Content .. 8 9 10 11 ..

Volvo V50 (2012 year). Instruction - part 10

06 Starting and driving

BLIS* – Blind Spot Information System

176

Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

WARNING

BLIS does not work in sharp bends.

BLIS does not work when the car is revers-
ing.

A wide trailer coupled to the car can conceal
other vehicles in adjacent lanes. It can pre-
vent the vehicle in the screened area from
being detected by BLIS.

Daylight and darkness

In daylight the system reacts to the shape of
the surrounding vehicles. The system is
designed to detect motor vehicles such as
cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles.

In darkness the system reacts to the head-
lamps of surrounding vehicles. Vehicles with
headlamps that are switched off are not
detected by the system. This means for exam-
ple that the system does not react to a trailer
without headlamps which is towed behind a
car or truck.

WARNING

The system does not react to cyclists or
moped riders.

The BLIS cameras have limitations similar to
those of the human eye, i.e. they do not see
as well in e.g. heavy snowfall, strong
oncoming light or thick fog.

Activate/deactivate

Button for Off/On (button location depends on
other selected equipment).

BLIS is activated when the engine is started.
The indicator lamps in the door panels flash
three times when BLIS is activated.

The system can be deactivated/activated by
pressing the BLIS button.

When BLIS is deactivated the light in the button
goes out and a text message is shown on the
instrument panel display.

When BLIS is activated the light in the button
illuminates, a new text message is shown on
the display and the indicator lamps in the door
panels flash three times. Press the READ but-

ton to clear the text message. For more infor-
mation on messages, see page 56.

BLIS system message

Text on the dis-
play

Specification

BLIS ON

The BLIS system is
activated.

BLIS REDUCED
FUNCTION

Reduced function in
data transmission
between the BLIS
system's camera
and the car's electri-
cal system.

The camera resets
itself when the data
transmission
between the BLIS
system's camera
and the car's electri-
cal system returns to
normal.

BLIS CAMERA
BLOCKED

One or both cam-
eras blocked - clean
the lenses.

06 Starting and driving

BLIS* – Blind Spot Information System

Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

177

Text on the dis-
play

Specification

BLIS SERVICE
REQUIRED

Blind spot syst. dis-
engaged - contact a
workshop.

BLIS OFF

The BLIS system is
deactivated.

IMPORTANT

Repair of the BLIS system components
must only be performed by a workshop - an
authorised Volvo workshop is recom-
mended.

Cleaning

In order to work most effectively the BLIS cam-
era lenses must be clean. The lenses can be
cleaned with a soft cloth or damp sponge.
Clean the lenses carefully so that they are not
scratched.

IMPORTANT

The lenses are electrically heated to melt ice
or snow. If necessary, brush snow away
from the lenses.

Limitations

In some situations the BLIS indicator lamp may
illuminate despite there being no other vehicle
within the blind spot.

NOTE

If the BLIS indicator lamp illuminates on iso-
lated occasions despite there being no
other vehicle within the blind spot then this
does not mean that a fault has arisen in the
system.

In the event of a fault in the BLIS system the
display shows the text

BLIS SERVICE

REQUIRED

Here are several examples of situations where
the BLIS indicator lamp may illuminate even if
there is no other vehicle within the blind spot.

Reflection from shiny wet road surface.

G018177

Own shadow on large, light, smooth surface, e.g.
noise barrier or concrete road surface.

Low sun in the camera.

06 Starting and driving

Towing and recovery

178

Start assistance

Use a donor battery if the battery is discharged
and the engine does not start. Do not tow the
car to bump start the engine, see page 181.

IMPORTANT

Bump starting the car can damage the cat-
alytic converter.

Towing

Find out the statutory maximum speed limit for
towing before towing begins.

Turn the remote control key to position II
and unlock the steering lock so that the car
can be steered, see page 155.

The key must remain in the ignition switch
while the car is being towed.

Keep the towline taut when the towing
vehicle reduces speed by holding your foot
gently pressed on the brake pedal -
thereby avoiding unnecessary jerking.

Be prepared to brake to stop.

WARNING

•

The steering lock must be unlocked
before towing - the lock stays in the
position it was in when the voltage was
disconnected.

•

The remote control key must be in key
position II - in position I all airbags are
deactivated.

•

Never remove the key from the ignition
switch when the car is being towed.

NOTE

If the car is de-energised then the steering
lock must be unlocked using a donor bat-
tery before towing can be started.

WARNING

The brake servo and power steering do not
work when the engine is switched off. The
brake pedal must be pressed about five
times harder than normal, and the steering
will be considerably heavier than normal.

Manual gearbox

Prior to towing:

–

Move gear lever into neutral and release
the parking brake.

Automatic gearbox Geartronic

Prior to towing:

–

Move the gear selector to position N and
release the parking brake.

IMPORTANT

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

•

Cars with automatic gearbox must not
be towed at speeds above 80 km/h or
further than 80 km.

Automatic gearbox Powershift

The model with Powershift transmission
should not be towed as it is dependent on the
engine running in order to receive sufficient
lubrication. If towing still has to take place, the
route must be as short as possible and then
with very low speed.

In the event of uncertainty as to whether or not
the car is equipped with Powershift transmis-
sion, this can be verified by checking the des-
ignation on the decal number (5) under the
bonnet - see page 286. The designation
"MPS6" means that it is Powershift transmis-
sion - otherwise it is Geartronic transmission.

06 Starting and driving

Towing and recovery

179

IMPORTANT

Avoid towing.

•

However, the car can be towed for a
short distance at low speed to move it
from a dangerous position - not further
than 10 km and not faster than
10 km/h. Note that the car must always
be towed with the wheels rolling for-
ward.

•

In the event of moving a longer distance
than 10 km, the car must be transported
with the drive wheels raised from the
road - professional recovery is recom-
mended.

Prior to towing:

–

Move the gear selector to position N and
release the parking brake.

Towing eye

The towing eye is screwed into a threaded
socket behind a cover on the right-hand side
of the bumper, front or rear.

Fitting the towing eye

Take out the towing eye (1) that is located
under the floor hatch in the cargo area.

The cover for the towing eye's attachment
point is available in two variants which
must be opened in different ways:

•

Open the variant with a recess using a
coin or similar inserted in the recess,

turning it outwards. Then turn out the
cover completely and remove it.

•

The second variant has a marking along
one side or in a corner: Press the mark-
ing with a finger and fold out the oppo-
site side/corner at the same time using
a coin or similar - the cover turns around
its axis and can then be removed.

Screw the towing eye right in up to its
flange. Turn in the towing eye firmly e.g.
using the wheel wrench.

After use, unscrew the towing eye and
return it to its place.

Finish by refitting the cover onto the
bumper.

IMPORTANT

The towing eye is only designed for towing
on roads - not for pulling the car unstuck or
out of a ditch. Call a recovery service for
recovery assistance.

NOTE

On certain cars with fitted towbar the towing
eye cannot be secured in the rear mounting.
In which case, secure the tow rope in the
towbar.

For this reason it is advisable to store the
towbar's towball in the car, see page 184.

06 Starting and driving

Start assistance

181

Starting with a donor battery

If the battery is flat then the car can be started
with current from another battery.

When jump starting the car, the following steps
are recommended to avoid short circuits or
other damage:

Turn the remote control key to key position
0.

Check that the donor battery has a voltage
of 12 V.

If the donor battery is installed in another
car - switch off the donor car's engine and
make sure that the two cars do not touch
each other.

Connect one of the red jump lead's clamps
to the donor battery's positive terminal (1).

IMPORTANT

Connect the start cable carefully to avoid
short circuits with other components in the
engine compartment.

Connect the red jump lead's other clamp
onto the car's positive terminal (2).

Connect one of the black jump lead's
clamps to the donor battery's negative ter-
minal (3).

Fit the other clamp to a grounding point,
such as by the left-hand spring strut (4).

Check that the jump lead clamps are
affixed securely so that there are no sparks
during the starting procedure.

Start the engine of the "donor car" and
allow it to run a few minutes at a speed
slightly higher than idle approx. 1500 rpm.

10. Start the engine in the car with the dis-

charged battery.

IMPORTANT

Do not touch the crocodile clips during the
start procedure. There is a risk of sparks
forming.

11. Remove the jump leads in reverse order -

first the black and then the red.

> Make sure that none of the black jump

lead's clamps comes into contact with
the battery's positive terminal or the
clamp connected to the red jump lead.

WARNING

•

The battery can generate oxyhydrogen
gas, which is highly explosive. A spark
can be formed if a jump lead is con-
nected incorrectly, and this can be
enough for the battery to explode.

•

The battery contains sulphuric acid,
which can cause serious burns.

•

If sulphuric acid comes into contact
with eyes, skin or clothing, flush with
large quantities of water. If acid
splashes into the eyes - seek medical
attention immediately.

For more information on the car's battery - see
page 230.

06 Starting and driving

Driving with a trailer

182

General

Payload depends on the car's kerb weight. The
total of the weight of the passengers and all
accessories, e.g. towbar, reduces the car's
payload by a corresponding weight. For more
detailed information on weights, see
page 289.

If the towing bracket is fitted by an authorised
Volvo workshop, then the car is delivered with
the necessary equipment for driving with a
trailer.

•

The car's towing bracket must be of an
approved type.

•

If the towbar is retrofitted, check with a
Volvo dealer that the car is fully equipped
for driving with a trailer.

•

Distribute the load on the trailer so that the
weight on the towing bracket follows the
specified maximum towball load.

•

Increase the tyre pressure to the recom-
mended pressure for a full load. For tyre
pressure decal location, see page 198.

•

Clean the towing bracket regularly and
grease the towball

•

The engine is loaded more heavily than
usual when driving with a trailer.

•

Do not tow a heavy trailer when the car is
brand new. Please wait until it has been
driven at least 1000 km.

•

The brakes are loaded much more than
usual on long and steep downhill slopes.
Downshift to a lower gear and adjust your
speed.

•

Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines of
more than 12%.

•

For safety reasons, the maximum permit-
ted speed for the car when coupled with a
trailer should not be exceeded. Follow the
regulations in force for the permitted
speeds and weights.

•

Maintain a low speed when driving with a
trailer up long, steep ascents.

Trailer weights

For information on Volvo's permitted trailer
weights, see page 289.

NOTE

The stated maximum permitted trailer
weights are those permitted by Volvo.
National vehicle regulations can further limit
trailer weights and speeds. Towbars can be
certified for higher towing weights than the
car can actually tow.

WARNING

Follow the stated recommendations for
trailer weights. Otherwise, the car and trailer
may be difficult to control in the event of
sudden movement and braking.

Manual gearbox

Overheating

When driving with a trailer in hilly terrain in a hot
climate there may be a risk of overheating.

•

Do not run the engine at higher revolutions
than 4500 rpm (diesel engines: 3500 rpm)
- otherwise the oil temperature may
become too high.

Diesel engine 5-cyl

•

If an engine starts to run too hot, the instru-
ment panel will display a text message
which recommends switching to a lower
gear - follow the recommendation given.

•

In the event of a risk of overheating the
optimal speed for the engine is 2300-3000
rpm for optimum circulation of the coolant.

Do not lubricate the towball if using a stabiliser hitch.

06 Starting and driving

Driving with a trailer

183

Automatic gearbox

Overheating

When driving with a trailer in hilly terrain in a hot
climate there may be a risk of overheating.

•

An automatic gearbox selects the optimum
gear related to load and engine speed.

Steep inclines

•

Do not lock the automatic transmission in
a higher gear than the engine "can cope
with" - it is not always a good idea to drive
at a high gear with low engine revolutions.

IMPORTANT

See also the specific information on slow
driving with trailer for cars with the
Powershift automatic transmission on page
163.

Parking on a hill

Depress the foot brake.

Apply the parking brake.

Move the gear selector to parking position
P.

Release the foot brake.

•

Move the gear selector to park position P
when parking an automatic car with a

hitched trailer. Always use the parking
brake.

•

Block the wheels with chocks when park-
ing a car with hitched trailer on a hill.

Starting on a hill

Depress the foot brake.

Move the gear selector to driving posi-
tion D.

Release the parking brake.

Release the foot brake and start driving off.

06 Starting and driving

Towing equipment*

184

Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

Towbar

If the car is equipped with a detachable towbar,
the installation instructions for the loose sec-
tion must be followed carefully, see
page 186.

WARNING

If the car is fitted with a Volvo detachable
towbar:

•

Follow the installation instructions care-
fully.

•

The detachable section must be locked
with the key before setting off.

•

Check that the indicator window shows
green.

Important checks

•

The towbar's towball must be cleaned and
greased regularly.

NOTE

If a towball hitch with vibration damper is
used, it is not necessary to grease the tow-
ball.

Storing the towbar

G031

Towbar storage space.

IMPORTANT

Always remove the towbar after use and
store it in the appointed location in the car,
firmly fastened with its strap.

Trailer cable

G014589

An adapter is required if the car's towing
bracket has 13 pin electrics and the trailer has
7 pin electrics. Use an adapter cable approved
by Volvo. Make sure the cable does not drag
on the ground.

06 Starting and driving

Towing equipment*

Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

185

Specifications

G010393

G010387

G010388

Dimensions for mounting points (mm)

Fixed towbar standard

1115

964

482

141

542

150

113

100

140

Fixed towbar with Nivomat

1111

Detachable towbar standard

1115

Detachable towbar with Nivomat

1111

Side member

Ball centre

06 Starting and driving

Detachable towbar*

186

Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

Fitting the towbar

G017317

Remove the protective cover by first press-
ing in the catch

and then pulling the

cover straight back

G020301

Ensure that the mechanism is in the
unlocked position by turning the key clock-
wise.

G020302

Check that the indicator window (3) shows
red. If the window does not show red,
press in

and turn the locking wheel anti-

clockwise

until you hear a click.

06 Starting and driving

Detachable towbar*

Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

187

G020304

Insert the towbar until you hear a click.

G020306

Check that the indicator window shows
green.

G020307

Turn the key anticlockwise to locked posi-
tion. Remove the key from the lock.

G020309

Check that the towbar is secure by pulling
it up, down and back.

WARNING

If the towbar is not fitted correctly then it
must be detached and reattached in
accordance with the previous instructions.

IMPORTANT

Only grease in the ball for the towing hitch,
the remainder of the towbar should be clean
and dry.

06 Starting and driving

Detachable towbar*

188

Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

G020310

Safety cable.

WARNING

Be sure to attach the trailer's safety cable to
the correct place.

Removing the towbar

G020301

Insert the key and turn it clockwise to the
unlocked position.

G020312

Push in the locking wheel

and turn it

anticlockwise

until you hear a click.

06 Starting and driving

Detachable towbar*

Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

189

G020314

Turn the locking wheel down fully, until it
comes to a stop. Hold it in this position
while pulling the towbar rearward and
upward.

WARNING

Secure the towbar safely if it is stored in the
car, see page 184.

G017318

Push on the protective cover.

06 Starting and driving

Loading

190

Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

General

Payload depends on the car's kerb weight. The
total of the weight of the passengers and all
accessories reduces the car's payload by a
corresponding weight. For more detailed infor-
mation on weights, see page 289.

WARNING

The car's driving characteristics change
depending on how heavily it is loaded and
how the load is distributed.

Loading the cargo area

Stop the engine and apply the parking brake
when loading or unloading long objects. The
gear lever or gear selector can be knocked out
of position by long loads, which could set the
car in motion.

To increase the size of the cargo area, the head
restraints can be removed and the seats folded
down, see page 118.

Place the load firmly against the backrest in
front.

•

The head rests can be removed so that
they are not damaged.

•

Put wide loads in the centre.

•

Heavy objects should be placed as low as
possible. Avoid placing heavy loads on a
lowered backrest.

•

Cover sharp edges with something soft to
avoid damaging the upholstery or the glass
surface of the tailgate.

•

Secure all loads to the load retaining eye-
lets with straps or web lashings.

WARNING

A loose object weighing 20 kg can, in a
frontal collision at a speed of 50 km/h, carry
the impact of an item weighing 1000 kg.

WARNING

Never load cargo above the backrest.

The protection provided by the inflatable
curtain in the headlining may be compro-
mised or eliminated by high loads.

Always secure the load. During heavy brak-
ing the load may otherwise shift, causing
injury to the car's occupants.

Load carriers*

To avoid damaging the car and for maximum
possible safety while driving, it is recom-
mended to use load carriers specially designed
for your car by Volvo.

Carefully follow the mounting instructions sup-
plied with the carriers.

•

Check periodically that the load carriers
and load are properly secured. Lash the
load securely with retaining straps.

•

Distribute the load evenly over the load
carriers. Put the heaviest objects at the
bottom.

•

The size of the area exposed to the wind,
and therefore fuel consumption, increase
with the load's size.

•

Drive gently. Avoid quick acceleration,
heavy braking and hard cornering.

WARNING

The car's centre of gravity and driving cha-
racteristics are altered by roof loads.

06 Starting and driving

Adjusting headlamp pattern

191

Correct light pattern for left or right-
hand traffic

G020317

Headlamp pattern for left-hand traffic.

Headlamp pattern for right-hand traffic.

The headlamp pattern can be adjusted using a
control in each headlamp housing to avoid
dazzling oncoming motorists.

The correct pattern will also better illuminate
the verge.

Halogen headlamps

G021421

Left-hand traffic.

Right-hand traffic.

Headlamps with Active Bending Lights

G021422

Left-hand traffic.

Right-hand traffic.

WARNING

On cars with Xenon headlamps, the
replacement of Xenon lamps must be car-
ried out at a workshop - an authorised Volvo
workshop is recommended. Working with
Xenon lamps demands extreme caution
because the headlamp is equipped with a
high voltage unit.

07 Wheels and tyres

General

194

Driving characteristics and tyres

The tyres greatly affect the car's driving cha-
racteristics. The type of tyre, dimensions, tyre
pressure and speed rating are important for
how the car performs.

When changing tyres, ensure that tyres of the
same type and dimensions, and preferably also
the same make, are fitted to all four wheels.
Follow the recommended tyre pressures
specified on the tyre pressure label, see
page 198.

Designation of dimensions

The dimensions are stated on all car tyres.
Example: 205/55R16 91 W.

205

Tyre width (mm)

Ratio between tyre wall height and
tyre width (%)

Radial ply

Rim diameter in inches (")

Tyre load index (in this case 615 kg)

Speed rating for maximum permitted
speed (in this case 270 km/h).

Speed ratings

The car is approved as a whole, which means
that dimensions and speed ratings must not
differ from those specified on the vehicle reg-
istration document. The only exception to
these conditions is winter tyres (both those
with metal studs and those without). 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).

Remember that traffic regulations determine
how fast a car can be driven, not the speed
class of the tyres.

Note! Maximum permitted speeds indicated.

160 km/h (used only on winter tyres)

190 km/h

210 km/h

240 km/h

270 km/h

300 km/h

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.

Tyre age

All tyres older than six years should be checked
by an expert even if they seem undamaged.

Content .. 8 9 10 11 ..