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.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2007/2007_XC90/07xc90_06.htm (1 of 32)12/30/2006\
5:53:44 PM
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
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2007/2007_XC90/07xc90_06.htm (7 of 32)12/30/2006\
5:53:44 PM
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
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2007/2007_XC90/07xc90_06.htm (9 of 32)12/30/2006\
5:53:44 PM
2007 Volvo XC90
Difficult driving conditions
Driving on rough/unpaved surfaces
The Volvo XC90 is designed primarily for on-road driving, and it has exc\
ellent handling characteristics on very rough or
unpaved roads.
When driving on poorly maintained or unpaved roads, please keep the foll\
owing in mind:
l Reduce speed on rough surfaces to minimize possible damage to the vehicl\
e's underbody.
l When driving on soft surfaces such as dry sand or snow, try to avoid sto\
pping if at all possible.
WARNING!
Avoid driving diagonally across steep inclines as this could increase th\
e risk of a roll-over. Try to drive straight up or
down the slope.
If the road is very steep, avoid turning the vehicle around to help avoi\
d the risk of rolling over. Back the vehicle up or
down the incline instead.
NOTE: Avoid driving on steep inclines if the fuel tank is nearly empty. If th\
e flow of fuel to the engine is interrupted due
to the vehicle's angle of inclination, this could result in damage to th\
e three-way catalytic converter. We recommend
keeping the fuel tank at least half full when driving on steep inclines.\
Driving through water
The vehicle can be driven through water up to a depth of approximately 1\
8 inches (48 cm), at a maximum speed of 6 mph
(10 km/h).
Take particular care when driving through flowing water.
Clean the electrical connections for trailer wiring after driving in mud\
or water.
When driving through water, maintain low speed and do not stop in the wa\
ter.
WARNING!
After driving through water, press lightly on the brake pedal to ensure \
that the brakes are functioning normally. Water
or mud can make the brake linings slippery, resulting in delayed braking\
effect.
CAUTION!
l Engine damage will occur if water is drawn into the air cleaner.
l If the vehicle is driven through water deeper than 18 in (48 cm), wate\
r may enter the differential and the
transmission. This reduces the oil's lubricating capacity and may shorte\
n the service life of these components.
l Do not allow the vehicle to stand in water up to the door sills longer t\
han absolutely necessary. This could result in
electrical malfunctions.
l If the engine has been stopped while the car is in water, do not attempt\
to restart the engine. Have the car towed out
of the water.
pg. 124 Starting and driving
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2007/2007_XC90/07xc90_06.htm (10 of 32)12/30/200\
6 5:53:44 PM
2007 Volvo XC90
Towing a trailer
The maximum weights recommended by Volvo for trailers with brakes are shown in the table below.
NOTE:
l Recommended hitch tongue load: not more than 10% of the trailer's weight\
. The trailer load should be positioned
so that it does not shift and the tongue load should be 10% of the trail\
er's weight. However, the tongue load should not
exceed the maximum permissible weights indicated in the table above.
l When towing trailers without brakes, the maximum permissible trailer weight is 1,700 lbs (750 kg).\
l If necessary, redistribute the weight of any cargo in the trailer to avo\
id excessive weight on the trailer hitch.
l The maximum trailer weight listed in the table for All Wheel Drive model\
s, 5,000 lbs (2250 kg) is only applicable when
there are not more than two occupants in the vehicle, in the front seats\
, with a combined weight of 300 lbs (135 kg), with
no other cargo in the vehicle.
l The maximum weight listed for Front Wheel Drive models, 4,000 lbs (1800\
kg) is only applicable when there are not
more than four occupants in the vehicle, in the front seats and second r\
ow of seats, with a combined weight of 600 lbs (270
kg), with no other cargo in the vehicle.
pg. 138 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
l Please be aware that the load on the trailer hitch is part of the vehicl\
e's total load carrying capacity. The amount of cargo
in the vehicle and the trailer must be limited so that the gross vehicle\
weight and maximum permissible rear axle weight
(see
page 209) are not exceeded.
l Vehicles used for towing a trailer on a regular basis, or for long-dista\
nce highway towing should be equipped with an
automatic transmission oil cooler and Volvo's automatic self-leveling sy\
stem for the rear suspension. Consult your Volvo
retailer.
l Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches that are specially des\
igned for the vehicle.
l All Volvo models are equipped with energy-absorbing shock-mounted bumper\
s. Trailer hitch installation should not
interfere with the proper operation of this bumper system.
l Increase tire pressure to recommended full inflation pressure. See chapt\
er "Wheels and tires."
l When your vehicle is new, avoid towing heavy trailers during the first 6\
20 miles (1,000 km).
l Engine and transmission are subject to increased loads. Therefore, engin\
e coolant temperature should be closely
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2007/2007_XC90/07xc90_06.htm (23 of 32)12/30/200\
6 5:53:44 PM
2007 Volvo XC90
watched when driving in hot climates or hilly terrain. Use a lower gear \
and turn off the air conditioner if the temperature
gauge needle enters the red range.
l If the automatic transmission begins to overheat, a message will be disp\
layed in the text window.
l Hauling a trailer affects handling, durability, and economy.
l It is necessary to balance trailer brakes with the towing vehicle brakes\
to provide a safe stop (check and observe state/
local regulations).
l Do not connect the trailer's brake system directly to the vehicle's brak\
e system.
l Remove the ball and drawbar assembly when the hitch is not being used.
l Volvo recommends the use of synthetic engine oil when towing a trailer o\
ver long distances or in mountainous areas.
NOTE:
l When parking the vehicle with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking bra\
ke before putting the gear selector in (P)ark.
When starting on a hill, put the gear selector in (D)rive before relea\
sing the parking brake. Always follow the trailer
manufacturer's recommendations for wheel chocking.
l If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift positions while towing a trai\
ler, make sure the gear you select does not put too
much strain on the engine (using too high a gear).
WARNING!
l Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor should s\
afety chains be attached to the bumper.
l Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle rear axle must not be used.
l Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to the vehicle\
brake system, nor a trailer's lighting system
directly to the vehicle lighting system. Consult your nearest authorized\
Volvo retailer for correct installation.
l When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety wire must be correctly faste\
ned to the hole or hook provided in the trailer
hitch on the vehicle. The safety wire should never be fastened to or wou\
nd around the drawbar ball.
pg. 139 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
Smoother starts with a trailer
Models equipped with the V8-engine and the 6-speed automatic transmissio\
n have a built-in function that reduces
acceleration slightly in first gear when the vehicle is towing a trailer\
. This is done to help avoid wheel spin and to make
starting off smoother.
l This function is activated when the trailer's electrical connector is pl\
ugged into the electrical socket mounted near the
trailer hitch.
l The function is automatically deactivated when the trailer's wiring is d\
isconnected from the socket. The vehicle will
then accelerate normally.
NOTE: Since this function is activated when a connector is plugged into the e\
lectrical socket near the trailer hitch, it will
be activated by any electrical equipment (e.g. bicycle racks with light\
ing, etc) that is plugged in, and will remain active
until the equipment is unplugged from the socket.
Leveling
If your vehicle is equipped with automatic leveling, the rear suspension\
always retains the correct ride height regardless of
the load.
l The system adjusts the rear suspension to the correct level after the ve\
hicle has been driven a short distance.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2007/2007_XC90/07xc90_06.htm (24 of 32)12/30/200\
6 5:53:44 PM
2007 Volvo XC90
W - Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction
l Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D)rive position.
l Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage th\
is driving mode.
l An LED in the button will light up to indicate that W is engaged and thi\
s will also be displayed in the instrument panel
(see
page 46).
l This mode may be selected for starting/ moving off on slippery roads.
1. Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maint\
enance service intervals except at owner request and at
additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.
pg. 144 Starting and driving
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked at a Volvo retailer\
before driving long distances. Your retailer will
also be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark plugs and wiper blad\
es for your use in the event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be checked before any long trip\
:
l Check that engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.
l Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage.
l Check transmission oil level1.
l Check condition of drive belts.
l Check state of the battery's charge.
l Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and replace those th\
at are worn. Check tire pressures.
l The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be checked b\
y your Volvo retailer only.
l Check all lights, including high beams.
l Reflective warning triangles are legally required in some states/provinc\
es.
l Have a word with your Volvo retailer if you intend to drive in countries\
where it may be difficult to obtain the correct
fuel.
l Consider your destination. If you will be driving through an area where \
snow or ice are likely to occur, consider snow
tires.
1. To prevent injury from contact with hot surfaces, do not inspect your\
vehicle's transmission fluid yourself. Have your vehicle's
transmission fluid level inspected by a qualified Volvo service technici\
an.
pg. 145 Starting and driving
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) - option
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2007/2007_XC90/07xc90_06.htm (28 of 32)12/30/200\
6 5:53:44 PM
2007 Volvo XC90
Fuses
Fuses in the engine compartment
When replacing fuses, be sure to replace a blown fuse with a new one of \
the same color and amperage
(written on the fuse). No. Amperage
1. ABS 30
2. ABS 30
3. Headlight washers 35
4. -
5. Auxiliary lights (option) 20
6. Starter motor relay 35
7. Windshield wipers 25
8. Fuel pump 15
9. Transmission control module (V8 and 6- cyl.) 15
10. Ignition coils, engine control module 20
11. Throttle pedal sensor, A/C compressor, e-box fan 10
12. Engine control module, fuel injectors, mass airflow sensor 15
13. Throttle control (V8), Intake manifold actuator (6-cyl.) 10
14. Heated oxygen sensor. 20
15. Crankcase ventilation, solenoid valves, A/C connection, leakage diag\
nostics, engine
control module (V8, 6-cyl.), mass airflow sensor (V8) 15
16. Driver's side low beam headlight 20
17. Passenger's side low beam headlight 20
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2007/2007_XC90/07xc90_09.htm (30 of 37)12/30/200\
6 5:53:51 PM