Volvo S90 (2019 year). Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING

434

•

High levels of condensation on the inside of
the windows.

•

the climate system settings and the actual
climate in the passenger compartment differ.

•

Electrical current consumption is temporarily
high or the start battery's charge is below the
minimum level.

•

The brake pedal is pumped repeatedly.

•

The hood is open.

•

The vehicle begins to roll or increases speed
slightly if the engine auto-stopped before the
vehicle was at a standstill.

•

The driver's seat belt is unbuckled with the
gear selector in the D or N positions.

•

The gear selector is moved from D to R or M
(

±).

•

The driver's door is opened with the gear
selector in D. An audible signal and a text
message informs the driver that the ignition
is on.

WARNING

Do not open the hood if the engine has auto-

stopped. Turn off the engine by switching off

the ignition before lifting the hood.

Related information

•

Start/Stop function (p. 431)

•

Driving with the Start/Stop function (p. 431)

•

Temporarily deactivating the Start/Stop func-
tion (p. 433)

STARTING AND DRIVING

}}

* Option/accessory.

435

Leveling control* and suspension

Self-leveling and suspension functions are con-
trolled automatically.

Rear leveling control keeps the rear section of
the vehicle at the same height regardless of load.
Leveling control may also remain active when the
vehicle is parked.

Shock absorbers (Four-C)

The shock absorbers are adapted to the selected
drive mode and vehicle speed. The shock absorb-
ers are normally set to provide the best possible
comfort and are adjusted continuously according
to the road surface and the vehicle's acceleration,
braking and cornering.

Transporting

When transporting the vehicle on a ferry, train or
truck, only secure (lash) the vehicle around the
tires, not using any other parts of the chassis.
Changes in the pneumatic suspension may occur
during transport, which could adversely affect the
lashing and result in damage.

Symbols and messages in driver display

Symbol

Message

Meaning

Suspension

Deactivated by user

Active chassis has been switched off manually by the user.

Suspension

Temporarily reduced performance

Active chassis performance has been temporarily reduced due to extensive system use. If this
message appears frequently (e.g. several times in one week) contact a workshop

Suspension

Service required

A fault has occurred. Visit a workshop

as soon as possible.

STARTING AND DRIVING

* Option/accessory.

436

Symbol

Message

Meaning

Suspension failure

Stop safely

A critical fault has occurred. Stop safely, have the car towed to a workshop

Suspension

Slow down Vehicle too high

A fault has occurred. If the message appears while driving, contact a workshop

Suspension

Auto adjusting vehicle level

Level control of the car's rear axle to target height is in progress.

An authorized Volvo workshop is recommended.

Related information

•

Leveling control settings* (p. 437)

•

Drive modes* (p. 427)

STARTING AND DRIVING

}}

* Option/accessory.

437

Leveling control settings*

Turn off leveling control before lifting the vehicle
with a jack to help avoid problems with the
pneumatic suspension.

Center display settings

Disable Leveling Control

In certain situations, this function must be turned
off, e.g. before the vehicle is raised using a jack*.
The level difference caused by raising the vehicle
with a jack could cause problems with the pneu-
matic suspension.

Turning off the function in the center display:

1. Tap

Settings

in the Top view.

2. Tap

My Car

Parking Brake and

Suspension

3. Select

Disable Leveling Control

Related information

•

Leveling control* and suspension (p. 435)

•

Loading recommendations (p. 560)

Economical driving

Drive economically and more environmentally
conscious by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid
starts and stops and adapting driving style and
speed to the current traffic conditions.

Observe the following rules:

•

For lower fuel consumption, activate Eco
drive mode.

•

Use the Eco Coast function in drive mode
Eco - engine braking is deactivated, allowing
the vehicle's kinetic energy to be used to roll
greater distances.

•

Use gear D as often as possible and avoid
using the kick-down function.

•

For manual gear shifting, use the highest
possible gear for the current traffic situation
and road conditions - fuel consumption is
reduced at lower engine speeds (rpm). Use
the gear indicator

•

Maintain a steady speed and a generous fol-
lowing distance to traffic ahead to minimize
braking.

•

Fuel consumption is increased at high
speeds - air resistance increases with speed.

•

The trip computer's current fuel consumption
indicator can help promote more fuel-effi-
cient driving.

•

Do not warm up the engine by idling. It is
better to begin driving normally immediately
after starting the engine. A cold engine uses
more fuel than a warm engine.

•

Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle to
drive short distances. The engine does not
have time to reach a normal operating tem-
perature and this leads to increased fuel
consumption.

•

Use engine braking to brake the vehicle,
when this is safe for other road users.

•

Maintain the correct pressure in the tires and
check pressure regularly.

•

The type of tires used could affect fuel con-
sumption - consult a retailer for advice on
suitable tires.

•

Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle
- the heavier the load, the higher the fuel
consumption.

•

Roof loads increase air resistance and
increase fuel consumption. Remove roof
boxes, ski racks, etc. that are not in use.

•

Avoid driving with the windows open.

Certain markets only.

STARTING AND DRIVING

438

WARNING

Never turn off the engine while the vehicle is

moving, e.g. when driving downhill. This deac-

tivates certain important systems such as

power steering and brakes.

Other factors that decrease fuel
consumption

•

Dirty air cleaner.

•

Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter.

•

Incorrect front-end alignment.

•

Incorrect wheel alignment.

Some of the above items and others are checked
as part of Volvo's standard maintenance sched-
ule.

Related information

•

Drive-E

‒ purer driving pleasure (p. 27)

•

ECO drive mode (p. 429)

•

Checking tire pressure (p. 529)

Preparing for a long trip

It is important to have the vehicle's systems and
equipment checked carefully before driving long
distances.

Check that:

•

the engine is running properly and that fuel
consumption is normal

•

there are no leaks (fuel, oil or other fluid)

•

the brake pedal is functioning optimally

•

all lights are working

‒ adjust the headlight

height if the vehicle is carrying a heavy load

•

tire tread depth and air pressure are at cor-
rect levels. Change to snow tires when driv-
ing in areas where there is a risk of snowy or
icy roads

•

the start battery is sufficiently charged

•

the wiper blades are in good condition

Related information

•

Checking tire pressure (p. 529)

•

Filling washer fluid (p. 623)

•

Winter driving (p. 438)

•

Economical driving (p. 437)

•

Vehicle modem settings (p. 507)

•

Loading recommendations (p. 560)

•

Pilot Assist (p. 308)

•

Speed limiter (p. 275)

•

Tire sealing system (p. 544)

Winter driving

It is important to check the vehicle before driving
in cold/snowy conditions to make sure it can be
driven safely.

Before the cold season arrives:

•

Make sure the engine coolant contains 50%
antifreeze. This mixture helps protect the
engine from frost erosion down to
approx. -35 °C (-31 °F). Do not mix different
types of antifreeze as this could pose a
health risk.

•

Keep the fuel tank well filled to prevent con-
densation from forming.

•

Check the viscosity of the engine oil. Oil with
low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-
weather starting and reduces fuel consump-
tion when driving with a cold engine.

CAUTION

Low-viscosity oil should not be used with hard
driving or in hot weather.

•

Check the condition and charge level of the
start battery. Cold weather places greater
demands on the start battery and reduces its
capacity.

•

Use washer fluid containing antifreeze to
help prevent ice from forming in the washer
fluid reservoir.

STARTING AND DRIVING

439

Slippery driving conditions

For optimal traction and roadholding, Volvo rec-
ommends using snow tires on all wheels when-
ever there is a risk of snow or ice on the road.

NOTE

Certain countries require use of winter tires
by law. Not all countries permit the use of
studded tires.

Practice driving on slippery surfaces under con-
trolled conditions to learn how the vehicle reacts.

Related information

•

Snow tires (p. 543)

•

Snow chains (p. 543)

•

Braking on salted roads (p. 414)

•

Braking on wet roads (p. 414)

•

Filling washer fluid (p. 623)

•

Start battery (p. 590)

•

Replacing windshield wiper blades (p. 621)

•

Refilling coolant (p. 579)

Driving through standing water

Driving the vehicle through a deep pool of stand-
ing water on a water-covered roadway is called
fording. This must be done with great caution.

The vehicle can be driven through water up to a
depth of 25 cm (9 in) at no more than walking
speed. Be particularly careful when driving
through flowing water.

When driving through standing water, drive slowly
and do not stop the vehicle. When you have
passed the water, press lightly on the brake pedal
and check that the brakes are functioning prop-
erly. Water, mud, slush, etc. can make the brake
linings slippery, resulting in delayed braking
effect.

•

If the vehicle is equipped with contacts for an
electric heater or trailer coupling, clean these
after driving in water or mud.

•

Do not allow the vehicle to stand in water up
to the sills any longer than absolutely neces-
sary. This could result in electrical malfunc-
tions.

CAUTION

•

Engine damage could occur if water
enters the air cleaner.

•

If water enters the transmission, the lubri-
cating ability of the oils is reduced and
the service life of these systems is short-
ened.

•

Damage to any component, engine,
transmission, turbocharger, differential or
its internal components caused by flood-
ing, vapor lock or insufficient oil is not
covered under warranty.

•

If the engine stalls while the vehicle is in
water, do not attempt to restart it. Have
the vehicle towed out of the water to a
workshop. An authorized Volvo workshop
is recommended. Risk of engine failure.

CAUTION

Because it can be difficult to determine the
water depth, avoid driving through standing or
running water.

Related information

•

Recovery (p. 450)

STARTING AND DRIVING

440

Opening/closing the fuel filler door

The vehicle must be unlocked before the fuel
filler door can be opened

An arrow next to the fuel pump
symbol in the instrument panel
indicates the side of the vehicle
on which the fuel filler door is
located.

1. Open the fuel filler door by pressing lightly

on its rear edge.

2. After refueling, press the fuel filler door

lightly to close it.

Related information

•

Refueling (p. 440)

Refueling

The fuel tank is equipped with a fuel filling sys-
tem without a cover.

Refueling the vehicle at a service
station

Refueling is done as follows.

1. Turn off the engine and open the fuel filler

door.

2. Select a fuel approved for use in the vehicle.

For more information on approved fuels, see
the section on “Fuel”.

3. Insert the pump's nozzle into the fuel filler

pipe's opening. There are two flaps just
inside the fuel filler pipe and the pump's noz-
zle must push both of these flaps open
before fuel can be added.

4. Avoid overfilling the tank. Do not press the

handle on the filler nozzle again after it has
initially stopped pumping.
> The fuel tank is now filled.

NOTE

An over-full tank may overflow in hot weather.

CAUTION

Avoid spilling gasoline during refueling. In
addition to causing damage to the environ-
ment, gasolines containing alcohol can cause
damage to painted surfaces, which may not
be covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.

Refueling from a fuel container

When filling from a fuel container, use the funnel
provided in a foam block under the floor hatch in
the cargo compartment.

1. Open the fuel filler door.

2. Insert the funnel into the fuel filler pipe's

opening. There are two flaps just inside the
fuel filler pipe and the tube section of the
funnel must push both of these flaps open
before fuel can be added.

Only locking and unlocking using the remote key, Passive Entry or Volvo On Call will affect the status of the fuel filler door.

STARTING AND DRIVING

}}

441

WARNING

California Proposition 65

Operating, servicing and maintaining a pas-

senger vehicle can expose you to chemicals

including engine exhaust, carbon monoxide,

phthalates, and lead, which are known to the

State of California to cause cancer and birth

defects or other reproductive harm. To mini-

mize exposure, avoid breathing exhaust, do

not idle the engine except as necessary, serv-

ice your vehicle in a well ventilated area and

wear gloves or wash your hands frequently

when servicing your vehicle. For more infor-

mation go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/

passenger-vehicle.

Related information

•

Opening/closing the fuel filler door (p. 440)

•

Fuel (p. 441)

Fuel

Volvo recommends the use of detergent gaso-
line to control engine deposits.

Deposit control gasoline (gasoline with
detergent additives)

Detergent gasoline is effective in keeping injec-
tors and intake valves clean. Consistent use of
deposit control gasolines will help ensure good
driveability and fuel economy. If you are not sure
whether the gasoline contains deposit control
additives, check with the service station operator.

NOTE

Volvo recommends not using external fuel
injector cleaning systems, e.g. do not add
detergent additives to gasoline before or after
refueling.

Unleaded fuel

All Volvo vehicles have a three-way catalytic con-
verter and must only use unleaded gasoline. US
and Canadian regulations require that pumps
delivering unleaded gasoline are labeled
"UNLEADED". Only the nozzles of these pumps
will fit in your vehicle's fuel filler inlet. It is unlaw-
ful to dispense leaded fuel into a vehicle labeled
"unleaded gasoline only". Leaded gasoline dam-
ages the three-way catalytic converter and the
heated oxygen sensor system. Repeated use of
leaded gasoline will lessen the effectiveness of

the emission control system and could result in
loss of emission warranty coverage. State and
local vehicle inspection programs will make
detection of misfueling easier, possibly resulting
in emission test failure for misfueled vehicles.

NOTE

Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines contain an
octane enhancing additive called methyl-
cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). If such fuels are used, your Emission
Control System performance may be affected,
and the Check Engine Light (malfunction
indicator light) located on your instrument
panel may light. If this occurs, please return
your vehicle to a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician for service.

Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers,
"Oxygenated fuels"

Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
"oxygenates" which are usually alcohols or
ethers. In some areas, state or local laws require
that the service pump be marked indicating use
of alcohols or ethers. However, there are areas in
which the pumps are unmarked. If you are not
sure whether there is alcohol or ethers in the
gasoline you buy, check with the service station
operator. To meet seasonal air quality standards,
some areas require the use of "oxygenated" fuel.

STARTING AND DRIVING

442

Volvo permits the use of the following "oxygen-
ated" fuels. However, the specified octane ratings
must still be met.

Alcohol - Ethanol

Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume
may be used. Ethanol may also be referred to as
Ethyl alcohol, or "Gasohol".

Ethers - MTBE/ETBE: Fuels containing up to
22% MTBE/ETBE by volume may be used.

Methanol

Do not use gasolines containing methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). This practice can
result in vehicle performance deterioration and
can damage critical parts in the fuel system. Such
damage may not be covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Related information

•

Octane rating (p. 442)

•

Opening/closing the fuel filler door (p. 440)

•

Refueling (p. 440)

•

Emission controls (p. 444)

Octane rating

Volvo requires premium fuel (91 octane

higher) for all T5, T6 and T8 engines, and rec-
ommends AKI 93 for optimal performance and
fuel economy. See decal examples in illustra-
tions 1 and 2.

Minimum octane

Decals

Illustration 1: Sample fuel pump octane label

Illustration 2: Decal on the inside of the fuel filler flap on
vehicles that require premium fuel

TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline

Volvo endorses the use of "TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline" where available to help maintain
engine performance and reliability. TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline meets a new standard jointly
established by leading automotive manufactures
to meet the needs of today's advanced engines.
Qualifying gasoline retailers (stations) will, in
most cases, identify their gasoline as having met
the "TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline" standards.

NOTE

Information about TOP TIER Detergent Gaso-
line is available at www.toptiergas.com.

AKI (Anti Knock Index) is an average value of RON (Research Octane Number) and MON (Motor Octane Number) - (RON)+(MON)/2

For supplementary information - see the car's Service and Warranty Booklet.

STARTING AND DRIVING

443

NOTE

When switching to higher octane fuel or
changing gasoline brands, it may be neces-
sary to fill the tank more than once before a
difference in engine operation is noticeable.

Fuel Formulations

Do not use gasoline that contains lead or manga-
nese as a knock inhibitor, and do not use lead
additives. Besides damaging the exhaust emis-
sion control systems on your vehicle, lead has
been strongly linked to certain forms of cancer.

Many fuels contain benzene as a solvent.
Unburned benzene has been strongly linked to
certain forms of cancer. If you live in an area
where you must fill your own gas tank, take pre-
cautions. These may include:

•

standing upwind away from the filler nozzle
while refueling

•

refueling only at gas stations with vapor
recovery systems that fully seal the mouth of
the filler neck during refueling

•

wearing neoprene gloves while handling a
fuel filler nozzle.

Use of Additives

With the exception of gas line antifreeze during
winter months, do not add solvents, thickeners, or

other store-bought additives to your vehicle's
fuel, cooling, or lubricating systems. Overuse may
damage your engine, and some of these additives
contain organically volatile chemicals. Do not
needlessly expose yourself to these chemicals.

WARNING

Never carry a cell phone that is switched on

while refueling your vehicle. If the phone rings,

this may cause a spark that could ignite gaso-

line fumes, resulting in fire and injury.

WARNING

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless,

and odorless gas. It is present in all exhaust

gases. If you ever smell exhaust fumes inside

the vehicle, make sure the passenger com-

partment is ventilated, and immediately return

the vehicle to a trained and qualified Volvo

service technician for correction.

Demanding driving

In demanding driving conditions, such as when
towing a trailer or driving in hot weather or for
prolonged periods at high altitudes, it may be a
good idea to switch to a higher-octane fuel (AKI

91 or higher) or to switch to another brand of
gasoline in order to fully utilize the vehicle's
engine capacity and optimize traction.

Related information

•

Fuel (p. 441)

•

Emission controls (p. 444)

AKI (Anti Knock Index) is an average value of RON (Research Octane Number) and MON (Motor Octane Number) - (RON)+(MON)/2

STARTING AND DRIVING

444

Emission controls

Three-way catalytic converter

•

Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain
engine malfunctions, particularly involving the
electrical, fuel or distributor ignition systems,
may cause unusually high three-way catalytic
converter temperatures. Do not continue to
operate your vehicle if you detect engine
misfire, noticeable loss of power or other
unusual operating conditions, such as engine
overheating or backfiring. A properly tuned
engine will help avoid malfunctions that
could damage the three-way catalytic con-
verter.

•

Do not park your vehicle over combustible
materials, such as grass or leaves, which can
come into contact with the hot exhaust sys-
tem and cause such materials to ignite under
certain wind and weather conditions.

•

Excessive starter cranking (in excess of one
minute), or an intermittently firing or flooded
engine can cause three-way catalytic con-
verter or exhaust system overheating.

•

Remember that tampering or unauthorized
modifications to the engine, the Engine Con-
trol Module, or the vehicle may be illegal and
can cause three-way catalytic converter or
exhaust system overheating. This includes:
altering fuel injection settings or compo-
nents, altering emission system components

or location or removing components, and/or
repeated use of leaded fuel.

NOTE

Unleaded fuel is required for vehicles with
three-way catalytic converters.

Heated oxygen sensors

The heated oxygen sensors monitor the oxygen
content of the exhaust gases. Readings are fed
into a control module that continuously monitors
engine functions and controls fuel injection. The
ratio of fuel to air into the engine is continuously
adjusted for efficient combustion to help reduce
harmful emissions.

Related information

•

Octane rating (p. 442)

•

Fuel (p. 441)

Overheating of engine and

transmission

In demanding driving conditions, such as driving
in mountainous areas or hot weather, there is a
risk of the engine or transmission overheating,
especially when carrying heavy loads.

•

Engine power may be temporarily limited.

•

Remove any auxiliary lights mounted in front
of the grille when driving in hot weather.

•

If the temperature in the engine's cooling
system becomes too high, a warning symbol
will appear in the instrument panel along with
the message

Engine temperature

High

temperature Stop safely

. Pull over to a

safe location and let the engine idle for a few
minutes to cool down.

•

If the message

Engine temperature

High

temperature Turn off engine

Engine

coolant

Level low, turn off engine

is dis-

played, stop the vehicle and turn off the
engine.

•

If the transmission begins to overheat, an
alternative gear shifting program will be
selected. An integrated protective function
will also be activated, the warning symbol will
illuminate and the message

Transmission

warm

Reduce speed to lower

temperature

Transmission hot

Stop

safely, wait for cooling

will be displayed in

the instrument panel. Follow the recommen-
dations given by reducing speed or stopping

STARTING AND DRIVING

445

the vehicle safely and letting the engine idle
for a few minutes to let the transmission
cool.

•

If the vehicle begins to overheat, the air con-
ditioning may be temporarily switched off.

•

After a prolonged period of driving in
demanding conditions, do not turn off the
engine immediately after stopping.

NOTE

It is normal for the engine's cooling fan to
operate for a short time after the engine is
switched off.

Symbols in the instrument panel

Symbol

Meaning

High engine temperature. Follow
the recommendations provided.

Low coolant level. Follow the rec-
ommendations provided.

Transmission hot/overheated/cool-
ing. Follow the recommendations
provided.

Related information

•

Refilling coolant (p. 579)

•

Preparing for a long trip (p. 438)

Battery drain

The electrical functions in the vehicle drain the
battery to varying degrees. Avoid using ignition
mode II when the engine is switched off. Use
ignition mode I instead, as this uses less electri-
cal current.

Note that certain accessories may also drain
power from the electrical system. Do not use
functions that use a lot of electrical current when
the engine is turned off. Examples of such func-
tions are:

•

blower

•

headlights

•

windshield wipers

•

audio system (especially at high volume).

If the starter battery voltage is low, a message is
shown in the driver display. The vehicle's energy-
saving function will then turn off or reduce certain
functions, such as the blower and/or the audio
system.

–

Charge the battery by starting the engine
and let it run for at least 15 minutes (driving
charges the battery faster than letting the
engine idle).

Related information

•

Start battery (p. 590)

•

Ignition modes (p. 410)

STARTING AND DRIVING

446

Jump starting using another battery

If the start battery is discharged, current from
another battery can be used to start the vehicle.

Jumper cable connecting points.

To avoid short circuits or other damage, the fol-
lowing steps are recommended when jump star-
ting the battery using another battery:

1. Put the ignition in mode 0.

2. Make sure the auxiliary battery (the battery

used to jump start the discharged battery)
has a voltage of 12 volts.

3. If the auxiliary battery is in another vehicle,

turn off that vehicle's engine and make sure
that the vehicles are not touching each other.

4. Clamp the red jumper cable onto the auxiliary

battery's positive (+) terminal (1).

CAUTION

Connect the jump cable carefully to prevent
short circuits with other components in the
engine compartment.

5. Fold back the cover over your vehicle's posi-

tive (+) jump start terminal (2).

6. Clamp the other end of the red jumper cable

to your vehicle's positive (+) jump start termi-
nal (2).

7. Clamp the black jumper cable onto the auxili-

ary battery's negative (-) terminal (3).

8. Clamp the other end of the black jumper

cable to your vehicle's negative (-) ground
point (4).

9. Make sure the jumper cables are securely

attached to help prevent sparks while jump
starting.

10. Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and

let it run for a few minutes at a higher idling
speed than normal, about 1500 rpm.

11. Start the engine of the vehicle with the dead

battery.

CAUTION

Do not touch the connections between the
cable and the vehicle during the start attempt.
Risk of sparking.

12. Remove the jumper cables in the reverse

order

‒ first the black cables and then the

red cables.

Make sure that none of the clamps of the
black jumper cables come into contact with
either vehicle's positive (+) jump start termi-
nals or either of the red jumper cable's con-
nected clamps.

WARNING

PROPOSITION 65 WARNING! Battery posts,

terminals, and related accessories contain

lead and lead compounds, chemicals known

to the state of California to cause cancer and

reproductive harm. Wash hands after han-

dling.

STARTING AND DRIVING

}}

447

WARNING

•

Batteries generate hydrogen gas, which
is flammable and explosive.

•

Do not connect the jumper cable to any
part of the fuel system or to any moving
parts. Avoid touching hot manifolds.

•

Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin,
fabrics or painted surfaces.

•

If contact occurs, flush the affected area
immediately with water. Obtain medical
help immediately if eyes are affected.

•

Never expose the battery to open flame
or electric spark. Do not smoke near the
battery. Failure to follow the instructions
for jump starting can lead to injury.

Related information

•

Starting the vehicle (p. 408)

•

Ignition modes (p. 410)

•

Adjusting the steering wheel (p. 195)

•

Selecting ignition mode (p. 411)

Towing using a towline

This section refers to one vehicle being towed
behind another using a towline.

Before towing another vehicle, check applicable
speed limit regulations.

Preparations and towing

CAUTION

Note that the vehicle must always be towed
with the wheels rolling forward.

•

Do not tow a vehicle with automatic
transmission at a speed greater than
80 km/h (50 mph) or for a distance
greater than 80 km (50 miles).

WARNING

•

Ignition mode II must be active – all air-
bags are deactivated in ignition mode I.

•

Always have the remote key in the vehicle
when it is towed.

WARNING

The brake and steering servos do not work

when the engine is off – it takes

about 5 times more pressure on the brake

pedal and steering requires much more effort

than normal.

1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

2. Attach the towline to the towing eyelet.

3. Put the vehicle in ignition mode II – without

pressing the brake pedal, turn the start knob
clockwise and hold it there for about
4 seconds. Release the knob, which will
automatically return to its original position.

4. Move the gear selector to neutral and

release the parking brake.

If the battery charge level is too low, it may
not be possible to release the parking brake.
Connect an auxiliary battery to the vehicle if
the battery is discharged.
> The towing vehicle can now start driving.

5. Keep the towline taut when the towing vehi-

cle slows down by applying light pressure to
the brake pedal. This will help avoid jarring
movements.

6. Be prepared to apply the brakes to stop the

vehicle.

Jump starting

Do not tow the vehicle to start the engine. Use an
auxiliary battery if the start battery's charge level
is so low that the engine cannot be started.

STARTING AND DRIVING

448

CAUTION

Attempting to tow with the engine running
could result in damage to the three-way cata-
lytic converter.

Related information

•

Attaching and removing the towing eyelet
(p. 448)

•

Hazard warning flashers (p. 159)

•

Recovery (p. 450)

•

Jump starting using another battery (p. 446)

•

Selecting ignition mode (p. 411)

Attaching and removing the towing

eyelet

Use the towing eyelet when towing. Screw the
towing eyelet securely into place in the threaded
outlet behind the cover on the right-hand side of
the front and rear bumpers.

NOTE

If the vehicle is equipped with a towbar, there
is no rear attachment for the towing eye.

Attaching the towing eyelet

Take out the towing eyelet, which is stored in
a foam block under the floor in the cargo
compartment.

Front: Remove the cover by pressing on the
mark with a finger.
> The cover turns along its center line and

can then be removed.

STARTING AND DRIVING

* Option/accessory.

449

Rear: Remove the cover - press the marker
with your finger while prying open the oppo-
site side/corner open with a coin or similar.
> The cover turns along its center line and

can then be removed.

4. Screw in the towing eyelet until it reaches its

stop.

Fasten the eyelet securing by, for example,
inserting a lug wrench* through it and using
this as a lever.

CAUTION

It is important that the towing eye is screwed
in securely as far as possible.

To consider before using the towing eyelet

•

In certain conditions, the towing eyelet may
be used to pull the vehicle onto a flatbed tow
truck. The vehicle's position and ground
clearance determines if this is possible.

•

If the incline of the tow truck is too steep or
if the ground clearance under the vehicle is
insufficient, attempting to pull it up using the
towing eyelet may result in damage.

•

If necessary, lift the vehicle using the tow
truck's lifting device instead of using the
towing eyelet.

WARNING

No person or object should be behind the tow

truck when the vehicle is lifted onto the bed

of the truck.

CAUTION

The towing eyelet is only intended for towing
on roads, and must not be used to pull vehi-
cles from ditches or any similar purpose
involving severe strain. Call a tow truck for
professional assistance.

Removing the towing eyelet

–

Unscrew the towing eyelet after use and
return it to its storage location in the foam
block.

Replace the cover on the bumper.

Related information

•

Towing using a towline (p. 447)

•

Recovery (p. 450)

•

Tool kit (p. 536)

Volvo S90 (2019 year). Manual - part 26