07 During your trip
Towing a trailer
07
284
NOTE
•When parking the vehicle with a trailer
on a hill, apply the parking brake before
putting the gear selector in P. Always
follow the trailer manufacturer's recom-
mendations for wheel chocking.
•When starting on a hill, put the gear
selector in D before releasing the park-
ing brake. See also page 128 for more
detailed information about starting off
on a hill while towing a trailer.
•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).
•The drawbar assembly/trailer hitch may
be rated for trailers heavier than the
vehicle is designed to tow. Please
adhere to Volvo's recommended trailer
weights.
•Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines of
more than 15%.
Trailer cableAn adapter is required if the vehicle's trailer
hitch has a 13-pin connector and the trailer has
7 pins. Use an adapter cable approved by
Volvo. Make sure the cable does not drag on
the ground.
Detachable trailer hitch (accessory)
A
C
EDBG010496
Ball holder
Locking bolt
Cotter pin
Hitch assembly
Safety wire attachment
Installing the ball holder1. If necessary, remove the cotter pin from
the locking bolt and slide the locking bolt
out of the hitch assembly.
2. Slide the ball holder into the hitch assem-
bly.
3. Align the hole in the ball holder with the one
in the hitch assembly.4. Slide the locking bolt through the hitch
assembly/ball holder.
5. Insert the cotter pin in the hole at the end
of the locking bolt.
Removing the ball holder1. Remove the cotter pin from the locking bolt
and slide the locking bolt out of the ball
holder/hitch assembly.
2. Pull the ball holder out of the hitch assem-
bly.
NOTE
A cover for the hitch assembly is also
included in the kit.
Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
Trailer Stability Assist is a system designed to
help stabilize a vehicle that is towing a trailer
when the vehicle and trailer have begun to
sway and is part of the Dynamic Stability and
Traction Control system (DSTC). See page
134 for information on DSTC.
FunctionA vehicle towing a trailer may begin to sway for
various reasons. Normally this only occurs at
high speeds but, for example, if the trailer is
overloaded or if the load is unevenly distributed
in the trailer, there is risk of swaying at speeds
07 During your trip
Emergency towing
07
287
WARNING
•When the vehicle is being towed, the
ignition should be in mode II (in mode I,
all of the vehicle's airbags are deacti-
vated). See page 85 for more informa-
tion about ignition modes.
•Never remove the remote key from the
ignition slot when the vehicle is being
towed. For vehicles with keyless drive,
the remote key must remain inside the
vehicle.
•The power brakes and power steering
will not function when the engine is not
running. Approximately 5 times more
pressure will be required on the brake
pedal and the steering wheel will be
considerably harder to turn.
•The towing eyelets must not be used for
pulling the vehicle out of a ditch or for
any similar purpose involving severe
strain. Do not use the towing eyelets to
pull the vehicle up onto a flat bed tow
truck.
Towing the vehicle
1. With the remote key fully pressed into the
ignition slot1, press START/STOP
ENGINE for approximately 2 seconds to
activate ignition mode II.
2. The remote key must remain in the ignition
slot
2 for the entire time that the vehicle is
being towed.
3. Keep the tow rope taut when the towing
vehicle slows down by applying light pres-
sure on the brake pedal. This will help pre-
vent jarring movements of the vehicle
being towed.
4. Be prepared to apply the brakes to stop the
vehicle being towed.
CAUTION
General towing precautions:
•Please check with state and local
authorities before attempting this type
of towing, as vehicles being towed are
subject to regulations regarding maxi-
mum towing speed, length and type of
towing device, lighting, etc.
•If the vehicle's battery is dead, attach
jumper cables (see page 119) to provide
current for releasing the electric parking
brake and to move the gear selector
from the P position to N. If this is not
possible, see page 123 for information
about manually overriding the shiftlock
system to move the gear selector from
P to N.
•Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h). Do
not exceed the maximum allowable
towing speed.
•Maximum distance with front wheels on
ground: 50 miles (80 km).
•The vehicle should only be towed in the
forward direction.
1Not necessary in vehicles with the optional keyless drive.2For vehicles with the the optional keyless dirive, the remote key must be in the vehicle.
08 Wheels and tires
Snow chains, snow tires, studded tires
08
304
Winter driving conditions
Snow chainsSnow 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.
•Use single-sided snow chains only.
•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
opportunity 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
08 Wheels and tires
Tire Sealing System
08
310
CAUTION
If your vehicle is equipped with the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), the
use of the sealing compound may lead to
incorrect tire pressure readings or in rare
cases, damage to the tire pressure sensor.
Use the tire sealing system to check and
adjust the damaged tire's inflation pressure.
NOTE
•Safely stow the tire sealing system in a
convenient place as it will soon be used
again to check the tire’s inflation pres-
sure.
•The empty bottle of sealing compound
cannot be removed from the bottle
holder. Consult a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician to have the
bottle removed and properly disposed
of.
WARNING
If heavy vibrations, unsteady steering
behavior, or noises should occur while driv-
ing, reduce speed and park the vehicle in a
safe place. Recheck the tire for bumps,
cracks, or other visible damage, and
recheck its inflation pressure. If the pressure
is below 19 psi (1.3 bar), do not continue
driving. Have the vehicle towed to a trained
and qualified Volvo service technician.
Stage 2: Checking inflation pressure1. Connect the tire sealing system as descri-
bed in stage 1.
2. Refer to the inflation pressure table in this
chapter for the correct inflation pressure. If
the tire needs to be inflated, start the tire
sealing system’s compressor. If neces-
sary, release air from the tire by turning the
air release knob counterclockwise.
CAUTION
The compressor should not be used for
more than 10 minutes at a time to avoid
overheating.
WARNING
If you interrupt your trip for more than 1
hour, check the inflation pressure in the
damaged tire again before continuing.
Replacing the sealing compound
container
The sealing compound container must be
replaced if:
•the tire sealing system has been used to
repair a tire
•the container’s expiration date has passed
(see the date on decal).
NOTE
•After use, the sealing compound bottle,
the hose, and certain other system
components must be replaced. Please
consult your Volvo retailer for replace-
ment parts.
•If the sealing compound bottle’s expi-
ration date has passed, please take it to
a Volvo retailer or a recycling station
that can properly dispose of harmful
substances.
08 Wheels and tires
Tire Sealing System
08
311 Inflating tires
The tire sealing system can be used to inflate
the tires. To do so:
1. Park the car in a safe place.
2. The compressor should be switched off.
Ensure that the on/off switch is in position
0 (the 0 side of the switch should be
pressed down).
3. Take out the electrical wire and hose.
4. Remove the valve cap from the tire’s infla-
tion valve and screw the hose connector
onto the valve as tightly as possible by
hand.
5. Connect the electrical wire to the nearest
12-volt socket in the vehicle.
6. Start the vehicle’s engine.WARNING
•The vehicle’s engine should be running
when the tire sealing system is used to
avoid battery drain. Therefore, be sure
the vehicle is parked in a well ventilated
place, or outdoors, before using the sys-
tem. The parking brake should be
securely applied and the gear selector
should be in the P (park) position.
•Children should never be left unattended
in the vehicle when the engine is running.
7. Check the tire’s inflation pressure on the
gauge. Switch off the compressor briefly to
get a clear reading from the pressure
gauge.
8. Refer to the tire inflation table in this chap-
ter for the correct inflation pressure. If the
tire needs to be inflated, start the tire seal-
ing system’s compressor (press the on/off
switch to position I). If necessary, release
air from the tire by turning the air release
knob counterclockwise.
CAUTION
The compressor should not be used for
more than 10 minutes at a time to avoid
overheating.
9. Turn off the compressor (press the on/off
switch to position 0) when the correct infla-
tion pressure has been reached.
10. Unscrew the hose from the tire’s inflation
valve and reinstall the valve cap.
11. Disconnect the electrical wire from the
12-volt socket.
08 Wheels and tires
Changing a wheel
08
312* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Removing a wheel
Location of jack*, towing eyelet1 and tools*
Spare wheelThe spare wheel is only intended for temporary
use. Replace it with a normal wheel as soon as
possible. The car's handling may be altered by
the use of the spare wheel. The correct tire
pressure for the spare wheel is stated in the tire
pressure table on page 297 and in the tire infla-
tion placard on the driver's side door jamb at
the rear of the driver's door opening.
WARNING
Current legislation prohibits the use of the
“Temporary Spare” tire other than as a tem-
porary replacement for a punctured tire. It
must be replaced as soon as possible by a
standard tire. Road holding and handling
may be affected with the “Temporary
Spare” in use.
CAUTION
The vehicle must never be driven with more
than one temporary spare wheel.
The spare wheel is located in the spare wheel
well with the rim side down. There are two foam
blocks, one under the spare wheel and one
over/inside. The upper one contains all tools.
The same bolt runs through to secure the spare
wheel and the foam blocks.
Taking out the spare wheel1. Open the floor hatch.
2. Undo the retaining bolt.
3. Lift out the foam block.
4. Lift out the spare wheel.
The other two blocks can remain in the spare
wheel well.
After useThe foam block and spare wheel must be
replaced in the reverse order. Note the arrow
on the upper foam block. It should point for-
ward.
Changing a wheel1. Apply the parking brake and put the gear
selector in P.
2. Take out the jack*, lug wrench*, the towing
eyelet and the wheel cover removal tool*
stowed under the floor of the trunk.
3. Remove the wheel cover (where applica-
ble) using the removal tool or remove the
wheel cover by hand.
4. Block the wheels that are on the ground
with wooden blocks or large stones.
1The towing eyelet may be partially concealed under the rear edge of the cargo area. See the illustration on page 286 for its location.
08 Wheels and tires
Changing a wheel
08
313
Lug wrench and towing eyelet
5. Screw the towing eyelet into the lug
wrench as shown in the illustration.
CAUTION
The towing eyelet must be screwed into the
lug wrench as far as possible.
6. With the vehicle still on the ground, use the
lug wrench/towing eyelet to loosen the
wheel nuts ½ – 1 turn by exerting down-
ward (counterclockwise) pressure.
Jack attachment points
7. There are two jack attachment points on
each side of the vehicle. Position the jack
correctly in the attachment (see the illus-
tration) and crank while simultaneously
guiding the base of the jack to the ground.
The base of the jack must be flat on a level,
firm, non-slippery surface. Before raising
the vehicle, check that the jack is still cor-
rectly positioned in the attachment.
08 Wheels and tires
Changing a wheel
08
314
WARNING
There are two attachment points near the
rear of the vehicle. Only the rear-most
attachment point is intended for the jack
(see the illustration).
8. Raise the vehicle until the wheel to be
changed is lifted off the ground.
9. Unscrew the wheel nuts completely and
remove the wheel.
WARNING
•The jack must correctly engage the jack
attachment.
•Be sure the jack is on a firm, level, non-
slippery surface.
•Never allow any part of your body to be
extended under a vehicle supported by
a jack.
•Use the jack intended for the vehicle
when changing a tire. For any other job,
use stands to support the vehicle.
•Apply the parking brake and put the
gear selector in the Park (P) position.
•Block the wheels standing on the
ground, use rigid wooden blocks or
large stones.
•The jack should be kept well-greased
and clean, and should not be damaged.
•No objects should be placed between
the base of jack and the ground, or
between the jack and the attachment
bar on the vehicle.
NOTE
The jack provided with your vehicle is
intended to be used only in temporary sit-
uations such as changing wheels in the
event of a flat tire. Only the jack that came
with your particular model should be used
to lift the vehicle. If the vehicle needs to be
lifted more frequently or for a prolonged
period, using a garage jack or hoist is rec-
ommended. Always follow this device’s
instructions for use.
Re-installing the wheel1. Clean the contact surfaces on the wheel
and hub.
2. Lift the wheel and place it on the hub.
Tighten the lug nuts