winter tires VOLVO C70 2003 Owners Manual

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VOLVO C70
Chapter 5 - Wheels and tires
pg. 79 Wheels and tires
Page
General information, Wear indicator, Tire economy, Flat spots 80
Snow chains, Snow tires81
Inflation pressure82
Uniform tire quality grading83
pg. 80 Wheels and tires
General information
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the tire information label located on the rear facing side of the
right front door.
The following is an example of a tire designation code 225/50R16:
225 = tire width in mm.
50 = tire profile. This is the relationship (in percent) between the section height and width of the tire.
R = radial tires.
16 = diameter in inches.
The tires have good road holding characteristics and offer good handling on dry and wet surfaces. It should be noted
however that the tires have been developed to give these features on snow/ice-free surfaces. Certain models are
equipped with "all-season" tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree of road holding on slippery surfaces
than tires without 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 characteristics.
NOTE: When storing wheel/tire assemblies (e.g. winter tires and wheels), either stand the assemblies upright, or
suspend them off the ground. Laying wheel/tire assemblies on their sides for prolonged periods can cause wheel and/or
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CAUTION:
Check local regulations regarding the use of snow chains before installing.
Always follow the chain manufacturer's installation instructions carefully. Install chains as tightly as possible and
retighten periodically.
Never exceed the chain manufacturer's specified maximum speed limit. (Under no circumstances should that limit
be higher than 30 mph (45 km/h).
Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns when driving with snow chains.
The handling of the vehicle can be adversely affected when driving with chains. Avoid fast or sharp turns as well as
locked wheel braking.
Snow tires, studded tires *
Tires for winter use:
Owners who live in or regularly commute through areas with sustained periods of snow or icy driving
conditions are strongly advised to fit suitable winter tires to help retain the highest degree of traction.
It is important to install winter tires on all four wheels to help retain traction during cornering, braking, and
accelerating. Failure to do so could reduce traction to an unsafe level or adversely affect handling. Do not mix tires of
different design as this could also negatively affect overall tire road grip. Volvo recommends 195/65 R15 winter tires
on 15" steel wheels on all C70 models including those equipped with 16", 17" or 18" wheels .
Winter tires wear more quickly on dry roads in warm weather. They should be removed when the winter driving
season has ended.
Studded tires should be run-in 300-600 miles (500-1000 km) during which the car should be driven as smoothly as
possible to give the studs the opportunity to seat properly in the tires. The car tires should have the same rotational
direction throughout their entire lifetime. In other words, if you wish to rotate the wheels, make sure that the same
wheels are always on the same side of the car.
NOTE: Please consult state or provincial regulations restricting the use of studded winter tires before installing such
tires.
* Where permitted.
pg. 82 Wheels and tires
Checking and correcting tire pressure
Check the tire pressure when refuelling.
The tire pressure should be corrected only when the tires are cold.
With warm tires, correct only when the pressure is too low. The tire temperature rises after driving just a few miles.
Tire rotation
Volvo recommends rotating the tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) and 15,000 miles (24,000 km). Tires should be
rotated front -to-back/back-to-front only. Tires must maintain the same direction of rotation throughout their lifetime,
and should never be rotated from one side of the vehicle to the other.
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illustration on the following page.
Jack attachment
There is a jack attachment located in the center on each side of the car. Position the jack on the bar in the attachment
as shown in illustration above and crank while simultaneously guiding the base of the jack to the ground. The base of
the jack must be flat on a level, firm, non-slippery surface. Before raising the car, check that the jack is still
correctly positioned in the attachment.
WARNING!
The jack's attachment must engage the bar in the jack attachment (see inset illustration above). The car's weight must
not rest on the jack attachment.
Raise the vehicle until both wheels on the side of the car where the jack is attached are lifted off the ground. Unscrew
the wheel bolts completely and carefully remove the wheel so as not to damage the thread on the studs.
NOTE: To avoid excessive wear and the necessity of rebalancing, mark and reinstall wheels in the same location and
position as before removal. To lessen the chance of imbalance, each wheel hub is equipped with a guide stud to ensure
that a removed wheel can be reinstalled in its original position (as when changing over to winter tires/wheels).
CAUTION: The car must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a spare tire other than the one that
came with the car. The use of different size wheels can seriously damage your car's transmission.
pg. 87 Wheel changing
WARNING!
The jack's attachment must engage the bar in the jack attachment (A). The car's weight must not rest on the jack
attachment (B).
Be sure the jack is on a firm, level, non-slippery surface.
Never allow any part of your body to be extended under a car supported by a jack.
Use the jack intended for the car when replacing a wheel. For any other job, use stands to support the side of the
car being worked on.
Apply the parking brake, select position P (automatic transmission) or Reverse gear (manual transmission).
Block the wheels standing on the ground, use rigid wooden blocks or large stones.
The jack should be kept well-greased.
Installing the wheel
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Warning lights18, 19
Warranty111
Washer fluid level17
Washer fluid reservoir119
Washing106
Waxing107
Wheel changing86, 87
Wheels and tires80
WHIPS9
Whiplash Protection System(WHIPS)9
Wind deflector41
Windshield washer nozzles119
Windshield washers/wipers21
Windshield wiper blades - replacing99
Winter driving77
Winter/Wet driving mode67, 77

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