2 0 0 2
VOLVO
S60

Wheels and tires

pg. 155 Wheels and tires

General information 156
Tire pressure 158
Tread wear indicators 159
Changing wheels 160
Uniform Tire Quality Grading 162

pg. 156 General information

General information about wheels and tires
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the tire information label on the inside of the fuel filler door.

All tires have a dimension designation.

Example of designation: 215/55R16.
215 section width (mm)
55 relationship between section
height and width
R radial tire
16 wheel rim diameter (")

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/ice-free 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.

New tires

New tires
Remember that tires are perishable goods. This tire was manufactured week 15 in 1998! (158). As of 2000, manufacturing year and week will be indicated with 4 digits (e. g. 0015 means that the tire is manufactured year 2000, week 15).

Improving tire economy:

  • Maintain correct tire pressure. See the tire pressure label on the inside of the fuel filler door.
  • 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 tires are rotated, they must be kept on the same side of the car so that they revolve in the same direction as before 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. In cold weather, it takes longer for the tire to warm up and consequently longer for the flat spot to disappear.

    CAUTION: The car must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a spare tire other than the one that came with the car. The use of different size wheels can seriously damage your car's transmission.

    pg. 157 General information

    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.
  • Special snow chains must be mounted on 195/65 R15. For tires of other dimensions, 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. Sufficient clearances between chains and brakes, suspension and body components must be maintained.
  • Some strap-on type chains will interfere with brake components and therefore CANNOT be used.

    NOTE: 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 you exceed 31 mph (50 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 recommends195/65 R15 (205/55R16 on turbo models) winter tires on all four 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 run-in 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 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

    pg. 158 Tire pressure

    Tire pressure

    Checking and correcting tire pressure
    The tire pressure label is located on the inside of the fuel filler door.

  • Check the tire pressure regularly.
  • 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.

    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 inside of the fuel filler door. This label lists both tire and vehicle design limits. Do not load your car beyond the load limits indicated.

    warningWARNING!

    Improperly inflated tires will reduce tire life, adversely affect vehicle handling and can possibly lead to failure resulting in loss of vehicle control without prior warning.

    Temporary Spare (certain models)
    The spare tire in your car is called a "Temporary Spare". It has the following designation: T125/80 R17.

    Recommended tire pressure (see decal on Fuel filler door) should be maintained irrespective of which position on the car the Temporary Spare tire is used on. In the event of damage to this tire, a new one can be purchased from your Volvo retailer.

    warningWARNING!

    Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Temporary Spare" tire other than as a temporary replacement for a punctured tire. It must be replaced as soon as possible by a standard tire. Road holding and handling may be affected with the "Temporary Spare" in use. Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). Do not drive farther than 50 miles (80 km) on a temporary spare tire.

    CAUTION:
    The car must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a spare tire other than the one that came with the car. The use of different size wheels can seriously damage your car's transmission.

    NOTE: Certain models may be equipped with a full-size spare tire. When used, it should be inflated to the same pressure as the tire it is replacing.

    pg. 159 Tread wear indicators

    Tread wear indicators

    Tires have tread
    wear indicators The tires have wear indicator 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.

    pg. 160 Changing wheels

    Changing wheels

    Changing wheels
    The spare wheel is located under the carpet on the trunk floor. The jack and crank are secured in the wheel recess.

    There are two jack attachment points on each side of the car (see illustration on next page). To change a wheel:

  • Engage the parking brake.
  • Put the gear selector in (P) ark (automatic transmission) or reverse (manual transmission).

    Changing wheels
  • Remove the wheel cap (where applicable) using the lug wrench in the tool kit.
  • With the car still on the ground, use the lug wrench to loosen the wheel bolts 1/2 - 1 turn. Turn the bolts counterclockwise to loosen.
    CAUTION:
    The car must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a spare tire other than the one that came with the car. The use of different size wheels can seriously damage your car's transmission.

    Correct tightening torque on wheel bolts must be observed. The wheel bolts should never be greased or lubricated. The extended, chromed wheel bolts must not be used with steel rims, as they make it impossible to fit the hub caps.

    pg. 161 Changing wheels

    Changing wheels

  • Position the jack correctly on the bar in the attachment (see illustration above) and crank while simultaneously guiding the base of the jack to the ground. The base of the jack must be flat on a level, firm, non-slippery surface. Before raising the car, check that the jack is still correctly positioned in the attachment.
  • Raise the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is lifted off the ground.
  • Unscrew the wheel bolts completely and carefully remove the wheel so as not to damage the threads on the studs. NOTE: To avoid excessive wear and the necessity of rebalancing, mark and reinstall wheels in the same location and position as before removal. To lessen the chance of imbalance, each wheel hub is equipped with a guide stud to ensure that a removed wheel can be reinstalled in its original position (as when changing over to winter tires/wheels).

    Changing wheels

    Installing the wheel

  • Clean the contact surfaces on the wheel and hub.
  • Lift the wheel and place it on the hub.
  • Install the wheel bolts and tighten hand-tight. Using the lug wrench, tighten crosswise until all bolts are snug.
  • Lower the vehicle to the ground and alternately tighten the bolts crosswise to 102 ft. lbs. (140 Nm).
  • Install the wheel cap (where applicable).

    warningWARNING!

    The jack must correctly engage the bar in the jack attachment. The car's weight must not rest on the jack attachment. See illustration "Attaching the jack" to the left.

    Be sure the jack is on a firm, level, non-slippery surface.

    Never allow any part of your body to be extended under a car supported by a jack. Use the jack intended for the car when replacing a wheel. For any other job, use stands to support the side of the car being worked on.

    Apply the parking brake and put the gear selector in the (P) ark position (or reverse on manual transmissions).

    Block the wheels standing on the ground, use rigid wooden blocks or large stones. The jack should be kept well-greased.

    pg. 162 Uniform Tire Quality Grading

    Uniform Tire Quality Grading
    ALL PASSENGER CAR TIRES MUST CONFORM TO FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION TO THESE GRADES

    Quality grades can be found, where applicable, on the tire sidewall between the tread shoulder and maximum section width. For example:
    Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A

    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..

    warningWARNING!

    The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and is not a measure of 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.

    warningWARNING!

    The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.


    Prev PageNext Page

    Contents | Top of Page