WHEELS AND TIRES
* Option/accessory.541
Checking tire pressure
Correct inflation pressure helps improve driv- ing stability, save fuel and increase the serv-ice life of the tires.
Tire pressure decreases over time, which is normal. Tire pressure also varies depending onthe ambient temperature. Driving on under-inflated tires could cause the vehicle to over-heat and lead to damage. Tire pressure affectstraveling comfort, road noise and driving cha-racteristics. Check the pressure in the tires every month. Use the recommended inflation pressure forcold tires to help maintain good tire perform-ance. Under-inflated or over-inflated tirescould cause uneven tread wear. Use an air pressure gauge and check the infla- tion pressure on all the tires, including the spare tire 4
, at least once a month and before
long trips. Volvo recommends buying a relia- ble air pressure gauge, as the automaticgauges provided at service stations may beinaccurate.
WARNING
Under-inflation is the most common cause of tire failure and may result insevere tire cracking, tread separation,or "blow-out," with unexpected loss ofvehicle control and increased risk ofinjury.
Under-inflated tires reduce the loadcarrying capacity of your vehicle.
Cold tiresInflation pressure should be checked when thetires are cold. The tires are considered to becold when they have the same temperature asthe surrounding (ambient) air. This tempera-ture is normally reached after the vehicle hasbeen parked for at least 3 hours. After driving for approximately 1.6 km (1 mile), the tires are considered to be warm. If youneed to drive longer than that to inflate thetires, check and record the inflation pressureof the tires first and inflate accordingly whenyou arrive at the pump. When the ambient temperature changes, so does the inflation pressure. A 10-degree tem-perature drop causes a corresponding drop ininflation pressure of 1 psi (7 kPa). Check theinflation pressure of the tires regularly andadjust to the correct pressure, which can be found on the vehicle's tire information decal orcertification label. If you check inflation pressure when the tires are warm, you should never release air. Thetires become warm after driving and it is nor-mal for warm tires to have an inflation pres-sure above the recommended pressure forcold tires. A warm tire with an inflation pres-sure equal to or under the recommended pres-sure for cold tires could be significantly under-inflated.Related information
Adjusting tire pressure (p. 542)
Recommended tire pressure (p. 543)
Tire pressure monitoring system
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(p. 543)
Tires (p. 534)
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Not available in all models.
WHEELS AND TIRES
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4. Start the compressor by moving the
switch to the I (On) position.
CAUTION
Risk of overheating. The compressor should not be running for longer than 10minutes at a time.
5. Inflate the tire to the pressure specified on
the tire pressure decal on the driver's side door pillar. If the inflation pressure is toohigh, use the air release valve to releaseair.
6. Switch off the compressor. Remove the hose and the electrical cable.
7. Screw the valve cap back onto the tire.
NOTE
After inflating a tire, always replace the valve cap to help prevent valve damagecaused by gravel, dirt, etc.
Use plastic valve caps only. Metal capscould corrode and become difficult toremove.
NOTE
The compressor is an electric device. Fol- low local regulations for disposal.
Related information
Recommended tire pressure (p. 543)
Using the tire sealing system (p. 557)
Tire sealing system (p. 556)
Determining the vehicle's permitted weight
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maximum return of vehicle design perform-ance.
Weight designationsBefore loading your vehicle, familiarize your- self with the following terms for determiningyour vehicle's weight ratings, with or without atrailer, from the vehicle's Federal/CanadianMotor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/CMVSS) label, and the vehicle's tire informa-tion 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 equip-ment.
Capacity weight
All weight added to the curb weight, including cargo and optional equipment. When towing,towbar weight is also part of cargo weight.
Permissible axle weight
The maximum allowable weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear). Thesenumbers are shown on the Federal/CanadianMotor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/CMVSS) label. The total load on each axlemust never exceed its maximum permissibleweight.
