2012 VOLVO XC70 brakes

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Collision warning with Full Auto-brake and Pedestrian Detection*
04

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.171 Introduction
Collision Warning with Full Auto-brake and
Pedestrian Detection is designed to assist the
driver if there is a risk of a collision with a
pedestrian, a vehicle ahead that is at a stand-
still or one that is moving in the same direction
as your vehicle.
Collision Warning consists of the following
three functions:
•Collision Warning warns the driver of a
potential collision situation.
•Brake Support helps the driver brake effi-
ciently in a critical situation.
•Auto-brake brakes the vehicle automati-
cally if a collision with a pedestrian or
another vehicle cannot be avoided and the
driver does not apply the brakes in time or
steer around the person/vehicle. Auto-
brake can help prevent a collision or
reduce the speed at which a collision
occurs.
Since Collision Warning with Full Auto-brake
and Pedestrian Detection is activated in cir-
cumstances where the driver should have
begun braking much sooner, the system will
not be able to assist the driver in all situations.
This system is designed to activate as late as
possible to help avoid unnecessary interven-
tion.The system should not be used in such a way
that the driver changes his/her way of operat-
ing the vehicle. If the driver relies entirely on the
system, the chances of an accident eventually
occurring increase considerably.
The Collision Warning and City Safety™ sys-
tems supplement each other. See page 166 for
detailed information about City Safety™.
WARNING
No automatic system can be guaranteed to
function 100% correctly in all situations. For
that reason, never test the Auto-brake sys-
tem by driving toward a person or object.
This could result in serious injury or death.
WARNING
•Collision Warning does not work in all
driving, traffic, weather and road condi-
tions. It does not react to vehicles not
traveling in the same direction as your
vehicle.
•Collision Warning does not react to ani-
mals.
•Warnings are only provided when the
risk of collision is high. The "Function"
section provides information about lim-
itations that the driver must be aware of
before using Collision Warning.
•Collision Warning will not provide a
warning or brake the vehicle for pedes-
trians at speeds above 50 mph
(80 km/h).

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Collision warning with Full Auto-brake and Pedestrian Detection*
04
172* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
WARNING
•Collision Warning will not provide a
warning or brake the vehicle for pedes-
trians in darkness or in tunnels, even if
there is street lighting in the area.
•The auto-brake function can help pre-
vent a collision or reduce the speed at
impact but the driver should always
apply the brakes for the best possible
braking effect, even if auto-brake is
actively applying the brakes.
•Never wait for a collision warning. This
system is designed to be a supplemen-
tary driving aid. It is not, however,
intended to replace the driver's atten-
tion and judgement. The driver is
responsible for maintaining a safe dis-
tance and speed, even when the colli-
sion warning system is in use.
•Maintenance of the Collision Warning
system's components must only be
performed by a trained and qualified
Volvo technician.
Function
Function overview
Visual warning signal, collision risk
Radar sensor
Camera
Collision WarningThe radar sensor and the camera work
together to detect a pedestrian, stationary
vehicles and vehicles that are moving in the
same direction as your vehicle. If there is a risk
of collision with a vehicle or a pedestrian, the
driver is alerted by a flashing red warning light
and an audible warning signal. Collision warn-
ing is active at speeds above 3 mph (4 km/h).
Brake SupportIf the risk of collision continues to increase after
the collision warning has been given, Brake
Support is activated. Brake Support prepares
the brake system to react quickly, and the
brakes are applied slightly. This may be expe-
rienced as a light tug.
If the brakes are applied quickly, full braking
effect will be provided. Brake Support also
increases brake force if the system determines
that the driver has not applied adequate pres-
sure on the brake pedal.
Auto-brakeIf a collision is imminent and the driver has not
applied the brakes or begun to steer around the
vehicle or pedestrian, the auto-brake function
is activated without the driver pressing the
brake pedal. Full brake force is applied to help
reduce the vehicle’s speed when the collision
occurs or limited brake force is applied if this
is sufficient to avoid the collision.
NOTE
The auto-brake and brake support functions
are always on and cannot be turned off.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Collision warning with Full Auto-brake and Pedestrian Detection*
04

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.173 Operation
Settings are made by pressing MY CAR on the
center console control panel and using the
menus displayed.
On and offTo switch Collision Warning on or off, press MY
CAR on the center console control panel and
go to Settings
Car settingsDriver
support systems
Collision Warning. If
Collision Warning is on, the system will perform
a self-test each time the engine is started by
briefly illuminating the warning light. See page
132 for more information about the menu sys-
tem.
When the engine is switched on, the Collision
Warning setting that was being used when it
was switched off will be the default setting.
Activating/deactivating warning signalsThe collision warning system’s visual signals
are activated automatically when the engine is
started if the collision warning system is
switched on.
The audible warning signal can be activated/
deactivated by pressing MY CAR on the center
console control panel and going to Settings
Car settingsDriver support systems
Warning sound if risk of collision.
Setting a warning distanceThis setting determines the distance at which
the visual and audible warnings are triggered.
Select
Long, Normal or Short by pressing MY
CAR on the center console control panel and
going to Settings
Car settingsDriver
support systems
Collision Warning
Warning distance.
The warning distance determines the level of
sensitivity used by the system. The warning
distance
Long provides an earlier warning.
Begin by using Long and if the system gives
too many warnings, try changing to Normal.
WARNING
•The setting Short should only be used
in situations where traffic is light and
moving at low speeds.
•Collision Warning alerts the driver to the
risk of a collision but this function can-
not reduce the driver’s reaction time.
•For Collision Warning to be as effective
as possible, it is recommended that Dis-
tance Alert be set to 4 or 5, see
page 163.
NOTE
•When Adaptive Cruise Control is used,
the warning light and signal will be used
by that function, even if the warnings
provided by Collision Warning have
been deactivated by the driver.
•In situations where traffic is moving at
considerably different speeds, or if the
vehicle ahead brakes suddenly, warn-
ings may be considered to be late, even
if the setting
Long has been selected.
Checking settingsThe current Collision Warning settings can be
checked by pressing MY CAR on the center
console control panel and going to Settings
Car settingsDriver support systems
Collision Warning.
Limitations
Strong sunlight, reflections, extreme light con-
trasts, the use of sunglasses, or if the driver is
not looking straight ahead may make the visual
warning signal in the windshield difficult to see.
For this reason, always activate the audible
warning signal.
Slippery driving conditions increase braking
distance, which can reduce the system's

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Park assist*
04

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.187
Front park assist
G021424
The distance monitored in front of the vehicle
is approximately 2.5 ft (0.8 m). The audible sig-
nal comes from the audio system's front
speakers.
It may not be possible to combine auxiliary
headlights and front park assist since these
lights could trigger the system's sensors.
NOTE
Front park assist is deactivated when the
parking brake is applied and or when the
gear selector is in the P position.
Faults in the system
If the information symbol illuminates and Park
assist syst Service required is shown on the
information display, this indicates that the sys-
tem is not functioning properly and has been
disengaged. Consult a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician.
CAUTION
In certain circumstances, the park assist
system may give unexpected warning sig-
nals that can be caused by external sound
sources that use the same ultrasound fre-
quencies as the system. This may include
such things as the horns of other vehicles,
wet tires on asphalt, pneumatic brakes,
motorcycle exhaust pipes, etc. This does
not indicate a fault in the system.
Cleaning the sensors
Location of the front sensors
Location of the rear sensors
The sensors must be cleaned regularly to
ensure that they work properly. Clean them

06 During your trip
Driving recommendations
06
262
General information
Economical driving conserves natural
resources
Better driving economy may be obtained by
thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts and stops
and adjusting the speed of your vehicle to
immediate traffic conditions.
Observe the following rules:
•Bring the engine to normal operating tem-
perature as soon as possible by driving
with a light foot on the accelerator pedal for
the first few minutes of operation. A cold
engine uses more fuel and is subject to
increased wear.
•Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle
for driving short distances. This does not
allow the engine to reach normal operating
temperature.
•Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration
and hard braking.
•Use the transmission's Drive (D) position
as often as possible and avoid using kick-
down.
•Using the transmission's Sport mode1 may
increase fuel consumption somewhat. Use
the transmission's Drive (D) position as
often as possible. See page 116 for addi-
tional information about Sport mode.
•Do not exceed posted speed limits.
•Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra
load) in the vehicle.
•Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire
pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
•Remove snow tires when threat of snow or
ice has ended.
•Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc,
increase air resistance and also fuel con-
sumption.
•At highway driving speeds, fuel consump-
tion will be lower with the air conditioning
on and the windows closed than with the
air conditioning off and the windows open.
•Using the onboard trip computer's fuel
consumption modes can help you learn
how to drive more economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage
are:
•Dirty air cleaner
•Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
•Dragging brakes
•Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and others
are checked at the standard maintenance
intervals.
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 the blower control to its high-
est 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 recommended
pressure according to the vehicle load. See the
"Tire pressure" section. Loads should be dis-
1Models with the T6 turbo engine only.

06 During your trip
Driving recommendations
06

263
tributed so that capacity weight or maximum
permissible axle loads are not exceeded.
Driving through water
•The vehicle can be driven through water up
to a depth of approximately 10 in. (25 cm),
at a maximum speed of 6 mph (10 km/h).
•Take particular care when driving through
flowing water.
•Clean the electrical connections for trailer
wiring after driving in mud or water.
•When driving through water, maintain low
speed and do not stop in the water.
WARNING
After driving through water, press lightly on
the brake pedal to ensure that the brakes
are functioning normally. Water or mud can
make the brake linings slippery, resulting in
delayed braking effect.
CAUTION
•Engine damage will occur if water is
drawn into the air cleaner.
•If the vehicle is driven through water
deeper than 10 in (25 cm), water may
enter the differential and the transmis-
sion. This reduces the oil's lubricating
capacity and may shorten the service
life of these components.
•Do not allow the vehicle to stand in
water up to the door sills longer than
absolutely necessary. This could result
in electrical malfunctions.
•If the engine has been stopped while the
vehicle is in water, do not attempt to
restart it. Have the vehicle towed out of
the water.
Engine and cooling systemUnder special conditions, for example when
driving in hilly terrain, extreme heat or with
heavy loads, there is a risk that the engine and
cooling system will overheat. Proceed as fol-
lows to avoid overheating the engine.
•Maintain a low speed when driving with a
trailer up long, steep hills.
•Do not turn the engine off immediately
when stopping after a hard drive.
WARNING
The cooling fan may start or continue to
operate (for up to 6 minutes) after the engine
has been switched off.
•Remove any auxiliary lights from in front of
the grille when driving in hot weather con-
ditions.
•Do not exceed engine speeds of 4500 rpm
if driving with a trailer in hilly terrain. The oil
temperature could become too high.
Conserving electrical currentKeep the following in mind to help minimize
battery drain:
•When the engine is not running, avoid
using ignition mode II. Many electrical sys-
tems (the audio system, the optional navi-
gation system, power windows, etc) will
function in ignition modes 0 and I. These
modes reduce drain on the battery.
•Please keep in mind that using systems,
accessories, etc., that consume a great
deal of current when the engine is not run-
ning could result in the battery being com-
pletely drained. Driving or having the
engine running for approximately
15 minutes will help keep the battery
charged.
•The optional 12 volt socket in the cargo
area provides electrical current even with

06 During your trip
Driving recommendations
06
264
the ignition switched off, which drains the
battery.
Before a long distance tripIt is always worthwhile to have your vehicle
checked by a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician before driving long distances.
Your retailer will also be able to supply you with
bulbs, fuses, spark plugs and wiper blades for
your use in the event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be
checked before any long trip:
•Check that engine runs smoothly and that
fuel consumption is normal.
•Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage.
•Have the transmission oil level checked.
•Check condition of drive belts.
•Check state of the battery's charge.
•Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as
well), and replace those that are worn.
Check tire pressures.
•The brakes, front wheel alignment, and
steering gear should be checked by a
trained and qualified Volvo service techni-
cian only.
•Check all lights, including high beams.
•Reflective warning triangles are legally
required in some states/provinces.
•Have a word with a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician if you intend to
drive in countries where it may be difficult
to obtain the correct fuel.
•Consider your destination. If you will be
driving through an area where snow or ice
are likely to occur, consider snow tires.
Cold weather precautionsIf you wish to check your vehicle before the
approach of cold weather, the following advice
is worth noting:
•Make sure that the engine coolant contains
50 percent antifreeze. Any other mixture
will reduce freeze protection. This gives
protection against freezing down to
–31 °F (–35 °C). The use of "recycled" anti-
freeze is not approved by Volvo. Different
types of antifreeze must not be mixed.
•Volvo recommends using only genuine
Volvo antifreeze in your vehicle's radiator.
•Try to keep the fuel tank well filled – this
helps prevent the formation of condensa-
tion in the tank. In addition, in extremely
cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to
add fuel line de-icer before refueling.
•The viscosity of the engine oil is important.
Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves
cold-weather starting as well as decreas-
ing fuel consumption while the engine is
warming up. For winter use, 5W-30 oil, par-
ticularly the synthetic type, is recom-mended. Be sure to use good quality oil but
do not use cold-weather oil for hard driving
or in warm weather, see page 357 for more
information on engine oil.
NOTE
Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is
changed at the normal maintenance inter-
vals except at owner request and at addi-
tional charge.
•The load placed on the battery is greater
during the winter since the windshield wip-
ers, lighting, etc. are used more often.
Moreover, the capacity of the battery
decreases as the temperature drops. In
very cold weather, a poorly charged bat-
tery can freeze and be damaged. It is there-
fore advisable to check the state of charge
more frequently and spray an anti-rust oil
on the battery posts.
•Volvo recommends the use of snow tires
on all four wheels for winter driving, see
page 300.
•To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from
freezing, add washer solvents containing
antifreeze. This is important since dirt is
often splashed on the windshield during
winter driving, requiring the frequent use of
the washers and wipers. Volvo Washer
Solvent should be diluted as follows: Down
to 14 °F (–10 °C): 1 part washer solvent and

06 During your trip
Towing a trailer
06
280
Introduction
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer
hitches that are specially designed for the vehi-
cle.
NOTE
See page 355 for the maximum trailer and
tongue weights recommended by Volvo.
•Observe the legal requirements of the
state/province in which the vehicles are
•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.
Trailer towing does not normally present any
particular problems, but take into considera-
tion:
•Increase tire pressure to recommended full
pressure. See the tire inflation table on
page 293.
•When your vehicle is new, avoid towing
heavy trailers during the first 620 miles
(1,000 km).
•Maximum speed when towing a trailer:
50 mph (80 km/h).
•Engine and transmission are subject to
increased loads. Therefore, engine coolant
temperature should be closely watchedwhen 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.
•Avoid overload and other abusive opera-
tion.
•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.
•More frequent vehicle maintenance is
required.
•Remove the ball holder 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.
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 your nearest author-
ized Volvo retailer for correct installa-
tion.
•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.