Get Wheels and tyres -> General Guide for Volvo V60 SUV First Generation (2010-2017)

08 Wheels and tyres

General

310

Driving characteristics

Tyres greatly affect the car's driving characte-

ristics. The type of tyre, dimensions, tyre pres-

sure and speed rating are important for how the

car performs.

Direction of rotation

G021778

The arrow shows the tyre's direction of rotation.

Tyres with a tread pattern which are designed

to only turn in one direction have the direction

of rotation marked with an arrow. The tyre must

always rotate in the same direction throughout

its lifespan. Tyres should only be switched

between front and rear positions, never

between left and right-hand sides, or vice

versa. If the tyres are fitted incorrectly, the car's

braking characteristics and capacity to force

rain and slush out of the way are adversely

affected.

Tyres with the greatest tread depth should

always be fitted to the rear of the car (to

decrease the risk of skidding).

NOTE

Ensure that tyres of the same type and

dimensions, and also the same make, are

fitted to all four wheels.

Follow the recommended tyre pressures

specified in the tyre pressure table, see

page 388.

Tyre care

Tyre age

All tyres older than 6 years old should be

checked by an expert even if they seem

undamaged. Tyres age and decompose, even

if they are hardly ever or never used. The func-

tion can therefore be affected. This applies to

all tyres that are stored for future use. Exam-

ples of external signs which indicate that the

tyre is unsuitable for use are cracks or discol-

oration.

New tyres

Tyres are perishable. After a few years they

begin to harden at the same time as the friction

capacity/characteristics gradually deteriorate.

For this reason, aim to get as fresh tyres as

possible when you replace them. This is espe-

cially important with regard to winter tyres. The

last four digits in the sequence mean the week

and year of manufacture. This is the tyre's

DOT marking (Department of Transportation),

and this is stated with four digits, for example

1510. The tyre in the illustration was manufac-

tured in week 15 of 2010.

Summer and winter tyres

When summer and winter wheels are changed

the wheels should be marked with which side

of the car they were mounted on, for example

L for left and R for right.

08 Wheels and tyres

General

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

311

Wear and maintenance

The correct tyre pressure results in more even

wear, see page 317. Driving style, tyre pres-

sure, climate and road condition affect how

quickly your tyres age and wear. To avoid dif-

ferences in tread depth and to prevent wear

patterns arising, the front and rear wheels can

be switched with each other. A suitable dis-

tance for the first change is approx. 5000 km

and then at 10 000 km intervals. Volvo recom-

mends that you contact an authorised Volvo

workshop for checking if you are uncertain

about tread depth. If significant differences in

wear (>1 mm difference in tread depth)

between tyres have already occurred, the least

worn tyres must always be placed on the rear.

Understeer is normally easier to correct than

oversteer, and leads to the car continuing for-

wards in a straight line rather than having the

rear end skidding to one side, resulting in pos-

sible complete loss of control over the car. This

is why it is important for the rear wheels never

to lose grip before the front wheels.

Wheels should be stored lying down or hanging

up - and not standing up.

WARNING

A damaged tyre can lead to loss of control

of the car.

Tyres with tread wear indicators

G021829

Tread wear indicators.

Tread wear indicators are narrow treadless

bands across the width of the tread. On the

side of the tyre are the letters TWI (Tread Wear

Indicator). When the tyre's tread depth is down

to 1.6 mm, the tread depth will be level in height

with the tread wear indicators. Change to new

tyres as soon as possible. Remember that

tyres with little tread depth provide very poor

grip in rain and snow.

Rims and wheel bolts

IMPORTANT

The wheel bolts must be tightened to

140 Nm. Overtightening can damage the

nuts and the bolts.

Only use rims that are tested and approved by

Volvo and which are Volvo genuine accesso-

ries. Check the torque with a torque wrench.

Locking wheel bolts*

Locking wheel bolts* can be used on both alu-

minium and steel rims. Under the cargo area

floor there is space for the sleeve for the lock-

able wheel bolts.

Tools

Located under the cargo area floor are the

car's towing eye, jack* and wheel wrench*.

There is also space for the sleeve for the lock-

able wheel bolts.

08 Wheels and tyres

General

312

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

Jack*

The original jack should only be used for

changing to the spare wheel. The jack's thread

must always be well greased.

Tools - returning into place

G029336

The tools and jack* must be returned to their

correct places after use. The jack needs to be

cranked together to the correct position in

order to have space.

IMPORTANT

The tools and jack* must be stored in the

intended location in the car's cargo area

when not in use.

Winter tyres

Volvo recommends winter tyres with particular

dimensions. Tyre dimensions are dependent

on engine variant. When driving on winter tyres,

the correct type of tyres must be fitted to all

four wheels.

NOTE

Volvo recommends that you consult a Volvo

dealer about which wheel rim and tyre types

are most suitable.

Studded tyres

Studded winter tyres should be run in gently for

500-1000 km so the studs settle properly into

the tyres. This gives the tyre, and especially the

studs, a longer service life.

NOTE

The legal provisions for the use of studded

tyres vary from country to country.

Tread depth

Road conditions with ice, slush and low tem-

peratures place considerably higher demands

on tyres than summer conditions. Volvo there-

fore recommends not to drive on winter tyres

that have a tread depth of less than 4 millime-

tres.

Using snow chains

Snow chains may only be used on the front

wheels (also applies to all-wheel drive cars).

Never drive faster than 50 km/h with snow

chains. Avoid driving on bare ground as this

wears out both the snow chains and tyres.

WARNING

Use Volvo genuine snow chains or equiva-

lent chains designed for the car model, and

tyre and rim dimensions. In the event of

uncertainty Volvo recommends that you

consult an authorised Volvo workshop. The

wrong snow chains may cause serious

damage to your car and lead to an accident.

Specifications

The car has whole vehicle approval. This

means that certain combinations of wheels and

tyres are approved. For the permissible com-

binations, see page 388

Wheel (rim) dimensions

Wheels (rims) have a designation of dimen-

sions, for example: 7Jx16x50.

7 Rim width in inches

J Rim flange profile

08 Wheels and tyres

General

313

16 Rim diameter in

inches

50 Off-set in mm (dis-

tance from wheel

centre to wheel con-

tact surface against

the hub)

Tyre dimensions

The dimensions are stated on all car tyres.

Example of designation: 215/55R16 97W.

215 Tyre width (mm)

55 Ratio between tyre wall height and

tyre width (%)

R Radial ply

16 Rim diameter in inches (")

97 Codes for the maximum permitted

tyre load, tyre load index (LI)

W Speed rating for maximum permitted

speed, speed rating (SS). (In this case

270 km/h).

Load index

Each tyre has a certain capacity to carry a load,

a load index (LI). The car's weight determines

the load capacity required of the tyres. Mini-

mum permitted index is specified in the table,

see page 388.

Speed ratings

Each tyre can withstand a certain maximum

speed, a speed rating (Speed Symbol; SS).

Tyre speed class must at least correspond with

the car's top speed. Minimum permitted speed

rating is specified in the table, see page 388.

The only exception to these conditions is win-

ter tyres (both those with metal studs and those

without), where a lower speed rating may be

used. If such a tyre is chosen, the car must not

be driven faster than the speed rating of the

tyre (for example, class Q can be driven at a

maximum of 160 km/h).

Traffic regulations determine how fast a car

can be driven, not the speed rating of the tyres.

NOTE

It is the maximum permitted speed that is

stated in the table.

Q 160 km/h (used only on winter tyres)

T 190 km/h

H 210 km/h

V 240 km/h

W 270 km/h

Y 300 km/h

WARNING

The car must be fitted with tyres which have

the same or a higher load index (LI) and

speed rating (SS) than specified. If a tyre

with too low a load index or speed rating is

used, it may overheat.

Wheels and tyres -> General for Your Volvo V60 SUV First Generation (2010-2017)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals