2009 VOLVO XC70 tow

03 Your driving environmentTransmission
03108
Geartronic–manual shiftingGeartronic 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 (or to S on models equipped
with Sport mode).NOTE
On models equipped with Sport mode, the
transmission will not switch to manual shift-
ing mode until the gear selector is moved
forward or rearward. The selected gear will
then be shown in the information display
(see page 71).•
To return to the D position from M or S,
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 atime 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 trans-
mission 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 sec-
onds (irrespective of whether the engine is run-
ning) 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 posi-
tionII, see page 77.Geartronic–starting on slippery surfacesSelecting 3rd gear in Geartronic’s manual shift-
ing mode can help provide better traction when
starting off on slippery surfaces. To do so:
1. Depress the brake pedal and move the
gear selector to the right from the D posi-
tion to M. The text in the instrument panel
display will change from
D to
1.
2. Press the gear selector forward and
release it (this selects 2nd gear). Press the
selector forward again and release it to
select 3rd gear.3. Release the brake pedal and press gently
on the accelerator pedal.
Shiftlock override
G021352
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
3.
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.
3If 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 105.

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 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.

03 Your driving environmentParking brake
03116
shop. If you drive off with this error message
showing, a warning signal sounds.Parking brake not applied
– A fault is pre-
venting the parking brake from being applied.
Try to apply and release. Contact a Volvo work-
shop 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.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Climate system
04``125
your Warranty and Service Records Informa-
tion booklet, or consult a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for these intervals.
The filter should be replaced more often when
driving under dirty and dusty conditions. The
filter cannot be cleaned and therefore should
always be replaced with a new one.
NOTE
There are different types of cabin air filters.
Ensure that the correct type is installed.Interior Air Quality System (IAQS)A multifilter helps reduce gases and particles
in the incoming air, thereby reducing the levels
of odors and contaminants entering the vehi-
cle. The air quality sensor detects increased
levels of contaminants in the outside air. When
the air quality sensor detects contaminated
outside air, the air intake closes and the air
inside the passenger compartment is recircu-
lated, i.e. no outside air enters the vehicle. The
filter also cleans recirculated passenger com-
partment air.
NOTE
Contact your Volvo retailer for IAQS air filter
replacement intervals.
Menu settingsThe default settings for three of the climate
system's functions can be changed in the
menu system, see page 120:•
Blower speed in automatic mode, see
page 127.
•
Recirculation timer for passenger com-
partment air, see page 127.
•
Automatic rear window defrosting, see
page 97.
The functions can also be returned to factory
settings in the menu system.
Air distribution
G017699
The incoming air is distributed from 20 different
vents in the passenger compartment.Air distribution is fully automatic in AUTO
mode.
If desired, air distribution can be controlled
manually, see page 130.
Air vents in the dashboard
G021367
OpenClosedHorizontal airflowVertical airflow
Direct the outer air vents toward the side win-
dows to defrost.

04 Comfort and driving pleasureClimate system
04126
Air vents in the door pillars
G021368
OpenClosedHorizontal airflowVertical airflow
Direct the outer air vents toward the side win-
dows to defrost.
Direct the vents into the passenger compart-
ment to maintain a comfortable climate in the
rear seat.
Electronic climate control, ECC
G018599
Ventilated front driver's seat (option)BlowerHeated front driver's seat (option)Air distributionVentilated front passenger's seat (option)AutoHeated front passenger's seat (option)Temperature control, passenger's sideA/C – On/OffHeated rear window and door mirrors, see
page 97.Defroster (maximum effect)
Recirculation/Air quality systemTemperature control, driver's side
Ventilated front seats (option)The ventilation system consists of fans in the
seats and backrests that draw air through the
seat upholstery. The cooling effect increases
as the air in the passenger compartment
becomes cooler.
The ventilation is controlled by the ECC sys-
tem, which takes into account the seat tem-
perature, sunlight in the passenger compart-
ment, and the ambient temperature.
The ventilation can be used at the same time
as seat heating.
The ventilation system can be activated when
the engine is running. There are three comfort
levels that produce different cooling and dehu-
midification effects:•
Level three: press the button once for
maximum output – three indicator lights
come on.
•
Level two: press the button twice for a
lower output – two indicator lights come
on.

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