2009 VOLVO V70 brakes

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Collision warning with Auto-brake (option)
04``161
support is activated. Brake support prepares
the brake system to react quickly, and the
brakes are applied slightly. This may be expe-
rienced as a light tug.
If the brakes are applied quickly, full braking
effect will be provided, even if pressure on the
brake pedal is light.Auto-brakeIf a collision is imminent and the driver has not
applied the brakes, the auto-brake function is
activated without the driver pressing the brake
pedal. Limited brake force is applied to reduce
the vehicle’s speed when the collision occurs.
WARNING
The auto-brake function connot prevent a
collision but instead is intended to reduce
speed at the moment of impact. For full
braking effect, driver must apply the brakes.
NOTE
The auto-brake function is always on and
cannot be turned off.OperationSome settings are controlled from the center
console via a menu system. For information on
how the menu system is used, see page 120.
On and offTo switch Collision Warning on or off, go into
the menu Car settings
Collision warning
settings and select On or Off. When the engine
is started, the setting that was selected when
it was switched off will be used.
Activating/deactivating warning signalsThe collision warning system’s audible and vis-
ual signals are activated automatically when
the engine is started if the collision warning
system is activated.
The audible warning signal can be activated/
deactivated by selecting the alternative
On
or
Off
in Car settings
Collision warning
settings
Warning sound.
Setting a warning distanceThis setting determines the distance at which
the visual and audible warnings are triggered.
Select
Long, Normal
or
Short
under
Car
settings
Collision warning settings
Warning distance
The warning distance determines the level of
sensitivity used by the system. The warning
distance
Long
provides an earlier warning.
Begin by using Long and if the system gives
too many warnings, try changing to
Normal.
WARNING
•
The setting
Short
should only be used
in situations where traffic is light and
moving at low speeds.
•
Collision Warning alerts the driver to the
risk of a collision but this function can-
not reduce the driver’s reaction time.
•
For Collision Warning to be as effective
as possible, it is recommended that Dis-
tance Alert be set to 4 or 5, see
page 173.NOTE
•
When adaptive cruise control is used,
the warning light and signal will be used
by cruise control, even if they have been
deactivated by the driver.
•
In situations where traffic is moving at
considerably different speeds, or if the
vehicle ahead brakes suddenly, warn-
ings may be considered to be late, even
if the setting
Long
has been selected.
Checking settingsThe current Collision Warning settings can be
checked by going into the menu system at Car
settings
Collision warning settings. See
page 120 for more information on the menu
system.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Adaptive Cruise Control–ACC (option)
04``167
WARNING
•
Adaptive cruise control is not a collision
avoidance system. The driver is always
responsible for applying the brakes if
the system does not detect another
vehicle.
•
Adaptive cruise control does not react
to slow moving or stationary vehicles.
The distance to the vehicle ahead (in the same
lane) is measured by a radar sensor. Your vehi-
cle's speed is regulated by acceleration and
braking. The brakes may emit a sound when
they are being modulated by the adaptive
cruise control system. This is normal.
WARNING
The brake pedal moves when the adaptive
cruise control system modulates the
brakes. Do not rest your foot under the
brake pedal.The adaptive cruise control system is designed
to follow the vehicle ahead of you in the same
lane, at a set time interval.
If the radar sensor has not detected a vehicle
ahead, the system will then attempt to maintain
the set speed. This is also the case if the speedof the vehicle ahead exceeds the speed that
you have set.
The adaptive cruise control system is designed
to smoothly regulate speed. However, the
driver must apply the brakes in situations that
require immediate braking. This applies when
there are great differences in speed between
vehicles, or if the vehicle ahead brakes sud-
denly.
WARNING
Due to limitations in the radar sensor, brak-
ing may occur unexpectedly or not at all,
see page 169.Adaptive cruise control can only be activated
at speeds above 20mph (30 km/h). If speed
falls below 20 mph (30 km/h) or if engine speed
(rpm) becomes too low, adaptive cruise control
disengages and will no longer modulate the
brakes. In situations when adaptive cruise con-
trol cannot be activated
Cruise Control
Unavailable
is shown in the display, see
page 171.
WARNING
When adaptive cruise control disengages,
the brakes will not be modulated automati-
cally. The driver must assume full control
over the vehicle.Warning light-driver braking requiredAdaptive cruise control has a braking capacity
that is equivalent to approximately 30% of the
vehicle's total braking capacity. In situations
requiring more brake force than ACC can pro-
vide, if the driver does not apply the brakes, an
audible signal will sound and a red warning
light will illuminate in the windshield to alert the
driver to react.
NOTE
Strong sunlight, reflections, extreme light
contrasts, the use of sunglasses, or if the
driver is not looking straight ahead may
make the visual warning signal in the wind-
shield difficult to see.
WARNING
Cruise control only warns of vehicles
detected by the radar sensor, see
page 169. In some cases there may be no
warning or the warning may be delayed. The
driver should always apply the brakes when
necessary.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Adaptive Cruise Control–ACC (option)
04``169
WARNING
•
Only use a time interval that is suitable
in current traffic conditions.
•
A short time interval gives the driver lim-
ited reaction time if an unexpected sit-
uation occurs in traffic.
The number of bars indicating the selected
time interval are shown while the setting is
being made and for several seconds afterward.
A smaller version of the symbol is then shown
to the right in the display. The same symbol is
also displayed when Distance Alert is acti-
vated, see page 173 .Deactivating and resuming settingsCruise control is deactivated, either with a
short press on
, or by action taken by the
driver, such as braking, etc. The set speed, for
example 55 mph, is then shown in parenthe-
ses. Speed and time interval are resumed by
pressing
.
WARNING
There may be a significant increase in speed
after the
button has been pressed.
A short press on
in standby mode or a long
press in active mode deactivates cruise con-trol. The set speed is then cleared and cannot
be resumed.
When ACC is activated, the vehicle’s speed
increases by approximately 1 mph (1 km/h)
each additional time
is pressed.
Deactivation due to action by the driverACC is deactivated:•
when the brakes are applied
•
if the gear selector is moved to N
•
if the accelerator pedal is depressed for an
extended period.NOTE
If the accelerator pedal is only depressed for
a short time, such as when passing another
vehicle, ACC is deactivated temporarily and
is reactivated when the pedal is released.Automatic deactivationAdaptive cruise control is linked to other sys-
tems such as ABS, the stability and traction
control system (DSTC), and the Distance Alert
System. If any of these systems are not func-
tioning properly, adaptive cruise control is
automatically deactivated.
In the event of automatic deactivation a signal
will sound and the message
Cruise Control
Canceled
is shown in the display. The drivermust then intervene and adapt the vehicle's
speed to the surrounding traffic.
Automatic deactivation may be caused if:
•
the vehicle's speed falls below 20 mph
(30 km/h)
•
the wheels lose traction or if the anti-lock
brake system (ABS) is activated
•
brake temperature is high
•
engine speed (rpm) is too low
•
the radar sensor is obstructed by, for
example, wet snow or rain.
The radar sensor and its limitationsThe radar sensor is used by both Adaptive
Cruise Control and the Collision Warning Sys-
tem with Auto-brake. It is designed to detect
cars or larger vehicles driving in the same
direction as your vehicle.
WARNING
Accessories or other objects, such as extra
headlights, must not be installed in front of
the grille.
Modification of the radar sensor could make
its use illegal.The radar sensor's capacity to detect vehicles
ahead is impeded:

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Park assist (option)
04
183
Front park assist
G021424
The distance monitored in front of the vehicle
is approximately 2.5 ft (0.8 m). The audible sig-
nal comes from the audio system's front
speakers.
It may not be possible to combine auxiliary
headlights and front park assist since these
lights could trigger the system's sensors.Faults in the systemIf the information symbol illuminates and
Park
Assist syst Service required
is shown on the
information display, this indicates that the sys-
tem is not functioning properly and has been
disengaged. Consult a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician.
CAUTION
In certain circumstances, the park assist
system may give unexpected warning sig-
nals that can be caused by external sound
sources that use the same ultrasound fre-
quencies as the system. This may include
such things as the horns of other vehicles,
wet tires on asphalt, pneumatic brakes,
motorcycle exhaust pipes, etc. This does
not indicate a fault in the system.Cleaning the sensors
G018129
Location of the front sensors
G018067
Location of the rear sensorsThe sensors must be cleaned regularly to
ensure that they work properly. Clean them
with water and a suitable car washing deter-
gent.
Ice and snow covering the sensors may cause
incorrect warning signals.
NOTE
If the sensors are obstructed by e.g., dirt,
snow, or ice, this could result in false warn-
ing signals from the park assist system.

05 During your tripDriving recommendations
05194
General informationEconomical driving conserves natural
resourcesBetter 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:•
Bring the engine to normal operating tem-
perature 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 fuel and is subject to
increased wear.
•
Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle
for driving short distances. This does not
allow the engine to reach normal operating
temperature.
•
Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration
and hard braking.
•
Use the transmission's Drive (D) position
as often as possible and avoid using kick-
down.
•
Do not exceed posted speed limits.
•
Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra
load) in the vehicle.
•
Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire
pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
•
Remove snow tires when threat of snow or
ice has ended.
•
Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc,
increase air resistance and also fuel con-
sumption.
•
At highway driving speeds, fuel consump-
tion will be lower with the air conditioning
on and the windows closed than with the
air conditioning off and the windows open.
•
Using the onboard trip computer's fuel
consumption modes can help you learn
how to drive more economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage
are:
•
Dirty air cleaner
•
Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
•
Dragging brakes
•
Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and others
are checked at the standard maintenance
intervals.
WARNING
Driving with the tailgate open: Driving with
the tailgate open could lead to poisonous
exhaust gases entering the passenger com-
partment. If the tailgate must be kept open
for any reason, proceed as follows:•
Close the windows
•
Set the ventilation system control to air
flow to floor, windshield and side win-
dows and the blower control to its high-
est setting.
Weight distribution affects handlingAt the specified curb weight your vehicle has a
tendency to understeer, which means that the
steering wheel has to be turned more than
might seem appropriate for the curvature of a
bend. This ensures good stability and reduces
the risk of rear wheel skid. Remember that
these properties can alter with the vehicle load.
The heavier the load in the cargo area, the less
the tendency to understeer.Handling, roadholdingVehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure
all affect vehicle handling. Therefore, check
that the tires are inflated to the recommended
pressure according to the vehicle load. See the
"Tire pressure" section. Loads should be dis-
tributed so that capacity weight or maximum
permissible axle loads are not exceeded.

05 During your tripDriving recommendations
05``195
Driving through water•
The vehicle can be driven through water up
to a depth of approximately 10 in. (25 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 water.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
•
Engine damage will occur if water is
drawn into the air cleaner.
•
If the vehicle is driven through water
deeper than 10 in (25 cm), water may
enter the differential and the transmis-
sion. This reduces the oil's lubricating
capacity and may shorten the service
life of these components.
•
Do not allow the vehicle to stand in
water up to the door sills longer than
absolutely necessary. This could result
in electrical malfunctions.
•
If the engine has been stopped while the
vehicle is in water, do not attempt to
restart it. Have the vehicle towed out of
the water.
Engine and cooling systemUnder special conditions, for example when
driving in hilly terrain, extreme heat or with
heavy loads, there is a risk that the engine and
cooling system will overheat. Proceed as fol-
lows to avoid overheating the engine.•
Maintain a low speed when driving with a
trailer up long, steep hills.
•
Do not turn the engine off immediately
when stopping after a hard drive.
WARNING
The cooling fan may start or continue to
operate (for up to 6 minutes) after the engine
has been switched off.•
Remove any auxiliary lights from in front of
the grille when driving in hot weather con-
ditions.
•
Do not exceed engine speeds of 4500 rpm
if driving with a trailer in hilly terrain. The oil
temperature could become too high.
Conserving electrical currentKeep the following in mind to help minimize
battery drain:•
When the engine is not running, avoid
using ignition mode II. Many electrical sys-
tems (the audio system, the optional navi-
gation system, power windows, etc) will
function in ignition modes 0 and I. These
modes reduce drain on the battery.
•
Please keep in mind that using systems,
accessories, etc., that consume a great
deal of current when the engine is not run-
ning could result in the battery being com-
pletely drained.
•
The optional 12 volt socket in the cargo
area provides electrical current even with
the ignition switched off, which drains the
battery.

05 During your tripDriving recommendations
05196
Before a long distance tripIt is always worthwhile to have your vehicle
checked by a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician before driving long distances.
Your retailer will also be able to supply you with
bulbs, fuses, spark plugs and wiper blades for
your use in the event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be
checked before any long trip:•
Check that engine runs smoothly and that
fuel consumption is normal.
•
Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage
•
Have the transmission oil level checked.
•
Check condition of drive belts.
•
Check state of the battery's charge.
•
Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as
well), and replace those that are worn.
Check tire pressures.
•
The brakes, front wheel alignment, and
steering gear should be checked by a
trained and qualified Volvo service techni-
cian only.
•
Check all lights, including high beams.
•
Reflective warning triangles are legally
required in some states/provinces.
•
Have a word with a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician if you intend to
drive in countries where it may be difficult
to obtain the correct fuel.
•
Consider your destination. If you will be
driving through an area where snow or ice
are likely to occur, consider snow tires.
Cold weather precautionsIf you wish to check your vehicle before the
approach of cold weather, the following advice
is worth noting:•
Make sure that the engine coolant contains
50 percent antifreeze. Any other mixture
will reduce freeze protection. This gives
protection against freezing down to
–31 °F (–35 °C). The use of "recycled" anti-
freeze is not approved by Volvo. Different
types of antifreeze must not be mixed.
•
Volvo recommends using only genuine
Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's radiator.
•
Try to keep the fuel tank well filled – this
helps prevent the formation of condensa-
tion in the tank. In addition, in extremely
cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to
add fuel line de-icer before refueling.
•
The viscosity of the engine oil is important.
Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves
cold-weather starting as well as decreas-
ing fuel consumption while the engine is
warming up. For winter use, 5W-30 oil, par-
ticularly the synthetic type, is recom-
mended. Be sure to use good quality oil but
do not use cold-weather oil for hard driving
or in warm weather, see page 272 for more
information on engine oil.
NOTE
Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is
changed at the normal maintenance inter-
vals except at owner request and at addi-
tional charge.•
The load placed on the battery is greater
during the winter since the windshield wip-
ers, lighting, etc. are used more often.
Moreover, the capacity of the battery
decreases as the temperature drops. In
very cold weather, a poorly charged bat-
tery can freeze and be damaged. It is there-
fore advisable to check the state of charge
more frequently and spray an anti-rust oil
on the battery posts.
•
Volvo recommends the use of snow tires
on all four wheels for winter driving, see
page 253.
•
To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from
freezing, add washer solvents containing
antifreeze. This is important since dirt is
often splashed on the windshield during
winter driving, requiring the frequent use of
the washers and wipers. Volvo Washer
Solvent should be diluted as follows: Down
to 14 °F (–10 °C): 1 part washer solvent and
4 parts water Down to 5 °F (–15 °C): 1 part
washer solvent and 3 parts water Down to
0 °F (–18 °C): 1 part washer solvent and

05 During your tripTowing a trailer
05210
IntroductionVolvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer
hitches that are specially designed for the vehi-
cle.
NOTE
See page 271 for the maximum trailer and
tongue weights recommended by Volvo.•
Observe the legal requirements of the
state/province in which the vehicles are
•
All Volvo models are equipped with
energy-absorbing shock-mounted bump-
ers. Trailer hitch installation should not
interfere with the proper operation of this
bumper system.
Trailer towing does not normally present any
particular problems, but take into considera-
tion:
•
Increase tire pressure to recommended
full. See the tire inflation tables on pages
248 and 249.
•
When your vehicle is new, avoid towing
heavy trailers during the first 620 miles
(1,000 km).
•
Maximum speed when towing a trailer:
50 mph (80 km/h).
•
Engine and transmission are subject to
increased loads. Therefore, engine coolant
temperature should be closely watchedwhen driving in hot climates or hilly terrain.
Use a lower gear and turn off the air con-
ditioner if the temperature gauge needle
enters the red range.
•
If the automatic transmission begins to
overheat, a message will be displayed in
the text window.
•
Avoid overload and other abusive opera-
tion.
•
Hauling a trailer affects handling, durabil-
ity, and economy.
•
It is necessary to balance trailer brakes
with the towing vehicle brakes to provide a
safe stop (check and observe state/local
regulations).
•
Do not connect the trailer's brake system
directly to the vehicle's brake system.
•
More frequent vehicle maintenance is
required.
•
Remove the ball and drawbar assembly
when the hitch is not being used.
•
Volvo recommends the use of synthetic
engine oil when towing a trailer over long
distances or in mountainous areas.
WARNING
•
Bumper-attached trailer hitches must
not be used on Volvos, nor should
safety chains be attached to the
bumper.
•
Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle
rear axle must not be used.
•
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 author-
ized Volvo retailer for correct installa-
tion.
•
When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety
wire must be correctly fastened to the
hole or hook provided in the trailer hitch
on the vehicle. The safety wire should
never be fastened to or wound around
the drawbar ball.