Page 218 of 302
09 Maintenance and servicing
Fluids 09
218
WARNING
•Never remove the expansion tank cap
while the engine is warm. Wait until the
vehicle cools.
•If it is necessary to top up the coolant
when the engine is warm, unscrew the
expansion tank cap slowly so that the
overpressure dissipates.
Brake fluid reservoir
G000000
The brake fluid should always be above the
MIN mark on the side of the reservoir. Check,
without removing the cap, that there is suffi-
cient fluid in the reservoir.Fluid type: DOT 4+ boiling point >536 °F
(>280 °C), P/N 9437433.
Replace: Every second year or 30,000 miles
(48,000 km). The fluid should be replaced once
a year or every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) when
driving under extremely hard conditions
(mountain driving, etc.).
Always entrust brake fluid changing to a
trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
WARNING
•If the fluid level is below the MIN mark
in the reservoir or if a brake-related
message is shown in the information
display: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the car
towed to a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician and have the brake
system inspected.
•Dot 4+ should never be mixed with any
other type of brake fluid.
Power steering fluid reservoir
FULL
ADD
G026991
The fluid level should always be between the
ADD and FULL marks.
Fluid type: Volvo synthetic power steering fluid
(Pentosin CHF 11S) P/N 1161529 or equiva-
lent.
Replace: No fluid change required.
If a problem should occur in the power steering
system or if the vehicle has no electrical current
and must be towed, it is still possible to steer
the vehicle. However, keep in mind that greater
effort will be required to turn the steering
wheel.
Page 219 of 302
09 Maintenance and servicing
Wiper blades09
219 Windshield wiper blades
To change a windshield wiper blade:
1. Fold the wiper arm out from the windshield
and hold the wiper blade.
2. Press in the grooved catches and pull out
the wiper blade.
3. Insert a new wiper blade and ensure that it
is securely in place.
NOTE
The driver's side wiper blade is longer than
the one on the passenger's side.
Tailgate wiper blade
G026959
To change a tailgate wiper blade:
1. Pull the wiper arm rearward, away from the
tailgate window.
2. Pull out the wiper blade as shown in the
illustration.
3. Press the new wiper blade into place.
Check that it is properly secured.
NOTE
Keeping the windshield/tailgate window
and wiper blades clean helps improve visi-
bility and prolongs the service life of the
wiper blades, see page 200 for washing
instructions.
Page 220 of 302
09 Maintenance and servicing
Battery 09
220
Battery maintenance
The battery in your vehicle is located under the
floor of the cargo compartment.
Driving habits and conditions, climate, the
number of starts, etc. all affect the service life
and function of the battery. In order for your
battery to perform satisfactorily, keep the fol-
lowing in mind:
•Use a screw driver to open the caps or
cover and a flashlight to inspect the level.
•If necessary, add distilled water. The level
should never be above the indicator.
•The fluid level should be checked if the
battery has been recharged.
•After inspection, be sure the cap over each
battery cell or the cover is securely in
place.
•Check that the battery cables are correctly
connected and properly tightened.
•Never disconnect the battery when the
engine is running, or when the key is in the
ignition. This could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
•The battery should be disconnected from
the vehicle when a battery charger is used
directly on the battery.
•To help keep the battery in good condition,
the vehicle should be driven for at least 15minutes a week or connected to a charger
with an automatic charging function.
•If the battery is fully discharged a number
of times, this may shorten its service life.
Keeping the battery fully charged helps
prolong its service life.
•The service life of a battery is affected by
factors such as driving conditions and cli-
mate. Extreme cold may also further
decrease the battery’s starting capacity.
•Because the battery’s starting capacity
decreases with time, it may be necessary
to recharge it if the vehicle is not driven for
an extended period of time or if the vehicle
is usually only driven short distances.
•
WARNING
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the state of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
WARNING
•Never expose the battery to open flame
or electric spark.
•Do not smoke near the battery.
•Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do
not allow battery fluid to contact eyes,
skin, fabrics or painted surfaces. If con-
tact occurs, flush the affected area
immediately with water. Obtain medical
help immediately if eyes are affected.
NOTE
Used batteries should be properly disposed
of at a recycling station or similar facility, or
taken to your Volvo retailer.
Page 222 of 302
09 Maintenance and servicing
Battery 09
222
4. Disconnect the negative (ground) cable
first.
G027075
5. Disconnect the positive cable and pull the
ventilation hose from the battery.
6. Lift out the old battery and put a new bat-
tery into place.
7. Connect the positive cable first.
8. Connect the negative (ground) cable.
9. Be sure that the ventilation hose is securely
connected to the battery and that the other
end of the hose is properly routed through
the ventilation opening in the floor of the
battery compartment.
G030884
Ventilation hose
10. Reinstall the cover and retaining bracket
and screw it securely in place.
NOTE
After the battery has been disconnected or
replaced, lock and unlock the vehicle with
the central locking system's remote key to
reactivate such features as the power win-
dows, moonroof, courtesy lighting, etc.
WARNING
•The battery generates hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. The
battery is fitted with a ventilation hose
which vents hydrogen gas out of the
battery compartment through a ventila-
tion opening in the bottom of this com-
partment. If the battery must be
replaced, it is essential that the ventila-
tion hose is properly connected to the
battery and that it is routed through the
ventilation opening provided (see illus-
tration).
•Be sure the ventilation hose is free of
debris.
•Only use replacement batteries equip-
ped with a ventilation hose. Consult a
trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician.
Page 223 of 302
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.
Page 227 of 302
09 Maintenance and servicing
Replacing bulbs09
227
Back-up light
Parking light
Brake light
NOTE
If the message indicating a burned out bulb
remains in the information display after a
bulb has been replaced, consult a trained
and qualified Volvo service technician.
Page 230 of 302
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
Page 232 of 302
09 Maintenance and servicing
Fuses 09
232* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Replacing fuses
G032337
Relays/fuse box in the engine compart-
ment
Fuse box in the passenger compartment,
behind the plastic cover
Fuse box in the passenger compartment,
on the edge of the dashboard
Fuse box in the cargo compartment
Fuse box in the cargo compartment1.
Additional fuses in cargo compartment
(XC90 Executive*)If an electrical component fails to function, it is
possible that a fuse has blown.
The fuse boxes are located in four different
places, see the illustration above.
A label on the inside of each cover indicates the
amperage and the electrical components that
are connected to each fuse.
The easiest way to see if a fuse is blown is to
remove it. Pull the fuse straight out. If a fuse is
difficult to remove, you will find a special fuse
removal tool (and several extra fuses) in the
passenger compartment fuse box on the driv-er's end of dashboard. From the side, examine
the curved metal wire (see the illustration) to
see if it is broken. If so, put in a new fuse of the
same color and amperage (written on the
fuse). Spare fuses are stored in the fuse box in
the engine compartment and the passenger
compartment. If fuses burn out repeatedly,
have the electrical system inspected by a
trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
1Certain markets only.
