2012 VOLVO XC90 windshield wipers

02 Instruments and controls
Right-side steering wheel lever
02

71 Windshield wipers
G026953
Thumb wheel
Rain sensor on/off
Windshield wipers offIf the lever is in the 0 position and
you move it upwards, the wipers
will sweep one stroke at a time for
as long as you hold the lever up.
Single sweep positionMove the lever slightly upward
from the 0 position for one sweep
of the wipers. The lever returns
automatically to 0 when released.
Intermittent wiper functionWith the lever in this position, you
can set the wiper interval by twist-
ing the control ring (1) upward to
increase wiper speed or down-
ward to decrease the speed.
Windshield washer/headlight washer
(certain models)
When the lever is pulled to wash the wind-
shield, high pressure jets mounted in the
bumper will spray the headlights.
CAUTION
•Use ample washer fluid when washing
the windshield to avoid scratching the
glass. The windshield should be thor-
oughly wet when the wipers are in oper-
ation.
•Before using the wipers, ice and snow
should be removed from the wind-
shield/rear window. Be sure the wiper
blades are not frozen in place.
•To conserve washer fluid in driving condi-
tions where the windshield washers are
used frequently, the headlights will only be
washed once for every five times the wind-
shield is washed within a 10-minute period.
•A short pull on the lever will wash the wind-
shield only.
•When approximately 1 US quart (1 liter)
remains in the washer fluid reservoir, the
headlights will not be washed when the
lever is pulled to conserve washer fluid for
the windshield.
Continuous wiper functionTop arrow: normal speed
Bottom arrows: higher speed

02 Instruments and controls
Right-side steering wheel lever
02
72* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Tailgate wiper/washer
G027127
Intermittent wiping: Press the upper
section of the switch
Neutral position: The wiper is switched
off
Normal (continuous) wiping: Press the
lower section of the switch
Move the lever forward to start the tailgate
washer. After washing the rear window, the
wiper will make several additional sweeps.
Tailgate wiper and reverse gearIf the front wipers are on and the transmission
is put into reverse gear, the tailgate wiper will
go into intermittent wiping function
1.
If the tailgate wiper is already in normal wiping
function, the normal wiping function will con-
tinue.
Rain sensor*
The rain sensor automatically regulates wiper
speed according to the amount of water on the
windshield.
The sensitivity of the sensor can be adjusted
by twisting ring (1) up (the wipers will sweep the
windshield more frequently) or down (the wip-
ers will sweep the windshield less frequently).
Activating the rain sensor:1.
Turn the ignition key to at least position I
and put the windshield wiper lever in posi-
tion 0.
2. Press button (2), see page 71.
> A light in the button will light up to indi-
cate that the rain sensor is active.
Deactivating the rain sensor:
•Press button (2), see page 71.
or
•Move the windshield wiper lever down to
another position. Moving the lever up will
not deactivate the rain sensor. Doing so
will cause the wipers to sweep the wind-
shield until the lever is released, at which
time the wipers return to rain sensor mode.
The rain sensor is also deactivated when the
key is removed from the ignition.
CAUTION
The rain sensor should be deactivated when
washing the vehicle in an automatic car
wash, etc. If the rain sensor function is left
on, the wipers will start inadvertently in the
car wash and could be damaged.
1Consult your Volvo retailer if you would like to have this function deactivated.

06 Starting and driving
Cold weather precautions
06
164
If you wish to check your vehicle before the
approach of cold weather, the following advice
is worth noting:
•Make sure that the engine coolant contains
50 percent antifreeze. Any other mixture
will reduce freeze protection. This gives
protection against freezing down to –31 °F
(–35 °C). See section "Coolant".
•The use of "recycled" antifreeze is not
approved by Volvo. Different types of
antifreeze must not be mixed.
•Volvo recommends using only genuine
Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's radiator.
Your Volvo retailer stocks plenty of Volvo
engine coolant to protect your vehicle dur-
ing cold weather.
•Try to keep the fuel tank well filled – this
prevents the formation of condensation in
the tank. In addition, in extremely cold
weather conditions it is worthwhile to add
fuel line de-icer before refueling.
•The viscosity of the engine oil is important.
Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves
cold-weather starting as well as decreas-
ing fuel consumption while the engine is
warming up. For winter use, 5W-30 oil, par-
ticularly the synthetic type
1, is recom-
mended. Be sure to use good quality oil but
do not use cold-weather oil for hard drivingor in warm weather. See section "Engine
oil" for more information.
•The load placed on the battery is greater
during the winter since the windshield wip-
ers, lighting, etc. are used more often.
Moreover, the capacity of the battery
decreases as the temperature drops. In
very cold weather, a poorly charged bat-
tery can freeze and be damaged. It is there-
fore advisable to check the state of charge
more frequently and spray an antirust oil on
the battery posts.
•Volvo recommends the use of snow tires
on all four wheels for winter driving – see
section "Wheels and tires."
•To prevent the washer fluid reservoir
from freezing, add washer solvents con-
taining antifreeze (see page 217 for the
location of the washer fluid reservoir). This
is important since dirt is often splashed on
the windshield during winter driving,
requiring the frequent use of the washers
and wipers. Volvo Washer Solvent should
be diluted as follows:
•Down to 14 ° F (–10 ° C): 1 part washer
solvent and 4 parts water
•Down to 5 ° F (–15 ° C): 1 part washer sol-
vent and 3 parts water
•Down to 0 ° F (–18 ° C):1 part washer sol-
vent and 2 parts water
•Down to –18 ° F (–28 ° C): 1 part washer
solvent and 1 part water
•Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
NOTE
Avoid the use of de-icing sprays as they can
cause damage to the locks.
W – Winter/Wet driving mode – enhanced
vehicle traction
•Mode W will only function if the gear selec-
tor is in the (D)rive position.
•Press the button at the base of the gear
selector to engage/disengage this driving
mode.
•An LED in the button will light up to indicate
that W is engaged and this will also be dis-
played in the instrument panel (see
page 58).
•This mode may be selected for starting/
moving off on slippery roads.
1Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintenance service intervals except at owner request and at additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.

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
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

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

12 Index
12
299
TIME FOR REGULAR SERVICE................. 62
Tire inflation pressure..............................177
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 194
Tires.........................................................172
age...................................................... 172
changing............................................. 190
changing from summer to winter........ 173
designations....................................... 178
improving economy............................ 172
inflation............................................... 175
inflation pressure, checking................ 175
inflation pressure table.......................177
load ratings......................................... 176
rotation............................................... 173
spare................................................... 184
speed ratings...................................... 176
storing................................................. 173
tire sealing system.............................. 185
tread wear indicator............................ 174
Tire sealing system.................................. 185
Towing a trailer........................................ 159
Towing - cars with All Wheel Drive.......... 158
Towing the vehicle................................... 157
Trailer hitch - detachable......................... 162
Trailer towing........................................... 159
Transmission, automatic.......................... 144Tread wear indicator................................ 174
Treble....................................................... 249
Trip computer............................................ 75
Trip odometer............................................ 58
Turn signals............................................... 70
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading...................182
Unlocking fuel filler door............................ 68
Unlocking the car..................................... 128
Unpaved roads, driving on...................... 143
V
Vanity mirror............................................ 112
Vehicle dimensions.................................. 280
Vehicle Event Data..................................... 13
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)......... 279
Vehicle loading........................................ 181
Vehicle maintenance................................ 208
Vehicle weights........................................ 282Ventilated seats......................................... 97
Volvo and the environment........................ 14
Volvo maintenance.................................. 208
Volvo On Call Roadside Assistance........ 293
W
Warning symbol......................................... 58
Warning symbol in center of dashboard.... 58
Warranties................................................ 208
Washer fluid reservoir......................213, 217
Washing the vehicle................................. 200
Water, driving through............................. 143
Waxing..................................................... 201
Weights.................................................... 282
Wheels.....................................................172
storing................................................. 173
Windshield
IR coating............................................. 73
Windshield washer fluid reservoir............217
Windshield wipers.................................... 219
Winter/Wet driving mode......................... 164
Wipers...................................................... 219