Page 289 of 396

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
287
Attaching the towing eyeletThe towing eyelet is located under the floor of the trunk. This eyelet must be screwedinto the positions provided on the right sidesof either the front or rear bumper (see illus-tration).
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. 74)
• 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. 286)
• Towing by tow truck (p. 287)
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
Page 290 of 396
||
STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
288
CAUTION
• The vehicle should always be towed in the forward direction.
• Vehicles with All Wheel Drive (AWD)
*
that are being towed with the frontwheels off the ground should not betowed at a speed above approx. 45 mph(70 km/h) and should not be towed far-ther than 30 miles (50 km).
Related information
• Towing eyelet (p. 286)
Page 291 of 396
W H E E L S A N D T I R E S
Page 292 of 396
WHEELS AND TIRES
290
Tires – general information
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the vehicle's tire information placard on the B-pillar (the structural member at the side of thevehicle, at the rear of the driver's door opening).
Introduction
CAUTION
Some Volvo models are equipped with an Ultra High Performance tire and wheel com-bination designed to provide maximum drypavement performance with consideration forhydroplaning resistance. They may be moresusceptible to road hazard damage and,depending on driving conditions, may achievea tread life of less than 20,000 miles (30,000km). Even if this vehicle is equipped with Vol-vo
Page 293 of 396

WHEELS AND TIRES
291
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. 300)
• Tire specifications (p. 300)
• Changing a wheel – direction of rotation(p. 293)
• Tires – tread wear indicator (p. 292)
1
Option or accessory on some models
Page 294 of 396

WHEELS AND TIRES
292
Tires – tread wear indicator The tires have wear indicator strips running across or parallel to the tread.
G021829
The letters TWI are printed on the side of the tire.
When approximately 1/16" (1.6 mm) is left on the tread, these strips become visible and indi-cate that the tire should be replaced. Tires withless than 1/16" (1.6 mm) tread offer very poortraction. When replacing worn tires, it is recommended that the tire be identical in type (radial) and sizeas the one being replaced. Using a tire of thesame make (manufacturer) will prevent alterationof the driving characteristics of the vehicle.
Related information
• Tire specifications (p. 300)
• Changing a wheel – direction of rotation(p. 293) •
Tires – storage and age (p. 291)
Tires – tire economy
A smooth driving style and correct inflation pres- sure can help prolong the tires' service life.
• Maintain correct tire pressure. The tire infla- tion table, see the tire inflation decal on thedriver's door opening.
• Avoid fast starts, hard braking and tirescreeching.
• Tire wear increases with speed.
• Correct front wheel alignment is very impor-tant.
• Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy anddriving comfort.
• Tires must maintain the same direction ofrotation throughout their lifetime.
• When replacing tires, the tires with the mosttread should be mounted on the rear wheelsto reduce the chance of oversteer duringhard braking.
• Hitting curbs or potholes can damage thetires and/or wheels permanently.
Page 295 of 396

WHEELS AND TIRES
}}
* Option/accessory.293
Changing a wheel – direction of rotation Incorrectly mounted tires impair the car's braking properties and ability to force aside rain, snowand slush.
Summer and winter tires
G021778
The arrows shows the direction of rotation of the tire
•The tires with the most tread should always be on the rear axle (to help reduce the risk ofskidding).
• When switching between summer and wintertires, mark the tires to indicate where theywere mounted on the car, e.g., LF = left front,RR = right rear
• Tires with tread designed to roll in only onedirection are marked with an arrow on thesidewall.
• Contact a Volvo workshop if you are unsureabout the tread depth.
Related information
•Tire specifications (p. 300)
• Tires – storage and age (p. 291)
• Tires – tread wear indicator (p. 292)
Changing a wheel – removing wheel Wheel changes should always be carried out correctly.
The jack
*, towing eyelet and tools * are stowed
under the floor of the trunk.
Changing a wheel1. Apply the parking brake and put the gear
selector in P.
2. Take out the jack *, lug wrench *, the tool for
removing the plastic covers on the wheel nuts, the towing eyelet and the wheel coverremoval tool (certain models only) stowedunder the floor of the trunk.
Page 296 of 396
||
WHEELS AND TIRES
2943.
Tool for removing the plastic covers on the wheel nuts
Remove the wheel cover (where applicable) using the removal tool or remove the wheelcover by hand.
4. Block the wheels that are on the ground with wooden blocks or large stones.
Lug wrench and towing eyelet
5. Screw the towing eyelet into the lug wrenchas shown in the illustration.
CAUTION
The towing eyelet must be screwed into the lug wrench as far as possible.
6. With the vehicle still on the ground, remove the plastic covers on the wheel nuts with the tool provided and use the lug wrench/towingeyelet to loosen the wheel nuts ½ – 1 turn byexerting downward (counterclockwise) pres-sure.
Jack attachment points