engine VOLVO V50 2009 Owner´s Manual

08 Car care
Washing and cleaning the car
08``203
CAUTION
•
During high pressure washing, the
spray mouthpiece must never be closer
to the vehicle than 13" (30 cm). Do not
spray into the locks.
•
Dirt, snow, etc., on the headlights can
reduce lighting capacity considerably.
Clean the headlights regularly, for
example when refueling.
•
When washing or steam cleaning the
engine, avoid spraying water or steam
directly on the electrical components or
toward the rear side of the engine.
•
Always close the moonroof (option) and
sun shade before washing your vehicle.
•
Never use abrasive cleaning agents on
the moonroof.
•
Never use wax on the rubber seals
around the moonroof.
Automatic washing – simple and quickWe do NOT recommend washing your car in an
automatic wash during the first six months
(because the paint will not have hardened suf-
ficiently).
An automatic wash is a simple and quick way
to clean your car, but it is worth remembering
that it may not be as thorough as when you
yourself go over the car with sponge and water.Keeping the underbody clean is most impor-
tant, especially in the winter. Some automatic
washers do not have facilities for washing the
underbody.
CAUTION
•
Before driving into an automatic car
wash, turn off the optional rain sensor
to avoid damaging the windshield wip-
ers.
•
Make sure that side view mirrors, auxil-
iary lamps, etc, are secure, and that any
antenna(s) are retracted or removed.
Otherwise there is risk of the machine
dislodging them
•
Chromed wheels: Clean chrome-
plated wheels using the same deter-
gents used for the body of the vehicle.
Aggressive wheel-cleaning agents can
permanently stain chrome-plated
wheels.WARNING
•
When the car is driven immediately after
being washed, apply the brakes several
times in order to remove any moisture
from the brake linings.
•
Engine cleaning agents should not be
used when the engine is warm. This
constitutes a fire risk.
Exterior lightingCondensation may form temporarily on the
inside of the lenses of exterior lights such as
headlights, fog lights, or taillights. This is nor-
mal and the lights are designed to withstand
moisture. Normally, condensation will dissi-
pate after the lights have been on for a short
time.Polishing and Waxing•
Normally, polishing is not required during
the first year after delivery, however, wax-
ing may be beneficial.
•
Before applying polish or wax the vehicle
must be washed and dried. Tar spots can
be removed with kerosene or tar remover.
Difficult spots may require a fine rubbing
compound.
•
After polishing use liquid or paste wax.
•
Several commercially available products
contain both polish and wax.
•
Waxing alone does not substitute for pol-
ishing a dull surface.
•
A wide range of polymer-based waxes can
be purchased today. These waxes are easy
to use and produce a long-lasting, high-
gloss finish that protects the bodywork
against oxidation, road dirt and fading.
•
Do not polish or wax your vehicle in direct
sunlight (the surface of the vehicle should
not be warmer than 113 °F (45 °C).

G020922
208
Volvo maintenance................................................................................ 210
Maintaining your car.............................................................................. 212
Hood.....................................................................................................214
Engine compartment............................................................................. 215
Engine oil............................................................................................... 216
Fluids..................................................................................................... 218
Wiper blades......................................................................................... 220
Battery................................................................................................... 221
Replacing bulbs.................................................................................... 223
Fuses..................................................................................................... 230

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 servicing
Engine compartment
09
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 servicing
Battery
09``221 Battery maintenance
Driving habits and conditions, climate, the
number of starts, etc., all affect the service life
and function of the battery. In order for your
battery to perform satisfactorily, keep the fol-
lowing in mind:
Check the fluid level in each cell in the battery
every 24 months or every 15,000
1 miles
(24,000 km), whichever is sooner.
•
Use a screw driver to open the caps or
cover and a flashlight to inspect the level.
•
If necessary, add distilled water. The level
should never be above the indicator.
•
The fluid level should be checked if the
battery has been recharged.
•
After inspection, be sure the cap over each
battery cell or the cover is securely in
place.
•
Check that the battery cables are correctly
connected and properly tightened.
•
Never disconnect the battery when the
engine is running, or when the key is in the
ignition. This could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
•
The battery should be disconnected from
the vehicle when a battery charger is used
directly on the battery.
WARNING
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the state of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.Battery symbols:
Wear protection gogglesSee owner's manual for
detailsKeep away from children
CorrosiveNo smoking, no open flames,
no sparksExplosion
Battery replacementRemoving the battery1. Switch off the ignition and remove the key.
2. Wait at least 5 minutes after switching off
the ignition before disconnecting the bat-
tery so that all information in the vehicle's
electrical system can be stored in the con-
trol modules.
1More frequently in warm climates.