2022 Volvo S60 Towbar and trailer
Towing capacity and tow ball load
Max. weight braked trailer
The use of vibration dampers on the towbar is recommended for trailers heavier than 1800 kg.
| Engine | Engine code | Max. weight braked trailer (kg) | Max. tow ball load (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B3 | B420T3 | 1800 | 100 |
| B4 | B420T6 | 1800 | 100 |
| B5 | B420T2 | 1800 | 100 |
| B5 AWD | B420T2 | 1800 | 100 |
| B5 AWD | B420T10 | 1800 | 100 |
Important
When driving with a trailer, it is permitted to exceed the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight (including tow ball load) by a maximum of 100 kg (220 lbs), provided that speed is limited to 100 km/h (62 mph). National legal requirements for the vehicle combination, such as speed, etc. must be observed.
If there is no weight data in the table, this is available in an enclosed supplement.
Max. weight unbraked trailer
| Unbraked trailer | |
| Max. weight (kg) | 750 |
| Max. tow ball load (kg) | 50 |
Towbar
There may be different towbar variants available for the car. Contact a Volvo dealer for more information.
When the car is switched off, the constant battery voltage to the trailer connector can be switched off automatically in order not to drain the starter battery.
The towball needs regular cleaning and lubrication with grease in order to prevent wear.
When a hitch with a vibration damper is used, the tow ball must not be lubricated.
This also applies when fitting a bicycle rack that is clamped in around the tow ball.
If the car is equipped with a towbar, there is no rear mounting for a towing eye.
Specifications for towbar
| Dimensions, mounting points in mm (inches) | |
|---|---|
| A | 1121.9 (44.2) |
| B | 81.5 (3.2) |
| C | 875 (34.4) |
| D | 437.5 (17.2) |
| E | See the image above |
| F | 273.7 (10.8) |
| G | Ball center |
Extendable and retractable towbar
Follow the instructions for retracting and extending the towbar carefully.
Do not press the extend/retract button if a trailer or accessory is attached to the tow bar.
Extending the towbar
Avoid standing close to the bumper in the center behind the car when extending the towing hitch.
Open the boot lid. A button for extending/retracting the towbar is located on the right-hand side at the rear of the cargo area. An indicator lamp in the button must illuminate with a constant orange glow for the extension function to be active.Press and release the button – extension might not start if the button is pressed for too long.
The towbar extends out and down in an unlocked position – the indicator lamp flashes orange. The tow hook is ready to continue moving to the locked position.
Move the towbar to its end position, where it is secured and locked in place – the indicator lamp illuminates with a constant orange glow.
The towbar is ready for use.
Important
When the tow bar is activated by pressing a key and has been placed in the unlocked position:
Wait at least 2 seconds before the tow bar is moved to the locked position. If the tow bar does not remain in the locked position, wait another few seconds and try again.
Do not kick the tow bar.
Warning
Take care to secure the trailer’s safety cable in the intended bracket.
Note
Power save mode activates after a while and the indicator lamp goes out. The system is reactivated by closing and reopening the boot lid. This applies when retracting or extending the towbar.
If the car detects a connected trailer electrically, the indicator lamp stops illuminating with a constant glow.
Retracting the towbar
Make sure that there is no plug or adapter in the electrical socket when retracting the towbar.
Open the boot lid. Press and release the button on the right-hand side at the rear of the cargo area – retraction might not start if the button is pressed for too long.
The towbar automatically lowers in an unlocked position – the indicator lamp in the button flashes orange.
Lock the towbar by moving it back to its retracted position, where it is locked.The indicator lamp will now illuminate with a constant glow if the towbar is correctly retracted.
ImportantWhen the tow bar is activated by pressing a key and has been placed in the unlocked position:
Wait at least 2 seconds before the tow bar is moved to the locked position. If the tow bar does not remain in the locked position, wait another few seconds and try again.
Do not kick the tow bar.
The towbar must always be retracted when not in use.
Driving with a trailer
Payload depends on the car’s curb weight. The total weight of the passengers and all accessories, e.g. towbar, reduces the car’s payload by a corresponding weight.
The car is supplied with the necessary equipment for towing a trailer.
- The car’s towbar must be of an approved type.
- Distribute the load on the trailer so that the weight on the towbar complies with the specified maximum tow ball load. Towball load is calculated as part of the car’s payload.
- Increase the tire pressure to the recommended pressure for a full load.
- The engine is loaded more heavily than usual when driving with a trailer.
- Do not tow a heavy trailer when the car is brand new. Wait until it has been driven at least 1000 km (620 miles).
- The brakes are loaded much more than usual on long and steep downhill slopes. Downshift to a lower gear when shifting manually and adjust your speed.
- Follow the regulations in force for the permitted speeds and weights.
- Maintain a low speed when driving with a trailer up long, steep ascents.
- The maximum indicated trailer weight only applies to heights up to 1000 meters above sea level (3280 ft). At higher elevations, the engine output and the vehicle’s climbing ability are reduced due to the reduced air density, and the maximum trailer load must therefore be reduced. The weight of the car and trailer must be decreased by 10% for each additional 1000 m (3280 ft) or part thereof.
- Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines of more than 12%.
Extreme weather conditions, driving with a trailer, or driving at high altitudes, in combination with poorer fuel quality than recommended, are factors that considerably increase the car’s fuel consumption.
Trailer weights
Follow the stated recommendations for trailer weights. Otherwise, the car and trailer may be difficult to control in the event of sudden movement and braking.
The stated maximum permitted trailer weights are those permitted by Volvo. National vehicle regulations can further limit trailer weights and speeds. Towbars can be certified for higher towing weights than the car can actually tow.
Level control
The car’s system for level control endeavours to maintain a constant height regardless of load (up to the maximum permissible weight). When the car is stationary the rear of the car lowers slightly, which is normal.
When driving in hilly terrain
Under certain circumstances, there may be a risk of overheating when towing a trailer. If the engine and drive system overheats, a warning symbol comes on in the driver display and a message is displayed. The automatic gearbox adapts the gears depending on load and engine speed.
Steep inclines
Do not lock the automatic gearbox in a higher gear than the engine “can cope with” – it is not always a good idea to drive at a high gear with low engine speed.
Parking on a hill
- Depress the brake pedal.
- Activate the parking brake.
- Select gear position P.
- Release the brake pedal.
- Block the wheels with chocks when parking a car with a hitched trailer on a hill.
Starting on a hill
- Depress the brake pedal.
- Select gear position D.
- Releasing the parking brake.
- Release the brake pedal and start driving off.
Trailer stability assist
Reasons for snaking
The snaking phenomenon can occur with any car/trailer combination. Snaking normally occurs at high speeds. However, there is a risk of it occurring at lower speeds if the trailer is overloaded or the load is improperly distributed, e.g. too far back.
Triggering factors for snaking may, for example, include:
- Car with trailer subjected to sudden and powerful side wind.
- A car with a trailer drives on an uneven road surface or in a pothole.
- Sweeping steering wheel movements.
If snaking has started, it could be difficult or even impossible to suppress. This makes the car/trailer combination difficult to control and there is a risk that you could end up in the wrong lane or leave the carriageway.
Trailer stability assist function
The trailer stability assist function continually monitors the car’s movements, particularly lateral movements. If snaking is detected, the front wheels are individually braked. This serves to stabilize the car/trailer combination. This is often enough to help the driver regain control of the car. If snaking is not eliminated the first time that trailer stability assist intervenes, the car/trailer combination is braked with all wheels and the car’s traction is reduced. Once snaking has been gradually suppressed and the car/trailer combination is stable once again, the system stops regulating and the driver once again has full control of the car.
Note
The stability function is deactivated if the driver chooses to activate ESC Sport Mode via the menu system in the center display.
Trailer stability assist may fail to intervene if the driver uses severe steering wheel movements to try to rectify the snaking because in such a situation the system cannot determine whether it is the trailer or the driver causing the snaking.
When Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) is operating, the ESC symbol flashes in the driver display.
Retrofitting a towbar requires an update of the car’s software, contact a Volvo dealer.
Checking trailer lamps
Checking trailer lamps
Automatic checking
After a trailer is connected electrically, it is possible to check that the trailer lamps are working via automatic lamp activation. The function helps the driver check that the trailer lamps are working before starting off.
The car must be switched off to perform the check.
When a trailer is connected to the towbar, the Automatic Trailer Lamp Check message is shown in the driver display.
Confirm the message by pressing the right-hand steering wheel keypad’s O button.
The lamp check starts.
Exit the car to check lamp functionality.
All trailer lamps start to flash – then the lamps are switched on one at a time.
Visually check that all lamps available on the trailer are operational.
After a moment, all lamps on the trailer flash again.
The check is complete.
Switching off automatic checking
- The automatic checking function can be switched off in the center display.
- Press Settings in the top view.
- Press .
- Deselect Automatic Trailer Lamp Check.
Manual checking
- If the automatic checking is switched off then it is possible to start the check manually.
- Press Settings in the top view.
- Press .
- Select Manual Trailer Lamp Check.
- The lamp check starts. Exit the car to check lamp functionality.
Rear fog lamp on the trailer
When connecting the trailer, the rear fog lamp may not light up on the car. In such cases, the rear fog lamp function switches to the trailer. Upon activation of the rear fog lamp, check therefore that the trailer is equipped with a rear fog lamp to travel safely.
Symbols and messages in the driver display
If one or more of the trailer’s direction indicators or brake light bulbs is broken, the driver display shows a symbol and a message. Other lights on the trailer must be checked manually by the driver before setting off.
| Symbol | Message |
|---|---|
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If any lamp for the trailer’s direction indicators is broken, the driver display symbol for direction indicators will also flash more quickly than normal.