Volvo XC90 Owners Manual.pdf - ESD - Volvo

06 Starting and drivingDriving with a trailerGeneralThe load capacity is affected by extra accessoriesmounted on the car, such as a towbar,load carriers, space box, the passengers’combined weight etc. as well as towball load.The load capacity of the car is reduced bythe number of passengers and their weight.If the towing bracket is fitted by an authorisedVolvo workshop, then the car is deliveredwith the necessary equipment for drivingwith a trailer.• The car’s towing bracket must be of anapproved type.• If the towbar is retrofitted, check with yourVolvo dealer that the car is fully equippedfor driving with a trailer.• Distribute the load on the trailer so that theweight on the towing bracket follows thespecified maximum towball load.• Increase the tyre pressure to the recommendedpressure for a full load. For tyrepressure decal location, see page 156.• Clean the towbar regularly and grease thetowball 1 .• Do not drive with a heavy trailer when yourcar is brand new. Wait until it has beendriven at least 1000 km.• The brakes are loaded much more thanusual on long and steep downhill slopes.Downshift to a lower gear and adjust yourspeed.• The engine is loaded more heavily thanusual when driving with a trailer.• The engine and gearbox can overheat ifthe car is driven with a heavy load in hotweather. If the temperature gauge for theengine’s cooling system goes into the redzone, stop and let the engine idle for a fewminutes. The automatic gearbox respondsthrough a built-in protection system. Seethe message on the information display. Ifthe car overheats, the air conditioning maybe switched off temporarily.• In the interests of safety, speed should berestricted to 80 km/h, even if the laws ofcertain countries allow for higher speeds.• Move the gear selector to parkingposition P when parking an automatic carwith a hitched trailer. Always use the parkingbrake. Block the wheels with chockswhen parking a car with hitched trailer ona hill.Trailer weightsInformation on permitted trailer weights, seepage 243.WARNINGFollow the stated recommendations fortrailer weights. Otherwise, the rig may bedifficult to control during evasive manoeuvresand braking.NOTEThe stated maximum permitted trailerweights are those permitted by Volvo. Nationalvehicle regulations can further limittrailer weights and speeds. Towbars can becertified for higher towing weights than thecar can actually tow.061 Does not apply to the towball if using a stabiliserhitch.135