03 Your driving environment
Wipers and washing
03
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.99
The rain sensor is automatically deactivated
when the remote control key is removed from
the ignition switch or five minutes after the
engine has been switched off.
IMPORTANT
The windscreen wipers could start and be
damaged in an automatic car wash. Deac-
tivate the rain sensor while the car is running
or the remote control key is in position I or
II. The symbol in the combined instrument
panel and the lamp in the button go out.
Washing the headlamps and windows
Washing function.
Washing the windscreenMove the stalk switch toward the steering
wheel to start the windscreen and headlamp
washers.
The windscreen wipers will make several more
sweeps and the headlamps are washed once
the stalk switch has been released.
Heated washer nozzles*The washer nozzles are heated automatically
in cold weather to prevent the washer fluid
freezing solid.
High-pressure headlamp washing*High-pressure headlamp washing consumes a
large quantity of washer fluid. To save fluid, the
headlamps are washed automatically at every
fifth windscreen wash cycle.
Wiper and washer, rear window
Rear window wiper – intermittent wiping
Rear window wiper – continuous speed
Press the stalk switch forward (see the arrow
in the illustration above) to initiate rear window
washing and wiping.
NOTE
The rear window wiper is equipped with
overheating protection which means that
the motor is switched off if it overheats. The
rear window wiper works again after a cool-
ing period (30 seconds or longer, depending
on the heat in the motor and the outside
temperature).
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03 Your driving environment
Gearboxes
03
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.119
Deactivating the automatic gear selector
inhibitor
If the car cannot be driven, e.g. due to a flat
battery, the gear selector must be moved from
the P position so that the car can be moved.
Lift the rubber mat in the compartment
behind the centre console and open the
hatch.
Fully insert the key blade. Press the key
blade down and hold (For information on
the key blade, see page 52.)
Move the gear selector from the P position.
Automatic gearbox, Powershift*2
D: Automatic gear positions. M (+/–): Manual gear
positions.
Powershift is a six-stage automatic gearbox
that has double mechanical clutch discs in
contrast to a conventional automatic gearbox.
A conventional automatic gearbox has a
hydraulic torque converter that transfers power
from the engine to the gearbox.
Powershift transmission operates in the same
way and has similar controls and functions as
the Geartronic automatic transmission, descri-
bed in the previous section.
HSAThe HSA (Hill Start Assist) function means that
the pressure in the brake system remains forseveral seconds while the foot is moved from
the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal before
setting off or reversing uphill.
The temporary braking effect releases after
several seconds or when the driver acceler-
ates.
To bear in mindThe transmission's double clutch has overload
protection that is activated if it becomes too
hot, e.g. if the car is held stationary with the
accelerator pedal on an uphill gradient for a
long time.
Overheated transmission causes the car to
shake and vibrate, and the warning symbol illu-
minates and the information display shows a
message. The transmission can also overheat
during slow driving in queues (10 km/h or
slower) on an uphill gradient, or with a trailer
hitched. The transmission cools down when
the car is stationary, with foot brake depressed
and the engine running at idling speed.
Overheating during slow driving in queues can
be avoided by driving in stages: Stop the car
and wait with your foot on the brake pedal until
there is a moderate distance to the traffic
ahead, drive forward a short distance, and then
2Only 4-cyl. model 2.0T.
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03 Your driving environment
Gearboxes
03
120
wait another moment with your foot on the
brake pedal.
IMPORTANT
Use the foot brake to hold the car stationary
on an uphill gradient - do not hold the car
with the accelerator pedal. The gearbox
could then overheat.
Text message and actionIn some situations the display may show a
message at the same time as a symbol is illu-
minated.
SymbolDisplayDriving characteristicsAction
Transm. overheat brake to holdDifficulty in maintaining even speed at con-
stant engine speed.Transmission overheated. Keep the car
stationary using the foot brake.A
Transm. overheat park safelySignificant pulling in the car's traction.Transmission overheated. Park the car
immediately in a safe manner.A
Transm. cooling let engine runNo drive due to overheated gearbox.Transmission overheated. For fastest cool-
ing: Run the engine at idling speed with the
gear lever in the N or P position until the
message clears.
AFor fastest cooling: run the engine at idling speed with the gear lever in the N or P position, until the message clears.
The table shows three steps with an increased
degree of seriousness should the transmission
become too hot. In parallel with the display text
the driver is also advised that the car's elec-
tronics are temporarily changing the driving
characteristics. Follow the instructions on the
information display where appropriate.NOTE
The table's examples are no indication that
the car is defective but instead show that a
safety function has been activated inten-
tionally to prevent damage to one of the
car's components.
WARNING
If a warning symbol combined with the textTransm. overheat park safely is ignored
then the heat in the gearbox may become
so high that the power transmission
between engine and gearbox is temporarily
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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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06 During your journey
Recommendations during driving
06
266
General
Economical drivingDriving economically means driving smoothly
while thinking ahead and adjusting your driving
style and speed to the prevailing conditions.
•Drive in the highest gear possible, adapted
to the current traffic situation and road -
lower engine speeds result in lower fuel
consumption.
•Avoid driving with open windows.
•Avoid sudden unnecessary acceleration
and heavy braking.
•Remove unnecessary items from the car -
the greater the load the higher the fuel con-
sumption.
•Use engine braking to slow down, when it
can take place without risk to other road
users.
•A roof load and ski box increase air resis-
tance, leading to higher fuel consumption
- remove the load carriers when not in use.
•Do not run the engine to operating tem-
perature at idling speed, but rather drive
with a light load as soon as possible - a
cold engine consumes more fuel than a
warm one.
•Cars with the D5 engine and 6-speed man-
ual transmission are started in 2nd gear
under normal conditions on level ground.For more information and further advice, see
the pages 12 and 355.
WARNING
Never switch off the engine while moving,
such as downhill, this deactivates important
systems such as the power steering and
brake servo.
Driving in waterThe car can be driven through water at a maxi-
mum depth of 25 cm at a maximum speed of
10 km/h. Extra caution should be exercised
when passing through flowing water.
During driving in water, maintain a low speed
and do not stop the car. When the water has
been passed, depress the brake pedal lightly
and check that full brake function is achieved.
Water and mud for example can make the
brake linings wet resulting in delayed brake
function.
•Clean the electric contacts of the electric
engine block heater and trailer coupling
after driving in water and mud.
•Do not let the car stand with water over the
sills for any long period of time - this could
cause electrical malfunctions.
IMPORTANT
Engine damage can occur if water enters
the air filter.
In depths greater than 25 cm, water could
enter the transmission. This reduces the
lubricating ability of the oils and shortens
the service life of these systems.
In the event of the engine stalling in water,
do not try restart - tow the car from the water
to a workshop - an authorised Volvo work-
shop is recommended. Risk of engine
breakdown.
Engine, gearbox and cooling systemUnder special conditions, for example hard
driving in hilly terrain and hot climate, there is
a risk that the engine and drive system may
overheat - in particular with a heavy load.
For information about overheating when driv-
ing with a trailer, see page 278.
•Remove any auxiliary lamps from in front
of the grille when driving in hot climates.
•If the temperature in the engine's cooling
system is too high the instrument panel's
warning symbol is illuminated and there is
a text message displayed there
High
engine temp Stop safely - stop the car in
a safe way and allow the engine to run at
idling speed for several minutes to cool
down.
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06 During your journey
Recommendations during driving
06
267
•If the text message High engine temp
Stop engine or Coolant level low, Stop
engine is shown then the engine must be
switched off after stopping the car.
•In the event of overheating in the gearbox
a built-in protection function is activated
which, amongst other things, illuminates
the instrument panel's warning symbol and
there is a text message displayed there
Transmission hot Reduce speed orTransmission hot Stop safely - follow
the recommendation given and lower the
speed and stop the car in a safe way and
allow the engine to run at idling speed for
a few minutes to allow the gearbox to cool
down.
•If the car overheats, the air conditioning
may be switched off temporarily.
•Do not turn the engine off immediately you
stop after a hard drive.
NOTE
It is normal for the engine's cooling fan to
operate for a while after the engine has been
switched off.
Open tailgate
WARNING
Do not drive with the tailgate open. Toxic
exhaust fumes could be drawn into the car
through the cargo area.
Do not overload the batteryThe electrical functions in the car load the bat-
tery to varying degrees. Avoid using the key
position II when the engine is switched off.
Instead use the I mode - which uses less
power.
Also, be aware of different accessories that
load the electrical system. Do not use functions
which use a lot of power when the engine is
switched off. Examples of such functions are:
•ventilation fan
•windscreen wiper
•audio system (high volume)
•headlamps.
If the battery voltage is low the information dis-
play shows the text
Low battery Power save
mode. The energy-saving function then shuts
down certain functions or reduces certain
functions such as the ventilation fan and/or
audio system.
In which case, charge the battery by star-
ting the engine and then running it for atleast 15 minutes - battery charging is more
effective during driving than running the
engine at idling speed while stationary.
Before a long journey
•Check that the engine is working normally
and that fuel consumption is normal.
•Make sure that there are no leaks (fuel, oil
or other fluid).
•Check all bulbs and tyre tread depths.
•Carrying a warning triangle is a legal
requirement in certain countries.
Winter drivingCheck the following in particular before the
cold season:
•The engine coolant must contain at least
50% glycol. This mixture protects the
engine against frost erosion down to
approximately –35 °C. To achieve optimum
antifreeze protection, different types of gly-
col must not be mixed.
•The fuel tank must be kept filled to prevent
condensation.
•Engine oil viscosity is important. Oils with
lower viscosity (thinner oils) facilitate star-
ting in cold weather and also reduce fuel
consumption while the engine is cold. For
more information on suitable oils, see
page 351.
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06 During your journey
Driving with a trailer
06
278* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
General
Payload depends on the car's kerb weight. The
total of the weight of the passengers and all
accessories, e.g. towbar, reduces the car's
payload by a corresponding weight. For more
detailed information on weights, see
page 347.
If the towing bracket is mounted by Volvo, then
the car is delivered with the necessary equip-
ment for driving with a trailer.
•The car's towing bracket must be of an
approved type.
•If the towbar is retrofitted, check with your
Volvo dealer that the car is fully equipped
for driving with a trailer.
•Distribute the load on the trailer so that the
weight on the towing bracket complies
with the specified maximum towball load.
•Increase the tyre pressure to the recom-
mended pressure for a full load. For tyre
pressure label location, see page 295.
•The engine is loaded more heavily than
usual when driving with a trailer.
•Do not tow a heavy trailer when the car is
brand new. Wait until it has been driven at
least 1000 km.
•The brakes are loaded much more than
usual on long and steep downhill slopes.
Downshift to a lower gear and adjust your
speed.
•For safety reasons, the maximum permit-
ted speed for the car when coupled with a
trailer should not be exceeded. Follow the
regulations in force for the permitted
speeds and weights.
•Maintain a low speed when driving with a
trailer up long, steep ascents.
•Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines of
more than 12%.
Trailer cableAn adapter is required if the car's towing
bracket has 13 pin electrics and the trailer has
7 pin electrics. Use an adapter cable approved
by Volvo. Make sure the cable does not drag
on the ground.
Direction indicators and brake lights on
the trailer
If any of the trailer's lamps for direction indica-
tors are broken, then the combined instrument
panel's symbol for direction indicators flashes
faster than normal and the display shows the
text
Bulb fail - Ind. signal trailer.
If any of the trailer's lamps for the brake light
are broken then the
Bulb fail - Stop lamp
trailer text is shown.
Level control*The rear shock absorbers maintain a constant
height irrespective of the car's load (up to the
maximum permissible weight). When the car isstationary the rear of the car lowers slightly,
which is normal.
Trailer weightsFor information on Volvo's permitted trailer
weights, see page 348.
NOTE
The stated maximum permitted trailer
weights are those permitted by Volvo.
National vehicle regulations can further limit
trailer weights and speeds. Towbars can be
certified for higher towing weights than the
car can actually tow.
WARNING
Follow the stated recommendations for
trailer weights. Otherwise, the car and trailer
may be difficult to control in the event of
sudden movement and braking.
Manual gearbox
OverheatingWhen driving with a trailer in hilly terrain in a hot
climate there may be a risk of overheating.
•Do not run the engine at higher revolutions
than 4500 rpm (diesel engines: 3500 rpm)
- otherwise the oil temperature may
become too high.
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06 During your journey
Driving with a trailer
06
279
Diesel engine 5-cyl
•In the event of a risk of overheating the
optimal speed for the engine is 2300-3000
rpm for optimal circulation of the coolant.
Automatic gearbox
OverheatingWhen driving with a trailer in hilly terrain in a hot
climate there may be a risk of overheating.
•An automatic gearbox selects the optimum
gear related to load and engine speed.
•In the event of overheating a warning sym-
bol illuminates on the instrument panel
combined with a text message - follow the
recommendation given.
Steep inclines
•Do not lock the automatic transmission in
a higher gear than the engine "can cope
with" - it is not always a good idea to drive
at a high gear with low engine revolutions.
IMPORTANT
See also the specific information on slow
driving with trailer for cars with the
Powershift automatic transmission on page
119.
Parking on a hill1. Depress the foot brake.
2. Activate the parking brake.
3.
Move the gear selector to position P.
4. Release the foot brake.
•Move the gear selector to park position P
when parking an automatic car with a
hitched trailer. Always use the parking
brake.
•Block the wheels with chocks when park-
ing a car with hitched trailer on a hill.
Starting on a hill1. Depress the foot brake.
2. Move the gear selector to driving posi-
tion D.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Release the foot brake and start driving off.
Towing bracket
If the car is equipped with a detachable towbar,
the installation instructions for the loose sec-
tion must be followed carefully, see
page 281.
WARNING
If the car is fitted with a Volvo detachable
towbar:
•Follow the installation instructions care-
fully.
•The detachable section must be locked
with the key before setting off.
•Check that the indicator window shows
green.
Important checks
•The towbar's towball must be cleaned and
greased regularly.
NOTE
If a towball hitch with vibration damper is
used, it is not necessary to grease the tow-
ball.
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