Volvo S80 Owner's Manual page 268

08 Starting and driving
||
•
Using the engine's optional Eco func-
tion 14 can help improve fuel economy. For
additional information, see ECO* (p. 248).
•
Do not exceed posted speed limits.
•
Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra
load) in the vehicle.
•
Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire
pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
•
Remove snow tires when threat of snow
or ice has ended.
•
Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc,
increase air resistance and also fuel con-
sumption.
•
At highway driving speeds, fuel consump-
tion will be lower with the air conditioning
on and the windows closed than with the
air conditioning off and the windows
open.
•
Using the onboard trip computer's fuel
consumption modes can help you learn
how to drive more economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage
are:
•
Dirty air cleaner
•
Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
•
Dragging brakes
•
Incorrect front end alignment
08
Available on certain 4-cyl. engines
14
*
266
Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Some of the above mentioned items and oth-
ers are checked at the standard maintenance
intervals.
WARNING
Driving with the trunk open: Driving with
the trunk open could lead to poisonous
exhaust gases entering the passenger
compartment. If the trunk must be kept
open for any reason, proceed as follows:
•
Close the windows
•
Set the ventilation system control to air
flow to floor, windshield and side win-
dows and the blower control to its
highest setting.
Handling and roadholding
At the specified curb weight your vehicle has
a tendency to understeer, which means that
the steering wheel has to be turned more
than might seem appropriate for the curva-
ture of a bend. This ensures good stability
and reduces the risk of rear wheel skid.
Remember that these properties can alter
with the vehicle load. The heavier the load in
the trunk, the less the tendency to under-
steer.
•
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation
pressure all affect vehicle handling.
Therefore, check that the tires are inflated
to the recommended pressure according
to the vehicle load. Loads should be dis-
tributed so that capacity weight or maxi-
mum permissible axle loads are not
exceeded.
•
At the specified curb weight your vehicle
has a tendency to understeer, which
means that the steering wheel has to be
turned more than might seem appropriate
for the curvature of a bend. This ensures
good stability and reduces the risk of rear
wheel skid. Remember that these proper-
ties can alter with the vehicle load. The
heavier the load in the trunk, the less the
tendency to understeer.
Related information
•
Climate – general information (p. 118)