2009 VOLVO XC90 display

03 Climate
Climate control system – general information
0391 Climate system blower
The climate system blower will be automati-
cally switched off when the engine is not run-
ning (even if the ignition key is in position I or
II) to avoid unnecessary battery drain. To acti-
vate the blower, turn the control to the desired
setting.
The climate system blower may start automat-
ically during a period of up to approximately
50 minutes after the ignition has been turned
off to remove condensation in the A/C evapo-
rator. It will run for 15 minutes and switch off
automatically.Passenger compartment blowerApproximately 50 minutes after the ignition is
turned off, the blower may come on automati-
cally, and run for seven minutes, to remove
condensation in the A/C evaporator.Blower function to reduce battery drainThe climate system's blower functions nor-
mally while the engine is running.
However, when the engine is switched off
(even if the ignition is switched to positions I or
II), the blower control will be automatically
switched off to avoid unnecessary battery
drain.The following points pertain if the ignition is on
but the engine in not running:
•
To restart the blower, turn the control knob
to the setting of your choice.
•
After approximately 2 minutes, the blower
speed will be reduced to avoid battery
drain.
You can reset the blower speed at any time.
Please be aware that the system has been
designed to reduce the blower's speed again
after 2 minutes, until the engine is started.
If the battery becomes drained:
•
LOW BATTERY, FAN IS REDUCED will
be displayed in the text window in the
instrument panel.
•
The yellow warning light in the instrument
panel (see page 54) will also light up.

05 Locks and alarmLocking and unlocking
05122
G029646
Locking and unlocking the vehicle from
the insideThe switch on the driver's door armrest can be
used to lock or unlock all doors and the tail-
gate, and to set the alarm.
Each door can also be locked with the lock
button on the respective door and opened by
pulling the door handle on the door.Automatic lockingThe function locks the doors automatically
when the vehicle's speed exceeds approxi-
mately 5 mph (7 km/h). The doors will then
remain locked until a door in opened from the
inside or if all of the doors are unlocked from
the control panel in the driver's door.This function can be activated/deactivated
from the control panel in the driver's door.
Activating/deactivating automatic
locking1.
Turn the ignition key to position I or II.
2.
Press the READ button on the left-side
steering wheel lever to erase any mes-
sages that may be displayed in the infor-
mation display.
3. Depress the central locking button on the
control panel until a new message about
the locking status is displayed.
The message
AUTOLOCK ON
(the doors will
be locked when the vehicle begins to move) or
AUTOLOCK OFF
will be displayed.
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Locking the glove compartmentThe glove compartment can be locked with the
master key.
G028485
Unlocking the tailgateThe tailgate lock is incorporated in the central
locking system and is locked or unlocked when
all doors are locked/unlocked.
The tailgate can be unlocked by:•
PressingUNLOCK on the remote control
twice.
•
Using the central locking button on the
driver's door.

05 Locks and alarm
Alarm
05
125
The alarm is automatically armed whenever
you lock your vehicle.
When armed, the alarm continuously monitors
a number of points on the vehicle. The follow-
ing conditions will set off the alarm:•
The hood is forced open.
•
The tailgate is forced open.
•
A door is forced open.
•
The ignition switch is tampered with.
•
If there is movement in the passenger com-
partment (if the vehicle is equipped with
the optional movement sensor).
•
The vehicle is lifted or towed (if the vehicle
is equipped with the optional inclination
sensor).
•
The battery is disconnected (while the
alarm is armed).
•
The siren is disconnected when the alarm
is disarmed.
Arming the alarmPress the LOCK button on the remote control,
lock the vehicle using the key in the driver's
door or press the central lock button on the
driver's door with the door open. One long
flash of the turn signals will confirm that the
alarm is armed.
Disarming the alarmPress the UNLOCK button on the remote con-
trol or unlock the doors with the key.Turning off (stopping) the alarmIf the alarm is sounding, it can be stopped by
pressing the UNLOCKbutton on the remote
control or by unlocking the driver's door with
the key.Visual alarm signalThe visual alarm signal is given by flashing all
turn signals and turning on the interior lighting
for approximately 5 minutes.Audible alarm signalAn audible alarm signal is given by a battery
powered siren. One alarm cycle lasts for
25 seconds."Panic" buttonIn an emergency situation, this feature can be
used to attract attention.
Activate the "panic" button by pressing the red
button on the remote control ( see page 119 for
illustration) for at least 3 seconds or by press-
ing this button twice within 3 seconds. The turn
signals will flash, and the vehicle's horn will
sound.
The function can be turned off by pressing any
of the buttons on the remote control or will stopautomatically after 25 seconds. When a button
is pressed, there is a 5 second delay before the
panic alarm is deactivated.
NOTE
This button will NOT unlock the vehicle.LED alarm status signalsThe status of the alarm system is indicated by
the red LED at the top of the dash:•
LED off – the alarm is not armed
•
LED flashes once per second – the alarm
is armed
•
LED flashes rapidly before the ignition is
switched on – the alarm has been triggered
•
Fault in the alarm system: If a fault has
been detected in the alarm system, a mes-
sage will be displayed in the text window.
Contact a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician.
Automatic re-lock/re-arm systemIf the vehicle is unlocked with the remote, the
vehicle will re-lock and the alarm will re-arm
after 2 minutes unless a door or the tailgate has
been opened.

06 Starting and drivingFuel requirements
06130
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 blower control to its highest
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 recommendedpressure according to the vehicle load. See
"Tire pressure" section.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity
weight or maximum permissible axle loads are
not exceeded.
Conserving electrical currentKeep the following in mind to help minimize
battery drain:•
When the engine is not running, avoid turn-
ing the ignition key to position II (see
page 135). Many electrical systems (the
audio system, the optional infotainment/
navigation systems, power windows, etc)
will function with the ignition key in position
I. This position reduces drain on the bat-
tery.
•
Please keep in mind that using systems,
accessories, etc that consume a great deal
of current when the engine is not running
could result in the battery being completely
drained.NOTE
A warning message will be displayed in the
text window in the instrument panel when
the battery charge is low.

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 driving
Brake system
06``143 BRAKE Brake circuit malfunction
The brake system is a hydraulic system con-
sisting of two master cylinders and two sepa-
rate 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 failure – Service
urgent
message is displayed in the text
window:DO NOT DRIVE
. Have the vehicle
towed to a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician and have the brake system
inspected.
NOTE
When the vehicle is at a standstill and the
engine is idling, e.g. at a traffic light and the
brake pedal is depressed, the pedal may go
down slightly. This is a normal function of
the power-assisted brake system.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 four
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 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 brakes (ABS)
If the warning lamp lights up there
is a malfunction of the ABS system
(the standard braking system will
however function) and the vehicle
should be driven cautiously to a
trained and qualified Volvo service technician
for inspection. The Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stop-
ping and steering) during severe braking con-
ditions by limiting brake lockup. When the
system "senses" impending lockup, braking
pressure is automatically modulated in order to
help prevent lockup, which could lead to a skid.
The system performs a self-diagnostic test
when the engine is started and when the

06 Starting and drivingBrake system
06144
vehicle first reaches a speed of approxi-
mately 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.
To obtain optimal effect from the ABS system,
constant pressure should be kept on the brake
pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal.
The switching of the ABS modulator will be
audible and the brake pedal will pulsate during
braking. Please be aware that ABS does not
increase the absolute braking potential of the
vehicle. While control will be enhanced, ABS
will not shorten stopping distances on slippery
surfaces.ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Force
Distribution)EBD is an integrated part of the ABS system.
EBD regulates the hydraulic pressure to the
rear brakes to help provide optimal braking
capacity. The brake pedal will pulsate during
braking, which is normal.
If the BRAKE and ABS warning lights come on
at the same time, this could indicate a fault in
the brake system.
1. Stop the vehicle in a suitable place and
switch off the engine.
2. Restart the engine.
•
If both warning lights go off, no further
action is required.
•
If both lights are still on after the engine has
been restarted, switch off the engine again
and check the brake fluid level (see
page 212 for the location of the brake fluid
reservoir).WARNING
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the
reservoir or if a
Brake failure – Service
urgent
message is displayed in the text
window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle
towed to a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician and have the brake system
inspected.
•
If the brake fluid level is above the MIN
mark, drive carefully to a trained and quali-
fied Volvo service technician and have the
brake system inspected.
Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)The EBA function is designed to provide full
brake effect immediately in the event of sud-
den, hard braking. The system is activated by
the speed with which you depress the brake
pedal.
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.

06 Starting and driving
Stability system
06``145 Dynamic Stability Traction Control
(DSTC)
The stability system consists of a number of
functions designed help reduce wheel spin,
counteract skidding, and to generally help
improve directional stability.
NOTE
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.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.
G028511
Controls on the left-side steering wheel leverTemporarily switching off Spin control1. Turn the thumbwheel (1) on the left-side
steering wheel lever until the
DSTC
menu
is displayed.
2.
Hold down the RESET button (2) to toggle
between
DSTC SPIN CONTROL ON
or
OFF
.
NOTE
•
The message
DSTC SPIN CONTROL
OFF
indicates that the stability sys-
tem's spin control function has tempo-
rarily been switched off.
•
The stability control indicator light will
illuminate and remain on until spin con-
trol has been reactivated.
•
The spin control function is automati-
cally enabled each time the engine is
started.
•
DSTC ON
indicates that all system
functions are active.
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.
WARNING
The car's handling and stability characteris-
tics will be altered if the DSTC system func-
tions have been disabled.