2015 VOLVO XC90 towing

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341
CAUTION
•Engine damage will occur if water is drawn into the air cleaner.
• Damage to any components, the engine,transmission, turbo-charger, differential orits internal components caused by flood-ing, vapor lock or insufficient oil is notcovered under warranty.
• Do not allow the vehicle to stand in waterup to the door sills longer than absolutelynecessary. This could result in electricalmalfunctions.
• If the engine has been stopped while thevehicle is in water, do not attempt torestart it. Have the vehicle towed out ofthe water.
WARNING
•Avoid driving through standing or rushing water. Doing so can be dangerous and itmay also be difficult to determine theactual depth of the water.
• If water cannot be avoided, after drivingthrough the water, press lightly on thebrake pedal to ensure that the brakes arefunctioning normally. Water or mud canmake the brake linings slippery, resultingin delayed braking effect.
Related information
•Towing recommendations (p. 344)
Overheating the engine and transmission
In demanding driving conditions, such as when transporting heavy loads, driving in mountainousareas or in very hot weather there is a risk ofoverheating the engine or transmission.
• The engine's output may be slightly limited if there is a risk of overheating.
• Remove e.g., auxiliary lights mounted in frontof the grille in hot weather.
• If the temperature of the engine coolantbecomes too high, the warning symbol will illuminate and the message
Engine
temperature/Stop safely will be displayed.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible in a safe place and let the engine idle for severalminutes.
• If the message
Engine temperature/High
temperature Turn off engine or Engine
coolant/Stop safely is displayed, stop
safely and turn off the engine.
• If the transmission begins to overheat, an alternative gear shifting program will beselected. An integrated protective functionwill also by activated, the warning symbol will illuminate and the message
Transmission
warmHigh temperature Reduce speed
or Transmission warmStop safely, wait
for cooling will be displayed in the instru-
ment panel.

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Towing eyelet
When used, the towing eyelet should always be securely attached in the openings on the rightside of the front and rear bumpers. There arecovers over these attachment points.
Take out the towing eyelet, which is stored under the floor in the cargo compartment.
Front bumper: Carefully pry open the cover by inserting a small screwdriver or theremote key's removable key blade into thegroove on its left side.
> The cover can now be folded out and removed.
Rear bumper: Remove the cover by pressing the mark in the lower left corner with a fingerand folding out the upper right corner.
> The cover folds out and can then beremoved. 4. Screw the towing eyelet into place, first by
hand and then using the tire iron, etc. until it has been screwed in as far as possible.
After use, the eyelet should be removed and returned to its storage location. Reinsert the cover into the bumper.
CAUTION
In certain conditions, the towing eyelet may be used to pull the vehicle onto aflatbed tow truck.
• The vehicle's position and ground clear- ance determine if it can be pulled up ontoa flatbed tow truck using the towing eye-let.
• If the angle of the tow truck

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Towing recommendations
Always check with state and local authorities before attempting to tow another vehiclebecause this type of towing is subject to regula-tions regarding maximum towing speed, lengthand type of towing device, lighting, etc.
Towing your vehicle behind another
vehicle
1. After securely attaching the towing line to both vehicles, put the gear selector in posi- tion N and release the parking brake.
2. Put the ignition in mode II by turning the
start knob to START (without depressing
the brake pedal) and hold it in this position
for approx. 4 seconds. Release the knob.
3. Put the gear selector in position N and
release the parking brake.
4. The towing vehicle can now begin driving.
5. Keep the tow rope taut when the towing vehicle slows down by applying light pressure on the brake pedal. This will help prevent jar-ring movements of the vehicle being towed.
6. Be prepared to apply the brakes to stop the vehicle being towed.
CAUTION
General towing precautions:
• If the vehicle's battery is dead, an auxiliary battery will be necessary to provide cur-rent for releasing the electric parkingbrake and to move the gear selector from the
P position to N. If this is not possible,
use the shiftlock override procedure tomanually release the gear selector from P
and move it to N.
• Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h). Do not exceed the maximum allowable tow-ing speed.
• Maximum distance with front wheels onground: 50 miles (80 km).
• The vehicle should only be towed in theforward direction.
WARNING
• When the vehicle is being towed, the igni- tion should be in mode
II (in mode I, all of
the vehicle's airbags are deactivated).
• The remote key must remain inside the vehicle.
• The power brakes and power steering willnot function when the engine is not run-ning. Approximately 5 times more pres-sure will be required on the brake pedaland the steering wheel will be considera-bly harder to turn.
• The towing eyelets must not be used forpulling the vehicle out of a ditch or forany similar purpose involving severestrain.

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* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.345
Tow trucks
CAUTION
In certain conditions, the towing eyelet may be used to pull the vehicle onto aflatbed tow truck.
• The vehicle's position and ground clear- ance determine if it can be pulled up ontoa flatbed tow truck using the towing eye-let.
• If the angle of the tow truck

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WARNING
•Do not connect the jumper cable to any part of the fuel system or to any movingparts. Avoid touching hot manifolds.
• Batteries generate hydrogen gas, whichis flammable and explosive.
• Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do notallow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin,fabrics or painted surfaces. If contactoccurs, flush the affected area immedi-ately with water. Obtain medical helpimmediately if eyes are affected.
• Never expose the battery to open flameor electric spark.
• Do not smoke near the battery.
• Failure to follow the instructions for jumpstarting can lead to injury.
Related information
• Towing eyelet (p. 343)
• Jump starting (p. 350)
• Parking brake (p. 335)
• Ignition modes (p. 355)
Fuel Volvo recommends the use of detergent gaso- line to control engine deposits.
Deposit control gasoline (detergent
additives)
Detergent gasoline is effective in keeping injec- tors and intake valves clean. Consistent use ofdeposit control gasolines will help ensure gooddrivability and fuel economy. If you are not surewhether the gasoline contains deposit controladditives, check with the service station operator.
NOTE
Volvo does not recommend the use of exter- nal fuel injector cleaning systems.
Unleaded fuelEach Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter and must use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. andCanadian regulations require that pumps deliver-ing unleaded gasoline be labeled "UNLEADED".Only these pumps have nozzles which fit yourvehicle's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dispense lea-ded fuel into a vehicle labeled "unleaded gaso-line only". Leaded gasoline damages the three-way catalytic converter and the heated oxygensensor system. Repeated use of leaded gasolinewill lessen the effectiveness of the emission con-trol system and could result in loss of emissionwarranty coverage. State and local vehicle inspection programs will make detection of mis-fueling easier, possibly resulting in emission testfailure for misfueled vehicles.
NOTE
Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines contain an octane enhancing additive called methyl-cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl(MMT). If such fuels are used, your EmissionControl System performance may be affected,and the Check Engine Light (malfunctionindicator light) located on your instrumentpanel may light. If this occurs, please returnyour vehicle to a trained and qualified Volvoservice technician for service.
Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers, "Oxygenated fuels"
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing "oxygenates" which are usually alcohols orethers. In some areas, state or local laws requirethat the service pump be marked indicating useof alcohols or ethers. However, there are areas inwhich the pumps are unmarked. If you are notsure whether there is alcohol or ethers in thegasoline you buy, check with the service stationoperator. To meet seasonal air quality standards,some areas require the use of "oxygenated" fuel. Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygen- ated" fuels; however, the octane ratings listedmust still be met.

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WARNING
•Do not connect the jumper cable to any part of the fuel system or to any movingparts. Avoid touching hot manifolds.
• Batteries generate hydrogen gas, whichis flammable and explosive.
• Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do notallow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin,fabrics or painted surfaces. If contactoccurs, flush the affected area immedi-ately with water. Obtain medical helpimmediately if eyes are affected.
• Never expose the battery to open flameor electric spark.
• Do not smoke near the battery.
• Failure to follow the instructions for jumpstarting can lead to injury.
Related information
• Ignition modes (p. 355)
• Starting the engine (p. 356)
• Turning the engine off (p. 359)
Driving with a trailer
When towing a trailer, always observe the legal requirements of the state/province.
• All Volvo models are equipped with energy- absorbing shock-mounted bumpers. Trailerhitch installation should not interfere with theproper operation of this bumper system.
Trailer towing does not normally present any par- ticular problems, but take into consideration:
• Increase tire pressure to recommended full pressure.
• When your vehicle is new, avoid towing heavytrailers 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 coolanttemperature should be closely watched whendriving in hot climates or hilly terrain. Use alower gear and turn off the air conditioner ifthe temperature gauge needle enters the redrange.
• If the automatic transmission begins to over-heat, a message will be displayed in the textwindow.
• Avoid overload and other abusive operation.
• Hauling a trailer affects handling, durability,and economy.
• It is necessary to balance trailer brakes withthe towing vehicle brakes to provide a safe stop (check and observe state/local regula-tions).
• 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 is notbeing used.
NOTE
• When parking the vehicle with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking brake before put- ting the gear selector in
P. Always follow
the trailer manufacturer's recommenda- tions for wheel chocking.
• When starting on a hill, put the gear selector in
D before releasing the parking
brake.
• If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift positions while towing a trailer, make surethe gear you select does not put toomuch strain on the engine (using toohigh a gear).
• The drawbar assembly/trailer hitch maybe rated for trailers heavier than the vehi-cle is designed to tow. Please adhere toVolvo's recommended trailer weights.
• Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines ofmore than 15%.

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* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
352
CAUTION
The maximum trailer weights listed are only applicable for altitudes up to 3,280 ft(1000 m) above sea level. With increasingaltitude the engine power and therefore thecar's climbing ability are impaired because ofthe reduced air density, so the maximumtrailer weight has to be reduced accordingly.The weight of the vehicle and trailer must bereduced by 10% for every further 3,280 ft(1000 m) (or part thereof). When towing5,950 lbs (2,700kg) hill inclination is restric-ted to 14%.
WARNING
• Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor should safetychains be attached to the bumper.
• Trailer hitches attaching to the vehiclerear axle must not be used.
• Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brakesystem directly to the vehicle brake sys-tem, nor a trailer's lighting system directlyto the vehicle lighting system. Consultyour nearest authorized Volvo retailer forcorrect installation.
• When towing a trailer, the trailer's safetychains or wire must be correctly fastenedto the attachment points provided in thetrailer hitch on the vehicle. The safetychain or wire must never be fastened toor wound around the towing ball.
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. Makesure the cable does not drag on the ground.
Self-leveling suspension
*With this system, the rear suspension maintains aconstant level, regardless of the load in the cargocompartment (up to the max. permissible load).When the engine is not running, the rear of thevehicle sinks down slightly, which is normal.
Related information
•Detachable trailer hitch (p. 353)
• Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) (p. 354)
• Weights (p. 539)

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Detachable trailer hitch
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches that are specially designed for the vehi-cle.
Ball holder
Cotter pin
Hitch assembly
Locking bolt
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 assembly. 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 boltand slide the locking bolt out of the ballholder/hitch assembly.
2. Pull the ball holder out of the hitch assembly.
NOTE
A cover for the hitch assembly is also included in the kit.
Stowing the ball holder
Compartment for the detachable trailer hitch
WARNING
When not in use, the detachable trailer hitch should always be kept in its compartment inthe foam block under the cargo compartmentfloor (see the illustration).
Related information
• Driving with a trailer (p. 351)
• Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) (p. 354)