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
Automatic transmission with Geartronic
P Park
Use this position when starting the engine or parking the vehicle.
Never use P while the vehicle is in motion.
The parking brake should also be set whenever the vehicle is parked.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK)\
. To release the gear selector from this
position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in po\
sition II) and the brake pedal must be depressed.
N (Neutral)
Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.
WARNING!
Never leave the vehicle unattended when the engine is running. If, by mi\
stake, the gear selector is moved from P, the
vehicle may start moving.
R (Reverse)
Never engage R while the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible \
to help improve fuel economy. The vehicle should
not be moving when shifting from R to the D position.
NOTE: The transmission has 6 forward speeds.
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2007 Volvo XC90
Automatic transmission - shift gate positions
Depress the button on the front of the gear selector knob to move betwee\
n the R, N, D, and P positions.
Kickdown
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing t\
he accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An upshift
will occur when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by re\
leasing the accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway\
speeds.
pg. 125 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission with Geartronic
NOTE: The gear selector must be in the D (Drive) position for kickdown to f\
unction.
Manual shifting - Geartronic
You can move the gear selector freely between the (MAN)ual and (D)rive positions while driving.
l Geartronic has 6 forward speeds.
l A "lock-up" feature1 reduces engine speed and help saves fuel. The currently selected gear w\
ill be displayed in the
instrument panel (see
page 46).
l To access the (MAN)ual shifting position from (D)rive, move the gear selector to the left to MAN.
l To return to the (D)rive position from MAN, move the gear selector to the right.
While driving
If you select the (MAN)ual position while driving, the gear that was being used in the (D)rive position will also initially be
selected in (MAN)ual position.
l Move the gear selector forward (toward "+") to shift to a higher gear \
or rearward (toward "-") to shift to a lower gear.
l If you hold the gear selector toward "-", the transmission will downshif\
t one gear and will utilize the braking power of
the engine. If the current speed is too high for using a lower gear, the\
downshift will not occur until the speed has
decreased enough to allow the lower gear to be used.
l If you slow down to a very low speed, the transmission will automaticall\
y shift down.
l When starting in the (MAN)ual position, 3rd gear is the highest gear that may be selected.
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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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2007 Volvo XC90
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 front or rear bumper\
(see illustrations).
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 \
using 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 started using an a\
uxiliary battery (see
page 136).
- 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.
pg. 135 Starting and driving
Towing
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2007 Volvo XC90
l When the vehicle is stationary, the rear suspension lowers, which is nor\
mal.
pg. 140 Starting and driving
Detachable trailer hitch
A. Ball holder
B. Locking bolt
C. Safety wire attachment
D. Hitch assembly
E. Cotter pin
Installing the ball holder
- If necessary, remove the cotter pin from the locking bolt and slide th\
e locking bolt out of the hitch assembly.
- Slide the ball holder into the hitch assembly.
- Align the hole in the ball holder with the one in the hitch assembly. \
- Slide the locking bolt through the hitch assembly/ball holder.
- Insert the cotter pin in the hole at the end of the locking bolt.
Removing the ball holder
- Remove the cotter pin from the locking bolt and slide the locking bolt\
out of the ball holder/hitch assembly.
- Pull the ball holder out of the hitch assembly.
A cover for the hitch assembly can be purchased from your Volvo retailer\
.
pg. 141 Starting and driving
Load carriers (accessory)
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2007 Volvo XC90
Load carrier cover
The vehicle's ignition key or the stud on the edge of the supplied torqu\
e wrench can be used to undo or tighten the cover.
Turn a quarter turn (90 degrees). See illustration.
pg. 143 Starting and driving
Cold weather precautions
If you wish to check your vehicle before the approach of cold weather, t\
he following advice is worth noting:
l Make sure that the engine coolant contains 50 percent antifreeze. Any ot\
her mixture will reduce freeze protection. This
gives protection against freezing down to -31°F (-35°C). See sec\
tion "Coolant". The use of "recycled" antifreeze is not
approved by Volvo. Different types of antifreeze must not be mixed.
l Volvo recommends using only genuine Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's r\
adiator. Your Volvo retailer stocks plenty of
Volvo engine coolant to protect your vehicle during cold weather.
l Try to keep the fuel tank well filled - this prevents the formation of condensation in the tank. \
In addition, in extremely
cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to add fuel line de-icer before\
refueling.
l The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-weat\
her starting as well
as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine is warming up. For winte\
r use, 5W-30 oil, particularly the synthetic type
1,
is recommended. Be sure to use good quality oil but do not use cold-weat\
her oil for hard driving or in warm weather. See
section "Engine oil" for more information.
l The load placed on the battery is greater during the winter since the windshield wipers, lighting, etc\
. are used more
often. Moreover, the capacity of the battery decreases as the temperatur\
e drops. In very cold weather, a poorly charged
battery can freeze and be damaged. It is therefore advisable to check th\
e state of charge more frequently and spray an
antirust oil on the battery posts.
l Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter driving - see section "Wheels and tires."\
l To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents containing antifreeze (see page 188 for the
location of the washer fluid reservoir). This is important since dirt i\
s often splashed on the windshield during winter
driving, requiring the frequent use of the washers and wipers. Volvo Was\
her Solvent should be diluted as follows:
- Down to 14° F (-10° C): 1 part washer solvent and 4 parts water
- Down to 5° F (-15° C): 1 part washer solvent and 3 parts water
- Down to 0° F (-18° C): 1 part washer solvent and 2 parts water
- Down to -18° F (-28° C): 1 part washer solvent and 1 part water
l Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
NOTE: Avoid the use of de-icing sprays as they can cause damage to the locks.
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