2009 VOLVO XC70 instrument panel

03 Your driving environment
Transmission
03
109
All Wheel Drive – AWD
4
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 condi-
tions, most of the engine's power is directed to
the front wheels. However, if there is any ten-
dency for the front wheels to spin, an electron-
ically 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 qualified Volvo service techni-
cian.
4Standard on certain models.

03 Your driving environmentBrakes
03110
Brake systemThe brake system is a hydraulic system con-
sisting of two separate brake circuits. If a prob-
lem 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 runningThe power brakes utilize vacuum pressure
which is only created when the engine is run-
ning. 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 roll-
ing. The brake pedal feels harder than usual.Water on brake discs and brake pads
affects brakingDriving 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 occa-
sionally 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 systemThe brakes will be subject to severe strain
when driving in mountains or hilly areas, or
when towing a trailer. Vehicle speed is usuallyslower, 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 systemThe 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 auto-
matically modulated in order to help prevent
lockup that could lead to a skid.
The system performs a brief self-diagnostic
test when the engine has been started and
driver releases the brake pedal. Another auto-
matic test may be performed when the vehicle
first reaches a speed of approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several
times and a sound may be audible from the
ABS control module. This is normal.Cleaning the brake discsCoatings 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 brak-

03 Your driving environment
Brakes
03
111
ing gently for a short period while the vehicle is
moving.Emergency Brake AssistanceEBA is designed to provide full brake effect
immediately in the event of sudden, hard brak-
ing. 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 increa-
ses to the maximum level. You must
maintain full pressure on the brake
pedal in order to utilize the system com-
pletely. There will be no braking effect if
the pedal is released. EBA is automati-
cally 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 panelSymbol
SpecificationSteady glow – Check the brake
fluid level. If the level is low, fill
with brake fluid and check for
the cause of the brake fluid
loss.Steady glow for two seconds
when the engine is started –
There was a fault in the brake
system's ABS function when
the engine was last running.
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 serv-
ice technician and have the brake system
inspected.

03 Your driving environmentHill Descent Control (HDC)
03112
Introduction
1
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 situa-
tion, 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 auto-
matically 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.
Function
G017426
•
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 instru-
ment 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 HDCHDC allows the car to roll forward at a maxi-
mum 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 nec-
essary 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
1HDC is only available on the XC70, on which it is standard equipment.

03 Your driving environmentParking brake
03114
Electric parking brakeAn electric parking brake has the same func-
tion 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 voltageIf 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 105.
Applying the electric parking brake
G021354
Parking brake control1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Push the control.
3. Release the brake pedal and ensure that
the vehicle is at a standstill.
4. When the vehicle is parked, the gear selec-
tor 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.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Menus and messages
04``121
Light settings
Lock settings
Reduced guard
1
Parking camera settings (accessory)
Steering force level (option)
Information
Climate settings
Automatic blower adjust
Recirculation timer
Auto. rear defroster
Reset climate settings
Main menu AMAudio settings
2
Sound stage
Equalizer, front
Equalizer, rear
Auto. volume control
Resets all audio settings.
Main menu FMFM settings
Radio text
Advanced radio settings
Audio settingsMain menu CDRandom
Off
Folder
Disc
Single disc
All discs
CD settings
Disc text (option)
Audio settingsMain menu AUXVolume, AUX input
Audio settings
Main instrument panel
G022908
Information display and menu controls
READ – access to the list of messages and
message confirmation.Thumbwheel – browse among menus and
options in the list of functions.RESET – reset the active function. Used in
certain cases to select/activate a function,
see the explanation under each respective
function.
The menus shown on the information displays
in the instrument panel are controlled with the
left lever. The menus shown depend on ignition
mode. Press READ to erase a message and
return to the menus.
1Certain models2The menu option for audio settings is available in all audio sources.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Stability system
04``155 Introduction
The Dynamic Stability and Traction Control
system (DSTC) consists of a number of func-
tions designed help reduce wheel spin, coun-
teract skidding, and to generally help improve
directional stability.
CAUTION
A pulsating sound will be audible when the
system is actively operating and is normal.Traction control (TC)This function is designed to help reduce wheel
spin by transferring power from a drive wheel
that begins to lose traction to the wheel on the
opposite side of the vehicle (on the same axle).
TC is most active at low speeds.
This is one of DSTC's permanent functions and
cannot be switched off.Active Yaw Control (AYC)This function helps maintain directional stabil-
ity, for example when cornering, by braking
one or more of the wheels if the vehicle shows
a tendency to skid or slide laterally.
This is one of DSTC's permanent functions and
cannot be switched off.
Spin control (SC)The spin control function is designed to help
prevent the drive wheels from spinning while
the vehicle is accelerating.
Under certain circumstances, such as when
driving with snow chains, or driving in deep
snow or loose sand, it may be advisable to
temporarily switch off this function for maxi-
mum tractive force.
WARNING
The car's handling and stability characteris-
tics will be altered if the spin control function
has been disabled.Operation
G021409
Temporarily switching off Spin control1.
Turn the thumbwheel
until the
DSTC
menu is shown.
2.
Hold down the RESET button
to toggle
between
DSTC SPIN CONTROL ON or
OFF
.
Messages in the information displayDSTC Temporarily OFF
– system function
has been temporarily reduced due to high
brake disc temperature. The function is acti-
vated automatically when the brakes have
cooled.
DSTC Service required
– the system has
been disabled due to a fault. If this occurs:
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off
the engine.
2. Restart the engine.
If the message remains when the engine is
restarted, drive to an authorized Volvo work-
shop to have the system inspected.
Symbols in the instrument panelIf the symbols
and
are dis-
played at the same time, read the message in
the information display.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Distance alert
04``173 Introduction
Distance Alert is part of Adaptive Cruise Con-
trol 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 stand-
still.
G017362
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 Adap-
tive 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
G017371
±
Press the button in the center instrument
panel to switch this function on or off.
> The indicator light in the button illumi-
nates when the function is on.
Setting a time intervalThe buttons for setting a time interval are
located on the left side of the steering wheel,
see the illustration on page 168 .
±
Press
to increase the interval or
to
decrease it.
Five different time intervals
can be selected and are
shown in the display as 1–5
horizontal bars. The greater
the number of bars, the longer
the time interval.
No. of bars
Approx. time interval
(in seconds)
1
1.0
2
1.4
3
1.8
4
2.2
5
2.6
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