2010 Volvo S40 Owner's Manual - Page 162

06 Starting and driving Towing a trailer General information Trailer towing does not normally present any particular problems, but take into consideration: • More frequent vehicle maintenance is required. • Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches that are specially designed for the vehicle. • Remove the ball and drawbar assembly when the hitch is not being used. • Increase tire pressure to recommended full. See the chapter "Wheels and tires." CAUTION Models equipped with the B5244S7 engine (engine code 39, which is the 6th and 7th digits from the left in your vehicle's VIN number, see page 268 for the location of the VIN plate), may not be used to tow trailers or vehicles of any kind. This could cause damage to the vehicle's emission control systems. • Volvo recommends the use of synthetic engine oil when towing a trailer over long distances or in mountainous areas. • When your vehicle is new, avoid towing heavy trailers during the first 620 miles (1,000 km). • Maximum speed when towing a trailer: 50 mph (80 km/h). WARNING • • Engine and transmission are subject to increased loads. Therefore, engine coolant temperature should be closely watched when driving in hot climates or hilly terrain. Use a lower gear and turn off the air conditioner if the temperature gauge needle enters the red range. Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor should safety chains be attached to the bumper. Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle's rear axle must not be used. Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to the vehicle brake system, nor a trailer's lighting system directly to the vehicle lighting system. Consult your nearest trained and qualified Volvo service technician for correct installation. When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety wire must be correctly fastened to the hole or hook provided in the trailer hitch on the vehicle. The safety wire should never be fastened to or wound around the drawbar ball. • • Maximum trailer weights recommended by Volvo are: • Trailers without brakes: 1,540 lbs (700 kg). 06 • If the automatic transmission begins to overheat, a message will be displayed in the information display. • Trailers with brakes: 2,000 lbs (900 kg) Observe the legal requirements of the state/province in which the vehicles are registered. • Avoid overload and other abusive operation. • The maximum recommended hitch tongue load is 165 lbs (75 kg). • Hauling a trailer affects handling, durability, and economy. • • All Volvo models are equipped with energy-absorbing shock-mounted bumpers. Trailer hitch installation should not interfere with the proper operation of this bumper system. • It is necessary to balance trailer brakes with the towing vehicle brakes to provide a safe stop (check and observe state/local regulations). • Do not connect the trailer's brake system directly to the vehicle's brake system. 162