Driving With A Trailer - Volvo XC90 TWIN ENGINE Owner's Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING

Driving with a trailer

When driving with a trailer, there are a number of
points that are important to think about regar-
ding the towing bracket, the trailer and how the
load is positioned in the trailer.
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 pay-
load by a corresponding weight.
The car is supplied with the necessary equipment
for towing a trailer.
•
The car's towing bracket must be of an
approved type.
•
Distribute the load on the trailer so that the
weight on the towing bracket complies with
the specified maximum towball load. Towball
load is calculated as part of the car's payload.
•
Increase the tyre pressure to the recom-
mended pressure for a full load. For more
information on tyre pressure, see the section
"Approved tyre pressures".
•
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. 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.
438
•
Follow the regulations in force for the permit-
ted speeds and weights.
•
Maintain a low speed when driving with a
trailer up long, steep ascents.
•
The maximum trailer weights given only apply
to altitudes up to 1000 metres above sea
level. At higher altitudes, engine power and
thus the car's climbing ability is decreased
due to the reduced air density, and the maxi-
mum trailer weight must therefore be
reduced. The weight of the car and trailer
must be decreased by 10% for each addi-
tional 1000 m (or part thereof).
•
Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines of more
than 12%.
NOTE
Extreme weather conditions, driving with a
trailer or driving at high altitudes in combina-
tion with fuel quality are factors that could
affect the car's fuel consumption.
Trailer connector
An adapter is required if the car's towing bracket
has a 13 pin connector and the trailer has a 7 pin
connector. Use an adapter approved by Volvo.
Make sure the cable does not drag on the
ground.
IMPORTANT
When the engine is switched off, the constant
battery voltage to the trailer connector can be
switched off automatically so as not to drain
the starter battery.
Trailer weights
Information about Volvo's permitted trailer
weights is available in the article "Towing
capacity and towball load".
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.
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.
Direction indicators and brake lights on
the trailer
If one or more of the trailer lamps is broken, the
driver display shows a symbol and a message.