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VOLVO
C70 Coupe & Convertible
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Chapter 5 - Wheels and tires
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| | Page |
| General information, Wear indicator, Tire economy, Flat spots | 84 |
| Snow chains, Snow tires | 85 |
| Inflation pressure | 86 |
| Uniform tire quality grading | 87 |
General information
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the tire
information label located on the rear facing side of the right front
door.
The following is an example of a tire designation code 225/50R16:
225 = tire width in mm.
50 = tire profile. This is the relationship (in percent) between
the section height and width of the tire.
R = radial tires.
16 = diameter in inches.
The tires have good road holding characteristics and offer good
handling on dry and wet surfaces. It should be noted however that the tires
have been developed to give these features on snow/icefree surfaces.
Certain models are equipped with "all-season" tires, which provide
a somewhat higher degree of road holding on slippery surfaces
than tires without the "all-season"
rating. However, for optimum road holding on icy or snow covered roads
we recommend suitable winter tires on all four
wheels. When replacing tires, be sure that the new
tires are the same size designation, type (radial) and preferably from the
same manufacturer, on all four wheels. Otherwise there is a risk of altering
the car's roadholding and handling characteristics.
NOTE: When storing wheel/tire assemblies (e.g. winter tires
and wheels), either stand the assemblies upright, or suspend them off
the ground. Laying wheel/tire assemblies on their sides for
prolonged periods can cause wheel and/or tire damage.
Wear indicator
The tires have a socalled "wear indicator" in the form of a number
of narrow strips running across or parallel to the tread. When approx.
1/16" (1.6 mm) is left on the tread, these strips become visible and indicate
that the tire should be replaced.
Tires with less than 1/16" (1.6 mm) tread have a very poor grip in rain
or snow.
When replacing worn tires, it is recommended that the tire be identical
in type (radial) and size as the one being replaced. Using a tire of the
same make (manufacturer) will prevent alteration of the driving
characteristics of the vehicle.
To improve tire economy:
Maintain correct tire pressure.
Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard braking and tire screeching.
Tire wear increases with speed.
Correct front wheel alignment is very important.
Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy and driving comfort.
If the wheels are rotated, they should be kept on the same side of
the car so that they revolve in the same direction as prior to rotation.
Hitting curbs or potholes can damage the tires and/or wheels
permanently.
Flat spots
All tires become warm during use. After cooling, when the vehicle
is parked, the tires have a tendency to distort slightly, forming flat
spots. These flat spots can cause vibrations similar to the vibrations caused
by unbalanced wheels. They do, however, disappear when the tire warms
up. The degree to which flat spots form depends on the type of cord used
in the tire. Remember that, in cold weather, it takes longer for the tire
to warm up and consequently longer for the flat spot to disappear.
Snow chains
Snow chains can be used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
Snow chains should be installed on front wheels only. Use only
Volvo approved snow chains.
Snow chains may be mounted on tire dimension 195/65R15.
Tire dimension 205/55R16 requires a special type of snow chain.
Consult your Volvo retailer.
If accessory, aftermarket or "custom" tires and wheels are installed
and are of a size different than the original tires and wheels, chains in
some cases CANNOT be used. Snow chains cannot be used on those
models fitted with all-season tires 225/50 R16 or 225/45 R17 or
225/40R18. Sufficient clearances between chains and brakes, suspension and
body components must be maintained.
Some strapon type chains will interfere with brake components
and therefore CANNOT be used.
Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow chain information.
CAUTION:
Check local regulations regarding the use of snow chains
before installing.
Always follow the chain manufacturer's installation
instructions carefully. Install chains as tightly as possible and
retighten periodically.
Never exceed the chain manufacturer's specified maximum
speed limit. (Under no circumstances should that limit be higher than
30 mph (45 km/h).
Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns when driving with
snow chains.
The handling of the vehicle can be adversely affected
when driving with chains. Avoid fast or sharp turns as well as
locked wheel braking.
Snow tires, studded tires *
Tires for winter use:
Owners who live in or regularly commute through areas
with sustained periods of snow or icy driving conditions are
strongly advised to fit suitable winter tires to help retain the highest
degree of traction.
It is important to install winter tires on all four
wheels to help retain traction during cornering, braking, and accelerating. Failure to do
so could reduce traction to an unsafe level or adversely affect handling.
Do not mix tires of different design as this could also negatively
affect overall tire road grip. Volvo recommends 195/65 R15 winter tires
on 15" steel wheels on all C 70 models including those equipped
with 16", 17" or 18" wheels.
Winter tires wear more quickly on dry roads in warm weather.
They should be removed when the winter driving season has ended.
Studded tires should be runin 300-600 miles (500-1000 km)
during which the car should be driven as smoothly as possible to give the
studs the opportunity to seat properly in the tires. The car tires should have
the same rotational direction throughout their entire lifetime. In
other words, if you wish to rotate the wheels, make sure that the same
wheels are always on the same side of the car.
NOTE: Please consult state or provincial regulations restricting the
use of studded winter tires before installing such tires.
* Where permitted.
Checking and correcting tire pressure
Check the tire pressure when refuelling.
The tire pressure should be corrected only when the tires are cold.
With warm tires, correct only when the pressure is too low. The
tire temperature rises after driving just a few miles.
Tire rotation
Volvo recommends rotating the tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) and 15,000 miles (24,000 km). Tires should be rotated front-to-back/back-to-front only. Tires must maintain the same direction of rotation throughout their lifetime, and should never be rotated from one side of the vehicle to the other.
Vehicle loading
The tires on your Volvo will perform to specifications at all normal
loads when inflated as recommended on the tire information label* located
on the rear facing edge of the passenger's door. This label lists both tire
and vehicle design limits.
Do not load your car beyond the load limits indicated.
*Please note that the tire information label indicates pressure for
both comfort and fuel economy.
Tire pressure label
Uniform tire quality grading
ALL PASSENGER CAR TIRES MUST CONFORM TO
FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION TO THESE GRADES
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate
of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and many depart significantly from the
norm due to variation in driving habits, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.
TRACTION
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C,
as measured under controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction. |
TEMPERATURE
The temperature grades are AA (the highest), A, B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a minimum level
of performance that all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure. |
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