WHEELS AND TIRES
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Tread wear indicatorThe tires have wear indicator strips running across or parallel to the tread.
The letters TWI are printed on the side of the tire. When approximately 1/16" (1.6 mm) is left onthe tread, these strips become visible and indi-cate that the tire should be replaced. Tires withless than 1/16" (1.6 mm) tread offer very poortraction. When replacing worn tires, it is recommended that the tire be identical in type (radial) and sizeas the one being replaced. Using a tire of thesame make (manufacturer) will help preventalteration of the driving characteristics of thevehicle.
Related information
• Tire direction of rotation (p. 448)
• Checking tire inflation pressure (p. 451)
Loading specifications Properly loading your vehicle will provide maxi- mum return of vehicle design performance.
Weight designations
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining yourvehicle's weight ratings, with or without a trailer,from the vehicle's Federal/Canadian Motor Vehi-cle Safety Standards (FMVSS/CMVSS) label, andthe vehicle's tire information placard:
Curb weight
The weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all standard equipment. It does notinclude passengers, cargo, or optional equipment.
Capacity weight
All weight added to the curb weight, including cargo and optional equipment. When towing,trailer hitch tongue load is also part of cargoweight.
Permissible axle weight
The maximum allowable weight that can be car- ried by a single axle (front or rear). These num-bers are shown on the Federal/Canadian MotorVehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/CMVSS) label.The total load on each axle must never exceed itsmaximum permissible weight.
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)
The vehicle's curb weight + cargo + passengers.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement "the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on your vehicle's plac-ard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in yourvehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.For example, if the "XXX" amount equals1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. pas-sengers in your vehicle, the amount of availa-ble cargo and luggage load capacity is650 lbs. (1400 – 750 (5 × 150) = 650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. Thatweight may not safely exceed the availablecargo and luggage load capacity calculatedin Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to yourvehicle. Consult this manual to determinehow this reduces the available cargo and lug-gage load capacity of your vehicle.
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WHEELS AND TIRES
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WARNING
•Exceeding the permissible axle weight, gross vehicle weight, or any other weightrating limits can cause tire overheatingresulting in permanent deformation orcatastrophic failure.
• Do not use replacement tires with lowerload carrying capacities than the tires thatwere original equipment on the vehiclebecause this will lower the vehicle's GVWrating. Use only tires with the correct loadcarrying capacity. Consult your Volvoretailer for information.
Related information
• Label information (p. 520)
• Weights (p. 525)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
ALL PASSENGER VEHICLE TIRES MUST CONFORM TO FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIRE-MENTS IN ADDITION TO THESE GRADES .
Quality grades can be found, where applica- ble, on the tire sidewall between the treadshoulder and maximum section width. Forexample: Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEARThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when testedunder controlled conditions on a specified gov-ernment test course. For example, a tire graded150 would wear one and one half (1 ½) times aswell on the government course as a tire graded100. The relative performance of tires dependsupon the actual conditions of their use, however,and many depart significantly from the norm dueto variation in driving habits, maintenance practi-ces and differences in road characteristics andclimate.
TRACTIONThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, areAA, A, B, and C, as measured under controlledconditions on specified government test surfacesof asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C mayhave poor traction performance. The tractiongrade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and is not a meas-ure of cornering (turning) traction.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight-ahead) tractiontests and is not a measure of cornering (turn-ing) traction.
TEMPERATUREThe temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to thegeneration of heat and its ability to dissipate heatwhen tested under controlled conditions on aspecified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustainedhigh temperature can cause the material of thetire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and exces-sive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.The grade C corresponds to a minimum level ofperformance that all passenger vehicle tires mustmeet under the Federal Motor Safety StandardNo. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levelsof performance on the laboratory test wheel thanthe minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is estab- lished for a tire that is properly inflated andnot overloaded. Excessive speed, under-infla-tion, or excessive loading, either separately orin combination, can cause heat buildup andtire failure.
WHEELS AND TIRES
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Snow tires and chains
The use of snow chains and/or winter tires can help improve traction in winter driving conditions.
Snow chains can be used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
• Snow chains should be installed on front wheels only. Use only Volvo approved snowchains.
• If accessory, aftermarket or "custom" tiresand wheels are installed and are of a size dif-ferent than the original tires and wheels,chains in some cases CANNOT be used.Sufficient clearances between chains andbrakes, suspension and body componentsmust be maintained.
• Some strap-on type chains will interfere withbrake components and therefore CANNOTbe used.
• All Wheel Drive models
: Snow chains
should only be installed on the front wheels.
• Certain size tires may not allow the assemblyof snow chains/traction devices.
Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow chain information.
CAUTION
• Snow chains should not be used on wheels larger than 19".
• Always follow the chain manufacturer'sinstallation instructions carefully. Installchains as tightly as possible andretighten periodically.
• Check local regulations regarding the useof snow chains before installing.
• Use single-sided snow chains only.
• Never exceed the chain manufacturer'sspecified maximum speed limit. (Underno circumstances should you exceed31 mph (50 km/h).
• Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns whendriving with snow chains.
• The handling of the vehicle can beadversely affected when driving withchains. Avoid fast or sharp turns as wellas locked wheel braking.
Checking tire inflation pressure
Correct tire inflation pressure helps improve driv- ing stability, save fuel and increase the servicelife of the tires.
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 of vehi-cle control and increased risk of injury.
• Under-inflated tires reduce the load car-rying capacity of your vehicle.
Cold tiresInflation pressure should be checked when the tires are cold. The tires are considered to be cold when they have the same temperature as the sur-rounding (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 be hot. If youhave to drive farther than this distance to pumpyour tire(s), check and record the tire pressurefirst and add the appropriate air pressure whenyou get to the pump. When weather temperature changes occur, tire inflation pressures also change. A 10-degree
SPECIFICATIONS
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Weights The following table lists important weight data for your vehicle.
CategoryUSACanada
Gross vehicle weight 7-seat, 4-cyl. 4-seat, 4-cyl.6,635 lbs 6,140 lbs3,010 kg 2,785 kg
Capacity weight 7-seat, 4-cyl. 4-seat, 4-cyl.1,210 lbs 1,000 lbs550 kg 450 kg
Permissible axle weights, front 7-seat, 4-cyl. 4-seat, 4 cyl.3,130 lbs 2,975 lbs1,420 kg 1,350 kg
Permissible axle weights, rear 7-seat, 4-cyl. 4-seat, 4 cyl.3,590 lbs 3,305 lbs1,630 kg 1,500 kg
Curb weight 7-seat, 4-cyl. 4-seat, 4 cyl.5,010 - 5,100 lbs 5,120 - 5,130 lbs2,270 -2,310 kg 2,320 -2,330 kg
Max. roof load220 lbs100 kg