03 Climate
General information
03
88
Air conditioning – A/C
Your car is equipped with a climate control
system that includes either manually adjusta-
ble air conditioning or optional Electronic Cli-
mate Control (ECC).
The air conditioning system can be switched
off, but for optimal air quality in the passenger
compartment and to prevent the windows from
fogging, the air conditioning should be left on
– even in cool weather.
NOTE
In warm weather, a small amount of water
may accumulate under the car when it has
been parked. This water is condensation
from the A/C system and is normal.
Ice and snow
Always keep the air intake grille at the base of
the windshield free of snow.
Fog on the inside of the windows
The defroster function should be used to
remove fog or mist from the inside of the win-
dows. Keeping the windows clean with a com-
mercially available window washing spray will
also help prevent fogging or misting.
Climate control maintenance
Special tools and equipment are required to
maintain and carry out repairs on the climate
system. Work of this type should only be done
by a trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician.
Refrigerant
Volvo cares about the environment. The air
conditioning system in your car contains a
CFC-free refrigerant – R134a. This substance
will not deplete the ozone layer. The system
contains 1.2 lbs (530 g) R134a (HFC 134a), and
uses PAG oil.
Passenger compartment filter
Replace the cabin air filter with a new one at
the recommended intervals. Please refer to
your Warranty and Service Records Informa-
tion booklet, or consult a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for these intervals.
The filter should be replaced more often when
driving under dirty and dusty conditions. The
filter cannot be cleaned and therefore should
always be replaced with a new one.
NOTE
There are different types of cabin air filters.
Ensure that the correct type is installed.
Display
The display above the climate control panel
shows the climate settings that have been
made.
Personal settings
There are two functions in the climate system
that can be set to your preferences:
•Blower speed to Auto mode (models with
ECC only).
•Timer controlled recirculation of the air in
the passenger compartment.
07 Wheels and tires
General information
07
176
Introduction
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according
to the vehicle's tire information placard on the
B-pillar (the structural member at the side of
the vehicle, at the rear of the driver's door
opening).
CAUTION
Some Volvo models are equipped with an
Ultra High Performance tire and wheel com-
bination designed to provide maximum dry
pavement performance with consideration
for hydroplaning resistance. They may be
more susceptible to road hazard damage
and, depending on driving conditions, may
achieve a tread life of less than 20,000 miles
(30,000 km). Even if this vehicle is equipped
with Volvo’s advanced DSTC system, these
tires are not designed for winter driving, and
should be replaced with winter tires when
weather conditions dictate.
The tires have good road holding characteris-
tics and offer good handling on dry and wet
surfaces. It should be noted however that the
tires have been developed to give these fea-
tures on snow/ice-free surfaces.
Most models are equipped with "all-season"
tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree
of road holding on slippery surfaces than tires
without the "all-season" rating. However, foroptimum road holding on icy or snow-covered
roads, we recommend suitable winter tires on
all four wheels.
When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires
are the same size designation, type (radial) and
preferably from the same manufacturer, on all
four wheels. Otherwise there is a risk of altering
the car's roadholding and handling characte-
ristics.
New Tires
Remember that tires are perishable goods. As
of 2000, the manufacturing week and year
(Department of Transportation (DOT) stamp)
will be indicated with 4 digits (e.g., 1510 means
that the tire illustrated was manufactured dur-
ing week 15 of 2010).
Tire rotationYour vehicle has no required tire rotation. Tire
wear is affected by a number of factors such
as tire inflation, ambient temperature, driving
style, etc.
NOTE
•If the tires are rotated, they should only
be moved from front to rear or vice
versa. They should never be rotated left
to right/right to left.
•Ideally, tire rotation should be done the
first time after approximately 3,000
miles (5,000 km) and thereafter at
6,000-mile (10,000-km) intervals. Some
customers find that tire rotation may
help to get extra mileage from tire life.
•Tire rotation should only be performed
if front/rear tire wear is fairly even and
tread height is above 1/16" (1.6 mm).
Your Volvo retailer can also provide guidance
based on your particular driving circumstan-
ces.
Tire ageTires degrade over time, even when they are
not being used. It is recommended that tires
generally be replaced after 6 years of normal
service. Heat caused by hot climates, frequent
high loading conditions or Ultra Violet (U.V)
09 Maintenance and servicing
Engine oil09
219 Changing engine oil and oil filter
See page 277 for oil specifications. Refer to
the Warranty and Service Records Information
booklet for information on the oil change inter-
vals.
NOTE
•Volvo does not recommend the use of
oil additives.
•Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is
changed at the normal maintenance
intervals except at owner request and at
additional charge. Please consult a
trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician.
Checking and adding oilThe oil level should be checked at regular inter-
vals, particularly during the period up to the
first scheduled maintenance service.
•The car should be parked on a level surface
when the oil is checked.
•If the engine is warm, wait for at least
10–15 minutes after the engine has been
switched off before checking the oil.
G020338
Location of dipstick and oil filler cap
Volvo recommends Castrol oil products
Checking the oil1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a lint-
free rag.
2. Reinsert the dipstick, pull it out, and check
the oil level.
3. Add oil if necessary. If the level is close to
the MIN mark, add approximately
0.5 US quarts (0.5 liters) of oil.
4. Recheck the level and add more oil if nec-
essary until the level is near the MAX mark.
G020336
09 Maintenance and servicing
Fluids 09
222
WARNING
•Never remove the expansion tank cap
while the engine is warm. Wait until the
engine cools.
•If it is necessary to top off the coolant
when the engine is warm, unscrew the
expansion tank cap slowly so that the
overpressure dissipates.
Brake fluid
Brake fluid reservoir
The brake fluid should always be between the
MIN and MAX marks on the side of the reser-
voir. Check, without removing the cap, that
there is sufficient fluid in the reservoir.Fluid type: DOT 4+ boiling point >536 °F
(>280 °C), P/N 9437433
Replace: The fluid should be replaced accord-
ing to the intervals specified in the Warranty
and Service Records Information booklet.
When driving under extremely hard conditions
(mountain driving, etc), it may be necessary to
replace the fluid more often. Consult your
Volvo retailer. Always entrust brake fluid
changing to a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice 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
The fluid level is checked at each service inter-
val.
Fluid type: Volvo power steering fluid or equiv-
alent.
Replace: No fluid change required.
WARNING
If a problem should occur in the power
steering system or if the vehicle has no elec-
trical 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.