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285
Conserving electrical current
Keep the following in mind to help minimize bat- tery drain:
• When the engine is not running, avoid using ignition mode
II. Many electrical systems (the
audio system, the optional navigation 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 great dealof current when the engine is not runningcould result in the battery being completelydrained. Driving or having the engine runningfor approximately 15 minutes will help keepthe battery charged.
• The optional 12-volt socket in the cargoarea (p. 143) area provides electrical currenteven with the ignition switched off, whichdrains the battery.
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked by a trained and qualified Volvo servicetechnician before driving long distances. Yourretailer will also be able to supply you with bulbs,fuses, spark plugs and wiper blades for your usein the event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be checked before any long trip:
• Check that engine runs smoothly and thatfuel consumption is normal.
• Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage.
• Have the transmission oil level 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. 302). Check tire pressure (p. 309).
• The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steer-ing gear should be checked by a trained andqualified Volvo service technician 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 drivein countries where it may be difficult toobtain the correct fuel. •
Consider your destination. If you will be driv-ing through an area where snow or ice arelikely to occur, consider snow tires (p. 316).
Related information
•
Changing a wheel – removing wheel (p. 303)
• Bulbs – introduction (p. 344)
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286
Driving in cold weather
Check your vehicle before the approach of cold weather.
The following advice is worth noting:
• Make sure that the engine coolant (p. 341) contains 50 percent antifreeze. Any othermixture will reduce freeze protection. Thisgives protection against freezing down to–31 °F (–35 °C). The use of "recycled" anti-freeze is not approved by Volvo. Differenttypes of antifreeze must not be mixed.
• Volvo recommends using only genuine Volvoantifreeze in your vehicle's radiator.
• Try to keep the fuel tank well filled – thishelps prevent the formation of condensationin the tank. In addition, in extremely coldweather conditions it is worthwhile to addfuel line de-icer before refueling.
• The viscosity of the engine oil is important.Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improvescold-weather starting as well as decreasingfuel consumption while the engine is warm-ing up. Full synthetic 0W-30 oil is recom-mended for driving in areas with sustainedlow temperatures.
• The load placed on the battery is greater dur-ing the winter since the windshield wipers,lighting, etc., are used more often. Moreover,the capacity of the battery decreases as thetemperature drops. In very cold weather, apoorly charged battery can freeze and be damaged. It is therefore advisable to checkthe state of charge more frequently andspray an anti-rust oil on the battery posts.
• Volvo recommends the use of snow tires onall four wheels for winter driving, see Snowtires/studded tires (p. 316).
• To prevent the washer fluid (p. 354)reservoirfrom freezing, add washer solvents contain-ing antifreeze. This is important since dirt isoften splashed on the windshield during win-ter driving, requiring the frequent use of thewashers and wipers. Volvo Washer Solventshould be diluted as follows: Down to 14 °F(–10 °C): 1 part washer solvent and 4 partswater Down to 5 °F (–15 °C): 1 part washersolvent and 3 parts water Down to 0 °F(–18 °C): 1 part washer solvent and 2 partswater Down to –18 °F (–28 °C): 1 partwasher solvent and 1 part water.
• Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
• Avoid using de-icing sprays as they cancause damage to the locks.
Refueling – fuel requirements
Volvo recommends the use of detergent gaso- line to control engine deposits.
Deposit control gasoline (detergent
additives)
Detergent gasoline is effective in keeping injec- tors and intake valves clean. Consistent use ofdeposit control gasolines will help ensure gooddrivability and fuel economy. If you are not surewhether the gasoline contains deposit controladditives, check with the service station operator.
NOTE
Volvo does not recommend the use of exter- nal fuel injector cleaning systems.
Unleaded fuelEach Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter and must use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. andCanadian regulations require that pumps deliver-ing unleaded gasoline be labeled "UNLEADED".Only these pumps have nozzles which fit yourvehicle's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dispense lea-ded fuel into a vehicle labeled "unleaded gaso-line only". Leaded gasoline damages the three-way catalytic converter and the heated oxygensensor system. Repeated use of leaded gasolinewill lessen the effectiveness of the emission con-trol system (p. 290) and could result in loss ofemission warranty coverage. State and local vehi-
STARTING AND DRIVING
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* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.291
nents, altering emission system components or location or removing components, and/orrepeated use of leaded fuel.
NOTE
Unleaded fuel is required for vehicles with three-way catalytic converters.
Heated oxygen sensorsThe heated oxygen sensors monitor the oxygen content of the exhaust gases. Readings are fedinto a control module that continuously monitorsengine functions and controls fuel injection. Theratio of fuel to air into the engine is continuouslyadjusted for efficient combustion to help reduceharmful emissions.
Related information
•
Information displays – warning symbols(p. 75)
• Engine and cooling system (p. 284)
Economical driving
Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts and stopsand adjusting the speed of your vehicle to imme-diate traffic conditions.
Economical driving conserves natural
resources
Observe the following rules: • Bring the engine to normal operating tem- perature as soon as possible by driving witha light foot on the accelerator pedal for thefirst few minutes of operation. A cold engineuses more fuel and is subject to increasedwear.
• Whenever possible, avoid using the vehiclefor driving short distances. This does notallow the engine to reach normal operatingtemperature.
• Drive carefully and avoid rapid accelerationand hard braking.
• Use the transmission's Drive (
D) position as
often as possible and avoid using kick-down.
• Using the engine's optional Eco function canhelp improve fuel economy. For additional information, see ECO
* (p. 273).
• Using the transmission's Sport mode may increase fuel consumption somewhat. Use the transmission's Drive (
D) position as often
as possible. For additional information about Sport mode, see Transmission – Geartronic (p. 264).
• 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 snow orice has ended.
• Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc, increaseair resistance and also fuel consumption.
• At highway driving speeds, fuel consumptionwill be lower with the air conditioning on andthe windows closed than with the air condi-tioning off and the windows open.
• Using the onboard trip computer's fuel con-sumption modes can help you learn how todrive 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 othersare checked at the standard maintenance inter-vals.
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333
Maintenance – owner maintenance
Periodic maintenance requirements and intervals are described in your vehicle's Warranty andService Records Information booklet. The following points can be carried out between the normally scheduled maintenance services.
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 a softcloth.
• Visually inspect battery terminals for corro-sion. Corrosion may indicate a loose terminalconnector, or a battery near the end of itsuseful service life. Consult your Volvo retailerfor 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 by salt res-idues. Clean leaves and twigs from air intake vents at the base of the windshield, and from other placeswhere they may collect.
NOTE
Complete service information for qualified technicians is available online for purchase orsubscription at www.volvotechinfo.com.
Related information
•
Maintenance – opening/closing hood (p. 337)
• Engine compartment – overview (p. 338)
• Engine compartment – coolant (p. 341)
• Engine compartment – engine oil (p. 339)
• Engine compartment – power steering fluid(p. 343)
• Engine compartment – washer fluid (p. 354)
• Cleaning the interior (p. 371)
• Washing the car (p. 369)
• Tire inflation – checking pressure (p. 309)
• Tires – tread wear indicator (p. 302)
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338
Engine compartment – overviewThe 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
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) maystart 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 should always be completely switched off (in mode 0,
see Ignition modes (p. 80)) and there should be no remote keys in the passenger compart- ment. The gear selector should be in the P
(park) position. If the engine has been run- ning, wait until it has cooled before touchingany components in the engine compartment. The distributor ignition system operates at very high voltages. Special safety precautionsmust be followed to prevent injury. Alwaysturn the ignition off when:
• Replacing distributor ignition componentse.g. plugs, coil, etc.
• Do not touch any part of the distributorignition system while the engine is run-ning. This may result in unintended move-ments and body injury.
Related information
•Maintenance – opening/closing hood (p. 337)
• Maintenance – owner maintenance (p. 333)
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING
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339
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 dipstick on5- and 6-cylinder engines.
Checking the engine oil (5- and 6-
cylinder engines)
The oil level should be checked at regular inter- vals, particularly during the period up to the firstscheduled maintenance service.
• See Oil specifications (p. 384) for oil specifi-cations.
• Also, refer to the Warranty and ServiceRecords information booklet for informationon oil change intervals and oil specifications.
CAUTION
•
Not checking the oil level regularly can result in serious engine damage if the oillevel becomes too low.
• Oil that is lower than the specified qualitycan damage the engine.
• Volvo does not recommend the use of oiladditives.
• Always add oil of the same type and vis-cosity as already used.
• Never fill oil above the
MAX mark. This
could cause an increase in oil consump-tion.
• Oil changes should be carried out by atrained and qualified Volvo service techni-cian.
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 sur- face.
• If the engine is warm
, wait for at least
10 – 15 minutes after the engine hasbeen switched off.
||
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
340
G021737
The oil level must be between the MIN and MAX marks
on the dipstick
Checking the oil
1. 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 neces- sary until the level is near the MAX mark.
WARNING
Do not allow oil to spill onto or come into con- tact 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.
Left: digital instrument panel *, Right: analog instrument
panel
Message
Oil level
The oil level can be checked when the engine is not running by scrolling to the oil level sensorusing the thumb wheel on the left steering wheellever.
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING
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341
CAUTION
•If Oil service required is displayed, the
oil level may be too high. Take the vehicle to an authorized Volvo workshop as soonas possible.
• If the oil level sensor indicates that thelevel is too low, using the correct oil, topup with the amount of oil indicated assoon as possible, see oil specifica-tions (p. 384).
WARNING
Do not allow oil to spill onto or come into con- tact with hot exhaust pipe surfaces.
Electronically checking the oil level
The oil level should be checked at regular inter- vals, particularly during the period up to the firstscheduled maintenance service. To check the oil level:1.
Activate ignition mode II, see Ignition modes
(p. 80).
2. Turn the thumb wheel on the left steering wheel lever until
Oil level is displayed.
> The oil level will be displayed.
NOTE
• The system cannot detect changes in the oil level immediately. The vehicle must bedriven approximately 20 miles (30 km) orhave been parked on level ground withthe engine off for 5 minutes before theoil level reading will be correct.
• If the necessary conditions are not metfor checking the oil level electronically(time interval after the engine wasswitched off, if the vehicle is parked on an incline, etc.),
No values available will
be displayed. This does not indicate a
problem with the oil level sensor.
Engine compartment – coolant
Normally, the coolant does not need to be changed. If the system must be drained, consulta trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
Level check and filling
Location of the coolant reservoir
See Fuel tank volume – specification and volume (p. 387) for information on cooling systemcapacities.