Volvo S40 Towbars

Volvo S40 Towing Specifics

The Volvo S40 was first introduced in 1995 by the Swedish manufacturer as a subcompact executive car, designed with great towing capabilities. We will cover the towing specifics of this model below.

Volvo S40 Towbar Electrics Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a Volvo S40 vehicle are done so with a dedicated electrics kit, rather than a universal electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit not only ensures all modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors are functional, but also helps to keep your vehicle's warranty unaffected.

We offer both universal and dedicated electrics kits for the Volvo S40 vehicle towbars, but be aware that universal electrics kits can invalidate any manufacturer warranty your vehicle has and may also require a bypass relay.

Check your Volvo warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All tow bars for the Volvo S40 1995-2004 models will not require a bypass relay, if universal electrics are fitted.

All tow bars for the Volvo S40 2004-2014 models will require a bypass relay, if universal electrics are fitted.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

Whereas a dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar.

All Volvo S40 models will not require coding.

Coding is used to update your vehicles software in order for it to run coherently with the new towbar through the dedicated electrics.

Bumper Cuts

Depending on the towbar, Volvo S40 models will require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar.

All Volvo S40 1995-2004 models have towbars that require non visible bumper cuts.

All Volvo S40 2004-2014 models have towbars that require non visible, visible and no bumper cuts.

Nose Weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball, it is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. Nose weight varies depending on the towbar you choose and are displayed under each tow bar below.

All Volvo S40 1995-2004 models have a nose weight of 75kg up to 80kg.

All Volvo S40 2004-2014 models have a nose weight of 75kg up to 100kg.

Towing Weight

Towing weight is the weight that a Volvo S40 vehicle can tow safely, without any risk of damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

For all Volvo S40 1995-2004 vehicles, the towbars have a towing weight capacity of 1400kg up to 1500kg.

For all Volvo S40 2004-2014 vehicles, the towbars have a towing weight capacity of 1500kg up to 1600kg.

You will need to check the towing limit for your Volvo S40 vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.