Volvo XC90 owner manual Weight distribution affects handling, Handling, roadholding

06 Starting and driving

Fuel requirements

06

136

WARNING

Driving with the tailgate open: Driving with the tailgate open could lead to poisonous exhaust gases entering the passenger com- partment.

•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 win- dows and 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 "Tire pressure" section.

Loads should be distributed so that capacity weight or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded.

Conserving electrical current

Keep the following in mind to help minimize battery drain:

•When the engine is not running, avoid turn- ing the ignition key to position II (see page 141). Many electrical systems (the audio system, the optional infotainment/ navigation systems, power windows, etc) will function with the ignition key in position I. This position reduces drain on the bat- tery.

•Please keep in mind that using systems, accessories, etc that consume a great deal of current when the engine is not running could result in the battery being completely drained. Driving or having the engine run- ning for approximately 15 minutes will help keep the battery charged.

NOTE

A warning message will be displayed in the text window in the instrument panel when the battery charge is low.