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* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.279
Introduction
The load carrying capacity of your vehicle is determined by factors such as the number ofpassengers, the amount of cargo, the weightof any accessories that may be installed, etc. To increase loading space, the rear seat backrests can be folded down, see page 91. When loading the trunk, keep the following in mind:
The trunk lid can be unlocked anpopped open slightly via the buttonlocated on the lighting panel, see
page 70.
• Load objects in the trunk against the backrest whenever possible.
• Unstable loads can be secured to theload anchoring eyelets with straps or weblashings to help keep them from shifting.
• Stop the engine and apply the parkingbrake when loading or unloading longobjects. The gear selector can beknocked out of position by long loads,which could set the vehicle in motion.
WARNING
• Stop the engine, put the gear selector in
P, and apply the parking brake
when loading or unloading longobjects.
• The vehicle's driving characteristicsmay change depending on the weightand distribution of the load.
• A 44-pound (20 kg) object produces aforce of 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) in ahead-on collision at 30 mph (50 km/h).
• The rear seat should not be loaded toa level higher than 2 in. (5 cm) belowthe upper edge of the rear side win-dows. Objects placed higher than thislevel could impede the function of theVolvo Inflatable Curtain.
Folding down the rear seat backrests
The rear seat backrests can be folded down for additional loading space, see page 92.
Load anchoring eyelets
The load anchoring eyelets on both sides of the vehicle are used to fasten straps, etc., tohelp anchor items in the trunk.
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280* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
WARNING
• Cover sharp edges on long loads to help prevent injury to occupants.Secure the load to help prevent shift-ing during sudden stops.
• Always secure large and heavy objectswith a seat belt or cargo retainingstraps.
• Always secure the load to help preventit from moving in the event of suddenstops.
• Switch off the engine, apply the park-ing brake and put the gear selector inP
when loading and unloading the
vehicle.
Grocery bag holder*
Grocery bag holder under the floor of the trunk
The grocery bag holder holds shopping bags in place.
1. Open the hatch in the floor of the trunk.
2. Secure the shopping bags with the strap.
Ski hatch
There is a hatch in the right section of the rear seat backrest that can be opened for trans-porting long objects.
Fold the right backrest forward.
Release the hatch in the rear seat back- rest by sliding the catch up while foldingthe hatch forward.
Return the backrest to the upright posi- tion with the hatch open.
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Use the seat belt to prevent the load from moving.
WARNING
•
Always secure the load to help prevent it from moving in the event of suddenbraking.
• Switch off the engine, apply the park-ing brake and put the gear selector inP
when loading and unloading the
vehicle.
The cover on the rear seat armrest/child seat has no hinge. The cover must be removedbefore the ski hatch is used. Removal:
–Open the cover 30 degrees and lift straight up.
Installation:
–Insert the cover in the grooves behind the upholstery and close the cover.
Roof loads
Using load carriersLoad carriers are available as Volvo accesso- ries. Observe the following points when inuse:
• To avoid damaging your vehicle and to achieve maximum safety when driving,we recommend using the load carriersthat Volvo has developed especially foryour vehicle.
• Volvo-approved removable roof racks aredesigned to carry the maximum allowableroof load for this vehicle: 220 lbs (100 kg).For non-Volvo roof racks, check the man-ufacturer's weight limits for the rack.
• Never exceed the rack manufacturer'sweigh limits and never exceed the maxi-mum rated roof load of 220 lbs (100 kg).
• Avoid single-point loads. Distribute loadsevenly.
• Place heavier cargo at the bottom of theload.
• Secure the cargo correctly with appropri-ate tie-down equipment.
• Check periodically that the load carriersand load are properly secured.
• Remember that the vehicle's center ofgravity and handling change when youcarry a load on the roof. •
The vehicle's wind resistance and fuelconsumption will increase with the size ofthe load.
• Drive smoothly. Avoid rapid starts, fastcornering and hard braking.
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Introduction
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches that are specially designed for thevehicle.
NOTE
See page 364 for the maximum trailer and tongue weights recommended by Volvo.
•Observe the legal requirements of the state/province in which the vehicles are
• All Volvo models are equipped withenergy-absorbing shock-mounted bump-ers. Trailer hitch installation should notinterfere with the proper operation of thisbumper system.
Trailer towing does not normally present any particular problems, but take into considera-tion: • Increase tire pressure to recommended full pressure. See the tire inflation tableon page 296.
• When your vehicle is new, avoid towingheavy trailers during the first 620 miles(1,000 km).
• Maximum speed when towing a trailer:50 mph (80 km/h).
• Engine and transmission are subject toincreased loads. Therefore, engine cool-ant temperature should be closely watched when driving in hot climates orhilly terrain. Use a lower gear and turn offthe air conditioner if the temperaturegauge needle enters the red range.
• If the automatic transmission begins tooverheat, a message will be displayed inthe text window.
• Avoid overload and other abusive opera-tion.
• Hauling a trailer affects handling, durabil-ity, and economy.
• It is necessary to balance trailer brakeswith the towing vehicle brakes to providea safe stop (check and observe state/local regulations).
• Do not connect the trailer's brake systemdirectly to the vehicle's brake system.
• More frequent vehicle maintenance isrequired.
• Remove the ball holder when the hitch isnot being used.
WARNING
• Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor shouldsafety chains be attached to thebumper.
• Trailer hitches attaching to the vehiclerear axle must not be used.
• Never connect a trailer's hydraulicbrake system directly to the vehiclebrake system, nor a trailer's lightingsystem directly to the vehicle lightingsystem. Consult your nearest author-ized Volvo retailer for correct installa-tion.
• When towing a trailer, the trailer'ssafety wire must be correctly fastenedto the hole or hook provided in thetrailer hitch on the vehicle. The safetywire should never be fastened to orwound around the drawbar ball.
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NOTE
•When parking the vehicle with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking brakebefore putting the gear selector in
P.
Always follow the trailer manufactur-er's recommendations for wheelchocking.
• When starting on a hill, put the gearselector in
D before releasing the park-
ing brake. See also page 133 for moredetailed information about starting offon a hill while towing a trailer.
• If you use the manual (Geartronic) shiftpositions while towing a trailer, makesure the gear you select does not puttoo much strain on the engine (usingtoo high a gear).
• The drawbar assembly/trailer hitchmay be rated for trailers heavier thanthe vehicle is designed to tow. Pleaseadhere to Volvo's recommended trailerweights.
• Avoid driving with a trailer on inclinesof more than 15%.
Trailer cableAn adapter is required if the vehicle's trailer hitch has a 13-pin connector and the trailerhas 7 pins. Use an adapter cable approved by Volvo. Make sure the cable does not dragon the ground.
Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
Trailer Stability Assist is a system designed to help stabilize a vehicle that is towing a trailerwhen the vehicle and trailer have begun tosway and is part of the Dynamic Stability andTraction Control system (DSTC). See page138 for information on DSTC.
FunctionA vehicle towing a trailer may begin to swayfor various reasons. Normally this only occursat high speeds but, for example, if the traileris overloaded or if the load is unevenly dis-tributed in the trailer, there is risk of swayingat speeds between approximately 45-55 mph(70-90 km/h). Swaying may be caused by factors such as: •
The vehicle and trailer are hit by a sud- den, strong crosswind
• The vehicle and trailer are traveling on anuneven road surface or drive over a bump
• Sudden movements of the steering wheel
Facts about TSA
•
TSA intervenes at speeds above approxi-mately 40 mph (60 km/h)
• The DSTC symbol (
) in the instru-
ment panel will flash when TSA is working
• If the driver switches off the DSTC sys- tem's Spin Control function, TSA will alsobe switched off (but will be on again thenext time the engine is started)
• TSA may not intervene when the vehicleand trailer begin to sway if the driver triesto compensate for the swaying motion bymoving the steering wheel rapidly
How TSA worksOnce swaying has begun, it can be very diffi- cult to stop, which makes it difficult to controlthe vehicle and trailer. The TSA system continuously monitors the vehicle's movements, particularly lateralmovement. If the system detects a tendencyto sway, the brakes are applied individuallyon the front wheels, which has a stabilizingeffect on the vehicle and trailer. This is oftenenough to enable the driver to regain controlof the vehicle. If this is not adequate to stop the swaying motion, the brakes are applied to all of thewheels on the vehicle and on the trailer if it isequipped with brakes, and engine power is
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temporarily reduced. As the swaying motion begins to decrease and the vehicle-trailerhave once again become stable, TSA will nostop regulating the brakes/engine power andthe driver regains control of the vehicle.
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Towing eyelet
Location of the towing eyelet
Removing the front/rear covers
Attaching the towing eyeletThe towing eyelet is located under the floor of the trunk. This eyelet must bescrewed into the positions provided onthe right sides of either the front or rearbumper (see illustration).
There are two different types of covers over the openings for the towing eyeletand they have to be opened differently.
• If the cover has a notch, insert a coin, etc., into the notch and pry open theedge of the cover. Open the covercompletely and remove it.
• If the cover has a mark along one edgeor in a corner, press the mark whileprying out the opposite side/cornerusing a coin, etc. Open the cover andremove it.
Screw the towing eyelet in place, first by hand and then using the tire iron until it issecurely in place. After the vehicle has been towed, the eyelet should be removed and returned to its stor-age location. Press the cover for the attachment point back into position.
WARNING
• When the vehicle is being towed, the ignition should be in mode
II (in mode
I , all of the vehicle's airbags are deac-
tivated). See page 87 for more infor-mation about ignition modes.
• Never remove the remote key from theignition slot when the vehicle is beingtowed. For vehicles with keyless drive,the remote key must remain inside thevehicle.
• The power brakes and power steeringwill not function when the engine is notrunning. Approximately 5 times morepressure will be required on the brakepedal and the steering wheel will beconsiderably harder to turn.
• The towing eyelets must not be usedfor pulling the vehicle out of a ditch orfor any similar purpose involvingsevere strain.
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Towing the vehicle
1. With the remote key fully pressed into theignition slot 1
, press START/STOP
ENGINE for approximately 2 seconds to
activate ignition mode II.
2. The remote key must remain in the igni- tion slot 2
for the entire time that the vehi-
cle is being towed.
3. Keep the tow rope taut when the towing vehicle slows down by applying light pressure on the brake pedal. This willhelp prevent jarring movements of thevehicle 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 typeof towing, as vehicles being towed aresubject to regulations regarding maxi-mum towing speed, length and type oftowing device, lighting, etc.
• If the vehicle's battery is dead, attachjumper cables (see page 121) to pro-vide current for releasing the electricparking brake and to move the gearselector from the
P position to N. If
this is not possible, see page 126 forinformation about manually overridingthe shiftlock system to move the gearselector from P to N.
• Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h).Do not exceed the maximum allowabletowing speed.
• Maximum distance with front wheelson ground: 50 miles (80 km).
• The vehicle should only be towed inthe forward direction.
Having the vehicle towed by a tow truck
Call for professional help from an authorized towing company.Volvo recommends the useof flat bed equipment. The towing eyelet may be used to pull the vehicle onto a flatbed tow truck if:
• The angle of the tow truck’s ramp is not more than 12 degrees from a horizontalplane
• The vehicle’s wheels rotate freely and rollstraight ahead
WARNING
No person or object should be behind the tow truck while the vehicle is being pulledup onto the flatbed.
1
Not necessary in vehicles with the optional keyless drive.
2 For vehicles with the the optional keyless dirive, the remote key must be in the vehicle.