steering wheel VOLVO S40 2008 User Guide
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When changing lanes
The driver can automatically flash the turn signals 3 times by:
Moving the turn signal lever up or down to position 1 and releasing it.
Moving the lever up or down to position 2 and immediately back to its original position.
NOTE
This automatic flashing sequence can be interrupted by immediately moving the lever in the opposite direction.
If the turn signal indicator flashes faster than normal, check for a burned-out turn signal bulb.
High/low beam headlights
Continuous high beams
1. Turn the ignition key to position II.
2. With the light switch (1) in position
, (see page 59) pull the turn signal lever toward the steering wheel (position
4) to toggle between high and low beams.
High beam flash
1. Turn the ignition key to position II.
2. Pull the turn signal lever to position
3. The high beams will remain on until the lever is released.
NOTE
The high beam flash only functions when the key is in the ignition.
Home safe lighting
When you leave your car at night, you can make use of the home safe lighting function to illuminate the area in front
of the car.
1. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
2. Pull the direction indicator lever as far as possible towards the steering wheel (to position 4) and release it.
3. Exit the car and lock the doors.
The headlights and parking lights will illuminate and remain on for 30
1, 60 or 90 seconds. The time interval can be
changed according to your preferences by using the Personal Settings function, see page 77
for more information.
1Factory setting
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Trip computer
Trip computer (option)
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When the engine is switched off, information on fuel consumption is stored and remains in system memory until the
RESET (button C) is pressed again.
INSTANTANEOUS
This value indicates the current fuel consumption, based on readings taken once per second. When the car is not
moving, "----" will be displayed.
AVERAGE SPEED
This value indicates average speed since the last time the trip computer was reset (by pressing RESET, button C).
When the engine is switched off, information on average
64 02 Instruments and controls
Trip computer
speed is stored and remains in system memory until the RESET (button C) is pressed again.
ACTUAL SPEED (Canadian models only)
This function provides the driver with an instantaneous conversion of the car's current speed from km/h to m.p.h.
NOTE
Trip computer readings may vary slightly depending on the circumference of the tires on the car, tire inflation, or
driving style.
65 02 Instruments and controls
Cruise control
Engaging the cruise control function
The cruise control buttons are located on the left side of the steering wheel hub.
1. Press the CRUISE button. CRUISE will appear in the function display in the center of the instrument panel.
NOTE
This does not set the vehicle's speed.
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67 02 Instruments and controls
Right-side steering wheel lever
Windshield wipers
A. Windshield/headlight washers
B. Rain sensor (option) - on/off, see page 68
C. Thumb wheel
CAUTION
Use ample washer fluid when washing the windshield. The windshield should be thoroughly wet when the wipers
are in operation.
Before using the wipers, ice and snow should be removed from the windshield. Be sure the wiper blades are not
frozen in place.
Windshield wipers off
The windshield wipers are off when the lever is in position 0.
Manual wiper function
From position 0, move the lever upward. The windshield wipers will sweep one stroke at a time for as long as the lever
is held up.
Intermittent wiper function
With the lever in this position, you can set the wiper interval by moving the thumb wheel (C) upward to increase wiper
speed or downward to decrease the speed.
Continuous wiper function
The wipers operate at "normal" speed.
High speed wiper function.
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Windshield washers (A)
Pull the lever toward the steering wheel and release it. The wipers will make 2-3 sweeps across the windshield after the
lever has been released.
Headlight washers (certain models)
When the lever has been pulled, high pressure jets mounted in the bumper will spray the headlights.
The following applies to conserve washer fluid (see page 59
for information on the light switch positions):
Low/high beam headlights on
The headlights will be washed the first time the windshield is washed. Thereafter, the headlights will only be washed
once for every five times the windshield is washed within a 10-minute period.
Parking lights on
Optional Bi -Xenon® headlights will be washed once for every five times the windshield is washed.
Normal halogen headlights will not be washed.
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Rain sensor
B - Rain sensor (option)
The rain sensor regulates windshield wiper speed according to the amount of water on the windshield. The sensitivity
of the rain sensor is adjusted by moving the thumb wheel (C in the illustration on the previous page) up (the wipers
will sweep the windshield more frequently) or down (the wipers will sweep the windshield less frequently).
On/Off
To activate the rain sensor:
1. Switch on the ignition.
2. Put the windshield wiper lever in position 0.
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3. Press button B (see the illustration on page 67). The rain sensor symbol will appear in the lower display.
The rain sensor can be deactivated by:
Pressing button (B).
or
Moving the windshield wiper lever down.
NOTE
The rain sensor function will remain activated if the lever is briefly moved up to activate the "manual sweep"
function.
CAUTION
The rain sensor should be deactivated when washing the car in an automatic car wash, etc. If the rain sensor function
is left on, the wipers will start inadvertently in the car wash and could be damaged.
The rain sensor is automatically deactivated:
When the key is removed from the ignition.
Five minutes after the ignition is switched off if the key is left in the ignition.
C - Thumb wheel
The thumb wheel is used to set the wiper interval when intermittent wiping is selected, or the sensitivity to the amount
of rain on the windshield when the rain sensor is selected. Move the wheel upward or downward to increase/decrease
wiper speed when the intermittent function is selected, or to increase/decrease the optional rain sensor's sensitivity
when the this function is activated.
69 02 Instruments and controls
Steering wheel adjustment, Hazard warning flashers
Steering wheel adjustment
Both the height and the reach of the steering wheel can be adjusted to a comfortable position for the driver.
1. Pull down the lever on the steering column to release the steering wheel.
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2. Adjust the steering wheel to a suitable position
3. Press the lever back into place to lock the steering wheel in the new position. If necessary, press the steering wheel
slightly while pressing the lever into the locked position.
Check that the steering wheel is locked in the new position.
WARNING
Never adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Hazard warning flashers
The four-way flasher should be used to indicate that the vehicle has become a traffic hazard. To activate the flashers,
press the triangular button in the center dash. Press the button again to turn off the flashers.
NOTE
Regulations regarding the use of the hazard warning flasher may vary, depending on where you live.
The hazard warning flashers will be activated automatically if an airbag deploys.
70 02 Instruments and controls
Parking brake
Parking brake (hand brake)
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Operating side windows
The following alternatives can be selected for opening and/or closing all side windows at the same time by pressing
and holding the Lock/Unlock switch in either of the front doors (see also page 122
for additional information) 1.
Auto close all windows On/Off
Auto open all windows On/Off
1This menu alternative also makes it possible to open all side windows by pressing and holding the Unlock button on the remote control for several
seconds.
NOTE
The ignition key must be in position I or higher (see page 135
) before all side windows can be opened/closed using
the switches in the front doors.
Approach lighting
This alternative determines the length of time for which the car's lights will remain on when the Approach light button
on the central locking system's remote control is pressed. Intervals of 30/60/90 seconds may be selected. See page 113
for more information.
Home safe lighting
This alternative determines the length of time for which the car's lights will remain on when the high beam lever on the
steering column is pulled toward the wheel with the ignition switched off. Intervals of 30/60/90 seconds may be
selected. See page 62
for information on using this function.
Information
VIN number - The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is the car's unique identity number.
Number of Keys - the number of keys registered for the car is displayed here.
Climate functions
Blower speed in AUTO mode - the blower speed can be set to AUTO mode in models equipped with ECC. Choose
between "Low", "Normal" and "High".
Timer for recirculation - when the timer is active, the air recirculates in the car for 3-12 minutes depending on the
ambient temperature. Select On/Off depending on whether the recirculation timer is to be active or not.
Keyless locking and unlocking (option as available)
The following alternatives can be selected for locking and unlocking the doors and trunk:
All doors - all doors are locked or unlocked at the same time.
Doors on the same side - front and rear doors on the same side are unlocked together.
Both front doors - both front doors are unlocked together.
One front door - either of the front doors can be unlocked separately2.
2Factory default
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Personal settings
Reset to factory settings
Use this alternative to return to the default climate system settings.
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2 0 0 8
VOLVO S40
126 06 Starting and driving
General information 128
Fuel requirements132
Ignition switch/Steering wheel lock135
Starting the vehicle136
Starting the car with keyless drive (option)138
Manual transmission, 5-speed139
Manual transmission, 6-speed140
Automatic transmission141
Shiftlock override145
All Wheel Drive (option)146
Brake system147
Stability system149
Towing151
Jump starting153
Towing a trailer154
Detachable trailer hitch156
Transporting loads157
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)-option158
Park assist (Option/accessory)162
127 06 Starting and driving
128 06 Starting and driving
General information
Economical driving conserves natural resources
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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 vehicle for driving short distances. This does not allow the engine to reach
normal operating temperature.
Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
Use the transmission's Drive ( D) position as often as possible and avoid using kickdown.
Do not exceed posted speed limits.
Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the vehicle.
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 also fuel consumption.
At highway 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 intervals.
Weight distribution affects handling
WARNING
Driving with the trunk open: Driving with the trunk open could lead to poisonous exhaust gases entering the
passenger compartment. If the trunk must be kept open for any reason, proceed as follows:
Close the windows
Set the ventilation system control to air flow to floor, windshield and side windows and the blower control to its
highest setting.
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.
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
129 06 Starting and driving
General information
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The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be checked by a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician only.
Check all lights, including high beams.
Reflective warning triangles are legally required in some states/provinces.
Have a word with your Volvo retailer if you intend to drive in countries where it may be difficult to obtain the
correct fuel.
Consider your destination. If you will be driving through an area where snow or ice are likely to occur, consider
snow tires.
1To 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.
132 06 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements
Octane rating
MINIMUM
Volvo recommends premium for best performance, but using 87 octane or above will not affect engine reliability.
Volvo engines are designed to achieve rated horsepower, torque, and fuel economy performance using premium 91
octane fuel.
In demanding driving conditions, such as operating the vehicle in hot weather, towing a trailer, or driving for extended
periods at higher altitudes than normal, it may be advisable to switch to higher octane fuelRECOMMENDED
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