STARTING AND DRIVING
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Winter driving
Check your vehicle before the approach of cold weather.
The following advice is worth noting:
• Make sure that the engine coolant contains 50 percent antifreeze. Any other mixture willreduce freeze protection. This gives protec-tion against freezing down to –31 °F(–35 °C). The use of "recycled" antifreeze isnot approved by Volvo. Different types ofantifreeze 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.
• To prevent the washer fluid reservoir fromfreezing, add washer solvents containingantifreeze. This is important since dirt is oftensplashed on the windshield during winterdriving, 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.
Related information
•Snow tires and chains (p. 479)
Towing eyelet
When used, the towing eyelet should always be securely attached in the opening on the rightside of the rear bumper. There is a cover overthe attachment point.
Using the towing eyelet
Take out the towing eyelet, which is stored under the floor in the cargo compartment.
STARTING AND DRIVING
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CAUTION
Never disconnect the charging cable from the 120-/240-volt socket while charging is inprogress. This could damage the socket. Always stop the charging process (by unlock- ing the vehicle) and disconnect the chargingcable from the vehicle's charging socket before disconnecting the other end from the
120-/240-volt socket being used.
During the charging process, condensation may form under the vehicle, which is normal and iscaused by cooling the hybrid battery.
Related information
• Hybrid battery charge status (p. 404)
• Charging the hybrid battery (p. 403)
• Hybrid battery charging cable (p. 394)
• Stopping hybrid battery charging (p. 400)
Charging the hybrid battery In addition to the conventional fuel tank, Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid vehicles are also equip-ped with a rechargeable lithium-ion hybrid bat-tery.
The hybrid battery is recharged using a charging cable located in a storage compartment underthe floor of the cargo area. See also the article"Charging cable."
WARNING
The hybrid electrical system in your vehicle uses high voltage electrical current. Any dam-age to this system or to the hybrid batterymay result in the danger of overheating, fire,or serious injury. If the vehicle is involved in acollision or is subjected to flooding, fires, etc.,have it inspected by a trained and qualifiedVolvo service technician. Prior to this inspec-tion, the vehicle should be parked outdoors ata safe distance from any building or poten-tially flammable materials.
The hybrid battery's charging time depends on the charging current used.
NOTE
The capacity of the hybrid battery diminishes somewhat with age and use, which couldresult in increased use of the gasoline engineand consequently, slightly higher fuel con-sumption.
Charging is indicated in three ways: • Charge module (the unit that is plugged into the wall socket): The blue indicator light onthe cable's charge module will flash red sev-eral times when the unit is plugged into awall socket while a safety check is being per-formed and will then glow steadily blue toindicate that the charger is ready to use.
• A green indicator light in the vehicle's charg-ing socket will flash green while the batteryis charging and will glow steadily green whenthe hybrid battery is fully charged. The blueindicator light in the charge module will alsoflash while charging is underway and willglow steadily blue when charging is comple-ted.
• A gauge in the instrument panel will alsoindicate the battery's charge level.
The hybrid battery charging process also chargesthe vehicle's start battery. If the hybrid battery's temperature is below – 13 ºF (–10 ºC) or above +104 ºF (+40 ºC), some
of the vehicle's functions may be reduced or not
WHEELS AND TIRES
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Loading specifications Properly loading your vehicle will provide maxi- mum return of vehicle design performance.
Weight designations
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining yourvehicle's weight ratings, with or without a trailer,from the vehicle's Federal/Canadian Motor Vehi-cle Safety Standards (FMVSS/CMVSS) label, andthe vehicle's tire information placard:
Curb weight
The weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all standard equipment. It does notinclude passengers, cargo, or optional equipment.
Capacity weight
All weight added to the curb weight, including cargo and optional equipment. When towing,trailer hitch tongue load is also part of cargoweight.
Permissible axle weight
The maximum allowable weight that can be car- ried by a single axle (front or rear). These num-bers are shown on the Federal/Canadian MotorVehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/CMVSS) label.The total load on each axle must never exceed itsmaximum permissible weight.
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)
The vehicle's curb weight + cargo + passengers.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement "the combined weightof 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.
Related information
• Label information (p. 552)
• Weights (p. 557)