tow VOLVO V70 2008 Owner's Manual

When the vehicle has been parked for some time, the brake pedal may sink more than usual when the engine is
started. This is normal and the pedal will return to its usual position when it is released.
Symbols in the instrument panel
WARNING
If
and come on at the same time and the brake level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a
brake system-related message is shown in the information display: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed to a
trained and qualified Volvo service technician and have the brake system inspected.
117 03 Your driving environment
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
Introduction1
Normally, when the accelerator pedal is released while driving down hills, the vehicle's speed slows as the engine runs
at lower rpm (the normal engine braking effect). However, if the downhill gradient becomes steeper and if the vehicle
is carrying a load, speed increases despite the engine braking effect. In this situation, the brakes must be applied to
reduce the vehicle's speed.
HDC is a type of automatic engine brake and makes it possible to increase or decrease the vehicle's speed on downhill
gradients using only the accelerator pedal, without applying the brakes. The brake system functions automatically to
maintain a low and steady speed.
HDC is particularly useful when driving down steep hills with rough surfaces, and where the road may have slippery
patches.
WARNING
HDC does not function in all situations, and is a supplementary braking aid. The driver has full responsibility for
driving in a safe manner.
1HDC is only available on the XC70, on which it is standard equipment.
Function
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Electric parking brake
Introduction
An electric parking brake has the same function as a manual parking brake.
NOTE
A faint sound from the parking brake's electric motor can be heard when the parking brake is being applied. This
sound can also be heard during the automatic function check of the parking brake.
The brake pedal will move slightly when the electric parking brake is applied or released.
Low battery voltage
If the battery voltage is too low, the parking brake cannot be applied or released. Connect an auxiliary battery if the
battery voltage is too low, see page 111
.
Applying the electric parking brake
1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Press the control.
3. Release the brake pedal and ensure that the vehicle is at a standstill.
4. When the vehicle is parked, the gear selector must be in position P .
The
symbol in the instrument panel flashes while the parking bake is being applied, and glows steadily when
the parking brake has been fully applied.
NOTE
In an emergency the parking brake can be applied when the vehicle is moving by holding in the control. Braking
will be interrupted when the accelerator pedal is depressed or the control is released.
An audible signal will sound during this procedure if the vehicle is moving at speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).
Parking on a hill
If the vehicle is pointing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they point away from the curb.
If the vehicle is pointing downhill, turn the front wheels so that they point toward the curb.
120 03 Your driving environment
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Symbols
Messages
Parking brake not fully released - A fault is preventing the parking brake from being released. Contact an authorized
Volvo workshop.
121 03 Your driving environment
Electric parking brake
If you drive off with this error message showing, a warning signal sounds.
Parking brake not applied - A fault is preventing the parking brake from being applied. Try to apply and release.
Contact a Volvo workshop if the message remains.
Parking brake Service required - A fault has arisen. Contact a Volvo workshop if the fault remains.
WARNING
If the vehicle must be parked before the fault has been corrected, always put the gear selector in P and turn the
wheels so that they point away from the curb if the vehicle is pointing uphill or toward the curb if it is pointing
downhill.

Contents | Top of Page
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Air vents in the dashboard
Open
Closed
Horizontal airflow
Vertical airflow
Direct the outer air vents toward the side windows to defrost.
Air vents in the door pillars
Open
Closed
Horizontal airflow
Vertical airflow
Direct the outer air vents toward the side windows to defrost.
Direct the vents into the passenger compartment to maintain a comfortable climate in the rear seat.
131 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Climate system
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165 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Distance Alert
Introduction
Distance Alert is part of Adaptive Cruise Control and is a function that provides information about the time interval to
the vehicle ahead.
Time interval information is only given for a vehicle that is driving ahead of your vehicle, in the same lane, and in the
same direction. No information is provided for vehicles driving toward you, moving very slowly, or at a standstill.
A smaller section of the red warning light in the windshield glows steadily if your vehicle is closer to the vehicle
ahead than the set time interval.
NOTE
Distance Alert is in active mode while Adaptive Cruise Control is active.
Distance Alert is active at speeds above approximately 20 mph (30 km/h).
WARNING
Distance Alert only indicates the distance to the vehicle ahead. It does not affect the speed of your vehicle.
Operation
Press the button in the center instrument panel to switch this function on or off. The indicator light in the button
illuminates when the function is on.
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Visual indicator
The audio system's display gives an overview of the vehicle's position in relation to a detected object.
The markers in the display indicate that one or more of the four sensors has detected an object. The greater the number
of markers, the closer the vehicle is to the object.
Display in a vehicle with rear park assist only. Here, an object has been detected by both of the right rear sensors.
Display in a vehicle with both front and rear park assist. The solid marker in this example indicates that an object is
closer than approximately 1 foot (30 cm) to the right front sensor.
Display in a vehicle with both front and rear park assist. Reverse gear is selected and no objects have been detected
in front of or behind the vehicle.
Audible signal
The Park Assist system uses an intermittent tone that pulses faster as you come close to an object, and becomes
constant when you are within approximately 1 ft (30 cm) of an object in front of or behind the vehicle (example 2 in
the illustration). If there are objects within this distance both behind and in front of the vehicle, the tone alternates
between front and rear speakers.
If the volume of another source from the audio system is high, this will be automatically lowered.
Rear park assist
The distance monitored behind the vehicle is approximately 5 ft (1.5 m). The audible signal comes from the rear
speakers.
The system must be deactivated when towing a trailer, carrying bicycles in a rear-mounted carrier, etc, which could
trigger the rear park assist system's sensors.
NOTE
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Rear park assist is deactivated automatically when towing a trailer if Volvo genuine trailer wiring is used.
180 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Park assist (option)
Front park assist
The distance monitored in front of the vehicle is approximately 2.5 ft (0.8 m). The audible signal comes from the audio
system's front speakers.
It may not be possible to combine auxiliary headlights and front park assist since these lights could trigger the system's
sensors.
Faults in the system
If the information symbol illuminates and Park Assist syst Service required is shown on the information display, this
indicates that the system is not functioning properly and has been disengaged. Consult a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician.
CAUTION
In certain circumstances, the park assist system may give unexpected warning signals that can be caused by external
sound sources that use the same ultrasound frequencies as the system. This may include such things as the horns of
other vehicles, wet tires on asphalt, pneumatic brakes, motorcycle exhaust pipes, etc. This does not indicate a fault in
the system.
Cleaning the sensors
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183 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Blind Spot Information System (option)
When does BLIS function
The system functions when your vehicle is moving at speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).
When you pass another vehicle:
The system reacts when you pass another vehicle at a speed of up to 6 mph (10 km/h) faster than that vehicle.
When you are passed by another vehicle:
The system reacts if your vehicle is passed by another vehicle at a speed of up to 43 mph (70 km/h) faster than your
vehicle.
WARNING
BLIS does not function in sharp curves.
BLIS does not function when your vehicle is backing up.
If you are towing a wide trailer, this may prevent the BLIS cameras from detecting other vehicles in adjacent
lanes.
How BLIS functions in daylight and darkness
Daylight
BLIS reacts to the shape of surrounding vehicles. The system is designed to help detect motor vehicles such as cars,
trucks, buses, motorcycles, etc.
Darkness
BLIS reacts to the headlights of surrounding vehicles. In order to be detected by BLIS, a vehicle in the blind area
must have its headlights on. This means, for example, that the system will not detect a trailer without headlights that is
being towed behind a car or truck.
WARNING
BLIS does not react to cyclists or mopeds.
BLIS does not react to vehicles that are standing still.
The function of the BLIS cameras may be affected by intense light, or when driving at night in areas where there
are no external sources of light (e.g., street lights, other vehicles, etc.). In such cases, the system may react as if the
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2 0 0 8
VOLVO V70
190 05 During your trip
Driving recommendations 192
Refueling196
Loading202
Cargo area208
Towing a trailer213
Emergency towing216
191 05 During your trip
192 05 During your trip
Driving recommendations
General information
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 vehicle for driving short distances. This does not allow the engine to reach
normal operating temperature.
Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
Use the transmission's Drive ( D) position as often as possible and avoid using kickdown.
Do not exceed posted speed limits.
Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the vehicle.
Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
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Water or mud can make the brake linings slippery, resulting in delayed braking effect.
CAUTION
Engine damage will occur if water is drawn into the air cleaner.
If the vehicle is driven through water deeper than 9 in (25 cm), water may enter the differential and the
transmission. This reduces the oil's lubricating capacity and may shorten the service life of these components.
Do not allow the vehicle to stand in water up to the door sills longer than absolutely necessary. This could result
in electrical malfunctions.
If the engine has been stopped while the vehicle is in water, do not attempt to restart it. Have the vehicle towed
out of the water.
Engine and cooling system
Under special conditions, for example when driving in hilly terrain, extreme heat or with heavy loads, there is a risk
that the engine and cooling system will overheat. Proceed as follows to avoid overheating the engine.
Maintain a low speed when driving with a trailer up long, steep hills.
Do not turn the engine off immediately when stopping after a hard drive.
WARNING
The cooling fan may start or continue to operate (for up to 6 minutes) after the engine has been switched off.
Remove any auxiliary lights from in front of the grille when driving in hot weather conditions.
Do not exceed engine speeds of 4500 rpm if driving with a trailer in hilly terrain. The oil temperature could become
too high.
Conserving electrical current
Keep the following in mind to help minimize battery drain:
When the engine is not running, avoid using ignition mode II . Many electrical systems (the audio system, the
optional navigation system, power windows, etc) will function in ignition modes 0 and I . These modes reduce drain on
the battery.
Please keep in mind that using systems, accessories, etc., that consume a great deal of current when the engine is not
running could result in the battery being completely drained.
The optional 12 volt socket in the cargo area provides electrical current even with the ignition switched off, which
drains the battery.
194 05 During your trip
Driving recommendations
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked by a trained and qualified Volvo service technician before
driving long distances. Your retailer will also be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark plugs and wiper blades for
your use in the event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be checked before any long trip:
Check that engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.
Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage
Have the transmission oil level checked.
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