Volvo Section 8 Cab and Body
Volvo Section 8 Cab and Body
Volvo Section 8 Cab and Body
All data provided is based on information that was current at time of release. However,
this information is subject to change without notice.
Please note that no part of this information may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by
any means without the express written permission of Volvo Trucks North America.
Contents:
• “Instrument Panel”, page 3
• “Panel C ”, page 7
• “Gauges”, page 11
• “Switches”, page 14
• “Auxiliary ”, page 15
• “Horn ”, page 26
Colors
To promote visual recognition internationally, specific colors for tell-tales have been established. Unless governmental regu-
lations (in the area where the vehicle is to be used) or engineering directives specify otherwise, the standard colors are:
• Amber — early warning, such as low fuel or Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) malfunction
Panel Arrangement
Your view from the driver seat should look something like the illustrations shown on the next page. The layout is designed to
provide the operator with a good view of the gauges and controls (which are placed so they are within easy reach). The in-
strument panel, as shown in the following drawing, is broken down into several main sections. For easy identification we refer
to them, from left to right, as Panels A, B, C, D, and E.
Note: This section shows the instruments and controls available for this vehicle at the time of publication. However, depend-
ing on options, your vehicle may not have all the instruments and controls shown here, and they may not be in the same
position.
Notes
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Panel Arrangement
Notes
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Notes
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Notes
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Notes
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Before driving this vehicle, locate the instruments and controls, and become thoroughly familiar with their operation. After
starting and when driving, ensure that the instrument readings are normal.
Note: The instruments and controls shown were available for this vehicle at the time of publication. Depending on the options
selected, all gauges and tell-tales may not be used in all vehicles.
Note: The dash layout is the same for all Volvo vehicles. However, the switches and certain switch positions are different de-
pending on vehicle options.
Notes
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Gauges
Tachometer
The tachometer has two colored fields: green and red. Use the green field for normal driving (1000 to 1600 rpm). Use higher
engine speeds for maximum engine brake performance. Never allow the engine to go into the red field (greater than 2200
rpm).
To achieve maximum fuel economy, use the Performance Bonus Guide feature. This feature helps the driver find the most ef-
ficient operating range for the engine.
Upper Tell-Tales
The Stop, Check and Info message tell-tales are located in the upper tell-tales box on the instrument cluster. The left and
right turn signal indicators, seat belt tell-tale and parking brake tell-tale are also located in the upper tell-tales box. Refer to
the Driver Information Display manual for additional information about the message tell-tales.
Speedometer
The speedometer is driven by the vehicle's electronic system.
DANGER
Failure to observe these precautions can result in the loss of braking performance. This can lead to a vehicle accident,
which can result in personal injury or death.
If the pressure in a brake circuit air tank drops below approximately 420 kPa (65 psi), the red LED light in the lower left corner
of the gauge will come on and the STOP tell-tale warning indicator comes on. In addition, the buzzer comes on if the vehicle
starts to move at speed higher than 1.6 km/h (1 mph). If the vehicle is stationary, only the STOP tell-tale warning and red
LED light appear.
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Stop Tell-Tale
If the air pressure drops down below 420 kPa (65 psi) in both systems, the spring brakes will automatically engage to stop
the vehicle.
DANGER
Failure to take necessary action when the STOP tell-tale is on can ultimately result in automatic engine shutdown and loss
of power steering assist. Vehicle crash can occur, resulting in personal injury or death.
The oil pressure limit is dependent on the engine manufacturer's electronic program. When the oil pressure is too low, the
red STOP tell-tale illuminates, the buzzer sounds, and the oil pressure symbol appears on the Driver Information Display
(DID) screen. For example, if the engine is at risk, the Engine Electronic Control Unit (EECU) may derate the engine power.
Bring the vehicle to a safe stop where the problem can be checked.
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Note: The engine will shut down within 30 seconds from when the red STOP tell-tale comes on. Pull off the road as soon as
possible without creating a safety hazard.
The temperature limit is dependent on the electronic program for the engine model. When coolant temperature is excessive,
the red STOP tell-tale will come on and the buzzer will sound. The engine is at risk and the EECU may derate the engine
power. Stop at the first safe place where the problem can be checked.
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Stop Tell-Tale
If the coolant temperature returns to normal shortly after exceeding the limit and no repair is performed, the warning mes-
sages go out, but a fault message will be logged.
Switches
Inter-Axle Differential Lock
The inter-axle differential lock eliminates slipping between axles to improve traction. The switch has a safety latch to prevent
accidental engagement.
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Inter-Axle Tell-Tale
A differential lock should only be used on a slippery surface, NOT when driving on good road conditions. If a differential lock
tell-tale is activated in the instrument cluster, DO NOT make turns until the tell-tale has gone out.
Auxiliary
Generic switches are available for auxiliary functions that are installed by the customer. These switches can be purchased
from your authorized Volvo Truck dealer.
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Auxiliary Switch
Notes
DANGER
Activation of the kingpin lock release switch ONLY unlocks the kingpin latch mechanism. To relock the latch mechanism,
you MUST pull forward and then back up to re-engage the kingpin lock mechanism. Failure to follow these instructions
can result in separation of the trailer from the tractor causing personal injury or death.
• Park the vehicle and apply the parking brake for the tractor trailer.
• To release the fifth wheel kingpin lock, push the switch up. This will release the locking mechanism. Once activated, the
switch will not relock the fifth wheel kingpin locking mechanism.
• Release the parking brake and drive the tractor 12 inches away from the kingpin.
• Deflate the air suspension by pressing the bottom of the suspension switch. After the suspension lowers, pull clear of the
trailer and reinflate the suspension.
• The fifth wheel kingpin lock will only relock if you follow the complete recoupling procedures.
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Marker Interrupt
This switch interrupts power to the marker lights when held down. When released, it springs back to the ON position and re-
turns power to the marker lights.
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Suspension Dump
Vehicles with rear air suspension have a control for deflating the air springs. Use this feature when uncoupling from trailers.
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CAUTION
The vehicle must never be driven with the air springs deflated. Damage to air suspension parts will occur if springs are not
inflated properly.
The suspension dump switch has a safety latch to prevent accidental engagement. Depress the latch and press in the bot-
tom part of the switch to deflate the air springs. A tell-tale in the instrument cluster will light up when the switch is in the ON
position.
This switch controls a chassis-mounted electric over air solenoid valve. When the switch is rocked down to the ON position
and the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, the solenoid valve will no longer have power and the suspension will
inflate.
DANGER
The release must never be operated while the vehicle is operating on the road. Fifth wheel position adjustment must only
be done when stationary. Damage to the fifth wheel, trailer kingpin and slider may occur if not operated properly and may
lead to an accident, causing serious personal injury or death.
The sliding fifth wheel uses an air-operated release mechanism and is used for distributing loads more favorably between
the front and rear axles to comply with varying state and provincial laws. Depress the latch and press in the bottom part of
the switch to release the slider locks.
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• Turn OFF main head lamps, high beam, fog and driving lights.
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Notes
The transmission-mounted PTO is clutch dependent, which means that operation can be regulated by depressing or re-
leasing the clutch pedal. This PTO should NOT be in use while driving.
The engine-mounted PTO is directly mounted to the engine and is engaged with a bypass valve operated by the switch.
This PTO can be in use while driving.
CAUTION
It is important to only engage the switch when the PTO is required. Leaving the PTO pump engaged when not needed can
lead to poor performance and pump damage.
Transmission-Mounted PTO
Engage the PTO by depressing the clutch pedal and pressing in the bottom part of the switch. Release the clutch pedal to
start the PTO.
One or two PTOs can be run at the same time. Applications change depending on customer needs and components.
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Engine-Mounted PTO, VN
The engine should be running at low idle and the vehicle should be stopped or running at very low speed before engaging
power take-off. Engage the PTO by depressing the locking tab and at the same time, depressing the main part of the switch.
The PTO is now in operation and hydraulic flow can be regulated by the engine speed.
Notes
• Volvo engines: Press the RESUME button to achieve the preset PTO engine speed. Alternatively, the accelerator ped-
al can be used to achieve the desired engine speed, and press SET+ or SET- to hold that speed
• Cummins engines: Press either the RESUME, SET+, or the RESUME and SET+ buttons simultaneously to achieve
one of three possible preset speeds.
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Notes
DANGER
When operating your tractor bobtail (without a trailer) or on slippery roads, the engine brake switch must be in the OFF po-
sition. Failure to follow these instructions can result in loss of vehicle control, serious personal injury or death.
DANGER
A vehicle speed retarding device is not intended to replace the service brake system on your vehicle nor intended to bring
your vehicle to a stop. A vehicle speed retarding device is only intended to retard the speed of your vehicle under certain
conditions.
Using the retarding device as a brake could result in loss of vehicle control and personal injury or death.
Note: It is normal for a slight delay to occur in the application of a vehicle speed retarding device. When using a device of this
type, be sure to think ahead and analyze conditions in order to use the device properly.
Several types of engine brakes can be installed or are standard on certain engines. All are used to reduce wear on the ve-
hicle brake linings.
Several types of engine brakes can be installed or are standard on certain engines. All are used to reduce wear on the ve-
hicle brake linings.
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DANGER
DO NOT use the retarder on wet or slippery roads. The retarder may cause vehicle to slide and cause an accident which
could result in injury or death.
CAUTION
Apply the retarder only when engine is at closed throttle.
CAUTION
Observe transmission and engine temperatures. Select the lowest possible transmission range in order to maximize the
cooling system capacity and retarding. If overheating occurs, decrease the use of the retarder and use service brakes in-
stead. Check the retarder overtemp light.
Note: The retarder is automatically disabled when the ABS (anti-lock brake system) is active.
The Transmission Retarder is an option with Allison HD and MD transmissions. It is activated by an on/off switch in the auxili-
ary panel and is controlled by a stalk switch mounted in front of the wiper switch. You can set six different levels with the stalk
switch.
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Note: Vehicle brake lights are always on when the transmission retarder is active.
For complete warnings and instructions, refer to the Allison Transmission manual.
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• O = Off
• A = Engine Brake Cruise Control? In this position when the Cruise Control is enabled and the vehicle speed exceeds the
set cruise speed, the I-VEB will engage with the infinite control (within the limits of the engine brake) to maintain that
speed
• B = I-Shift Brake Program — When ordered in conjunction with the Volvo I-Shift Transmission, the controls are integrated
Notes
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1 AC OFF button: Turns the air conditioning OFF. The arrow in the illustration shows the LED light which is AMBER or RED
indicating the AC compressor is OFF. The ECC will still try to maintain the selected temperature in the cab without the
compressor.
2 Temperature Knob
3 Fan Speed Knob
4 Recirculation Button
5 Air Distribution Knob
Recirculation
Press recirculation to circulate the air in the cab. Only a small amount of air is taken directly from outside.
The light in the button comes on when the button is pressed for air recirculation.
Normal Setting
When the temperature control is set to any temperature between 18°C and 27°C (64°F and 80°F), the ECC automatically ad-
justs itself close to the selected temperature, similar to a thermostat.
Fan Speed
The fan speeds are 1 through 4. The fan will not operate when "0" is selected, but air will flow when set to fresh air mode due
to ram air effect when the truck is moving.
• The ECC automatically circulates air at fan speed 4 when there is a big difference between the selected temperature and
the temperature measured by the in-cab sensor. However, as the temperature in the cab gets closer to the selected tem-
perature, the fan speed begins to slow down.
• If maximum cold or maximum heat are selected, the ECC automatically circulates air at fan speed 4 when AUT is se-
lected. At any other selected fan speed the system adjusts and conforms to the chosen speed.
DANGER
DO NOT attempt to drive with the windshield covered by mist, or fog or frost. The visibility is reduced, which could lead to
an accident causing severe personal injury or death.
Horn
Electric and air horns are standard equipment. They are both operated from the steering wheel or center pad.
The airbag can be pressed down anywhere around the edge to engage the air horn.
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1 Air Horn
2 Electric Horn (city horn)