Volvo V70 Owner's Manual page 81

Loading
General
Load capacity depends on the car's total kerb
weight, including any accessories that are
mounted. Kerb weight includes the driver, the
weight of the fuel tank when filled to 90% and
various fluids, such as washer fluid and
coolant. Mounted accessories, i.e. towbar, load
carrier, roof box, etc., are included in the kerb
weight.
The load capacity of the car is reduced by the
number of passengers and their weight.
WARNING!
The driving characteristics of the car
change based on its kerb weight and
how heavily it is loaded.
Loading in the cargo area
Seat belts and airbags afford the driver and
front seat passenger excellent protection,
especially in a frontal collision. You must also
think of protecting yourself from behind. When
loading cargo you should bear in mind that
objects in the cargo area, if they are not
properly anchored and correctly positioned, can
be thrown forward at great speed and conside-
rable force in a collision or during heavy
braking and cause serious injury.
Remember that in a frontal collision at
50 km/h (31 mph) an object weighing 20 kg
corresponds to a collision weight of 1 000 kg.
8 0
Bear the following in mind when
loading cargo:
· Place the load close up against the backrest.
· Place heavy objects as low down as
possible.
· Place wide objects on either side of the
backrest split.
· Secure the load using suitable straps
attached to the cargo lashing eyes.
· Never load above the level of the backrest
without using a cargo net.
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WARNING!
· Do not position heavy items right up against
the front seats. The forward-folded backrest
will then be pressed down unnecessarily
hard. Never load above the level of the
backrests. If you do, the cargo could be
thrown forward during heavy braking or in
a collision and seriously injure you or your
passengers. Also remember to secure the
cargo properly to prevent it moving about.
· When the rear seat backrest is folded down,
do not load objects higher than 50 mm from
the top edge of the rear passenger door
window. Otherwise, the protection offered
by the inflatable curtain hidden inside the
headlining will be compromised.
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