trailer VOLVO XC90 2009 Owner´s Manual

06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06``153
NOTE
•
If the automatic transmission begins to
overheat, a message will be displayed
in the text window.
•
Hauling a trailer affects handling, dura-
bility, and economy.
•
It is necessary to balance trailer brakes
with the towing vehicle brakes to pro-
vide a safe stop (check and observe
state/local regulations).
•
Do not connect the trailer's brake sys-
tem directly to the vehicle's brake sys-
tem.
•
Remove the ball and drawbar assembly
when the hitch is not being used.
•
Volvo recommends the use of synthetic
engine oil when towing a trailer over
long distances or in mountainous areas.
NOTE
•
When parking the vehicle with a trailer
on a hill, apply the parking brake before
putting the gear selector in P. When
starting on a hill, put the gear selector in
D before releasing the parking brake.
Always follow the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations for wheel chocking.
•
If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift
positions while towing a trailer, make
sure the gear you select does not put
too much strain on the engine (using too
high a gear).
WARNING
•
Bumper-attached trailer hitches must
not be used on Volvos, nor should
safety chains be attached to the
bumper.
•
Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle
rear axle must not be used.
•
Never connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to the vehicle
brake system, nor a trailer's lighting
system directly to the vehicle lighting
system. Consult a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for correct
installation.
•
When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety
wire must be correctly fastened to the
hole or hook provided in the trailer hitch
on the vehicle. The safety wire should
never be fastened to or wound around
the drawbar ball.
Smoother starts with a trailerModels equipped with the V8-engine and the
6-speed automatic transmission have a built-
in function that reduces acceleration slightly in
first gear when the vehicle is towing a trailer.
This is done to help avoid wheel spin and to
make starting off smoother.•
This function is activated when the trailer's
electrical connector is plugged into the

06 Starting and drivingTowing a trailer
06154
electrical socket mounted near the trailer
hitch.
•
The function is automatically deactivated
when the trailer's wiring is disconnected
from the socket. The vehicle will then
accelerate normally.NOTE
Since this function is activated when a con-
nector is plugged into the electrical socket
near the trailer hitch, it will be activated by
any electrical equipment (e.g. bicycle racks
with lighting, etc) that is plugged in, and will
remain active until the equipment is unplug-
ged from the socket.LevelingIf your vehicle is equipped with automatic lev-
eling, the rear suspension always retains the
correct ride height regardless of the load.•
The system adjusts the rear suspension to
the correct level after the vehicle has been
driven a short distance.
•
When the vehicle is stationary, the rear
suspension lowers, which is normal.

06 Starting and driving
Detachable trailer hitch
06
155 Overview
AC
E
D
B
G010496
Ball holderLocking boltCotter pinHitch assemblySafety wire attachment
Installing the ball holder1. If necessary, remove the cotter pin from
the locking bolt and slide the locking bolt
out of the hitch assembly.
2. Slide the ball holder into the hitch assem-
bly.
3. Align the hole in the ball holder with the one
in the hitch assembly.4. Slide the locking bolt through the hitch
assembly/ball holder.
5. Insert the cotter pin in the hole at the end
of the locking bolt.
Removing the ball holder1. Remove the cotter pin from the locking bolt
and slide the locking bolt out of the ball
holder/hitch assembly.
2. Pull the ball holder out of the hitch assem-
bly.
A cover for the hitch assembly can be pur-
chased from your Volvo retailer.

06 Starting and drivingBlind Spot Information System
06160
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 vehi-
cle is backing up.
•
If you are towing a wide trailer, this may
prevent the BLIS cameras from detect-
ing other vehicles in adjacent lanes.
How BLIS functions in daylight and
darknessDaylight
BLIS reacts to the shape of surrounding vehi-
cles. 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, avehicle in the blind area must have its head-
lights on. This means, for example, that the
system will not detect a trailer without head-
lights 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
cameras were obscured.
•
In both of the above mentioned condi-
tions, a message will appear in the infor-
mation display.
•
When driving in such conditions, the
system can be temporarily switched off.
For instructions, see page 161.
•
When the message is no longer dis-
played, BLIS will return to normal func-
tion.
•
The BLIS cameras have the same limi-
tation as the human eye. In other words,
their "vision is impaired" by adverse
weather conditions such as heavy
snowfall, dense fog, etc.

07 Wheels and tires
Vehicle loading
07
175
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maxi-
mum return of vehicle design performance.
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself
with the following terms for deter-mining your
vehicle's weight ratings, with or without a
trailer, from the vehicle's Federal/ Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/
CMVSS) label, and the vehicle's tire informa-
tion placard.Curb weightThe weight of the vehicle including a full tank
of fuel and all standard equipment. It does not
include passengers, cargo, or optional equip-
ment.Capacity weightAll weight added to the curb weight, including
cargo and optional equipment. When towing,
trailer hitch tongue load is also part of cargo
weight.
NOTE
For trailer towing information, please refer to
the section "Towing a trailer."Permissible axle weightThe maximum allowable weight that can be
carried by a single axle (front or rear). Thesenumbers are shown on the Federal/Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS/
CMVSS) label. The total load on each axle must
never exceed its maximum permissible weight.
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)The vehicle's curb weight + cargo + passen-
gers.
A table listing important weight limits for your
vehicle, is in chapter "Dimension and weights".
For the location of the various labels in your
vehicle, see page 258Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit•
Locate the statement "the combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX pounds" on your vehi-
cle's placard.
•
Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
•
Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or
XXX pounds.
•
The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the "XXX" amount
equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750 (5 x
150) = 650 lbs.)
•
Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
•
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual
1 to determine
how this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
WARNING
•
Exceeding the permissible axle weight,
gross vehicle weight, or any other
weight rating limits can cause tire over-
heating resulting in permanent defor-
mation or catastrophic failure.
•
Do not use replacement tires with lower
load carrying capacities than the tires
that were original equipment on the
vehicle because this will lower the vehi-
cle's GVW rating. Replacement tires
with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the vehicle's GVW rating
limitations.
1For "Towing a trailer" see page 151.

09 Maintenance and servicingEngine oil
09208
Oil specificationsEngine oil must meet the minimum ILSAC
specification GF-4, API SL, or ACEA A1/B1.
Lower quality oils may not offer the same fuel
economy, engine performance, or engine pro-
tection.
Volvo recommends Castrol.
Depending on your driving habits, premium or
synthetic oils may provide superior fuel econ-
omy and engine protection. Consult your Volvo
retailer or a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician for recommendations on premium
or synthetic oils.
Oil additives must not be used.
NOTE
Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is
changed at the normal maintenance serv-
ices. This oil is only used at customer
request, at additional charge. Please con-
sult a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician.
Oil viscosity (stable ambient
temperatures)
G023491
Operation in hot climatesWhen temperatures exceed 104° F (40° C) in
your area, Volvo recommends, for the protec-
tion of your engine, that you use a heavier
weight oil, such as such as SAE 5W-40 or
0W-40. See the viscosity chart.Operation in temperate climatesIncorrect viscosity oil can shorten engine life.
Under normal use when temperatures do not
exceed 104 ° F (40 ° C), SAE 5W-30 will provide
good fuel economy and engine protection. See
the viscosity chart.Extreme engine operationSynthetic oils meeting SAE 0W-30 or 0W-40
and complying with oil quality requirements arerecommended for driving in areas of sustained
temperature extremes (hot or cold), when tow-
ing a trailer over long distances, and for pro-
longed driving in mountainous areas.
American Petroleum Institute (API)
symbol
G022917
American Petroleum Institute (API) symbolThe API Service Symbol "donut" is divided into
three parts:•
The upper section describes the oil's per-
formance level.
•
The center identifies the oil's viscosity.
•
The lower section indicates whether the oil
has demonstrated energy-conserving
properties in a standard test in comparison
to a reference oil.

09 Maintenance and servicingFuses
09232
No
A
14
Subwoofer (option), rear air
conditioning system (option)
15
15
–
16
–
17
Accessory audio
5
18
–
19
Rear window wiper
15
20
Trailer wiring (15-feed) - option
20
21
–
22
–
23
Park assist
7,5
24
–
25
–
26
Park assist (option)
5
27
Main fuse: trailer wiring, park
assist, All Wheel Drive
30
28
Central locking system
15
No
A
29
Driver's side trailer lighting:
parking lights, turn signal
(option)
25
30
Passenger's side trailer light-
ing: brake light, fog light, turn
signal (option)
25
31
Main fuse: fuses 37 and 38
40
32
–
33
–
34
–
35
–
36
–
37
Heated rear window
20
38
Heated rear window
20

11 Specifications
Weights
11``263
Category
USA
Canada
Permissible axle weight, rear
5-seat, 6-cyl, FWD
5-seat, 6-cyl, AWD
5-seat, 8-cyl, AWD
7-seat, 6-cyl, FWD
7-seat, 6-cyl, AWD
7-seat, 8-cyl, AWD
3060 lbs
3150 lbs
3150 lbs
3170 lbs
3240 lbs
3240 lbs
–
1430 kg
1430 kg
–
1470 kg
1470 kg
Curb weight
5-seat, FWD
5-seat, AWD
7-seat, FWD
7-seat, AWD
4365 – 4400 lbs
4505 – 4655 lbs
4530 – 4570 lbs
4675 – 4820 lbs
–
2065 – 2130 kg
–
2135 – 2160 kg
Max. roof load
220 lbs
100 kg
Trailer weight, w/o brakes
1650 lbs
750 kg
Trailer weights, with brakes
See the table on page 151
See the table on page 151
Max. tongue weight
See the table on page 151
See the table on page 151
APermissible axle weight or gross vehicle weight must never be exceeded.BFWD= front wheel driveCAWD = All Wheel Drive

11 SpecificationsFluids
11266
Category
Specification
Washer fluid reservoir
Use washer fluid solvent in cold weather conditions 6.9 US quarts (6.5 lit-
ers)
Air conditioning system
Refrigerant – R134a
B
AThe transmission oil does not normally need to be changed during the service life of the vehicle. However, it may be necessary to replace the oil if the vehicle is often driven in areas of sustained
temperature extremes (hot or cold), when towing a trailer over long distances, for prolonged driving in mountainous areas, or if the vehicle is often driven short distances in temperatures under 40 °F
(5 °C).BSee page 90 for volumes

12 Index
12
275
Child restraints
recalls and registration......................... 46
Child safety................................................ 33
Child safety locks....................................124
Climate system.......................................... 90
refrigerant............................................. 90
Clock reset button..................................... 54
Coat hanger............................................. 111
Cold weather precautions........................ 157
Compact disc care
CD care............................................... 251
Convertible seats....................................... 39
Coolant.................................................... 211
changing............................................. 206
Courtesy light........................................... 106
Cup holder
rear seat.............................................. 110
Curb weight............................................. 175
Current fuel consumption.......................... 71
DDefroster
rear window and door mirrors.............. 70
rear window and mirrors....................... 95
windshield............................................. 94
Detachable trailer hitch............................ 155
Dimensions.............................................. 260
Disabling the passenger's side front air-
bag............................................................. 25
Display, instrument panel.......................... 54
Dolby Pro Logic II (DPL II)........................ 239
Door mirrors............................................... 81
defroster............................................... 70
Door mirrors, folding.................................. 60
Driving conditions, difficult......................137
Driving economically................................ 136
Driving through water..............................137EEconomical driving..................................136
Electrically operated moonroof.................. 83
Electrical system...................................... 270Emission inspection readiness................ 203
Engine
specifications...................................... 269
starting................................................ 133
Engine oil................................................. 208
specifications...................................... 268
FFederal Clean Air Act............................... 202
Flat tires
changing............................................. 180
repairing with tire sealing system....... 185
Fog light..................................................... 56
Fog lights
front*.....................................................64
Folding door mirrors.................................. 60
Front airbags.................................. 21, 22, 25
Front seat
folding backrest.................................. 100
manually adjusted............................... 100
Front seats
power.................................................. 100
Front suspension..................................... 267