check oil VOLVO XC90 2009 Owner´s Manual

IntroductionGeneral information
10
ShiftlockWhen your vehicle is parked, the gear selector
is locked in the P (Park) position. To release the
selector from this position, turn the ignition key
to position II (or start the engine), depress the
brake pedal, press the button on the front side
of the gear selector and move the selector from
P (Park).KeylockWhen you switch off the ignition, the gear
selector must be in the (P)ark position before
the key can be removed from the ignition
switch.Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)The ABS system in your vehicle performs a
self-diagnostic test when the vehicle first rea-
ches the speed of approximately 12 mph
(20 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several
times and a sound may be audible from the
ABS control module. This is normal.Fuel filler doorPress the button on the light switch panel when
the car is at a standstill to open the fuel filler
door.Fuel filler capAfter refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turn-
ing it clockwise until it clicks into place. If this
cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is run-
ning when the vehicle is refueled, the Malfunc-tion Indicator Lamp ("Check Engine" light) will
illuminate.
Important information•
Before you operate your vehicle for the first
time, please familiarize yourself with the
new-engine oil consumption information
on page 209. You should also be familiar
with the information in chapters one, two
and eight of this manual.
•
Information contained in the balance of the
manual is extremely useful and should be
read after operating the vehicle for the first
time.
•
The manual is structured so that it can be
used for reference. For this reason, it
should be kept in the vehicle for ready
access.
•
Do not export your Volvo to another coun-
try before investigating that country's
applicable safety and exhaust emission
requirements. In some cases it may be dif-
ficult or impossible to comply with these
requirements. Modifications to the emis-
sion control system(s) may render your
Volvo not certifiable for legal operation in
the U.S., Canada and other countries.
•
All information, illustrations and specifica-
tions contained in this manual are based on
the latest product information available at
the time of publication. Please note that
some vehicles may be equipped differ-ently, depending on special legal require-
ments. Optional equipment described in
this manual may not be available in all mar-
kets.al may not be available in all markets.
•
Volvo reserves the right to make model
changes at any time, or to change specifi-
cations or design without notice and with-
out incurring obligation.WARNING
If your vehicle is involved in an accident,
unseen damage may affect your vehicle's
drivability and safety.

Introduction
Volvo and the environment
11
WARNING
CALIFORNIA proposition 65
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents,
and certain vehicle components contain or
emit chemicals known to the state of Cali-
fornia to cause cancer, and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. In addition, certain
fluids contained in vehicles and certain
products of component wear contain or
emit chemicals known to the State of Cali-
fornia to cause cancer, and birth defects or
other reproductive harm.Volvo is committed to the well being of its cus-
tomers. As a natural part of this commitment,
we care about the environment in which we all
live. Caring for the environment means an
everyday involvement in reducing our environ-
mental impact. Volvo's environmental activities
are based on a holistic view, which means we
consider the overall environmental impact of a
product throughout its complete life cycle. In
this context, design, production, product use,
and recycling are all important considerations.
In production, Volvo has partly or completely
phased out several chemicals including CFCs,
lead chromates, asbestos, and cadmium; and
reduced the number of chemicals used in our
plants 50% since 1991.
Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into
production a three-way catalytic converter witha Lambda sond, now called the heated oxygen
sensor, in 1976. The current version of this
highly efficient system reduces emissions of
harmful substances (CO, HC, NOx) from the
exhaust pipe by approximately 95-99% and
the search to eliminate the remaining emis-
sions continues. Volvo is the only automobile
manufacturer to offer CFC-free retrofit kits for
the air conditioning system of all models as far
back as the 1975 model 240. Advanced elec-
tronic engine controls and cleaner fuels are
bringing us closer to our goal. After Volvo vehi-
cles and parts have fulfilled their use, recycling
is the next critical step in completing the life
cycle. The metal content is about 75% of the
total weight of a vehicle, which makes the vehi-
cle among the most recycled industrial prod-
ucts. In order to have efficient and well-
controlled recycling, dismantling information is
available for all Volvo models. For Volvo, all
homogeneous plastic parts weighing more
than 3.4 oz. (100 grams) are marked with inter-
national symbols that indicate how the com-
ponent is to be sorted for recycling. In addition
to continuous environmental refinement of
conventional gasoline-powered internal com-
bustion engines, Volvo is actively looking at
advanced technology alternative-fuel vehicles.
When you drive a Volvo, you become our part-
ner in the work to lessen the car's impact onthe environment. To reduce your vehicle's
environmental impact, you can:
•
Maintain proper air pressure in your tires.
Tests have shown decreased fuel econ-
omy with improperly inflated tires.
•
Follow the recommended maintenance
schedule in your Warranty and Service
Records Information booklet.
•
Drive at a constant speed whenever pos-
sible.
•
See a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician as soon as possible for inspec-
tion if the check engine (malfunction indi-
cator) light illuminates, or stays on after the
vehicle has started.
•
Properly dispose of any vehicle-related
waste such as used motor oil, used batter-
ies, brake pads, etc.
•
When cleaning your vehicle, please use
genuine Volvo car care products. All Volvo
car care products are formulated to be
environmentally friendly.
For additional information regarding the envi-
ronmental activities in which Volvo Cars of
North America, LLC and Volvo Car Corporation
are involved, visit our Internet home page at:
http://www.volvocars.us.

02 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel
02``55
Gear and driving mode indicator – The cur-
rently selected driving mode is displayed
here. If you use the Geartronic function on
the automatic transmission, the currently
selected gear will be displayed.Ambient temperature gauge – This display
indicates the air temperature outside your
vehicle. A "snowflake" symbol in the text
window is displayed when the temperature
is in the range of 23 – 36 °F (–5 – +2 °C).
Please note that this symbol does not indi-
cate a fault with your vehicle. At low
speeds or when the vehicle is not moving,
the temperature readings may be slightly
higher than the actual ambient tempera-
ture.Clock/set button – Turn the button to set
the clock.Fuel gauge – see page 265 for fuel tank
volume. When the warning light in the
gauge comes on, the vehicle should be
refueled as soon as possible. The trip com-
puter section (see page 71) provides
more information on fuel level and con-
sumption.Indicator and warning symbols – The indi-
cator and warning symbols
1light up when
you turn the ignition key to the driving posi-
tion (position II) before starting.
G027134
This shows that the symbols are functioning.
When the engine starts, all symbols go out. If
the engine is not started within 5 seconds, all
symbols except CHECK ENGINE and
go out. Certain symbols may not
have their functions illustrated, depending on
the vehicle's equipment. The symbol for the
parking brake goes out when the parking brake
is released.
Warning symbol in center of the
instrument panel
This symbol shines as a red or yel-
low light depending on the severity
of the discovered fault.
Red symbol – Stop the vehicle as soon as
possible in a suitable location and read the
message shown in the text window. The sym-
bol and accompanying text will remain on until
the fault has been corrected.
Yellow symbol – Follow the instructions
shown in the text window. The text can be
erased by pressing the READ button (see
page 58), or will disappear automatically after
two minutes.
NOTE
When the message
TIME FOR REGULAR
SERVICE
is displayed, the text can be
erased and the yellow symbol light can be
turned off by pressing the READ button.
The text will disappear and the symbol light
will go out automatically after two minutes.
1On certain engines, the symbol for low oilpressure is not used. Instead, a text warning is provided in the information display, see page 209.

02 Instruments and controlsInstrument panel
0256
Seat belt reminder
This symbol lights up to indicate
that the driver has not fastened his/
her seat belt.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
If this light comes on while the
vehicle is being driven, or remains
on for longer than approximately
10 seconds after the vehicle has
been started, the SRS system's
diagnostic functions have detected a fault in a
seat belt lock or pretensioner, a front airbag,
side impact airbag, and/or an inflatable curtain.
Have the system(s) inspected by a trained and
qualified Volvo service technician as soon as
possible.
BRAKE – Brake failure warning lightIf the light comes on while driving or braking,
stop immediately, open the hood and check
the brake fluid level in the reservoir. see
page 212.
Canadian models are equipped
with this warning light.
If the BRAKE and ABS warning lights come
on at the same time, this could indicate a
fault in the brake system.•
Stop the vehicle in a suitable place and
switch off the engine.
•
Restart the engine.
•
If both warning lights go off, no further
action is required.
•
If both lights are still on after the engine has
been restarted, switch off the engine again
and check the brake fluid level (see
page 212 for the location of the brake fluid
reservoir).
If the brake fluid level is above the MIN mark,
drive carefully to a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician and have the brake system
inspected.WARNING
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the
reservoir or if a
Brake failure – Service
urgent
message is displayed in the text
window:DO NOT DRIVE
. Have the vehicle
towed to a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician and have the brake system
inspected.
PARK BRAKE Parking brake appliedThis light will be on when the parking brake
(hand brake) is applied. The parking brake
pedal is located on the left side of the driver's
footwell, see page 75 for more information.
Canadian models are equipped
with this symbol.Oil pressure warning light
2
If the light comes on while driv-
ing, stop the vehicle and then
stop the engine immediately and
check the engine oil level, see
page 58. If the light stays on after
restart, have the vehicle towed to the nearest
trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
After hard driving, the light may come on occa-
sionally when the engine is idling. This is nor-
mal, provided it goes off when the engine
speed is increased.
Generator warning light
If the light comes on while the
engine is running, have the charg-
ing system checked.
2On certain engines, the symbol for low oilpressure is not used. Instead, a text warningis provided in the information display, see page 58.

02 Instruments and controls
Information display
0259
Message
Meaning
TIME FOR REGULAR SERVICE
This message will be displayed at 7,500 mile (12,000 km) intervals, after 750 hours of driving or after
12 months, whichever occurs first, to remind the driver that the service interval has been exceeded. The
message will be displayed for 2 minutes each time the vehicle is started until reset by a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician.
OIL LEVEL LOW – FILL OIL
A
Check the oil level and top up if necessary, see page 209.
OIL LEVEL LOW – STOP SAFELY
B
Stop as soon as possible and switch off the engine, check the oil level and top up if necessary, see
page 209.
OIL LEVEL LOW – STOP ENGINE
B
Stop as soon as possible and switch off the engine, check the oil level and top up if necessary, see
page 209.
OIL LEVEL LOW – SEE MANUAL
B
Stop as soon as possible and switch off the engine, check the oil level and top up if necessary, see
page 209.
DSTC SPIN CONTROL OFF
The stability system's spin control function has been turned off, see page 145 for details.
AThe yellow warning symbol also lights up (see page 54).BThe red warning symbol also lights up (see page 54).

06 Starting and drivingGeneral information
06128
Engine oilAlthough some oil consumption occurs during
normal engine operation, more oil is consumed
when the engine is new as the internal parts
generate higher friction while wearing-in to
each other. From the time the engine is new
until the first maintenance is performed, the oil
consumption could be higher than normal. For
this reason, it is especially important to check
the oil every time you refuel your vehicle during
this period, see page 209.Fuel requirementsDeposit control gasoline (detergent
additives)Volvo recommends the use of detergent gas-
oline to control engine deposits. Detergent
gasoline is effective in keeping injectors and
intake valves clean. Consistent use of deposit
control gasolines will help ensure good driva-
bility and fuel economy. If you are not sure
whether the gasoline contains deposit control
additives, check with the service station oper-
ator.
NOTE
Volvo does not recommend the use of
external fuel injector cleaning systems.
Unleaded fuelEach Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter
and must use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. and
Canadian regulations require that pumps deliv-
ering unleaded gasoline be labelled "UNLEA-
DED". Only these pumps have nozzles which
fit your vehicle's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dis-
pense leaded fuel into a vehicle labelled
"unleaded gasoline only". Leaded gasoline
damages the three-way catalytic converter and
the heated oxygen sensor system. Repeated
use of leaded gasoline will lessen the effec-
tiveness of the emission control system and
could result in loss of emission warranty cov-
erage. State and local vehicle inspection pro-
grams will make detection of misfueling easier,
possibly resulting in emission test failure for
misfueled vehicles.
NOTE
Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines contain
an octane enhancing additive called methyl-
cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). If such fuels are used, your Emission
Control System performance may be affec-
ted, and the Check Engine Light (malfunc-
tion indicator lamp) located on your instru-
ment panel may light. If this occurs, please
return your vehicle to a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for maintenance.
Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers"Oxygenated fuels"
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
"oxygenates" which are usually alcohols or
ethers. In some areas, state or local laws
require that the service pump be marked indi-
cating use of alcohols or ethers. However,
there are areas in which the pumps are
unmarked. If you are not sure whether there is
alcohol or ethers in the gasoline you buy, check
with the service station operator. To meet sea-
sonal air quality standards, some areas require
the use of "oxygenated" fuel.
Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygen-
ated" fuels; however, the octane ratings listed
on page 129 must still be met.
Alcohol – Ethanol: Fuels containing up to 10%
ethanol by volume may be used. Ethanol may
also be referred to as Ethyl alcohol, or "Gaso-
hol".
Ethers – MTBE: Fuels containing up to 15%
MTBE may be used.

06 Starting and driving
Starting the vehicle
06``133 Starting the engine
WARNING
Before starting, check that the seat, steering
wheel and mirrors are adjusted properly.
Make sure the brake pedal can be
depressed completely. Adjust the seat if
necessary, see page 100.1. Fasten the seat belt.
2. Apply the parking brake (hand brake) if not
already set. The gear selector is locked in
theP position (SHIFTLOCK).
3. Without touching the accelerator pedal,
turn the ignition key
1 to the starting posi-
tion. Allow the starter to operate for up to
10 seconds. Release the key as soon as
the engine starts
2. If the engine fails to
start, repeat this step.
NOTE
•
If the key blade section of the remote is
not fully folded out when starting the
vehicle, the immobilizer function may
make it impossible to start the engine.
•
After a cold start, idle speed may be
noticeably higher than normal for a
short period. This is done to help bring
components in the emission control
system to their normal operating tem-
perature as quickly as possible, which
enables them to control emissions and
help reduce the vehicle's impact on the
environment.
•
To release the gear selector from the P
(Park) position, the engine must be run-
ning (or the ignition key must be in posi-
tionII) and the brake pedal must be
depressed.
•
Select the desired gear. The gear
engages after a very slight delay which
is especially noticeable when selecting
R.
NOTE
Your vehicle is equipped with a KEYLOCK
system. When the engine is switched off,
the gear selector must be in the P position
before the key can be removed from the
ignition switch.
When starting in cold weather, the trans-
mission may shift up at slightly higher
engine speeds than normal until the auto-
matic transmission fluid reaches normal
operating temperature.
NOTE
Do not race a cold engine immediately after
starting. Oil flow may not reach some lubri-
cation points fast enough to prevent engine
damage.
WARNING
An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause
the accelerator pedal to catch. Check that
the movement of the accelerator pedal is
not impeded. No more than one protective
floor covering may be used at one time.
1If two of the keys to your vehicle are close together, e.g. on the same key ring when you try to start the vehicle, this could cause interference in the immobilizer system and result in the vehicle not
starting. If this should occur, remove one of the keys from the key ring before trying to start the vehicle again.2On vehicles equipped with the autostart feature, release the key immediately. See also page 135.

06 Starting and drivingEconomical driving
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 fol-
lowing 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 D (Drive) position
as often as possible and avoid using "kick-
down" to help improve fuel economy.
•
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
Service intervals.CAUTION
Drive slowly and carefully if going through
standing water (i.e. flooded roadways, etc.).
Damage to the engine could result if excess
water is drawn in through the air intake sys-
tem. Never drive the vehicle in water deeper
than 18 inches (48 cm).

06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06``153
NOTE
•
If the automatic transmission begins to
overheat, a message will be displayed
in the text window.
•
Hauling a trailer affects handling, dura-
bility, and economy.
•
It is necessary to balance trailer brakes
with the towing vehicle brakes to pro-
vide a safe stop (check and observe
state/local regulations).
•
Do not connect the trailer's brake sys-
tem directly to the vehicle's brake sys-
tem.
•
Remove the ball and drawbar assembly
when the hitch is not being used.
•
Volvo recommends the use of synthetic
engine oil when towing a trailer over
long distances or in mountainous areas.
NOTE
•
When parking the vehicle with a trailer
on a hill, apply the parking brake before
putting the gear selector in P. When
starting on a hill, put the gear selector in
D before releasing the parking brake.
Always follow the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations for wheel chocking.
•
If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift
positions while towing a trailer, make
sure the gear you select does not put
too much strain on the engine (using too
high a gear).
WARNING
•
Bumper-attached trailer hitches must
not be used on Volvos, nor should
safety chains be attached to the
bumper.
•
Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle
rear axle must not be used.
•
Never connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to the vehicle
brake system, nor a trailer's lighting
system directly to the vehicle lighting
system. Consult a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for correct
installation.
•
When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety
wire must be correctly fastened to the
hole or hook provided in the trailer hitch
on the vehicle. The safety wire should
never be fastened to or wound around
the drawbar ball.
Smoother starts with a trailerModels equipped with the V8-engine and the
6-speed automatic transmission have a built-
in function that reduces acceleration slightly in
first gear when the vehicle is towing a trailer.
This is done to help avoid wheel spin and to
make starting off smoother.•
This function is activated when the trailer's
electrical connector is plugged into the

06 Starting and driving
Cold weather precautions
06
157
If 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 by Volvo. 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 protect your vehicle dur-
ing 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 drivingor in warm weather. See section "Engine
oil" 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
more frequently and spray an antirust oil on
the battery posts.
•
Volvo recommends the use of snow tires
on all four wheels for winter driving – see
section "Wheels and tires."
•
To prevent the washer fluid reservoir
from freezing, add washer solvents con-
taining antifreeze (see page 211 for the
location of the washer fluid reservoir). This
is important since dirt is often splashed on
the windshield during winter driving,
requiring the frequent use of the washers
and wipers. Volvo Washer Solvent should
be diluted 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 sol-
vent 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 the use of de-icing sprays as they can
cause damage to the locks.W – Winter/Wet driving mode – enhanced
vehicle traction•
Mode W will only function if the gear selec-
tor is in the (D)rive position.
•
Press the button at the base of the gear
selector to engage/disengage this driving
mode.
•
An LED in the button will light up to indicate
that W is engaged and this will also be dis-
played in the instrument panel (see
page 54).
•
This mode may be selected for starting/
moving off on slippery roads.
1Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintenance service intervals except at owner request and at additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.