headlights VOLVO V70 2008 Owners Manual
Page 9 of 274
already  in our vehicles. You can help. We would appreciate hearing your suggestions about improving automobile
safety. We also want  to know if you ever have a  safety concern with your vehicle. Call us in the U.S. at: 1-800-458-
1552 or in Canada at: 1-800-663-8255.
Occupant safety reminders
How  safely you drive doesn't depend on how old you are but rather on:
 How  well you see.
 Your ability to concentrate.
 How  quickly you make decisions under stress to avoid an  accident.
The following suggestions are intended  to help you cope with the ever changing traffic  environment.
 Never  drink and  drive.
 If you are taking any  medication,  consult your physician about its  potential effects on your driving abilities.
 Take a  driver-retraining course.
 Have your eyes checked regularly.
 Keep your windshield and  headlights clean.
 Replace wiper blades when they start to leave streaks.
 Take into account the traffic,  road, and  weather conditions, particularly with regard to stopping  distance.
15 01 Safety
Reporting safety defects
Reporting safety defects  in the U.S.
If you believe that your vehicle has a  defect  which  could cause a  crash or could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National  Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Volvo Cars
of North America,  LLC. If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open  an  investigation, and  if it finds that a
safety defect  exists in a  group of vehicles, it may order a  recall and  remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot
become involved in individual problems between you, your retailer, or Volvo Cars of North America,  LLC. To contact
NHTSA, you may either call  the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from:
http://www.safercar.gov
Volvo strongly recommends that if your vehicle is covered under a  service campaign, safety or emission recall or
similar action,  it should be  completed as soon as possible. Please check with your local  retailer or Volvo Cars of North
America,  LLC if your vehicle is covered under these conditions.
NHTSA can be  reached at:
Internet: http://www.nhtsa.gov
Telephone:1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Reporting safety defects  in Canada
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 65 of 274
A malfunction indicator (CHECK ENGINE) light may have many causes. Sometimes,  you may not notice  a  change in
your car's behavior. Even so, an  uncorrected condition could hurt fuel economy, emission controls, and  drivability.
Extended driving without correcting the cause could even damage other components in your vehicle.
Canadian models are equipped with this  symbol: 
Anti-lock Brake System  (ABS) warning light
If the warning light comes on, there may be  a  malfunction in the ABS  system (the standard braking system will still
function). Check the system by:
1. Stopping in a  safe place and  switching off the ignition.
76 03 Your driving  environment
Instruments and controls
2. Restart the engine.
3. If the warning light goes off, no further action  is required.
If the warning light remains on, the vehicle should be  driven to a  trained and  qualified Volvo service technician for
inspection. See  page 115
 for additional information.
Canadian models are equipped with this  symbol:
Rear fog light
This symbol  indicates that the rear fog light (located in the driver's side tail light cluster) is on.
Stability system
This indicator symbol  flashes when the DSTC (Dynamic Stability and  Traction Control system) is actively working to
stabilize the vehicle. See  page 153
 for more detailed information.
Tire pressure monitoring  system (TPMS) - option
This symbol  illuminates  to indicate that tire pressure in one  or more tires is low. See  page 252
 for detailed information.
Low fuel level
When this  light comes on, there are approximately 2.1 US gallons (8 liters) of fuel remaining in the tank.
Information symbol
The information symbol  illuminates  and  a  text message is displayed if a  fault is detected in one  of the vehicle's
systems. The message can be  erased and  the symbol  can be  turned off by pressing the READ  button (see page 126
 for
information) or this  will take place automatically  after a  short time (the length of time varies, depending on the
function affected).
The information symbol  may also illuminate together with other symbols.
High beam indicator
This symbol  illuminates  when the high beam headlights are on, or if the high beam flash  function is used.
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 78 of 274
Steering wheel
Horn
Press the steering wheel hub to sound the horn.
89 03 Your driving  environment
Lighting
Lighting panel
 Thumb wheel for adjusting display and  instrument lighting
 Rear fog light
 Front fog lights
 Headlights/parking lights
Instrument lighting
Illumination  of the display and  instrument lights will vary, depending on ignition mode.
The display lighting is automatically  subdued in darkness and  the sensitivity is set with the thumb wheel.
The intensity  of the instrument lighting is adjusted with the thumb wheel.
High/low beam headlights
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 79 of 274
Low beams
When the engine is started, the low beams are activated automatically  (daytime running lights) if the headlight control
is in position 
or .
Daytime  running lights can be  deactivated by an  authorized Volvo workshop.
 NOTE 
 The use of daytime running lights is mandatory in Canada.
 Continuous high beams cannot be  activated when the headlight switch is in position or . High beam
flash  will function in these positions.
High beam flash
Move the lever toward the steering wheel to position 
. The high beams come on until the lever is released.
High/low beam headlights
Continuous high beams
Set the ignition to mode II.
With the light switch in position 
, pull the turn signal lever toward the steering wheel to position to toggle
between high and  low beams (this also applies on models equipped with the optional Active Bi -Xenon® headlights).
The
 symbol  illuminates  in the instrument panel to indicate that the high beams are on.
90 03 Your driving  environment
Lighting
Active Bi -Xenon® Lights (ABL)-option
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 81 of 274
Emergency Brake Lights, EBL, activate in the event of sudden braking or if the ABS  system is activated. This function
causes an  additional taillight on each side of the vehicle to illuminate to help alert vehicles traveling behind.
The EBL function activates if:
 The ABS  system activates for more than approximately a  half second
 In the event of sudden braking while the vehicle is moving at speeds above approximately 6 mph (10 km/h)
When the vehicle has come to a  stop, the brake lights and  additional taillights remain on for as long as the brake pedal
is depressed  or until braking force on the vehicle is reduced.
Front  fog lights
The front  fog lights can be  switched on together with high/low beams or the parking lights.
Press the button to switch the fog lights on/off.  The light in the button comes on when the fog lights are on.
 NOTE 
Regulations regarding the use of the front  fog lights may vary, depending on where  you drive.
92 03 Your driving  environment
Lighting
Rear fog light
The single rear fog light is located in the driver's side taillight cluster.
The rear fog light will only function in combination with the high/low beam headlights or the optional front  fog lights.
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 84 of 274
The lights are switched on or off by pressing each respective button.
Courtesy lights/door step lighting (option)
The courtesy lights/door step lighting switch on/off  automatically  when one  of the front  doors is opened/closed.
Glove compartment lighting
The glove compartment lighting switches  on/off  automatically  when the lid is opened/closed.
Overhead courtesy lighting
The passenger  compartment lighting is switched on and  off automatically  when button 
is in the neutral position.
The lighting comes on and  remains on for 30 seconds if:
 the vehicle is unlocked from  the outside with the key  or remote control
 the engine is switched off and  the ignition is in mode 0.
The lighting switches  off when:
 the engine is started
 the vehicle is locked from  the outside.
The lighting comes on and  remains on for two minutes if one  of the doors is open.
The passenger  compartment lighting can be  switched on and  off manually within 30 minutes after the vehicle has been
unlocked.
If the lighting is switched on manually and  the vehicle is locked, the courtesy lighting will switch off automatically
after one  minute.
Home safe lighting
When you leave your vehicle at night, you can make use of the home safe lighting function to illuminate the area in
front  of the vehicle.
1. Remove the key  from  the ignition slot.
2. Pull the direction indicator lever as far as possible towards the steering wheel and  release it.
3. Exit the vehicle and  lock the doors.
The headlights, parking lights, turn signals, lights in the door mirrors,  license plate  lights, and  footwell lighting will
illuminate and  remain on for 30
1, 60 or 90 seconds. The time interval can be  set under Car  settingsLight settings
Home  safe lighting . For a  description  of the menu system, see page 125.
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 88 of 274
Move the lever toward the steering wheel to start the windshield and  headlight washers. After the lever is released the
wipers make several extra sweeps.
Heated washer nozzles (option)
The washer nozzles are heated automatically  in cold weather to help prevent the washer fluid from  freezing.
High-pressure headlight  washing  (option)
High-pressure headlight washing consumes  a  large quantity of washer fluid. To save fluid, the headlights are washed
using two alternatives:
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 Active Bi -Xenon® headlights will be  washed once for every five times the windshield is washed.
Normal halogen headlights will not be  washed.
 CAUTION 
Use ample  washer fluid when washing the windshield. The windshield should be  thoroughly wet  when the wipers
are in operation.
 NOTE 
One headlight is washed at a  time.
98 03 Your driving  environment
Wipers and washers
Tailgate wiper/washer
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 93 of 274
Use the defroster to quickly remove misting  and  ice from  the rear window and  the door mirrors.
Press the button once to start simultaneous rear window and  door mirror defrosting. The light in the button indicates
that the function is active. Defrosting is deactivated automatically  and  its  duration is controlled by the outside
temperature.
The rear window is demisted/de-iced automatically  if the vehicle is started in an  outside temperature lower than +  7
°C.
Defrosting can be  selected under Climate settings 
Auto. rear defroster. Select  between On  or Off.
Interior rearview mirror
Auto-dim function
An integrated sensor reacts to headlights from  following traffic  and  automatically  reduces glare in the mirror.
103 03 Your driving  environment
Power moonroof
Power moonroof (option on certain markets only)
The moonroof  controls are located in the ceiling console near the rearview mirror. The moonroof  can be  opened
vertically and  horizontally. The vehicle's must  be  in ignition mode I  or II for the moonroof  to be  operated.
Sliding  moonroof
 Opening,  automatic
 Opening,  manual
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 169 of 274
Rear park assist is deactivated automatically  when towing a  trailer if Volvo genuine trailer wiring is used.
180 04 Comfort and driving  pleasure
Park assist (option)
Front  park assist
The distance monitored in front  of the vehicle is approximately 2.5 ft (0.8 m). The audible  signal comes from  the audio
system's front  speakers.
It may not be  possible to combine  auxiliary headlights and  front  park assist since these lights could trigger the system's
sensors.
Faults in the system
If the information symbol  illuminates  and  Park Assist  syst Service required is shown on the information display, this
indicates that the system is not functioning properly and  has been disengaged. Consult a  trained and  qualified Volvo
service technician.
 CAUTION 
In certain circumstances, the park assist system may give unexpected warning signals that can be  caused by external
sound sources that use the same ultrasound frequencies as the system. This may include  such things  as the horns of
other vehicles, wet  tires on asphalt, pneumatic brakes, motorcycle exhaust pipes, etc. This does not indicate a  fault in
the system.
Cleaning the sensors
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