06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06
164* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
The maximum weights recommended by Volvo for trailers with brakes are shown in
the table below. Recommended hitch tongue load: not more than 10% of the trailer's weight. Thetrailer load should be positioned so that it does not shift and the tongue load should be10% of the trailer's weight. However, thetongue load should not exceed the maximum
permissible weights indicated in the tablebelow.
No. of occu- pants1234567
Seating positionFront seatFront seat2nd row of seats2nd row of seats2nd row of seats3rd row of seats*3rd row of seats*
All Wheel Drive5,000 lbs (2250 kg)5,000 lbs (2250 kg)4,500 lbs (2050 kg)3,700 lbs (1700 kg)2,900 lbs (1350 kg)1,800 lbs (800 kg)Trailer towing not recommended
Max. trailer hitch tongue load500 lbs (225 kg)500 lbs (225 kg)450 lbs (205 kg)370 lbs (170 kg)290 lbs (135 kg)180 lbs (80 kg)–
Front Wheel Drive4,000 lbs (1800 kg)4,000 lbs (1800 kg)4,000 lbs (1800 kg)4,000 lbs (1800 kg)3,700 lbs (1650 kg)2,500 lbs (1150 kg)1,400 lbs (650 kg)
Max. trailer hitch tongue load400 lbs (180 kg)400 lbs (180 kg)400 lbs (180 kg)400 lbs (180 kg)370 lbs (165 kg)250 lbs (115 kg)140 lba (65 kg)
06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06
165
Points to keep in mind when towing a trailer
•When towing trailers
without brakes, the
maximum permissible trailer weight is 1,700 lbs (750 kg).
• If necessary, redistribute the weight ofany cargo in the trailer to avoid excessiveweight on the trailer hitch.
• The maximum trailer weight listed in thetable for All Wheel Drive models,5,000 lbs (2250 kg) is only applicablewhen there are not more than two occu-pants in the vehicle, in the front seats,with a combined weight of 300 lbs(135 kg), with no other cargo in the vehi-cle.
• The maximum weight listed for FrontWheel Drive models, 4,000 lbs (1800 kg)is only applicable when there are notmore than four occupants in the vehicle,in the front seats and second row ofseats, with a combined weight of 600 lbs(270 kg), with no other cargo in the vehi-cle.
• Vehicles used for towing a trailer on aregular basis, or for long-distance high-way towing should be equipped with anautomatic transmission oil cooler andVolvo's automatic self-leveling system forthe rear suspension. Consult your Volvoretailer. •
Volvo recommends the use of Volvotrailer hitches that are specially designedfor the vehicle.
• All Volvo models are equipped withenergy-absorbing shock-mounted bump-ers. Trailer hitch installation should notinterfere with the proper operation of thisbumper system.
• Increase tire pressure to recommendedfull inflation pressure. See chapter"Wheels and tires."
• When your vehicle is new, avoid towingheavy trailers during the first 620 miles(1,000 km).
• Engine and transmission are subject toincreased loads. Therefore, engine cool-ant temperature should be closelywatched 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.
• 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.
• Remove the ball and drawbar assemblywhen the hitch is not being used.
• Volvo recommends the use of syntheticengine oil when towing a trailer over longdistances or in mountainous areas.
NOTE
•When parking the vehicle with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking brakebefore putting the gear selector in
P.
When starting on a hill, put the gearselector in D before releasing the park-
ing brake. Always follow the trailermanufacturer's recommendations forwheel chocking.
• 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).
06 Starting and driving
Before a long distance trip
06
170
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.
07 Wheels and tires
Snow chains, snow tires, studded tires
07
190
Snow chains
Snow chains can be used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:• Snow chains should be installed on front wheels only. Use only Volvo approvedsnow chains.
• If accessory, aftermarket or "custom"tires and wheels are installed and are of asize different than the original tires andwheels, chains in some cases CANNOTbe used. Sufficient clearances betweenchains and brakes, suspension and bodycomponents must be maintained.
• Some strap-on type chains will interferewith brake components and thereforeCANNOT be used.
• All Wheel Drive models: Snow chainsshould only be installed on the frontwheels.
• Certain size tires may not allow theassembly of snow chains/traction devi-ces.
Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow chain information.CAUTION
• Check local regulations regarding the use of snow chains before installing.
• Always follow the chain manufactur-er's installation instructions carefully.Install chains as tightly as possible andretighten periodically.
• Never exceed the chain manufactur-er's specified maximum speed limit.(Under no circumstances should youexceed 31 mph (50 km/h)).
• Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turnswhen driving with snow chains.
• The handling of the vehicle can beadversely affected when driving withchains. Avoid fast or sharp turns aswell as locked wheel braking.
Snow tires, studded tires 1
Tires for winter use:
•
Owners who live in or regularly commute through areas with sustained periods ofsnow or icy driving conditions arestrongly advised to fit suitable winter tires to help retain the highest degree of trac-tion.
• It is important to install winter tires on allfour wheels to help retain traction duringcornering, braking, and accelerating. Fail-ure to do so could reduce traction to anunsafe level or adversely affect handling.
• Do not mix tires of different design as thiscould also negatively affect overall tireroad grip.
• Winter tires wear more quickly on dryroads in warm weather. They should beremoved when the winter driving seasonhas ended.
• Studded tires should be run-in300-600 miles (500-1000 km) duringwhich the vehicle should be driven assmoothly as possible to give the studsthe opportunity to seat properly in thetires. The tires should have the samerotational direction throughout their entirelifetime.NOTE
Please consult state or provincial regula- tions restricting the use of studded wintertires before installing such tires.
1
Where permitted
08 Car care
Washing and cleaning the vehicle
08
209
Exterior componentsVolvo recommends the use of special clean- ing products, available at your Volvo retailer,for cleaning colored plastic, rubber, or orna-mental components such as chromed stripson the exterior of your vehicle. The instruc-tions for using these products should be fol-lowed carefully. Solvents or stain removersshould not be used.
CAUTION
•Avoid waxing or polishing plastic or rubber components
• Polishing chromed strips can wearaway or damage the surface
• Polishes containing abrasive sub-stances should not be used
NOTE
When washing the vehicle, remember to remove dirt from the drain holes in thedoors and sills.
WARNING
•When the vehicle is driven immediately after being washed, apply the brakesseveral times in order to remove anymoisture from the brake linings.
• Engine cleaning agents should not beused when the engine is warm. Thisconstitutes a fire risk.
Automatic washing – simple and quick
•
We do NOT recommend washing your vehicle in an automatic wash during thefirst few months (because the paint willnot have hardened sufficiently).
• An automatic wash is a simple and quickway to clean your vehicle, but it is worthremembering that it may not be as thor-ough as when you yourself go over thevehicle with sponge and water. Keepingthe underbody clean is most important,especially in the winter. Some automaticwashers do not have facilities for washingthe underbody.
• Before driving into an automatic carwash, make sure that side view mirrors,auxiliary lamps, etc, are secure, and thatany antenna(s) are retracted or removed.Otherwise there is risk of the machinedislodging them.
Exterior lightingCondensation may form temporarily on the inside of the lenses of exterior lights such asheadlights, fog lights, or tail lights. This is nor-mal and the lights are designed to withstandmoisture. Normally, condensation will dissi-pate after the lights have been on for a shorttime.
Polishing and waxing
•
Normally, polishing is not required during the first year after delivery, however, wax-ing may be beneficial.
• Before applying polish or wax the vehiclemust be washed and dried. Tar spots canbe removed with kerosene or tar remover.Difficult spots may require a fine rubbingcompound.
• After polishing use liquid or paste wax.
• Several commercially available productscontain both polish and wax.
• Waxing alone does not substitute for pol-ishing a dull surface.
• A wide range of polymer-based carwaxes can be purchased today. Thesewaxes are easy to use and produce along-lasting, high-gloss finish that pro-
09 Maintenance and servicing
Fluids09
225
WARNING
•Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is warm. Waituntil the engine cools.
• If it is necessary to top up the coolantwhen the engine is warm, unscrew thecoolant reservoir cap slowly so thatthe overpressure dissipates.
Brake fluid reservoir
G000000
The brake fluid should always be above the MIN
mark on the side of the reservoir. Check,
without removing the cap, that there is suffi-cient fluid in the reservoir. Fluid type:
DOT 4 boiling point >536 °F
(>280 °C). Replace: Every second year or 30,000 miles
(48,000 km). The fluid should be replaced once a year or every 15,000 miles (24,000 km)when driving under extremely hard conditions(mountain driving, etc.). Always entrust brake fluid changing to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
WARNING
• If the fluid level is below the
MIN mark
in the reservoir or if a brake-related message is shown in the informationdisplay: DO NOT DRIVE . Have the car
towed to a trained and qualified Volvoservice technician and have the brakesystem inspected.
• Dot 4 should never be mixed with anyother type of brake fluid.
Power steering fluid reservoir
The fluid level should always be between the ADD
and FULL marks.
Fluid type: Volvo synthetic power steering
fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S) P/N 1161529 orequivalent. Replace: No fluid change required.
If a problem should occur in the power steer- ing system or if the vehicle has no electricalcurrent and must be towed, it is still possibleto steer the vehicle. However, keep in mindthat greater effort will be required to turn thesteering wheel.
11 Specifications
Weights
11
286
CategoryUSACanada
Gross vehicle weightA
7-seat, 6-cyl, FWD B
7-seat, 6-cyl, AWD C
5925 lbs 6080 lbs– 2760 kg
Capacity weight 7-seat models
1210 lbs550 kg
Permissible axle weight, front A
7-seat, 6-cyl, FWD 7-seat, 6-cyl, AWD
2770 lbs 2880 lbs– 1310 kg
Permissible axle weight, rear A
7-seat, 6-cyl, FWD 7-seat, 6-cyl, AWD
3170 lbs 3240 lbs– 1470 kg
Curb weight All models
4560 - 4790 lbs2130 -2180 kg
Max. roof load220 lbs100 kg
Trailer weight, w/o brakes1650 lbs750 kg
Trailer weights, with brakesSee the table on page 164See the table on page 164
Max. tongue weightSee the table on page 164See the table on page 164
A Permissible axle weight or gross vehicle weight must never be exceeded.
B Front Wheel Drive
C All Wheel Drive