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293
Tires – storage and ageWhen storing complete wheels (tires mounted on rims), they should be suspended off the flooror placed on their sides on the floor.
New Tires
Remember that tires are perishable goods. As of 2000, the manufacturing week and year (Depart-ment of Transportation (DOT) stamp) will be indi-cated with 4 digits (e.g., 1513 means that the tireillustrated was manufactured during week 15 of2013).
Tire ageTires degrade over time, even when they are not being used. It is recommended that tires gener-ally be replaced after 6 years of normal service.Heat caused by hot climates, frequent high load-ing conditions or Ultra Violet (U.V.) exposure can accelerate the aging process. The temporary spare
1
should also be replaced at 6-year inter-
vals, even if it has never been used. A tire's age can be determined by the DOT stamp on the sidewall (see the illustration). A tire with e.g., visible cracks or discoloration should be replaced immediately.
Storing wheels and tiresWhen storing completes wheels (tires mountedon rims), they should be suspended off the flooror placed on their sides on the floor. Tires not mounted on rims should be stored on their sides or standing upright, but should not besuspended.
CAUTION
Tires should preferably be stored in a cool, dry, dark place, and should never be stored inclose proximity to solvents, gasoline, oils, etc.
WARNING
• The wheel and tire sizes for your Volvo are specified to meet stringent stabilityand handling requirements. Unapprovedwheel/tire size combinations can nega-tively affect your vehicle's stability andhandling.
• Any damage caused by installation ofunapproved wheel/tire size combinationswill not be covered by your new vehiclewarranty. Volvo assumes no responsibilityfor death, injury, or expenses that mayresult from such installations.
Related information
•Tire specifications (p. 302)
• Tire specifications (p. 302)
• Changing a wheel – direction of rotation (p. 295)
• Tires – tread wear indicator (p. 294)
1
Option or accessory on some models
WHEELS AND TIRES
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301
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.
When weather temperature changes occur, tire inflation pressures also change. A 10-degreetemperature drop causes a corresponding dropof 1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure. Check yourtire pressures frequently and adjust them to theproper pressure, which can be found on the vehi-cle's tire information placard or certification label.
Related information
• Tire specifications (p. 302)
• Tires – storage and age (p. 293)
• Tires – tread wear indicator (p. 294)
Tire inflation – checking pressure
Inflation pressure should be checked when the tires are cold.
Cold tires
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. If checking tire pressure when the tire is hot, never "bleed" or reduce air pressure. The tiresare hot from driving and it is normal for pressuresto increase above recommended cold pressures.A hot tire at or below recommended cold inflationpressure could be significantly 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 pres- sure. 3. Replace the valve cap.
CAUTION
•
After inflating the tires, always reinstall the valve cap to help avoid damage to thevalve 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 tire and cause an air leak.
5. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or other irregulari-ties.
6. Repeat this procedure for each tire, including the spare 3
.
NOTE
• If you overfill the tire, release air by push- ing on the metal stem in the center of thevalve. Then recheck the pressure withyour tire gauge.
• Some spare tires (available as an acces-sory) require higher inflation pressurethan the other tires. Consult the tire infla-
3
Available as an accessory
WHEELS AND TIRES
306perature is normally reached after the vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours.
Tire specifications – 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 traction grade 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.
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309
system that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale (
) when one or more of your tires is signifi-
cantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stopand check your tires as soon as possible, andinflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire cau- ses the tire to overheat and can lead to tire fail-ure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiencyand tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle'shandling and stopping ability. Please note that atire pressure monitoring system is not a substi-tute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-er's responsibility to maintain correct tire pres-sure, even if under-inflation has not reached thelevel to trigger illumination of the system's lowtire pressure telltale. Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when thesystem is not operating properly. The monitoringsystem's malfunction indicator is combined withthe low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the tell- tale will flash for approximately one minute andthen remain continuously illuminated. Thissequence will continue upon subsequent vehiclestart-ups as long as the malfunction exists. Whenthe malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-tem may not be able to detect or signal low tirepressure as intended. System malfunctions may occur for a variety ofreasons, including the installation of replacementor alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle thatprevent the tire pressure monitoring system fromfunctioning properly. Always check the system's malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels onyour vehicle to ensure that the replacement oralternate tires and wheels allow the system tocontinue to function properly.
NOTE
The system indicates low tire pressure but does not replace normal tire maintenance. Forinformation on correct tire pressure, pleaserefer to the tire inflation decal on the driver'sdoor opening or consult your Volvo retailer.
WARNING
Incorrect inflation pressure could lead to tire failure, resulting in a loss of control of thevehicle.
Related information
•
Tire Monitor - introduction (p. 309)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) – general information (p. 312)
Tire Monitor - introduction Tire Monitor uses the rotational speed of the tires in combination with signal analysis of theABS sensor signals to determine if they areproperly inflated.
When a tire is under-inflated, its diameter (and consequently also its rotational speed) changes.By comparing the individual tires with each otherit is possible to determine if one or more tires areunder inflated. When low inflation pressure is detected or if the system is not functioning properly, Tire Monitorwill light up the tire pressure warning light (
) (also referred to as a telltale) in the
instrument panel and will display one of several messages in the text window, for example:
Tire
pressure low Check tires. Adjust the inflation
pressure and recalibrate if necessary.
NOTE
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the tire pressure warning light will flash for approxi-mately 1 minute and then remain illuminated.
Tire press. syst Service required will be
displayed.
||
WHEELS AND TIRES
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
318
Bottle with sealing compound
Air pressure gauge
WARNING
Please keep the following points in mind when using the tire sealing system:
• The sealing compound bottle (no. 8 in theillustration) contains 1) rubber latex, natu-ral and 2) ethanediol. These substancesare harmful if swallowed.
• The contents of this bottle may causeallergic skin reactions or otherwise bepotentially harmful to the respiratory tract,the skin, the central nervous system, andthe eyes.
Precautions: • Keep out of reach of children.
• Do not ingest the contents.
• Avoid prolonged or repeated contact with the skin.
• Wash thoroughly after handling.
First aid: • Skin: Wash affected areas of skin with soap and water. Get medical attention ifsymptoms occur.
• Eyes: Flush with plenty of water for least15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upperand lower eyelids. Get medical attention ifsymptoms occur.
• Inhalation: Move the exposed person tofresh air. If irritation persists, get medicalattention.
•
Ingestion: Do
NOT induce vomiting
unless directed to do so by medical per- sonnel. Get medical attention.
• Disposal: Dispose of this material and itscontainer to a hazardous or special wastecollection point.
NOTE
Do not break the seal on the bottle. This occurs automatically when the bottle isscrewed into the holder.
Related information
•
Tire sealing system
* – general information
(p. 316)
• Tire sealing system
* – inflating tires (p. 321)
• Tire sealing system – checking inflation pres- sure (p. 321)
• Tire sealing system
* – sealing a hole
(p. 319)
• Tire sealing system
* – sealing compound
container (p. 322)
WHEELS AND TIRES
}}
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.321
WARNING
If heavy vibrations, unsteady steering behavior, or noises should occur while driving, reducespeed and park the vehicle in a safe place.Recheck the tire for bumps, cracks, or othervisible damage, and recheck its inflation pres-sure. If the pressure is below 19 psi (1.3 bar),do not continue driving. Have the vehicletowed to a trained and qualified Volvo servicetechnician.
Tire sealing system – checking inflation pressure The tire sealing system can also be used to check the tires' inflation pressure.
Stage 2: Checking inflation pressure1. Reconnect the tire sealing system's hose to
the tire's inflation valve as described in stage
1 , see Tire sealing system * – sealing a hole
(p. 319).
2. Refer to the inflation pressure table in this chapter for the correct inflation pressure. If the tire needs to be inflated, start the tiresealing system
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING
}}
347
Contains corrosive acid.
Risk of explosion
Recycle properly
NOTE
A used battery should be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. Consultyour Volvo retailer or take the battery to arecycling station.
Related information
•Battery – changing (p. 349)
• Battery – handling (p. 347)
• Battery – maintenance (p. 348)
Battery – handling
The battery's service life is affected by the num- ber of starts, if it has been discharged, drivingstyle, driving conditions, weather conditions ,etc.
Handling
• Check that the battery cables are correctly connected and tightened.
• Never disconnect the battery when theengine is running (for example, when replac-ing the battery).
• If the battery is fully discharged a number oftimes, this may shorten its service life.
• The service life of a battery is affected byfactors such as the number of starts, drivingconditions and climate. Extreme cold mayalso further decrease the battery
||
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING
362
CAUTION
•Avoid waxing or polishing plastic or rub- ber components
• Polishing chromed strips can wear awayor damage the surface
• Polishes containing abrasive substancesshould not be used
Related information
• Polishing and waxing (p. 363)
• Cleaning the interior (p. 363)
Automatic car wash
The vehicle should be washed at regular inter- vals since dirt, dust, insects and tar spotsadhere to the paint and may cause damage. Tohelp prevent corrosion, it is particularly importantto wash the car frequently in the wintertime.
• We do NOT recommend washing your car in an automatic wash during the first fewmonths (because the paint will not havehardened sufficiently).
• An automatic wash is a simple and quick wayto clean your car, but it is worth rememberingthat it may not be as thorough as when youyourself go over the car with sponge andwater. Keeping the underbody clean is mostimportant, especially in the winter. Someautomatic washers do not have facilities forwashing the underbody.
NOTE
Condensation may form temporarily on the inside of the lenses of exterior lights such asheadlights, fog lights, or taillights. This is nor-mal and the lights are designed to withstandmoisture. Normally, condensation will dissi-pate after the lights have been on for a shorttime.
CAUTION
•
Before driving into an automatic car wash, turn off the optional rain sensor toavoid damaging the windshield wipers.
• Make sure that side view mirrors, auxiliarylamps, etc, are secure, and that anyantenna(s) are retracted or removed. Oth-erwise there is risk of the machine dis-lodging them.
• Chromed wheels:
Clean chrome-plated
wheels using the same detergents usedfor the body of the vehicle. Aggressivewheel-cleaning agents can permanentlystain chrome-plated wheels.
WARNING
• When the vehicle is driven immediately after being washed, apply the brakes,including the parking brake, several timesin order to remove any moisture from thebrake linings.
• Engine cleaning agents should not beused when the engine is warm. This con-stitutes a fire risk.
Related information
•
Polishing and waxing (p. 363)
• Cleaning the interior (p. 363)
• Washing the car (p. 361)