STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
450
Preparing for a long trip
It is important to have the vehicle's systems and equipment checked carefully before driv-ing 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 properly
all lights are working
‒ adjust the head-
light height if the vehicle is carrying aheavy load
tire tread depth and air pressure are atcorrect levels. Change to snow tires whendriving in areas where there is a risk ofsnowy or icy roads
the start battery is sufficiently charged
the wiper blades are in good condition
Related information
Checking tire pressure (p. 553)
Filling washer fluid (p. 656)
Winter driving (p. 450)
Economical driving (p. 446)
Vehicle modem settings (p. 527)
Loading recommendations (p. 585)
Driving with a trailer (p. 465)
Pilot Assist
* (p. 300)
Tire sealing system (p. 568)
Winter driving
It is important to check the vehicle before driving in cold/snowy conditions to makesure it can be driven safely.
Before the cold season arrives: Make sure the engine coolant contains 50% antifreeze. This mixture helps pro-tect the engine from frost erosion down toapprox. –35 °C (–31 °F). Do not mix dif-ferent types of antifreeze as this couldpose a health risk.
Keep the fuel tank well filled to preventcondensation from forming.
Check the viscosity of the engine oil. Oilwith low viscosity (thinner oil) improvescold-weather starting and reduces fuelconsumption when driving with a coldengine.
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 placesgreater demands on the start battery andreduces its capacity.
Use washer fluid containing antifreeze tohelp prevent ice from forming in thewasher fluid reservoir.
STARTING AND DRIVING
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451
Slippery driving conditionsTo help optimize traction and roadholding, Volvo recommends using snow tires on allwheels whenever there is a risk of snow or iceon the road.
NOTE
Certain countries require use of winter tires by law. Not all countries permit the use ofstudded tires.
Practice driving on slippery surfaces under controlled conditions to learn how the vehiclereacts.
Related information
Snow tires (p. 567)
Snow chains (p. 567)
Braking on salted roads (p. 420)
Braking on wet roads (p. 420)
Filling washer fluid (p. 656)
Start battery (p. 613)
Replacing windshield wiper blades(p. 654)
Changing rear window wipers (p. 653)
Refilling coolant (p. 610)
Driving through standing water
It may be necessary to drive the vehicle through standing water, e.g. deep puddles orflooding on the road. This must be done withgreat caution.
To help prevent damage to the vehicle when driving through water:
Do not drive in water higher than the floorof the vehicle. If possible, check the depthof the water at its deepest point beforedriving through it. Be particularly carefulwhen driving through flowing water.
Always select the
Off Road drive mode
before driving in water to ensure the gaso- line engine is running.
Do not drive faster than walking speed.
Do not stop the vehicle in the water. Drivecarefully forward or back the vehicle out ofthe water.
Remember that waves created by passingvehicles could cause the water level to riseabove the vehicle's floor level.
Avoid driving through salt water to helpavoid the risk of corrosion.
CAUTION
Parts of the vehicle (e.g. engine, transmis- sion, driveline, electrical components, etc.)can be damaged if the vehicle is driventhrough water higher than its floor level.Damage to any components caused byflooding, vapor lock or insufficient oil is notcovered under warranty. If the engine stalls while the vehicle is in water, do not attempt to restart it. Havethe vehicle towed on the bed of a towtruck to a workshop - an authorized Volvoworkshop is recommended.
CAUTION
Because it can be difficult to determine the water depth, Volvo recommends not driv-ing through standing or running water. Thedriver is always responsible for operatingthe vehicle in a safe manner and adheringto all applicable laws and regulations.
When you have passed the water, press lightly on the brake pedal and check that the brakesare 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 cou- pling contact, clean the contact after driving inwater or mud.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
4544. Avoid overfilling the tank. Do not press the
handle on the filler nozzle again after it has initially stopped pumping.
> The fuel tank is now filled.
NOTE
An over-full tank may overflow in hot weather.
CAUTION
Avoid spilling gasoline during refueling. In addition to causing damage to the environ-ment, gasolines containing alcohol cancause damage to painted surfaces, whichmay not be covered under the New VehicleLimited Warranty.
Refueling from a fuel containerWhen filling from a fuel container, use the fun- nel provided in a foam block under the floorhatch in the cargo compartment.
1. Open the fuel filler door.
2. Insert the funnel into the fuel filler pipe'sopening. There are two flaps just inside the fuel filler pipe and the tube section ofthe funnel must push both of these flapsopen before fuel can be added.
WARNING
California Proposition 65 Operating, servicing and maintaining a pas- senger vehicle can expose you to chemi-cals including engine exhaust, carbon mon-oxide, phthalates, and lead, which areknown to the State of California to causecancer and birth defects or other reproduc-tive harm. To minimize exposure, avoidbreathing exhaust, do not idle the engineexcept as necessary, service your vehicle ina well ventilated area and wear gloves orwash your hands frequently when servicingyour vehicle. For more information go towww.P65Warnings.ca.gov/passenger-vehicle.
Related information
Opening/closing the fuel filler door (p. 452)
Fuel (p. 454)
Fuel
Volvo recommends the use of detergent gas- oline to control engine deposits.
Deposit control gasoline (gasoline with detergent additives)
Detergent gasoline is effective in keeping injectors and intake valves clean. Consistentuse of deposit control gasolines will helpensure good driveability and fuel economy. Ifyou are not sure whether the gasoline containsdeposit control additives, check with the serv-ice station operator.
NOTE
Volvo recommends not using external fuel injector cleaning systems, e.g. do not adddetergent additives to gasoline before orafter refueling.
Unleaded fuelAll Volvo vehicles have a three-way catalytic converter and must only use unleaded gaso-line. US and Canadian regulations require thatpumps delivering unleaded gasoline arelabeled "UNLEADED". Only the nozzles ofthese pumps will fit in your vehicle's fuel fillerinlet. It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel intoa vehicle labeled "unleaded gasoline only".Leaded gasoline damages the three-way cata-lytic converter and the heated oxygen sensor
STARTING AND DRIVING
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455
system. Repeated use of leaded gasoline will lessen the effectiveness of the emission con-trol system and could result in loss of emissionwarranty coverage. State and local vehicleinspection programs will make detection ofmisfueling easier, possibly resulting in emis-sion test failure for misfueled vehicles.
NOTE
Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines contain an octane enhancing additive calledmethyl-cyclopentadienyl manganese tricar-bonyl (MMT). If such fuels are used, yourEmission Control System performancemay be affected, and the Check EngineLight (malfunction indicator light) locatedon your instrument panel may light. If thisoccurs, please return your vehicle to atrained and qualified Volvo service techni-cian 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 lawsrequire that the service pump be marked indi-cating use of alcohols or ethers. However,there are areas in which the pumps areunmarked. If you are not sure whether there isalcohol or ethers in the gasoline you buy,check with the service station operator. To
meet seasonal air quality standards, someareas require the use of "oxygenated" fuel. Volvo permits the use of the following "oxy- genated" fuels. However, the specified octaneratings must still be met.
Alcohol - Ethanol
Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may be used. Ethanol may also be referred toas Ethyl alcohol, or "Gasohol". Ethers - MTBE/ETBE: Fuels containing up to 22% MTBE/ETBE by volume may be used.
MethanolDo not use gasolines containing methanol(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). This practicecan result in vehicle performance deteriorationand can damage critical parts in the fuel sys-tem. Such damage may not be covered underthe New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Related information
Octane rating (p. 455)
Opening/closing the fuel filler door(p. 452)
Refueling (p. 453)
Emission controls (p. 457)
Octane rating Volvo requires premium fuel (91 octane 14
or
higher) for all T5, T6 and T8 engines, and rec- ommends AKI 93 for optimal performanceand fuel economy. See decal examples inillustrations 1 and 2.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
466
NOTE
Extreme weather conditions, towing a trailer, high altitude and lower fuel gradethan recommended are factors that cansignificantly increase the vehicle's fuel con-sumption.
Trailer weights
WARNING
Please adhere to the recommendations provided for trailer weight. If the recom-mendations are not followed, the vehicleand trailer may be difficult to control duringevasive maneuvers and braking.
NOTE
The specified maximum trailer weights are those permitted by Volvo. National vehicleregulations may set additional restrictionson trailer weight and speed. The trailerhitches may be certified for higher towingweights than the vehicle is permitted totow.
Self-leveling suspension *The vehicle's self-leveling system attempts to keep the vehicle at a constant level, regardlessof load (up to the maximum permitted weight).When the vehicle is stationary, the rear end of the vehicle will be slightly lowered, which isnormal.
Driving in hilly terrain or hot weatherIn certain conditions, there is a risk of over-heating when driving with a trailer. If overheat-ing of the engine and drive system is detected,a warning symbol will illuminate in the instru-ment panel and a message will appear. The automatic transmission selects the opti- mal gear for the current load and enginespeed.
Steep inclines
Do not lock the automatic transmission into a higher gear than what the engine can handle
‒
it is not always preferable to drive in highgears at low rpm.
Parking on a hill
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Put the gear selector in P.
4. Release the brake pedal.Put chocks behind the wheels when the vehi- cle is parked on a hill with a trailer attached.
Starting on a hill
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Put the gear selector in D.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Release the brake pedal and start driving.
Related information
Trailer Stability Assist
* (p. 467)
Checking trailer lights (p. 468)
Towing capacity and tongue weight (p. 667)
Overheating of engine and transmission(p. 458)
Retractable hitch
* (p. 461)
STARTING AND DRIVING
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469
Towing using a towline
This section refers to one vehicle being towed behind another using a towline.
Never attempt to tow a Twin Engine vehicle behind another vehicle as this could damagethe electric motor. The vehicle must instead belifted onto a tow truck and transported with allfour wheels on the bed or lifting platform ofthe truck (no wheels may touch the road).
Towing another vehicleTowing another vehicle requires a lot of power - use the Constant AWD drive mode. This
helps charge the hybrid battery and improve the vehicle's driving and roadholding characte-ristics. Before towing another vehicle, check applica- ble speed limit regulations.
Jump startingNever attempt to tow the vehicle to start theengine, as this could damage the electricmotor. Use an auxiliary battery if the start bat-tery's charge level is so low that the enginecannot be started.
CAUTION
Attempts to tow-start the vehicle could cause damage to the electrical drive motorand three-way catalytic converter.
Related information
Attaching and removing the towing eyelet (p. 469)
Hazard warning flashers (p. 164)
Recovery (p. 470)
Jump starting using another battery(p. 459)
Selecting ignition mode (p. 416)
Transmission (p. 426)
Attaching and removing the towing eyelet
Use the towing eyelet to tow another vehicle. Screw the towing eyelet securely into placein the threaded outlet behind the cover on theright-hand side of the rear bumper.
NOTE
If the vehicle is equipped with a towbar, there is no rear attachment for the towingeye.
Attaching the towing eyelet
Take out the towing eyelet, which is stored in a foam block under the floor inthe cargo compartment.
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WHEELS AND TIRES
568
CAUTION
Snow chains can be used on the vehicle, with the following restrictions:
Always follow the manufacturer'sinstallation instructions carefully. Installchains as tightly as possible andretighten periodically.
Only put snow chains on the frontwheels (also applies to all-wheel drivevehicles).
If accessory, aftermarket or "custom"tires and wheels with different dimen-sions than the original tires and wheelsare used, snow chains in some casesmay NOT be used. Sufficient distancebetween the chains and brakes, sus-pension and body components mustbe maintained.
Check local regulations regarding theuse of snow chains before installing.
Never exceed the snow chain manu-facturer's specified maximum speedlimit. Under no circumstances shouldyou exceed 50 km/h (30 mph).
Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turnswhen driving with snow chains.
Avoid driving on surfaces withoutsnow as this wears out both the snowchains and the tires.
The handling of the vehicle can be adversely affected when driving withchains. Avoid fast or sharp turns aswell as locked wheel braking.
Some types of strap-on chains affectbrake components and therefore mustNOT be used.
Consult a Volvo retailer for more information about snow chains.
Related information
Winter driving (p. 450)
Tire sealing system 15
The temporary tire sealing system can be used to seal a puncture in a tire or to checkand adjust the pressure in the tire. Models equipped with a spare wheel 16
do not
have the tire sealing system.
WARNING
California Proposition 65 Operating, servicing and maintaining a pas- senger vehicle can expose you to chemi-cals including engine exhaust, carbon mon-oxide, phthalates, and lead, which areknown to the State of California to causecancer and birth defects or other reproduc-tive harm. To minimize exposure, avoidbreathing exhaust, do not idle the engineexcept as necessary, service your vehicle ina well ventilated area and wear gloves orwash your hands frequently when servicingyour vehicle. For more information go towww.P65Warnings.ca.gov/passenger-vehicle.
The tire sealing system consists of a compres- sor and a bottle containing sealing compound.The sealing functions as a temporary repair.
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
596
Volvo's service program To keep the vehicle as safe and reliable as possible, follow the Volvo service schedulespecified in the Warranty and MaintenanceRecords Information booklet.
WARNING
California Proposition 65 Operating, servicing and maintaining a pas- senger vehicle can expose you to chemi-cals including engine exhaust, carbon mon-oxide, phthalates, and lead, which areknown to the State of California to causecancer and birth defects or other reproduc-tive harm. To minimize exposure, avoidbreathing exhaust, do not idle the engineexcept as necessary, service your vehicle ina well ventilated area and wear gloves orwash your hands frequently when servicingyour vehicle. For more information go towww.P65Warnings.ca.gov/passenger-vehicle.
Volvo recommends having an authorized Volvo workshop perform service and mainte-nance. Volvo workshops have the staff, serviceliterature and special tools that can providethe highest quality of service.
CAUTION
To ensure the Volvo warranty is not invali- dated, check and follow the Warranty andService Records Information booklet.
Service and repairsService the vehicle regularly. Follow Volvo's recommended service intervals. Detailed inspection and repairs may only be performed by an authorized workshop.
WARNING
Do not make any repairs on this vehicle yourself. Electrical cables and/or compo-nents that have come loose may only becorrected by an authorized workshop – anauthorized Volvo workshop is recom-mended.
IntroductionThe maintenance services contain several checks that require special instruments andtools and therefore must be performed by aqualified technician. To keep your Volvo in topcondition, specify time-tested and provenGenuine Volvo Parts and Accessories.
The Federal Clean Air Act - U.S.
The Federal Clean Air Act requires vehicle manufacturers to furnish written instructionsto the ultimate purchaser to assure the properservicing and function of the components thatcontrol emissions. These services, which arelisted in the "Warranty and Service RecordsInformation" booklet, are not covered by thewarranty. You will be required to pay for laborand material used.
Maintenance
Your Volvo passed several major inspections before it was delivered to you, in accordancewith Volvo specifications. The maintenanceprocedures outlined in the Warranty and Serv-ice Records Information booklet, many ofwhich will positively affect your vehicle's emis-sions, should be performed as indicated. It isrecommended that receipts for vehicle emis-sion maintenance be retained in case ques-tions arise concerning maintenance. Inspec-tion and maintenance should also be per-formed anytime a malfunction is observed orsuspected.