2008 VOLVO V70 Owners Manual

114 03 Your driving environment
Transmission
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
.
All Wheel Drive - AWD
1
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.
NOTE
The message AWD disabled Service required will be appear in the information display if an electrical fault should
occur in the AWD system. A warning light will also illuminate in the instrument panel. If this occurs, have the
system checked by a trained and authorized Volvo service technician.
1Standard on certain models.
115 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
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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.
116 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.
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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.
117 03 Your driving environment
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
Introduction1
Normally, when the accelerator pedal is released while driving down hills, the vehicle's speed slows as the engine runs
at lower rpm (the normal engine braking effect). However, if the downhill gradient becomes steeper and if the vehicle
is carrying a load, speed increases despite the engine braking effect. In this situation, the brakes must be applied to
reduce the vehicle's speed.
HDC is a type of automatic engine brake and makes it possible to increase or decrease the vehicle's speed on downhill
gradients using only the accelerator pedal, without applying the brakes. The brake system functions automatically to
maintain a low and steady speed.
HDC is particularly useful when driving down steep hills with rough surfaces, and where the road may have slippery
patches.
WARNING
HDC does not function in all situations, and is a supplementary braking aid. The driver has full responsibility for
driving in a safe manner.
1HDC is only available on the XC70, on which it is standard equipment.
Function
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HDC can be switched on and off with the button in the center console. An indicator light in the button illuminates
when HDC is activated.
The indicator light in the instrument panel illuminates and a message is displayed when the system is
controlling the vehicle's speed.
HDC only functions when first or reverse gears are selected ( 1 will be shown in the instrument panel display when
first gear is selected.).
NOTE
HDC cannot be activated if the gear selector is the D position.
Using HDC
HDC allows the car to roll forward at a maximum speed of 6 mph (10 km/h), and 4 mph (7 km/h) in reverse.
However, the accelerator pedal can be used to select any speed that is possible in first or reverse gears. When the
accelerator pedal is released, speed is quickly reduced again to 6 mph (10 km/h) or 4 mph (7 km/h), depending on the
gear selected, regardless of the hill's gradient. It is not necessary to apply the brakes.
The brake lights illuminate automatically when HDC is controlling the vehicle's speed.
The driver can slow or stop the vehicle at any time by applying the brakes.
HDC is deactivated when:
The button on the center console is pressed
A gear higher than first gear is selected
D is selected on vehicles with an automatic transmission
118 03 Your driving environment
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
HDC can be deactivated at any time. If this is done while driving down a steep hill, the system's braking effect will
decrease gradually.
NOTE
Engine response to pressure on the accelerator pedal may be slightly slower than normal when HDC is activated.
119 03 Your driving environment
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Electric parking brake
Introduction
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 111
.
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.
120 03 Your driving environment
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Electric parking brake
Releasing the electric parking brake
Manual release
1. Fasten the seat belt.
2. Insert the remote key in the ignition slot.
3. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
4. Pull the parking brake control.
Vehicles with Keyless drive (option)
1. Press the START/STOP ENGINE button.
2. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
3. Pull the parking brake control.
Automatic release
1. Start the engine.
2. Fasten the seat belt.
NOTE
For safety reasons, the parking brake is only released automatically if the engine is running and the driver is
wearing a seat belt.
The electric parking brake will be released immediately when the accelerator pedal is pressed and the gear selector
is in position D or P.
3. Move the gear selector to position D or R and press the accelerator pedal. The parking brake will release when the
vehicle begins to move.
Heavy load uphill
A heavy load, such as a trailer, can cause the vehicle to roll backward when the parking brake is released
automatically on a steep incline. To help avoid this:
1. Keep the electric parking brake lever pushed in with the left hand while shifting into Drive with the right.
2. While pressing the throttle pedal to pull away, release the parking brake lever only after the vehicle begins to move.
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Symbols
Messages
Parking brake not fully released - A fault is preventing the parking brake from being released. Contact an authorized
Volvo workshop.
121 03 Your driving environment
Electric 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.

Contents | Top of Page
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2 0 0 8
VOLVO V70
122 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Menus and messages 124
Climate system128
Audio system136
Trip computer149
Compass151
Stability system153
Active chassis system-Four C155
Cruise control156
Adaptive Cruise Control-ACC158
Distance Alert165
Collision Warning with Auto-brake (option)168
Driver Alert System -option173
Park assist (option)178
Blind Spot Information System (option)182
Passenger compartment convenience186
123 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
124 04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Menus and messages
Center console
Certain functions are controlled from the center console via the menu system or from the optional keypad in the
steering wheel. Each function is described under its respective section.
The current menu level is shown at the top right of display in the center console.
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