Get Starting and driving -> Fuel requirements Guide for Volvo C30 4 Door First Generation (2006-2013)

06 Starting and driving

Fuel requirements

ers, 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.

Octane rating

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.

Minimum octane

Fuel Formulations

WARNING

Do not use gasoline that contains lead as a

knock inhibitor, and do not use lead additives.

Besides damaging the exhaust emission con-

trol systems on your vehicle, lead has been

strongly linked to certain forms of cancer.

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 gasoline fumes, resulting in fire and

injury.

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

precautions. These may include:

WARNING

Typical pump octane label

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

compartment is ventilated, and immediately

return the vehicle to a trained and qualified

Volvo service technician for correction.

Volvo recommends premium fuel for best per-

formance, but using 87 octane¹or above will

not affect engine reliability.

standing upwind away from the filler nozzle

while refueling

•

Demanding driving

refueling only at gas stations with vapor

recovery systems that fully seal the mouth

of the filler neck during refueling

•

In demanding driving conditions, such as oper-

ating the vehicle in hot weather, towing a trailer,

or driving for extended periods at higher alti-

tudes than normal, it may be advisable to

switch to higher octane fuel (91 or higher) or to

change gasoline brands to fully utilize your

engine's capacity, and for the smoothest pos-

sible operation.

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, thicken-

AKI (ANTI KNOCK INDEX) is an average of the Research Octane Number (RON) and the Motor Octane Number (MON), MON+RON/2.

146

06 Starting and driving

Fuel requirements

ness 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, pos-

sibly resulting in emission test failure for mis-

fueled vehicles.

use of the following "oxygenated" fuels; how-

ever, the octane ratings listed on this page

must still be met.

Deposit control gasoline (detergent

additives)

Volvo recommends the use of detergent gas-

oline to control engine deposits. Detergent

gasoline is effective in keeping injectors and

intake valves clean. Consistent use of deposit

control gasolines will help ensure good driva-

bility and fuel economy. If you are not sure

whether the gasoline contains deposit control

additives, check with the service station oper-

ator.

Alcohol – Ethanol: Fuels containing up to 10%

ethanol by volume may be used. Ethanol may

also be referred to as Ethyl alcohol, or "Gaso-

hol".

NOTE

Ethers – MTBE: Fuels containing up to 15%

MTBE may be used.

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 affec-

ted, and the Check Engine Light (malfunc-

tion indicator lamp) located on your instru-

ment panel may light. If this occurs, please

return your vehicle to a trained and qualified

Volvo service technician for maintenance.

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 sys-

tem. Such damage may not be covered under

the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

NOTE

Volvo does not recommend the use of

store-bought fuel injector cleaning addi-

tives.

Unleaded fuel

Fuel filler door

Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers

Each Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter

and must use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. and

Canadian regulations require that pumps deliv-

ering unleaded gasoline be labelled "UNLEA-

DED". Only these pumps have nozzles which

fit your vehicle's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dis-

pense leaded fuel into a vehicle labelled

"unleaded gasoline only". Leaded gasoline

damages the three-way catalytic converter and

the heated oxygen sensor system. Repeated

use of leaded gasoline will lessen the effective-

Press the button on the light switch panel (see

the illustration on page 66) with the ignition

switched off to unlock the fuel filler door.

Please note that the fuel filler door will remain

unlocked until the vehicle begins to move for-

ward. An audible click will be heard when the

fuel filler door relocks.

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 indi-

cating 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 sea-

sonal air quality standards, some areas require

the use of "oxygenated" fuel. Volvo allows the

If you intend to leave your vehicle while it is

being refueled, this feature enables you to lock

the doors/liftgate while leaving the fuel filler

door unlocked.

147

06 Starting and driving

Fuel requirements

under the New Vehicle Limited War-

ranty.

You can also keep the vehicle locked if you

remain inside it during refueling. The central

locking button does not lock the fuel filler door.

CAUTION

Do not refuel with the engine running².

Turn the ignition off or to position I. If the

ignition is on, an incorrect reading could

occur in the fuel gauge

•

Be sure the fuel filler door is not obstructed and

is completely closed after refueling. Open the

fuel filler cap slowly during hot weather.

After refueling, close the fuel filler cap

by turning it clockwise until it clicks into

place.

•

Refueling

The fuel tank is designed to accommodate

possible expansion of the fuel in hot weather,

see page 277 for fuel tank volume. Be aware

that the "usable" tank capacity will be some-

what less than the specified maximum. When

the fuel level is low, such factors as ambient

temperature, the fuel's "Reid vapor pressure"

characteristics, and terrain can affect the fuel

pump's ability to supply the engine with an

adequate supply of fuel. Therefore, it is advis-

able to refuel as soon as possible when the

needle nears the red zone, or when the fuel

warning light comes on.

Avoid overfilling the fuel tank. Do not

press the handle on the filler nozzle

more than one extra time. Too much fuel

in the tank in hot weather conditions can

cause the fuel to overflow. Overfilling

could also cause damage to the emis-

sion control systems.

Avoid spilling gasoline during refueling.

In addition to causing damage to the

environment, gasolines containing

alcohol can cause damage to painted

surfaces, which may not be covered

under the New Vehicle Limited War-

ranty.

•

Do not use gasolines containing meth-

anol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol).

This practice can result in vehicle per-

formance deterioration and can dam-

age critical parts in the fuel system.

Such damage may not be covered

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 lamp) may indicate a fault. However, your vehicle’s

performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo original or approved fuel filler caps.

148

Starting and driving -> Fuel requirements for Your Volvo C30 4 Door First Generation (2006-2013)

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