2009 VOLVO XC90 automatic transmission

06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission
06``139
NOTE
The gear selector must be in the D (Drive)
position for kickdown to function.Manual shifting – GeartronicYou can move the gear selector freely between
theMAN (Manual) and D (Drive) positions to
select forward gears while driving. Gears 3, 4,
5, and 6 have a "lock-up" function which
reduces engine speed and helps save fuel.
NOTE
Reverse, Neutral, and Park cannot be
selected in Geartronic mode.•
A "lock-up" feature
1 reduces engine speed
and help saves fuel.
The currently selected gear will be displayed in
the instrument panel (see page 54).
•
To access the MAN shifting position from
D, move the gear selector to the left to
MAN.
•
To return to the D positions from MAN,
move the gear selector to the right.
While drivingIf you select the MAN position while driving, the
gear that was being used in the D position will
also initially be selected in MAN 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 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 down to a very low speed, the
transmission will automatically shift down.
•
When starting in the MAN position, 3rd
gear is the highest gear that may be
selected.
W – Winter/Wet driving mode –
enhanced vehicle traction
G030859
Press the W button at the base of the gear
selector to engage/disengage this driving
mode (see illustration). The
W symbol will
appear in the display (see page 54) when the
function is activated.
This mode may be selected for starting/moving
off on slippery roads. The vehicle starts off in
3rd gear to help maintain traction. First and
second gears will only be used during kick-
down.
1Six-speed transmission: gears 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

06 Starting and drivingAutomatic transmission
06140
NOTE
ModeW can be chosen regardless of the
postion of the gear selector but will only
function when the gear selector is in the D
(drive) position.

06 Starting and drivingTowing a trailer
06152
NOTE
•
Recommended hitch tongue load:
not more than 10% of the trailer's
weight. The trailer load should be posi-
tioned so that it does not shift and the
tongue load should be 10% of the trail-
er's weight. However, the tongue load
should not exceed the maximum per-
missible weights indicated in the table
above.
•
When towing trailers without brakes,
the maximum permissible trailer weight
is 1,700 lbs (750 kg).
•
If necessary, redistribute the weight of
any cargo in the trailer to avoid exces-
sive weight on the trailer hitch.
•
The maximum trailer weight listed in the
table for All Wheel Drive models,
5,000 lbs (2250 kg) is only applicable
when there are not more than two occu-
pants in the vehicle, in the front seats,
with a combined weight of 300 lbs
(135 kg), with no other cargo in the vehi-
cle.
•
The maximum weight listed for Front
Wheel Drive models, 4,000 lbs (1800 kg)
is only applicable when there are not
more than four occupants in the vehicle,
in the front seats and second row of
seats, with a combined weight of
600 lbs (270 kg), with no other cargo in
the vehicle.
NOTE
•
Vehicles used for towing a trailer on a
regular basis, or for long-distance high-
way towing should be equipped with an
automatic transmission oil cooler and
Volvo's automatic self-leveling system
for the rear suspension. Consult your
Volvo retailer.
•
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo
trailer hitches that are specially
designed for the vehicle.
•
All Volvo models are equipped with
energy-absorbing shock-mounted
bumpers. Trailer hitch installation
should not interfere with the proper
operation of this bumper system.
•
Increase tire pressure to recommended
full inflation pressure. See chapter
"Wheels and tires."
•
When your vehicle is new, avoid towing
heavy trailers during the first 620 miles
(1,000 km).
•
Engine and transmission are subject to
increased loads. Therefore, engine
coolant temperature should be closely
watched when driving in hot climates or
hilly terrain. Use a lower gear and turn
off the air conditioner if the temperature
gauge needle enters the red range.

06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06``153
NOTE
•
If the automatic transmission begins to
overheat, a message will be displayed
in the text window.
•
Hauling a trailer affects handling, dura-
bility, and economy.
•
It is necessary to balance trailer brakes
with the towing vehicle brakes to pro-
vide a safe stop (check and observe
state/local regulations).
•
Do not connect the trailer's brake sys-
tem directly to the vehicle's brake sys-
tem.
•
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.
NOTE
•
When parking the vehicle with a trailer
on a hill, apply the parking brake before
putting the gear selector in P. When
starting on a hill, put the gear selector in
D before releasing the parking brake.
Always follow the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations for wheel chocking.
•
If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift
positions while towing a trailer, make
sure the gear you select does not put
too much strain on the engine (using too
high a gear).
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 a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for correct
installation.
•
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.
Smoother starts with a trailerModels equipped with the V8-engine and the
6-speed automatic transmission have a built-
in function that reduces acceleration slightly in
first gear when the vehicle is towing a trailer.
This is done to help avoid wheel spin and to
make starting off smoother.•
This function is activated when the trailer's
electrical connector is plugged into the

12 Index
12274
1, 2, 3 ...12-volt sockets.......................................... 75AA/C (air conditioning)...........................93, 94
ABS.......................................................... 143
Active Bi-Xenon headlights (ABL)........60, 64
Airbag system............................................ 20
Air cleaner................................................ 207
Air conditioning.......................................... 90
Air distribution...................................... 92, 94
Air quality sensor....................................... 93
Air vents..................................................... 92
Alarm........................................................ 125
All Wheel Drive......................................... 142
All Wheel Drive – towing.......................... 150
Anti-lock brake system
warning light......................................... 56
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)................. 143
Ashtray..................................................... 109Audio
system introduction............................ 236
Audio system
Rear seat entertainment (option)........ 253
AUTO (climate control)......................... 94, 95
Automatic transmission........................... 138
Autostart..........................................133, 135
AUX (audio system).................................248
Average speed........................................... 71
AWD......................................................... 142
BBass......................................................... 239
Battery..................................................... 205
maintenance....................................... 214
specifications...................................... 270
Battery – replacing................................... 215
Belt check................................................ 206
Black Box (Vehicle Event Data)............... 202
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)..... 159
Blower (fan)................................................ 95Booster cushion
accessory............................................. 42
integrated.............................................. 47
Brake fluid................................................ 212
Brake system........................................... 143
Bulbs........................................................ 217
Bulbs, replacing....................................... 217
CCapacities, fluids..................................... 265
Capacity weight....................................... 175
Cargo area cover..................................... 115
Cargo grid................................................ 114
Cargo net................................................. 112
Catalytic converter, three-way................. 272
CD Pause................................................. 249
Central locking system - remote control. 119
Changing a wheel.................................... 182
Changing coolant..................................... 206
Charge air cooler..................................... 269
Check Engine warning light....................... 57
Child restraint anchors......................... 43, 45

12 Index
12278
Shiftlock...................................................133
Side impact protection (SIPS) airbags....... 28
Snow chains............................................ 177
Snow tires................................................ 177
Spare tire – accessing.............................181
Spare wheel, lowering.............................181
Speedometer............................................. 54
Starting the car........................................ 133
Start inhibitor (immobilizer)...................... 118
Steering wheel lock.................................135
Stone chips, touching up......................... 198
Storage compartments............108, 110, 111
Studded tires........................................... 177
Sun visor.................................................... 84TTachometer................................................ 54
Tailgate
locking/unlocking................................ 122
opening................................................. 77
Tailgate wipers......................................... 213
Technician certification............................ 273Temperature control.................................. 95
Temperature gauge................................... 54
Three-way catalytic converter................. 272
TIME FOR REGULAR SERVICE................. 58
Tire inflation pressure table
Canadian models................................ 171
US models.......................................... 170
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 190
Tires
changing............................................. 180
designations....................................... 172
improving economy............................ 167
inflation............................................... 168
inflation pressure, checking................ 168
inflation pressure tables..................... 170
rotation............................................... 179
tire sealing system.............................. 185
tread wear indicator............................ 166
Tire sealing system.................................. 185
Towing a trailer........................................ 151
V8-engine........................................... 153
Towing - cars with All Wheel Drive.......... 150
Towing the vehicle................................... 149
Trailer hitch - detachable......................... 155
Trailer towing...................................151, 153Transmission, automatic.......................... 138
Tread wear indicator................................ 166
Treble....................................................... 239
Trip computer............................................ 71
Trip odometer............................................ 54
Turn signals............................................... 66
UUniform Tire Quality Grading................... 176
Unlocking fuel filler door............................ 64
Unlocking the car..................................... 122
Unpaved roads, driving on...................... 137VV8 engine and trailer towing....................153
Valet key.................................................. 118
Vanity mirror............................................. 107
Vehicle dimensions.................................. 260
Vehicle Event Data................................... 202
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)......... 259