air condition VOLVO XC90 2012 Owner´s Manual

06 Starting and driving
Difficult driving conditions
06
143 Driving on rough/unpaved surfaces
The Volvo XC90 is designed primarily for on-
road driving, and it has excellent handling cha-
racteristics on very rough or unpaved roads.
When driving on poorly maintained or unpaved
roads, please keep the following in mind:
•Reduce speed on rough surfaces to mini-
mize possible damage to the vehicle's
underbody.
•When driving on soft surfaces such as dry
sand or snow, try to avoid stopping if at all
possible.
WARNING
•Avoid driving diagonally across steep
inclines as this could increase the risk of
a roll-over. Try to drive straight up or
down the slope.
•If the road is very steep, avoid turning
the vehicle around to help avoid the risk
of rolling over. Back the vehicle up or
down the incline instead.
NOTE
Avoid driving on steep inclines if the fuel
tank is nearly empty. If the flow of fuel to the
engine is interrupted due to the vehicle's
angle of inclination, this could result in dam-
age to the three-way catalytic converter. We
recommend keeping the fuel tank at least
half full when driving on steep inclines.
Driving through water
The vehicle can be driven through water up to
a depth of approximately 16 inches (40 cm), at
a maximum speed of 6 mph (10 km/h).
Take particular care when driving through flow-
ing water.
Clean the electrical connections for trailer wir-
ing 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 18 in (48 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.

06 Starting and driving
Blind Spot Information System*
06

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.167
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 vehi-
cle is backing up.
•If you are towing a wide trailer, this may
prevent the BLIS cameras from detect-
ing other vehicles in adjacent lanes.
How BLIS functions in daylight and
darkness
Daylight
BLIS reacts to the shape of surrounding vehi-
cles. 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, avehicle in the blind area must have its head-
lights on. This means, for example, that the
system will not detect a trailer without head-
lights 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 BLIS cameras have the same limi-
tation as the human eye. In other words,
their "vision is impaired" by adverse
weather conditions such as heavy
snowfall, intense light directly into the
camera, dense fog, etc.
Cleaning the BLIS camera lensesIn 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, gen-
tly brush away snow from the lenses.
LimitationsIn 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 occa-
sionally even when there are no other vehi-
cles 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 situa-
tions in which the BLIS indicator light(s) may
illuminate even when there are no other vehi-
cles in the area monitored by the system.
Light reflected from a wet road surface

07 Wheels and tires
General information
07
172
Introduction
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according
to the vehicle's tire information placard on the
B-pillar (the structural member at the side of
the vehicle, at the rear of the driver's door
opening).
CAUTION
Some Volvo models are equipped with an
Ultra High Performance tire and wheel com-
bination designed to provide maximum dry
pavement performance with consideration
for hydroplaning resistance. They may be
more susceptible to road hazard damage
and, depending on driving conditions, may
achieve a tread life of less than 20,000 miles
(30,000 km). Even if this vehicle is equipped
with Volvo’s advanced AWD or DSTC sys-
tem, these tires are not designed for winter
driving, and should be replaced with winter
tires when weather conditions dictate.
The tires have good road holding characteris-
tics and offer good handling on dry and wet
surfaces. It should be noted however that the
tires have been developed to give these fea-
tures on snow/ice-free surfaces.
Most models are equipped with "all-season"
tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree
of road holding on slippery surfaces than tireswithout the "all-season" rating. However, for
optimum road holding on icy or snow-covered
roads, we recommend suitable winter tires on
all four wheels.
When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires
are the same size designation, type (radial) and
preferably from the same manufacturer, on all
four wheels. Otherwise there is a risk of altering
the car's roadholding and handling characte-
ristics.
New Tires
Remember that tires are perishable goods. As
of 2000, the manufacturing week and year
(Department of Transportation (DOT) stamp)
will be indicated with 4 digits (e.g., 1510 means
that the tire illustrated was manufactured dur-
ing week 15 of 2010).
Tire ageTires degrade over time, even when they are
not being used. It is recommended that tires
generally be replaced after 6 years of normal
service. Heat caused by hot climates, frequent
high loading conditions or Ultra Violet (U.V)
exposure can accelerate the aging process.
The temporary spare
1 should also be replaced
at 6-year intervals, even if it has never been
used.
A tire's age can be determined by the DOT
stamp on the sidewall (see the illustration).
A tire with e.g., visible cracks or discoloration
should be replaced immediately.
Improving tire economy
•Maintain correct tire pressure (see the
inflation pressure table on page 177).
•Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard
braking and tire screeching.
•Tire wear increases with speed.
•Correct front wheel alignment is very
important.
•Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy
and driving comfort.
•Tires must maintain the same direction of
rotation throughout their lifetime.
1Option or accessory on some models

09 Maintenance and servicing
Volvo service 09
208
Maintenance service
Periodic maintenance will help keep your vehi-
cle running well. Your Warranty and Service
Records Information booklet provides a com-
prehensive maintenance schedule up to
150,000 miles (240,000 km) of vehicle service.
This maintenance program contains inspec-
tions and services necessary for the proper
function of your vehicle, and includes compo-
nents that affect vehicle emissions. The main-
tenance services contain several checks that
require special instruments and tools and
therefore must be performed by a qualified
technician. Volvo advises you to follow the
service program outlined in this booklet. To
keep your Volvo in top condition, specify time-
tested and proven Genuine Volvo Parts and
Accessories.
The Federal Clean Air Act – U.S.
The Federal Clean Air Act requires vehicle
manufacturers to furnish written instructions to
the ultimate purchaser to assure the proper
servicing and function of the components that
control emissions. These services, which are
listed in the "Warranty and Service Records
Information booklet," are not covered by the
warranty. You will be required to pay for labor
and material used.
Maintenance services
Your Volvo passed several major inspections
before it was delivered to you, in accordance
with Volvo specifications. The maintenance
services outlined in the Warranty and Service
Records Information booklet, many of which
will positively affect your vehicle's emissions,
should be performed as indicated. It is recom-
mended that receipts for vehicle emission
services be retained in case questions arise
concerning maintenance.
Inspection and service should also be per-
formed anytime a malfunction is observed or
suspected.
Applicable warranties
In accordance with applicable U.S. and Cana-
dian regulations, the following list of warranties
is provided.
•New Car Limited Warranty
•Parts and Accessories Limited Warranty
•Corrosion Protection Limited Warranty
•Seat Belt and Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tems Limited Warranty
•Emission Design and Defect Warranty
•Emission Performance Warranty
These are the Federal warranties; other war-
ranties are provided as required by state/pro-
vincial law. Refer to your separate Warrantyand Service Records Information booklet for
detailed information concerning each of the
warranties.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Working on your vehicle 09
212
Belt check
Check the belt regularly to make sure it is in
good condition and is clean. A worn or dirty belt
can cause poor cooling and low alternator out-
put as well as impair the operation of the power
steering and the air conditioning unit.
NOTE
The drive belt is equipped with a self-ten-
sioning mechanism and requires no adjust-
ment between changes.
WARNING
The engine must not be running when this
check is performed.
Check coolant level
The cooling system must be filled with coolant
and not leak to operate at maximum efficiency.
Check the coolant level regularly. The level
should be between the MAX and MIN marks
on the expansion tank. The check should be
made with particular thoroughness when the
engine is new or when the cooling system has
been drained.
Do not remove the filler cap other than for top-
ping up with coolant. Frequent removal may
prevent coolant circulation between the engineand the expansion tank during engine warm up
and cooling.
Changing coolant
Normally, the coolant does not need to be
changed. If the system must be drained, con-
sult a trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician.
Do not top off with water only. This reduces the
rust-protective and antifreeze qualities of the
coolant and has a lower boiling point. It can
also cause damage to the cooling system if it
should freeze. Top off with Volvo Genuine
Coolant/Antifreeze only (a 50/50 mix of water
and antifreeze.
CAUTION
The cooling system must always be kept
filled to the correct level. If it is not kept filled,
there can be high local temperatures in the
engine which could result in damage. Dif-
ferent types of antifreeze/coolant may not
be mixed.
WARNING
•Never remove the expansion tank cap
while the engine is warm. Wait until the
engine cools.
•If it is necessary to top off the coolant
when the engine is warm, unscrew the
expansion tank cap slowly so that the
overpressure dissipates.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Fuses09

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.241
NoA
14Rear air conditioning system*15
15–
16–
17Accessory audio5
18–
19Rear window wiper15
20Trailer wiring (15-feed)*20
21–
22–
23Park assist7,5
24–
25–
26Park assist*5
27Main fuse: trailer wiring, park
assist, All Wheel Drive30
28Central locking system15
29Driver's side trailer lighting:
parking lights, turn signal*25
NoA
30Passenger's side trailer light-
ing: brake light, fog light, turn
signal*25
31Main fuse: fuses 37 and 3840
32–
33–
34–
35–
36–
37Heated rear window20
38Heated rear window20

11 Specifications
Fluids
11
284* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Specifications and capacities
Category
Identifier b05ba8cc8f1288e9c0a80be101bcf274Specification
Fuel tank21.1 US gals. (80 liters)
Octane rating: unleaded gasoline, minimum octane requirement AKI 87,
recommended rating AKI 91 or above (See also page 134)
Transmission oilA
TF-80SC
JWS 3309
7.4 US qts. (7.0 liters)
Miscellaneous
Power steering
Windshield washer reservoir
Brake fluid
Air conditioning systemMiscellaneous
1.1 US qts. (1.0 liters)
6.9 US qts. (6.5 liters)
0.63 US qts. (0.6 liters)
Front – 2.2 lb. (1 kg), Rear* 2.9 lb. (1.3 kg) R 134a (HFC134a)
CoolantVolvo original coolant/antifreeze (Thermostat begins to open at 194 ° F
(90 ° C)).
7.9 US qts. (7.5 liters)
Brake fluidDOT 4+ boiling point >536 °F (280 °C), P/N 9437433
Power steering fluidVolvo synthetic power steering fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S) P/N 1161529 or
equivalent 1.1 US quarts (1.0 liters)

11 Specifications
Fluids
11
285
Category
Identifier b05ba8cc8f1288e9c0a80be101bcf274Specification
Washer fluid reservoirUse washer fluid solvent in cold weather conditions 6.9 US quarts (6.5 lit-
ers)
Air conditioning systemRefrigerant – R134aB
AThe transmission oil does not normally need to be changed during the service life of the vehicle. However, it may be necessary to replace the oil if the vehicle is often driven in areas of sustained
temperature extremes (hot or cold), when towing a trailer over long distances, for prolonged driving in mountainous areas, or if the vehicle is often driven short distances in temperatures under 40 °F
(5 °C).
BSee page 94 for volumes

11 Specifications
Overview of information and warning symbols
11

291 Introduction
The symbols in the vehicle's various displays
are divided into three main categories:
•Warning symbols
•Indicator symbols
•Information symbols
The following tables list the most common
symbols, their meaning and the pages in this
manual that provide more detailed information.
Warning/information symbol
This symbol () lights up and glows red if
the condition is related to safety and/or driva-
bility or yellow to alert the driver to e.g., fill the
washer fluid reservoir, etc. In either case, a
message will be displayed in the instrument
panel display.
Symbols in the main instrument panel
Indicator and warning symbols
SymbolDescriptionPage
Warning59
Malfunction indi-
cator light61
SymbolDescriptionPage
Fault in the ABS
system61
Rear fog light60
Stability system
DSTC61
Trailer turn signal
indicator61
Parking brake
applied60
SRS airbag sys-
tem59
SymbolDescriptionPage
Oil pressure warn-
ing light60
Seat belt reminder59
Generator warn-
ing light60
Brake failure
warning light60
High beam indica-
tor58

12 Index
12
294
1, 2, 3 ...
12-volt sockets.......................................... 79
A
A/C (air conditioning)...........................98, 99
ABS.......................................................... 150
Accessory installation warning.................. 15
Airbag system............................................ 23
Air cleaner................................................ 213
Air conditioning.......................................... 94
Air distribution...................................... 96, 99
Air quality sensor....................................... 98
Air vents..................................................... 96
Alarm........................................................ 131
All Wheel Drive......................................... 148
All Wheel Drive – towing.......................... 158
Anti-lock brake system
warning light......................................... 60
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)................. 150
Ashtray..................................................... 114Audio
system introduction............................ 246
Audio system
Bluetooth streaming audio................. 262
HD digital radio................................... 253
Rear seat entertainment..................... 273
Sirius satellite radio............................257
AUTO (climate control)....................... 99, 100
Automatic locking retractor....................... 38
Automatic transmission........................... 144
Autostart..........................................139, 141
AUX (audio system).................................261
Average speed........................................... 75
AWD......................................................... 148
B
Bass......................................................... 249
Battery..................................................... 211
maintenance....................................... 220
specifications...................................... 289
Battery – replacing................................... 221
Belt check................................................ 212
Black box................................................... 13Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)..... 166
Blower (fan).............................................. 100
Bluetooth cell phone connection............. 268
Booster cushion
accessory............................................. 47
integrated.............................................. 51
Brake fluid................................................ 218
Brake system........................................... 149
Brake pad inspection.......................... 149
Bulbs........................................................ 223
specifications...................................... 230
Bulbs, replacing....................................... 223
C
Capacities, fluids..................................... 284
Capacity weight....................................... 181
Cargo area cover..................................... 121
Cargo grid................................................ 120
Cargo net................................................. 118
Catalytic converter, three-way................. 290
CD Pause................................................. 264
Cell phone, hands-free connection......... 268