03 Your driving environment
Gearboxes
03
116* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Manual gearbox
Gearshift pattern 5-speed gearbox.
Gearshift pattern 6-speed gearbox.
The 6-speed box is available in two versions -
reverse gear position differs between them.Look at the actual gearshift pattern imprinted
on the gear lever.
•Depress the clutch pedal fully during each
gear change.
•Take your foot off the clutch pedal between
gear changes.
Reverse gear inhibitorThe reverse gear inhibitor hinders the possibil-
ity of mistakenly attempting to engage reverse
gear during normal forward travel.
•Start from neutral position N and only
engage reverse gear R when the car is sta-
tionary.
NOTE
With the upper variant of the shifting pattern
for 6-speed gearbox (see previous illustra-
tion) - first press down the gear lever in the
N position in order to engage reverse gear.
Automatic gearbox, Geartronic*
D: Automatic gear positions. M (+/–): Manual gear
positions.
The information display shows the position of
the gear selector using the following indica-
tions:
P, R, N, D, S, 1, 2, 3, 4 5 or 6, see
page 75.
Gear positions
Parking position (P)
Select P when starting the engine or when the
car is parked. The brake pedal must be
depressed to disengage the gear selector from
the P position.
The gearbox is mechanically blocked when the
P position is engaged. Activate the electric
parking brake by pressing the button, see
page 131.
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03 Your driving environment
Gearboxes
03
117
IMPORTANT
The car must be stationary when position
P is selected.
Reverse (R)The car must be stationary when position R is
selected.
Neutral position (N)No gear is engaged and the engine can be
started. Apply the parking brake if the car is
stationary with the gear selector in position N.
Drive (D)D is the normal driving position. Shifting up and
down takes place automatically based on the
level of acceleration and speed. The car must
be stationary when the gear selector is moved
to position D from position R.
Geartronic – Manual gear positions (+/-)The driver can also change gear manually
using the Geartronic automatic gearbox. The
car engine-brakes when the accelerator pedal
is released.
Manual gearshift mode is obtained by moving
the lever to the side from position D to the end
position at +/–. The information display shifts
the indication from
D to one of the figures 1 –
6, which is equivalent to the gear that is
engaged just then, see page 75.
•Move the lever forwards towards + (plus)
to change up a gear and release the lever,
which returns to its rest position between
+ and –.
or
•Pull the lever back towards – (minus) to
change down a gear and release it.
The manual gearshift mode (+/–) can be
selected at any time while driving.
Geartronic automatically shifts down if the
driver allows the speed to decrease lower than
a level suitable for the selected gear, in order
to avoid jerking and stalling.
To return to automatic driving mode:
•Move the lever to the side to the end posi-
tion at D.
NOTE
f the gearbox has a Sport programme then
the gearbox will only become manual after
the lever has been moved forwards or back-
wards in its (-+/–) position. The information
display then shifts the indication from
S to
show which of the gears 1-6 is engaged.
Geartronic - Sport mode (S)1
The Sport programme provides sportier cha-
racteristics and allows higher engine speed for
the gears. At the same time it responds more
quickly to acceleration. During active driving,
the use of a lower gear is prioritised, leading to
a delayed upshift.
Sport mode is obtained by moving the lever to
the side from D position to the end position at
+/–. The information display shifts the indica-
tion from
D to S.
Sport mode can be selected at any time while
driving.
Geartronic - Winter modeIt can be easier to pull away on slippery roads
if 3rd gear is engaged manually.
1. Depress the brake pedal and move the
gear lever from the D position to the end
position at +/– - the instrument panel dis-
play shifts the indication from
D to the fig-
ure 1.
2. Scroll up to gear 3 by pushing the lever
forward towards + (plus) twice - the display
shifts the indication from
1 to 3.
3. Release the brake and accelerate carefully.
1Only models D5 and T6.
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03 Your driving environment
Gearboxes
03
118
The gearbox "winter mode" means that the car
moves off with a lower engine speed and
reduced engine power on the drive wheels.
Kick-downWhen the accelerator pedal is pressed all the
way to the floor (beyond the position normally
regarded as full acceleration) a lower gear is
immediately engaged. This is known as kick-
down.
If the accelerator is released from the kick-
down position, the gearbox automatically
changes up.
Kick-down is used when maximum accelera-
tion is needed, such as for overtaking.
Safety functionTo prevent overrevving the engine, the gearbox
control program has a protective downshift
inhibitor which prevents the kick-down func-
tion.
Geartronic does not permit downshifting/kick-
down which would result in an engine speed
high enough to damage the engine. Nothing
happens if the driver still tries to shift down in
this way at high engine speed – the original
gear remains engaged.
When kick-down is activated the car can
change one or more gears at a time depending
on engine speed. The car changes up when theengine reaches its maximum speed in order to
prevent damage to the engine.
Mechanical gear selector inhibitor
G021351
The gear selector can be moved forward and
back freely between N and D. Other positions
are locked with a latch that is released with the
inhibitor button on the gear selector.
With the inhibitor button depressed the lever
can be moved forwards or backwards between
P, R, N and D.
Automatic gear selector inhibitorThe automatic gearbox has special safety sys-
tems:
Parking position (P)Stationary car with engine running:Keep your foot on the brake pedal when mov-
ing the gear selector to another position.
Electric gear inhibitor – Shiftlock Parking
position (P)
To be able to move the gear selector from P to
other gear positions, the brake pedal must be
depressed and the remote control key must be
in position II, see page 81.
Shiftlock – Neutral (N)If the gear selector is in the N position and the
car has been stationary for at least 3 seconds
(irrespective of whether the engine is running)
then the gear selector is locked.
To be able to move the gear selector from N to
other gear positions, the brake pedal must be
depressed and the remote control key must be
in position II, see page 81.
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03 Your driving environment
Foot brake
03
129 General
The car is equipped with two brake circuits. If
one brake circuit is damaged then this will
mean that the brakes engage at a deeper level
and harder pressure on the pedal is needed to
produce the normal braking effect.
The driver's brake pedal pressure is assisted
by a brake servo.
WARNING
The brake servo only works when the engine
is running.
If the brake is used when the engine is switched
off then the pedal will feel stiff and more force
must be used to brake the car.
In very hilly terrain or when driving with a heavy
load the brakes can be relieved by using engine
braking. Engine braking is most efficiently used
if the same gear is used downhill as up.
For more general information on heavy loads
on the car, see page 350.
Anti-lock braking systemThe car is equipped with ABS (Anti-lock
Braking System) which prevents the wheels
from locking during braking. This means the
ability to steer is maintained and it is easier to
swerve to avoid a hazard for example. Vibrationmay be felt in the brake pedal when this is
engaged and this is normal.
A short test of the ABS system is made auto-
matically after the engine has been started
when the driver releases the brake pedal. A
further automatic test of the ABS system may
be made when the car reaches 10 km/h. The
test may be experienced as pulses in the brake
pedal.
Emergency brake lights and automatic
hazard warning flashers
Emergency brake lights are activated to alert
vehicles behind about sudden braking. The
function means that the brake light flashes
instead of - as in normal braking - shining with
a constant glow.
Emergency brake lights are activated at
speeds above 50 km/h if the ABS system is
working and/or in the event of sudden braking.
After the car's speed has been slowed below
10 km/h the brake light returns from flashing to
the normal constant glow - while at the same
time the hazard warning flashers are activated,
and they flash until the driver changes engine
speed with the accelerator pedal or they are
deactivated with their button, see page 92.
Cleaning the brake discsCoatings of dirt and water on the brake discs
may result in delayed brake function. This delay
is minimised by cleaning the brake linings.
Manual cleaning is advisable with wet road sur-
faces, prior to long-stay parking and after the
car has been washed. Carry this out by braking
gently during a short period while en route.
Emergency Brake AssistanceEmergency Brake Assistance EBA (Emergency
Brake Assist) helps to increase brake force and
so reduce braking distance. EBA detects the
driver's braking style and increases brake force
as necessary. The brake force can be rein-
forced up to the level when the ABS system is
engaged. The EBA function is interrupted when
the pressure on the brake pedal is reduced.
NOTE
When EBA is activated the brake pedal low-
ers slightly more than usual, depress (hold)
the brake pedal as long as necessary. If the
brake pedal is released then all braking
ceases.
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03 Your driving environment
Parking brake
03
131 Parking brake, electric
FunctionA faint electric motor noise can be heard when
the parking brake is being applied. The noise
can also be heard during the automatic func-
tion checking of the parking brake.
If the car is stationary when the parking brake
is applied then it only acts on the rear wheels.
If it is applied when the car is moving then the
normal foot brake is used, i.e. the brake acts
on all four wheels. Brake function changes over
to the rear wheels when the car is almost sta-
tionary.
Low battery voltageIf the battery voltage is too low then the parking
brake can neither be released nor applied.
Connect a donor battery if the battery voltage
is too low, see page 115.
Applying the parking brake
Parking brake control.
1. Press the foot brake pedal down firmly.
2. Press the control.
3. Release the foot brake pedal and make
sure that the car is at a standstill position.
•When parking the vehicle, always engage
1st gear (for manual gearbox) or put the
gear selector in position P (for automatic
gearbox).
The symbol in the combined instru-
ment panel flashes until the parking
brake is fully applied. When the symbol illumi-
nates the parking brake is applied.
In an emergency the parking brake can be
applied when the vehicle is moving by depress-
ing the control. When the control is released orthe accelerator pedal is depressed the braking
is interrupted.
NOTE
In the event of emergency braking at speeds
above 10 km/h a signal sounds during the
braking procedure.
Parking on a hillIf the car is parked facing uphill; turn the wheels
away from the kerb.
If the car is parked facing downhill, turn the
wheels towards the kerb.
WARNING
Get into the habit of always applying the
parking brake when parking on a slope -
leaving the car in gear, or in P if it has auto-
matic transmission, is not sufficient to hold
the car in all situation.
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03 Your driving environment
Parking brake
03
132
Disengaging the parking brake
Parking brake control.
Cars with manual gearbox
Releasing manually
1. Insert the remote control key in the ignition
switch.
2. Depress the brake pedal firmly.
3. Pull the control.
NOTE
The parking brake can also be released
manually by depressing the clutch pedal
instead of the brake pedal. Volvo recom-
mends the use of the brake pedal.
Releasing automatically1. Start the engine.2. Ease up the clutch and depress the accel-
erator.
Cars with automatic gearbox
Releasing manually
1. Insert the remote control key in the ignition
switch.
2. Depress the brake pedal firmly.
3. Pull the control.
Releasing automatically1. Put the seatbelt on.
2. Start the engine.
3.
Move the gear selector to position D or R
and depress the accelerator.
NOTE
For safety reasons, the parking brake is only
released automatically if the engine is run-
ning and the driver is wearing a seatbelt. The
parking brake is released immediately on
cars with automatic gearbox when the
accelerator pedal is depressed and the gear
selector is in position D or R.
Heavy load uphillA heavy load, such as a trailer, can cause the
car to roll backward when the parking brake is
released automatically on a steep incline.
Avoid this by depressing the control while driv-ing off. Release the control when the engine
achieves traction.
Cars with Keyless drive functionRelease manually by pressing the
START/STOP ENGINE button, then depress
the brake or clutch pedal and pull the control.
Symbols
SymbolSpecification
Read the message on the infor-
mation display
A flashing symbol indicates that
the parking brake is applied. If
the symbol flashes in any other
situation then this means that a
fault has arisen. Read the mes-
sage on the information display.
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03 Your driving environment
Parking brake
03
133
Messages
Park brake not fully released - A fault is pre-
venting the parking brake from being released.
Visit a workshop - an authorised Volvo work-
shop is recommended. A warning signal
sounds if you pull away with this error mes-
sage.
Parking brake not applied - A fault is pre-
venting the parking brake from being applied.
Try to apply and release. Visit a workshop if the
message remains - a Volvo workshop is rec-
ommended.
The message is also illuminated on cars with
manual gearbox when the car is driven at low
speed with the door open in order to alert the
driver that the parking brake may have been
unintentionally disengaged.
Parking brake Service required - A fault has
arisen. Visit a workshop if the fault persists - a
Volvo workshop is recommended.
If the car has to be parked before the fault has
been rectified then the wheels must be turned
as if parking on a hill and 1st gear engaged
(manual gearbox) or the gear selector must be
in position P (automatic gearbox).
Replacing the brake liningsThe rear brake linings must be replaced at a
workshop due to the design of the electric
parking brake - an authorised Volvo workshop
is recommended.
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04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Adaptive cruise control*
04
176* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
or
•Press the accelerator pedal and accelerate
up to at least about 4 km/h (normal walking
pace).
The cruise control will then resume following
the vehicle in front.
NOTE
The cruise control can hold the car station-
ary for a maximum of 2 minutes - then the
parking brake is applied and the cruise con-
trol is disengaged.
•The driver has to release the parking
brake before the cruise control can be
reactivated.
Change of target
If the target vehicle in front suddenly turns then
there may be stationary traffic in front.
When the cruise control is following another
vehicle at speeds below 30 km/h and changes
target from a moving to a stationary vehicle, the
cruise control will slow down for the stationary
vehicle.
WARNING
When the cruise control is following another
vehicle at speeds in excess of 30 km/h and
the target is changed from a moving vehicle
to a stationary vehicle, the cruise control will
ignore the stationary vehicle and instead
select the stored speed.
•The driver must intervene him/herself
and brake.
Automatic standby mode with change of
target
Cruise control is disengaged and set in
standby mode:
•when the speed is below 15 km/h and
cruise control is not sure whether the target
object is a stationary vehicle or some other
object, e.g. a speed bump.
•when the speed is below 15 km/h and the
vehicle in front turns off so the cruise con-
trol no longer has a vehicle to follow.
Automatic braking ceases when
stationary
In certain situations the cruise control inter-
rupts braking when stationary. This means that
the foot brake is released and the driver must
brake himself/herself.
Cruise control releases the foot brake and is
set in standby mode when:
•the driver puts his/her foot on the brake
pedal
•the parking brake is applied
•the gear selector is moved to P, N or R
position
•the driver sets the cruise control in standby
mode.
Automatic activation parking brakeIn some situations the cruise control applies
the parking brake in order to keep a stationary
car remaining stationary.
This takes place if:
•the driver opens the door or takes off his/
her seatbelt
•DSTC is changed from Normal to Sport
mode
•cruise control has held the car stationary
for more than 2 minutes
•the engine is switched off
•the brakes have overheated.
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