4
Volvo Cars and the environment
Clean air in the passenger
compartment
A passenger compartment filter prevents
dust and pollen from entering the passenger
compartment via the air intake.
A sophisticated air quality system, IAQS
1
(Interior Air Quality System) ensures that the
incoming air is cleaner than the air in the
traffic outside.
The system consists of an electronic sensor
and a carbon filter. The incoming air is
monitored continuously and if there is an
increase in the level of certain unhealthy
gases such as carbon monoxide then the air
intake is closed. Such a situation may arise in
heavy traffic, queues and tunnels for example.
The entry of nitrous oxides, ground-level
ozone and hydrocarbons is prevented by the
carbon filter.
Textile standard
The interior of a Volvo is designed to be
pleasant and comfortable, even for people
with contact allergies and for asthma
sufferers. All of our upholstery and interior
textiles are tested with respect to certain
unhealthy substances and allergens as well
as emissions. This means that all textiles fulfil
the requirements in the Öko-Tex 100
standard
2
, a major advance towards a
healthier passenger compartment
environment.
Öko-Tex certification covers seatbelts,
carpets, thread and fabrics for example. The
leather in the upholstery undergoes
chromium-free tanning with natural plant
substances and fulfils the certification
requirements.
Volvo workshops and the
environment
Regular maintenance creates the conditions
for a long service life for the car with low fuel
consumption, and this way you contribute to
a cleaner environment. When Volvo’s
workshops are entrusted with the repair and
maintenance of the car, it becomes part of
our system. We make clear demands
regarding the way in which our workshops
are designed in order to prevent spills and
discharges into the environment. Our
workshop staff have the knowledge and the
tools required to guarantee good environ
-
mental care.
Reducing environmental impact
You can help reduce environmental impact,
for example, by driving economically, by
purchasing eco-labelled car care products
and by servicing and maintaining the car
according to the instructions in the owner’s
manual.
The following hints will help you to do your bit
for the environment:
• Decrease fuel consumption by choosing
ECO tyre pressure, see page 155.
• Since a roof load and ski
box increase air
resistance, leading to
significantly higher fuel
consumption, they
should be removed
immediately after use.
• Remove unnecessary items from the car -
the greater the load the higher the fuel
consumption.
• Is your car equipped with an engine block
heater? If so, use it for a few hours before
starting from cold to reduce fuel
consumption and exhaust emissions.
• Drive gently and avoid braking too hard.
1. Option
2. More information on
www.oekotex.com