VOLVO V50 2009 Owner´s Manual

09 Maintenance and servicing
Volvo maintenance
09
211
•
law enforcement or government agencies
•
others who may assert a legal right to
know, or who obtain your consent to know
such information.

09 Maintenance and servicingMaintaining your car
09212
Owner maintenancePeriodic maintenance requirements and inter-
vals are described in your vehicle's Warranty
and Service Records Information booklet.
The following points can be carried out
between the normally scheduled maintenance
services.Each time the car is refueled:•
Check the engine oil level.
•
Clean the windshield, windshield wipers,
headlights, and taillights.
Monthly:•
Check cold tire pressure in all tires. Inspect
the tires for wear.
•
Check that engine coolant and other fluid
levels are between the indicated "min" and
"max" markings.
•
Clean interior glass surfaces with a glass
cleaner and soft paper towels.
•
Wipe driver information displays with a soft
cloth.
•
Visually inspect battery terminals for cor-
rosion. Corrosion may indicate a loose ter-
minal connector, or a battery near the end
of its useful service life. Consult a trained
and qualified Volvo service technician for
additional information.
As needed:•
Wash the car, including the undercarriage,
to reduce wear that can be caused by a
buildup of dirt, and corrosion that can be
caused by salt residues.
•
Clean leaves and twigs from air intake
vents at the base of the windshield, and
from other places where they may collect.NOTE
Complete service information for qualified
technicians is available online for purchase
or subscription at www.volvotechinfo.com.Emission inspection readinessWhat is an Onboard Diagnostic System
(OBD II)?OBD II is part of your vehicle's computerized
engine management system. It stores diagnos-
tic information about your vehicle's emission
controls. It can light the Check Engine light
(MIL) if it detects an emission control "fault." A
"fault" is a component or system that is not
performing within an expected range. A fault
may be permanent or temporary. OBD II will
store a message about any fault.
How Do States Use OBD II for Emission
Inspections?Many states connect a computer directly to a
vehicle's OBD II system. The inspector can
then read "faults." In some states, this type of
inspection has replaced the tailpipe emission
test.How Can My Vehicle Fail OBD II Emission
Inspection?Your vehicle can fail OBD II emission inspec-
tion for any of the following reasons.•
If your Check Engine (MIL) light is lit, your
vehicle may fail inspection.
•
If your vehicle's Check Engine light was lit,
but went out without any action on your
part, OBD II will still have a recorded fault.
Your vehicle may pass or fail, depending
on the inspection practices in your area.
•
If you had recent service that required dis-
connecting the battery, OBD II diagnostic
information may be incomplete and "not
ready" for inspection. A vehicle that is not
ready may fail inspection.
How Can I Prepare for My Next OBD II
Emission Inspection?•
If your Check Engine (MIL) light is lit – or
was lit but went out without service, have

09 Maintenance and servicing
Maintaining your car
09
213
your vehicle diagnosed and, if necessary,
serviced by a qualified Volvo technician.
•
If you recently had service for a lit Check
Engine light, or if you had service that
required disconnecting the battery, a
period of driving is necessary to bring the
OBD II system to "ready" for inspection. A
half-hour trip of mixed stop-and-go/high-
way driving is typically needed to allow
OBD II to reach readiness. Your Volvo
retailer can provide you with more infor-
mation on planning a trip.
•
Maintain your vehicle in accordance with
your vehicle's maintenance schedule.

09 Maintenance and servicingHood
09214
Opening the hood
G031032
To open the hood:
1. Pull the lever located under the left side of
the dash to release the hood lock.
2. Lift the hood slightly.
3. Press up the release control located under
the front edge of the hood (at the center)
up to the right, and lift the hood.
WARNING
Check that the hood locks engage properly
when closed.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Engine compartment
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215
G026456
Cooling system expansion tankPower steering fluid reservoir (concealed
behind the headlight)Dipstick – engine oilRadiatorCooling fanWasher fluid reservoirEngine oil filler capBrake/clutch fluid reservoirBattery
Relay/fuse boxAir cleanerWARNING
The cooling fan may start or continue to
operate (for up to 6 minutes) after the engine
has been switched off.

09 Maintenance and servicingEngine oil
09216
Changing engine oil and oil filterSee page 269 for oil specifications. Refer to
the Warranty and Service Records Information
booklet for information on the oil change inter-
vals.
Volvo recommends Castrol.
NOTE
•
Volvo does not recommend the use of
oil additives.
•
Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is
changed at the normal maintenance
intervals except at owner request and at
additional charge. Please consult a
trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician.
Checking and adding oilThe oil level should be checked every time the
vehicle is refueled. This is especially important
during the period up to the first scheduled
maintenance service•
The car should be parked on a level surface
when the oil is checked.
•
If the engine is warm, wait for at least 10–
15 minutes after the engine has been
switched off before checking the oil.
G020338
Location of dipstick and oil filler capChecking the oil1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a lint-
free rag.
2. Reinsert the dipstick, pull it out, and check
the oil level.
3. Add oil if necessary. If the level is close to
theMIN mark, add approximately
1 US quart (1 liter) of oil.
4. Run the engine until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
5. Switch off the engine and wait for at least
10–15 minutes and recheck the oil level. If
necessary, add oil until the level is near the
MAX mark.
G020336
CAUTION
•
Not checking the oil level regularly can
result in serious engine damage if the oil
level becomes too low.
•
Oil that is lower than the specified qual-
ity can damage the engine.
•
Always add oil of the same type and
viscosity as already used.
•
Never fill oil above the MAX mark. This
could cause an increase in oil consump-
tion.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Engine oil
09
217
WARNING
Do not allow oil to spill onto or come into
contact with hot exhaust pipe surfaces
NOTE
Volvo uses different systems to indicate a
low oil level or pressure. Some models have
an oil pressure sensor, in which case a
warning symbol (see page 55) is used to
indicate low oil pressure. Other models have
an oil level sensor, in which case the driver
is alerted by the warning symbol in the cen-
ter of the instrument panel and a text in the
information display. Some models use both
systems. Contact an authorized Volvo
retailer for more information.

09 Maintenance and servicingFluids
09218
Washer fluid
G026425
Washer fluid reservoirThe washer fluid reservoir is located in the
engine compartment and holds approximately
6.8 US qts (6.5 liters). During cold weather, the
reservoir should be filled with windshield
washer solvent containing antifreeze.
Coolant
G020334
Coolant reservoirNormally, the coolant does not need to be
changed. If the system must be drained, con-
sult a trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician.
CAUTION
•
If necessary, top up the cooling system
with Volvo Genuine Coolant/Antifreeze
only (a 50/50 mix of water and anti-
freeze).
•
Different types of antifreeze/coolant
may not be mixed.
•
If the cooling system is drained, it
should be flushed with clean water or
premixed anti-freeze before it is refilled
with the correct mixture of water/anti-
freeze.
•
The cooling system must always be
kept filled to the correct level, and the
level must be between the MIN and
MAX marks. If it is not kept filled, there
can be high local temperatures in the
engine which could result in damage.
Check coolant regularly!
•
Do not top up with water only. This
reduces the rust-protective and anti-
freeze qualities of the coolant and has a
lower boiling point. It can also cause
damage to the cooling system if it
should freeze.
•
Do not use chlorinated tap water in the
vehicles cooling system.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Fluids
09
219
WARNING
Never remove the radiator cap while the
engine is warm. Wait until the vehicle 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.Brake fluid
G020333
Brake fluid reservoirThe brake fluid should always be between the
MIN and MAX marks on the side of the reser-
voir. Check, without removing the cap, that
there is sufficient fluid in the reservoir.
Fluid type: DOT 4+ boiling point >536 °F(280 °C), P/N 9437433
Replace: The fluid should be replaced accord-
ing to the intervals specified in the Warranty
and Service Records Information booklet.
When driving under extremely hard conditions
(mountain driving, etc), it may be necessary to
replace the fluid more often. Consult your
Volvo retailer. Always entrust brake fluid
changing to a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician.
Power steering fluidThe fluid level is checked at each service inter-
val.
Fluid type: Volvo power steering fluid or equiv-
alent.
Replace: No fluid change required.
WARNING
If a problem should occur in the power
steering system or if the vehicle has no elec-
trical current and must be towed, it is still
possible to steer the vehicle. However, keep
in mind that greater effort will be required to
turn the steering wheel.

09 Maintenance and servicingWiper blades
09220
Replacing windshield wiper blades
G020330
1. Fold out the wiper arm.
2. Press the button on the wiper blade attach-
ment and pull straight out (1), parallel with
the wiper arm.
3. Press a new wiper blade (2) until it clicks
into place.
4. Ensure the blade is securely attached (3).
5. Fold in the wiper arm.
The wiper blades are different lengths. The
blade on the driver's side is longer than the one
on the passenger's side.
G020329
Tailgate wiper blade
G014732
1. Fold out the wiper arm.
2. Pull off the wiper blade from the attach-
ment, toward the window.
3. Press the new wiper blade securely into
place.
Fold in the wiper arm.
Keeping the windshield/tailgate window and
wiper blades clean helps improve visibility and
prolongs the service life of the wiper blades.
See page 202 for washing instructions.