2011 VOLVO XC90 automatic transmission

06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission
06
144
G026990
P (Park)Use this position when starting the engine or
parking the vehicle.
Never use P while the vehicle is in motion.
The parking brake should also be set whenever
the vehicle is parked.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in
the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the
gear selector from this position, the engine
must be running (or the ignition key must be in
position II) and the brake pedal must be
depressed.
N (Neutral)Neutral – no gear engaged. Use the parking
brake.
WARNING
Never leave the vehicle unattended when
the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear
selector is moved from P, the vehicle may
start moving.
R (Reverse)Never engage R while the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive)D is the normal driving position and should be
used as often as possible to help improve fuel
economy. The vehicle should not be moving
when shifting from R to the D position.
NOTE
The transmission has 6 forward speeds.
Automatic transmission – shift gate
positions
G020237
Shift gate positions
Depress the button on the front of the gear
selector knob to move between the R, N, D,
and P positions.
KickdownAutomatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is
achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal
fully and briskly. An upshift will occur when
approaching the top speed for a particular gear
or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceler-
ation or when passing at highway speeds.

06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission
06

145
NOTE
The gear selector must be in the D (Drive)
position for kickdown to function.
Manual shifting – Geartronic
You can move the gear selector freely between
the MAN (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" feature1 reduces engine speed
and help saves fuel.
The currently selected gear will be displayed in
the instrument panel (see page 58).
•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 driving
If 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 58) 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
Automatic transmission
06
146
NOTE
Mode W can be chosen regardless of the
postion of the gear selector but will only
function when the gear selector is in the D
(drive) position.

06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06

159
Points to keep in mind when towing a
trailer
•When towing trailers without brakes, the
maximum permissible trailer weight is
1,700 lbs (750 kg).
•If necessary, redistribute the weight of any
cargo in the trailer to avoid excessive
weight on the trailer hitch.
•The maximum trailer weight listed in the
table for All Wheel Drive models, 5,000 lbs
(2250 kg) is only applicable when there are
not more than two occupants in the vehi-
cle, in the front seats, with a combined
weight of 300 lbs (135 kg), with no other
cargo in the vehicle.
•The maximum weight listed for Front
Wheel Drive models, 4,000 lbs (1800 kg) is
only applicable when there are not more
than four occupants in the vehicle, in the
front seats and second row of seats, with
a combined weight of 600 lbs (270 kg), with
no other cargo in the vehicle.
•Vehicles used for towing a trailer on a reg-
ular basis, or for long-distance highway
towing should be equipped with an auto-
matic transmission oil cooler and Volvo's
automatic self-leveling system for the rear
suspension. Consult your Volvo retailer.
•Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer
hitches that are specially designed for the
vehicle.
•All Volvo models are equipped with
energy-absorbing shock-mounted bump-
ers. Trailer hitch installation should not
interfere with the proper operation of this
bumper system.
•Increase tire pressure to recommended full
inflation pressure. See chapter "Wheels
and tires."
•When your vehicle is new, avoid towing
heavy trailers during the first 620 miles
(1,000 km).
•Engine and transmission are subject to
increased loads. Therefore, engine coolant
temperature should be closely watched
when driving in hot climates or hilly terrain.
Use a lower gear and turn off the air con-
ditioner if the temperature gauge needle
enters the red range.
•If the automatic transmission begins to
overheat, a message will be displayed in
the text window.
•Hauling a trailer affects handling, durabil-
ity, and economy.
•It is necessary to balance trailer brakes
with the towing vehicle brakes to provide a
safe stop (check and observe state/local
regulations).
•Do not connect the trailer's brake system
directly to the vehicle's brake system.
•Remove the ball and drawbar assembly
when the hitch is not being used.
•Volvo recommends the use of synthetic
engine oil when towing a trailer over long
distances or in mountainous areas.
NOTE
•When parking the vehicle with a trailer
on a hill, apply the parking brake before
putting the gear selector in P. When
starting on a hill, put the gear selector in
D before releasing the parking brake.
Always follow the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations for wheel chocking.
•If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift
positions while towing a trailer, make
sure the gear you select does not put
too much strain on the engine (using too
high a gear).

06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06
160
WARNING
•Bumper-attached trailer hitches must
not be used on Volvos, nor should
safety chains be attached to the
bumper.
•Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle
rear axle must not be used.
•Never connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to the vehicle
brake system, nor a trailer's lighting
system directly to the vehicle lighting
system. Consult a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician for correct
installation.
•When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety
wire must be correctly fastened to the
hole or hook provided in the trailer hitch
on the vehicle. The safety wire should
never be fastened to or wound around
the drawbar ball.
Smoother starts with a trailerModels equipped with the V8-engine and the
6-speed automatic transmission have a built-
in function that reduces acceleration slightly in
first gear when the vehicle is towing a trailer.
This is done to help avoid wheel spin and to
make starting off smoother.
•This function is activated when the trailer's
electrical connector is plugged into theelectrical socket mounted near the trailer
hitch.
•The function is automatically deactivated
when the trailer's wiring is disconnected
from the socket. The vehicle will then
accelerate normally.
NOTE
Since this function is activated when a con-
nector is plugged into the electrical socket
near the trailer hitch, it will be activated by
any electrical equipment (e.g. bicycle racks
with lighting, etc) that is plugged in, and will
remain active until the equipment is unplug-
ged from the socket.
LevelingIf your vehicle is equipped with automatic lev-
eling, the rear suspension always retains the
correct ride height regardless of the load.
•The system adjusts the rear suspension to
the correct level after the vehicle has been
driven a short distance.
•When the vehicle is stationary, the rear
suspension lowers, which is normal.

12 Index
12
294
1, 2, 3 ...
12-volt sockets.......................................... 79
A
A/C (air conditioning)...........................98, 99
ABS.......................................................... 149
Accessory installation warning.................. 15
Airbag system............................................ 23
Air cleaner................................................ 213
Air conditioning.......................................... 94
Air distribution...................................... 96, 99
Air quality sensor....................................... 98
Air vents..................................................... 96
Alarm........................................................ 131
All Wheel Drive......................................... 148
All Wheel Drive – towing.......................... 157
Anti-lock brake system
warning light......................................... 60
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)................. 149
Ashtray..................................................... 114Audio
system introduction............................ 244
Audio system
HD digital radio................................... 251
Rear seat entertainment..................... 270
Sirius satellite radio............................255
AUTO (climate control)....................... 99, 100
Automatic transmission........................... 144
Autostart..........................................139, 141
AUX (audio system).................................259
Average speed........................................... 75
AWD......................................................... 148
B
Bass......................................................... 247
Battery..................................................... 211
maintenance....................................... 220
specifications...................................... 287
Battery – replacing................................... 221
Belt check................................................ 212
Black box................................................... 13
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)..... 165
Blower (fan).............................................. 100Bluetooth cell phone connection............. 265
Booster cushion
accessory............................................. 46
integrated.............................................. 51
Brake fluid................................................ 218
Brake system........................................... 149
Bulbs........................................................ 223
Bulbs, replacing....................................... 223
C
Capacities, fluids..................................... 282
Capacity weight....................................... 182
Cargo area cover..................................... 121
Cargo grid................................................ 120
Cargo net................................................. 118
Catalytic converter, three-way................. 289
CD Pause................................................. 261
Cell phone, hands-free connection......... 265
Center console buttons............................. 64
Central locking system - remote key....... 125
Changing a wheel.................................... 193
Changing coolant....................................212

12 Index
12
299
inflation pressure tables..................... 177
load ratings......................................... 176
rotation............................................... 173
spare................................................... 185
speed ratings...................................... 176
storing................................................. 173
tire sealing system.............................. 186
tread wear indicator............................ 174
Tire sealing system.................................. 186
Towing a trailer........................................ 158
V8-engine........................................... 160
Towing - cars with All Wheel Drive.......... 157
Towing the vehicle................................... 156
Trailer hitch - detachable......................... 161
Trailer towing...................................158, 160
Transmission, automatic.......................... 144
Tread wear indicator................................ 174
Treble....................................................... 247
Trip computer............................................ 75
Trip odometer............................................ 58
Turn signals............................................... 70U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading...................183
Unlocking fuel filler door............................ 68
Unlocking the car..................................... 128
Unpaved roads, driving on...................... 143
V
V8 engine and trailer towing....................160
Vanity mirror............................................ 112
Vehicle dimensions.................................. 278
Vehicle Event Data..................................... 13
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)......... 277
Vehicle loading........................................ 182
Vehicle maintenance................................ 208
Vehicle weights........................................ 280
Ventilated seats......................................... 97
Volvo and the environment........................ 14
Volvo maintenance.................................. 208
Volvo On Call Roadside Assistance........ 292
W
Warning symbol......................................... 58
Warning symbol in center of dashboard.... 58
Warranties................................................ 208
Washer fluid reservoir......................213, 217
Washing the vehicle................................. 200
Water, driving through............................. 143
Waxing..................................................... 201
Weights.................................................... 280
Wheels.....................................................172
storing................................................. 173
Windshield
IR coating............................................. 73
Windshield washer fluid reservoir............217
Windshield wipers.................................... 219
Winter/Wet driving mode......................... 163
Wipers...................................................... 219
W – Winter............................................... 145