03 Your driving environment
Starting the engine
03
109
CAUTION
•When starting in cold weather, the auto-
matic transmission may shift up at
slightly higher engine speeds than nor-
mal until the automatic transmission
fluid reaches normal operating tem-
perature.
•Do not race a cold engine immediately
after starting. Oil flow may not reach
some lubrication points fast enough to
prevent engine damage.
•The engine should be idling when you
move the gear selector. Never acceler-
ate until after you feel the transmission
engage. Accelerating immediately after
selecting a gear will cause harsh
engagement and premature transmis-
sion wear.
•Selecting P or N when idling at a stand-
still for prolonged periods of time will
help prevent overheating of the auto-
matic transmission fluid.
Switching off the engine
With the engine running, press the START/
STOP ENGINE button.
If the gear selector is not in the P position or if
the vehicle is moving, press the button twice or
press and hold it in until the engine switches
off.
Jump starting
G021347
Connecting the jumper cables
Follow these instructions to jump start your
vehicle's dead battery or to jump start another
vehicle's dead battery using your vehicle. If the
12-volt auxiliary battery to be used is in another
vehicle, check that the vehicles are not touch-
ing to prevent premature completion of a cir-
cuit. Be sure to follow jump starting instruc-
tions provided for the other vehicle.To jump start your vehicle:
1. Switch off the ignition (set the ignition to
mode 0, see page 80).
2. First connect the red jumper cable to the
auxiliary battery's positive (+) terminal
.
3. Fold back the cover over the positive (+)
terminal on your vehicle's battery
,
marked with a "+" sign, located under a
folding cover.
4. Connect the black jumper cable to the aux-
iliary battery's negative (–) terminal
and
to the ground point in your vehicle's engine
compartment (right engine mount at the
top, on the outer screw)
.
5. Start the engine in the assisting vehicle,
then start the engine in the vehicle with
dead battery.
6. After the engine has started, first remove
the negative (–) terminal jumper cable
(black). Then remove the positive (+) termi-
nal jumper cable (red).
03 Your driving environment
Transmission
03
113
Please be aware that overriding the shiftlock
system does not release the steering wheel
lock.
All Wheel Drive – AWD3
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.
3Standard on certain models.
03 Your driving environment
Brakes
03
114
Brake system
The 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 running
The 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, consider-
ably higher pressure will be required on the
brake pedal to compensate for the lack of
power assistance. This can happen for exam-
ple when towing your vehicle or if the engine is
switched off when the vehicle is rolling. The
brake pedal feels harder than usual.
Water on brake discs and brake pads
affects braking
Driving 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
115
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 panel
SymbolSpecification
Steady 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 dis-
play:
DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle
towed to a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician and have the brake system
inspected.
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Menus and messages
04
124
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.
Menu overviewDriving distance on current fuel reserveAverage
Instantaneous:
Average speed
Current speed in mph (Canadian models
only)
DSTC
Message
G028940
When a warning, information or indicator sym-
bol comes on, a corresponding message
appears on the information display. An error
message is stored in a memory list until the
fault is rectified.
Press READ to acknowledge and scroll among
the messages.
NOTE
If a warning message appears while you are
using the trip computer, the message must
be read and confirmed by pressing READ
before the previous activity can be
resumed.
MessageDescription
Stop safelyStop and switch off
the engine. Serious
risk of damage.
Contact an author-
ized Volvo work-
shop.
Stopping the
engineStop and switch off
the engine. Serious
risk of damage.
Contact an author-
ized Volvo work-
shop.
Service urgentHave the vehicle
checked by an
authorized Volvo
workshop immedi-
ately.
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Menus and messages
04
125
MessageDescription
Service requiredHave the vehicle
checked by an
authorized Volvo
workshop as soon
as possible.
See manualRead the owner's
manual.
Book time for
maintenanceTime to book service
at an authorized
Volvo retailer.
Time for regular
maintenanceTime for regular
service at an author-
ized Volvo work-
shop. The timing is
determined by the
number of miles
driven, number of
months since the
last service, engine
running time.
MessageDescription
Maintenance over-
dueIf the service inter-
vals are not fol-
lowed, the warranty
does not cover any
damaged parts.
Contact an author-
ized Volvo workshop
for service.
Temporarily OFFA function has been
temporarily
switched off and is
reset automatically
while driving or after
starting again.
Power save modeThe audio system is
switched off to save
current. Charge the
battery.
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Collision warning with Auto-brake*
04
162* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
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 cannot 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.
Operation
Some settings are controlled from the center
console via a menu system. For information on
how the menu system is used, see page 122.
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 settingsCollision 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 174.
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 122 for more information on the menu
system.
05 During your trip
Driving recommendations
05
196
General information
Economical driving conserves natural
resources
Better 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 trunk open: Driving with
the trunk open could lead to poisonous
exhaust gases entering the passenger com-
partment. If the trunk 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 trunk, 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.