2011 Volvo XC70 Owner's Manual - Page 226

06 Wheels and tires General information Introduction Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the vehicle's tire information placard on the B-pillar (the structural member at the side of the vehicle, at the rear of the driver's door opening). without the "all-season" rating. However, for optimum road holding on icy or snow-covered roads, we recommend suitable winter tires on all four wheels. When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires are the same size designation, type (radial) and preferably from the same manufacturer, on all four wheels. Otherwise there is a risk of altering the car's roadholding and handling characteristics. Tire age Tires degrade over time, even when they are not being used. It is recommended that tires generally be replaced after 6 years of normal service. Heat caused by hot climates, frequent high loading conditions or Ultra Violet (U.V.) exposure can accelerate the aging process. The temporary spare1 should also be replaced at 6-year intervals, even if it has never been used. A tire's age can be determined by the DOT stamp on the sidewall (see the illustration). A tire with e.g., visible cracks or discoloration should be replaced immediately. CAUTION Some Volvo models are equipped with an Ultra High Performance tire and wheel combination designed to provide maximum dry pavement performance with consideration for hydroplaning resistance. They may be more susceptible to road hazard damage and, depending on driving conditions, may achieve a tread life of less than 20,000 miles (30,000 km). Even if this vehicle is equipped with Volvo's advanced AWD or DSTC system, these tires are not designed for winter driving, and should be replaced with winter tires when weather conditions dictate. New Tires Improving tire economy • Maintain correct tire pressure. See the tire inflation tables beginning on page 231. 06 • Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard braking and tire screeching. The tires have good road holding characteristics and offer good handling on dry and wet surfaces. It should be noted however that the tires have been developed to give these features on snow/ice-free surfaces. Most models are equipped with "all-season" tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree of road holding on slippery surfaces than tires 1 • Tire wear increases with speed. • Correct front wheel alignment is very important. Remember that tires are perishable goods. As of 2000, the manufacturing week and year (Department of Transportation (DOT) stamp) will be indicated with 4 digits (e.g., 1510 means that the tire illustrated was manufactured during week 15 of 2010). • Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy and driving comfort. • Tires must maintain the same direction of rotation throughout their lifetime. Option or accessory on some models 226