2008 VOLVO S80 Owners Manual

107 03 Your driving environment
Starting the engine
Starting the engine
Ignition switch with remote key inserted (see page 80
for more information)
1. Fasten the seat belt.
WARNING
Before starting the engine, 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. Insert the remote key into the ignition slot. Press the key until it is drawn into the slot
1.
NOTE
The remote key should be inserted into the ignition slot with the key blade end of the remote pointing out and the
key pad facing up. See the illustration on page 80
.
3. Depress the brake pedal
2.
WARNING
An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator and/or brake pedal to catch. Check that the movement of
these pedals is not impeded. Not more than one protective floor covering may be used at one time.
4. Press and release the START/STOP ENGINE button. The autostart function will operate the starter motor until the
engine starts.
The starter motor operates for a maximum of 10 seconds. If the engine has not started, repeat the procedure.
1On vehicles with the optional keyless drive, it is only necessary to have a remote control in the passenger's compartment.
2 If the vehicle is moving, it is only necessary to press the START/STOP ENGINE button to start the vehicle.
WARNING
Always remove the remote key from the ignition slot when leaving the vehicle, especially if there are children in

the vehicle.
Never remove the remote key from the ignition slot while driving or when the vehicle is being towed. The
steering lock could otherwise be activated, making it impossible to steer the vehicle. Never remove the remote key
with keyless drive function (option) from the vehicle while driving or during towing.
Always place the gear selector in Park 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.
108 03 Your driving environment
Starting the engine
NOTE
The idling speed can be noticeably higher than normal during cold starts. This is to enable emission control system
can reach normal operating temperature as quickly as possible, which helps reduce exhaust emissions
1.
Keylock: Your vehicle is equipped with a keylock system. When the engine is switched off, the gear selector must
be in the Park position before the key can be removed
2 from the ignition slot.
1If the gear selector is in the D or R positions and the car is not moving, engine speed (rpm) will be lower and it will take longer for the engine to
reach normal operating temperature.
2Does not apply to vehicles with the optional keyless drive.
CAUTION
When starting in cold weather, the automatic 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.
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.
Keyless drive (option)
Follow steps 3-4 for starting the engine.
NOTE
For the vehicle to start, one of the vehicle's remote keys must be in the passenger compartment.
Steering wheel lock
The steering wheel lock is deactivated when the remote key is inserted into the ignition slot
1 and activated when the
remote key is removed from the ignition slot.
Always take the remote key or keyless drive remote when leaving the vehicle to help reduce the risk of theft.
1 On vehicles with the optional keyless drive, the steering lock is deactivated when the start button is pressed for the first time (assuming that a

remote control is in the passenger's compartment). It is activated when the ignition is switched off and the driver's door is opened.
109 03 Your driving environment
Starting the engine
Jump starting
Follow these instructions to jump start your vehicle's dead battery or to jump start another vehicle's dead battery using
your vehicle. If the 12-volt auxiliary battery to be used is in another vehicle, check that the vehicles are not touching to
prevent premature completion of a circuit. Be sure to follow jump starting instructions provided for the other vehicle.
To jump start your vehicle:
1. Switch off the ignition (set the ignition to mode 0, see page 80
).
2. First connect the red jumper cable to the auxiliary battery's positive (+) terminal
.
3. Fold back the cover over the positive (+) terminal on your vehicle's battery
, marked with a "+" sign, located
under a folding cover.
4. Connect the black jumper cable to the auxiliary battery's negative (-) terminal
and to the ground point in your
vehicle's engine compartment (right engine mount at the top, on the outer screw)
.
5. Start the engine in the assisting vehicle, then start the engine in the vehicle with dead battery.
6. After the engine has started, first remove the negative (-) terminal jumper cable (black). Then remove the positive
(+) terminal jumper cable (red).
WARNING
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the state of
California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
CAUTION
Connect the jumper cables carefully to avoid short circuits with other components in the engine compartment.
WARNING

Do not connect the jumper cable to any part of the fuel system or to any moving parts. Avoid touching hot
manifolds.
Batteries generate hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin, fabrics or painted surfaces. If
contact occurs, flush the affected area immediately with water. Obtain medical help immediately if eyes are affected.
Never expose the battery to open flame or electric spark.
Do not smoke near the battery.
Failure to follow the instructions for jump starting can lead to injury.
110 03 Your driving environment
Transmission
Automatic transmission
Depress the button on the front of the gear selector knob to move the gear 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.
Park position (P)
Select the P position when starting or parking.
1The information display (see page 74) shows the gear selector's position or the selected gear by displaying the following: P, R, N, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
or 6.
Keylock
To remove the remote key from the ignition slot, the gear selector must be in the P position. The remote key is locked
in the slot in all other positions.
Shiftlock
When P has been selected, the transmission is mechanically blocked in this position. The brake pedal must be
depressed before the gear lever can be moved from the P position.
Always apply the parking brake when the vehicle is parked, see page 116
. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional
electric parking brake, press the control to apply the brake, see page 116
.
CAUTION

The vehicle must be stationary when position P is selected.
Reverse (R)
The vehicle must be stationary when position R is selected.
Neutral position (N)
No gear is engaged and the engine can be started with the gear selector in this position. Apply the parking brake if the
vehicle is stationary with the gear selector in position N .
Drive (D)
D is the normal driving position. 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 from position R to position D.
111 03 Your driving environment
Transmission
Geartronic-manual shifting
Geartronic allows you to manually shift among your vehicle's six forward speeds. Geartronic can be selected at any
time.
To access the manual ( M) shifting position from Drive ( D), move the gear selector to the right to M .
To return to the D 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.
Shiftlock - Neutral ( N)
If the gear selector is in the N position and the vehicle has been stationary for at least 3 seconds (irrespective of
whether the engine is running) then the gear selector is locked.
To be able to move the gear selector from N to another gear position, the brake pedal must be depressed and the
ignition must be in position II , see page 80
.

Shiftlock override
If the vehicle cannot be driven, for example because of a dead battery, the gear selector must be moved from the P
position so that the vehicle can be moved
1.
Lift away the rubber mat on the floor of the storage compartment behind the center console and open the hatch.
Insert the key blade into the opening as far as possible. Press the key blade down and keep it held down. Move the
gear selector from the P position. For information on the key blade, see page 52
.
1If the battery is dead, the optional electric parking brake cannot be applied or released. Connect an auxiliary battery if the battery voltage is too
low, see page 109
.
112 03 Your driving environment
Transmission
All Wheel Drive - AWD1
Your Volvo can be equipped with permanent All Wheel Drive, 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.
1Standard on certain models.
113 03 Your driving environment
Brakes
Brake system
The brake system is a hydraulic system consisting of 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 greater 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 check 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 system message is shown in the information
display: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician and have the
brake system inspected.
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 approximately five 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. 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 cause 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 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 less efficient than when driving on level roads.
To reduce the strain on the brakes, shift into a lower gear and let the engine help with the braking. Do not forget that if
you are towing a trailer, the brakes will be subjected to a greater than normal load.
Anti-lock braking system
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stopping and steering) during severe braking
conditions by limiting brake lockup. When the system "senses" impending lockup, braking pressure is automatically
modulated in order to help prevent lockup that could lead to a skid.
The system performs a self -diagnostic test when the engine is started and 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.
114 03 Your driving environment
Brakes
Cleaning the brake discs
Coatings of dirt and water on the brake discs may result in delayed brake function. This delay is minimized by
cleaning the brake linings.
Cleaning the brake pads is advisable in wet weather, prior to long-term parking, and after the vehicle has been washed.
Do this by braking gently for a short period while the vehicle is moving.
Emergency Brake Assistance

EBA is designed to provide full brake effect immediately in the event of sudden, hard braking. The system is activated
by the speed with which the brake pedal is depressed.
When the EBA system is activated, the brake pedal will go down and pressure in the brake system immediately
increases to the maximum level. Maintain full pressure on the brake pedal in order to utilize the system completely.
EBA is automatically deactivated when the brake pedal is released.
NOTE
When the EBA system is activated, the brake pedal will go down and pressure in the brake system immediately
increases to the maximum level. You must maintain full pressure on the brake pedal in order 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.
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.
Symbols in the instrument panel
WARNING
If
and come on at the same time and the brake level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a
brake system-related message is shown in the information display: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed to a
trained and qualified Volvo service technician and have the brake system inspected.
115 03 Your driving environment
Parking brake
Manual parking brake