2005 VOLVO XC90 warning light

2005 VOLVO XC90
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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2005 VOLVO XC90
NOTE: Avoid driving on steep inclines if the fuel tank is nearly empty. If the\
flow of fuel to the engine
is interrupted due to the vehicle's angle of inclination, this could res\
ult in damage to the three-way
catalytic converter. We recommend keeping the fuel tank at least half fu\
ll when driving on steep inclines.
Driving through water
l The vehicle should not be driven through water that is deeper than 18 in\
ches (48 cm). Driving through
deeper water could result in damage to transmission components or the di\
fferential, or to the engine if
excess water is drawn in through the air intake system.
l Drive slowly and avoid stopping when driving through water.
l After having driven through water, apply the brakes lightly several time\
s to remove water, mud, etc
from the brake discs.
l Never allow the vehicle to stand in water above the door sills. This cou\
ld result in damage to the
electrical system.
Conserving electrical current
Keep the following in mind to help minimize battery drain:
l When the engine is not running, avoid turning the ignition key to positi\
on II (see page 90). Many
electrical systems (the audio system, the optional infotainment/navigat\
ion systems, power windows, etc)
will function with the ignition key in position I. This position reduces\
drain on the battery.
l Please keep in mind that using systems, accessories, etc that consume a \
great deal of current when the
engine is not running could result in the battery being completely drain\
ed.
NOTE: A warning message will be displayed in the text window in the instrument\
panel when the
battery charge is low.
pg. 93 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission with Geartronic

5-cylinder turbo models
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2005 VOLVO XC90
pg. 97 Starting and driving
Brake system
BRAKE Brake circuit malfunction
The brake system is a hydraulic system consisting of two master cylinder\
s and two separate brake
circuits. If a problem should occur in one of these circuits, it is stil\
l possible to stop the vehicle with the
other brake circuit.
If the brake pedal must be depressed farther than normal and requires gr\
eater foot pressure, the stopping
distance will be longer.
A warning light in the instrument panel will light up to warn the driver\
that a fault has occurred.
If this light comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately and ch\
eck the brake fluid level in the
reservoir.
NOTE: Press the brake pedal hard and maintain pressure on the pedal - do not p\
ump the brakes.
WARNING!
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a "Brake\
failure - Service urgent"
message is displayed in the text window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle \
towed to a Volvo
retailer and have the brake system inspected.
NOTE: When the vehicle is at a standstill and the engine is idling, e.g. at a \
traffic light and the brake
pedal is depressed, the pedal may go down slightly. This is a normal fun\
ction of the power-assisted
brake system.
Power brakes function only when the engine is running
The power brakes utilize vacuum pressure which is only created when the \
engine is running. Never let
the vehicle roll to a stop with the engine switched off.
If the power brakes are not working, the brake pedal must be pressed app\
roximately four times harder
than usual to make up for the lack of power assistance. This can happen \
for example when towing your
vehicle or if the engine is switched off when the vehicle is rolling. Th\
e brake pedal feels harder than
usual.
Water on brake discs and brake pads affects braking
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2005 VOLVO XC90
Driving in rain and slush or passing through an automatic car wash can c\
ause water to collect on the
brake discs and pads. This will cause a delay in braking effect when the\
pedal is depressed. To avoid
such a delay when the brakes are needed, depress the pedal occasionally \
when driving through rain,
slush, etc. This will remove the water from the brakes. Check that brake\
application feels normal. This
should also be done after washing or starting in very damp or cold weath\
er.
Severe strain on the brake system
The brakes will be subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or\
hilly areas, or when towing a
trailer. Vehicle speed is usually slower, which means that the cooling o\
f the brakes is less efficient than
when driving on level roads. To reduce the strain on the brakes, shift i\
nto a lower gear and let the engine
help with the braking. Do not forget that if you are towing a trailer, t\
he brakes will be subjected to a
greater than normal load.
pg. 98 Starting and driving
Brake system (contd)
Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
If the warning lamp lights up there is a malfunction of the ABS system (\
the standard braking system will
however function) and the vehicle should be driven cautiously to a Volv\
o retailer for inspection. The
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stop\
ping and steering) during severe
braking conditions by limiting brake lockup. When the system "senses" im\
pending lockup, braking
pressure is automatically modulated in order to help prevent lockup, whi\
ch could lead to a skid.
This system performs a self-diagnostic test when the engine is started a\
nd when the vehicle first
reaches a speed of approximately 12 mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and a
sound may be audible from the ABS control module. This is normal.
To obtain optimal effect from the ABS system, constant pressure should b\
e kept on the brake pedal. Do
not pump the brake pedal.
The switching of the ABS modulator will be audible and the brake pedal w\
ill pulsate during braking.
Please be aware that ABS does not increase the absolute braking potentia\
l of the vehicle. While control
will be enhanced, ABS will not shorten stopping distances on slippery su\
rfaces.
ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
EBD is an integrated part of the ABS system. EBD regulates the hydraulic\
pressure to the rear brakes to
help provide optimal braking capacity. The brake pedal will pulsate duri\
ng braking, which is normal.
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2005 VOLVO XC90
If the BRAKE and ABS warning lights come on at the same time, this could\
indicate a fault in the brake
system.
l Stop the vehicle in a suitable place and switch off the engine.
l Restart the engine.
l If both warning lights go off, no further action is required.
l If both lights are still on after the engine has been restarted, switch \
off the engine again and check the
brake fluid level (see
page 140 for the location of the brake fluid reservoir).
l If the brake fluid level is above the MIN mark, drive carefully to an au\
thorized Volvo retailer and
have the brake system inspected.
WARNING!
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a "Brake\
failure - Service urgent"
message is displayed in the text window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle \
towed to a Volvo
retailer and have the brake system inspected.
pg. 99 Starting and driving
Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC)
The DSTC system on the Volvo XC90 consists of a number of functions:
1. Traction control (TC)
This function is designed to help reduce wheel spin by transferring powe\
r from a drive wheel that begins
to lose traction to the wheel on the opposite side of the vehicle (on t\
he same axle). TC monitors and
compares the rotational speed of the drive wheels. If one of the drive w\
heels shows a tendency to spin,
the difference in speed is immediately detected. This triggers the Anti-\
lock Brake System, which brakes
the spinning wheel until the difference in rotational speed is corrected\
.
TC is most active at low speeds, and a pulsating sound will be audible w\
hen the system is regulating
wheel spin. This is quite normal.
This is one of the DSTC system's permanent functions and is not affected\
when the DSTC button on the
center control panel is pressed.
2. Spin control (SC)
The spin control function is designed to help prevent the drive wheels f\
rom spinning while the vehicle is
accelerating. This is done by temporarily reducing engine torque to the \
drive wheels, which helps
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2005 VOLVO XC90
Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC) (contd)
The Stability Control indicator light
The Stability Control indicator light will come on for approximately 2 s\
econds when the ignition is
switched on as the system performs a self-diagnostic test.
The Stability Control indicator light will flash when:
l Traction Control is actively functioning to help avoid drive-wheel spin.\

l Spin Control is actively functioning to help avoid loss of traction duri\
ng acceleration.
l Active Yaw Control is actively functioning to help avoid skids or latera\
l slides.
l Roll Stability Control is actively functioning to help avoid a roll-over\
situation.
The warning symbol in the instrument panel
A steady yellow glow indicates:
l That the system has been automatically disengaged due to a fault. "ANTI \
SKID SERVICE
REQUIRED" will be displayed in the text window. If this occurs, stop the\
vehicle in a suitable place,
switch off and restart the engine. If the light remains on, an authorize\
d Volvo retailer should check the
system.
l In the event of high brake temperature, "TRACTION CONTROL TEMPORARILY OF\
F" will be
displayed in the text window.
The system will automatically switch on again when the brakes have coole\
d.
Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)
The EBA function is an integrated part of the DSTC system. EBA is design\
ed to provide full brake
effect immediately in the event of sudden, hard braking. The system is a\
ctivated by the speed with which
you depress the brake pedal.
NOTE:
l When the EBA system is activated, the brake pedal will go down and press\
ure in the brake system
immediately increases to the maximum level. Maintain full pressure on th\
e brake pedal in order to utilize
the system completely. EBA is automatically deactivated when the brake p\
edal is released.
l When the vehicle has been parked for some time, the brake pedal may sink\
more than usual when the
engine is started. This is normal and the pedal will return to its usual\
position when it is released.
pg. 101 Starting and driving
Park assist
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2005 VOLVO XC90
the button.
NOTE: It may be necessary to deactivate one or both of the park assist system\
s in certain cases.
l Rear park assist: towing a trailer, carrying bicycles in a rear-mounted carrier, etc, co\
uld trigger the
rear park assist system's sensors.
l Front park assist: it may not be possible to combine auxiliary headlights and front park \
assist since
these lights could trigger the system's sensors.
Faults in the system
If a fault should occur in the system, the LED in the button will be swi\
tched off and a message will be
displayed in the text window.
Cleaning the sensors
For the system to function properly, the sensors in the front and/or rea\
r bumpers should be kept clean.
They can be cleaned with car washing detergent and a sponge.
WARNING!
This system is designed to be a supplementary aid when the vehicle is ba\
cking up. It is not, however,
intended to replace the driver's attention and judgement.
pg. 102 Starting and driving
Towing

Positions for attaching towing eyelets
Emergency towing
The towing eyelet is located in the tool bag, under the floor of the car\
go area. This eyelet must be
screwed into the positions provided on the right sides of either the fro\
nt or rear bumper (see illustrations).
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2005 VOLVO XC90
To attach the towing eyelet:
A Use a coin to pry open the lower edge of the cover (A).
B Screw the towing eyelet (C) in place (B), first by hand and then us\
ing the tire iron until it is securely
in place.
After the vehicle has been towed, the eyelet should be removed and retur\
ned to the tool bag. Press the
cover back into position.
Precautions when the vehicle is in tow
l The steering wheel must be unlocked. Turn the ignition key to position I\
or II.
l The gear selector must be in position N.
l Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h). Do not exceed the maximum allowable t\
owing speed.
l Maximum distance with front wheels on ground: 50 miles (80 km).
l While the vehicle is being towed, try to keep the tow rope taut at all t\
imes.
l The vehicle should only be towed in forward direction.
CAUTION
- Please check with state and local authorities before attempting this t\
ype of towing, as vehicles being
towed are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length \
and type of towing device,
lighting, etc.
- If the vehicle's battery is dead, do not attempt to start the vehicle \
by pushing or pulling it as this will
damage the three-way catalytic converter(s). The engine must be jump s\
tarted using an auxiliary
battery (see
page 104).
- If the vehicle is being towed on a flat bed truck, the towing eyelets \
must not be used to secure the
vehicle on the flat bed. Consult the tow truck operator.
WARNING!
- Remember that the power brakes and power steering will not function wh\
en engine is not running.
The braking and steering systems will function but the brake pedal press\
ure required is 3 - 4 times
above normal and greater steering effort must be exerted.
- The towing eyelets must not be used for pulling the vehicle out of a d\
itch or for any similar purpose
involving severe strain. Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the vehic\
le up onto a flat bed tow truck.
pg. 103 Starting and driving
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