warning VOLVO V50 2009 Owner´s Manual

04 InteriorStorage compartments
04108
Storage pocket (on the rear side of the front
seats)Compartment in door panelStorage pocket (on the front side of the
front seat cushion)Glove compartmentStorage compartment for e.g., CDs and
cup holdersJacket hanger (intended for light garments
only)Rear seat storage compartment and cup
holdersStorage pocket (on the front side of the
rear, center seat cushion).WARNING
•
Anchor any heavy objects to prevent
them from moving during sudden stops.
•
Packages on the rear parcel shelf can
obscure vision and may become dan-
gerous projectiles in the event of a sud-
den stop or an accident.
Glove compartment
G024208
The owners manual and maps can be stored
here. There are also holders for coins, pens and
fuel cards. The glove compartment can only be
locked and unlocked using the detachable key
blade from the central locking system's remote
control. See page 120 for information on
removing the key blade from the remote con-
trol, and page 127 for information about lock-
ing the glove compartment.
Jacket hanger
G018137
The jacket hanger is located on the inboard
side of the front passenger's seat head
restraint. It is only intended for hanging light
garments.

04 Interior
Rear seat
04``111 Rear seat head restraints
G020765
Adjust the head restraint verticallyEach of the rear seat head restraints can be
adjusted vertically to suit the height of the pas-
senger. The upper edge of the head restraint
should be on a level with the midpoint of the
rear side of the passenger's head (see illustra-
tion).
WARNING
The center rear seat head restraint should
only be in its lowest position when this seat
is NOT occupied. When the center position
is occupied, the head restraint should be
correctly adjusted to the passenger’s
height.
•
To raise: Slide the head restraint up to the
desired height.
•
To lower: Press the catch at the base of the
right support and press the head restraint
down.
•
To remove: Pull the head restraint up far as
possible. Press the catch at the base of the
right support and pull the head restraint out
of the its holders.
Folding down the rear seat backrests
G020790
Both sections of the rear seat backrest can be
folded down, together or separately, to enable
you to transport long objects. Before folding
down the rear seat backrests, the outboardseat belts can be attached to the clothes hook
as shown in the illustration.
NOTE
When the seat backs are folded down, the
head restraints may be damaged if they are
not removed. The center head restraint
must also be removed when transporting
heavy loads.
G014845
Rear edge of seat cushionCatchFolding down the backrestLocation of the head restraint in the seat
cushion

04 InteriorRear seat
04112
To fold down one or both sections:
1. Grasp the rear edge of the seat cushion
and pull it forward.
2. Pull the catch on the upper outboard edge
of the backrest upward and forward to
release the backrest lock. A red lock indi-
cator is visible when the backrest is not
locked in the upright position.
3. Fold the backrest down partially and
remove the outboard head restraints.
Press the center head restraint down com-
pletely or remove it.
4. Place the head restraints in the plastic
tubes, which are now accessible on the
under side of the seat cushions.
NOTE
When folding down the rear seat backrests,
remove the plug in the rear 12 volt socket to
help avoid marks in the upholstery.
WARNING
•
The red lock indicator is VISIBLE when
the backrest is NOT locked in position
and hidden when the backrest is cor-
rectly locked in place. When the back-
rest is in the upright position, it must
always be correctly locked in place.
•
When the rear seat is folded down, do
not place heavy objects against the
backs of the front seats. This places a
severe strain on the folded down back-
rest of the rear seat. Be sure to secure
cargo.
•
Cargo must not be stacked higher than
the top of seat backs. This will reduce
the possibility of luggage, etc. becom-
ing projectiles during sudden maneu-
vers, rapid braking or an accident.

04 InteriorCargo area
04114
4. Release the button to lock the cargo area
cover in place.
5. Repeat this procedure on the opposite side
of the cargo area.
Check that the cargo area cover is securely in
place.
G020767
Fold the front section of the cover forwardFold the front section of the cargo area cover
forward into the wedge-shaped grooves near
the rear seat.Removing the cargo area cover1. Lift the forward section of the cover, fold it
rearward in the vehicle, and let it hang
freely.2. Press the button on the upper edge of the
cover forward to release the catches.
3. Lift out the end of the cargo area cover
from the retaining holes.
4. Repeat the procedure on the opposite side
of the cargo area.
NOTE
Both versions of the cargo area cover are
options that may be available for your vehi-
cle. Consult your Volvo retailer.Cargo area net (accessory)
G020768
The Volvo V50 can be equipped with a cargo
area net made of strong nylon fabric that can
be used with the rear seat backrests in the
upright position or folded down.
The holder for the retractable net is mounted
on the rear side of the backrests.Using the net with the backrests in the
upright position1. From the cargo compartment, pull the net
upward.
2. Insert the net's right attachment in the rear-
most hole in the mounting bracket (see
illustration) and push it forward into the
smaller hole in the bracket to secure it in
place.
3. Pull out the spring-loaded attachment on
the left side of the net and insert it in the
bracket on the left side of the vehicle in the
same way.
WARNING
Be sure that the net is securely attached in
the mounting brackets.Using the cargo net with the backrest
folded downFasten the net in the same way as described
above, using the front mounting brackets.

04 Interior
Cargo area
04
115
Retracting the cargo net1. Pull back one of the net's attachments to
the large hole in the mounting bracket.
2. Pull the attachment out of the mounting
bracket.
3. Do the same on the opposite side of the
vehicle.
4. Lower the net into its holder.Removing the cargo net's holder1. Fold down the backrests
2. Push the holder out until it releases from its
retaining brackets.Using the net with the cargo area cover
G020769
1. Fold the rear seat backrests forward
slightly. Begin by folding the narrower sec-
tion of the backrest.
2. Pull the cargo net up and to the rear.
3. Return the backrests to the upright posi-
tion.
Insert the net's end attachments into the
mounting brackets (see the illustration).
WARNING
The red lock indicator on the rear seat
backrests is VISIBLE when the backrest is
NOT locked in position and hidden when the
backrest is correctly locked in place. When
the backrest is in the upright position, it
must always be correctly locked in place.
Load anchoring eyelets
G014757
The eyelets in the cargo area can be used to
fasten accessory load and lashing straps, load
nets, and other load anchors.

05 Locks and alarmKeyless drive (option as available)
05126
WARNING
People with implanted pacemakers should
not allow the pacemaker to come closer
than 9 inches (22 cm) to any of the keyless
drive system's antennas. This is to help pre-
vent interference between the pacemaker
and the keylesss drive system.

06 Starting and drivingGeneral information
06136
Economical driving conserves natural
resourcesBetter 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 tem-
perature 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 kick-
down.
•
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 con-
sumption.
•
At highway driving speeds, fuel consump-
tion 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.
WARNING
Driving with the tailgate open: Driving with
the tailgate open could lead to poisonous
exhaust gases entering the passenger com-
partment. If the tailgate must be kept open
for any reason, proceed as follows:
1. Close the windows.
2. Set the ventilation system control to air
flow to floor, windshield and side win-
dows and the blower control to its high-
est setting.Weight distribution affects handlingAt 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.

06 Starting and driving
General information
06``137 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 dis-
tributed so that capacity weight or maximum
permissible axle loads are not exceeded.Driving through waterThe vehicle can be driven through water up to
a depth of approximately 9 in. (25 cm), at a
maximum speed of 6 mph (10 km/h).•
Take particular care when driving through
flowing water.
•
Clean the electrical connections for trailer
wiring after driving in mud or water
•
When driving through water, maintain low
speed and do not stop in the water.WARNING
After driving through water, press lightly on
the brake pedal to ensure that the brakes
are functioning normally. Water or mud can
make the brake linings slippery, resulting in
delayed braking effect.
CAUTION
•
Engine damage will occur if water is
drawn into the air cleaner.
•
If the vehicle is driven through water
deeper than 9 in (25 cm), water may
enter the differential and the transmis-
sion. This reduces the oil's lubricating
capacity and may shorten the service
life of these components.
•
Do not allow the vehicle to stand in
water up to the door sills longer than
absolutely necessary. This could result
in electrical malfunctions.
•
If the engine has been stopped while the
car is in water, do not attempt to restart
the engine. Have the car towed out of
the water.
Cold weather precautionsIf you wish to check your vehicle before the
approach of cold weather, the following advice
is worth noting:•
Make sure that the engine coolant contains
50 percent antifreeze. Any other mixture
will reduce freeze protection. This gives
protection against freezing down to –31 °F
(–35 °C). See section "Coolant". The use of
"recycled" antifreeze is not approved byVolvo. Different types of antifreeze must
not be mixed.
•
Volvo recommends using only genuine
Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's radiator.
Your Volvo retailer stocks plenty of Volvo
engine coolant to help protect your vehicle
during cold weather.
•
Try to keep the fuel tank well filled – this
prevents the formation of condensation in
the tank. In addition, in extremely cold
weather conditions it is worthwhile to add
fuel line de-icer before refueling.
•
The viscosity of the engine oil is important.
Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves
cold-weather starting as well as decreas-
ing fuel consumption while the engine is
warming up. For winter use, 5W-30 oil, par-
ticularly the synthetic type
1, is recom-
mended. Be sure to use good quality oil but
do not use cold-weather oil for hard driving
or in warm weather, see page 269 for more
information.
•
The load placed on the battery is greater
during the winter since the windshield wip-
ers, lighting, etc. are used more often.
Moreover, the capacity of the battery
decreases as the temperature drops. In
very cold weather, a poorly charged bat-
tery can freeze and be damaged. It is there-
fore advisable to check the state of charge
1Synthetic 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.

06 Starting and drivingGeneral information
06138
more frequently and spray an anti-rust oil
on the battery posts.
•
Volvo recommends the use of snow tires
on all four wheels for winter driving – see
the chapter "Wheels and tires."
•
To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from
freezing, add washer solvents containing
antifreeze (see page 215 for the location of
the washer fluid reservoir). This is impor-
tant since dirt is often splashed on the
windshield during winter driving, requiring
the frequent use of the washers and wip-
ers. Volvo Washer Solvent should be dilu-
ted as follows: Down to 14 °F (–10 °C): 1
part washer solvent and 4 parts water
Down to 5° F (–15° C): 1 part washer sol-
vent and 3 parts water Down to 0° F
(–18° C): 1 part washer solvent and 2 parts
water Down to –18° F (–28° C): 1 part
washer solvent and 1 part water.
•
Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.NOTE
Avoid using de-icing sprays as they can
cause damage to the locks.
Conserving electrical currentKeep the following in mind to help minimize
battery drain:•
When the engine is not running, avoid turn-
ing the ignition key to position II. Many
electrical systems (the audio system, the
optional navigation system, power win-
dows, etc) will function with the ignition key
in position I. This position reduces drain on
the battery.
•
Please keep in mind that using systems,
accessories, etc that consume a great deal
of current when the engine is not running
could result in the battery being completely
drained.
•
The optional 12 volt socket in the cargo
area (certain models only) provides electri-
cal current even with the ignition switched
off, which drains 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 vol-
ume.
Before a long distance tripIt is always worthwhile to have your vehicle
checked at a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician before driving long distances.
Your trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician 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:•
Check that engine runs smoothly and that
fuel consumption is normal.
•
Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage
•
Have the transmission oil level checked
2.
•
Check condition of drive belts.
2To 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.

06 Starting and driving
General information
06
139
•
Check state of the battery's charge.
•
Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as
well), and replace those that are worn.
Check tire pressures.
•
The brakes, front wheel alignment, and
steering gear should be checked by your
Volvo retailer 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.