pg. 143 Stability system

 Stability system

Stability and Traction Control (STC) - Anti-spin system - T5 (option on 2.4/2.4T)
The STC system is designed to help reduce wheel spin by limiting power to the drive wheels if they begin to lose traction. At speeds over 25 mph (40 km/h), the STC system monitors and compares all four wheels. If one of the drive (front) wheels shows any tendency to slip, such as when driving on slippery roads, the difference in speed is immediately detected. This triggers a signal to the engine management system, which will reduce engine torque (by reducing fuel) until the differential is corrected. This torque reduction is handled in stages, and reaction time is extremely fast. The system can be switched on or off by pressing the button on the center console for at least half a second (see page 37). The text window will briefly display "STC off" and the indicator light Stability system in the instrument panel will be ON when you have switched the system off. The STC system comes on each time you start your car.

The STC indicator light  Stability system will come on for approximately 2 seconds when the engine is started as the system performs a self-diagnostic test.

This system should be switched off if you, for any reason, temporarily have to drive with tires of different dimensions (e. g., spare tire).

The symbol  Stability system will flash when STC is actively regulating power to the drive wheels. Normal power may be reduced at this time. This is normal as power is momentarily reduced to help keep the drive wheels from losing traction and spinning.

If the STC system has been switched on using the button in the center console (the indicator light will normally go off) and the indicator light remains on, there is a fault in the system. In this case:

  • Stop the car in a suitable place and switch off the engine.
  • Restart the engine.
  • If the indicator light goes off, no further action is required.
  • If the light remains on, have the STC system inspected by an authorized Volvo retailer.

    pg. 144 Stability system

     Stability system

    Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC) - option
    The DSTC system performs all of the functions of the STC system. In addition, DSTC also applies the brakes to one or more of the wheels to help maintain stability if a wheel begins to lose traction. The system functions at speeds above 12 mph (20 km/h) and works on all four wheels, on any road surface. When DSTC is active, brake pressure is regulated automatically and the brake pedal will move slightly. If you press the brake pedal while DSTC is automatically regulating brake pressure, the pedal will feel stiffer than normal. A pulsating sound will be audible at this time, which is quite normal.

    Switching off DSTC

    DSTC comes on each time you start your car, and should be left on at all times. If for any reason the steering wheel position or the front wheels are not properly aligned, DSTC should be switched off since the system may receive incorrect signals.

    When the LED in the button is on, this indicates that DSTC is switched on (the light will also come on if a fault has been detected in the system). To avoid inadvertently switching the system off, the button must be pressed for at least half a second before DSTC is deactivated.

    The text window will briefly display "DSTC off" and the symbol Stability system will come on to indicate that DSTC has been switched off. The system is automatically switched back on when the engine is restarted.

    The DSTC indicator light  Stability system will flash when:

  • DSTC is actively functioning to help avoid loss of traction.

    The DSTC indicator light  Stability system will stay on when:

  • The car is started (for approximately 2 seconds as DSTC performs a self- diagnostic test).
  • DSTC has been switched off by pressing the DSTC button in the center console (see page 37).
  • DSTC has been temporarily switched off due to high brake temperature. The system will automatically switch on again when the brakes have cooled.
  • If the system has been switched off due to a fault. An authorized Volvo retailer should check the system.

    Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)
    The EBA function is an integrated part of the DSTC system. EBA is designed to provide full brake effect immediately in the event of sudden, hard braking. The system is activated by the speed with which you depress the brake pedal.

    NOTE:

  • When the EBA system is activated, the brake pedal will go down and pressure in the brake system immediately increases to the maximum level. Maintain full pressure on the brake pedal in order to utilize the system completely. EBA is automatically deactivated when the brake pedal is released.
  • When the car has been parked for some time, the brake pedal may sink more than usual when the engine is started. This is normal and the pedal will return to its usual position when it is released.

    pg. 145 Towing

     Towing

    Emergency towing
    The towing eyelet is located in the tool bag, under the floor of the trunk, with the spare tire. This eyelet must be screwed into the positions provided on the right sides of either the front or rear bumper (see illustrations).

    To attach the towing eyelet:

    A Use a coin to pry open the lower edge of the. B Screw the towing eyelet (C) in place, first by hand and then using the tire iron until it is securely in place.

    After the car has been towed, the eyelet should be removed and returned to the tool bag. Press the cover back into position.

     Towing

    Precautions when the car is in tow

  • The steering wheel must be unlocked. Turn the ignition key to position I or II.
  • The gear selector must be in position N.
  • Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h). Do not exceed the maximum allowable towing speed.
  • Maximum distance with front wheels on ground: 50 miles (80 km).
  • While the car is being towed, try to keep the tow rope taut at all times.
  • The cars should only be towed in forward direction.

    CAUTION:
    Please check with state and local authorities before attempting this type of towing, as vehicles being towed are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length and type of towing device, lighting, etc.
    If the car's battery is dead, do not attempt to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling it as this will damage the three-way catalytic converter( s). The engine must be jump started using an auxiliary battery (see page 147).
    If the car is being towed on a flat bed truck, the towing eyelets must not be used to secure the car on the flat bed. Consult the tow truck operator.

    warningWARNING!

    Remember that the power brakes and power steering will not function when engine is not running. The braking and steering systems will function but the brake pedal pressure required is 3 -4 times above normal and greater steering effort must be exerted The towing eyelets must not be used for pulling another vehicle out of a ditch or for any similar purpose involving severe strain. Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the car up onto a flat bed tow truck.

    pg. 146 Towing

     Towing

    Towing cars with front wheel drive
    Volvo recommends the use of flat bed equipment.

    If wheel lift equipment must be used, please use extreme caution to help avoid damage to the car. In this case, the car should be towed with the rear wheels on the ground if at all possible.

    If it is absolutely necessary to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on the ground, please refer to the towing information on the previous page.


    CAUTION:
    Sling-type equipment applied at the front will damage radiator and air conditioning lines It is equally important not to use sling-type equipment at the rear or apply lifting equipment inside the rear wheels; serious damage to the rear axle may result. If the car is being towed on a flat bed truck, the towing eyelets must not be used to secure the car on the flat bed. Consult the tow truck operator.

    warningWARNING!

    Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the car up onto a flat bed tow truck.

    pg. 147 Jump starting

     Jump starting

    Jump starting
    Follow these instructions to jump start your car's dead battery or to jump start another car's dead battery using your car. Although your car's battery is located under the floor of the trunk, jumper cables should be connected in the engine compartment, to the points shown in the illustrations.

    If the 12-volt auxiliary battery to be used is in another car, check that the cars are not touching to prevent premature completion of a circuit. Be sure to follow jump starting instructions provided for the other vehicle. To jump start your car:

  • Switch off the ignition.
  • First connect the auxiliary battery's positive (+) terminal (1) to the positive (+) terminal in your car's engine compartment (2).
  • Then connect the auxiliary battery's negative (-) terminal (3) to the ground point in your car's engine compartment (4).
  • Start the engine in the assisting car, then start the engine in the car with dead battery.
  • After the engine has started, first remove the negative (-) terminal jumper cable. Then remove the positive (+) terminal jumper cable.

    warningWARNING!

    PROPOSITION 65 WARNING!
    Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling

    warningWARNING!

    Do not connect the jumper cable to any part of the fuel system or to any moving parts. Avoid touching hot manifolds. Never expose the battery to open flame or electric spark.

    Do not smoke near the battery.

    Batteries generate hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive.

    Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin, fabrics or painted surfaces. If contact occurs, flush the affected area immediately with water. Obtain medical help immediately if eyes are affected.

    Failure to follow the instructions for jump starting can lead to personal injury.

    pg. 148 Towing a trailer

    Towing a trailer
    Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches that are specially designed for the car.

  • Maximum trailer weight recommended by Volvo is: Trailers without brakes: 1100 lbs (500 kg) Trailers with brakes: 2" (50 mm) ball - 3300 lbs (1500 kg), 1 7/8" (47 mm) ball - 3300 lbs (1500 kg). Observe the legal requirements of the state/province in which the vehicles are registered.
  • All Volvo models are equipped with energy-absorbing shock-mounted bumpers. Trailer hitch installation should not interfere with the proper operation of this bumper system.

    Trailer towing does not normally present any particular problems, but take into consideration:

  • Increase tire pressure to recommended full. See section "Wheels and tires."
  • When your car is new, avoid towing heavy trailers during the first 620 miles (1000 km).
  • Recommended hitch tongue load is: Trailer weights below 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg) - 110 lbs (50 kg) Trailer weights above 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg) - 165 lbs (75 kg)
  • Maximum speed when towing a trailer: 50 mph (80 km/h).
  • Engine and transmission are subject to increased loads. Therefore, engine coolant temperature should be closely watched when driving in hot climates or hilly terrain. Use a lower gear and turn off the air conditioner if the temperature gauge needle enters the red range.
  • If the automatic transmission begins to overheat, a message will be displayed in the text window.
  • Avoid overload and other abusive operation.
  • Hauling a trailer affects handling, durability, and economy.
  • It is necessary to balance trailer brakes with the towing vehicle brakes to provide a safe stop (check and observe state/local regulations).
  • Do not connect the trailer's brake system directly to the vehicle's brake system.
  • More frequent vehicle maintenance is required.
  • Remove the ball and drawbar assembly when the hitch is not being used.
  • Volvo recommends the use of synthetic engine oil when towing a trailer over long distances or in mountainous areas.

    warningWARNING!

    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 system, 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 wire must be correctly fastened to the hole or hook provided in the trailer hitch on the car. The safety wire should never be fastened to or wound around the drawbar ball.

    pg. 149 Towing a trailer

    NOTE! When parking the car with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking brake before putting the gear selector in (P) ark (first/reverse gear on manual transmissions). When starting on a hill, put the gear selector in (D) rive before releasing the parking brake.

    If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift positions while towing a trailer, make sure the gear you select does not put too much strain on the engine (using too high a gear). The drawbar assembly/trailer hitch may be rated for trailers heavier than the car is designed to tow. Please adhere to Volvo's recommended trailer weights.

     towing

    Leveling
    If you car is equipped with automatic leveling, the rear suspension always retains the correct ride height regardless of the load. When the car is stationary, the rear suspension sinks, which is normal.

    pg. 150 Detachable trailer hitch - installing

     Detachable trailer hitch - installing

    pg. 151 Detachable trailer hitch - removing

     Detachable trailer hitch - removing

    pg. 152 Attaching load carriers

    Attaching load carriers
    The attachment brackets for the load carriers are located under the roof molding.

    1. Make sure that the load carriers are placed in the right direction. See the mark on the decal under the cover.

    2. Press the guide lugs into the holes (1). 3. Carefully lower the opposite side of the load carrier to the roof.

    4. Loosen the tightening wheel slightly. Slide the hook on the load carrier attachment into the attachment bracket under the roof molding.

    5. Turn the tightening wheel to secure the load carrier in the attachment bracket.

    6. Repeat this procedure for the other load carrier attachments.

    7. Check that the hooks on all four load carrier attachments are securely tightened in the respective attachment brackets on the roof of the car.

    8. Press down the covers.

    Check periodically that the load carriers and load are properly secured.

     Attaching load carriers
    Load carrier

    Load carriers (accessory)
    Load carriers are available as Volvo accessories. Observe the following points when in use:

  • To avoid damaging your car and to achieve maximum safety when driving, we recommend using the load carriers that Volvo has developed especially for your car.
  • The maximum weight that may be loaded on the roof is 220 lbs (100 kg). For Non-Volvo roof racks, check the manufacturer's weight limits for the rack.
  • never exceed the rack manufacturer's weigh limits and never exceed the maximum rated roof load of 220 lbs 9100 kg). Avoid single-point loads. Distribute loads evenly.

     Attaching load carriers
  • Place heavier cargo at the bottom of the load.
  • Secure the cargo correctly with appropriate tie-down equipment.
  • Check periodically that the load carriers and load are properly secured.
  • Remember that the car's center of gravity and handling change when you carry a load on the roof.
  • The car's wind resistance and fuel consumption will increase with the size of the load.
  • Drive smoothly. Avoid rapid starts, fast cornering and hard braking.

    pg. 153 Cold weather precautions

    Cold weather precautions
    If you wish to check your car before the approach of cold weather, the following advice is worth noting:

  • Make sure that the engine coolant contains 50 percent antifreeze. Any other mixture will reduce freeze protection. This gives protection against freezing down to -31° F (- 35° C). See section "Coolant". The use of "recycled" antifreeze is not approved by Volvo. Different types of antifreeze must not be mixed.
  • Volvo recommends using only genuine Volvo antifreeze in your car's radiator. Your Volvo retailer stocks plenty of Volvo engine coolant to protect your car during cold weather.
  • Try to keep the fuel tank well filled - this prevents the formation of condensation in the tank. In addition, in extremely cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to add fuel line de-icer before refueling.
  • The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-weather starting as well as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine is warming up. For winter use, 5W- 30 oil, particularly the synthetic type*, is recommended. Be sure to use good quality oil but do not use cold-weather oil for hard driving or in warm weather. See section "Engine oil" for more information.
  • The load placed on the battery is greater during the winter since the windshield wipers, lighting, etc. are used more often. Moreover, the capacity of the battery decreases as the temperature drops. In very cold weather, a poorly charged battery can freeze and be damaged. It is therefore advisable to check the state of charge more frequently and spray an anti- rust oil on the battery posts.
  • Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter driving - see section "Wheels and tires."
  • To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents containing antifreeze (see page 172 for the location of the washer fluid reservoir). This is important since dirt is often splashed on the windshield during winter driving, requiring the frequent use of the washers and wipers. Volvo Washer Solvent should be diluted as follows: Down to 14° F (- 10° C): 1 part washer solvent and 4 parts water Down to 5° F (- 15° C): 1 part washer solvent and 3 parts water Down to 0° F (- 18° C): 1 part washer solvent and 2 parts water Down to -18° F (- 28° C): 1 part washer solvent and 1 part water
  • Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.

    NOTE! Avoid the use of de-icing sprays as they can cause damage to the locks.

    W Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction (automatic transmission)

  • Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D) rive position.
  • Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage this driving mode.
  • An LED in the button will light up to indicate that W is engaged and this will also be displayed in the instrument panel (see page 30).
  • This mode may be selected for starting/ moving off on slippery roads.

    * Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintenance service intervals.

    pg. 154 Before a long distance trip

    Before a long distance trip
    It is always worthwhile to have your car checked at a Volvo retailer before driving long distances. Your retailer will also be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark plugs and wiper blades for your use in the event that problems occur.

    As a minimum, the following items should be checked before any long trip:

  • Check that engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.
  • Check engine oil, coolant levels, and for any fluid leakage.
  • Check transmission oil level*.
  • Check condition of drive belts.
  • Check state of the battery's charge.
  • Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and replace those that are worn. Check tire pressures.
  • The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be checked by your Volvo retailer only.
  • Check all lights, including high beams.
  • Reflective warning triangles are legal requirement in some countries.
  • Have a word with your Volvo retailer if you intend to drive in countries where it may be difficult to obtain the correct fuel.
  • Consider your destination. If you will be driving through an area where snow or ice are likely to occur, consider snow tires.

    * To prevent injury from contact with hot surfaces, do not inspect your car's transmission fluid yourself. Have your car's transmission fluid level inspected by a qualified Volvo service technician.


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