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2005 VOLVO XC90
models equipped with the optional Bi-Xenon headlights).
Switch from high to low beams and vice versa by pulling the turn signal \
switch lever on the left side of
steering column toward you.
B - Instrument lighting
Move the thumb wheel up to increase brightness or down to decrease brigh\
tness. There is also an
instrument panel illumination sensor (see illustration on
page 50) which automatically adjusts the level
of illumination. The symbols have maximum illumination in daylight (onl\
y the background lighting can
be adjusted). At night, both the symbol light and background lighting c\
an be adjusted.
C - Unlocking the fuel filler door
Press this button when the vehicle is at a standstill to unlock the fuel\
filler door. Please note that the fuel
filler door will remain unlocked until the vehicle begins to move forwar\
d. An audible click will be heard
when the fuel filler door relocks. See also
page 88.
NOTE: If the fuel filler door does not unlock after the button has been press\
ed, please see
page 34 for
information on manually unlocking this door.
D - Front fog lights
The front fog lights will function only in combination with the low beam\
headlights. The fog lights turn
off when the ignition is switched off.
A light in the switch indicates when the front fog lights are on.
pg. 34 Instruments and controls
Lighting panel, Manually unlocking the fuel filler door
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2005 VOLVO XC90
4. Open the cover (2) in the side panel by pulling the tab (3) upwar\
d/outward.
5. Pull down the insulating material (4) to access the fuel filler doo\
r motor (5).
6. Move the catch (6) rearward to unlock the fuel filler door lock, or\
move it forward to lock the filler
door.
pg. 35 Instruments and controls
Turn signals, Steering wheel adjustment
1. Lane change position
In maneuvers such as lane changing, the driver can flash the turn signal\
s by moving the turn signal lever
to the first stop and holding it there. The lever will return to the neu\
tral position when released.
2. Signal lever engaged for normal turns
3. High/low beam switch (headlights on).
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2005 VOLVO XC90
Move the lever towards the steering wheel and release it.
Headlight flasher (headlights off).
Move the lever towards the steering wheel. The headlight high beam will \
be on until the lever is
released.
NOTE: If the turn signal indicator flashes faster than normal, check for a bur\
ned-out turn signal bulb.
4. Exterior courtesy lights.
Home safe lighting
When you leave your vehicle at night, you can make use of the courtesy l\
ighting function:
l Remove the key from the ignition switch.
l Pull the turn signal lever towards the steering wheel (as when using th\
e headlight flasher function).
l Exit the vehicle and lock the doors.
The headlights, parking lights, license plate lights and the lights in t\
he sideview mirrors will now come
on and remain on for 30, 60 or 90 seconds (the time interval is at your\
discretion and can be changed by
an authorized Volvo retailer).
Approach lighting
When approaching the vehicle at night, press the yellow button in the ce\
ntral locking remote control (see
illustration on
page 77). This lights up the interior courtesy lights, parking lights, license\
plate lights and
the lights in the sideview mirrors.
Steering wheel adjustment
Both the height and the reach of the steering wheel can be adjusted to a\
comfortable position for the
driver. Pull down the lever on the left of the steering column. Adjust t\
he steering wheel to a suitable
position and press the lever back into place to lock the steering wheel \
in the new position. Check that the
steering wheel is locked in the new position.
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WARNING!
The Never adjust the steering wheel while
driving.
pg. 36 Instruments and controls
Windshield wipers
Windshield wipers off
If the lever is in the 0 position and you move it upwards, the wipers wi\
ll sweep one stroke at a time for
as long as you hold the lever up.
"Single sweep" position
Move the lever slightly upward from the 0 position for one sweep of the \
wipers. The lever return
automatically to 0 when released.
Intermittent wiper function
With the lever in this position, you can set the wiper interval by twist\
ing ring (1) upward to increase
wiper speed or downward to decrease the speed.
Rain sensor (option)
The rain sensor automatically regulates wiper speed according to the amo\
unt of water on the windshield.
The sensitivity of the sensor can be adjusted by twisting ring 1 up (th\
e wipers will sweep the windshield
more frequently) or down (the wipers will sweep the windshield less fr\
equently).
Activating the rain sensor :
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2005 VOLVO XC90
pg. 40 Instruments and controls
Cruise control
Cruise control
The cruise control panel is located on the left side of the steering whe\
el hub.
Engaging cruise control
Press the CRUISE button. CRUISE will be displayed in the information win\
dow in the instrument panel.
NOTE: This does not set the vehicle's speed.
Setting speed
Press + or - to set the current speed. CRUISE ON will be displayed in th\
e information window in the
instrument panel.
Increasing or decreasing speed
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2005 VOLVO XC90
affect the fuel pump's ability to supply the engine with an adequate sup\
ply of fuel. Therefore, it is
advisable to refuel as soon as possible when the needle nears the red zo\
ne, or when the fuel warning
light comes on.
WARNING!
Never carry a cell phone that is switched on while refueling your vehicle. If the phone rings, this may
cause a spark that could ignite gasoline fumes, resulting in fire and in\
jury.
CAUTION
- Do not refuel with the engine running *. Turn the ignition off or to p\
osition I. If the ignition is on,
an incorrect reading could occur in the fuel gauge
- After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise unt\
il it clicks into place*.
- Allow for fuel expansion by not overfilling the tank. Overfilling coul\
d also cause damage to the
emission control systems.
- Avoid spilling gasoline during refueling. In addition to causing damag\
e to the environment,
gasolines containing alcohol can cause damage to painted surfaces, which\
may not be covered under
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
- Do not use gasolines containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcoho\
l). This practice can result
in vehicle performance deterioration and can damage critical parts in th\
e fuel system. Such damage
may not be covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
* If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is runni\
ng when the vehicle is refueled, the
Check Engine Light (malfunction indicator lamp) may indicate a fault. \
However, your vehicle's
performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo original or approved fu\
el filler caps.
pg. 89 Starting and driving
Starting the engine
1. Fasten the seat belt.
WARNING!
Before starting, check that the seat, steering wheel and mirrors are adj\
usted properly. Make sure the
brake pedal can be depressed completely. Adjust the seat if necessary. S\
ee
pages 58, 60.
2. Apply the parking brake if not already set. The gear selector is lock\
ed in the (P)ark position
(Shiftlock).
Manual transmission: the clutch must be fully depressed.
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Steering wheel lock
The steering wheel lock might be under tension when the vehicle is parke\
d.
Turn the steering wheel slightly to free the ignition key.
In order to help reduce vehicle theft, make sure the steering wheel lock\
is engaged before leaving
the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never switch off the ignition (turn the ignition key to position 0) or\
remove the key from the ignition
switch while the vehicle is in motion. This could cause the steering whe\
el to lock, which would make
the vehicle impossible to steer.
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* The gear selector must be in the (P)ark position (automatic transmission).
** Please be aware that leaving the key in this position will increase b\
attery drain.
pg. 91 Starting and driving
General information
Economical driving conserves natural resources
Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid\
starts and stops and
adjusting the speed of your vehicle to immediate traffic conditions. Obs\
erve the following rules:
l Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by \
driving with a light foot on
the accelerator pedal for the first few minutes of operation. A cold eng\
ine uses more fuel and is subject
to increased wear.
l Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle for driving short distances. \
This does not allow the engine
to reach normal operating temperature.
l Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
l Use the transmission's (D)rive position as often as possible and avoid using "kickdown" to help
improve fuel economy.
l Do not exceed posted speed limits.
l Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the vehicle.
l Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tir\
es are cold).
l Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
l Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc, increase air resistance and also f\
uel consumption.
l At highway driving speeds, fuel consumption will be lower with the air c\
onditioning on and the
windows closed than with the air conditioning off and the windows open. \
l Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you le\
arn how to drive more
economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:
l Dirty air cleaner
l Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
l Dragging brakes
l Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard\
Maintenance intervals.
Weight distribution affects handling
At the specified curb weight your vehicle has a tendency to understeer, \
which means that the steering
wheel has to be turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvatur\
e of a bend. This ensures good
stability and reduces the risk of rear wheel skid. Remember that these p\
roperties can alter with the
vehicle load. The heavier the load in the cargo area, the less the tende\
ncy to understeer.
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