2007 Volvo XC90
2 0 0 7
VOLVO XC90
Starting and driving
pg. 113 Starting and driving
General information
114
Fuel requirements
115
Refueling
117
Starting the vehicle
119
Economical driving
121
Difficult driving conditions
123
Automatic transmission with Geartronic
124
All Wheel Drive (option)
126
Brake system
127
Stability system
130
Front/rear park assist (accessory/option)
132
Towing
134
Jump starting
136
Towing a trailer
137
Detachable trailer hitch
140
Load carriers (accessory)
141
Cold weather precautions
143
Before a long distance trip
144
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) -
option
145
pg. 114 Starting and driving
General information
Engine oil
Although some oil consumption occurs during normal engine operation, mor\
e oil is consumed when the engine is new as
the internal parts generate higher friction while wearing-in to each oth\
er. From the time the engine is new until the first
maintenance is performed, the oil consumption could be higher than norma\
l. For this reason, it is especially important to
check the oil every time you refuel your vehicle during this period. See\
page 187.
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2007 Volvo XC90
Fuel requirements
Octane rating
Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium g\
asoline with an AKI octane rating of 91 or
above. AKI (ANTI KNOCK INDEX) is an average of the Research Octane Num\
ber, RON, and the Motor Octane Number,
MON. ((RON + MON)/2). The minimum octane requirement is AKI 87 (RON\
91).
Deposit control gasoline (detergent additives)
Volvo recommends the use of detergent gasoline to control engine deposit\
s. Detergent gasoline is effective in keeping
injectors and intake valves clean. Consistent use of deposit control gas\
olines will help ensure good drivability and fuel
economy. If you are not sure whether the gasoline contains deposit contr\
ol additives, check with the service station
operator.
NOTE: Volvo does not recommend the use of external fuel injector cleaning sys\
tems.
Unleaded fuel
Each Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter and must use only unleade\
d gasoline. U.S. and Canadian regulations
require that pumps delivering unleaded gasoline be labelled "UNLEADED". \
Only these pumps have nozzles which fit
your vehicle's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel into\
a vehicle labelled "unleaded gasoline only". Leaded
gasoline damages the three-way catalytic converter and the heated oxygen\
sensor system. Repeated use of leaded gasoline
will lessen the effectiveness of the emission control system and could r\
esult in loss of emission warranty coverage. State
and local vehicle inspection programs will make detection of misfueling \
easier, possibly resulting in emission test failure
for misfueled vehicles.
NOTE: Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines contain an octane enhancing additive c\
alled methyl-cyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). If such fuels are used, your Emission Con\
trol System performance may be affected, and
the Check Engine Light (malfunction indicator lamp) located on your in\
strument panel may light. If this occurs, please
return your vehicle to an authorized Volvo retailer for maintenance.
Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers "Oxygenated fuels"
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing "oxygenates" which are usua\
lly alcohols or ethers. In some areas, state or
local laws require that the service pump be marked indicating use of alc\
ohols or ethers. However, there are areas in which
the pumps are unmarked. If you are not sure whether there is alcohol or \
ethers in the gasoline you buy, check with the
service station operator. To meet seasonal air quality standards, some a\
reas require the use of "oxygenated" fuel.
Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygenated" fuels; however, the o\
ctane ratings listed on this page must still be met.
Alcohol - Ethanol: Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may be u\
sed. Ethanol may also be referred to as Ethyl
alcohol, or "Gasohol".
Ethers - MTBE: Fuels containing up to 15% MTBE may be used.
pg. 115 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements
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2007 Volvo XC90
WARNING!
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. It is prese\
nt in all exhaust gases. If you ever smell exhaust
fumes inside the vehicle, make sure the passenger compartment is ventila\
ted, and immediately return the vehicle to your
retailer for correction.
pg. 116 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements
WARNING!
Driving with the tailgate open: Driving with the tailgate open could lead to poisonous exhaust gases e\
ntering the
passenger compartment. If the tailgate must be kept open for any reason,\
proceed as follows:
l Close the windows
l Set the ventilation system control to air flow to floor, windshield and \
side windows and blower control to its highest
setting.
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 curvature of a bend. Thi\
s ensures good stability and reduces the risk of
rear wheel skid. Remember that these properties can alter with the vehic\
le load. The heavier the load in the cargo area, the
less the tendency to understeer.
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle hand\
ling. Therefore, check that the tires are inflated to the
recommended pressure according to the vehicle load. See "Tire pressure" \
section. Loads should be distributed so that
capacity weight or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded.
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 121). Many electrical systems
(the audio system, the optional infotainment/ navigation 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 drained.
NOTE: A warning message will be displayed in the text window in the instrumen\
t panel when the battery charge is low.
pg. 117 Starting and driving
Refueling
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2007 Volvo XC90
CAUTION!
- Do not refuel with the engine running
1. Turn the ignition off or to position I. If the ignition is on, an inco\
rrect reading
could occur in the fuel gauge.
- After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise unt\
il it clicks into place
1.
- Avoid overfilling the fuel tank. Do not press the handle on the filler\
nozzle more than one extra time. Too much fuel in
the tank in hot weather conditions can cause the fuel to overflow. Overf\
illing could 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 u\
nder 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 the fuel syst\
em. Such damage may not be covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
1. If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is runn\
ing when the vehicle is refueled, the Check Engine Light
(malfunction indicator lamp) may indicate a fault. However, your vehic\
le's performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo original
or approved fuel filler caps.
pg. 119 Starting and driving
Starting the vehicle
Starting the engine
- 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. See pages
84 and 87.
- Apply the parking brake (hand brake) if not already set. The gear se\
lector is locked in the (P)ark position
(SHIFTLOCK).
- Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key
1 to the starting position. Allow the starter to operate for up
to 10 seconds. Release the key as soon as the engine starts
2. If the engine fails to start, repeat this step.
NOTE:
l If the key blade section of the remote is not fully folded out when star\
ting the vehicle, the immobilizer function may
make it impossible to start the engine.
l After a cold start, idle speed may be noticeably higher than normal for \
a short period. This is done to help bring
components in the emission control system to their normal operating temp\
erature as quickly as possible, which enables
them to control emissions and help reduce the vehicle's impact on the en\
vironment.
l For cold starts at altitudes above 6000 ft (1800 meters), depress the \
accelerator pedal halfway and turn the key to the
starting position. Release the pedal slowly when the engine starts.
- To release the gear selector from the (P)ark position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be\
in position
II) and the brake pedal must be depressed.
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2007 Volvo XC90
- Select the desired gear. The gear engages after a very slight delay wh\
ich is especially noticeable when selecting R.
NOTE: Your vehicle is equipped with a KEYLOCK system. When the engine is switched off, the gear selector must be
in the (P)ark position before the key can be removed from the ignition switch. W\
hen starting in cold weather, the
transmission may shift up at slightly higher engine speeds than normal u\
ntil the automatic transmission fluid reaches
normal operating temperature.
NOTE: Do not race a cold engine immediately after starting. Oil flow may not \
reach some lubrication points fast enough
to prevent engine damage.
WARNING!
An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pedal to ca\
tch. Check that the movement of the accelerator
pedal is not impeded. No more than one protective floor covering may be \
used at one time.
1. If two of the keys to your vehicle are close together, e.g. on the sa\
me key ring when you try to start the vehicle, this could cause
interference in the immobilizer system and result in the vehicle not sta\
rting. If this should occur, remove one of the keys from the key
ring before trying to start the vehicle again.
2. On vehicles equipped with the autostart feature, release the key imme\
diately. See also
page 121.
pg. 120 Starting and driving
Starting the vehicle
WARNING!
Always place the gear selector in Park and apply the parking brake befor\
e leaving the vehicle. Never leave the vehicle
unattended with the engine running. Always open garage doors fully befor\
e starting the engine inside a garage to ensure
adequate ventilation. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which i\
s invisible and odorless but very poisonous.
CAUTION!
Automatic transmission
The engine should be idling when you move the gear selector. Never accel\
erate until after you feel the transmission
engage! Accelerating immediately after selecting a gear will cause harsh\
engagement and premature transmission wear.
Selecting P or N when idling at a standstill for prolonged periods of ti\
me will help prevent overheating of the automatic
transmission fluid.
pg. 121 Starting and driving
Economical driving
Ignition switch and steering wheel lock
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2007 Volvo XC90
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 wheel to lock, which\
would make the vehicle impossible to steer.
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. Observe 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 engine uses more fu\
el 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.
1. The gear selector must be in the (P)ark position (automatic transmission).
2. Please be aware that leaving the key in this position will increase b\
attery drain.
pg. 122 Starting and driving
Economical driving
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 Service intervals.
CAUTION!
Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.e. floode\
d roadways, etc.). Damage to the engine could
result if excess water is drawn in through the air intake system. Never \
drive the vehicle in water deeper than 18 inches
(48 cm).
pg. 123 Starting and driving
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2007 Volvo XC90
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 still 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 \
pump 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 retaile\
r 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 function of the power-a\
ssisted 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 to\
wing your vehicle or if the engine is switched off
when the vehicle is rolling. The brake pedal feels harder than usual.
Water on brake discs and brake pads affects braking
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. T\
o avoid such a delay when the brakes are needed,
depress the pedal occasionally when driving through rain, slush etc. Thi\
s will remove the water from the brakes. Check
that brake application feels normal. This should also be done after wash\
ing or starting in very damp or cold weather.
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 of the brakes is l\
ess efficient than when driving on level roads. To
reduce the strain on the brakes, shift into a lower gear and let the eng\
ine help with the braking. Do not forget that, if you
are towing a trailer, the brakes will be subjected to a greater than nor\
mal load.
pg. 128 Starting and driving
Brake system
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 Volvo retail\
er for inspection. The Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stopping and steering) durin\
g severe braking conditions by limiting brake lockup.
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2007 Volvo XC90
When the system "senses" impending lockup, braking pressure is automatic\
ally modulated in order to help prevent lockup,
which could lead to a skid.
The system performs a self-diagnostic test when the engine is started an\
d 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 f\
rom 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 potential of the vehicle. Whi\
le control will be enhanced, ABS will not shorten
stopping distances on slippery surfaces.
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 during braking, w\
hich is normal.
If the BRAKE and ABS warning lights come on at the same time, this could\
indicate a fault in the brake system.
- Stop the vehicle in a suitable place and switch off the engine.
- Restart the engine.
- If both warning lights go off, no further action is required.
- If both lights are still on after the engine has been restarted, switc\
h off the engine again and check the brake fluid level
(see
page 185 for the location of the brake fluid reservoir).
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 retaile\
r and have the brake system inspected.
- If the brake fluid level is above the MIN mark, drive carefully to an \
authorized Volvo retailer and have the brake system
inspected.
Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)
The EBA function is designed to provide full brake effect immediately in\
the event of sudden, hard braking. The system is
activated 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. You must maintain full pressure on the b\
rake pedal in order
pg. 129 Starting and driving
Brake system
to utilize the system completely. There will be no braking effect if the\
pedal is released. EBA is automatically deactivated
when the brake pedal 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.
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