Volvo V 90 Cross Country, Owner'S Manual, Page: 229 / 594

LOADING AND STORAGE
}}
227
Loading
There are a number of things to remember when
loading the car.
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 cor-
responding weight.
WARNING
The car’s driving properties change depend-
ing on the weight and positioning of the load.
Recommendations for loading in the
cargo area
•
Position the load firmly against the rear
seat's backrest.
•
Centre the load.
•
Heavy objects should be placed as low as
possible. Avoid placing heavy loads on low-
ered backrests.
•
Cover sharp edges with something soft to
avoid damaging the upholstery.
•
Secure all loads to the load retaining eyelets
with straps or web lashings.
WARNING
A loose object weighing 20 kg can, in a
frontal collision at a speed of 50 km/h
(30 mph) carry the impact of an item weigh-
ing 1000 kg.
WARNING
The protection provided by the inflatable cur-
tain in the headlining may be compromised or
eliminated by high loads.
•
Never load cargo above the backrest.
WARNING
Always secure the load. During heavy braking
the load may otherwise shift, causing injury to
the car's occupants.
Cover sharp edges and sharp corners with
something soft.
Switch off the engine and apply the parking
brake when loading/unloading long items.
Otherwise you may accidentally knock the
gear lever or gear selector with the load into a
drive position - and the car could then move
off.
Increasing the space in the cargo area
To expand the cargo area and simplify loading,
the rear seat's backrest can be lowered. Note
that objects must not prevent the function of the
WHIPS system for the front seats if any of the
rear seat's backrests is folded down.
A through-load hatch in the rear seat can be
folded down for carrying long and narrow loads.
Recommendations for roof loads
For loading on the car's roof, the load carriers
1
that Volvo have developed are recommended.
This is in order to avoid damage to the car and in
order to achieve the maximum possible safety
during a journey.
Carefully follow the installation 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 carri-
ers. Put the heaviest objects at the bottom.
•
The size of the area exposed to the wind, and
therefore fuel consumption, increase with the
size of the load.
•
Drive gently. Avoid quick acceleration, heavy
braking and hard cornering.
1 Volvo's load carriers are available for purchase at authorised Volvo dealers.