Wheels and tires
The handling and riding comfort of the vehicle is dependent on the inflation pressure and the type of tires fitted. Read the following pages carefully.
| 5:2 | General information, Wear indicator, Tire economy, Flat spots |
| 5:3 | Snow chains, Winter tires |
| 5:4 | Inflation pressure |
General information
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the tire information label located on the rear facing side of the right front door.
The following is an
example
of a tire designation code:
195 = tire width in mm.
60 = tire profile. This is the relationship (in percent) between the section height and the width of the tire.
R = radial tires.
15 = diameter in inches on all four wheels.
The tires have good road holding characteristics and offer good handling on dry and wet surfaces.
Your Volvo may be equipped with "all-season" tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree of winter roadholding 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.
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 road-holding and handling characteristics.
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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.
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Wear indicator
The tires have a so-called "wear indicator" in the form of a number of narrow strips running across or parallel to the tread. When approx. 1/16" (1.6 mm) is left on the tread, these strips show up 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.
To improve tire economy:
Maintain correct tire pressure.
Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard braking and tire screeching.
Tire wear increases with speed.
Do not change wheel location unless necessary.
Correct front wheel alignment is very important. Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy and driving comfort.
If the wheels are rotated, they should be kept on the same side of the car so that they revolve in the same direction as prior to 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 imbalanced wheels.
They do, however, disappear when the tire warms up. The degree to which the flat spots form depends on the type of cord used in the tire. Remember that, in cold weather, it takes longer for the tire to warm up and consequently longer for the flat spot to disappear.
Snow chains
Snow tire chains can be used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
Snow chains should be installed on your rear wheels only.
Snow chains can be used on tires and wheels provided as original production equipment with your Volvo.
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.
CAUTION:
Check local regulations regarding the use of snow chains before installing.
Always follow the chains manufacturer's installation instructions carefully. Install chains as tightly as possible and re-tighten periodically.
Never exceed the chain manufacture's specified maximum speed limit. (Under no circumstances should that limit be higher than 30 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.
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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.
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 car 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 local regulations restricting the use of studded winter tires before installing such tires.
WARNING!
Special wheel rims for air dams
Only special wheel rims, tested and approved by Volvo, are suitable for use with the air dam installed on the 960.
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Checking and correcting tire pressure
Check the tire pressure when refueling.
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 rear facing side on the right front door. This label lists both the tire and vehicle design limits. Do not load your car beyond the load limits indicated.
* Please note that the tire information label indicates pressures for both comfort and fuel economy.
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