STARTING AND DRIVING
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WARNING
Driving with the tailgate open: Driving with
the tailgate open could lead to poisonous exhaust gases entering the passenger com-partment. If the tailgate must be kept open forany reason, proceed as follows:
• Close the windows
• Set the ventilation system control to airflow to floor, windshield and side windowsand the blower control to its highest set-ting.
Handling and roadholdingAt the specified curb weight your vehicle has a tendency to understeer, which means that thesteering wheel has to be turned more than mightseem appropriate for the curvature of a bend.This ensures good stability and reduces the riskof rear wheel skid. Remember that these proper-ties can alter with the vehicle load. The heavierthe load in the cargo area, the less the tendencyto understeer.
• Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pres-sure all affect vehicle handling. Therefore,check that the tires are inflated to the rec-ommended pressure according to the vehicleload. Loads should be distributed so thatcapacity weight or maximum permissible axleloads are not exceeded.
• At the specified curb weight your vehicle hasa tendency to understeer, which means thatthe steering wheel has to be turned more than 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 cargo compartment, the less the ten-dency to understeer.
Related information
•
Climate – general information (p. 126)
Towing a trailer When towing a trailer, always observe the legal requirements of the state/province.
NOTE
For the maximum trailer and tongue weights recommended by Volvo, see Weights (p. 372)
• All Volvo models are equipped with energy- absorbing shock-mounted bumpers. Trailerhitch installation should not interfere with theproper operation of this bumper system.
Trailer towing does not normally present any par-ticular problems, but take into consideration:
• Increase tire pressure to recommended fullpressure, see the tire inflation decal on thedriver's door opening.
• When your vehicle is new, avoid towing heavytrailers during the first 620 miles (1,000 km).
• Maximum speed when towing a trailer:50 mph (80 km/h).
• Engine and transmission are subject toincreased loads. Therefore, engine coolanttemperature should be closely watched whendriving in hot climates or hilly terrain. Use alower gear and turn off the air conditioner ifthe temperature gauge needle enters the redrange.
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WARNING
•Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor should safetychains be attached to the bumper.
• Trailer hitches attaching to the vehiclerear axle must not be used.
• Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brakesystem directly to the vehicle brake sys-tem, nor a trailer's lighting system directlyto the vehicle lighting system. Consultyour nearest authorized Volvo retailer forcorrect installation.
• When towing a trailer, the trailer's safetychains or wire must be correctly fastenedto the attachment points provided in thetrailer hitch on the vehicle. The safetychain or wire must never be fastened toor wound around the towing ball.
Trailer cable
An adapter is required if the vehicle's trailer hitch has a 13-pin connector and the trailer has 7 pins.Use an adapter cable approved by Volvo. Makesure the cable does not drag on the ground.
Related information
•
Detachable trailer hitch (p. 281)
• Loading – general (p. 144)
Detachable trailer hitch
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches that are specially designed for the vehi-cle.
A
C
EDBG010496
Ball holder
Locking bolt
Cotter pin
Hitch assembly
Safety wire attachment
Installing the ball holder1. If necessary, remove the cotter pin from the locking bolt and slide the locking bolt out of the hitch assembly.
2. Slide the ball holder into the hitch assembly. 3. Align the hole in the ball holder with the one
in the hitch assembly.
4. Slide the locking bolt through the hitch assembly/ball holder.
5. Insert the cotter pin in the hole at the end of the locking bolt.
Removing the ball holder1. Remove the cotter pin from the locking boltand slide the locking bolt out of the ballholder/hitch assembly.
2. Pull the ball holder out of the hitch assembly.
NOTE
A cover for the hitch assembly is also included in the kit.
Related information
• Towing a trailer (p. 279)
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284
Attaching the towing eyeletThe towing eyelet is located under the floor of the cargo area, with the spare tire and maybe partially concealed. This eyelet must bescrewed into the positions provided on theright sides of either the front or rear bumper(see illustration).
There are two different types of covers over the openings for the towing eyelet and theyhave to be opened differently.
• If the cover has a notch, insert a coin, etc.,into the notch and pry open the edge ofthe cover. Open the cover completely andremove it.
• If the cover has a mark along one edge orin a corner, press the mark while pryingout the opposite side/corner using a coin,etc. Open the cover and remove it.
Screw the towing eyelet in place, first by handand then using the tire iron until it is securely inplace. After the vehicle has been towed, the eyelet should be removed and returned to its storagelocation. Press the cover for the attachment point back into position.
WARNING
• When the vehicle is being towed, the igni- tion should be in mode
II (in mode I, all of
the vehicle's airbags are deactivated). For more information, see Ignition modes(p. 80)
• Never remove the remote key from theignition slot when the vehicle is beingtowed. For vehicles with keyless drive, theremote key must remain inside the vehi-cle.
• The power brakes and power steering willnot function when the engine is not run-ning. Approximately 5 times more pres-sure will be required on the brake pedaland the steering wheel will be considera-bly harder to turn.
• The towing eyelets must not be used forpulling the vehicle out of a ditch or forany similar purpose involving severestrain.
Related information
•Towing the vehicle (p. 282)
• Towing by tow truck (p. 284)
Towing by tow truck
When necessary, call for professional help from an authorized towing company. Volvo recom-mends the use of flat bed equipment.
CAUTION
In certain conditions, the towing eyelet may be used to pull the vehicle onto aflatbed tow truck.
• The vehicle's position and ground clear-ance determine if it can be pulled up ontoa flatbed tow truck using the towing eye-let.
• If the angle of the tow truck
WHEELS AND TIRES
289
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. 298)
• Tire specifications (p. 298)
• Changing a wheel – direction of rotation (p. 291)
• Tires – tread wear indicator (p. 290)
1
Option or accessory on some models
WHEELS AND TIRES
293
7. There are two jack attachment points on
each side of the vehicle. Position the jack under the attachment point to be used on alevel, firm, non-slippery surface and crank itup until it is correctly aligned and seated inthe attachment point. Before raising the vehi-cle, check that the jack is still correctly posi-tioned in the attachment.
WARNING
There are two attachment points near the rear of the vehicle. Only the rear-most attachmentpoint is intended for the jack (see the illustra-tion).
8. Raise the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is lifted off the ground.
9. Unscrew the wheel nuts completely and remove the wheel.
WARNING
• The jack must correctly engage the jack attachment.
• Be sure the jack is on a firm, level, non-slippery surface.
• Never allow any part of your body to beextended under a vehicle supported by ajack.
• Use the jack intended for the vehiclewhen changing a tire. For any other job,use stands to support the vehicle.
• Apply the parking brake and put the gear selector in the Park (
P) position.
• Block the wheels standing on the ground, use rigid wooden blocks or large stones.
• The jack should be kept well-greased andclean, and should not be damaged.
• No objects should be placed between thebase of jack and the ground, or betweenthe jack and the attachment bar on thevehicle.
NOTE
The jack provided with your vehicle is intended to be used only in temporary situa-tions such as changing wheels in the event ofa flat tire. Only the jack that came with yourparticular model should be used to lift thevehicle. If the vehicle needs to be lifted morefrequently or for a prolonged period, using agarage jack or hoist is recommended. Alwaysfollow this device
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Changing a wheel – spare wheel Wheel changes should always be carried out correctly.
Spare tire
The spare tire in your vehicle2
is called a "Tem-
porary Spare". Recommended tire pressure (see the placard on the B-pillar or on the fuel filler door) should bemaintained irrespective of which position on thevehicle the temporary spare tire is used on. In the event of damage to this tire, a new one can be purchased from your Volvo retailer.
WARNING
Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Temporary Spare" tire other than as a tem-porary replacement for a punctured tire. Itmust be replaced as soon as possible by astandard tire. Road holding and handling maybe affected with the "Temporary Spare" inuse. Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
CAUTION
The vehicle must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a spare tire otherthan the one that came with the vehicle. Theuse of different size wheels can seriouslydamage your car's transmission.
Spare wheelThe spare wheel is only intended for temporary use. Replace it with a normal wheel as soon aspossible. The car's handling may be altered bythe use of the spare wheel. The correct tire pres-sure for the spare wheel is stated in the tire pres-sure table, see the tire inflation decal on the driv-er's door opening.
WARNING
Current legislation prohibits the use of the “Temporary Spare” tire other than as a tempo-rary replacement for a punctured tire. It mustbe replaced as soon as possible by a stand-ard tire. Road holding and handling may beaffected with the “Temporary Spare” in use.
CAUTION
The vehicle must never be driven with more than one temporary spare wheel.
The spare wheel is located in the spare wheel well with the rim side down. There are two foamblocks, one under the spare wheel and one over/inside. The upper one contains all tools. The same bolt runs through to secure the spare wheel and the foam blocks.
Related information
• Changing a wheel – installing a wheel(p. 295)
• Changing a wheel – removing wheel (p. 291)
2
Not on models equipped with the Tire sealing system.
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Tire inflation – general information
Check tire inflation pressure regularly.
Inflation placard
G032521
Tire inflation placard
Tire inflationSee the tire inflation decal on the driver's door opening. This decal indicates the designation ofthe factory-mounted tires on your vehicle, as wellas load limits and inflation pressure.
NOTE
• The placards shown indicate inflation pressure for the tires installed on thevehicle at the factory only.
• A certain amount of air seepage from thetires occurs naturally and tire pressurefluctuates with seasonal changes in tem-perature. Always check tire pressure reg-ularly.
•Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pressure, including the spare, at least once amonth and before long trips. You are stronglyurged to buy a reliable tire pressure gauge,as automatic service station gauges may beinaccurate.
• Use the recommended cold inflation pres-sure for optimum tire performance and wear.
• Under-inflation or over-inflation may causeuneven treadwear patterns.
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. 298)
• Tires – storage and age (p. 289)
• Tires – tread wear indicator (p. 290)
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NOTE
•The location of the various labels in your vehicle, see Label information (p. 366).
• A table listing important weight limits foryour vehicle, see Weights (p. 372).
Loading specifications – load limit The load limit of your vehicle is the combined weight of the occupants and cargo.
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.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.