2022 Volvo XC40 Your Volvo Towbar and trailer
Towing capacity and tow ball load
Max. weight braked trailer
NoteThe use of vibration dampers on the towbar is recommended for trailers heavier than 1800 kg.
| Engine | Engine code | Gearbox | Max. weight braked trailer (kg) | Max. tow ball load (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T2 | B3154T9 | Manual select | 1600 | 110 |
| T2 | B3154T9 | Automatic | 1600 | 110 |
| T3 | B3154T7 | Manual select | 1600 | 110 |
| T3 | B3154T2 | Automatic | 1600 | 110 |
| T3 | B3154T4 | Automatic | 1600 | 110 |
| T4 | B4204T31 | Automatic | 1800 | 110 |
| T4 AWD | B4204T31 | Automatic | 2100 | 110 |
| T5 AWD | B4204T18 | Automatic | 2100 | 110 |
| T5 AWD | B4204T36 | Automatic | 2100 | 110 |
| B3 | B420T4 | Automatic | 1600 | 100 |
| B4 | B420T5 | Automatic | 2000 | 100 |
| B4 | B420T6 | Automatic | 2100 | 110 |
| B4 AWD | B420T5 | Automatic | 2100 | 100 |
| B4 AWD | B420T6 | Automatic | 2100 | 110 |
| B5 AWD | B420T2 | Automatic | 2100 | 110 |
| B5 AWD | B420T10 | Automatic | 2100 | 110 |
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
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.
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.
Specifications for towbar
| Dimensions, mounting points in mm (inches) | |
|---|---|
| A | 939 (37) |
| B | 72 (2.8) |
| C | 6 (0.24) |
| D | 145 (5.7) |
| E | 88 (3.5) |
| F | The side beam tilts 8 degrees |
| G | 353 (13.9) |
| H | 1048 (41.3) |
| I | 524 (20.6) |
Towbar-mounted bicycle rack
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.
- The bicycle rack including load must weigh a maximum of 75 kg (165 pounds).
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 rack
The larger the distance between the load’s centre of gravity and the tow ball, 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
WarningFollow the instructions for retracting and extending the towbar carefully.
WarningDo not press the extend/retract button if a trailer or accessory is attached to the tow bar.
Extending the towbar
WarningAvoid standing close to the bumper in the centre behind the car when extending the towing hitch.
Open the tailgate. 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 – the 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.
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.
Take care to secure the trailer’s safety cable in the intended bracket.
Power save mode activates after a while and the indicator lamp goes out. The system is reactivated by closing and opening the tailgate. 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. Towbar retraction and extension are then not possible.
Retracting the towbar
Make sure that there is no plug or adapter in the electrical socket when retracting the towbar.
Open the tailgate. 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.
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.
The towbar must always be retracted when not in use.
Low-speed control
- The low-speed control function (LSC) facilitates and improves traction for driving off-road and on slippery surfaces, such as with a caravan on grass or a boat trailer on a launch ramp.
- In a car with a drive mode button, the function is included in the Off-Road drive mode.
- The function is adapted for off-road driving and driving with a trailer at low speed, up to approx. 40 km/h (25 mph).
- Low-speed control prioritises low gears and traction. If the car is all-wheel drive, the motive force is distributed evenly in order to provide as good traction as possible on all wheels and to reduce the risk of wheel spin. The accelerator pedal is less responsive in order to facilitate traction and speed control at low speed.
- The function is activated together with hill descent control, (HDC) which means that speed down steep hills can be controlled with the accelerator pedal, reducing the need to use the brake pedal. The system
- facilitates a low and even speed while driving on steep downhill gradients.
When LSC with HDC is activated, the feel of the accelerator pedal and engine response is changed.
Note
The driving mode is not designed to be used on public roads.
Note
The function is deactivated when driving at higher speeds and must be reactivated at a lower speed if required.
Driving with a trailer
Payload depends on the car’s kerb 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 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).
- 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 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%.
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 following applies to cars with automatic gearbox:
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 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.
Note
The stability function is deactivated if the driver chooses to activate ESC Sport Mode via the menu system in the centre 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.
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 centre 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.