Economical Driving - Volvo V70R Owner's Manual

Starting and driving
General

Economical driving

Economical driving results from driving gently
with anticipation and adapting your driving
style and speed to the situation.
Keep in mind the following:
• Drive the engine to operating temperature
as soon as possible! That is to say: do not
let the engine idle, but drive with a light
load as soon as you can.
• A cold engine consumes more fuel than a
warm one.
• Avoid driving short distances where the
engine never has time to reach operating
temperature.
• Drive gently! Avoid unnecessary quick
accelerations and heavy braking.
• Do not drive with unnecessary, heavy
loads in the car.
• Do not use winter tyres when the roads
are clear and dry.
• Remove the load carrier when it is not in
use.
• Do not open side windows unnecessarily.
Do not drive with the tailgate
open
If you drive with the tailgate open, some of the
exhaust gases and poisonous carbon monox-
ide could be sucked into the car through the
112
cargo area. If you must drive a short distance
with the tailgate open, proceed as follows:
– Close all windows.
– Distribute the air between the windscreen
and floor while running the fan at high
speed.
Your new car – slippery road
surfaces
Driving on a slippery road may feel different
depending on whether you choose a car with
a manual or an automatic gearbox. Practice
skid driving under controlled conditions so
that you know how your new car reacts.
Do not overload the battery
The electrical functions in the car load the
battery to varying degrees. Avoid having the
ignition key in position II when the engine is
turned off. Use position I instead, as less
power is used. The 12 volt outlet in the cargo
area supplies power even when the ignition
key is removed.
Examples of functions that use a lot of power:
• ventilation fan
• windscreen wipers
• audio system
• parking lights
Also take note of different accessories that
load the electrical system. Do not use func-
tions that consume a lot of current when the
engine is switched off. A text is shown in the
display in the combined instrument panel if
battery voltage is low. The message in the
display remains until the engine has started.
The energy economy function shuts down
certain functions or reduces the load on the
battery, e.g. by lowering ventilation fan speed
and switching off the audio system.
Charge the battery by starting the engine.