octane VOLVO V4 2003 Owners Manual

Each Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter and must use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. and Canadian regulations
require that pumps delivering unleaded gasoline be labeled "UNLEADED". Only these pumps have nozzles which fit
your car's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel into a vehicle labeled "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 effectiveness of the emission control system and could result in loss of emission warranty
coverage. State and local vehicle inspection programs 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 methly-cyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). If such fuels are used, your Emission Control System performance may be affected,
and the Check Engine Lamp located on your instrument panel may light. If this occurs, please return your vehicle to
an authorized Volvo retailer for service.
Carbon Monoxide - Important Warning
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. It is present in all exhaust gases. If you ever smell
exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, make sure the passenger compartment is ventilated, and immediately return the
vehicle to your retailer for correction.
Fuel Formulations
Do not use gasoline that contains lead as a knock inhibitor, and do not use lead additives. Besides damaging the
exhaust emission control systems on your car, lead has been strongly linked to certain forms of cancer.
Many fuels contain benzene as a solvent. Unburned benzene has been strongly linked to certain forms of cancer. If you
live in an area where you must fill your own gas tank, take precautions. These may include:
standing upwind away from the filler nozzle while refueling
refueling only at gas stations with vapor recovery systems that fully seal the mouth of the filler neck during refueling
wear neoprene gloves while handling a fuel filler nozzle.
Use of Additives
With the exception of gas line antifreeze during winter months, do not add solvents, thickeners, or other store -bought
additives to your car's fuel, cooling, or lubricating systems. Overuse may damage your engine, and some of these
additives contain organically volatile chemicals. Do not needlessly expose yourself to these chemicals.
ENGINE OIL
Although 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 service 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 car during this period. See page 114
.
pg. 63 Fuel requirements, Refueling
Octane rating
Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium gasoline with an octane rating. AKI of 91,
or above. AKI (ANTI KNOCK INDEX) is an average of the Research Octane Number, RON, and the Motor Octane
Number, MON. (RON + MON/2).
The minimum octane requirement is AKI 87 (RON 91).
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 indicating 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
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gasoline you buy, check with the service station operator. To meet seasonal air quality standards, some areas require
the use of "oxygenated" fuel.
Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygenated fuels; however, the octane ratings listed on this page 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 "Gasohol".
Ethers — MTBE
Fuels containing up to 15% MTBE may be used.
Refueling
The fuel tank is designed to hold approximately: 16 US gallons (60 liters) with sufficient volume left over to
accommodate possible expansion of the fuel in hot weather.
Fuel filler door
The fuel filler door (on the left rear fender) is unlocked along with the car's central locking system.
Open fuel filler cap slowly during hot weather.
CAUTION:
Do not refuel with the engine running *. Turn the ignition off or to position I. If the ignition is on, an incorrect
reading could occur in the fuel gauge.
After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise until it clicks into place *.
Avoid spilling gasoline during refueling. Gasoline containing alcohol can cause paint damage that may not be
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Do not use gasolines containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). This practice can result in vehicle
performance deterioration and can damage critical parts in the fuel system. Such damage may not be covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Do not overfill the fuel tank. Overfilling could damage the emission control system.
* If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the car is refueled, the Check Engine
Lamp may indicate a fault. However, your vehicle's performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo original or
approved fuel filler caps.
pg. 64 Driving economy
Economical driving conserves natural resources
Better 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 following rules:
Bring the engine to normal operating temperature 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 car for short trips. Short trips do not allow the engine to reach normal operating
temperature.
Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
Do not exceed posted speed limits.
Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the car.
Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (check when tires are cold).
Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
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Lubrication113
Luggage strap (V40)56
Lumbar support47,48
M
Maintenance service109
Malfunction indicator lamp23
Manual transmission fluid122
Manually closing the sun roof100
Mirrors - rear/side view50
O
Occupant safety16
Octane rating63
Oil - engine115
Oil pressure warning light22
Opening the trunk from the inside S4046
P
Paint touchup102
Parking brake32
Parking brake reminder light22
PCV system110
Polishing104
Power seats48
Power steering fluid116,122
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING72,119
R
Radio tuning modes - changing142
Rear fog light24
Rear suspension124
Rear waste bin34
Refueling63
Remote control (central locking system)41
Remote keyless entry system41
Replacing bulbs90, 92, 93, 94
Replacing fuses95
Replacing number plate lighting - V4094
Reporting safety defects16
Road assistance128
Roadholding59
Roof rails/racks59
S
Safety defects - reporting16
Safety locks - child49
Seat belt maintenance16
Seat belts2,3
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the vehicle and others sharing the roadway. Avoiding distractions is part of that responsibility.
Octane rating, see page 63
The following should be checked regularly: *
1 Washer fluid reservoir should be filled with water and solvent (wintertime: windshield washer anti-freeze). See
page 118
.
2 Coolant level should be between the expansion tank marks. Mixture: 50% anti-freeze and 50% water. See page 117
.
3 Power steering - When cold, the level must not be above the MAX mark. Top up if necessary with ATF fluid. See
page 116
.
4 Engine oil level should be between the dipstick marks. The distance between the marks represents approx. 2 US qts.
(1.9 liters). See page 114
.
5 Oil filler cap
6 Brake fluid - check, without removing the cap, that the level is above the MIN mark. Use brake fluid DOT 4+. See
page 116
.
* Engine oil should be checked each time the car is refuelled.
Tire pressure, see label located on inside of fuel filler door.
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