Volvo XC90 Owner's Manual page 172

More even wear and maintenance
The correct tyre pressure results in more even
wear, see page 174. Driving style, tyre pres-
sure, climate and road condition affect how
quickly your tyres age and wear. To avoid dif-
ferences in tread depth and to prevent wear
patterns arising, the front and rear wheels can
be switched with each other. A suitable dis-
tance for the first change is approx. 5,000 km
and then at 10,000 km intervals. Volvo recom-
mends that you contact an authorised Volvo
workshop for checking if you are uncertain
about tread depth.
Wheels should be stored lying down or hanging
up, and not standing up.
Tyres with tread wear indicators
Tread wear indicators are narrow treadless
bands across the width of the tread. On the
side of the tyre are the letters TWI (Tread Wear
Indicator). When the tyre's tread depth is down
to 1.6 mm, the tread depth will be level in height
with the tread wear indicators. Change to new
tyres as soon as possible. Remember that
tyres with little tread depth provide very poor
grip in rain and snow.
Winter tyres
Volvo recommends winter tyres with specific
winter tyre dimensions. Tyre dimensions are
dependent on engine variant. When driving on
winter tyres, they must be fitted to all four
wheels.
NOTE
Ask a Volvo dealer which rim and tyre types
are most suitable.
Studded tyres
Studded winter tyres should be run in gently for
500 – 1,000 km so the studs settle properly into
the tyre. This gives the tyre, and especially the
studs, a longer service life.
07 Wheels and tyres
NOTE
The legal provisions for the use of studded
tyres vary from country to country.
Tread depth
Road conditions with ice, slush and low tem-
peratures place considerably higher demands
on tyres than summer conditions. It is therefore
recommended not to drive on winter tyres that
have a tread depth of less than four millimetres.
Snow chains
Snow chains may only be used on the front
wheels. This also applies to all-wheel-drive
cars.
Never drive faster than 50 km/h with snow
chains. Avoid driving on bare ground as this
wears out both the snow chains and tyres.
Never use quick-fit snow chains as the space
between the brake discs and the wheels is too
small.
IMPORTANT
Use Volvo genuine snow chains or equiva-
lent chains designed specifically for the car
model, and tyre and wheel rim dimensions.
In the event of uncertainty Volvo recom-
mends that you consult an authorised Volvo
workshop.
General
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