Volvo V70 Owner's Manual page 345

Tread depth
Road conditions with ice, slush and low tem-
peratures place considerably higher demands
on tyres than summer conditions. Volvo
therefore recommends not to drive on winter
tyres that have a tread depth of less than
4 millimetres.
Using snow chains
Snow chains may only be used on the front
wheels (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.
WARNING
Use Volvo genuine snow chains or equiva-
lent chains designed for the car model,
and tyre and rim dimensions. In the event
of uncertainty Volvo recommends that you
consult an authorised Volvo workshop.
The wrong snow chains may cause serious
damage to your car and lead to an acci-
dent.
Specifications
The car has whole vehicle approval. This
means that certain combinations of wheels
and tyres are approved. For the permissible
combinations, see page 417
Wheel (rim) dimensions
Wheels (rims) have a designation of dimen-
sions, for example: 7Jx16x50.
7 Rim width in inches
J Rim flange profile
16 Rim diameter in inches
50 Off-set in mm (distance from wheel
centre to wheel contact surface
against the hub)
Tyre dimensions
The dimensions are stated on all car tyres.
Example of designation:
225/50R17 98W.
225 Tyre width (mm)
50 Ratio between tyre wall height and
tyre width (%)
R Radial ply
17 Rim diameter in inches (")
08 Wheels and tyres
98 Codes for the maximum permitted
tyre load, tyre load index (LI)
W Speed rating for maximum permitted
speed, speed rating (SS). (In this
case 270 km/h).
Load index
Each tyre has a certain capacity to carry a
load, a load index (LI). The car's weight deter-
mines the load capacity required of the tyres.
Minimum permitted index is specified in the
table, see page 417.
Speed ratings
Each tyre can withstand a certain maximum
speed, a speed rating (Speed Symbol; SS).
Tyre speed class must at least correspond
with the car's top speed. Minimum permitted
speed rating is specified in the table, see
page 417.
The only exception to these conditions is win-
ter tyres (both those with metal studs and
those without), where a lower speed rating
may be used. If such a tyre is chosen, the car
must not be driven faster than the speed rat-
ing of the tyre (for example, class Q can be
driven at a maximum of 160 km/h).
General
08
343