2012 VOLVO XC70 parking brake

03 Your driving environment
Transmission
03
116
•If you hold the gear selector toward "–", the
transmission will downshift one gear at a
time 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 to a very low speed, the trans-
mission will automatically shift down.
Shiftlock – Neutral (N)If the gear selector is in the N position and the
vehicle has been stationary for at least 3 sec-
onds (irrespective of whether the engine is run-
ning) then the gear selector is locked.
To be able to move the gear selector from N to
another gear position, the brake pedal must be
depressed and the ignition must be in posi-
tion II, see page 82.
Geartronic–Sport mode (S)2
This transmission mode provides sportier shift-
ing characteristics and enables a more active
driving style by making it possible to drive at
higher rpm in each gear before shifting up. The
engine also responds faster when the throttle
pedal is pressed.
To access Sport mode from Drive (D), move the
gear selector to the right. The transmission willnot switch to manual shifting mode until the
gear selector is moved forward or rearward
toward + or –.
Sport mode can be selected any time.
NOTE
•When the transmission is in Sport
mode, the transmission symbol in the
main instrument panel will change from
D to S (see page 75).
•Please be aware that using Sport mode
may result in a slight decrease in fuel
economy. Driving in D can help improve
fuel economy.
Geartronic–starting on slippery surfacesSelecting 3rd gear in Geartronic’s manual shift-
ing mode can help provide better traction when
starting off on slippery surfaces. To do so:
1. Depress the brake pedal and move the
gear selector to the right from the D posi-
tion to the manual shifting position. The
text in the instrument panel display will
change from
D to 1.
2. Press the gear selector forward and
release it (this selects 2nd gear). Press theselector forward again and release it to
select 3rd gear.
3. Release the brake pedal and press gently
on the accelerator pedal.
Shiftlock override
If the vehicle cannot be driven, for example
because of a dead battery, the gear selector
must be moved from the P position before the
vehicle can be moved
3.
Lift away the rubber mat on the floor of the
storage compartment behind the center
console to expose the small opening for
overriding the shiftlock system.
2Certain models only3If the battery is dead, the electric parking brake cannot be applied or released. Connect an auxiliary battery if the battery voltage is too low, see page 113.

03 Your driving environment
Brakes
03
118* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Brake system
The brake system is a hydraulic system con-
sisting of two separate brake circuits. If a prob-
lem 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 system message is
shown in the information display: DO NOT
DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed to a trained
and qualified Volvo service technician and
have the brake system inspected.
Brake pad inspectionOn vehicles equipped with a jack*, the condi-
tion of the brake pads can be checked by rais-
ing the vehicle (see page 308 for information
about using the jack and removing a wheel)
and performing a visual inspection of the brake
pads.
WARNING
•If the vehicle has been driven immedi-
ately prior to a brake pad inspection, the
wheel hub, brake components, etc., will
be very hot. Allow time for these com-
ponents to cool before carrying out the
inspection.
•Apply the parking brake and put the
gear selector in the Park (P) position.
•Block the wheels standing on the
ground, use rigid wooden blocks or
large stones.
WARNING
•Use the jack intended for the vehicle
when changing a tire. For any other job,
use stands to support the vehicle.
•The jack should be kept well-greased
and clean, and should not be damaged.
•Be sure the jack is on a firm, level, non-
slippery surface.
•No objects should be placed between
the base of jack and the ground, or
between the jack and the attachment
bar on the vehicle.
•The jack must correctly engage the jack
attachment.
•Never allow any part of your body to be
extended under a vehicle supported by
a jack.
Brake lightsThe brake lights come on automatically when
the brakes are applied.
Adaptive brake lightsThe adaptive brake lights activate in the event
of sudden braking or if the ABS system is acti-
vated. This function causes an additional tail-
light on each side of the vehicle to illuminate to
help alert vehicles traveling behind.
The adaptive brake lights activate if:

03 Your driving environment
Brakes
03

119
•The ABS system activates for more than
approximately a half second
•In the event of sudden braking while the
vehicle is moving at speeds above approx-
imately 6 mph (10 km/h)
When the vehicle has come to a stop, the brake
lights and additional taillights remain on for as
long as the brake pedal is depressed or until
braking force on the vehicle is reduced.
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 thebrakes 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 braking system (ABS)The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps to
improve vehicle control (stopping and steering)
during severe braking conditions by limiting
brake lockup. When the system "senses"
impending lockup, braking pressure is auto-
matically modulated in order to help prevent
lockup that could lead to a skid.
The system performs a brief self-diagnostic
test when the engine has been started and
driver releases the brake pedal. Another auto-
matic test may be performed when the vehicle
first reaches a speed of approximately 6 mph(10 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several
times and a sound may be audible from the
ABS control module, which is normal.
Cleaning the brake discsCoatings of dirt and water on the brake discs
may result in delayed brake function. This delay
is minimized by cleaning the brake linings.
Cleaning the brake pads is advisable in wet
weather, prior to long-term parking, and after
the vehicle has been washed. Do this by brak-
ing gently for a short period while the vehicle is
moving.
Emergency Brake AssistanceEBA is designed to provide full brake effect
immediately in the event of sudden, hard brak-
ing. The system is activated by the speed with
which the brake pedal is depressed.
When the EBA system is activated, the brake
pedal will go down and pressure in the brake
system immediately increases to the maximum
level. Maintain full pressure on the brake pedal
in order to utilize the system completely. EBA
is automatically deactivated when the brake
pedal is released.

03 Your driving environment
Parking brake
03

121 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 113.
Applying the electric parking brake
Parking brake control
1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Push the control.
>
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.
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.
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.
The parking brake should also be applied.

03 Your driving environment
Parking brake
03
122
Releasing the electric parking brake
Parking brake control
Manual release1. Fasten the seat belt.
2. Insert the remote key in the ignition slot (or
press the START/STOP ENGINE button
on vehicles with the optional keyless drive).
3. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
4. Pull the parking brake control.
Automatic release1. Start the engine.
NOTE
•For safety reasons, the parking brake is
only released automatically if the engine
is running and the driver is wearing a seat
belt.
•The electric parking brake will be
released immediately when the acceler-
ator pedal is pressed and the gear selec-
tor is in position D or R.
2. Fasten the seat belt.
3.
Move the gear selector to position D or R
and press the accelerator pedal. The park-
ing brake will release when the vehicle
begins to move.
Heavy load uphillA heavy load, such as a trailer, can cause the
vehicle to roll backward when the parking
brake is released automatically on a steep
incline. To help avoid this:
1. Keep the electric parking brake lever
pushed in with the left hand while shifting
into Drive with the right.
2. While pressing the throttle pedal to pull
away, release the parking brake lever only
after the vehicle begins to move.
Symbols
SymbolSpecification
Read the message in the infor-
mation display
A flashing symbol indicates that
the parking brake is being
applied. If the symbol flashes in
any other situation then this
means that a fault has arisen.
Read the message on the infor-
mation display.
Messages
Park brake not fully released – A fault is pre-
venting the parking brake from being released.
Try to apply the parking brake and release it
several times. If the problem persists, contact

03 Your driving environment
Parking brake
03
123
an authorized Volvo workshop. If you drive off
with this error message showing, a warning
signal sounds.
Parking brake not applied – A fault is pre-
venting the parking brake from being applied.
Try to apply the parking brake and release it
several times. If the problem persists, contact
an authorized Volvo workshop. If you drive off
with this error message showing, a warning
signal sounds.
Parking brake Service required – A fault has
occurred. Try to apply and release. Contact a
Volvo workshop if the fault remains.
WARNING
If the vehicle must be parked before the fault
has been corrected, always put the gear
selector in P and turn the wheels so that
they point away from the curb if the vehicle
is pointing uphill or toward the curb if it is
pointing downhill.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
04

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.157
Standby mode due to action by the driverACC is temporarily deactivated and put in
standby mode:
•when the brakes are applied
•if the driver's seat belt is taken off
•If the driver's door is opened
•if the gear selector is moved to N
•if the accelerator pedal is depressed for
more than 1 minute.
NOTE
If the accelerator pedal is only depressed for
a short time, such as when passing another
vehicle, ACC is deactivated temporarily and
is reactivated when the pedal is released.
Automatic standby modeAdaptive cruise control is linked to other sys-
tems such as the stability and traction control
system (DSTC). If this system is not functioning
properly, adaptive cruise control is automati-
cally deactivated and will go into standby
mode.
In the event of automatic deactivation, an audi-
ble signal will sound and the message
Cruise
control Cancelled is shown in the display.
The driver must then intervene and adapt the
vehicle's speed to the surrounding traffic and
regulate the distance to the vehicle ahead.An automatic switch to standby mode may be
caused if:
•the wheels lose traction
•brake temperature is high
•the radar sensor is obstructed by, for
example, wet snow or rain.
Queue Assist*The following functions are linked to your vehi-
cle's automatic transmission and comprise the
Queue Assist feature.
Please note that the lowest speed that can be
set is 18 mph (30 km/h), although ACC can
maintain a set speed/distance to a vehicle
ahead down to a standstill. Queue Assist con-
sists of the following features:
Enhanced speed intervalYour vehicle can maintain the set time interval
to the vehicle ahead at any permissible speed,
including a complete stop.
In order to activate ACC at speeds below
18 mph (30 km/h):
•The vehicle ahead must be within a rea-
sonable distance (not farther away than
approx. 100 ft/30 meters)
•The lowest speed that can be selected is
18 mph (30 km/h), although ACC will also
help maintain the set time interval to thevehicle ahead at lower speeds, including a
complete stop.
During short stops (less than approximately
3 seconds) in slow-moving traffic, your vehicle
will begin moving again automatically as soon
as the vehicle ahead begins to move.
If it takes more than 3 seconds for the vehicle
ahead to begin moving, ACC will be automati-
cally go into standby mode.
The driver will then have to reactivate ACC in
one of the following ways:
•By pressing
•By accelerating up to at least 3 mph
(4 km/h)
Your vehicle will then resume following the
vehicle ahead at the set time interval.
NOTE
ACC can remain active and keep your vehi-
cle at a standstill for up to 2 minutes. After
2 minutes have elapsed, the parking brake
will be engaged and ACC will go into
standby mode.
To reactivate ACC, the driver must release
the parking brake (see page 122) and press
.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
04
158* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Automatic standby mode when ACC
changes target vehicles
If the vehicle ahead turns suddenly, there may be
a stationary vehicle ahead
The following only applies at speeds below
approximately 18 mph (30 km/h):
If ACC changes target vehicles (the vehicle that
the radar sensor has detected) from a moving
vehicle to a stationary one, the system will
apply the brakes in your vehicle.
WARNING
At speeds above 18 mph (30 km/h), ACC
will not react to a stationary vehicle and
apply the brakes but will instead accelerate
to the previously set speed. The driver must
actively apply the brakes to stop the vehicle.
ACC disengages and goes into standby mode
if:
•Your vehicle's speed goes below 10 mph
(15 km/h) and ACC cannot determine if the
target object is a stationary vehicle or some
other type of object such as e.g., a speed
bump.
•Your vehicle's speed goes below 10 mph
(15 km/h) and the vehicle ahead turns so
that ACC no longer has a target vehicle to
follow.
No automatic braking when at a
standstill
In certain situations, ACC will no longer apply
the brakes and go into standby mode while the
vehicle is not moving. This means that the
driver will have to apply the brakes.
This happens if:
•The driver presses the brake pedal
•The parking brake is activated
•The gear selected is moved to P,N or R
•The driver presses the button to put
ACC in standby mode
The parking brake is applied
automatically
In certain situations, ACC will apply the parking
brake in order to continue keeping the vehicle
at a standstill.
This happens if:
•The driver opens the door or takes off
his/her seat belt
•DSTC is put in Sport mode (see page 148)
•ACC has kept the vehicle at a standstill for
more than 2 minutes
•The engine has been switched off
•The brakes have overheated
Turning ACC off completely
•From standby mode, press once.
•From active mode, press twice.
The set speed and time interval are then
cleared from the system's memory and cannot
be resumed by pressing
.
The radar sensor and its limitations
In addition to being used by ACC, the radar
sensor is also used by Distance Alert (see
page 163) and Collision Warning with Full
Auto-brake and Pedestrian Detection (see
page 171). This sensor is designed to detect
cars or larger vehicles driving in the same
direction as your vehicle, in the same lane.