic cover, driver's side
G028412
This fuse box is located behind the plastic
cover below the steering wheel. When replac-
ing a blown fuse, be sure to replace it with a
new one of the same color and amperage (writ-
ten on the fuse).
NoA
1Heated passenger's seat15
2Heated driver's seat15
3Horn15
4–
NoA
5Audio system10
6–
7–
8Alarm siren*5
9Break light switch feed5
10Instrument panel, climate sys-
tem, power driver's seat,
Occupant Weight Sensor10
NoA
1112-volt sockets – front and rear
seats, refrigerator* (XC90
Executive)15
12–
13–
14–
15ABS, DSTC5
16Power steering, Active Bend-
ing Lights*10

11 Specifications
Suspension
11
286
Rear suspension
Individual rear wheel suspension with longitu-
dinal support arms, double link arms and track
rods.
Front suspension
Spring strut suspension with integrated shock
absorbers and control arms linked to the sup-
port frame. Power-assisted rack and pinion
steering. Safety type steering column.

11 Specifications
Overview of information and warning symbols
11

291 Introduction
The symbols in the vehicle's various displays
are divided into three main categories:
•Warning symbols
•Indicator symbols
•Information symbols
The following tables list the most common
symbols, their meaning and the pages in this
manual that provide more detailed information.
Warning/information symbol
This symbol () lights up and glows red if
the condition is related to safety and/or driva-
bility or yellow to alert the driver to e.g., fill the
washer fluid reservoir, etc. In either case, a
message will be displayed in the instrument
panel display.
Symbols in the main instrument panel
Indicator and warning symbols
SymbolDescriptionPage
Warning59
Malfunction indi-
cator light61
SymbolDescriptionPage
Fault in the ABS
system61
Rear fog light60
Stability system
DSTC61
Trailer turn signal
indicator61
Parking brake
applied60
SRS airbag sys-
tem59
SymbolDescriptionPage
Oil pressure warn-
ing light60
Seat belt reminder59
Generator warn-
ing light60
Brake failure
warning light60
High beam indica-
tor58

12 Index
12
294
1, 2, 3 ...
12-volt sockets.......................................... 79
A
A/C (air conditioning)...........................98, 99
ABS.......................................................... 150
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.......................... 158
Anti-lock brake system
warning light......................................... 60
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)................. 150
Ashtray..................................................... 114Audio
system introduction............................ 246
Audio system
Bluetooth streaming audio................. 262
HD digital radio................................... 253
Rear seat entertainment..................... 273
Sirius satellite radio............................257
AUTO (climate control)....................... 99, 100
Automatic locking retractor....................... 38
Automatic transmission........................... 144
Autostart..........................................139, 141
AUX (audio system).................................261
Average speed........................................... 75
AWD......................................................... 148
B
Bass......................................................... 249
Battery..................................................... 211
maintenance....................................... 220
specifications...................................... 289
Battery – replacing................................... 221
Belt check................................................ 212
Black box................................................... 13Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)..... 166
Blower (fan).............................................. 100
Bluetooth cell phone connection............. 268
Booster cushion
accessory............................................. 47
integrated.............................................. 51
Brake fluid................................................ 218
Brake system........................................... 149
Brake pad inspection.......................... 149
Bulbs........................................................ 223
specifications...................................... 230
Bulbs, replacing....................................... 223
C
Capacities, fluids..................................... 284
Capacity weight....................................... 181
Cargo area cover..................................... 121
Cargo grid................................................ 120
Cargo net................................................. 118
Catalytic converter, three-way................. 290
CD Pause................................................. 264
Cell phone, hands-free connection......... 268