2008 VOLVO S80 tow

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
.

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.
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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

The parking brake pedal is located under the dashboard, to the left of the brake pedal. When the brake is applied, an
indicator light illuminates in the instrument panel.
NOTE
The indicator light will light up even if the parking brake has only been partially applied.
Applying the parking brake
1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Press down pedal 1 firmly to its full extent.
3. Release the brake pedal and ensure that the vehicle is at a standstill.
4. If the vehicle rolls, the parking brake pedal must be pushed down more firmly.
5. When parking a vehicle always put the gear selector in P .
WARNING
Press down the parking brake pedal firmly to its full extent.
Parking on a hill
If the vehicle is pointing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they point away from the curb.
If the vehicle is pointing downhill, turn the front wheels so that they point toward the curb.
Releasing the parking brake
1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
1. Pull handle
.
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Parking brake
Electric parking brake (option1)
An electric parking brake has the same function as a manual parking brake.
NOTE

A faint sound from the parking brake's electric motor can be heard when the parking brake is being applied. This
sound can also be heard during the automatic function check of the parking brake.
The brake pedal will move slightly when the electric parking brake is applied or released.
Low battery voltage
If the battery voltage is too low, the parking brake cannot be applied or released. Connect an auxiliary battery if the
battery voltage is too low, see page 109
.
1The electric parking brake is available as an option on certain models.
Applying the electric parking brake
1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Press the control.
3. Release the brake pedal and ensure that the vehicle is at a standstill.
4. When the vehicle is parked, the gear selector must be in position P .
The
symbol in the instrument panel flashes while the parking bake is being applied, and glows steadily when
the parking brake has been fully applied.
NOTE
In an emergency the parking brake can be applied when the vehicle is moving by holding in the control. Braking
will be interrupted when the accelerator pedal is depressed or the control is released.
An audible signal will sound during this procedure if the vehicle is moving at speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).
Parking on a hill
If the vehicle is pointing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they point away from the curb.
If the vehicle is pointing downhill, turn the front wheels so that they point toward the curb.
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Parking brake
Releasing the electric parking brake

Messages
Parking brake not fully released - A fault is preventing the parking brake from being released. Contact an authorized
Volvo workshop.
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Parking brake
If you drive off with this error message showing, a warning signal sounds.
Parking brake not applied - A fault is preventing the parking brake from being applied. Try to apply and release.
Contact a Volvo workshop if the message remains.
Parking brake Service required - A fault has arisen. Contact a Volvo workshop if the fault remains.
WARNING
If the vehicle must be parked before the fault has been corrected, always put the gear selector in P and turn the
wheels so that they point away from the curb if the vehicle is pointing uphill or toward the curb if it is pointing
downhill.
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Open
Closed
Horizontal airflow
Vertical airflow
Direct the outer air vents toward the side windows to defrost.
Air vents in the door pillars
Open
Closed
Horizontal airflow
Vertical airflow
Direct the outer air vents toward the side windows to defrost.
Direct the vents into the passenger compartment to maintain a comfortable climate in the rear seat.
129 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Climate system
Electronic climate control, ECC

163 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Distance Alert
Introduction
Distance Alert is part of Adaptive Cruise Control and is a function that provides information about the time interval to
the vehicle ahead.
Time interval information is only given for a vehicle that is driving ahead of your vehicle, in the same lane, and in the
same direction. No information is provided for vehicles driving toward you, moving very slowly, or at a standstill.
A smaller section of the red warning light in the windshield glows steadily if your vehicle is closer to the vehicle
ahead than the set time interval.
NOTE
Distance Alert is in active mode while Adaptive Cruise Control is active.
Distance Alert is active at speeds above approximately 20 mph (30 km/h).
WARNING
Distance Alert only indicates the distance to the vehicle ahead. It does not affect the speed of your vehicle.
Operation