trailer VOLVO XC90 2011 Owner´s Manual

06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06
160
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 theelectrical 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
161 Overview
A
C
EDBG010496
Ball holder
Locking bolt
Cotter pin
Hitch assembly
Safety 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 driving
Blind Spot Information System*
06
166* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
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
darkness
Daylight
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 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, intense light directly into the
camera, dense fog, etc.
Cleaning the BLIS camera lensesIn order to function optimally, the BLIS camera
lenses must be kept clean. They can be wiped
clean with a soft cloth or wet sponge.
CAUTION
•Clean the lenses carefully to avoid
scratching.
•The lenses are electrically heated to
help melt ice or snow. If necessary, gen-
tly brush away snow from the lenses.
LimitationsIn certain situations, the BLIS indicator light(s)
may illuminate even when there are no other
vehicles in the area monitored by the system.
NOTE
If the BLIS indicator lights illuminate occa-
sionally even when there are no other vehi-
cles in the blind area, this does not indicate
a fault in the system.
In the event of a fault,
Blind spot syst.
service required will be displayed.
The following are several examples of situa-
tions in which the BLIS indicator light(s) may
illuminate even when there are no other vehi-
cles in the area monitored by the system.
Light reflected from a wet road surface

07 Wheels and tires
Vehicle loading
07
182
Properly loading your vehicle will provide maxi-
mum return of vehicle design performance.
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself
with the following terms for determining 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 276
Steps 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. Use only tires with the
correct load carrying capacity. Consult
your Volvo retailer for information.
1For "Towing a trailer" see page 158.

09 Maintenance and servicing
Engine oil 09
214
Oil specifications
Engine 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 viscosityIncorrect viscosity oil can shorten engine life
under normal use. SAE 5W-30 will provide
good fuel economy and engine protection. See
the viscosity chart.
G023491
Viscosity chart
Extreme engine operationSynthetic oils meeting SAE 0W-30 or 0W-40
and complying with oil quality requirements are
recommended 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) symbol
The 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 servicing
Fuses09

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.239
NoA
14Subwoofer*, rear air condition-
ing system *15
15–
16–
17Accessory audio5
18–
19Rear window wiper15
20Trailer wiring (15-feed)*20
21–
22–
23Park assist7,5
24–
25–
26Park assist*5
27Main fuse: trailer wiring, park
assist, All Wheel Drive30
28Central locking system15
29Driver's side trailer lighting:
parking lights, turn signal*25
NoA
30Passenger's side trailer light-
ing: brake light, fog light, turn
signal*25
31Main fuse: fuses 37 and 3840
32–
33–
34–
35–
36–
37Heated rear window20
38Heated rear window20

11 Specifications
Weights
11
280
CategoryUSACanada
Gross vehicle weightA
7-seat, 6-cyl, FWDB
7-seat, 6-cyl, AWDC
7-seat, 8-cyl, AWD
5915 lbs
6080 lbs
6100 lbs–
2760 kg
2770 kg
Capacity weight
7-seat models
1210 lbs550 kg
Permissible axle weight, frontA
7-seat, 6-cyl, FWD
7-seat, 6-cyl, AWD
7-seat, 8-cyl, AWD2770 lbs
2880 lbs
2930 lbs–
1310 kg
1330 kg
Permissible axle weight, rearA
7-seat, 6-cyl, FWD
7-seat, 6-cyl, AWD
7-seat, 8-cyl, AWD3170 lbs
3240 lbs
3240 lbs–
1470 kg
1470 kg
Curb weight
All models
4560 - 4800 lbs2100 - 2150 kg
Max. roof load220 lbs100 kg
Trailer weight, w/o brakes1650 lbs750 kg

11 Specifications
Weights
11
281
CategoryUSACanada
Trailer weights, with brakesSee the table on page 158See the table on page 158
Max. tongue weightSee the table on page 158See the table on page 158
APermissible axle weight or gross vehicle weight must never be exceeded.BFront Wheel DriveCAll Wheel Drive
CAUTION
The maximum permissible axle loads and/
or the gross vehicle weight must not be
exceeded.
WARNING
When adding accessories, equipment, lug-
gage and other cargo to your vehicle, the
total capacity weight must not be exceeded.

11 Specifications
Fluids
11
283
CategorySpecification
Washer fluid reservoirUse washer fluid solvent in cold weather conditions 6.9 US quarts (6.5 lit-
ers)
Air conditioning systemRefrigerant – R134aB
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 94 for volumes

11 Specifications
Overview of information and warning symbols
11
290
Introduction
The symbols in the vehicle's various displays
are divided into three main categories:
•Warning symbols
•Indicator symbols
•Information symbols
The following tables list the most common
symbols, their meaning and the pages in this
manual that provide more detailed information.
Warning/information symbol
This symbol () lights up and glows red if
the condition is related to safety and/or driva-
bility or yellow to alert the driver to e.g., fill the
washer fluid reservoir, etc. In either case, a
message will be displayed in the instrument
panel display.
Symbols in the main instrument panel
Indicator and warning symbols
SymbolDescriptionPage
Warning59
Malfunction indi-
cator light61
SymbolDescriptionPage
Fault in the ABS
system61
Rear fog light60
Stability system
DSTC61
Trailer turn signal
indicator61
Parking brake
applied60
SRS airbag sys-
tem59
SymbolDescriptionPage
Oil pressure warn-
ing light60
Seat belt reminder59
Generator warn-
ing light60
Brake failure
warning light60
High beam indica-
tor58