4
Volvo Car Corporation and the environment
Clean air in the passenger
compartment
A sophisticated air cleaning system, IAQS
1
(Interior Air Quality System) ensures that the
air in the passenger compartment is cleaner
than the air outside.
The system consists of an electronic sensor
and a carbon filter. The air intake is closed if
the level of reducing gases and oxidising
gases, e.g. carbon monoxide, becomes too
high, for example in heavy town traffic,
queues and tunnels. 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
healthy and safe – even for people with con-
tact allergies and for asthma sufferers.
Extreme attention has been given to choosing
environmentally-compatible materials. This
means that they also fulfil the requirements of
the Öko-Tex 100 ecological standard – a
major advance towards a healthier cabin envi-
ronment.
Öko-Tex certification covers seatbelts, car-
pets, thread and fabrics for example. Even the
leather upholstery undergoes chromium-free
tanning with natural plant substances and
meets the requirements.
Volvo workshops and the
environment
Regular maintenance carried out by an
authorised Volvo workshop creates the con-
ditions for long service life and low fuel con-
sumption, and contributes 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 environmental demands regard-
ing the way in which workshops are designed
in order to prevent spills and discharges into
the environment, and this includes the thor-
ough collection and sorting of the gaseous,
liquid and solid waste that arises in our work-
shops. Our workshop staff have the knowl-
edge and the tools required to guarantee
good environmental care.
Reducing environmental impact
You can help reduce environmental impact,
for example, by purchasing eco-labelled car
care products and by servicing and maintain-
ing the car according to the instructions in
the owner’s manual.
The following hints will help you to do your bit
for the environment:
• Ensure that your tyre pressures are cor-
rect. Poorly inflated tyres increase fuel
consumption. If any of the higher tyre
pressures recommended by Volvo are
used then fuel consumption decreases.
• Since a roof rack and ski
box increase air resist-
ance, leading to signifi-
cantly 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 con-
sumption and exhaust emissions.
• Drive gently. Avoid unnecessary rapid
acceleration and heavy braking.
1. Option.