Volvo V50 User Manual page 3

2006 Volvo V50
WARNING!
If your vehicle is involved in an accident, unseen damage may affect its driveability and
safety.
Introduction
WARNING!
CALIFORNIA proposition 65
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to the state of
California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
Volvo and the environment
Volvo is committed to the well being of its customers. As a natural part of this commitment, we care about the environment in
which we all live. Caring for the environment means an everyday involvement in reducing our environmental impact. Volvo's
environmental activities are based on a holistic view, which means we consider the overall environmental impact of a product
throughout its complete life cycle. In this context, design, production, product use, and recycling are all important
considerations. In production, Volvo has partly or completely phased out several chemicals including freons, lead chromates,
naphtanates, asbestos, mercury and cadmium; and reduced the amount of chemicals used in our plants 50% since 1991.
Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into production a three-way catalytic converter with a Lambda sond, now called the
heated oxygen sensor, in 1976. The current version of this highly efficient system reduces emissions of harmful substances (CO,
HC, NOx) from the exhaust pipe by approximately 95% and the search to eliminate the remaining emissions continues. Volvo is
the only automobile manufacturer to offer CFC-free retrofit kits for the air conditioning system of all models as far back as the
1975 model 240. Advanced electronic engine controls, refined purification systems and cleaner fuels are bringing us closer to
our goal. After Volvo cars and parts have fulfilled their use, recycling is the next critical step in completing the life cycle. The
metal content is about 75% of the total weight of a car, which makes the car among the most recycled industrial products. In
order to have efficient and well controlled recycling, many Volvo variants have printed dismantling manuals, indicating the
weight and material of individual components. For Volvo, all homogeneous plastic parts weighing more than 1.7 oz. (50 grams)
are marked with international symbols that indicate how the component is to be sorted for recycling. In addition to continuous
environmental refinement of conventional gasoline-powered internal combustion engines, Volvo is actively looking at advanced
technology alternative-fuel vehicles.
When you drive a Volvo, you become our partner in the work to lessen the car's impact on the environment. To reduce your
vehicle's environmental impact, you can:
Maintain proper air pressure in your tires. Tests have shown decreased fuel economy with improperly inflated tires.
Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your Warranty and Service Records Information booklet.
Drive at a constant speed whenever possible.
See an authorized Volvo retailer as soon as possible for inspection if the check engine (malfunction indicator) lamp
illuminates, or stays on after the vehicle has started.
Properly dispose of any vehicle-related waste such as used motor oil, used batteries, brake pads, etc.
Introduction
When cleaning your car, use Volvo's own car care products, all of which have systematically been adapted to the environment.
PremAir®
The surface of the radiator in the engine compartment is treated with a special coating called Premair
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*. This coating works as a