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Driving through water
The vehicle should be driven with extreme cau- tion if it is necessary to drive through standingwater.
The vehicle can be driven through water up to a depth of approximately 13 in. (35 cm) at walkingspeed to help prevent water from entering thedifferential and the transmission. Water reducesthe oil's lubricating capacity and may shorten theservice life of these components.
• Take particular care when driving throughflowing water.
• Clean the electrical connections for trailerwiring after driving in mud or water.
• When driving through water, maintain lowspeed and do not stop in the water.
WARNING
•Avoid driving through standing or rushing water. Doing so can be dangerous and itmay also be difficult to determine theactual depth of the water.
• If water cannot be avoided, after drivingthrough the water, press lightly on thebrake pedal to ensure that the brakes arefunctioning normally. Water or mud canmake the brake linings slippery, resultingin delayed braking effect.
CAUTION
•Engine damage will occur if water is drawn into the air cleaner.
• If the vehicle is driven through waterdeeper than approximately 13 in.(35 cm), water may enter the differentialand the transmission. This reduces theoil's lubricating capacity and may shortenthe service life of these components.
• Damage to any components, the engine,transmission, turbo-charger, differential orits internal components caused by flood-ing, vapor lock or insufficient oil is notcovered under warranty.
• Do not allow the vehicle to stand in waterup to the door sills longer than absolutelynecessary. This could result in electricalmalfunctions.
• If the engine has been stopped while thevehicle is in water, do not attempt torestart it. Have the vehicle towed out ofthe water.
Related information
•Towing the vehicle (p. 282)
• Towing by tow truck (p. 284)
Engine and cooling system
Under special conditions, for example when driv- ing in hilly terrain, extreme heat or with heavyloads, there is a risk that the engine and coolingsystem will overheat.
Proceed as follows to avoid overheating the engine.
• Maintain a low speed when driving with atrailer up long, steep hills. For information,see Towing a trailer (p. 279)
• Do not turn the engine off immediately whenstopping after a hard drive.
WARNING
The cooling fan may start or continue to oper- ate (for up to 6 minutes) after the engine hasbeen switched off.
• Remove any auxiliary lights from in front of the grille when driving in hot weather condi-tions.
• Do not exceed engine speeds of 4500 rpm ifdriving with a trailer in hilly terrain. The oiltemperature could become too high.
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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. 290). Check tire pressure (p. 297).
• 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. 303).
Related information
•
Changing a wheel – removing wheel (p. 291)
• Bulbs – introduction (p. 334)
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273
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. 331) 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. 303).
• To prevent the washer fluid (p. 344)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. 277) and could result in loss ofemission warranty coverage. State and local vehi-
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274cle inspection programs will make detection of misfueling easier, possibly resulting in emissiontest failure for misfueled vehicles.
NOTE
Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines contain an octane enhancing additive called methyl-cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl(MMT). If such fuels are used, your EmissionControl System performance may be affected,and the Check Engine Light (malfunctionindicator light) located on your instrumentpanel may light. If this occurs, please returnyour vehicle to a trained and qualified Volvoservice technician for service.
Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers, "Oxygenated fuels"
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing "oxygenates" which are usually alcohols orethers. In some areas, state or local laws requirethat the service pump be marked indicating useof alcohols or ethers. However, there are areas inwhich the pumps are unmarked. If you are notsure whether there is alcohol or ethers in thegasoline you buy, check with the service stationoperator. To meet seasonal air quality standards,some areas require the use of "oxygenated" fuel. Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygen- ated" fuels; however, the octane ratings (p. 274)listed must still be met.
Alcohol – Ethanol
Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may be used. Ethanol may also be referred to asEthyl alcohol, or "Gasohol". Ethers – MTBE: Fuels containing up to 15% MTBE may be used.
MethanolDo not use gasolines containing methanol(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). This practice canresult in vehicle performance deterioration andcan damage critical parts in the fuel system. Suchdamage may not be covered under the NewVehicle Limited Warranty.
Refueling – octane rating Volvo recommends premium fuel for best per- formance, but using 87 octane
10
or above will
not affect engine reliability.
Minimum octane
G028920
Typical pump octane label
NOTE
Vehicles equipped with high performance 4- cylinder engines require premium fuel. Con-sult your Volvo retailer if you are unsure aboutthe fuel requirements for your vehicle.
TOP TIER Detergent GasolineVolvo endorses the use of “TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline” where available to help maintain engineperformance and reliability. TOP TIER DetergentGasoline meets a new standard jointly estab-
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lished by leading automotive manufactures to meet the needs of today
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Refueling – opening/closing fuel filler door
The fuel filler door is located on the right rear fender (indicated by an arrow beside the fuel tank symbol on the information display
)
With the ignition switched off, press and release the button on the lighting panel to unlock the fuelfiller door. Please note that the fuel filler door willremain unlocked until the vehicle begins to moveforward. An audible click will be heard when thefuel filler door relocks.
• If you intend to leave your vehicle while it isbeing refueled, this feature enables you tolock the doors/tailgate while leaving the fuelfiller door unlocked.
• You can also keep the vehicle locked if youremain inside it during refueling. The central locking button does not lock the fuel fillerdoor.
• Be sure the fuel filler door is not obstructedand is completely closed after refueling.
• Open the fuel filler cap slowly during hotweather.
Close the fuel filler door by pressing it; a clickindicates that it is closed.
CAUTION
Avoid spilling gasoline during refueling. In addition to causing damage to the environ-ment, gasolines containing alcohol can causedamage to painted surfaces, which may notbe covered under the New Vehicle LimitedWarranty.
Manually opening the fuel filler door
1. Open the side hatch in the cargo area (on the same side as the fuel filler door).
2. Grasp the handle on the green cord.
3. Gently pull the cord straight rearward until the fuel filler door clicks open.
Related information
• Refueling – opening/closing fuel cap (p. 277)
• Refueling – fuel requirements (p. 273)
• Refueling – octane rating (p. 274)
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Refueling – opening/closing fuel capIf necessary, the fuel filler door can be opened
manually.
Opening/closing the fuel cap
Fuel vapor expands in hot weather. Open the filler cap slowly. After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise until it clicks into place.
CAUTION
• Do not refuel with the engine running 11
.
Turn the ignition off or to position I. If the
ignition is on, an incorrect reading could occur in the fuel gauge.
• Avoid overfilling the fuel tank. Do notpress the handle on the filler nozzle morethan one extra time. Too much fuel in thetank in hot weather conditions can causethe fuel to overflow. Overfilling could alsocause damage to the emission controlsystems.
Related information
•Refueling – fuel requirements (p. 273)
• Refueling – octane rating (p. 274)
Emission controls
Three-way catalytic converter
•Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain engine malfunctions, particularly involving theelectrical, fuel or distributor ignition systems,may cause unusually high three-way catalyticconverter temperatures. Do not continue tooperate your vehicle if you detect enginemisfire, noticeable loss of power or otherunusual operating conditions, such as engineoverheating or backfiring. A properly tunedengine will help avoid malfunctions thatcould damage the three-way catalytic con-verter.
• Do not park your vehicle over combustiblematerials, such as grass or leaves, which cancome into contact with the hot exhaust sys-tem and cause such materials to ignite undercertain wind and weather conditions.
• Excessive starter cranking (in excess of oneminute), or an intermittently firing or floodedengine can cause three-way catalytic con-verter or exhaust system overheating.
• Remember that tampering or unauthorizedmodifications to the engine, the Engine Con-trol Module, or the vehicle may be illegal andcan cause three-way catalytic converter orexhaust system overheating. This includes:altering fuel injection settings or compo-
11
If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the vehicle is refueled, the Check Engine Light (malfunction indicator lamp) may indicate a fault. However, your vehicle's performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo original or approved fuel filler caps.
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278nents, 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. 271)
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 transmission's Sport mode mayincrease fuel consumption somewhat. Use the transmission's Drive (
D) position as often
as possible. For additional information about Sport mode, see Transmission – Geartronic(p. 254).
• 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.