09 Wheels and tires
09
288* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Changing a wheel – direction of rotation
Incorrectly mounted tires impair the car's braking properties and ability to force asiderain, snow and slush.
Summer and winter tires
G021778
The arrows shows the direction of rotation of the tire
• The tires with the most tread should always be on the rear axle (to help reducethe risk of skidding).
• When switching between summer andwinter tires, mark the tires to indicatewhere they were mounted on the car,e.g., LF = left front, RR = right rear
• Tires with tread designed to roll in onlyone direction are marked with an arrowon the sidewall.
• Contact a Volvo workshop if you areunsure about the tread depth.
Related information
•
Tire inflation – pressure table (p. 297)
• Tire specifications (p. 295)
• Tires – storage and age (p. 286)
• Tires – tread wear indicator (p. 287)
Changing a wheel – removing wheel
Wheel changes should always be carried out correctly.
Location of jack and tools
Changing a wheel1. Apply the parking brake and put the gear
selector in P.
2. Take out the jack*, lug wrench*, the tool for removing the plastic covers on the wheel nuts, the towing eyelet and thewheel cover removal tool (certain modelsonly) stowed under the floor of the trunk.
09 Wheels and tires
09
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.291
Changing a wheel – spare wheel
Wheel changes should always be carried out correctly.
Spare tireA spare tire can be purchased for your vehi-cle as an accessory. Follow the instructionsincluded with the spare tire regarding use andstowing in the vehicle. See also Changing awheel – removing wheel (p. 288) for additionalinformation.
Spare wheelThe following instructions only apply if youhave purchased a temporary spare wheel* foryour vehicle. If there is no temporary spare wheel in your vehicle, please see Tire sealing system* –general information (p. 310) for instructionson using the tire sealing system. The accessory temporary spare wheel is pro- vided in a bag that must be securely strappedin place in the trunk while the vehicle is beingdriven. The spare wheel is only intended for tempo- rary use. Replace it with a normal wheel assoon as possible. The vehicle's handling maybe altered by the use of the spare wheel. Thecorrect tire pressure is stated in the tire pres-sure table, see Tire inflation – pressure table(p. 297) and in the tire inflation placard on thedriver's side door jamb at the rear of the driv-er's door opening.Turn the handle on the spare wheel bag in toward the rear seat. Secure the stitchedstrap hooks in the loading eyelets. Secure the long strap in one of the loading eyelets, wrapthe strap around the spare wheel and throughthe lower handle. Secure the short strap onthe long strap. Secure in the other loadingeyelet and tighten.
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.
CAUTION
The vehicle must never be driven with more than one temporary spare wheel.
Related information
• Changing a wheel – installing a wheel (p. 292)
• Changing a wheel – removing wheel(p. 288)
09 Wheels and tires
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}}
293
Related information
•Changing a wheel – spare wheel (p. 291)
• Changing a wheel – removing wheel (p. 288)
Tire inflation – general information
Check tire inflation pressure regularly.
Inflation placard
G032521
Tire inflation placard
Tire inflationSee the tire inflation table in Tire inflation – pressure table (p. 297). A tire inflation pres-sure placard is also located on the driver'sside B-pillar (the structural member at theside of the vehicle, at the rear of the driver'sdoor opening). This placard indicates the des-ignation of the factory-mounted tires on yourvehicle, as well as load limits and inflationpressure.
NOTE
• The placards shown indicate inflation pressure for the tires installed on thevehicle at the factory only.
• A certain amount of air seepage fromthe tires occurs naturally and tire pres-sure fluctuates with seasonal changesin temperature. Always check tirepressure regularly.
•
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pressure, including the spare 2
, at least
once a month and before long trips. You are strongly urged to buy a reliable tirepressure gauge, as automatic service sta-tion gauges may be inaccurate.
• Use the recommended cold inflationpressure for optimum tire performanceand wear.
• Under-inflation or over-inflation maycause uneven treadwear patterns.
2
Available as an accessory
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294
WARNING
•Under-inflation is the most common cause of tire failure and may result insevere tire cracking, tread separation,or "blow-out," with unexpected loss ofvehicle control and increased risk ofinjury.
• Under-inflated tires reduce the loadcarrying capacity of your vehicle.
When weather temperature changes occur, tire inflation pressures also change. A 10-degree temperature drop causes a corres-ponding drop of 1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pres-sure. Check your tire pressures frequentlyand adjust them to the proper pressure,which can be found on the vehicle's tire infor-mation placard or certification label.
Related information
•
Tire specifications (p. 295)
• Tires – storage and age (p. 286)
• Tires – tread wear indicator (p. 287)
• Tire inflation – pressure table (p. 297)
Tire inflation – checking pressure
Inflation pressure should be checked when the tires are cold.
Cold tiresThe tires are considered to be cold when they have the same temperature as thesurrounding (ambient) air. This temperature is normally reached after the vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours. After driving a distance of approximately 1 mile (1.6 km), the tires are considered to behot. If you have to drive farther than this dis-tance to pump your tire(s), check and recordthe tire pressure first and add the appropriateair pressure when you get to the pump. If checking tire pressure when the tire is hot, never "bleed" or reduce air pressure. Thetires are hot from driving and it is normal forpressures to increase above recommendedcold pressures. A hot tire at or below recom-mended cold inflation pressure could be sig-nificantly under-inflated.
To check inflation pressure:1. Remove the cap from the valve on one
tire, then firmly press the tire gauge onto the valve.
2. Add air to reach the recommended air pressure. 3. Replace the valve cap.
CAUTION
•
After inflating the tires, always reinstall the valve cap to help avoid damage tothe valve from dirt, gravel, etc.
• Use plastic valve caps only. Metal capscould corrode and become difficult toremove.
4. Visually inspect the tires to make sure
there are no nails or other objects embedded that could puncture the tireand cause an air leak.
5. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or otherirregularities.
6. Repeat this procedure for each tire, including the spare 3
.
NOTE
• If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the cen-ter of the valve. Then recheck thepressure with your tire gauge.
• Some spare tires (available as anaccessory) require higher inflationpressure than the other tires. Consultthe tire inflation pressure table, see
3
Available as an accessory
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295
Tire inflation – pressure table (p. 297) or see the inflation pressure placard.
Related information
•Tire specifications (p. 295)
• Tire inflation – pressure table (p. 297)
• Tires – storage and age (p. 286)
• Tires – tread wear indicator (p. 287)
Tire specifications
The following information can be found on a tire's sidewall.
Tire ratings
Speed ratingsThe speed ratings in the table translate as fol- low:
Speed ratings
M81 mph (130 km/h)
Q100 mph (160 km/h)
T118 mph (190 km/h)
H130 mph (210 km/h)
V149 mph (240 km/h)
W168 mph (270 km/h)
Y186 mph (300 km/h)
Information on the sidewall
Federal law mandates that tire manufacturers place standardized information on the side-wall of all tires (see the illustration). The following information is listed on the tire sidewall: The tire designation:
NOTE
Please be aware that the following tire designation is an
example only and that
this particular tire may not be available onyour vehicle.
||
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296
1.215: the width of the tire (in millimeters)
from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. The larger the number, the wider the tire.
2. 65: The ratio of the tire's height to its
width in percent.
3. R: Radial tire (the designation RF and the
symbol indicate that the vehicle is
equipped with optional self-supporting run flat tires 4
.
4. 15: The diameter of the wheel rim (in
inches).
5. 95: The tire's load index. In this example,
a load index of 95 equals a maximum load of 1521 lbs (690 kg).
6. H: The tire's speed rating, or the maxi-
mum speed at which the tire is designedto be driven for extended periods of time,carrying a permissible load for the vehi-cle, and with correct inflation pressure.For example, H indicates a speed ratingof 130 mph (210 km/h).
NOTE
The tire's load index and speed rating may not appear on the sidewall because theyare not required by law.
7. M+S or M/S = Mud and Snow, AT = All
Terrain, AS = All Season
8. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)
: This begins with the letters "DOT"
and indicates that the tire meets all fed- eral standards. The next two numbers orletters are the plant code where it wasmanufactured, the next two are the tiresize code and the last four numbers rep-resent the week and year the tire wasbuilt. For example, 1510 means that thetire was manufactured during week 15 of2010. The numbers in between are mar-keting codes used at the manufacturer'sdiscretion. This information helps a tiremanufacturer identify a tire for safetyrecall purposes.
9. Tire Ply Composition and Material Used
: Indicates the number of plies indi-
cates or the number of layers of rubber- coated fabric in the tire tread and side-wall. Tire manufacturers also must indi-cate the ply materials in the tire and thesidewall, which include steel, nylon, poly-ester, and others.
10. Maximum Load : Indicates the maximum
load in pounds and kilograms that can becarried by the tire. Refer to the vehicle'stire information placard located on the B-Pillar for the correct tire pressure for yourvehicle. 11.
Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature grades
: see Tire specifications – Uniform
Tire Quality Grading (p. 300) for more information.
12. 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.
4 Self-supporting run flat tires may not be available on all models
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297
Tire inflation – pressure table
The following tire pressures are recom- mended by Volvo for your vehicle. Refer tothe tire inflation placard (see Tire inflation –general information (p. 293) for its location) for
information specific to the tires installed onyour vehicle at the factory. Some of the tire sizes listed here may not be available for all models in all markets.
Tire sizeCold tire pressure for up to five persons
Front psi (kPa)Rear psi (kPa)
235/45 R17 Extra load36 (250)36 (250)
215/50 R17 Extra load 235/40 R18 Extra load235/45 R18 Extra load235/40 R19 Extra load38 (260)38 (260)
Temporary spare tire
A
T125/80R1761 (420)61 (420)
A Available as an accessory
WARNING
19” wheels may never be used on vehicles
that are not equipped with the R-design or
the Sport chassis options. Using 19” wheels on vehicles equipped the standard chassis presents a safety
risk and the risk of damage to the vehicle,and impairs the vehicle’s driving characte-ristics.
NOTE
Please consult a Volvo retailer’s Parts department for the most up-to-date speci-fications.
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6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load
from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
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.
Tire specifications – terminology
The following is a glossary of tire-related 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