Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts and stops and
adjusting the speed of your vehicle to immediate traffic conditions. Observe the following rules:
Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by driving with a light foot
on the accelerator pedal for the first few minutes of operation. A cold engine uses more fuel and is
subject to increased wear.
Whenever possible, avoid using the car for driving short distances. This does not allow the engine
to reach normal operating temperature.
Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
Do not exceed posted speed limits.
Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the car.
Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc., increase air resistance and also fuel consumption.
Avoid using automatic transmission kickdown feature unless necessary.
Avoid using the air conditioning when it is not required. When engaged, the A/C compressor
places an additional load on the engine. However, at higher driving speeds, fuel consumption will be
lower with the air conditioning on and the windows closed than with the air conditioning off and the
windows open.
Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you learn how to drive more
economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:
Dirty air cleaner
Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
Dragging brakes
Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard Maintenance Service
intervals.
NOTE
: Vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions should use (D)rive as often as possible and
avoid using "kickdown" to help improve fuel economy.
Cooling system
The risk for engine overheating is greatest, especially in hot weather, when:
Towing a trailer up steep inclines for prolonged periods at wide open throttle and low engine rpm.
Stopping the engine suddenly after high speed driving (so-called "after-boiling" can occur).
To avoid overheating, the following rules should be followed:
Do not drive for prolonged periods at engine speeds above 4500 rpm if you are towing a trailer in
hilly terrain.
Reduce speed when towing a trailer up long, steep inclines. The risk of overheating can be
reduced by switching off the air conditioning system for a short time.
Do not let the engine idle unnecessarily for prolonged periods.
Do not mount auxiliary lamps in front of the grill.
When the risk of overheating is imminent, or in the event of overheating (the temperature gauge goes
repeatedly into, or stays continually in, the red section), the following precautions should be taken:
Switch off the air conditioning system.
Pull off the road, away from traffic, stop the car and put the gear selector into Park.
Do not stop
the engine!
Switch the heater to full (maximum) position. Increase the engine speed to approx. 2000 rpm
(twice idling speed) until the temperature begins to drop.
Page 10 of 11
2003 Volvo S80
8/10/2005
http://apps.volvocars.us/ownersdocs/2003/2003_S80/03s80_06a.htm
