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VOLVO
V70

Chapter 6 - Starting and driving

pg. 87 Starting and driving


Fuel requirements 88
Fuel Formulations 89
Refueling 90
Starting the engine 91
Manual transmission 93
Automatic transmission (AW5) 94
Automatic transmission (Geartronic) 96
All Wheel Drive 98
Four-C active chassis system 99
Front/rear park assist (option/accessory) 100
Driving economy, Handling 101
Points to remember 102
Roof racks/load carriers 103
Emergency towing 105
Vehicle towing information 106
Towing a trailer 107
Detachable trailer hitch 108
Jump starting 109
Winter driving 110
Long distance trips 111
Three-way catalytic converter 112

pg. 88 Fuel requirements

Fuel requirements
Octane rating: Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium gasoline with an octane rating AKI of 91, or above. AKI (ANTI KNOCK INDEX) is an average of the Research Octane Number, RON, and the Motor Octane Number, MON. (RON + MON/2). The minimum octane requirement is AKI 87 (RON 91).

Deposit control gasoline (detergent additives)
Volvo recommends the use of detergent gasoline to control engine deposits. Detergent gasoline is effective in keeping injectors and intake valves clean. Consistent use of deposit control gasolines will help ensure good driveability and fuel economy. If you are not sure whether the gasoline contains deposit control additives, check with the service station operator.

Unleaded fuel
Each Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter and must use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. and Canadian regulations require that pumps delivering unleaded gasoline be labelled "UNLEADED". Only these pumps have nozzles which fit your car's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel into a vehicle labelled "unleaded gasoline only". Leaded gasoline damages the three-way catalytic converter and the heated oxygen sensor system. Repeated use of leaded gasoline will lessen the effectiveness of the emission control system and could result in loss of emission warranty coverage. State and local vehicle inspection programs will make detection of misfueling easier, possibly resulting in emission test failure for misfueled vehicles.

NOTE: Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines contain an octane enhancing additive called methyl-cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). If such fuels are used, your Emission Control System performance may be affected, and the Check Engine light (malfunction indicator lamp) located on your instrument panel may light. If this occurs, please return your vehicle to an authorized Volvo retailer for service.

Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers
"Oxygenated fuels"

Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing "oxygenates" which are usually alcohols or ethers. In some areas, state or local laws require that the service pump be marked indicating use of alcohols or ethers.
However, there are areas in which the pumps are unmarked. If you are not sure whether there is alcohol or ethers in the gasoline you buy, check with the service station operator. To meet seasonal air quality standards, some areas require the use of "oxygenated" fuel.
Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygenated fuels; however, the octane ratings listed on this page must still be met.

Alcohol - Ethanol: Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may be used. Ethanol may also be referred to as Ethyl alcohol, or "Gasohol".

Ethers - MTBE: Fuels containing up to 15% MTBE may be used.


CAUTION! Do not use gasolines containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). This practice can result in vehicle performance deterioration and can damage critical parts in the fuel system. Such damage may not be covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.


pg. 89 Fuel requirements

Carbon Monoxide - Important Warning
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. It is present in all exhaust gases. If you ever smell exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, make sure the passenger compartment is ventilated, and immediately return the vehicle to your retailer for correction.

Fuel Formulations
Do not use gasoline that contains lead as a knock inhibitor, and do not use lead additives. Besides damaging the exhaust emission control systems on your car, lead has been strongly linked to certain forms of cancer.
Many fuels contain benzene as a solvent. Unburned benzene has been strongly linked to certain forms of cancer. If you live in an area where you must fill your own gas tank, take precautions. These may include:

  • standing upwind away from the filler nozzle while refueling
  • refueling only at gas stations with vapor recovery systems that fully seal the mouth of the filler neck during refueling
  • wear neoprene gloves while handling a fuel filler nozzle.

    Use of Additives
    With the exception of gas line antifreeze during winter months, do not add solvents, thickeners, or other store-bought additives to your car's fuel, cooling, or lubricating systems. Overuse may damage your engine, and some of these additives contain organically volatile chemicals. Do not needlessly expose yourself to these chemicals.

    pg. 90 Refueling


    Refueling
    The fuel tank holds approximately:
    Front wheel drive, non-turbo models - 18.5 US gal. (70 liters)
    All turbo models - 18 US gal. (68 liters)
    with sufficient volume left over to accommodate possible expansion of the fuel in hot weather. Be aware that the "usable" tank capacity will be somewhat less than the specified maximum. When the fuel level is low, such factors as ambient temperature, the fuel's "Reid vapor pressure" characteristics, and terrain can affect the fuel pump's ability to supply the engine with an adequate supply of fuel. Therefore, it is advisable to refuel as soon as possible when the needle nears the red zone, or when the fuel warning light comes on.

    Fuel filler door
    Press the button on the light switch panel (see illustration on page 37) when the car is at a standstill to unlock the fuel filler door. Please note that the fuel filler door will remain unlocked until the car begins to move forward. An audible click will be heard when the fuel filler door relocks.
    If you intend to leave your car while it is being refueled, this features enables you to lock the door/tailgate while leaving the fuel filler door unlocked.
    You can also keep the car locked if you remain inside it during refueling. The central locking button does not lock the fuel filler door.
    Be sure the fuel filler door is not obstructed and is completely closed after refueling.
    Open the fuel filler cap slowly during hot weather conditions.

    NOTE: During a transitional period, a small number of service stations may still have fuel nozzles that are not compatible with the fuel filler neck on cars equipped with the evaporative control system. Please refer to page 147 for additional information.

    WARNING!
    Never carry a cell phone that is switched on while refueling your vehicle. If the phone rings, this may cause a spark that could ignite gasoline fumes, resulting in fire and injury.


    CAUTION:
  • Do not refuel with the engine running *. Turn the ignition off or to position I. If the ignition is on, an incorrect reading could occur in the fuel gauge.
  • After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise until it clicks into place *.
  • Allow for fuel expansion by not overfilling the tank. Overfilling could also cause damage to the emission control systems.
  • Avoid spilling gasoline when refueling. In addition to causing damage to the environment, gasolines containing alcohol can cause damage to painted surfaces, which may not be covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
  • Do not use gasolines containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). This practice can result in vehicle performance deterioration and can damage critical parts in the fuel system. Such damage may not be covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
    * If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the car is refueled, the Check Engine light (malfunction indicator lamp) may indicate a fault. However, your vehicle's performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo original or approved fuel filler caps.

    pg. 91 Starting the engine

    Starting the engine
    1. Fasten the seat belt.

    WARNING!
    Before starting, check that the seat, steering wheel and mirrors adjusted properly.
    Make sure the brake pedal can be depressed completely. Adjust the seat if necessary. See page 60.

    2. Apply the parking brake, if not already set. The gear selector (automatic transmission) is locked in the (P)ark position (SHIFT-LOCK).
    Manual transmission: the clutch must be fully depressed.

    3. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key* to the starting position. Allow the starter to operate for up to 10 seconds. Release the key as soon as the engine starts. If the engine fails to start, repeat this step.

    For cold starts at altitudes above 6000 ft (1800 meters), depress the accelerator pedal halfway and turn the key to the starting position. Release the pedal slowly when the engine starts.

    NOTE:
    On certain models, when the car is started, idle speed may be noticeably higher than normal for a short period, depending on the temperature of the engine.
    This has been done to help bring components in the emission control system to their normal operating temperature as quickly as possible, which enables them to function normally.
    For cold starts at altitudes above 6000 ft (1800 meters), depress the accelerator pedal halfway and turn the key to the starting position. Release the pedal slowly when the engine starts.

    4. To release the gear selector from the (P)ark position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in position II) and the brake pedal must be depressed. While keeping firm pressure on the brake pedal, release the parking brake.

    5. Select the desired gear. The gear engages after a very slight delay which is especially noticeable when selecting R.

    NOTE:

  • Your car is equipped with a KEYLOCK system. When the engine is switched off, the gear selector must be in the (P)ark position before the key can be removed from the ignition switch.
  • When starting in cold weather, the transmission may shift up at slightly higher engine speeds than normal until the automatic transmission fluid reaches normal operating temperature.

    * Your car is equipped with an electronic start inhibitor (immobilizer). The keys you received with your car are specially coded. The code in the key is transmitted to an antenna in the ignition switch where it is compared to the code stored in the start inhibitor module. The car can only be started if a properly coded key is used.

    If two of the keys to your car are close together, e.g., on the same key ring, when you try to start the car, this could cause interference in the immobilizer system and result in the car not starting. If this should occur, remove one of the keys from the key ring before trying to start the car again.

    pg. 92 Starting the engine


    CAUTION:

  • The engine should be idling when you move the gear selector. Never accelerate until after you feel the transmission engage! Accelerating immediately after selecting a gear will cause harsh engagement and premature transmission wear.
  • Selecting P or N when idling at a standstill for prolonged periods time will help prevent overheating of the automatic transmission fluid.
  • Do not race a cold engine immediately after starting. Oil flow may not reach some lubrication points fast enough to prevent engine damage.

    WARNING!

  • Always place the gear selector in Park or in reverse on models with a manual transmission, and apply the parking brake before leaving the vehicle. Never leave the car unattended with the engine running.
  • Always open garage doors fully before starting the engine inside a garage to ensure adequate ventilation. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which is invisible and odorless but very poisonous.
  • An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pedal and the clutch to catch. Check that the movement of the accelerator pedal and clutch is not impeded. Not more than one protective floor covering may be used at one time.



  • pg. 93 Manual transmission


    5-speed manual transmission
    Depress the clutch pedal completely when changing gears*.
    Remove your foot from the clutch pedal while driving. The shift pattern should be followed.
    Overdrive (5th gear) should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. This gear should be engaged at speeds above approx. 50 mph (80 km/h).

    * Clutch interlock
    The clutch must be fully depressed before you can start your car. If the clutch is not depressed, it will not be possible to start the engine.

    6-speed manual transmission (option on certain models)

    Fifth and sixth gears should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy.

    WARNING!
    An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pedal and/or the clutch pedal to catch. Check that the movement of these pedals is not impeded. Not more than one protective floor covering may be used at one time.


    Engaging reverse gear
    Never engage R while the car is moving.


    CAUTION: Be careful that you do not inadvertently engage reverse while moving forward.

    pg. 94 Automatic transmission AW5


    P (Park)
    Use this position when starting the engine or parking the car.

    Never use P while the car is in motion.

    The parking brake should be set whenever the car is parked.

    The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the gear selector from this position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in position II) and the brake pedal must be depressed.

    WARNING!
    Never leave the car unattended when the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear selector is moved from P, the car may start moving.

    R (Reverse)
    Never engage R while the car is moving.

    N (Neutral)
    Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.

    D (Drive)
    D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. The car should not be moving when shifting from R to the D position.

    4 (Intermediate gear)
    The transmission will shift automatically between gears 4, 3, 2 or 1 from this position. The transmission cannot shift up to (D)rive from fourth gear.

    3 (Intermediate gear)
    The transmission will shift automatically between gears 3, 2 and 1 from this position. The transmission cannot shift up to fourth gear or (D)rive from third gear.

    L (Low gears)
    The transmission is locked in gears 1 and 2 when the selector is in this position.

    NOTE:

  • Gears 4, 3, or L can be used if you are driving in a mountainous area, towing a trailer or to increase engine braking effect.
  • The transmission has a built-in limiter designed to help prevent excessive engine speeds (high rpm) when gears 4, 3 or L are selected.

    Automatic transmission - adaptive system
    The automatic transmission is controlled by an adaptive control system that constantly monitors the way in which the transmission functions. It senses and adapts each gear shift for optimal performance.

    pg. 95 Automatic transmission AW5


    Automatic transmission - shift gate positions
    The gear selector can be moved freely between N and D.

    Depressing the button on the front of the gear selector knob enables you to move the gear selector to positions P, R, N, D, 4, 3 and L.

    W Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction

  • 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 (see illustration).
  • 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 29).
  • This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.

    NOTE: R-models are not equipped with this button.

    Kickdown
    Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly. Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway speeds.

    Cold starts
    When driving before the engine has reached its normal operating temperature, the transmission will shift up at slightly higher engine speeds to heat the three-way catalytic converter as quickly as possible.

    pg. 96 Automatic transmission (Geartronic)


    P (Park)
    Use this position when starting the engine or parking the car.

    Never use P while the car is in motion. The parking brake should be set whenever the car is parked.

    The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the gear selector from this position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in position II) and the brake pedal must be depressed.

    WARNING!
    Never leave the car unattended when the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear selector is moved from P, the car may start moving.

    R (Reverse)
    Never engage R while the car is moving forward.

    N (Neutral)
    Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.

    D (Drive)
    D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. The car should not be moving when shifting from R to the D position.

    Kickdown
    Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly. Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway speeds. Kickdown does not function when the transmission is in the manual shift (geartronic) mode (see next page).

    Automatic transmission - adaptive system
    The automatic transmission is controlled by an adaptive control system that constantly monitors the way in which the transmission functions. It senses and adapts each gear shift for optimal performance.

    Shift gate positions

    Automatic transmission - shift gate positions
    You can move the gear selector freely between the (MAN)ual and (D)rive positions while driving.

    Depress the button on the front of the gear selector knob to move between the R, N, D, and P positions.

    Please see the following page for information on using the Geartronic manual shift mode.

    pg. 97 Automatic transmission (Geartronic)

    Manual shifting - Geartronic
    You can move the gear selector freely between the (MAN)ual and (D)rive positions while driving. Gears 2, 3, and 4 have a "lock-up" function which reduces engine speed and helps save fuel.
    The currently selected gear will be displayed in the instrument panel (see page 29).

  • To access the (MAN)ual shifting position from (D)rive, pull the gear selector back slightly from D and move it to the left to MAN.
  • To return to the (D)rive position from MAN, move the gear selector to the right and push it forward to the (D)rive position.

    While driving
    If you select the (MAN)ual position while driving, the gear that was being used in the (D)rive position will also initially be selected in (MAN)ual position.

  • Move the gear selector forward (toward "+") to shift to a higher gear or rearward (toward "-") to shift to a lower gear.
  • If you hold the gear selector toward "-", the transmission will downshift one gear and will utilize the braking power of the engine. If the current speed is too high for using a lower gear, the downshift will not occur until the speed has decreased enough to allow the lower gear to be used.
  • If you slow down to a very low speed, the transmission will automatically shift down.
  • When starting in the (MAN)ual position, 3rd gear is the highest gear that may be selected.

    NOTE: Kickdown (see previous page) does not function when the transmission is in the manual shift (geartronic) mode. The gear selector must be in the D (Drive) position.

    W Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction

    Please refer to the information on page 95 .

    Sport mode (R-models only)
    R-models are equipped with a (S)port button that can be used to engage/disengage the Sport shifting mode. An indicator light in the button will go on when Sport mode is engaged.
    With Sport mode engaged, the transmission will shift up at higher rpm in first and second gears, and will also shift down at higher rpm for more immediate engine response during acceleration and deceleration.

    pg. 98 All Wheel Drive - option

    All Wheel Drive (AWD) - general information
    Your Volvo can be equipped with permanent All Wheel Drive, which means that power is distributed automatically between the front and rear wheels. Under normal driving conditions, most of the engine's power is directed to the front wheels. However, if there is any tendency for the front wheels to spin, an electronically controlled coupling distributes power to the wheels that have the best traction.

    Tire dimensions
    Volvo recommends that you always drive on tires of the same brand, size, construction (radial), tread pattern, load-, speed-, traction-, temperature-, and treadwear rating. Never drive on mixed tires, except for brief periods when the temporary spare tire is in use.

    Always use properly inflated tires of correct dimensions. Tire size and inflation pressures are shown on the tire inflation pressure placards, located on the driver's side B-pillar (the structural member at the side of the vehicle, at the rear of the driver's door opening), or on the inside of the fuel filler door on Canadian models.

    Temporary Spare
    The temporary spare tire is for temporary, low-speed, short-distance use only. Replace it with a full-sized tire as soon as possible. Do not drive on the temporary spare at speeds above 50 m.p.h. (80km/h) or for distances greater than 50 miles (80 km).

    Never install snow chains on a temporary spare.

    pg. 99 Four-C active chassis system (R-models only)


    Four-C

    R-models are equipped with the Four-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) system.

    This system is based on a number of sensors that continuously monitor factors such as the car's lateral and vertical movements, speed, and movements of the wheels. The sensors receive data up to 500 times per second, which is used to provide extremely fast and precise adjustment of each shock absorber. The system adjusts the stiffness of the shock absorbers approximately 100 times per second.

    The buttons in the center of the dashboard (see the illustration above) can be used at any time to switch between three driving modes: Comfort, Sport, or Advanced sport.

    The system then adjusts the stiffness of the shock absorbers accordingly, for example when the type of road changes, or if the driver wishes to change driving style. This adjustment takes place instantaneously.

    The effect of pressure on the throttle pedal is linked to the selected mode, where the Advanced sport setting provides the most immediate throttle response.

    Comfort
    The Comfort mode chassis setting offers the greatest amount of shock absorption and the softest ride. This mode is recommended for long-distance driving, or when driving in slippery conditions.

    If Comfort mode was selected when the engine was switched off, this mode will still be active when the engine is restarted.

    Sport
    In this mode, shock absorption is stiffer to reduce the car's body sway during cornering and to provide more immediate steering response.

    If this setting was selected when the engine was switched off, Sport mode still will be active when the engine is restarted.

    Advanced sport
    In this mode, movement of the shock absorbers is minimal, response from pressure on the throttle pedal is more direct, and body sway in curves or when cornering is sharply reduced.

    If Advanced sport mode was selected when the engine was switched off, Sport mode will be active when the engine is restarted.

    pg. 100 Front/rear park assist (option/accessory)




    A - front (accessory as available), B - rear (option)

    Front/rear park assist
    The park assist system(s) are designed to assist you when driving into parking spaces, garages, etc. They utilize ultrasound sensors located in the bumpers to measure the distance to a vehicle or other object, or a person who may be close to the front or rear of the vehicle.

    When is park assist active?
    Front:
    the system is active from the time the engine is started until the car exceeds a speed of approximately 10 mph (15 km/h).

    Rear: when the engine is running and reverse gear is selected.

    NOTE:

  • If the vehicle is equipped with front and rear park assist, both systems will either be activated or deactivated together. They cannot be used separately.
  • The indicator light in the button (see the illustration on page 33) will light up to indicate that park assist system(s) are activated.

    When park assist is actively working:
    1. The audio system's volume will be reduced.
    2. An intermittent signal will be audible from the speakers to indicate that you are approaching a person, object, parked vehicle, etc.
    The signals begin when the distance between the bumper and the object is:
    Rear: approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters)
    Front: approximately 2.5 ft (0.8 meters)
    3. At a distance of approximately 1 foot (30 cm), the signal will become constant.

    Deactivating the system(s)

  • Press the Park assist button on the center console (see page 33) to temporarily deactivate the system(s).
  • The indicator light in the button will go out when the system(s) have been deactivated.
  • If the vehicle is equipped with front and rear park assist, both systems will be deactivated by pressing the button.

    NOTE:
    It may be necessary to deactivate one or both of the park assist systems in certain cases.

  • Rear park assist: towing a trailer, carrying bicycles in a rear-mounted carrier, etc, could trigger the rear park assist system's sensors.
  • Front park assist: it may not be possible to combine auxiliary headlights and front park assist since these lights could trigger the system's sensors.

    Faults in the system
    If a fault should occur in the system, the LED in the button will be switched off and a message will be displayed in the text window.

    Cleaning the sensors
    For the system to function properly, the sensors in the front and/or rear bumpers should be kept clean. They can be cleaned with car washing detergent and a sponge.

    WARNING!
    These systems are designed to be a supplementary aid when parking the vehicle. They are not, however, intended to replace the driver's attention and judgement.

    pg. 101 Driving economy, Handling

    Economical driving conserves natural resources
    Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts and stops and adjusting the speed of your vehicle to immediate traffic conditions. Observe the following rules:

  • Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by driving with a light foot on the accelerator pedal for the first few minutes of operation. A cold engine uses more fuel and is subject to increased wear.
  • Whenever possible, avoid using the car for driving short distances. This does not allow the engine to reach normal operating temperature.
  • Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
  • Do not exceed posted speed limits.
  • Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the car.
  • Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
  • Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
  • Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc., increase air resistance and fuel consumption.
  • Avoid using automatic transmission kickdown feature unless necessary.
  • Avoid using the air conditioning when it is not required. When engaged, the A/C compressor places an additional load on the engine. However, at higher driving speeds, fuel consumption will be lower with the air conditioning on and the windows closed than with the air conditioning off and the windows open.
  • Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you learn how to drive more economically.

    Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:

  • Dirty air cleaner
  • Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
  • Dragging brakes
  • Incorrect front end alignment Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard Maintenance Service intervals.

    NOTE: Vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions should use (D)rive as often as possible and avoid using "kick-down" to help improve fuel economy. Vehicles equipped with manual transmissions should use fifth gear at highway speeds. At other times, choose the highest gear that still allows smooth acceleration.

    Handling, roadholding
    Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle handling. Therefore, check that the tires are inflated to the recommended pressure according to the vehicle load. See "Tire pressure" section. Loads should be distributed so that capacity weight or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded.

    Speed-sensitive power steering
    (Option on certain models)
    With this feature, the steering is most responsive at lower speeds to make parking, driving in city traffic, etc., easier. The effect of the power steering diminishes as you accelerate for greater stability at highway speeds.

    Weight distribution affects handling
    At the specified curb weight your car has a tendency to understeer, which means that the steering wheel has to be turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvature of a bend. This ensures good stability and reduces the risk of rear wheel skid. Remember that these properties can alter with the vehicle load. The heavier the load on the rear of the vehicle (e.g., heavily loaded (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg) cargo area or when towing a trailer, the less the tendency to understeer.

    pg. 102 Points to remember

    Cooling system
    The risk for engine overheating is greatest, especially in hot weather, when:

  • Towing a trailer up steep inclines for prolonged periods at wide open throttle and low engine rpm.
  • Stopping the engine suddenly after high speed driving (so-called "after-boiling" can occur).
  • To avoid overheating, the following rules should be followed:
    Do not drive for prolonged periods at engine speeds above 4500 rpm if you are towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
    Reduce speed when towing a trailer up long, steep inclines. The risk of overheating can be reduced by switching off the air conditioning system for a short time.
    Do not let the engine idle unnecessarily for prolonged periods.
    Do not mount auxiliary lamps in front of the grill.

    When the risk of overheating is imminent, or in the event of overheating (the temperature gauge goes repeatedly into, or stays continually in, the red section), the following precautions should be taken:

  • Switch off the air conditioning system.
  • Pull off the road, away from traffic, stop the car and put the gear selector into neutral.
  • Switch the heater to full (maximum) position. Increase the engine speed to approx. 2000 rpm (twice idling speed) until the temperature begins to drop.

    WARNING!

  • Do not remove coolant expansion tank cap. The coolant will be extremely hot.

    If necessary, see page 148 and 151 for information on checking and topping-up the coolant level.


  • CAUTION: Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.e. flooded roadways, etc.). Damage to the engine could result if excess water is drawn in through the air intake system. Never drive the vehicle in water deeper than 1 foot (300 mm). See the flood warning on page 7.


    WARNING!

  • Driving with the tailgate open: Driving with the tailgate open could mean that poisonous exhaust gases enter the passenger compartment.
    If the tailgate must be kept open for any reason, proceed as follows:
    - Close the windows.
    - Set the ventilation system to air flow to floor, windshield and side windows and blower control to its highest setting.
  • Floor mats: An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pedal to catch. Check that the movement of the accelerator pedal is not impeded. Not more than one protective floor covering may be used at one time.

  • Electrical system
    When replacing the battery or when carrying out work involving the electrical system, the following should be observed:

  • A battery connection to the wrong terminal will damage the electrical system. Be sure to connect the positive battery cable to the positive battery terminal and the negative battery cable to the negative battery terminal.
  • If booster batteries are used for starting, they must be properly connected to minimize the risk of the electrical system being damaged. For correct connection, see "Jump starting" section.
  • Never disconnect the battery circuit (for example, to replace the battery) while the engine is running, as this may damage the generator. Always make sure that all the battery connections are properly cleaned and tightened.
  • If any electrical welding work is performed on the vehicle, the battery's ground lead (negative cable) and all the connecting cables of the generator must be disconnected and the welder cables placed as near the welding points as possible.
  • The radio must be turned off before the battery is disconnected.
  • Switch off the ignition for at least 10 minutes before disconnecting the battery.

    pg. 103 Roof racks/Load carriers

    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.
  • Volvo-approved removable roof racks are designed to carry the maximum allowable roof load for this vehicle: 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 (100 kg).
  • Avoid single-point loads. Distribute loads evenly.
  • Place heavier cargo at the bottom of the load.
  • Anchor 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 correspondingly, fuel consumption) will increase with the size of the load.
  • Drive smoothly. Avoid rapid starts, fast cornering and hard braking.

    Load carrier attachment points

    Attaching load carriers (models without rails)
    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.

    Reducing wind noise and improving fuel economy
    To maximize fuel efficiency and minimize wind noise, Volvo recommends that load carriers be removed when not in use.

    WARNING!
    Loads carried on the vehicle's roof should not exceed 220 lbs (100 kg), including the weight of the load carriers and any other load carrying equipment (ski boxes, bicycle racks, etc). Excessive loads on the roof can adversely affect the handling and roadholding characteristics of the vehicle.



    pg. 104 Load carriers (models with rails)


    Position of load carriers
    Make sure that the wing-shaped load carriers are installed on the roof rails with the rounded edge forward (see the inset illustration above). The load carriers are identical and can be placed anywhere along the roof rails.

    Reducing wind noise and improving fuel economy
    To maximize fuel efficiency and minimize wind noise, Volvo recommends that load carriers be removed when not in use.

    Fitting the load carriers (accessory)
    Make sure that the load carrier is pressed firmly out against the roof rail. Screw the load carrier in place. Use the supplied torque wrench and tighten to the mark on the wrench (corresponding to 6 Nm). See illustration.

    Load carrier cover
    The car's ignition key or the stud on the edge of the supplied torque wrench can be used to undo or tighten the cover. Turn a quarter turn (90 degrees). See illustration.



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