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STARTING AND DRIVING
286
Driving in cold weather
Check your vehicle before the approach of cold
weather.
The following advice is worth noting:
•
Make sure that the engine coolant (p. 342)
contains 50 percent antifreeze. Any other
mixture will reduce freeze protection. This
gives protection against freezing down to
–31 °F (–35 °C). The use of "recycled" anti-
freeze is not approved by Volvo. Different
types of antifreeze must not be mixed.
•
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 condensation
in the tank. In addition, in extremely cold
weather conditions it is worthwhile to add
fuel line de-icer before refueling.
•
The viscosity of the engine oil is important.
Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves
cold-weather starting as well as decreasing
fuel consumption while the engine is warm-
ing up. Full synthetic 0W-30 oil is recom-
mended for driving in areas with sustained
low temperatures.
•
The load placed on the battery is greater dur-
ing the winter since the windshield wipers,
lighting, etc., are used more often. Moreover,
the capacity of the battery decreases as the
temperature drops. In very cold weather, a
poorly charged battery can freeze and be
damaged. It is therefore advisable to check
the state of charge more frequently and
spray an anti-rust oil on the battery posts.
•
Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on
all four wheels for winter driving, see Snow
tires/studded tires (p. 316).
•
To prevent the washer fluid (p. 354)reservoir
from freezing, add washer solvents contain-
ing antifreeze. This is important since dirt is
often splashed on the windshield during win-
ter 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.
•
Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
•
Avoid using de-icing sprays as they can
cause damage to the locks.
Refueling – fuel requirements
Volvo recommends the use of detergent gaso-
line to control engine deposits.
Deposit control gasoline (detergent
additives)
Detergent gasoline is effective in keeping injec-
tors and intake valves clean. Consistent use of
deposit control gasolines will help ensure good
drivability and fuel economy. If you are not sure
whether the gasoline contains deposit control
additives, check with the service station operator.
NOTE
Volvo does not recommend the use of exter-
nal fuel injector cleaning systems.
Unleaded fuel
Each Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter
and must use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. and
Canadian regulations require that pumps deliver-
ing unleaded gasoline be labeled "UNLEADED".
Only these pumps have nozzles which fit your
vehicle's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dispense lea-
ded fuel into a vehicle labeled "unleaded gaso-
line only". Leaded gasoline damages the three-
way catalytic converter and the heated oxygen
sensor system. Repeated use of leaded gasoline
will lessen the effectiveness of the emission con-
trol system (p. 290) and could result in loss of
emission warranty coverage. State and local vehi-
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