VOLVO V70 2008 Owners Manual
Page 171 of 274
 BLIS camera
 Indicator light
 BLIS symbol
The Blind Spot Information System  (BLIS) is an  information system that indicates the presence of another vehicle
moving in the same direction as your vehicle in the sideview mirror's "blind area."
 CAUTION 
The BLIS system should only be  repaired by a  trained and  qualified Volvo service technician.
 WARNING 
 BLIS is an  information system, NOT a  warning or safety system.
 BLIS does not eliminate the need for you to visually confirm the conditions around you, and  the need for you to
turn your head and  shoulders to make sure that you can safely change lanes.
 As the driver, you have full responsibility  for changing lanes in a  safe manner.
The system is based on digital camera  technology.  The cameras are located beneath the side-view  mirrors.
When one  (or both) of the cameras have detected a  vehicle in the blind area (up to approximately 10 ft. (3 meters)
from  the side of your vehicle, and  up to approximately 31 ft. (9.5 meters) behind the side-view  mirror), see the
illustration, the indicator light in the door panel illuminates.  The light will glow continuously to alert the driver of the
vehicle in the blind area.
 NOTE 
The door panel indicator light illuminates  on the side of the vehicle where  the system has detected another vehicle. If
your vehicle is passed on both sides at the same time, both lights will illuminate.
BLIS has an  integrated function that alerts the driver if a  fault should occur with the system. For example, if one  or
both of the system's cameras are obscured, a  message (see the table  on page 185
) will appear in the information
display in the instrument panel. If this  occurs, clean the camera  lenses.  If necessary,  the system can be  temporarily
switched off (for instructions, see page 185
).
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 172 of 274
183 04 Comfort and driving  pleasure
Blind Spot Information System  (option)
When does BLIS function
The system functions when your vehicle is moving at speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).
When you pass another vehicle:
The system reacts when you pass another vehicle at a  speed of up to 6 mph (10 km/h) faster than that vehicle.
When you are passed by another vehicle:
The system reacts if your vehicle is passed by another vehicle at a  speed of up to 43 mph (70 km/h) faster than your
vehicle.
 WARNING 
 BLIS does not function in sharp curves.
 BLIS does not function when your vehicle is backing up.
 If you are towing a  wide  trailer, this  may prevent the BLIS cameras from  detecting other vehicles in adjacent
lanes.
How BLIS functions  in daylight  and darkness
Daylight
BLIS reacts to the shape  of surrounding vehicles. The system is designed to help detect motor vehicles such as cars,
trucks,  buses, motorcycles, etc.
Darkness
BLIS reacts to the headlights  of surrounding vehicles. In order to be  detected by BLIS, a  vehicle in the blind area
must  have its  headlights on. This means, for example, that the system will not detect a  trailer without headlights that is
being towed  behind a  car or truck.
 WARNING 
 BLIS does not react  to cyclists or mopeds.
 BLIS does not react  to vehicles that are standing still.
 The function of the BLIS cameras may be  affected by intense light, or when driving at night in areas where  there
are no external sources of light (e.g., street lights, other vehicles, etc.). In such cases, the system may react  as if the
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 173 of 274
cameras were  obscured.
 In both of the above mentioned conditions, a  message will appear in the information display.
 When driving in such conditions, the system's function will be  limited or it may be  temporarily switched off. See
page 185
 for instructions.
 When the message is no longer displayed, BLIS will return to normal function.
 The BLIS cameras have the same limitation as the human eye. In other words,  their "vision is impaired" by
adverse weather conditions such as heavy snowfall,  dense fog, etc.
184 04 Comfort and driving  pleasure
Blind Spot Information System  (option)
Limitations
In certain situations, the BLIS indicator light(s) may illuminate even when there are no other vehicles in the area
monitored by the system.
 NOTE 
If the BLIS indicator lights illuminate occasionally even when there are no other vehicles in the blind area, this  does
not indicate a  fault in the system. In the event of a  fault, Blind spot syst. service required  will be  displayed.
The following are several examples of situations in which  the BLIS indicator light(s) may illuminate even when there
are no other vehicles in the area monitored by the system.
Cleaning the BLIS camera lenses
In order to function optimally, the BLIS camera  lenses  must  be  kept clean. They can be  wiped  clean with a  soft cloth
or wet  sponge.
 CAUTION 
 Clean the lenses  carefully to avoid scratching.
 The lenses  are electrically  heated to help melt ice or snow. If necessary,  gently brush away snow from  the lenses.
185 04 Comfort and driving  pleasure
Blind Spot Information System  (option)
Switching BLIS on and off
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 174 of 274
BLIS is automatically  activated when the ignition is switched on. The indicator lights will provide confirmation by
flashing 3 times.
 The system can be  switched off by pressing the BLIS button in the center  console (see the illustration). The indicator
light in the button goes out when the system is switched off, and  a  text message is displayed.
 BLIS can be  switched on again by pressing the button. The indicator light in the button will illuminate and  a  new
text message will be  displayed. Press the READ button (see page 126
) to erase the message.
BLIS system messages
186 04 Comfort and driving  pleasure
Passenger compartment convenience
Storage spaces
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 175 of 274
187 04 Comfort and driving  pleasure
Passenger compartment convenience
 Compartment in door panel
 Storage pocket on the front  edge of the front  seat cushions
 Glove  compartment
 Storage compartment, 12-volt socket and  AUX input
 Jacket holder
 Rear seat cup  holders
 Storage pocket
Jacket holder
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.
Tunnel console
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 176 of 274
 Storage compartment (for CDs, etc.) under armrest.
 Includes cup  holder for driver and  passenger,  12 V socket and  small storage compartment.
Cigarette lighter and ashtray (option)
Your Volvo retailer has lighters and  ashtrays available as accessories.
Glove compartment
The owner's  manual  and  maps can be  kept here. There are also holders  for pens and  fuel cards. The glove
compartment can be  locked manually with the key  blade, see page 65
.
188 04 Comfort and driving  pleasure
Passenger compartment convenience
Vanity mirror
The light comes on automatically  when the cover is lifted.
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 177 of 274
12-volt sockets
The electrical socket can be  used for 12-volt accessories such as cell  phone  chargers  and  coolers. The maximum
current is 10 A. For the socket to supply current, the ignition must  be  in at least mode I, see page 80
.
 WARNING 
Always keep the sockets  covered when not in use.
189 04 Comfort and driving  pleasure
Passenger compartment convenience
12-volt socket in the cargo area (option)
Fold down the cover to access the electrical socket. It works  whether or not the ignition is switched on. Use the
electrical socket with the engine running to avoid draining the battery.
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 178 of 274
   
Contents | Top of Page
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 179 of 274
2 0 0 8
VOLVO V70
190 05 During  your  trip
Driving recommendations 192
Refueling196
Loading202
Cargo  area208
Towing a  trailer213
Emergency towing216
191 05 During  your  trip
192 05 During  your  trip
Driving recommendations
General  information
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:
 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).
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 180 of 274
 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.
 WARNING 
Driving with the tailgate open:  Driving with the tailgate  open  could lead to poisonous exhaust gases entering the
passenger  compartment. If the tailgate  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.
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.
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
193 05 During  your  trip
Driving recommendations
or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded.
Driving through  water
The 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.
ProCarManuals.com