08 Starting and driving
drive in countries where it may be difficult
to obtain the correct fuel.
therefore advisable to check the state of
charge more frequently and spray an anti-
rust oil on the battery posts.
Driving in cold weather
Check your vehicle before the approach of
cold weather.
Consider your destination. If you will be
driving through an area where snow or ice
are likely to occur, consider snow
tires (p. 306).
•
Volvo recommends the use of snow tires
on all four wheels for winter driving, see
Snow tires/studded tires (p. 306).
•
•
The following advice is worth noting:
Make sure that the engine cool-
•
ant (p. 332) contains 50 percent anti-
freeze. Any other mixture will reduce
freeze protection. This gives protection
against freezing down to –31 °F (–35 °C).
The use of "recycled" antifreeze is not
approved by Volvo. Different types of
antifreeze must not be mixed.
To prevent the washer fluid (p. 345)reser-
voir from freezing, add washer solvents
containing antifreeze. This is important
since dirt is often splashed on the wind-
shield during winter driving, requiring the
frequent use of the washers and wipers.
Volvo Washer Solvent should be diluted
as follows: Down to 14 °F (–10 °C): 1 part
washer solvent and 4 parts water Down
to 5 °F (–15 °C): 1 part washer solvent
and 3 parts water Down to 0 °F (–18 °C):
1 part washer solvent and 2 parts water
Down to –18 °F (–28 °C): 1 part washer
solvent and 1 part water.
Related information
•
Changing a wheel – removing wheel
(p. 292)
Bulbs – introduction (p. 335)
•
Volvo recommends using only genuine
Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's radiator.
•
Try to keep the fuel tank well filled – this
•
helps prevent the formation of condensa-
tion in the tank. In addition, in extremely
cold weather conditions it is worthwhile
to add fuel line de-icer before refueling.
Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
•
•
The viscosity of the engine oil is impor-
•
Avoid using de-icing sprays as they can
cause damage to the locks.
tant. Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil)
improves cold-weather starting as well as
decreasing fuel consumption while the
engine is warming up. Full synthetic
0W-30 oil is recommended for driving in
areas with sustained low temperatures.
The load placed on the battery is greater
•
during the winter since the windshield
wipers, lighting, etc., are used more
often. Moreover, the capacity of the bat-
tery decreases as the temperature drops.
In very cold weather, a poorly charged
battery can freeze and be damaged. It is
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