2023 Volvo S60 Towbar and trailer Owners Manual

Max. weight braked trailer

Note
Use of vibration dampers on the towbar is recommended for trailers heavier than 1800 kg.

Engine	Engine code	Max. weight braked trailer (kg)	Max. towball load (kg)
B3	B420T4	1800	100
B4	B420T6	1800	100
B4	B420T5	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 towball 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.

Note
If weight data is missing in the table, it will be updated at a later date.

Max. weight unbraked trailer

Unbraked trailer
Max. weight (kg)	750
Max. towball load (kg)	50

Towbar

The car can be equipped with a towbar that makes it possible to tow e.g. a trailer behind the car. There may be different towbar variants available for the car. Contact a Volvo dealer for more information.

Important
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.

Important
The towball needs regular cleaning and lubrication with grease in order to prevent wear.

Note
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.

Note
If the car is equipped with a towbar, there is no rear mounting for a towing eye.

The illustration is generic and may vary depending on model.

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 centre

Towbar-mounted bicycle rack

When using a bicycle rack, the bicycle racks that Volvo has developed are recommended. 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.

Warning
Incorrect use of the bicycle rack may cause damage to the towbar and car. 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.

Recommendations for loading bicycles on the bicycle rackThe larger the distance between the load’s centre of gravity and the towball, the greater the load on the towbar. 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.

Extendable and retractable towbar

The retractable tow hook is easy to retract or extend as required. In the retracted position, the towbar is completely concealed.

Warning
Follow the instructions for retracting and extending the towbar carefully.

Warning
Do not press the extend/retract button if a trailer or accessory is attached to the tow bar.

A button for extending/retracting the towbar is located on the right-hand side at the rear of the cargo area. The indicator lamp in the button flashes or illuminates with a constant orange glow when retracting and extending are active.

Extending the towbar

Press and release the button in the cargo area – extending might not start if the button is pressed for too long.
The towbar is extended outward and downward in an unlocked position – the indicator lamp flashes orange.
Manoeuvre the towbar to its end position where it is secured and locked in.
The indicator lamp illuminates with a constant glow when the towbar is ready for use.

Warning
Avoid standing close to the bumper in the centre behind the car when extending the towing hitch.

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

Press and release the button in the cargo area – retracting might not start if the button is pressed for too long.
The towbar is extended downward in an unlocked position – the indicator lamp flashes orange.
Lock the towbar by moving it back to its retracted position, where it is locked.
The indicator lamp will illuminate with a constant glow when the towbar is correctly retracted.

Important
Make sure that there is no plug or adapter in the electrical socket when retracting the towbar.

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.

Important
The towbar must always be retracted when not in use.

Driving with a trailer

When driving with a trailer, there are a number of points that are important to think about regarding the towbar, the trailer and how the load is positioned in the trailer. Payload depends on the car’s kerb weight. The total of the 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 towball load. Towball load is calculated as part of the car’s payload.
Increase the tyre 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).
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 metres 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%.
Rear Auto Brake should be deactivated before driving with a trailer.

Note
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

Warning
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.

Note
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.
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

The function of trailer stability assist (TSA),(Trailer Stability Assist) which is included in the stability system ESC,(Electronic Stability Control) is to stabilise cars towing trailers in situations where they begin snaking. The function is available with towbar installation, contact a Volvo dealer for more information.

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 a sudden and powerful side wind.
Car with 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 stabilise 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.

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.

Note
Retrofitting a towbar requires an update of the car’s software, contact a Volvo dealer.

Checking trailer lamps

When connecting a trailer – check that the trailer lamps work before departure.

Checking trailer lamps(Option/accessory)

Automatic checking
After a trailer is connected electrically, it is possible to ensure that the trailer lamps are working via an automatic lamp activation. The function helps the driver check that the trailer lamps are working before starting off.

When a trailer is connected to the towbar, the Perform a 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.

Rear fog lamp on trailer
When connecting a trailer, there may be instances when the rear fog lamp on the car does not illuminate. In theses cases, rear fog lamp functionality is transferred to only the trailer. Therefore, in these cases, check when the rear fog lamp is activated that the trailer is equipped with rear fog lamp in order to drive the vehicle combination in a safe manner.

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
	Right trailer turn indicator malfunction Left trailer turn indicator malfunction
	Trailer brake light malfunction

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.

2023 Volvo S60 Towbar and trailer Owners Manual