STARTING AND DRIVING
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-
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.
SPECIFICATIONS
384
Oil specifications
Full synthetic engine oil meeting the minimum
ACEA A5/B5 must be used. Lower quality oils may not offer the same fuel economy, engineperformance, or engine protection.
Volvo recommends:
Refer to the warranty and Service Records infor- mation booklet for information on oil changeintervals and oil type requirements.
NOTE
This vehicle comes from the factory with syn- thetic oil.
Oil additives must not be used.
Oil viscosityIncorrect viscosity oil can shorten engine life under normal use. SAE 5W-30 will provide goodfuel economy and engine protection. See the vis-cosity chart.
Viscosity chart
Extreme engine operation
SAE 0W-30 oil meeting ACEA A5/B5 require- ments is recommended for extreme driving con-ditions.
CAUTION
4-cylinder engines only: Volvo oil VCC
RBS0-2AE/SAE 0W20 is recommended for extreme driving conditions. This oil must never be used in 5- or 6-cylin-
der engines.
Related information
• Oil volume (p. 385)
• Engine compartment – engine oil (p. 339)
