2023 Volvo XC90 Loading
Recommendations for loading
Payload depends on the car’s curb weight. The total of weight of the passengers and all accessories reduces the car’s payload by a corresponding weight.
Good things to remember when loading:
- Position the load firmly against the rear seat’s backrest.
- Heavy objects should be placed as low as possible. Avoid placing heavy loads on lowered backrests.
- Cover sharp edges with something soft to avoid damaging the upholstery.
- Secure all loads to the load retaining eyelets with straps or web lashings.
Cover sharp edges and sharp corners with something soft.
Switch off the engine and apply the parking brake when loading/unloading long items. Otherwise, you may accidentally knock the gear lever or gear selector with the load into a drive position – and the car could then move off.
Level control is performed via a control at the rear on the right-hand side in the cargo area’s side panel.
Controls for raising/lowering the car’s rear section.
The control consists of two buttons – one button that lowers and one button that raises the rear section of the car. For raising or lowering, each button must be held depressed until the rear section has reached the desired level.
It is not possible to raise the car’s rear section higher than its normal level.
During driving, the rear section height will return to the normal level.
Bag hooks
There are two bag hooks in the side panel on each side of the cargo area.
There are two extensible bag hooks in the side panels – one on each side of the cargo area.
There are two bag hooks and an elastic strap(It is possible to reorder additional elastic straps at a Volvo dealer) in the cover, which is part of the floor hatch in the cargo area. The strap can be fitted in four different positions.
Lift up the cover in order to use the bag hooks. Fasten the bags in a suitable position with the enclosed elastic strap. If the bags have handles and are a suitable height – hang them in the hooks.
Operating cargo cover
For 5-seat car
- Grip the handle and pull out the cargo cover so that it slides over the side panels in the cargo area. Pull to the end position.
- When the cargo cover is extended so that it covers the cargo area – guide the cover’s attachment pins into the grooves in the side panels and release, while at the same time angling the handle with a light downward pressure.
The cargo cover is locked in the full-cover position.
For 7-seat car
Hang up the locking tabs of the seatbelts for the third seat row on the designated hooks in the side panels.
- Grip the handle and pull out the cargo cover so that it slides over the side panels in the cargo area. Pull to the end position.
- When the cargo cover is extended so that it covers the cargo area – guide the cover’s attachment pins into the grooves in the side panels and release, while at the same time angling the handle with a light downward pressure.
The cargo cover is locked in the full-cover position.
- From the retracted position – grip the handle and pull out the cover so it slides over the side panels in the cargo area – pull to the end position and guide the cargo cover’s attachment pins into the grooves in the side panels. (If the cover is already in the full-cover position – see the next point)
- From the full-cover position – grip the handle and guide the cargo cover’s attachment pins into the grooves in the side panels and release.
Retract the cover until it stops in the loading position.
In the event that your hands are occupied:
- In the extended full-cover position – lightly push the handle part of the cargo cover upward, e.g. with an elbow.
- The cover retracts until it stops in the loading position.
To return to the full-cover position from loading position:
Grip the handle and pull the cargo cover out to the end position.
Release slightly and angle the handle by means of a slight downward pressure.
The cover is locked in the full-cover position.
From the full-cover position:
Lift up the handle and pull it back to disengage the cargo cover’s attachment pins and then release.
From loading position:
Grip the handle and pull out the cargo cover in the grooves – pull to the full-cover position. Lift up the handle and pull it back to disengage the attachment pins and then release.
Retract the cover with its attachment pins outside of the side panels until it stops in the retracted position.
Fitting and removing cargo cover
(Option/accessory)
- Insert one of the cargo cover’s end pieces in the recess in the side panel in the cargo area.
- Then insert the other end piece in the recess in the side panel on the opposite side.
- Press down the end pieces on both sides – one by one.
When a “click” is heard and the red marking on each end piece has disappeared, the cargo cover is attached – check that it is affixed securely.
In retracted position:
- Depress the button on one of the retracted cargo cover’s end pieces and lift out that end. In a 7-seat car – release the third seat row’s seatbelt locking tabs from the hooks above the side panels.
- Angle the cover up/out carefully.
The other end piece loosens automatically and the cover can be lifted out of the cargo area.
Load retaining eyelets
Fitting and removing safety grilles
(Option/accessory)
The safety grille is crash-tested in accordance with the ECE R17 legal requirement and fulfils Volvo’s strength requirements.
For safety reasons, the safety grille must always be attached and anchored correctly.
The safety grille’s parts consist of the grille and two loose attaching braces. The attaching braces each come with a screw cap and there are two plastic sleeves for the safety grille.
Lower the rear seat and then lift the safety grille in through one of the rear side doors or via the tailgate – the arched/convex side of the grille should face the cargo area while the hooks on each side point up. The attaching braces and plastic sleeves are not used in this stage.
Guide one of the safety grille’s hooks into the larger opening in the roof mounting (1).
Grasp the grille near the hook and pull/slide it towards the smaller opening (2).
The hook is now secured in the roof mounting’s end position.
Repeat the steps in point 2 above to secure the other hook in the mounting on the other side.
Hook the attaching brace’s hook through the load securing eyelet at the cargo floor from underneath, and guide the threaded part through the cargo grille’s lower attachment hole from underneath (1).
Slide a plastic sleeve on the threaded part of the attaching brace – the sleeve flange should face up – and guide it down through the hole. Then screw on the screw cap until its lower edge is approx. 5 mm from the grille (2).
Repeat the steps in point 4 on the other side.
Centre the safety grille and then tighten the two attaching braces alternately until the grille is properly secured.
Fitting and removing the safety net
(Option/accessory)
The safety net is fitted into four mounting points.
For reasons of safety, the safety net must always be fastened and anchored as described below.
The net is made of a strong nylon fabric and can be secured two different locations in the car:
- Front fitting – behind the front seats.
- Rear fitting – behind second seat row.
Warning
Loads in the luggage compartment must be anchored well, and also using a correctly fitted safety net.
Damaged safety nets must not be used.
- Unfold the safety net and make sure that the split upper rod in the net is locked in its extended position.
- Hook one retaining hook of the net into the front or rear roof mounting with the anchoring strap locks turned towards you.
- Hook the net’s second attachment hook to the roof bracket on the opposite side.
The telescopically sprung attachment hooks make it easier to fit.
Take care to press forward the net’s retaining hooks for each respective roof mounting’s front end position.
Rear fitting.
For rear fitting:
With the net fitted in the rear roof mountings, hook the safety net’s puller-straps into the front load retaining eyelets in the cargo area.
Front fitting.
For front fitting:
With the net fitted in the front roof mountings, hook the puller-straps into the outer eyes on the rear of all seat slide rails. The procedure is facilitated if the backrests are straightened and the seats are moved forward slightly.
Pay attention to make sure that you do not exert hard pressure on the net when the seat and backrest are moved back again. Only adjust until the seat or backrest makes contact with the net.
Tension the safety net with the anchoring straps.
The safety net can be easily removed and folded up.
- Reduce safety net tension by pressing the button in the anchoring strap lock and feeding out a little of the anchoring strap on each side.\
- Press in the catches and detach both of the anchoring strap’s hooks.
- Undo the upper attachments and release the net from the roof mountings.
- Press the red button on the rod to enable folding and then roll up the net. Store the net in its case.
Roof load and loading on load carriers
This is to reduce the risk of damage to the car. Volvo’s load carriers are available for purchase at authorised Volvo retailers.
Carefully follow the installation instructions supplied with the carriers.
- Distribute the load evenly over the load carriers. Put the heaviest objects at the bottom.
- Check periodically that the load carriers and load are properly secured. Lash the load securely with retaining straps.
- If the load is longer than the car at the front, e.g. a canoe or kayak, fit the towing eye to its front socket and attach the bungee to this.
- The size of the area exposed to the wind, and therefore fuel consumption, increase with the size of the load.
- Drive gently. Avoid quick acceleration, heavy braking and hard cornering.
Follow the car’s specifications with regard to weights and maximum permitted load.
Towbar-mounted bicycle rack
(Option/accessory)
This is in order to avoid damage to the car and in order to achieve the maximum possible safety during a journey. Volvo’s bicycle racks are available for purchase at authorised Volvo dealers.
Carefully follow the instructions enclosed with the bicycle rack.
- Bicycle rack including load must weigh a maximum of 75 kg (165 pounds).
- Rear Auto Brake should be deactivated before driving with a bicycle rack.
The bicycle rack can loosen from the towbar if it
- is incorrectly fitted on the towball
- is overloaded, see the bicycle rack’s instructions for maximum load weight
- is used for carrying something other than bicycles.
The car’s driving characteristics are affected when a bicycle rack is fitted on the towbar. For example due to:
- increased weight
- reduced acceleration capacity
- reduced ground clearance
- changed braking capacity.
Load according to the following recommendations:
- Fit the heaviest bicycle furthest in, closest to the car.
- Keep the load symmetrical and as close to the centre of the car as possible e.g. by loading the bicycles facing alternately if several bicycles are loaded.
- Remove loose objects from the bicycle for transportation, e.g. bicycle basket, battery, child seat. Partly to reduce the load on the towbar and bicycle rack, and partly to reduce the wind resistance, which affects fuel consumption.
- Do not use protective covers on the bicycles. This may affect manoeuvrability, impair visibility and increase fuel consumption. It may also lead to an increased load on the towbar.