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Engine and cooling system
Under special conditions, for example when driving in hilly terrain, extreme heat or withheavy loads, there is a risk that the engine andcooling system will overheat. Proceed as follows to avoid overheating the engine. •Maintain a low speed when driving with a trailer up long, steep hills. For informa-tion, see Towing a trailer (p. 279)
• Do not turn the engine off immediatelywhen stopping after a hard drive.
WARNING
The cooling fan may start or continue to operate (for up to 6 minutes) after theengine has been switched off.
•
Remove any auxiliary lights from in front of the grille when driving in hot weatherconditions.
• Do not exceed engine speeds of4500 rpm if driving with a trailer in hillyterrain. The oil temperature could becometoo high.
Conserving electrical current
Keep the following in mind to help minimize battery drain:
• When the engine is not running, avoid using ignition mode
II. Many electrical
systems (the audio system, the optionalnavigation system, power windows, etc)will function in ignition modes 0 and I.
These modes reduce drain on the battery.
• Please keep in mind that using systems,accessories, etc., that consume a greatdeal of current when the engine is notrunning could result in the battery beingcompletely drained. Driving or having theengine running for approximately15 minutes will help keep the batterycharged.
• The optional 12-volt socket in thetrunk (p. 134) area provides electrical cur-rent even with the ignition switched off,which drains the battery.
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked by a trained and qualified Volvo serv-ice technician before driving long distances.Your retailer will also be able to supply youwith bulbs, fuses, spark plugs and wiperblades for your use in the event that problemsoccur. 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.
• Have the transmission oil level (p. 374)checked.
• Check condition of drive belts.
• Check state of the battery's charge.
• Examine tires carefully (the spare tire aswell), and replace those that areworn (p. 287). Check tire pres-sure (p. 294).
• 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 a trained and qualifiedVolvo service technician if you intend to
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drive in countries where it may 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 snowtires (p. 302).
Related information
•Changing a wheel – removing wheel(p. 288)
• Bulbs – introduction (p. 330)
Driving in cold weather
Check your vehicle before the approach of cold weather. The following advice is worth noting:
• Make sure that the engine cool- ant (p. 327) contains 50 percent anti-freeze. Any other mixture will reducefreeze protection. This gives protectionagainst freezing down to –31 °F (–35 °C).The use of "recycled" antifreeze is notapproved by Volvo. Different types ofantifreeze must not be mixed.
• Volvo recommends using only genuineVolvo antifreeze in your vehicle's radiator.
• Try to keep the fuel tank well filled – thishelps prevent the formation of condensa-tion in the tank. In addition, in extremelycold weather conditions it is worthwhileto add fuel line de-icer before refueling.
• The viscosity of the engine oil is impor-tant. Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil)improves cold-weather starting as well asdecreasing fuel consumption while theengine is warming up. Full synthetic0W-30 oil is recommended for driving inareas with sustained low temperatures.
• The load placed on the battery is greaterduring the winter since the windshieldwipers, lighting, etc., are used moreoften. Moreover, the capacity of the bat-tery decreases as the temperature drops.In very cold weather, a poorly chargedbattery can freeze and be damaged. It is therefore advisable to check the state ofcharge more frequently and spray an anti-rust oil on the battery posts.
• Volvo recommends the use of snow tireson all four wheels for winter driving, seeSnow tires/studded tires (p. 302).
• To prevent the washer fluid (p. 340)reser-voir from freezing, add washer solventscontaining antifreeze. This is importantsince dirt is often splashed on the wind-shield during winter driving, requiring thefrequent use of the washers and wipers.Volvo Washer Solvent should be dilutedas follows: Down to 14 °F (–10 °C): 1 partwasher solvent and 4 parts water Downto 5 °F (–15 °C): 1 part washer solventand 3 parts water Down to 0 °F (–18 °C):1 part washer solvent and 2 parts waterDown to –18 °F (–28 °C): 1 part washersolvent and 1 part water.
• Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
• Avoid using de-icing sprays as they cancause damage to the locks.
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Refueling – fuel requirements
Volvo recommends the use of detergent gas- oline to control engine deposits.
Deposit control gasoline (detergentadditives)
Detergent gasoline is effective in keepinginjectors and intake valves clean. Consistentuse of deposit control gasolines will helpensure good drivability and fuel economy. Ifyou are not sure whether the gasoline con-tains deposit control additives, check with theservice station operator.
NOTE
Volvo does not recommend the use of external fuel injector cleaning systems.
Unleaded fuelEach Volvo has a three-way catalytic con- verter and must use only unleaded gasoline.U.S. and Canadian regulations require thatpumps delivering unleaded gasoline belabeled "UNLEADED". Only these pumpshave nozzles which fit your vehicle's fillerinlet. It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuelinto a vehicle labeled "unleaded gasolineonly". Leaded gasoline damages the three-way catalytic converter and the heated oxy-gen sensor system. Repeated use of leadedgasoline will lessen the effectiveness of theemission control system (p. 277) and could result in loss of emission warranty coverage.State and local vehicle inspection programswill make detection of misfueling easier, pos-sibly resulting in emission test failure for mis-fueled vehicles.
NOTE
Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines con- tain an octane enhancing additive calledmethyl-cyclopentadienyl manganese tri-carbonyl (MMT). If such fuels are used,your Emission Control System perform-ance may be affected, and the CheckEngine Light (malfunction indicator light)located on your instrument panel maylight. If this occurs, please return yourvehicle 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 lawsrequire that the service pump be marked indi-cating use of alcohols or ethers. However,there are areas in which the pumps areunmarked. If you are not sure whether there isalcohol or ethers in the gasoline you buy,check with the service station operator. Tomeet seasonal air quality standards, someareas require the use of "oxygenated" fuel.
Volvo allows the use of the following "oxy-genated" fuels; however, the octane rat-ings (p. 274) listed must still be met.
Alcohol – EthanolFuels containing up to 10% ethanol by vol- ume may be used. Ethanol may also be refer-red to as Ethyl alcohol, or "Gasohol". Ethers – MTBE: Fuels containing up to 15% MTBE may be used.
MethanolDo not use gasolines containing methanol(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). This practicecan result in vehicle performance deteriora-tion and can damage critical parts in the fuelsystem. Such damage may not be coveredunder the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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Refueling – octane rating
Volvo recommends premium fuel for best per- formance, but using 87 octane11
or above will
not affect engine reliability.
Minimum octane
G028920
Typical pump octane label
NOTE
Vehicles equipped with the high perform- ance 4-cylinder engines (B4204T9 and B4204T10) require premium fuel 12
.
TOP TIER Detergent GasolineVolvo endorses the use of “TOP TIER Deter- gent Gasoline” where available to help main-tain engine performance and reliability. TOPTIER Detergent Gasoline meets a new stand- ard jointly established by leading automotivemanufactures to meet the needs of today’sadvanced engines. Qualifying gasoline retail-ers (stations) will, in most cases, identify theirgasoline as having met the “TOP TIER Deter-gent Gasoline” standards.
NOTE
Information about TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is available atwww.toptiergas.com.
Demanding drivingIn demanding driving conditions, such as operating the vehicle in hot weather, towing atrailer, or driving for extended periods athigher altitudes than normal, it may be advis-able to switch to higher octane fuel (91 orhigher) or to change gasoline brands to fullyutilize your engine's capacity, and for thesmoothest possible operation.
NOTE
When switching to higher octane fuel or changing gasoline brands, it may be nec-essary to fill the tank more than oncebefore a difference in engine operation isnoticeable.
Fuel FormulationsDo not use gasoline that contains lead as a knock inhibitor, and do not use lead addi-tives. Besides damaging the exhaust emis-sion control systems on your vehicle, leadhas been strongly linked to certain forms ofcancer. Many fuels contain benzene as a solvent. Unburned benzene has been strongly linkedto certain forms of cancer. If you live in anarea where you must fill your own gas tank,take precautions. These may include:
• standing upwind away from the filler noz- zle while refueling
• refueling only at gas stations with vaporrecovery systems that fully seal themouth of the filler neck during refueling
• wearing neoprene gloves while handling afuel filler nozzle.
Use of AdditivesWith the exception of gas line antifreeze dur- ing winter months, do not add solvents, thick-eners, or other store-bought additives to yourvehicle's fuel, cooling, or lubricating systems.Overuse may damage your engine, and someof these additives contain organically volatilechemicals. Do not needlessly expose yourselfto these chemicals.
11
AKI (ANTI KNOCK INDEX) is an average of the Research Octane Number (RON) and the Motor Octane Number (MON), MON+RON/2.
12 Refer to your Warranty and Maintenance Records booklet for additional information.
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WARNING
Never carry a cell phone that is switched
on while refueling your vehicle. If the
phone rings, this may cause a spark that could ignite gasoline fumes, resulting infire and injury.
WARNING
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, color- less, and odorless gas. It is present in allexhaust gases. If you ever smell exhaustfumes inside the vehicle, make sure thepassenger compartment is ventilated, andimmediately return the vehicle to a trainedand qualified Volvo service technician forcorrection.
Related information
• Refueling – fuel requirements (p. 273)
Refueling – opening/closing fuel filler door
The fuel filler door is located on the right rear fender (indicated by an arrow beside the fuel tank symbol on the information display
)
With the ignition switched off, press and release the button on the lighting panel tounlock the fuel filler door. Please note that thefuel filler door will remain unlocked until thevehicle begins to move forward. An audibleclick will be heard when the fuel filler doorrelocks. •If you intend to leave your vehicle while it is being refueled, this feature enables youto lock the doors/trunk while leaving thefuel filler door unlocked.
• You can also keep the vehicle locked ifyou remain inside it during refueling. Thecentral locking button does not lock thefuel filler door. •
Be sure the fuel filler door is not obstruc-ted and is completely closed after refuel-ing.
• Open the fuel filler cap slowly during hotweather.
Close the fuel filler door by pressing it; a click indicates that it is closed.
CAUTION
Avoid spilling gasoline during refueling. In addition to causing damage to the environ-ment, gasolines containing alcohol cancause damage to painted surfaces, whichmay not be covered under the New VehicleLimited Warranty.
Manually opening the fuel filler door
1. Open the side hatch in the trunk (on the same side as the fuel filler door).
2. Grasp the handle on the green cord.
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3. Gently pull the cord straight rearward untilthe fuel filler door clicks open.
Related information
• Refueling – opening/closing fuel cap (p. 276)
• Refueling – fuel requirements (p. 273)
• Refueling – octane rating (p. 274)
Refueling – opening/closing fuel cap
If necessary, the fuel filler door can be opened manually.
Opening/closing the fuel cap
Fuel vapor expands in hot weather. Open the filler cap slowly. After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise until it clicks into place.
CAUTION
• Do not refuel with the engine run- ning 13
. Turn the ignition off or to posi-
tion I. If the ignition is on, an incorrect
reading could occur in the fuel gauge.
• Avoid overfilling the fuel tank. Do not press the handle on the filler nozzlemore than one extra time. Too muchfuel in the tank in hot weather condi-tions can cause the fuel to overflow.Overfilling could also cause damage tothe emission control systems.
Related information
•
Refueling – fuel requirements (p. 273)
• Refueling – octane rating (p. 274)
13
If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the vehicle is refueled, the Check Engine Light (malfunction indicator lamp) may indicate a fault. However, your vehicle's performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo original or approved fuel filler caps.
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Emission controls
Three-way catalytic converter
•Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain engine malfunctions, particularly involvingthe electrical, fuel or distributor ignitionsystems, may cause unusually high three-way catalytic converter temperatures. Donot continue to operate your vehicle ifyou detect engine misfire, noticeable lossof power or other unusual operating con-ditions, such as engine overheating orbackfiring. A properly tuned engine willhelp avoid malfunctions that could dam-age the three-way catalytic converter.
• Do not park your vehicle over combusti-ble materials, such as grass or leaves,which can come into contact with the hotexhaust system and cause such materialsto ignite under certain wind and weatherconditions.
• Excessive starter cranking (in excess ofone minute), or an intermittently firing orflooded engine can cause three-way cat-alytic converter or exhaust system over-heating.
• Remember that tampering or unauthor-ized modifications to the engine, theEngine Control Module, or the vehiclemay be illegal and can cause three-waycatalytic converter or exhaust systemoverheating. This includes: altering fuelinjection settings or components, alteringemission system components or location or removing components, and/or repea-ted use of leaded fuel.NOTE
Unleaded fuel is required for vehicles with three-way catalytic converters.
Heated oxygen sensorsThe heated oxygen sensors monitor the oxy- gen content of the exhaust gases. Readingsare fed into a control module that continu-ously monitors engine functions and controlsfuel injection. The ratio of fuel to air into theengine is continuously adjusted for efficientcombustion to help reduce harmful emis-sions.
Related information
•
Information displays – warning symbols (p. 68)
• Engine and cooling system (p. 271)
Economical driving
Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts andstops and adjusting the speed of your vehicleto immediate traffic conditions.
Economical driving conserves natural resources
Observe the following rules:
• Bring the engine to normal operating tem- perature as soon as possible by drivingwith a light foot on the accelerator pedalfor the first few minutes of operation. Acold engine uses more fuel and is subjectto increased wear.
• Whenever possible, avoid using the vehi-cle for driving short distances. This doesnot allow the engine to reach normaloperating temperature.
• Drive carefully and avoid rapid accelera-tion and hard braking.
• Use the transmission's Drive (
D) position
as often as possible and avoid using kick-down.
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278* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
•
Using the transmission's Sport mode 14
may increase fuel consumption some- what. Use the transmission's Drive ( D)
position as often as possible. For addi-tional information about Sport mode, seeTransmission – Geartronic (p. 252).
• Using the engine's optional Eco func- tion15
can help improve fuel economy. For
additional information, see ECO* (p. 260).
• Do not exceed posted speed limits.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the vehicle.
• Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tirepressure regularly (when tires are cold).
• Remove snow tires when threat of snowor ice has ended.
• Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc,increase air resistance and also fuel con-sumption.
• At highway driving speeds, fuel consump-tion will be lower with the air conditioningon and the windows closed than with theair conditioning off and the windowsopen.
• Using the onboard trip computer's fuelconsumption modes can help you learnhow to drive more economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage are: •
Dirty air cleaner
• Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
• Dragging brakes
• Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and oth-ers are checked at the standard maintenanceintervals.
WARNING
Driving with the trunk open: Driving with
the trunk open could lead to poisonous exhaust gases entering the passengercompartment. If the trunk must be keptopen for any reason, proceed as follows:
• Close the windows
• Set the ventilation system control to air flow to floor, windshield and side win-dows and the blower control to itshighest setting.
Handling and roadholdingAt the specified curb weight your vehicle has a tendency to understeer, which means thatthe steering wheel has to be turned morethan might seem appropriate for the curva-ture of a bend. This ensures good stabilityand reduces the risk of rear wheel skid.Remember that these properties can alterwith the vehicle load. The heavier the load in the trunk, the less the tendency to under-steer. •
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle handling.Therefore, check that the tires are inflatedto the recommended pressure accordingto the vehicle load. Loads should be dis-tributed so that capacity weight or maxi-mum permissible axle loads are notexceeded.
• At the specified curb weight your vehiclehas a tendency to understeer, whichmeans that the steering wheel has to beturned more than might seem appropriatefor the curvature of a bend. This ensuresgood stability and reduces the risk of rearwheel skid. Remember that these proper-ties can alter with the vehicle load. Theheavier the load in the trunk, the less thetendency to understeer.
Related information
• Climate – general information (p. 118)
14
Certain models only.
15 Available on certain 4-cyl. engines