2008 Volvo V70 Owner's Manual - Page 180

Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended. Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc, increase air resistance and also fuel consumption. At highway driving speeds, fuel consumption 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 Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard maintenance intervals. WARNING Driving with the tailgate open: Driving with the tailgate open could lead to poisonous exhaust gases entering the passenger compartment. If the tailgate 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 windows and the blower control to its highest setting. Weight distribution affects handling 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 properties can alter with the vehicle load. The heavier the load in the cargo area, the less the tendency to understeer. Handling, roadholding 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. See the "Tire pressure" section. Loads should be distributed so that capacity weight 193 05 During your trip Driving recommendations or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded. Driving through water The vehicle can be driven through water up to a depth of approximately 9 in. (25 cm), at a maximum speed of 6 mph (10 km/h). Take particular care when driving through flowing water. Clean the electrical connections for trailer wiring after driving in mud or water. When driving through water, maintain low speed and do not stop in the water. WARNING After driving through water, press lightly on the brake pedal to ensure that the brakes are functioning normally.