2 0 0 5
VOLVO
S40
| Chapter 7 - Starting and driving |
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:
Other factors that decrease gas
mileage are:
Weight distribution affects
handling
At the specified curb weight your vehicle 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 in the cargo area, the less the tendency
to understeer.
WARNING! |
CAUTION! |
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 the "Tire pressure" section.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity
weight or maximum permissible axle loads
are not exceeded.
Cold weather precautions
If you wish to check your vehicle before the
approach of cold weather, the following
advice is worth noting:
NOTE: Avoid using de-icing sprays as they can cause damage to the locks.
1. Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintenance intervals except at owner request and at additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.
Conserving electrical current
Keep the following in mind to help minimize
battery drain:
system, the optional navigation system, power windows, etc) will function with the ignition key in position I. This position reduces drain on the battery.
NOTE: If the ignition is switched on, a
warning message will be displayed in the text
window in the instrument panel when the
battery charge is low.
An energy conserving function designed into
the vehicle's electrical system will switch off
certain functions or reduce the load on the
battery by, e.g., reducing the audio system's
volume.
W Winter/Wet driving mode-
enhanced vehicle traction
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle
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:
2. To prevent injury from contact with hot surfaces, do not inspect your vehicle's transmission fluid yourself. Have your vehicle's transmission fluid level inspected by a qualified Volvo service technician.
Octane rating
Volvo engines are designed for optimum
performance on unleaded premium gasoline
with an AKI octane rating 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.
NOTE: Volvo does not recommend the use of store-bought fuel injector cleaning additives.
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
vehicle'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 maintenance.
Gasoline containing alcohol and
ethers
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.
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 vehicle, 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:
WARNING! |
Use of Additives
With the exception of fuel line antifreeze
during winter months, do not add solvents,
thickeners, or other store-bought additives to
your vehicle'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.
Fuel filler door
Press the button on the light switch panel
(see the illustration on page 45) with the
ignition switched off to unlock the fuel filler
door. Please note that the fuel filler door will
remain unlocked until the vehicle begins to
move forward. An audible click will be heard
when the fuel filler door relocks.
If you intend to leave your vehicle while it is
being refueled, this feature enables you to
lock the doors/trunk while leaving the fuel
filler door unlocked.
You can also keep the vehicle 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.
Refueling
The fuel tank is designed to hold approximately
15.9 US gallons (60 liters)1 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.
1. Models with All Wheel Drive have
a tank volume of 15 US gallons (57
liters).
Models with engine code 39 have a
fuel tank capacity of 14.5 US
gallons (55 liters). This code is the
6th and 7th digits from the left in
your vehicle's VIN number. See
page 184 for the location of the VIN
plate.
CAUTION! |
a. If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the vehicle 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.
Starting the vehicle
To start the engine:
1. Fasten the seat belt.
WARNING! |
2. Apply the parking brake if not already
set. The gear selector (automatic transmission)
is locked in the (P)ark position
(SHIFTLOCK). See
also page 109.
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.
NOTE:
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.
5. Select the desired gear. On models with an automatic transmission, the gear engages after a very slight delay which is especially noticeable when selecting R.
NOTE:
WARNING! |
CAUTION! |
WARNING! |
0 - Locked position

Remove the key to lock the
steering wheel1. Never turn
the key to position 0 while
driving or when the vehicle is
being towed.
NOTE: A ticking sound may be audible if the key is turned to a position between 0 and I. To stop this sound, turn the key to position II and back to position 0.
I - Intermediate position2

Certain accessories, radio,
etc. on, daytime running
lights off
1. The gear selector must be in the Park
position.
2. Please be aware that leaving the key
in this position will increase battery
drain.
II - Drive position

The key's position when
driving. The vehicle's entire
electrical system is
activated.
III - Start position

Release the key when the
engine starts. The key
returns automatically to the
Drive position.
A chime will sound if the key
is left in the ignition and the
driver's door is opened.
Steering wheel lock
When the key is removed from the ignition,
the steering wheel locks so that it cannot be
turned.
If the front wheels are hard up against a curb,
the steering wheel lock may be under too
much tension to unlock.
If so, the key will turn in the ignition switch but
the car will not start.
At the same time, a message "Steering
locked" will appear in the driver information
text display.
If this happens:
1. Remove the key from the ignition.
2. Turn the steering wheel slightly and hold
it to relieve pressure on the lock
mechanism. Reinsert it the key.
The steering should immediately unlock. If
not, try again.
NOTE: In order to help reduce vehicle theft, make sure the steering wheel lock is engaged before leaving the vehicle.
WARNING! |

5-speed manual transmission
(option on certain models)
Depress the clutch pedal completely when
changing gears1.
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.
1. 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! |

Engaging reverse gear
Reverse gear should only be engaged from a
complete stop.
CAUTION! |

Gear selector positions
P - Park
Select the P position when starting or
parking.
In P, the transmission is mechanically
blocked (Shiftlock). Always apply the parking
brake when parking.

CAUTION! |
R - Reverse
The car must be stationary when shifting to
position R.
N - Neutral
N is the neutral position. The engine can be
started, but no gear is selected. Apply the
parking brake when the car is stationary with
the gear selector in N.
D - Drive
D is the normal driving position. The car
automatically shifts between the various
forward gears, based on the level of acceleration
and speed. The car must be at a standstill
when shifting to position D from position
R
Manual shifting - Geartronic
The manual shifting mode (Geartronic) can
be selected at any time, including while the
car is moving.
While driving
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.
W - Winter/Wet driving mode -
enhanced vehicle traction
Mode W reduces torque at the wheels, which
helps improve traction when starting off on a
slippery surface.
Once underway, turn off mode W to improve vehicle performance and fuel economy.
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.
Cold starts (turbo engines)
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.
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.
NOTE: The gear selector must be in the D (Drive) position for kickdown to function.
Shiftlock override
Shiftlock prevents the gear selector from
being moved out of Park unless the ignition
key is in position II and the brake pedal is
depressed.
In certain cases it may be necessary to move
the gear selector from the Park position
manually, for example if the battery is
discharged.

To manually override the Shiftlock
system:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
3. There is a small cover behind P-R-N-D on
the gear selector panel. Open the rear
edge of the panel.
4. Insert the key blade (see page 90) or a
screwdriver into the opening and press it
down until it bottoms and move the gear
selector out of the P position.