pg. 4:6 Manual transmission


Shift positions


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


CAUTION: Follow the shift pattern indicated on the gear shift knob when shifting up (e.g., do not shift directly from 2nd to 5th gear) to help avoid excessive wear on the transmission.



Engaging reverse gear


The gear lever must first be moved to neutral in order to engage reverse gear.


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

pg. 4:7 Automatic transmission


P (Park)


Use this position when starting the engine or parking the car.
Never use P while car is in motion.
The parking brake should also be used when parking on grades.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (Shift lock). To release the selector, start the engine and depress the brake pedal. If it is necessary to manually release the gear selector, see page 6:18 for instructions.


CAUTION:

  • Never select P or R while the car is in motion.
  • When initially selecting positions D, 3, L or R, your right foot should press firmly on the brake pedal to ensure that the car is standing still with the engine idling.
  • The gear selector should not be downshifted to L at speeds above 75 mph (125 km/h).*
    * Always observe posted speed limits.


    • WARNING! Never leave the car 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 is moving forward.


    N (Neutral)


    Neutral = no gear is engaged. Use the parking brake. The engine can be started with the gear selector in this position.


    D (Drive)


    D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. When modes E or S are selected, upshift and downshift of the forward gears occur automatically and are governed by accelerator pedal position and vehicle speed.


    3 (Intermediate position)


    Automatically shifts up and down between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears when in driving modes E or S. There is no upshift from 3rd gear. Position 3 can be used for driving in hilly terrain, for towing trailers or for increased engine braking power.


    L (low position)


    No upshift can occur when L is engaged. Select position L for driving in first and second gears. Use this position to select low gear with no upshift, e.g. when ascending and descending steep grades. The transmission will noticeably shift down from second to first if road speed drops to below 40 km/h (25 mph) when driving in E mode and below 10 km/h (6 mph in S mode.


    Kick-down


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


    "Lock-up"


    The transmission has a "lock-up" function which reduces engine speed and saves fuel. "Lock-up" can sometimes be felt as an additional gear change.

    pg. 4:8 Automatic transmission


    Shift gate positions


    The gear selector can be moved freely between N and D. Selections of other positions are obtained by depressing the selector knob prior to moving the selector.
    Slightly depressing the selector knob allows selection of positions R, N, D, 3 and L. Fully depressing the selector knob allows selection of positions P. This is also necessary when initially bringing the selector out of position P. Fully depressing the selector knob thus permits shifting freely between all positions.



    Mode selector


    The push-buttons to the left of the gear lever are for selection of modes E, S and W. The desired mode can be selected at any time, including while the car is moving.


    Winter/Wet mode


    Enhanced Vehicle Traction
    This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.
    In this mode:
    * In position D, the gearbox starts in 3rd gear and changes up to 4th gear.
    * In position 3, 2nd gear is locked and there is no change up to 3rd gear.
    In position L, 1st gear is locked.
    * These positions always offer the kick-down function.
    The indicator lamp in the instrument panel lights up when this mode is selected (the lamp will also light up if the gear selector is in position 3 or L.). Press button WINTER in order to disengage this mode.
    When mode is disengaged, the gearbox automatically reverts to the previously selected S or E mode. If the indicator lamp begins to flash, this is an indication of a fault in the automatic gearbox. The Malfunction Indicator lamp will also light up if a fault is detected. Please contact your Volvo retailer if this occurs.


    CAUTION: Driveability and fuel economy will be adversely affected by prolonged driving in mode W . Volvo recommends using this mode only when starting in extremely slippery conditions.


    Economy Mode


    This mode is used for normal driving. The gearbox changes gears at a lower engine speed to achieve the lowest possible fuel consumption.


    Sport Mode


    This mode is adapted to "sporty" driving characteristics. The transmission upshifts at higher engine speeds and less accelerator pedal pressure is required to initiate a downshift.

    pg. 4:9 Automatic transmission

    Special Tips - automatic transmission


  • For driving down steep hills and when driving for prolonged periods at low speeds, position L should be selected. Avoid, however, repeated changes since this can cause overheating of the transmission oil. For driving on long continuous uphill gradients, select position 3.
  • See caution on page 4:7.
  • Do not hold the car stationary on an incline by using the accelerator pedal. Instead, apply the hand brake (parking brake). This prevents the transmission oil from becoming overheated.
  • When towing a trailer, select shift position 3.
  • The (E)conomy mode should be selected when the cruise control is engaged.
  • While towing a trailer in hilly terrain, do not drive continuously at engine speeds above 4500 rpm to help avoid high engine oil temperatures.

    pg. 4:10 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 and downshift 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.
  • Stop the car and put the gear lever into neutral. Do not stop the engine!
  • 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 the coolant expansion tank cap.


    See "Coolant" to check and top-up the coolant level if necessary.


    CAUTION: Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.e. flooded roadways, etc.). Damage to engine could result if excess water is ingested through the air intake system.
    Never drive the vehicle in water deeper than 1 foot (300 mm). See the flood warning on page 3:7.


    WARNING! Do not drive with trunk lid or tailgate open!
    Poisonous exhaust gases may enter via the trunk lid or tailgate.
    If the trunk lid/tailgate must be kept open for any reason, proceed as follows:

  • Close the windows.
  • Set the ventilation system control to air to floor, windshield and side windows and blower control to its highest setting.

    • 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 diodes. Before connections are made, check the polarity of the battery with a voltmeter.
  • If booster batteries are used for starting, they must be properly connected to minimize the risk of the diode 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 will immediately ruin the generator. Always make sure that all the battery connections are properly tightened.
  • If any electrical-welding work is performed on the vehicle, the ground lead and all the connecting cables of the generator must be disconnected and the welder cables placed as near the welding point as possible.
  • The radio must be turned off before the battery is disconnected.
  • The anti-theft code must be re-entered before the radio will function properly.
  • The electrical system in your car is designed to accommodate Volvo accessories. It also has an accessory connector beneath the dashboard on the driver's side.

    pg. 4:11 Points to remember

    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 in the trunk (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg), the less the tendency to understeer.


    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.


    WARNING! It is recommended that tire of the same make and dimensions be used on all four wheels (including the use of snow tires). Do not use bias ply tires as this will adversely alter vehicle handling characteristics.



    Holes for roof rack


    Roof racks


    Roof racks are available as Volvo accessories. Observe the following points when is use:

  • Avoid single-point loads. Distribute the load evenly.
  • Place heavier cargo at bottom of load.
  • Observe that center of gravity and handling are influenced by load weight.
  • Increasing load size increases wind resistance and, thus, adversely affects fuel economy.
  • Anchor the cargo correctly with appropriate tie-down equipment.
  • Drive carefully. Avoid rapid starts, fast cornering and hard braking.
  • Max. roof load is 220 lbs. (100 kg) when Volvo approved removable roof racks are attached to the points indicated in the illustration. For permanent roof racks, check the manufacturers weight specifications.


    WARNING! 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.



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