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Driving through water
The vehicle should be driven with extreme caution if it is necessary to drive throughstanding water. The vehicle can be driven through water up to a depth of approximately 10 in. (25 cm) atwalking speed to help prevent water fromentering the differential and the transmission.This reduces the oil's lubricating capacity andmay shorten the service life of these compo-nents.
• Take particular care when driving through flowing water.
• Clean the electrical connections for trailerwiring after driving in mud or water.
• When driving through water, maintain lowspeed and do not stop in the water.WARNING
• Avoid driving through standing or rushing water. Doing so can be dan-gerous and it may also be difficult todetermine the actual depth of thewater.
• If water cannot be avoided, after driv-ing through the water, press lightly onthe brake pedal to ensure that thebrakes are functioning normally. Wateror mud can make the brake liningsslippery, resulting in delayed brakingeffect.
CAUTION
•
Engine damage will occur if water is drawn into the air cleaner.
• If the vehicle is driven through waterdeeper than 10 in (25 cm), water mayenter the differential and the transmis-sion. This reduces the oil's lubricatingcapacity and may shorten the servicelife of these components.
• Damage to any components, theengine, transmission, turbo-charger,differential or its internal componentscaused by flooding, vapor lock orinsufficient oil is not covered underwarranty.
• Do not allow the vehicle to stand inwater up to the door sills longer thanabsolutely necessary. This could resultin electrical malfunctions.
• If the engine has been stopped whilethe vehicle is in water, do not attemptto restart it. Have the vehicle towedout of the water.
Related information
•
Towing the vehicle (p. 269)
• Towing by tow truck (p. 271)
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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. 267)
• 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. 135) 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. 362)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. 275). Check tire pres-sure (p. 282).
• 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. 290).
Related information
•Changing a wheel – removing wheel(p. 276)
• Bulbs – introduction (p. 319)
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. 316) 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. 290).
• To prevent the washer fluid (p. 329)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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266* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
• Using the engine's optional Eco func- tion14
can help improve fuel economy. For
additional information, see ECO* (p. 248).
• 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 inthe 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 according to 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
Available on certain 4-cyl. engines
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Maintenance – owner maintenance
Periodic maintenance requirements and inter- vals are described in your vehicle's Warrantyand Service Records Information booklet. The following points can be carried out between the normally scheduled maintenanceservices.
Owner maintenance
Each time the car is refueled:
•Check the engine oil level.
• Clean the windshield, windshield wipers, headlights, and taillights.
Monthly:
• Check cold tire pressure in all tires. Inspect the tires for wear.
• Check that engine coolant and other fluidlevels are between the indicated "min"and "max" markings.
• Clean interior glass surfaces with a glasscleaner and soft paper towels.
• Wipe driver information displays with asoft cloth.
• Visually inspect battery terminals for cor-rosion. Corrosion may indicate a looseterminal connector, or a battery near theend of its useful service life. Consult yourVolvo retailer for additional information.
As needed:Wash the car, including the undercarriage, to reduce wear that can be caused by a buildup of dirt, and corrosion that can be caused bysalt residues. Clean leaves and twigs from air intake vents at the base of the windshield, and from otherplaces where they may collect.
NOTE
Complete service information for qualified technicians is available online for purchaseor subscription at www.volvotechinfo.com.
Related information
•
Maintenance – opening/closing hood (p. 312)
• Engine compartment – overview (p. 313)
• Engine compartment – coolant (p. 316)
• Engine compartment – engine oil (p. 314)
• Engine compartment – power steeringfluid (p. 318)
• Engine compartment – washer fluid(p. 329)
• Cleaning the interior (p. 347)
• Washing the car (p. 345)
• Tire inflation – checking pressure (p. 282)
• Tires – tread wear indicator (p. 275)
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Engine compartment – overview
The overview shows the main inspection points in the engine compartment.
Coolant expansion tank
Power steering fluid reservoir
Dipstick-engine oil
Filler cap-engine oil
Cover over brake fluid reservoir
Battery
Relay/fuse box
Washer fluid reservoir
Engine compartment - 4-cylinder engines only
Filler cap-engine oil
Coolant expansion tank
Power steering fluid reservoir
Radiator
Brake fluid reservoir
Battery
Relay/fuse box
Washer fluid reservoir
Air cleaner
The appearance of the engine compartment may vary depending on engine model.
WARNING
The cooling fan (located at the front of the engine compartment, behind the radiator)may start or continue to operate (for up to6 minutes) after the engine has beenswitched off.
WARNING
Before performing any operations in the engine compartment, the ignition shouldalways be completely switched off (inmode 0, see Ignition modes (p. 73)) and
there should be no remote keys in the pas-senger compartment. The gear selectorshould be in the P (park) position. If the
engine has been running, wait until it hascooled before touching any components inthe engine compartment. The distributor ignition system operates at very high voltages. Special safety precau-tions must be followed to prevent injury.Always turn the ignition off when:
• Replacing distributor ignition compo- nents e.g. plugs, coil, etc.
• Do not touch any part of the distributorignition system while the engine is run-ning. This may result in unintendedmovements and body injury.
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Related information
•Maintenance – opening/closing hood (p. 312)
• Maintenance – owner maintenance(p. 308)
Engine compartment – engine oil
The correct oil must be used for the stated oil change (service) intervals to apply. The oil level on 4-cylinder engines is checked electronically and is checked using a dipstickon 5- and 6-cylinder engines.
Checking the engine oil (5- and 6-
cylinder engines)
The oil level should be checked at regularintervals, particularly during the period up tothe first scheduled maintenance service.
• See Oil specifications (p. 359) for oil specifications.
• Also, refer to the Warranty and ServiceRecords information booklet for informa-tion on oil change intervals and oil speci-fications.
CAUTION
•Not checking the oil level regularly can result in serious engine damage if theoil level becomes too low.
• Oil that is lower than the specifiedquality can damage the engine.
• Volvo does not recommend the use ofoil additives.
• Always add oil of the same type andviscosity as already used.
• Never fill oil above the
MAX mark. This
could cause an increase in oil con-sumption.
• Oil changes should be carried out by atrained and qualified Volvo servicetechnician.
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Checking and adding oil
G021734
Location of the filler cap and dipstick
NOTE
Before checking the oil: •The car should be parked on a level surface.
• If the engine is warm
, wait for at least
10 – 15 minutes after the engine hasbeen switched off.
G021737
The oil level must be between the MIN and MAX
marks on the dipstick
Checking the oil1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
lint-free rag.
2. Reinsert the dipstick, pull it out, and check the oil level. The level must be between the MIN and MAX marks.
3. Add oil if necessary. If the level is close to the MIN mark, add approximately
0.5 US quarts (0.5 liters) of oil.
4. Recheck the level and add more oil if necessary until the level is near the MAX
mark.
WARNING
Do not allow oil to spill onto or come into contact with hot exhaust pipe surfaces.
Electronic oil level sensor (4-cylinder engines only)
Oil filler cap
No action is necessary until a message is dis- played, see the following illustration.