2012 VOLVO XC90 lights

08 Car care
Washing and cleaning the vehicle
08

201
CAUTION
•Avoid waxing or polishing plastic or rub-
ber components
•Polishing chromed strips can wear
away or damage the surface
•Polishes containing abrasive sub-
stances should not be used
NOTE
When washing the vehicle, remember to
remove dirt from the drain holes in the doors
and sills.
WARNING
•When the vehicle is driven immediately
after being washed, apply the brakes
several times in order to remove any
moisture from the brake linings.
•Engine cleaning agents should not be
used when the engine is warm. This
constitutes a fire risk.
Automatic washing – simple and quick
•We do NOT recommend washing your
vehicle in an automatic wash during thefirst few months (because the paint will not
have hardened sufficiently).
•An automatic wash is a simple and quick
way to clean your vehicle, but it is worth
remembering that it may not be as thor-
ough as when you yourself go over the
vehicle with sponge and water. Keeping
the underbody clean is most important,
especially in the winter. Some automatic
washers do not have facilities for washing
the underbody.
•Before driving into an automatic car wash,
make sure that side view mirrors, auxiliary
lamps, etc, are secure, and that any
antenna(s) are retracted or removed. Oth-
erwise there is risk of the machine dislodg-
ing them.
Exterior lightingCondensation may form temporarily on the
inside of the lenses of exterior lights such as
headlights, fog lights, or tail lights. This is nor-
mal and the lights are designed to withstand
moisture. Normally, condensation will dissi-
pate after the lights have been on for a short
time.
Polishing and waxing
•Normally, polishing is not required during
the first year after delivery, however, wax-
ing may be beneficial.
•Before applying polish or wax the vehicle
must be washed and dried. Tar spots can
be removed with kerosene or tar remover.
Difficult spots may require a fine rubbing
compound.
•After polishing use liquid or paste wax.
•Several commercially available products
contain both polish and wax.
•Waxing alone does not substitute for pol-
ishing a dull surface.
•A wide range of polymer-based car waxes
can be purchased today. These waxes are
easy to use and produce a long-lasting,
high-gloss finish that protects the body-
work against oxidation, road dirt and fad-
ing.
•Do not polish or wax your vehicle in direct
sunlight (the surface of the vehicle should
not be warmer than 113° F (45° C).

09 Maintenance and servicing
Maintaining your vehicle09

209 Owner maintenance
Periodic maintenance requirements and inter-
vals are described in your vehicle's Warranty
and Service Records Information booklet.
The following points can be carried out
between the normally scheduled maintenance
services.
Each time the vehicle is refueled
•Check the engine oil level
•Clean the windshield, windshield wipers,
headlights, and tail lights
Monthly
•Check cold tire pressure in all tires. Inspect
the tires for wear.
•Check that engine coolant and other fluid
levels are between the
indicated "min" and "max" markings.
•Clean interior glass surfaces with a glass
cleaner and soft paper towels.
•Wipe driver information displays with a soft
cloth.
•Visually inspect battery terminals for cor-
rosion. Corrosion may indicate a loose ter-
minal connector, or a battery near the end
of its useful service life. Consult a trained
and qualified Volvo service technician for
additional information.
As needed
•Wash the vehicle, including the undercar-
riage, to reduce wear that can be caused
by a buildup of dirt, and corrosion that can
be caused by salt residues.
•Clean leaves and twigs from air intake
vents at the base of the windshield, and
from other places where they may collect.
•Complete service information for qualified
technicians is available online for purchase
or subscription at www.volvote-
chinfo.com.
Emission inspection readiness
What is an Onboard Diagnostic System
(OBD II)?
OBD II is part of your vehicle's computerized
engine management system. It stores diagnos-
tic information about your vehicle's emission
controls. It can light the Check Engine light
(MIL) if it detects an emission control "fault." A
"fault" is a component or system that is not
performing within an expected range. A fault
may be permanent or temporary. OBD II will
store a message about any fault.
How do states use OBD II for emission
inspections?
Many states connect a computer directly to a
vehicle's OBD II system. The inspector can
then read "faults." In some states, this type ofinspection has replaced the tailpipe emission
test.
How can my vehicle fail OBD II emission
inspection?
Your vehicle can fail OBD II emission inspec-
tion for any of the following reasons.
•If your Check Engine (MIL) light is lit, your
vehicle may fail inspection.
•If your vehicle's Check Engine light was lit,
but went out without any action on your
part, OBD II will still have a recorded fault.
Your vehicle may pass or fail, depending
on the inspection practices in your area.
•If you had recent service that required dis-
connecting the battery, OBD II diagnostic
information may be incomplete and "not
ready" for inspection. A vehicle that is not
ready may fail inspection.
How can I prepare for my next OBD II
emission inspection?
•If your Check Engine (MIL) light is lit – or
was lit but went out without service, have
your vehicle diagnosed and, if necessary,
serviced by a qualified Volvo technician.
•If you recently had service for a lit Check
Engine light, or if you had service that
required disconnecting the battery, a
period of driving is necessary to bring the
OBD II system to "ready" for inspection. A
half-hour trip of mixed stop-and-go/high-

09 Maintenance and servicing
Replacing bulbs09

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.223
When replacing bulbs, keep the following
points in mind:
•Never touch the glass of bulbs with your
fingers. Grease and oils from your fingers
vaporize in the heat and will leave a deposit
on the reflector, which will damage it.
•The optional Active Bending Light bulbs
contain trace amounts of mercury. These
bulbs should always be disposed of by an
authorized Volvo retailer.
The following bulbs should only be replaced by
a trained and qualified Volvo service techni-
cian:
•Active Bending Lights
•Courtesy (dome) lighting
•Reading lights
•Glove compartment lights
•Turn signals and courtesy lights in the side
door mirrors
•High-mounted brake lights
See page 230 for a list of bulb specifications.
Replacing high/low beams/turn signal/
parking light bulbs
WARNING
•The engine should not be running when
changing bulbs.
•If the engine has been running just prior
to replacing bulbs in the headlight hous-
ing, please keep in mind that compo-
nents in the engine compartment will be
hot.
WARNING
Active Bending Lights* - due to the high
voltage used by these headlights, these
bulbs should only be replaced by a trained
and qualified Volvo service technician.
G027081
The entire lamp housing must be lifted out
when replacing these bulbs.
To lift out the lamp housing:
1. Switch off the ignition.
2. Open the hood.
3. Pull up the retaining pins (see the illustra-
tion).
4. Lift out the lamp housing.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Replacing bulbs 09
224* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
G027083
Location of the bulbs in the headlight
housing
G027082
Low beam headlight/Active Bending
Lights*
High beam headlight (daytime running light
on models with Active Bending Lights*)
Turn signal
Parking light
Side marker light
Replacing the low beam bulb (halogen
headlights)
G027088
1. Remove the plastic cover over the bulb by
turning it counterclockwise.
2. Pull the connector from the lamp housing.
3. Loosen the bulb's retaining spring by first
moving it to the right and then moving it out
of the way.
4. Pull out the bulb from the holder.
5. Insert the new bulb (without touching the
glass) in the holder.
6. Move the retaining spring up and push it
slightly to the left until it seats properly.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Replacing bulbs09

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.225
7. Press the bulb holder into place on the
headlight housing.
8. Reinstall the plastic cap. The let-
ters "HAUT" on the cap must be upward.
Replacing the high beam bulb (halogen
headlights)
G027085
1. Remove the rubber cover by pulling it off.
2. Pull the connector from the lamp housing.
3. Loosen the bulb's retaining spring by first
moving it to the right and then moving it out
of the way.
4. Pull out the bulb from the holder.5. Insert the new bulb (without touching the
glass) in the holder.
6. Move the retaining spring up and push it
slightly to the left until it seats properly.
7. Press the bulb holder into place on the
headlight housing.
8. Press the rubber cover into place.
Replacing the daytime running light
bulb (models with Active Bending
Lights* only)
G027090
1. Remove the rubber cover over the bulb by
pulling it off.2. Turn the bulb holder counterclockwise and
pull it out of the headlight housing.
3. Remove the connector from the bulb unit
by pressing the lock tab out and pulling.
4. Connect the connector to the new bulb unit
until it clicks into place.
5. Press a new bulb unit into the headlight
housing and turn it clockwise into place.
6. Reinstall the plastic cover.
Replacing parking light/side marker
light bulbs
G028409

09 Maintenance and servicing
Replacing bulbs 09
226
1. Turn the lamp holder approximately 1/4
turn counterclockwise and pull it out of the
headlight housing.
2. Pull the bulb straight out.
3. Align the guide lugs on the side of the base
of the new bulb in the grooves in the holder
and press it into place.
4. Press the lamp holder into the place in the
headlight housing and turn it approxi-
mately 1/4 turn clockwise.
Replacing the turn signal bulb
G027089
1. Turn the lamp holder approximately 1/4
turn counterclockwise and pull it out of the
headlight housing.2. Press in the bulb slightly and pull it out of
the holder.
3. Align the guide lugs on the side of the base
of the new bulb in the grooves in the holder.
Press it in and turn it slightly clockwise.
4. Press the lamp holder into the place in the
headlight housing and turn it approxi-
mately 1/4 turn clockwise.
Front fog lights
G027078
NOTE
Avoid touching the glass on the bulb with
your fingers.
1. Switch off the ignition.
2. Turn the bulb holder slightly counterclock-
wise to release it.
3. Replace the bulb. The shape of the foot of
the bulb corresponds to the shape of the
bulb holder.
4. Reinstall the bulb holder by turning it
slightly clockwise. The side of the holder
marked TOP should face upward.
Location of tail light bulbs
G027094
Parking light
Turn signal

09 Maintenance and servicing
Replacing bulbs 09
228
Replacing bulbs in the taillight cluster
G027077
1. Switch off all lights and turn ignition key to
position 0.
2. Fold down the lower section of the tailgate,
and fold up the rear section of the cargo
area floor.
3. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional
grocery bag holder, detach the holder's
bands.
4. Remove the corner panel.
5. Open the cover in the side panel by pulling
the tab upward/outward.
6. Loosen the bolts.
7. Pull the entire tail light housing straight out.8. Disconnect the wiring.
9. Place the tail light housing on a soft cloth
to avoid scratching the lens.
10. Turn the lamp holder(s) counterclockwise
and pull out.
11. Turn signal, back-up light, brake light
bulbs: Turn the bulb counterclockwise and
remove it.
12. Parking light bulbs: Pull the bulb straight
out.
13. Insert a new bulb.
14. Place the lamp holder in the groove and
turn clockwise.15. Press wiring back into place.
16. Align the tail light housing with the holes for
the retaining bolts and press it into place.
17. Tighten the retaining bolts.
18. Reinsert the side and corner panels.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Replacing bulbs09

229 Rear fog light
G027093
1. Switch off the ignition.
2. Carefully insert a small screwdriver (see
illustration above).
3. Pry out the lamp housing.
4. Turn the bulb holder counterclockwise and
remove it.
5. Turn the bulb counterclockwise and
remove it.
6. Insert a new bulb and press the lamp hous-
ing back into place.
Front footwell lighting
G027079
The front footwell lights are located under the
dashboard on the driver's and passenger's
sides.
To replace a bulb:
1. Carefully insert a screwdriver and pry out
the lens.
2. Replace the defective bulb.
3. Reinstall the lens.
Cargo compartment light
G027084
1. Carefully insert a screwdriver and pry out
the lens.
2. Pry out the bulb and replace it.
3. Press the lens back into place.