
STARTING AND DRIVING
472Preparing for a long trip
It is important to have the vehicle's systems and
equipment checked carefully before driving long
distances.
Check that:
the engine is running properly and that fuel
consumption is normal
there are no leaks (fuel, oil or other fluid)
the brake pedal is functioning optimally
all lights are working ‒ adjust the headlight
height if the vehicle is carrying a heavy load
tire tread depth and air pressure are at cor-
rect levels. Change to snow tires when driv-
ing in areas where there is a risk of snowy or
icy roads
the start battery is sufficiently charged
the wiper blades are in good condition
Related information
Checking tire pressure (p. 567)
Filling washer fluid (p. 662)
Winter driving (p. 472)
Economical driving (p. 467)
Vehicle modem settings (p. 545)
Loading recommendations (p. 598)
Driving with a trailer (p. 483)
Pilot Assist (p. 316)
Speed limiter (p. 283)
Tire sealing system (p. 582) Winter driving
It is important to check the vehicle before driving
in cold/snowy conditions to make sure it can be
driven safely.
Before the cold season arrives: Make sure the engine coolant contains 50%
antifreeze. This mixture helps protect the
engine from frost erosion down to
approx. -35 °C (-31 °F). Do not mix different
types of antifreeze as this could pose a
health risk.
Keep the fuel tank well filled to prevent con-
densation from forming.
Check the viscosity of the engine oil. Oil with
low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-
weather starting and reduces fuel consump-
tion when driving with a cold engine.
CAUTION Low-viscosity oil should not be used with hard
driving or in hot weather.
Check the condition and charge level of the
start battery. Cold weather places greater
demands on the start battery and reduces its
capacity.
Use washer fluid containing antifreeze to
help prevent ice from forming in the washer
fluid reservoir.

STARTING AND DRIVING
473
Slippery driving conditionsFor optimal traction and roadholding, Volvo rec-
ommends using snow tires on all wheels when-
ever there is a risk of snow or ice on the road.
NOTECertain countries require use of winter tires
by law. Not all countries permit the use of
studded tires.
Practice driving on slippery surfaces under con-
trolled conditions to learn how the vehicle reacts.
Related information
Snow tires (p. 581)
Snow chains (p. 581)
Braking on salted roads (p. 441)
Braking on wet roads (p. 441)
Filling washer fluid (p. 662)
Start battery (p. 627)
Replacing windshield wiper blades (p. 660)
Changing rear window wipers (p. 659)
Refilling coolant (p. 625) Driving through standing water
Driving the vehicle through a deep pool of stand-
ing water on a water-covered roadway is called
fording. This must be done with great caution.
To prevent damage to the vehicle when driving
through water (e.g. on flooded roads):
Do not drive in water higher than the floor of
the vehicle. If possible, check the depth of
the water at its deepest point before driving
through it. Be particularly careful when driv-
ing through flowing water.
Always select the
Off Road drive mode
before driving in water to ensure the gasoline
engine is running.
Do not drive faster than walking speed.
Do not stop the vehicle in the water. Drive
carefully forward or back the vehicle out of
the water.
Remember that waves created by passing
vehicles could cause the water level to rise
above the vehicle's floor level.
Avoid driving through salt water to help avoid
the risk of corrosion.
CAUTION Parts of the vehicle (e.g. engine, transmission,
driveline, electrical components, etc.) can be
damaged if the vehicle is driven through water
higher than its floor level. Damage to any
components caused by flooding, vapor lock or
insufficient oil is not covered under warranty.
If the engine stalls while the vehicle is in
water, do not attempt to restart it. Have the
vehicle towed on the bed of a tow truck to a
workshop - an authorized Volvo workshop is
recommended.
CAUTION
Because it can be difficult to determine the
water depth, avoid driving through standing or
running water.
When you have passed the water, press lightly on
the brake pedal and check that the brakes are
functioning properly. Water, mud, slush, etc. can
make the brake linings slippery, resulting in
delayed braking effect.
If the vehicle is equipped with a trailer coupling
contact, clean the contact after driving in water or
mud.
Related information
Recovery (p. 489)
Low Speed Control (p. 464)

STARTING AND DRIVING
474Opening/closing the fuel filler door
A button on the instrument panel is used to
unlock the fuel filler door.
An arrow next to the fuel pump
symbol in the instrument panel
indicates the side of the vehicle
on which the fuel filler door is
located. 1. Press the button on the dashboard.
>
Pressure equalization in the fuel tank cau-
ses a slight delay before the fuel filler
door opens. Fuel tank Fuel lid is
opening will be displayed in the instru-
ment panel, followed by Fuel tank Ready for refueling.
NOTE Refueling must be done within approximately
seven minutes of opening the fuel filler door.
After this time, the valve opened by pushing
the button for opening the fuel filler door will
close and it will no longer be possible to
refuel without the pump's nozzle switching off.
If the valve is closed before refueling is com-
plete - press the button again and wait until
the driver display shows the message
Fuel
tank Ready for refueling. 2. After refueling, press the fuel filler door
lightly to close it.
Related information
Refueling (p. 475)

||STARTING AND DRIVING
476
WARNING
California Proposition 65
Operating, servicing and maintaining a pas-
senger vehicle can expose you to chemicals
including engine exhaust, carbon monoxide,
phthalates, and lead, which are known to the
State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. To mini-
mize exposure, avoid breathing exhaust, do
not idle the engine except as necessary, serv-
ice your vehicle in a well ventilated area and
wear gloves or wash your hands frequently
when servicing your vehicle. For more infor-
mation go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
Related information
Opening/closing the fuel filler door (p. 474)
Fuel (p. 476) Fuel
Volvo recommends the use of detergent gaso-
line to control engine deposits.
Deposit control gasoline (gasoline with
detergent additives)
Detergent gasoline is effective in keeping injec-
tors and intake valves clean. Consistent use of
deposit control gasolines will help ensure good
driveability and fuel economy. If you are not sure
whether the gasoline contains deposit control
additives, check with the service station operator.
NOTE Volvo recommends not using external fuel
injector cleaning systems, e.g. do not add
detergent additives to gasoline before or after
refueling.
Unleaded fuelAll Volvo vehicles have a three-way catalytic con-
verter and must only use unleaded gasoline. US
and Canadian regulations require that pumps
delivering unleaded gasoline are labeled
"UNLEADED". Only the nozzles of these pumps
will fit in your vehicle's fuel filler inlet. It is unlaw-
ful to dispense leaded fuel into a vehicle labeled
"unleaded gasoline only". Leaded gasoline dam-
ages the three-way catalytic converter and the
heated oxygen sensor system. Repeated use of
leaded gasoline will lessen the effectiveness ofthe emission control system and could result in
loss of emission warranty coverage. State and
local vehicle inspection programs will make
detection of misfueling easier, possibly resulting
in emission test 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 Emission
Control System performance may be affected,
and the Check Engine Light (malfunction
indicator light) located on your instrument
panel may light. If this occurs, please return
your vehicle to a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician for service.
Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers,
"Oxygenated fuels"
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
"oxygenates" which are usually alcohols or
ethers. In some areas, state or local laws require
that the service pump be marked indicating use
of alcohols or ethers. However, there are areas in
which the pumps are unmarked. If you are not
sure whether there is alcohol or ethers in the
gasoline you buy, check with the service station
operator. To meet seasonal air quality standards,
some areas require the use of "oxygenated" fuel.

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
479
Emission controls
Three-way catalytic converter
Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain
engine malfunctions, particularly involving the
electrical, fuel or distributor ignition systems,
may cause unusually high three-way catalytic
converter temperatures. Do not continue to
operate your vehicle if you detect engine
misfire, noticeable loss of power or other
unusual operating conditions, such as engine
overheating or backfiring. A properly tuned
engine will help avoid malfunctions that
could damage the three-way catalytic con-
verter.
Do not park your vehicle over combustible
materials, such as grass or leaves, which can
come into contact with the hot exhaust sys-
tem and cause such materials to ignite under
certain wind and weather conditions.
Excessive starter cranking (in excess of one
minute), or an intermittently firing or flooded
engine can cause three-way catalytic con-
verter or exhaust system overheating.
Remember that tampering or unauthorized
modifications to the engine, the Engine Con-
trol Module, or the vehicle may be illegal and
can cause three-way catalytic converter or
exhaust system overheating. This includes:
altering fuel injection settings or compo-
nents, altering emission system components or location or removing components, and/or
repeated 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 fed
into a control module that continuously monitors
engine functions and controls fuel injection. The
ratio of fuel to air into the engine is continuously
adjusted for efficient combustion to help reduce
harmful emissions.
Related information
Octane rating (p. 477)
Fuel (p. 476) Overheating of engine and
transmission
In demanding driving conditions, such as driving
in mountainous areas or hot weather, there is a
risk of the engine or transmission overheating,
especially when carrying heavy loads.
Engine power may be temporarily limited.
Remove any auxiliary lights mounted in front
of the grille when driving in hot weather.
If the temperature in the engine's cooling
system becomes too high, a warning symbol
will appear in the instrument panel along with
the message Engine temperature High
temperature Stop safely. Pull over to a safe location and let the engine idle for a few
minutes to cool down.
If the message
Engine temperature High
temperature Turn off engine or Engine
coolant Level low, turn off engine is dis- played, stop the vehicle and turn off the
engine.
If the transmission begins to overheat, an
alternative gear shifting program will be
selected. An integrated protective function
will also be activated, the warning symbol will
illuminate and the message Transmission
warm
Reduce speed to lower
temperature or Transmission hot Stop
safely, wait for cooling will be displayed in the instrument panel. Follow the recommen-
dations given by reducing speed or stopping

||STARTING AND DRIVING
480
the vehicle safely and letting the engine idle
for a few minutes to let the transmission
cool.
If the vehicle begins to overheat, the air con-
ditioning may be temporarily switched off.
After a prolonged period of driving in
demanding conditions, do not turn off the
engine immediately after stopping.
NOTE It is normal for the engine's cooling fan to
operate for a short time after the engine is
switched off.
Symbols in the instrument panel
Symbol
Meaning High engine temperature. Follow
the recommendations provided.
Low coolant level. Follow the rec-
ommendations provided.
Transmission hot/overheated/cool-
ing. Follow the recommendations
provided.
Related information
Refilling coolant (p. 625)
Driving with a trailer (p. 483)
Preparing for a long trip (p. 472) Battery drain
The electrical functions in the vehicle drain the
battery to varying degrees. Avoid using ignition
mode II when the engine is switched off. Use
ignition mode I instead, as this uses less electri-
cal current.
Note that certain accessories may also drain
power from the electrical system. Do not use
functions that use a lot of electrical current when
the engine is turned off. Examples of such func-
tions are: blower
headlights
windshield wipers
audio system (especially at high volume).
If the starter battery voltage is low, a message is
shown in the driver display. The vehicle's energy-
saving function will then turn off or reduce certain
functions, such as the blower and/or the audio
system.
– Charge the battery by starting the engine
and let it run for at least 15 minutes (driving
charges the battery faster than letting the
engine idle).
Related information
Start battery (p. 627)
Ignition modes (p. 437)

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
481
Jump starting using another battery
If the start battery is discharged, current from
another battery can be used to start the vehicle. Jumper cable connecting points.
CAUTION
The charging point of the vehicle is only
intended for jump starting the vehicle in ques-
tion. The charging point is not intended for
jump-starting another vehicle. Using the
charging point to start another vehicle could
cause a fuse to blow, which would cause the
charging point to stop working.
If a fuse has blown, 12 V Battery Fuse failure
Service required will be displayed in the instru-
ment panel. Volvo recommends contacting an
authorized Volvo workshop. To avoid short circuits or other damage, the fol-
lowing steps are recommended when jump star-
ting the battery:
1.
Put the ignition in mode 0.
2.
Make sure the auxiliary battery (the battery
used to jump start the discharged battery)
has a voltage of 12 volts.
3. If the auxiliary battery is in another vehicle, turn off that vehicle's engine and make sure
that the vehicles are not touching each other.
4. Clamp the red jumper cable onto the auxiliary battery's positive (+) terminal (1).
CAUTION Connect the jump cable carefully to prevent
short circuits with other components in the
engine compartment.
5. Fold back the cover over your vehicle's posi-
tive (+) jump start terminal (2).
6.
Clamp the other end of the red jumper cable
to your vehicle's positive (+) jump start termi-
nal (2).
7. Clamp the black jumper cable onto the auxili- ary battery's negative (-) terminal (3).
8. Clamp the other end of the black jumper cable to your vehicle's negative (-) ground
point (4). 9. Make sure the jumper cables are securely
attached to help prevent sparks while jump
starting.
10. Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and let it run for a few minutes at a higher idling
speed than normal, about 1500 rpm.
11. Start your vehicle's engine. If the engine does not start, allow an additional 10
minutes of charging time and then try to start
the engine again.
NOTE When the engine is started under normal
conditions, the vehicle's electrical drive motor
is prioritized – the gasoline engine remains
off. This means that the electric motor has
"started" and the vehicle is ready to be driven
once the start knob has been turned clock-
wise. Start of the electric motor is indicated
by the indicator lights on the instrument panel
going out and its preselected theme illuminat-
ing.
CAUTION
Do not touch the connections between the
cable and the vehicle during the start attempt.
Risk of sparking.

||STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
484
Follow applicable regulations regarding per-
mitted speed and weight.
Drive slowly when towing a trailer up a long
and steep incline.
The maximum trailer weights given only apply
to altitudes up to 1000 meters (3280 feet)
above sea level. At higher altitudes, engine
power (and thus the vehicle's climbing ability)
is decreased due to the reduced air density,
and the maximum trailer weight must there-
fore be reduced. The weight of the vehicle
and trailer must be decreased by 10% for
each additional 1000 m (3280 feet) or part
thereof.
Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines of more
than 12%.
Avoid overloading and other incorrect use.
The trailer's brakes must be balanced with
the vehicle's brakes to help ensure safe
stops (follow applicable local regulations).
NOTE To facilitate towing a trailer in a vehicle equip-
ped with pneumatic suspension*, select: the
Suspension Control
Dynamic
setting in
Individual drive mode.
CAUTION
Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not
be used on Volvos, nor should safety
chains be attached to the bumper.
Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle
rear axle must not be used.
Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake
system directly to the vehicle brake sys-
tem, nor a trailer's lighting system directly
to the vehicle lighting system. Consult
your nearest authorized Volvo retailer for
correct installation.
When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety
chains or wire must be correctly fastened
to the attachment points provided in the
trailer hitch on the vehicle. The safety
chain or wire must never be fastened to
or wound around the towing ball.
NOTE The optional detachable trailer hitch may not
be available in all markets or on all models.
Consult your Volvo retailer.
NOTE
Extreme weather conditions, towing a trailer,
driving at high altitudes and fuel quality are
factors that significantly increase a vehicle's
fuel consumption.
Trailer weights
WARNING Please adhere to the recommendations provi-
ded for trailer weight. If the recommendations
are not followed, the vehicle and trailer may
be difficult to control during evasive maneu-
vers and braking.
NOTE
The specified maximum trailer weights are
those permitted by Volvo. National vehicle
regulations may set additional restrictions on
trailer weight and speed. The trailer hitches
may be certified for higher towing weights
than the vehicle is permitted to tow.
Self-leveling suspension*The vehicle's self-leveling system attempts to
keep the vehicle at a constant level, regardless of
load (up to the maximum permitted weight).
When the vehicle is stationary, the rear end of the
vehicle will be slightly lowered, which is normal.
Driving in hilly terrain or hot weatherIn certain conditions, there is a risk of overheat-
ing when driving with a trailer. If overheating of
the engine and drive system is detected, a warn-
ing symbol will illuminate in the instrument panel
along with a message.