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08 Wheels and tires
Glossary of tire terminology
08
319
Terms
The tire suppliers may have additional mark- ings, notes or warnings such as standardload, radial tubeless, etc.
• Tire information placard
: A placard
showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire sizes, recommended inflation pressure,and the maximum weight the vehicle cancarry.
• Tire Identification Number (TIN)
: A
number on the sidewall of each tire pro-viding information about the tire brandand manufacturing plant, tire size anddate of manufacturer.
• Inflation pressure
: A measure of the
amount of air in a tire.
• Standard load
: A class of P-metric or
Metric tires designed to carry a maximumload at 35 psi [37 psi (2.5 bar) for Metrictires]. Increasing the inflation pressurebeyond this pressure will not increase thetires load carrying capability.
• Extra load
: A class of P-metric or Metric
tires designed to carry a heavier maxi-mum load at 41 psi [43 psi (2.9 bar) forMetric tires]. Increasing the inflation pres-sure beyond this pressure will notincrease the tire's load carrying capabil-ity.
• kPa
: Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pres-
sure. •
PSI
: Pounds per square inch, a standard
unit of air pressure.
• B-pillar
: The structural member at the
side of the vehicle behind the front door.
• Bead area of the tire
: Area of the tire
next to the rim.
• Sidewall of the tire
: Area between the
bead area and the tread.
• Tread area of the tire
: Area of the perim-
eter of the tire that contacts the roadwhen mounted on the vehicle.
• Rim
: The metal support (wheel) for a tire
or a tire and tube assembly upon whichthe tire beads are seated.
• Maximum load rating
: a figure indicating
the maximum load in pounds and kilo-grams that can be carried by the tire. Thisrating is established by the tire manufac-turer.
• Maximum permissible inflation pressure
: the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire. This limit is set by the tire manufac-turer.
• Recommended tire inflation pressure
:
inflation pressure, established by Volvo,which is based on the type of tires thatare mounted on a vehicle at the factory.This information can be found on the tireinflation placard(s) located on the driver's side B-pillar and in the tire inflation tablein this chapter.
• Cold tires
: The tires are considered to be
cold when they have the same tempera-ture as the surrounding (ambient) air. Thistemperature is normally reached after thevehicle has been parked for at least3 hours.
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08 Wheels and tires
Vehicle loading
08
320
Loads
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maximum return of vehicle design perform-ance. Before loading your vehicle, familiarize your- self with the following terms for determiningyour vehicle's weight ratings, with or withouta trailer, from the vehicle's Federal/CanadianMotor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/CMVSS) label, and the vehicle's tire informa-tion placard:
Curb weightThe weight of the vehicle including a full tankof fuel and all standard equipment. It doesnot include passengers, cargo, or optionalequipment.
Capacity weightAll weight added to the curb weight, includingcargo and optional equipment. When towing,trailer hitch tongue load is also part of cargoweight.
NOTE
For trailer towing information, please refer to the section "Towing a trailer" on page303.
Permissible axle weightThe maximum allowable weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear). Thesenumbers are shown on the Federal/CanadianMotor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/CMVSS) label. The total load on each axlemust never exceed its maximum permissibleweight.
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)The vehicle's curb weight + cargo + passen-gers.
NOTE
•The location of the various labels in your vehicle can be found on page382.
• A table listing important weight limitsfor your vehicle can be found on page385.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement "the combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds" on your vehi-cle's placard. 2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be ridingin your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kilo-grams or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage loadcapacity. For example, if the "XXX"amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will befive 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle,the amount of available cargo and lug-gage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 – 750 (5 × 150) = 650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of lug- gage and cargo being loaded on the vehi-cle. That weight may not safely exceedthe available cargo and luggage loadcapacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual 1
to deter-
mine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of yourvehicle.
1 See page 303.
Page 323 of 408
08 Wheels and tires
Vehicle loading
08
321
WARNING
•Exceeding the permissible axle weight, gross vehicle weight, or any otherweight rating limits can cause tireoverheating resulting in permanentdeformation or catastrophic failure.
• Do not use replacement tires withlower load carrying capacities than thetires that were original equipment onthe vehicle because this will lower thevehicle's GVW rating. Use only tireswith the correct load carrying capacity.Consult your Volvo retailer for informa-tion.
Page 324 of 408

08 Wheels and tires
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
08
322
Quality grading information
ALL PASSENGER VEHICLE TIRES MUST CONFORM TO FEDERAL SAFETYREQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION TO THESEGRADES Quality grades can be found, where appli- cable, on the tire sidewall between thetread shoulder and maximum sectionwidth. For example: Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEARThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tes-ted under controlled conditions on a specifiedgovernment test course. For example, a tiregraded 150 would wear one and one half(1 1/2) times as well on the governmentcourse as a tire graded 100. The relative per-formance of tires depends upon the actualconditions of their use, however, and manydepart significantly from the norm due to var-iation in driving habits, maintenance practicesand differences in road characteristics andclimate.
TRACTIONThe traction grades, from highest to lowest,are AA, A, B, and C, as measured under con-trolled conditions on specified governmenttest surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tiremarked C may have poor traction perform-ance. The traction grade assigned to this tireis based on braking (straight-ahead) tractiontests and is not a measure of cornering (turn-ing) traction.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight-ahead) tractiontests and is not a measure of cornering(turning) traction.
TEMPERATUREThe temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire's resistance tothe generation of heat and its ability to dissi-pate heat when tested under controlled con-ditions on a specified indoor laboratory testwheel. Sustained high temperature can causethe material of the tire to degenerate andreduce tire life, and excessive temperaturecan lead to sudden tire failure. The grade Ccorresponds to a minimum level of perform-ance that all passenger vehicle tires mustmeet under the Federal Motor Safety Stand-ard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higherlevels of performance on the laboratory testwheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly infla-ted and not overloaded. Excessive speed,under-inflation, or excessive loading, eitherseparately or in combination, can causeheat buildup and tire failure.
Page 325 of 408

08 Wheels and tires
Snow chains, snow tires, studded tires
08
323
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 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 chains
should 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.
• Use single-sided snow chains only.
• 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-in 300 – 600 miles (500 – 1000 km) during whichthe vehicle should be driven as smoothlyas possible to give the studs the opportu-nity to seat properly in the tires. The tiresshould have the same rotational directionthroughout their entire lifetime.
NOTE
Please consult state or provincial regula- tions restricting the use of studded wintertires before installing such tires.
1
Where permitted
Page 326 of 408
08 Wheels and tires
Temporary Spare
08
324
Spare tire
The spare tire in your vehicle1
is called a
"Temporary Spare". Recommended tire pressure (see the placard on the B-pillar or on the fuel filler door) shouldbe maintained irrespective of which positionon the vehicle the temporary spare tire isused on. In the event of damage to this tire, a new one can be purchased from your Volvo retailer.
WARNING
Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Temporary Spare" tire other than as atemporary replacement for a puncturedtire. It must be replaced as soon as possi-ble by a standard tire. Road holding andhandling may be affected with the "Tem-porary Spare" in use. Do not exceed50 mph (80 km/h).
CAUTION
The vehicle must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a spare tireother than the one that came with the vehi-cle. The use of different size wheels canseriously damage your car's transmission.
1 Not on models equipped with the Tire sealing system.
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08 Wheels and tires
Tire Sealing System*
08
}}
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.325
Location
IntroductionCertain models are equipped with a tire sealing system * that enables you to tempo-
rarily seal a hole in the tread surface and re- inflate a flat tire, or to adjust a tire’s inflationpressure. The system consists of an air compressor, a container for the sealing compound, wiring toconnect the system to the vehicle’s electricalsystem via one of the 12-volt sockets, and ahose used to connect the system to the tire’sinflation valve.
NOTE
The tire sealing system's compressor has been tested and approved by Volvo.
The 12-volt sockets are located in the front tunnel console, on the rear side of the centerconsole in the rear seat and in the cargoarea*, see page 235.
Accessing the tire sealing systemThe tire sealing system is stowed under thefloor of the cargo area. To access it:
1. Lift the floor hatch in the cargo area.
2. Lift out the tire sealing system.
NOTE
• The tire sealing system is only intended to seal holes on the tire’stread area, not the sidewall.
• Tires with large holes or tears cannotbe repaired with the tire sealing sys-tem.
• After use, stow the tire sealing systemproperly to help prevent rattling.
WARNING
• After using the tire sealing system, the vehicle should not be driven fartherthan approximately 120 miles (200km).
• Have the tire inspected by a trainedand qualified Volvo service technicianas soon as possible to determine if itcan be permanently repaired or mustbe replaced.
• The vehicle should not be driven fasterthan 50 mph (80 km/h) while using atire that has been temporarily repairedwith the tire sealing system.
• After using the tire sealing system,drive carefully and avoid abrupt steer-ing maneuvers and sudden stops.
Page 328 of 408

08 Wheels and tires
Tire Sealing System*
08
326* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Tire sealing system–overview
Speed limit sticker (on the rear side of the compressor)
On/Off switch
Electrical wire
Bottle holder (orange cover)
Protective hose cover
Air release knob
Hose
Bottle with sealing compound
Air pressure gauge
WARNING
Please keep the following points in mind when using the tire sealing system:
• The sealing compound bottle (no. 8 in the illustration) contains 1) rubberlatex, natural and 2) ethanediol. Thesesubstances are harmful if swallowed.
• The contents of this bottle may causeallergic skin reactions or otherwise bepotentially harmful to the respiratorytract, the skin, the central nervous sys-tem, and the eyes.
Precautions: • Keep out of reach of children.
• Do not ingest the contents.
• Avoid prolonged or repeated contact with the skin.
• Wash thoroughly after handling.
First aid:
• Skin: Wash affected areas of skin withsoap and water. Get medical attentionif symptoms occur.
• Eyes: Flush with plenty of water forleast 15 minutes, occasionally liftingthe upper and lower eyelids. Get medi-cal attention if symptoms occur.
• Inhalation: Move the exposed person to fresh air. If irritation persists, getmedical attention.
• Ingestion: Do
NOT induce vomiting
unless directed to do so by medicalpersonnel. Get medical attention.
• Disposal: Dispose of this material andits container to a hazardous or specialwaste collection point.
NOTE
Do not break the seal on the bottle. This occurs automatically when the bottle isscrewed into the holder.