2008 VOLVO S40 automatic transmission

In order to help reduce vehicle theft, make sure the steering wheel lock is engaged before leaving the vehicle.
3Vehicles with optional keyless drive: Turn the start control to position 0, turn the wheel slightly to release the pressure, and turn the start control
to position III to start the vehicle.
136 06 Starting and driving
Starting the vehicle
WARNING
Never switch off the ignition (turn the ignition key or start control to position 0) or remove the key or start control
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.
To start the engine
1. Fasten the seat belt.
WARNING
Before starting, check that the seat, steering wheel and mirrors are adjusted properly. Make sure the brake pedal can
be depressed completely. Adjust the seat if necessary.
2. Apply the parking brake if not already set. The gear selector should be locked in the Park ( P) position (Shiftlock).
See also page 145
.
Manual transmission: the clutch must be fully depressed.
3. The vehicle is equipped with an autostart feature. Without touching the throttle pedal, turn the key to position III
and release it. The starter motor will then operate automatically (for up to ten seconds) until the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start, repeat this step.
NOTE
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 temperature as quickly as possible, which
enables them to control emissions and help reduce the vehicle's impact on the environment.
4. To release the gear selector from the Park ( P) position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in
position II) and the brake pedal must be depressed.
5. Select the desired gear. On models with an automatic transmission, the gear engages after a very slight delay which
is especially noticeable when selecting R.
NOTE
Immobilizer : If two of the keys to your vehicle are close together, e.g., on the same key ring when you try to start
the vehicle, this could cause interference in the immobilizer system and result in the vehicle not starting. If this
should occur, remove one of the keys from the key ring before trying to start the vehicle again.
Keylock: Models equipped an automatic transmission have a keylock system. When the engine is switched off, the
gear selector must be in the Park ( P) position before the key can be removed from the ignition switch1.
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When starting in cold weather, the transmission may shift up at slightly higher engine speeds than normal until the
automatic transmission fluid reaches normal operating temperature.
Do not race a cold engine immediately after starting. Oil flow may not reach some lubrication points fast enough
to prevent engine damage.
1The optional keyless drive start control does not need to be removed from the ignition switch.
137 06 Starting and driving
Starting the vehicle
WARNING
Volvo's floor mats are specially manufactured for your car. They must be firmly secured in the clips on the floor so
that they cannot slide and become trapped under the pedals on the driver's side.
CAUTION
Automatic transmission: The engine should be idling when you move the gear selector. Never accelerate 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 time will help
prevent overheating of the automatic transmission fluid.
WARNING
Always place the gear selector in Park (manual transmission: first or reverse gear) and apply the parking brake
before leaving the vehicle.and apply the parking brake before leaving the vehicle. Never leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running.
Always open garage doors fully before starting the engine inside a garage to ensure adequate ventilation. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which is invisible and odorless but very poisonous.
138 06 Starting and driving
Starting the vehicle with keyless drive (option)
Starting a vehicle with keyless drive
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Keyless drive makes it possible to unlock, start and lock the vehicle without using a remote control.
A start control is fitted in the ignition switch on vehicles equipped with the optional keyless drive. This control is used
in the same way as the ignition key to start the engine. See also page 136
for general information on starting the
engine.
NOTE
A keyless drive remote control must be in the passenger's compartment or in the trunk/cargo area in order to start the
engine.
1. Press the brake pedal (the clutch pedal must also be fully depressed on models with a manual transmission).
2. Press in the keyless drive start control and turn it to position III.
NOTE
The vehicle is equipped with an autostart function that makes it possible to start the engine without holding the start
control in position III. Turn the start control to position III and release it. The starter motor will then operate
automatically (for up to ten seconds) until the engine starts.
Starting the vehicle with the ignition key (remote control)
A vehicle with keyless drive can also be started with the ignition key (if, for example, the battery in the keyless drive
remote control is weak). To do so:
1. Press the catch on the side of the start control (see the illustration).
2. Pull the keyless drive start control out of the ignition switch.
3. Insert the remote control into the ignition switch and turn it to position III to start the engine. See also page 136
for
complete starting information.
139 06 Starting and driving
Manual transmission, 5-speed
5-speed manual transmission (option on certain models)
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141 06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission
Shiftgate positions
Depress the button on the front of the gear selector knob to move the selector between the R, N, D, and P positions.
The gear selector can be moved freely between the Geartronic (manual shifting) and Drive (D) positions while driving.
Gear selector positions
P - Park
Select the P position when starting or parking.
In P , the transmission is mechanically blocked (Shiftlock). Always apply the parking brake when parking.
D - left position: automatic shifting
M - right position: manual shifting
CAUTION
The car must be stationary when selecting position P.
R - Reverse
The car must be stationary when shifting to position R .
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N - Neutral
N is the neutral position. The engine can be started, but no gear is selected. Apply the
142 06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission
parking brake when the car is stationary with the gear selector in N .
NOTE
If the gear selector is in the Neutral position and the vehicle has been at a standstill for at least 3 seconds, the brake
pedal must be pressed before the gear selector can be moved to another position.
In order to move the gear selector to another position:
1. Turn the ignition key to position II (if the engine is not already running).
2. Depress the brake pedal.
3. Move the gear selector to the desired position.
D - Drive
D is the normal driving position. The Drive position offers 5 forward gears
1. The car automatically shifts between the
various forward gears, based on the level of acceleration and speed. The car must be at a standstill when shifting to
position D from position R .
1T5 models have 6 forward gears.
Manual shifting - Geartronic
The manual shifting mode (Geartronic) can be selected at any time to manually select forward gears, including while
the car is moving.
NOTE
Reverse, Neutral, and Park cannot be selected in Geartronic mode.
To access the ( M)anual shifting position from Drive ( D), move the gear selector to the right to M.
To return to the ( D)rive position from M , move the gear selector to the left.
While driving
If you select the M position while driving, the gear that was being used in the Drive position will also initially be
selected in the M position.
Move the gear selector forward (toward "+") to shift to a higher gear or rearward (toward "-") to shift to a lower
gear.
If you hold the gear selector toward "-", the transmission will downshift one gear at a time 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.
If you slow to a very low speed, the transmission will automatically shift down.
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Cold starts (turbo engines)
When driving before the engine has reached its normal operating temperature, the transmission will shift up at slightly
higher engine speeds to heat the three-way catalytic converter as quickly as possible.
143 06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission
Kickdown
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An
upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway speeds.
Safety function
To help prevent excessive engine speeds (rpm) that could lead to engine damage, the engine management system
includes a function that prevents kickdown from taking place if the engine speed is too high.
Kickdown will not occur if the driver attempts to use this function when engine speeds are too high. The transmission
will remain in the currently selected gear.
144 06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission
Text messages and actions
In certain situations, the message may appear in the display and the information or warning symbol may illuminate.
The table shows two levels of severity if the transmission should overheat. In addition to the message in the display,
the driver will also be aware that the vehicle's electrical system has temporarily changed the driving characteristics.
Follow the instructions in the display.
See also page 57
for additional messages pertaining to the automatic transmission.
The message will disappear after the displayed action has been taken or if the READ button on the turn signal lever
has been pressed.
NOTE
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The examples shown in the table indicate that a safety function has been activated to help prevent damage to the
transmission.
145 06 Starting and driving
Shiftlock override
Overriding the shiftlock system
Shiftlock prevents the gear selector from being moved out of Park unless the ignition key is in position II and the
brake pedal is depressed.
In certain cases it may be necessary to move the gear selector from the Park position manually.
To manually override the Shiftlock system:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
3. There is a small cover below P-R-N-D on the gear selector panel. Open the rear edge of the panel.
4. Insert the key blade (see page 115
) into the opening and press it down until it bottoms.
5. With the key blade pressed down, move the gear selector out of the P position.
146 06 Starting and driving
All Wheel Drive (option)
All Wheel Drive (AWD) - general information
Your Volvo can be equipped with permanent All Wheel Drive (option), which means that power is distributed
automatically between the front and rear wheels. Under normal driving conditions, most of the engine's power is
directed to the front wheels. However, if there is any tendency for the front wheels to spin, an electronically controlled
coupling distributes power to the wheels that have the best traction.
Tire dimensions
Volvo recommends that you always drive on tires of the same brand, size, construction (radial), tread pattern, load-,
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The towing eyelet is located under the floor of the cargo 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:
1. Press the mark on the lower edge of the cover (1) to open it.
2. Screw the towing eyelet in place 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 returned to the tool bag. Press the cover back into
position.
Towing a vehicle with all four wheels on the ground
WARNING
Volvo does not recommend towing a disabled vehicle behind another vehicle. Significant difficulty in steering and
braking, combined with unfavorable weather, traffic, and road conditions may make it impossible to maintain vehicle
control.
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Insert the key into the ignition to unlock the steering wheel. The steering wheel must be unlocked. With the engine
off and the vehicle at a standstill, great effort will be required to turn the steering wheel.
WARNING
Towing a vehicle with a locked steering wheel will make the vehicle impossible to steer.
3. Turn the ignition key to position II.
4. Place the gear selector in neutral. For vehicles with automatic transmissions, follow instruction on page 145
,
"Shiftlock override" to allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position.
5. Keep firm pressure on the brake pedal while releasing the parking brake.
6. When towing has been completed, return the gear selector to Park (automatic) or Reverse (manual) and apply the
parking brake.
The following points should also be observed:
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). Never exceed local towing speed limits and heed all local towing restrictions.
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