2012 VOLVO XC90 suspension

Contents
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.7
09
09 Maintenance and servicing
Volvo service........................................... 208
Maintaining your vehicle.........................209
Working on your vehicle......................... 211
Engine compartment............................... 213
Engine oil................................................ 214
Fluids...................................................... 217
Wiper blades........................................... 219
Battery..................................................... 220
Replacing bulbs...................................... 223
Fuses...................................................... 232
10
10 Audio
Audio system overview........................... 246
Audio system controls............................247
Radio functions....................................... 252
Sirius satellite radio................................. 257
Auxiliary equipment................................261
CD player/changer.................................. 264
Menu structure........................................ 267
Bluetooth
® hands-free connection......... 268
Rear Seat Entertainment – Dual Screen
(RSE)*......................................................273
11
11 Specifications
Label information.................................... 278
Dimensions ............................................ 280
Weights .................................................. 282
Fluids...................................................... 284
Suspension............................................. 286
Engine oil................................................ 287
Engine specifications.............................. 288
Electrical system..................................... 289
Three-way catalytic converter................. 290
Overview of information and warning sym-
bols ........................................................291
Volvo programs....................................... 293

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).

06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06
161
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 a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for correct
installation.
•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.
LevelingIf your vehicle is equipped with automatic lev-
eling, the rear suspension always retains the
correct ride height regardless of the load.
•The system adjusts the rear suspension to
the correct level after the vehicle has been
driven a short distance.
•When the vehicle is stationary, the rear
suspension lowers, which is normal.

07 Wheels and tires
Snow chains, snow tires, studded tires
07
183 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.
•All Wheel Drive models: Snow chains
should only be installed on the front
wheels.
•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 tires1
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 duringcornering, 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 vehicle 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.
1Where permitted

276
Label information.................................................................................. 278
Dimensions .......................................................................................... 280
Weights ................................................................................................ 282
Fluids..................................................................................................... 284
Suspension........................................................................................... 286
Engine oil............................................................................................... 287
Engine specifications............................................................................ 288
Electrical system................................................................................... 289
Three-way catalytic converter............................................................... 290
Overview of information and warning symbols .................................... 291
Volvo programs..................................................................................... 293

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.

12 Index
12
296
Fog lights
front*.....................................................68
Folding door mirrors.................................. 64
Front airbags.................................. 24, 25, 28
Front seat
folding backrest.................................. 104
manually adjusted............................... 104
Front seats
power.................................................. 105
ventilated.............................................. 97
XC90 Executive.................................. 107
Front suspension..................................... 286
Fuel.......................................................... 134
Fuel filler cap........................................... 137
Fuel filler door
opening manually...............................137
unlocking.............................................. 68
Fuel system.............................................. 288
Fuses.......................................................232G
Garage door opener
HomeLink® Wireless Control System. . . 88
Gasoline................................................... 134
Geartronic – manual shifting.................... 145
Generator................................................. 289
Generator warning light............................. 60
Glove compartment................................. 115
Grocery bag holder.................................. 121
Gross vehicle weight (GVW).................... 181
H
Hand brake.............................................. 152
Hazard warning flashers............................ 74
HD digital radio........................................ 253
Headlights.................................................. 67
Active Bending Lights............. 64, 68, 223
Dual Xenon........................................... 64
Headlights, high and low beams............... 70
Heated front seats..................................... 99
High/low beams – replacing....................223High beam bulb, replacing...................... 229
High beam flash......................................... 70
High beam indicator.................................. 58
Hoisting the vehicle.................................211
HomeLink
® Wireless Control System........ 88
Home safe lighting..................................... 70
Hood, opening/closing.............................. 80
I
Ignition switch.......................................... 141
Immobilizer (start inhibitor)...................... 124
Important information................................ 10
Indicator and warning symbols.................. 58
indicator light............................................. 60
Infant seats................................................ 42
Inflatable Curtain........................................ 33
Inflation pressure, checking..................... 175
Inflation pressure table............................177
Information and warning symbols, table
of.............................................................. 291
Information display.................................... 58
Inspection readiness................................ 209

12 Index
12
298
Power moonroof........................................ 86
Power seat............................................... 105
Power steering fluid................................. 218
R
Radiator................................................... 213
Radio
Sirius satellite radio............................257
Radio functions........................................ 248
HD digital radio................................... 253
Rain sensor - windshield wipers................ 72
Rear seat entertainment..........................273
Rear suspension...................................... 286
Rearview mirror with compass.................. 83
Rear window defroster.............................. 74
Recalls, child restraints.............................. 39
Recirculation.............................................. 99
REDUCE SPEED........................................ 62
Refrigerant (A/C system)............................ 94
Refrigerator (XC90 Executive).................. 117
Registering child restraints........................ 39Remote key.............................................. 125
replacing the battery........................... 127
Reporting safety defects
Canada................................................. 19
USA....................................................... 18S
Safety defects, reporting
Canada................................................. 19
USA....................................................... 18
Safety locks, child.................................... 130
Seat belt..................................................... 20
Seat belts
Automatic locking retractor/Emergency
locking retractor.................................... 38
Seats........................................................ 104
Shiftlock.............................................13, 139
Side impact protection (SIPS) airbags....... 31
Sirius satellite radio.................................. 257
Snow chains............................................ 183
Snow tires................................................ 183
Spare tire................................................. 184
Spare tire – accessing.............................190Spare wheel, lowering.............................190
Speedometer............................................. 58
Starting the car........................................ 139
Start inhibitor (immobilizer)...................... 124
Steering wheel lock.................................141
Stone chips, touching up......................... 204
Storage compartments............113, 115, 116
Studded tires........................................... 183
Sun visor.................................................... 87
Symbols, overview................................... 291
T
Tachometer................................................ 58
Tailgate
locking/unlocking................................ 129
opening................................................. 80
Tailgate wipers......................................... 219
Technician certification............................ 293
Temperature control................................ 100
Temperature gauge................................... 58
Temporary spare tire............................... 184
Three-way catalytic converter................. 290