2011 VOLVO XC90 steering

02 Instruments and controls
Right-side steering wheel lever
02
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.73 IR-reflecting windshield*
Section of the windshield where the IR-coating is
not applied
An optional factory-installed infrared (IR) coa-
ting can be applied to the windshield to help
protect the cabin from the sun's heat and the
fading effect of sunlight on upholstery, panels,
etc.
Electronic equipment such as garage door
openers, electronic toll tags and similar devi-
ces should not be placed on sections of the
windshield with the IR coating because this
could affect their function and limit their range.
For best performance, place the device on the
section of the windshield without the IR coating
(see the area marked in the illustration).

02 Instruments and controls
Cruise control
02

77 Engaging the cruise control function
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The cruise control panel is located on the left
side of the steering wheel hub.
NOTE
This does not set the vehicle's speed.
1.
Press the CRUISE button.
>
CRUISE will be displayed in the infor-
mation window in the instrument panel.
2.
Press + or – to set the current speed.
>
CRUISE-ON will be displayed in the
information window in the instrument
panel.
Increasing or decreasing speed
G027139
Use + or – in the following ways to increase or
decrease the vehicle's speed:
1.
Press and hold down + or – until the vehicle
reaches the desired speed.
2.
Press + or – for approximately a half sec-
ond and release the button to increase or
decrease vehicle speed by approximately
1 mph (1.6 km/h).
NOTE
Cruise control will not function at speeds
below 20 mph. (30 km/h).
Braking
•Cruise control is automatically disengaged
when the brake pedal is depressed. The
currently set speed is stored in memory.
•Pressing resume will return the vehicle
to the previously set speed.
AccelerationMomentary acceleration, such as when pass-
ing another vehicle, does not affect cruise con-
trol operation. The vehicle will automatically
return to the previously set speed when you
release the accelerator pedal.
Disengaging cruise controlTo disengage cruise control, press the
CRUISE button. CRUISE or CRUISE-ON will
no longer be displayed in the information win-
dow in the instrument panel.
NOTE
Cruise control is automatically disengaged
if:
•the engine is switched off
•the gear selector is placed in (N) Neutral
•the wheels start to spin or lock
•if an increase in speed is maintained for
more than one minute
•if the vehicle's speed falls below
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h).

05 Locks and alarm
Locking and unlocking
05
128
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Locking and unlocking the vehicle from
the inside
The switch on the driver's door armrest can be
used to lock or unlock all doors and the tail-
gate, and to set the alarm.
Each door can also be locked with the lock
button on the respective door and opened by
pulling the door handle on the door.
Automatic lockingThe function locks the doors automatically
when the vehicle's speed exceeds approxi-
mately 5 mph (7 km/h). The doors will then
remain locked until a door in opened from the
inside or if all of the doors are unlocked from
the control panel in the driver's door.This function can be activated/deactivated
from the control panel in the driver's door.
Activating/deactivating automatic
locking
1.
Turn the ignition key to position I or II.
2.
Press the READ button on the left-side
steering wheel lever to erase any mes-
sages that may be displayed in the infor-
mation display.
3. Depress the central locking button on the
control panel until a new message about
the locking status is displayed.
The message
AUTOLOCK ON (the doors will
be locked when the vehicle begins to move) or
AUTOLOCK OFF will be displayed.
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Locking the glove compartmentThe glove compartment can be locked with the
master key.
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Unlocking the tailgateThe tailgate lock is incorporated in the central
locking system and is locked or unlocked when
all doors are locked/unlocked.
The tailgate can be unlocked by:
•Pressing UNLOCK on the remote key
twice.
•Using the central locking button on the
driver's door.

132* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
General information............................................................................... 134
Fuel requirements................................................................................. 135
Refueling............................................................................................... 137
Starting the vehicle............................................................................... 139
Ignition switch and steering wheel lock................................................ 141
Economical driving................................................................................ 142
Difficult driving conditions..................................................................... 143
Automatic transmission........................................................................ 144
Jump starting........................................................................................ 147
All Wheel Drive*..................................................................................... 148
Brake system........................................................................................ 149
Parking brake........................................................................................ 151
Stability system..................................................................................... 152
Front/rear park assist*........................................................................... 154
Towing.................................................................................................. 156
Towing a trailer...................................................................................... 158
Detachable trailer hitch......................................................................... 161
Load carriers (accessory)...................................................................... 162
Cold weather precautions..................................................................... 163
Before a long distance trip.................................................................... 164
Blind Spot Information System*............................................................ 165

06 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements
06
136
WARNING
Driving with the tailgate open: Driving with
the tailgate open could lead to poisonous
exhaust gases entering the passenger com-
partment.
•If the tailgate 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 blower control to its highest
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 cargo area, 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 recommendedpressure according to the vehicle load. See
"Tire pressure" section.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity
weight or maximum permissible axle loads are
not exceeded.
Conserving electrical currentKeep the following in mind to help minimize
battery drain:
•When the engine is not running, avoid turn-
ing the ignition key to position II (see
page 141). Many electrical systems (the
audio system, the optional infotainment/
navigation systems, power windows, etc)
will function with the ignition key in position
I. This position reduces drain on the bat-
tery.
•Please keep in mind that using systems,
accessories, etc that consume a great deal
of current when the engine is not running
could result in the battery being completely
drained. Driving or having the engine run-
ning for approximately 15 minutes will help
keep the battery charged.
NOTE
A warning message will be displayed in the
text window in the instrument panel when
the battery charge is low.

06 Starting and driving
Starting the vehicle
06

139 Starting the engine
WARNING
Before starting, check that the seat, steering
wheel and mirrors are adjusted properly.
Make sure the brake pedal can be
depressed completely. Adjust the seat if
necessary, see page 104.
1. Fasten the seat belt.
2. Apply the parking brake (hand brake) if not
already set. The gear selector is locked in
the P position (SHIFTLOCK).
3. Without touching the accelerator pedal,
turn the ignition key
1 to the starting posi-
tion. Allow the starter to operate for up to
10 seconds. Release the key as soon as
the engine starts
2. If the engine fails to
start, repeat this step.
NOTE
•If the key blade section of the remote is
not fully folded out when starting the
vehicle, the immobilizer function may
make it impossible to start the engine.
•After a cold start, idle speed may be
noticeably higher than normal for a
short period. This is done to help bring
components in the emission control
system to their normal operating tem-
perature as quickly as possible, which
enables them to control emissions and
help reduce the vehicle's impact on the
environment.
•To release the gear selector from the P
(Park) position, the engine must be run-
ning (or the ignition key must be in posi-
tion II) and the brake pedal must be
depressed.
•Select the desired gear. The gear
engages after a very slight delay which
is especially noticeable when selecting
R.
NOTE
Your vehicle is equipped with a KEYLOCK
system. When the engine is switched off,
the gear selector must be in the P position
before the key can be removed from the
ignition switch.
When starting in cold weather, the trans-
mission may shift up at slightly higher
engine speeds than normal until the auto-
matic transmission fluid reaches normal
operating temperature.
NOTE
Do not race a cold engine immediately after
starting. Oil flow may not reach some lubri-
cation points fast enough to prevent engine
damage.
WARNING
An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause
the accelerator pedal to catch. Check that
the movement of the accelerator pedal is
not impeded. No more than one protective
floor covering may be used at one time.
1If two of the keys to your vehicle are close together, e.g. on the same key ring when you try to start the vehicle, this could cause interference in the immobilizer system and result in the vehicle not
starting. If this should occur, remove one of the keys from the key ring before trying to start the vehicle again.
2On vehicles equipped with the autostart feature, release the key immediately. See also page 141.

06 Starting and driving
Ignition switch and steering wheel lock
06
141 Ignition switch and steering wheel lock
0 – Locked position:
Remove the key to lock
the steering wheel
A.
I – Intermediate posi-
tionB – "radio position":
Certain accessories,
radio, etc. on, daytime
running lights off.
II – Drive position: The
key position when driv-
ing. The vehicle's entire
electrical system is con-
nected.
III – Start position:
Release the key when the
engine starts. The key
returns automatically to
the Drive position.
A chime will sound if the key is left in the
ignition and the driver's door is opened.
AThe gear selector must be in the P (Park) position (automatic
transmission).
BPlease be aware that leaving the key in this position will
increase battery drain.
AutostartThis function makes it possible to start the
vehicle without holding the key in the start
position (position III) until the engine starts.
Turn the key to position III and release it. The
starter motor will then operate automatically
(for up to ten seconds) until the engine starts.
Steering wheel lockThe steering wheel lock might be under tension
when the vehicle is parked.
Turn the steering wheel slightly to free the igni-
tion key.
In order to help reduce vehicle theft, make sure
the steering wheel lock is engaged before leav-
ing the vehicle.
WARNING
Never switch off the ignition (turn the ignition
key to position 0) or remove the key from the
ignition switch while the vehicle is in motion.
This could cause the steering wheel to lock,
which would make the vehicle impossible to
steer.

06 Starting and driving
Brake system
06

149 BRAKE Brake circuit malfunction
The brake system is a hydraulic system con-
sisting of two master cylinders and two sepa-
rate brake circuits. If a problem 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 failure – Service
urgent message is displayed in the text
window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle
towed to a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician and have the brake system
inspected.
NOTE
When the vehicle is at a standstill and the
engine is idling, e.g. at a traffic light and the
brake pedal is depressed, the pedal may go
down slightly. This is a normal function of
the power-assisted brake system.
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 usually
slower, 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 brakes (ABS)
If the ABS warning lamp lights up there is a
malfunction in the ABS system (the standard
braking system will however function) and the
vehicle should be driven cautiously to a trained
and qualified Volvo service technician for
inspection. The Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stop-
ping and steering) during severe braking con-
ditions by limiting brake lockup. When the sys-
tem "senses" impending lockup, braking pres-
sure is automatically modulated in order to help
prevent lockup, which could lead to a skid.
The system performs a self-diagnostic test
when the engine is started and when the
vehicle first reaches a speed of approxi-