check engine light VOLVO XC90 2003 User Guide

2003 VOLVO XC90
WARNING!
Never switch off the ignition (turn the ignition key to position 0) or\
remove the key from the ignition
switch while the vehicle is in motion. This could cause the steering whe\
el to lock, which would make
the vehicle impossible to steer.
* The gear selector must be in the (P)ark position (automatic transmission).
** Please be aware that leaving the key in this position will increase b\
attery drain.
pg. 89 Starting and driving
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. Obs\
erve the following rules:
l 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 eng\
ine uses more fuel and is subject
to increased wear.
l Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle for driving short distances. \
This does not allow the engine
to reach normal operating temperature.
l Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
l Use the transmission's (D)rive position as often as possible and avoid using "kickdown" to help
improve fuel economy.
l Do not exceed posted speed limits.
l Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the vehicle.
l Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tir\
es are cold).
l Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
l Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc, increase air resistance and also f\
uel consumption.
l At highway driving speeds, fuel consumption will be lower with the air c\
onditioning on and the
windows closed than with the air conditioning off and the windows open. \
l Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you le\
arn how to drive more
economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:
l Dirty air cleaner
l Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
l Dragging brakes
l Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard\
Maintenance intervals.
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Driving in rain and slush or passing through an automatic car wash can c\
ause water to collect on the
brake discs and pads. This will cause a delay in braking effect when the\
pedal is depressed. To avoid
such a delay when the brakes are needed, depress the pedal occasionally \
when driving through rain,
slush, etc. This will remove the water from the brakes. Check that brake\
application feels normal. This
should also be done after washing or starting in very damp or cold weath\
er.
Severe strain on the brake system
The brakes will be subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or\
hilly areas, or when towing a
trailer. Vehicle speed is usually slower, which means that the cooling o\
f the brakes is less efficient than
when driving on level roads. To reduce the strain on the brakes, shift i\
nto a lower gear and let the engine
help with the braking. Do not forget that if you are towing a trailer, t\
he brakes will be subjected to a
greater than normal load.
pg. 96 Starting and driving
Brake system (contd)
Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
If the warning lamp lights up there is a malfunction of the ABS system (\
the standard braking system will
however function) and the vehicle should be driven cautiously to a Volv\
o retailer for inspection. The
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stop\
ping and steering) during severe
braking conditions by limiting brake lockup. When the system "senses" im\
pending lockup, braking
pressure is automatically modulated in order to help prevent lockup, whi\
ch could lead to a skid.
This system performs a self-diagnostic test when the engine is started a\
nd when the vehicle first
reaches a speed of approximately 12 mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and a
sound may be audible from the ABS control module. This is normal.
To obtain optimal effect from the ABS system, constant pressure should b\
e kept on the brake pedal,
keep constant pressure on the brake pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal.
The switching of the ABS modulator will be audible and the brake pedal w\
ill pulsate during braking.
Please be aware that ABS does not increase the absolute braking potentia\
l of the vehicle. While control
will be enhanced, ABS will not shorten stopping distances on slippery su\
rfaces.
ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
EBD is an integrated part of the ABS system. EBD regulates the hydraulic\
pressure to the rear brakes to
help provide optimal braking capacity. The brake pedal will pulsate duri\
ng braking, which is normal.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
If the BRAKE and ABS warning lights come on at the same time, this could\
indicate a fault in the brake
system.
l Stop the vehicle in a suitable place and switch off the engine.
l Restart the engine.
l If both warning lights go off, no further action is required.
l If both lights are still on after the engine has been restarted, switch \
off the engine again and check the
brake fluid level (see
page 128 for the location of the brake fluid reservoir).
l If the brake fluid level is above the MIN mark, drive carefully to an au\
thorized Volvo retailer and
have the brake system inspected.
WARNING!
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a "Brake\
failure - Service urgent"
message is displayed in the text window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle \
towed to a Volvo
retailer and have the brake system inspected.
pg. 97 Starting and driving
Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC)
The DSTC system on the Volvo XC90 consists of a number of functions:
1. Traction control (TC)
This function is designed to help reduce wheel spin by transferring powe\
r from a drive wheel that begins
to lose traction to the wheel on the opposite side of the vehicle (on t\
he same axle). TC monitors and
compares the rotational speed of the drive wheels. If one of the drive w\
heels shows a tendency to spin,
the difference in speed is immediately detected. This triggers the Anti-\
lock Brake System, which brakes
the spinning wheel until the difference in rotational speed is corrected\
.
TC is most active at low speeds, and a pulsating sound will be audible w\
hen the system is regulating
wheel spin. This is quite normal.
This is one of the DSTC system's permanent functions and is not affected\
when the DSTC button on the
center control panel is pressed.
2. Spin control (SC)
The spin control function is designed to help prevent the drive wheels f\
rom spinning while the vehicle is
accelerating. This is done by temporarily reducing engine torque to the \
drive wheels, which helps
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All DSTC functions are (re)activated each time the engine is started.
The Stability Control indicator light
The Stability Control indicator light will come on for approximately 2 s\
econds when the ignition is
switched on as the system performs a self-diagnostic test.
The Stability Control indicator light will flash when:
l Traction Control is actively functioning to help avoid drive-wheel spin.\

l Spin Control is actively functioning to help avoid loss of traction duri\
ng acceleration.
l Active Yaw Control is actively functioning to help avoid skids or latera\
l slides.
l Roll Stability Control is actively functioning to help avoid a roll-over\
situation.
The warning symbol in the instrument panel
A steady yellow glow indicates:
l That the system has been automatically disengaged due to a fault. "ANTI \
SKID SERVICE
REQUIRED" be displayed in the text window. An authorized Volvo retailer \
should check the system.
l In the event of high brake temperature, "TRACTION CONTROL TEMPORARILY OF\
F" will be
displayed in the text window. The system will automatically switch on ag\
ain when the brakes have
cooled.
Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)
The EBA function is an integrated part of the DSTC system. EBA is design\
ed to provide full brake
effect immediately in the event of sudden, hard braking. The system is a\
ctivated by the speed with which
you depress the brake pedal.
NOTE:
l When the EBA system is activated, the brake pedal will go down and press\
ure in the brake system
immediately increases to the maximum level. Maintain full pressure on th\
e brake pedal in order to utilize
the system completely. EBA is automatically deactivated when the brake p\
edal is released.
l 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.
pg. 99 Starting and driving
Rear Parking Assistance
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2003 VOLVO XC90
in place.
After the vehicle has been towed, the eyelet should be removed and retur\
ned to the tool bag. Press the
cover back into position.
Precautions when the vehicle is in tow
l The steering wheel must be unlocked. Turn the ignition key to position I\
or II.
l The gear selector must be in position N.
l Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h). Do not exceed the maximum allowable t\
owing speed.
l Maximum distance with front wheels on ground: 50 miles (80 km).
l While the vehicle is being towed, try to keep the tow rope taut at all t\
imes.
l The vehicle should only be towed in forward direction.
CAUTION
- Please check with state and local authorities before attempting this t\
ype of towing, as vehicles being
towed are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length \
and type of towing device,
lighting, etc.
- If the vehicle's battery is dead, do not attempt to start the vehicle \
by pushing or pulling it as this will
damage the three-way catalytic converter(s). The engine must be jump s\
tarted using an auxiliary
battery (see
page 102).
- If the vehicle is being towed on a flat bed truck, the towing eyelets \
must not be used to secure the
vehicle on the flat bed. Consult the tow truck operator.
WARNING!
- Remember that the power brakes and power steering will not function wh\
en engine is not running.
The braking and steering systems will function but the brake pedal press\
ure required is 3 - 4 times
above normal and greater steering effort must be exerted.
- The towing eyelets must not be used for pulling the vehicle out of a d\
itch or for any similar purpose
involving severe strain. Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the vehic\
le up onto a flat bed tow truck.
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Load carrier cover
The vehicle's ignition key or the stud on the edge of the supplied torqu\
e wrench can be used to undo or
tighten the cover. Turn a quarter turn (90 degrees). See illustration.\

pg. 107 Starting and driving
Cold weather precautions
If you wish to check your vehicle before the approach of cold weather, t\
he following advice is worth
noting:
l Make sure that the engine coolant contains 50 percent antifreeze. Any ot\
her mixture will reduce
freeze protection. This gives protection against freezing down to -31°\
F (-35°C). See section "Coolant".
The use of "recycled" antifreeze is not approved by Volvo. Different typ\
es of antifreeze must not
be mixed.
l Volvo recommends using only genuine Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's r\
adiator. Your Volvo
retailer stocks plenty of Volvo engine coolant to help protect your vehi\
cle during cold weather.
l Try to keep the fuel tank well filled - this prevents the formation of condensation in the tank. \
In
addition, in extremely cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to add f\
uel line de-icer before refueling.
l The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-
weather starting as well as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine\
is warming up. For winter use,
5W-30 oil, particularly the synthetic type*, is recommended. Be sure to \
use good quality oil but do not
use cold-weather oil for hard driving or in warm weather. See section "E\
ngine oil" for more information.
l The load placed on the battery is greater during the winter since the windshield wipers, lighting, etc\
.
are used more often. Moreover, the capacity of the battery decreases as \
the temperature drops. In very
cold weather, a poorly charged battery can freeze and be damaged. It is \
therefore advisable to check the
state of charge more frequently and spray an antirust oil on the battery\
posts.
l Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter driving - see section "Wheels
and tires."
l To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents containing antifreeze (see
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2003 VOLVO XC90
page 128 for the location of the washer fluid reservoir).
This is important since dirt is often splashed on the windshield during \
winter driving, requiring the
frequent use of the washers and wipers. Volvo Washer Solvent should be d\
iluted as follows:
Down to 14° F (-10° C): 1 part washer solvent and 4 parts water \
Down to 5° F (-15° C): 1 part washer solvent and 3 parts water
Down to 0° F (-18° C): 1 part washer solvent and 2 parts water
Down to -18° F (-28° C): 1 part washer solvent and 1 part water \
l Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
NOTE: Avoid the use of de-icing sprays as they can cause damage to the locks.
W Winter/Wet driving modeÐenhanced vehicle traction
l Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D)rive position.
l Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage th\
is driving mode.
l An LED in the button will light up to indicate that W is engaged and thi\
s will also be displayed in the
instrument panel (see
page 24).
l This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.
* Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal mainte\
nance intervals except at owner
request and at additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.
pg. 108 Starting and driving
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked at a Volvo retailer\
before driving long distances.
Your retailer will also be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark p\
lugs 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\
:
l Check that engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.
l Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage
l Check transmission oil level*.
l Check condition of drive belts.
l Check state of the battery's charge.
l Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and replace those th\
at are worn. Check tire pressures.
l The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be checked b\
y your Volvo retailer only.
l Check all lights, including high beams.
l Reflective warning triangles are legally required in some states/provinc\
es.
l Have a word with your Volvo retailer if you intend to drive in countries\
where it may be difficult to
obtain the correct fuel.
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The fuel filter should be replaced at 120,000 miles (193,000 km). The \
filter is replaced as a complete
unit. Replace more frequently if contaminated fuel is introduced into th\
e tank, or if there is reason to
suspect that this has occurred.
Fuel system, including filler cap, tank, lines, and connections
The ability of the fuel system to contain hydrocarbons depends upon a le\
ak-free system. Inspect fuel
lines every 30,000 miles (48,000 km). Check for proper sealing of the \
fuel filler cap, which contains "O"
ring seals.
NOTE: If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running\
when the vehicle is refueled,
the Check Engine light (Malfunction Indicator) may indicate a fault. H\
owever, your vehicle's
performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo original or approved fu\
el filler caps.
Timing belt
For proper functioning of the engine and emission control systems, the t\
iming belt and belt pretensioner
must be replaced every 120,000 miles (193,000 km). Engine damage will \
occur if the belt fails.
PCV system
(on turbocharged models)
The nipple in the intake manifold and the filter at the end of the PCV h\
ose in the air cleaner should be
inspected and cleaned at 120,000 miles (193,000 km), and again at 150,\
000 miles (240,000 km).
Spark plugs
The spark plugs should be replaced every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) unde\
r normal driving conditions.
City driving or fast highway driving may necessitate replacement sooner.\
Under normal driving conditions, spark plugs require no maintenance betw\
een replacement intervals.
When installing new plugs, be sure to use the right type and to tighten \
them correctly. When changing
the plugs, clean the terminals and rubber seals. Also check that the sup\
pressor connectors are in good
condition. Cracked or damaged connectors should be replaced.
pg. 126 Maintenance
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pg. 134 Maintenance
Battery Maintenance
The battery in your vehicle is located under the floor of the cargo comp\
artment.
Driving habits and conditions, climate, the number of starts, etc. all a\
ffect the service life and function of
the battery. In order for your battery to perform satisfactorily, keep t\
he following in mind:
l Check the fluid level in each cell in the battery every 24 months or eve\
ry 15,000* miles (24,000 km),
whichever is sooner. The fluid should be at the level shown in the illus\
tration above (A)**.
l Use a screw driver to open the caps and a flashlight to inspect the leve\
l.
l If necessary, add distilled water. The level should never be above the i\
ndicator (A**).
l The fluid level should be checked if the battery has been recharged.
l After inspection, be sure the cap over each battery cell is securely in \
place.
l Check that the battery cables are correctly connected and properly tight\
ened. Route ventilation hose
through opening in floor (see
page 135)
l Never disconnect the battery when the engine is running, for example whe\
n changing the battery.
l The battery should be disconnected from the vehicle when a battery charg\
er is used directly on the
battery.
l However, if the battery is being charged via the connecting points in th\
e engine compartment (see
page 102), the battery must be connected.
* More frequently in warm climates.
** The level indicator inside the battery could be designed in various w\
ays. See illustration.
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Auxiliary 12-volt socket 39
Auxiliary lamps
29
Average speed
36
AWD
94
B
Bass
165
Battery
126, 133, 155
Battery - replacing
135
Battery drain - avoiding
90
Battery maintenance
134
Belt check
127
Blower (fan)
49
Booster cushion
17
Brake circuit
95
Brake system
26, 95
Bulbs
137, 156
C
Capacities
152
Carbon Monoxide - Important Warning
85
Catalytic converter
154
CD changer
177
Ceiling lighting
143
Center console - storage compartments
64
Central locking system - remote control
75
Changing coolant
127
Changing oil and oil filter
129
Check Engine warning light
27
Child restraint anchorages
18
Child safety
17
Child safety locks
79
Child seat (Isofix fasteners)
18
Climate control systems - general information
46
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