tire pressure VOLVO S40 2010 Owner´s Manual

07 Wheels and tires
General information
07
176
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), or on the inside of the fuel filler door
on Canadian models.
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. As such, they
may be more susceptible to road hazard
damage and, depending on driving condi-
tions, may achieve a tread life of less than
20,000 miles (30,000 km). Even if this vehi-
cle is equipped with Volvo’s advanced AWD
or DSTC system, 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.
Certain models are equipped with "all-season"
tires, which provide a somewhat higher degreeof 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 characte-
ristics.
New TiresRemember that tires are per-
ishable goods. As of 2000, the
manufacturing week and year
(Department of Transporta-
tion (DOT) stamp) will be indi-
cated with 4 digits (e.g. 1502
means that the tire illustrated
was manufactured during week 15 of 2002).
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.You should replace the spare tire when you
replace the other road tires due to the aging of
the spare.
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. For the tire
pressure tables, see page 181.
•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.
•When replacing tires, the tires with the
most tread should be mounted on the rear
wheels to reduce the chance of oversteer
during hard braking.
•Hitting curbs or potholes can damage the
tires and/or wheels permanently.

07 Wheels and tires
General information
07

177
Summer and winter tires
G020325
The arrows shows the direction of rotation of the
tire
•When switching between summer and
winter tires, mark the tires to indicate
where they were mounted on the car, e.g.,
LF = left front, RR = right rear
•Tires with tread designed to roll in only one
direction are marked with an arrow on the
sidewall.
•Incorrectly mounted tires impair the car's
braking properties and ability to force
aside rain, snow and slush.
•The tires with the most tread should always
be at the rear (to reduce the risk of skid-
ding).
•Contact a Volvo workshop if you are
unsure about the tread depth.
Storing wheels and tiresWhen storing complete wheels (tires mounted
on rims), they should be suspended off the
floor or placed on their sides on the floor.
Tires not mounted on rims should be stored on
their sides or standing upright, but should not
be suspended.
CAUTION
Tires should preferably be stored in a cool,
dry, dark place, and should never be stored
in close proximity to solvents, gasoline, oils,
etc.
WARNING
•The wheel and tire sizes for your Volvo
are specified to meet stringent stability
and handling requirements. Unap-
proved wheel/tire size combinations
can negatively affect your vehicle's sta-
bility and handling. Approved tire sizes
are shown in the Tire inflation pressure
tables, see page 181.
•Any damage caused by installation of
unapproved wheel/tire size combina-
tions will not be covered by your new
vehicle warranty. Volvo assumes no
responsibility for death, injury, or
expenses that may result from such
installations.
Tire wear
Tire rotationTire wear is affected by a number of factors
such as tire inflation, ambient temperature,
driving style, etc. Your vehicle is driven mainly
by the front tires, which will wear faster.
If the tires are rotated, they should only be
moved from front to back or vice versa. They
should never be rotated left to right/right to left.
However, tire rotation, done at the recom-
mended intervals, is one way of helping to keep

07 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation
07

179 Inflation labels
G032513
Tire inflation placard on U.S. models
Check tire inflation pressure regularly.
Tables listing the recommended inflation pres-
sure for your vehicle can be found on page
181. A tire inflation pressure placard is also
located on the driver's side B-pillar (the struc-
tural member at the side of the vehicle, at the
rear of the driver's door opening). This placard
indicates the designation of the factory-moun-
ted tires on your vehicle, as well as load limits
and inflation pressure.
G032520
Tire inflation placard on Canadian models
NOTE
The placards shown indicate inflation pres-
sure for the tires installed on the car at the
factory only.
Use a tire gauge to check the tire inflation pres-
sure, including the spare, at least once a month
and before long trips. You are strongly urged
to buy a reliable tire pressure gauge, as auto-
matic service station gauges may be inaccu-
rate.
Use the recommended cold inflation pressure
for optimum tire performance and wear.Under-inflation or over-inflation may cause
uneven treadwear patterns.
WARNING
•Under-inflation is the most common
cause of tire failure and may result in
severe tire cracking, tread separation,
or "blowout," with unexpected loss of
vehicle control and increased risk of
injury.
•Under-inflated tires reduce the load car-
rying capacity of your vehicle.
When weather temperature changes occur, tire
inflation pressures also change. A 10-degree
temperature drop causes a corresponding
drop of 1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure. Check
your tire pressures frequently and adjust them
to the proper pressure, which can be found on
the vehicle's tire information placard or certifi-
cation label.

07 Wheels and tires
Tire inflation
07
180
Checking tire pressure
Cold tiresInflation pressure should be checked when the
tires are cold.
The tires are considered to be cold when
they have the same temperature as the sur-
rounding (ambient) air.
This temperature is normally reached after the
car has been parked for at least 3 hours.
After driving a distance of approximately 1 mile
(1.6 km), the tires are considered to be hot. If
you have to drive farther than this distance to
pump your tire(s), check and record the tire
pressure first and add the appropriate air pres-
sure when you get to the pump.
If checking tire pressure when the tire is hot,
never "bleed" or reduce air pressure. The tires
are hot from driving and it is normal for pres-
sures to increase above recommended cold
pressures. A hot tire at or below recommended
cold inflation pressure could be significantly
under-inflated.
To check inflation pressure:1. Remove the cap from the valve on one tire,
then firmly press the tire gauge onto the
valve.2. Add air to reach the recommended air
pressure
3. Replace the valve cap.
4. Repeat this procedure for each tire, includ-
ing the spare.
5. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there
are no nails or other objects embedded
that could puncture the tire and cause an
air leak.
6. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are
no gouges, cuts, bulges or other irregular-
ities.
NOTE
•If you overfill the tire, release air by
pushing on the metal stem in the center
of the valve. Then recheck the pressure
with your tire gauge.
•Some spare tires require higher inflation
pressure than the other tires. Consult
the tire inflation tables, see page 181,
or see the inflation pressure placard.
Load ratingsThe load ratings in the tables above translate
as follows:
91 = 1365 lbs (615 kg),
93 = 1433 lbs (650 kg),99 = 1709 lbs (755 kg).
Speed ratingsThe speed ratings in the tables translate as fol-
lows:
M = 81 mph (130 km/h),
V = 149 mph (240 km/h),
W = 168 mph (270 km/h).
See also page 183 for an explanation of the
designations on the sidewall of the tire.

07 Wheels and tires
Inflation pressure—U.S. models
07
181 Tire inflation pressure table
The following tire pressures are recommended
by Volvo for your vehicle. Refer to the tire infla-tion placard for information specific to the tires
installed on your vehicle at the factory.
Tire sizeCold tire pressure up to five persons psi (kPa)
FrontRear
205/55R16 91V M+S32 (220)32 (220)
205/50R17 93V
Extra Load M+S35 (240)35 (240)
215/45R18A 93W
Extra load35 (240)35 (240)
Temporary spare tire
T125/85R16 99M61 (420)61 (420)
ATires of this type may not be mounted on vehicles equipped with the optional self-leveling system.

07 Wheels and tires
Inflation pressure—Canadian models
07
182
Tire inflation pressure table
The following tire pressures are recommended
by Volvo for your vehicle. Refer to the tire infla-tion placard for information specific to the tires
installed on your vehicle at the factory.
Tire sizeCold tire pressures
Up to five persons
psi (kPa)Optional pressure
Up to three persons
A
psi (kPa)
FrontRearFrontRear
205/55R16 91V M+S36 (250)36 (250)30 (210)30 (210)
205/50R17 93V Extra Load
M+S36 (250)36 (250)35 (240)32 (220)
215/45R18 93W Extra
loadB36 (250)36 (250)35 (240)32 (220)
Temporary spare tire
T125/85R16 99M61 (420)61 (420)61 (420)61 (420)
AOptional pressure may not be used for homologation of fuel consumption or emissions.BTires of this type may not be mounted on vehicles equipped with the optional self-leveling system.

07 Wheels and tires
Tire designations
07

183 Tire designations
1
2
3
4
5
6
12
11
10
8
79
G026442
Federal law mandates that tire manufacturers
place standardized information on the sidewall
of all tires (see the illustration).
The following information is listed on the tire
sidewall:
The tire designation:
NOTE
Please be aware that the following tire des-
ignation is an example only and that this
particular tire may not be available on your
vehicle.
215: The width of the tire (in millimeters)
from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. The
larger the number, the wider the tire.
65: The ratio of the tire's height to its width.
R: Radial tire.
15: The diameter of the wheel rim (in
inches).
95: The tire's load index. In this example, a
load index of 95 equals a maximum load of
1521 lbs (690 kg).
H: The tire's speed rating, or the maximum
speed at which the tire is designed to be
driven for extended periods of time, carry-
ing a permissible load for the vehicle, and
with correct inflation pressure. For exam-
ple, H indicates a speed rating of 130 mph
(210 km/h).
NOTE
This information may not appear on the tire
because it is not required by law.
M+S or M/
S = Mud and Snow, AT = All Terrain, AS =
All Season
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number
(TIN): This begins with the letters "DOT"
and indicates that the tire meets all federal
standards. The next two numbers or letters
are the plant code where it was manufac-
tured, the next two are the tire size code
and the last four numbers represent the
week and year the tire was built. For exam-
ple, 2501 means the 25th week of 2001.
The numbers in between are marketing
codes used at the manufacturer's discre-
tion. This information helps a tire manufac-
turer identify a tire for safety recall purpo-
ses.
Tire Ply Composition and Material Used:
Indicates the number of plies indicates or
the number of layers of rubber-coated fab-
ric in the tire tread and sidewall. Tire man-
ufacturers also must indicate the ply mate-
rials in the tire and the sidewall, which
include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
Maximum Load: Indicates the maximum
load in pounds and kilograms that can be
carried by the tire. Refer to the vehicle's tire
information placard located on the B-Pillar
or the driver's door for the correct tire pres-
sure for your vehicle.

07 Wheels and tires
Tire designations
07
184
Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature
grades: See page 188 for more informa-
tion.
Maximum permissible inflation pres-
sure: The greatest amount of air pressure
that should ever be put in the tire. This limit
is set by the tire manufacturer.
The tire suppliers may have additional mark-
ings, notes or warnings such as standard load,
radial tubeless, etc.

07 Wheels and tires
Glossary of tire terminology
07
185 Terminology
•Tire information placard: A placard
showing the OE (Original Equipment) tire
sizes, recommended inflation pressure,
and the maximum weight the vehicle can
carry.
•Tire Identification Number (TIN): A num-
ber on the sidewall of each tire providing
information about the tire brand and man-
ufacturing plant, tire size and date of man-
ufacturer.
•Inflation pressure: A measure of the
amount of air in a tire.
•Standard load: A class of P-metric or Met-
ric tires designed to carry a maximum load
at 35 psi [37 psi (2.5 bar) for Metric tires].
Increasing the inflation pressure beyond
this pressure will not increase the tires load
carrying capability.
•Extra load: A class of P-metric or Metric
tires designed to carry a heavier maximum
load at 41 psi [43 psi (2.9 bar) for Metric
tires]. Increasing the inflation pressure
beyond this pressure will not increase the
tires load carrying capability.
•kPa: Kilopascal, a metric unit of air pres-
sure.
•PSI: Pounds per square inch, a standard
unit of air pressure.
•B-pillar: The structural member at the side
of the vehicle behind the front door.
•Bead area of the tire: Area of the tire next
to the rim.
•Sidewall of the tire: Area between the
bead area and the tread.
•Tread area of the tire: Area of the perim-
eter of the tire that contacts the road when
mounted on the vehicle.
•Rim: The metal support (wheel) for a tire or
a tire and tube assembly upon which the
tire beads are seated.
•Maximum load rating: a figure indicating
the maximum load in pounds and kilo-
grams that can be carried by the tire. This
rating is established by the tire manufac-
turer.
•Maximum permissible inflation pres-
sure: the greatest amount of air pressure
that should ever be put in the tire. This limit
is set by the tire manufacturer.
•Recommended tire inflation pressure:
inflation pressure, established by Volvo,
which is based on the type of tires that are
mounted on a vehicle at the factory. This
inflation pressure is affected by the number
of occupants in the car, the amount of
cargo, and the speed at which the vehicle
will be driven for a prolonged period. This
information can be found on the tire infla-
tion placard(s) located on the driver's sideB-pillar and in the tire inflation table in this
chapter.
•Cold tires: The tires are considered to be
cold when they have the same temperature
as the surrounding (ambient) air. This tem-
perature is normally reached after the car
has been parked for at least 3 hours.
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maxi-
mum return of vehicle design performance.

07 Wheels and tires
Temporary spare
07
190
Temporary spare
The spare tire in your vehicle1 is called a "Tem-
porary Spare".
Recommended tire pressure (see the placard
on the B-pillar or on the fuel filler door) should
be maintained irrespective of which position on
the car the temporary spare tire is used.
In the event of damage to this tire, a new one
can be purchased from your Volvo retailer.
WARNING
Current legislation prohibits the use of the
"Temporary Spare" tire other than as a tem-
porary replacement for a punctured tire. It
must be replaced as soon as possible by a
standard tire. Road holding and handling
may be affected with the "Temporary
Spare" in use. Do not exceed a speed of
50 mph (80 km/h) with the "Temporary
Spare" in use.
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 seri-
ously damage your car's transmission.
1Not on models equipped with the Tire sealing system.