2014 VOLVO XC90 warning

06 Starting and driving
Towing
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162
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Positions for attaching towing eyelets
Emergency towingThe towing eyelet is located in the tool bag, under the floor of the cargo area. This eyeletmust be screwed into the positions providedon the right sides of either the front or rearbumper (see illustrations).
To attach the towing eyelet:1. Use a coin to pry open the lower edge ofthe cover (A)
2. Screw the towing eyelet (C) in place (B), first by hand and then using the tire ironuntil it is securely in place. After the vehicle has been towed, the eyeletshould be removed and returned to the toolbag. Press the cover back into position.
WARNING
Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the vehicle up onto a flat bed tow truck.
Precautions when the vehicle is in tow
•
The steering wheel must be unlocked. Turn the ignition key to position
I or II.
• The gear selector must be in position
N. •
Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h). Donot exceed the maximum allowable tow-ing speed.
• Maximum distance with front wheels onground: 50 miles (80 km).
• While the vehicle is being towed, try tokeep the tow rope taut at all times.
• The vehicle should only be towed in theforward direction.

06 Starting and driving
Towing
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163
CAUTION
Vehicles with AWD (All Wheel Drive) with the front wheels off the ground should notbe towed at speeds above 50 mph(70 km/h) or for distances longer than30 miles (50 km).
CAUTION
•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, do notattempt to start the vehicle by pushingor pulling it as this will damage thethree-way catalytic converter(s). Theengine must be jump started using anauxiliary battery (see page 152).
• If the vehicle is being towed on a flatbed truck, the towing eyelets must notbe used to pull the vehicle up onto theflat bed or to secure the vehicle on theflat bed. Consult the tow truck opera-tor.
WARNING
•The power brakes and power steering will 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 vehicles with front wheel drive/All Wheel Drive
Volvo recommends the use of flat bed equip- ment. If wheel lift equipment must be used, please use extreme caution to help avoid damage tothe vehicle.
In this case, the vehicle should
be towed with the rear wheels on theground if at all possible. If it is absolutely necessary to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on the ground, pleaserefer to the towing information on the previ-ous page.
CAUTION
• Sling-type equipment applied at the front will damage radiator and air con-ditioning lines.
• It is equally important not to use sling-type equipment at the rear or apply lift-ing equipment inside the rear wheels;serious damage to the rear axle mayresult.
• If the vehicle is being towed on a flatbed truck, the towing eyelets must notbe used to secure the vehicle on theflat bed. Consult the tow truck opera-tor.

06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
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166
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 a trained and qualifiedVolvo service technician for correctinstallation.
• 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.
LevelingIf your vehicle is equipped with automatic lev- eling, the rear suspension always retains thecorrect ride height regardless of the load.
• The system adjusts the rear suspension to the correct level after the vehicle hasbeen driven a short distance.
• When the vehicle is stationary, the rearsuspension lowers, which is normal.

06 Starting and driving
Load carriers (accessory)
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168
Positioning load carriersIf wing-shaped load carriers are used, make sure that they are installed on the roof railswith the rounded edge forward. Load carriersof this type are identical and can be placedanywhere along the roof rails. When not in use, we recommend that the front load carrier be placed approximately2 inches (5 cm) in front of the center roof railanchorage point and the rear load carrierapproximately 1.5 inches (3.5 cm) in front ofthe rear rail anchorage. This will help toreduce wind noise.
Installing load carriersMake sure that the load carriers are pressedfirmly out against the roof rail and securelytightened place. Check regularly that any loadcarriers are securely in place.
WARNING
Loads carried on the vehicle's roof should not exceed 220 lbs (100 kg), including theweight of the load carriers and any otherload carrying equipment (ski boxes, bicy-cle racks, etc.). Excessive loads on theroof can adversely affect the handling androadholding characteristics of the vehicle.

06 Starting and driving
Before a long distance trip
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It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked by a trained and qualified Volvoservice technician before driving long dis-tances. Your retailer or service technician willalso be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses,spark plugs and wiper blades for your use inthe event that problems occur. As a minimum, the following items should be checked before any long trip:• Check that engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.
• Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage.
• Check transmission oil level 1
.
• Check condition of drive belts.
• Check state of the battery's charge.
• Examine tires carefully (the spare tire aswell), and replace those that are worn.Check tire pressures.
• The brakes, front wheel alignment, andsteering gear should be checked by atrained and qualified Volvo service techni-cian only.
• Check all lights, including high beams.
• Reflective warning triangles are legallyrequired in some states/provinces. •
Have a word with your Volvo retailer ifyou intend to drive in countries where itmay be difficult to obtain the correct fuel.
• Consider your destination. If you will bedriving through an area where snow or iceare likely to occur, consider snow tires.
1
To prevent injury from contact with hot surfaces, do not inspect your vehicle’s transmission fluid yourself. Have your vehicle’s transmission fluid level inspected by a qualified Volvo service techni- cian.

06 Starting and driving
Blind Spot Information System*
06
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.171
G020295
BLIS camera
Indicator light
BLIS symbol
The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) is an information system that indicates the pres-ence of another vehicle moving in the samedirection as your vehicle in the side-view mir-ror's "blind area." The system is based on digital camera tech- nology. The cameras (1) are located beneaththe side-view mirrors. When one (or both) of the cameras have detected a vehicle in the blind area (up to approximately 10 ft. (3 meters) from the sideof your vehicle, and up to approximately 31 ft.(9.5 meters) behind the side-view mirror), seethe illustration, the indicator light in the doorpanel (2) illuminates. The light will glow con-tinuously to alert the driver of the vehicle inthe blind area.
WARNING
•
BLIS is an information system, NOT a warning or safety system.
• BLIS does not eliminate the need foryou to visually confirm the conditionsaround you, and the need for you toturn your head and shoulders to makesure that you can safely change lanes.
• As the driver, you have full responsibil-ity for changing lanes in a safe man-ner.
NOTE
The door panel indicator light illuminates on the side of the vehicle where the sys-tem has detected another vehicle. If yourvehicle is passed on both sides at thesame time, both lights will illuminate.
Areas monitored by BLIS
Distance A = approx. 10 ft. (3 meters) Distance B = approx. 31 ft. (9.5 meters)BLIS has an integrated function that alerts the driver if a fault should occur with the system.For example, if one or both of the system'scameras are obscured, a message ( see thetable on page 173) will appear in the informa-tion display in the instrument panel. If thisoccurs, clean the camera lenses. If neces-sary, the system can be temporarily switchedoff (for instructions, see page 173).
When does BLIS functionThe system functions when your vehicle ismoving at speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).

06 Starting and driving
Blind Spot Information System*
06
172* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
When you pass another vehicle: The system reacts when you pass another vehicle at a speed of up to 6 mph (10 km/h)faster than that vehicle. When you are passed by another vehicle:The system reacts if your vehicle is passed by another vehicle at a speed of up to 43 mph(70 km/h) faster than your vehicle.
WARNING
• BLIS does not function in sharp curves.
• BLIS does not function when yourvehicle is backing up.
• If you are towing a wide trailer, thismay prevent the BLIS cameras fromdetecting other vehicles in adjacentlanes.
How BLIS functions in daylight and darkness
Daylight BLIS reacts to the
shape of surrounding vehi-
cles. The system is designed to help detect motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses,motorcycles, etc. Darkness BLIS reacts to the
headlights of surrounding
vehicles. In order to be detected by BLIS, a vehicle in the blind area must have its head-lights on. This means, for example, that thesystem will not detect a trailer without head-lights that is being towed behind a car ortruck.
WARNING
• BLIS does not react to cyclists or mopeds.
• BLIS does not react to vehicles thatare standing still.
• The BLIS cameras have the same limi-tation as the human eye. In otherwords, their "vision is impaired" byadverse weather conditions such asheavy snowfall, intense light directlyinto the camera, dense fog, etc.
Cleaning the BLIS camera lensesIn order to function optimally, the BLIS cam- era lenses must be kept clean. They can bewiped clean with a soft cloth or wet sponge.
CAUTION
• Clean the lenses carefully to avoid scratching.
• The lenses are electrically heated tohelp melt ice or snow. If necessary,gently brush away snow from the len-ses.
LimitationsIn certain situations, the BLIS indicator light(s) may illuminate even when there are no othervehicles in the area monitored by the system.
NOTE
If the BLIS indicator lights illuminate occa- sionally even when there are no other vehi-cles in the blind area, this does not indi-cate a fault in the system. In the event of a fault,
Blind spot syst.
service required will be displayed.
The following are several examples of situa- tions in which the BLIS indicator light(s) mayilluminate even when there are no other vehi-cles in the area monitored by the system.

07 Wheels and tires
General information
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•Incorrectly mounted tires impair the car's braking properties and ability to forceaside rain, snow and slush.
• The tires with the most tread shouldalways be at the rear (to reduce the risk ofskidding).
• Contact a Volvo workshop if you areunsure about the tread depth.
Storing wheels and tiresWhen storing complete wheels (tires mounted on rims), they should be suspended off thefloor or placed on their sides on the floor. Tires not mounted on rims should be stored on their sides or standing upright, but shouldnot be suspended.
CAUTION
Tires should preferably be stored in a cool, dry, dark place, and should never bestored in close proximity to solvents, gaso-line, oils, etc.
WARNING
•The wheel and tire sizes for your Volvo are specified to meet stringent stabilityand handling requirements. Unap-proved wheel/tire size combinationscan negatively affect your vehicle'sstability and handling.
• Any damage caused by installation ofunapproved wheel/tire size combina-tions will not be covered by your newvehicle warranty. Volvo assumes noresponsibility for death, injury, orexpenses that may result from suchinstallations.