03 Your driving environment
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
03
112
Introduction1
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
•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 instrument
panel illuminates and a message is dis-
played 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 HDC
HDC 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 environment
Parking brake
03
114
Electric parking brake
An 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 control
1. 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
122
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
Stability system
04
154
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 display
DSTC 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 panel
If the symbols and are displayed
at the same time, read the message in the
information display.
If the symbol
appears alone, it may
appear as follows:
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Distance alert
04
172
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
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 167 .
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 barsApprox. time interval
(in seconds)
11.0
21.4
31.8
42.2
52.6
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
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Driver Alert System*
04
176* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Operating DAC
Certain settings can be made from the menu
system controlled from the center instrument
panel, see page 120 for more information on
the menu system.
The current system status can be checked on
the trip computer’s display by using the but-
tons on the left steering wheel lever.
Thumb wheel. Turn this wheel until Driver
Alert is displayed. The second line shows
the alternative Off, Unavailable, or[-----], i.e., the number of bars.
READbutton. Confirms and erases a mes-
sage in the display.
Activating DACIn the center instrument panel, go to Car
settings Driver Alertand select On.
The function is activated when the
vehicle exceeds a speed of 40 mph
(65 km/h). The display will show level
markings of 1–5 bars, where a low
number of bars indicates erratic driving. A high
number of bars indicates stable driving.
If the vehicle is being driven erratically, the
driver will be alerted by an audible signal and
the message Driver Alert, Time for a break is
displayed. The warning will be repeated after a
short time if the driving pattern remains the
same.
WARNING
•An alert should be taken seriously since
it is sometimes difficult for a driver to
realize that he/she is fatigued.
•In the event of a warning or if the driver
feels fatigued, stop as soon as possible
in a safe place and rest.
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Blind Spot Information System*
04
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.183 Introduction
G021426
BLIS camera
Indicator light
BLIS symbol
The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) is an
information system that indicates the presence
of another vehicle moving in the same direction
as your vehicle in the side-view mirror's "blind
area."
CAUTION
The BLIS system should only be repaired by
a trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician.
WARNING
•BLIS is an information system, NOT a
warning or safety system.
•BLIS does not eliminate the need for
you to visually confirm the conditions
around you, and the need for you to turn
your head and shoulders to make sure
that you can safely change lanes.
•As the driver, you have full responsibility
for changing lanes in a safe manner.
The system is based on digital camera tech-
nology. The cameras are located beneath the
side-view mirrors.
When one (or both) of the cameras have
detected a vehicle in the blind area (up to
approximately 10 ft. (3 meters) from the side of
your vehicle, and up to approximately 31 ft.
(9.5 meters) behind the side-view mirror), see
the illustration, the indicator light in the door
panel illuminates. The light will glow continu-
ously to alert the driver of the vehicle in the
blind area.
NOTE
The door panel indicator light illuminates on
the side of the vehicle where the system has
detected another vehicle. If your vehicle is
passed on both sides at the same time, both
lights will illuminate.
BLIS has an integrated function that alerts the
driver if a fault should occur with the system.
For example, if one or both of the system's
cameras are obscured, a message (see the
table on page 186) will appear in the informa-
tion display in the instrument panel. If this
occurs, clean the camera lenses. If necessary,
the system can be temporarily switched off (for
instructions, see page 185).
G021427
Areas monitored by BLIS Distance A = approx.
31 ft. (9.5 meters), Distance B = approx. 10 ft.
(3 meters)
06 Maintenance and specifications
Wheels and tires
06
260
Inflating tires
The tire sealing system can be used to inflate
the tires. To do so:
1. Park the car in a safe place.
2. The compressor should be switched off.
Ensure that the on/off switch is in position
0 (the 0 side of the switch should be
pressed down).
3. Take out the electrical wire and hose.
4. Remove the valve cap from the tire’s infla-
tion valve and screw the hose connector
onto the valve as tightly as possible by
hand.
5. Connect the electrical wire to the nearest
12-volt socket in the vehicle.
6. Start the vehicle’s engine.
WARNING
•The vehicle’s engine should be running
when the tire sealing system is used to
avoid battery drain. Therefore, be sure
the vehicle is parked in a well ventilated
place, or outdoors, before using the sys-
tem.
•Children should never be left unattended
in the vehicle when the engine is running.
7. Check the tire’s inflation pressure on the
gauge. Switch off the compressor briefly to
get a clear reading from the pressure
gauge.
8. Refer to the tire inflation tables for the cor-
rect inflation pressure. If the tire needs to
be inflated, start the tire sealing system’s
compressor (press the on/off switch to
position I). If necessary, release air from the
tire by turning the air release knob coun-
terclockwise.
CAUTION
The compressor should not be used for
more than 10 minutes at a time to avoid
overheating.
9. Turn off the compressor (press the on/off
switch to position 0) when the correct infla-
tion pressure has been reached.
10. Unscrew the hose from the tire’s inflation
valve and reinstall the valve cap.
11. Disconnect the electrical wire from the
12-volt socket.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)–U.S models only
NOTE
USA – FCC ID: KR5S122780002
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing conditions: (1) This device may not
cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
The tire pressure monitoring system uses sen-
sors mounted in the tire valves to check infla-
tion pressure levels. When the vehicle is mov-
ing at a speed of approximately 20 mph
(30 km/h) or faster, these sensors transmit
inflation pressure data to a receiver located in
the vehicle.
When low inflation pressure is detected, TPMS
will light up the tire pressure warning light
(
) (also referred to as a telltale) in the
instrument panel and will display one of the
following messages in the text window:
LOW
TIRE PRESS. CHECK TIRES or VERY LOW
TIRE PRESSURE.