2012 VOLVO XC90 ignition

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.
Alternative locking when parkingThe central locking button on the driver's door
can also be used to lock the vehicle when you
leave it. To do so:
1. Open the door.2. Press the lock section of the button.
3. Close the door. This will lock the vehicle
completely and arm the alarm.
NOTE
Please be aware that locking the vehicle in
this way makes it possible to lock the
remote key in the passenger compartment.
To help avoid this, lock the vehicle from the
outside by pressing the lock button on the
remote key.
If the vehicle is locked using the central
locking button, be sure that the remote key
is in your possession before closing 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.

05 Locks and alarm
Child safety locks
05
130* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
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Child safety locks in the rear doors
Manual child safety locks – rear doors/
tailgate
The controls are located on the rear door jambs
and at the lower edge of the tailgate. Use a key
or small screwdriver to adjust these controls.
The door/tailgate cannot be opened
from the inside. The door/tailgate can be
opened from the outside.
The door/tailgate locks function nor-
mally.
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Child safety lock in the tailgate
WARNING
Remember, in the event of an accident, the
rear seat passengers cannot open the doors
from the inside with the buttons in position
A.
REAR
AC
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Power child locks*To prevent the rear doors from being opened
from the inside:
1. Turn the vehicle's ignition key to at least
position 1.
2. Press the button shown above.
Indicator light in the button ON: the doors
cannot be opened from the inside. Normal
operation from the outside.
Indicator light in the button OFF: the doors
can be opened from the inside.

05 Locks and alarm
Alarm
05
131
The alarm is automatically armed whenever
you lock your vehicle.
When armed, the alarm continuously monitors
a number of points on the vehicle. The follow-
ing conditions will set off the alarm:
•The hood is forced open.
•The tailgate is forced open.
•A door is forced open.
•The ignition switch is tampered with.
•If there is movement in the passenger com-
partment (if the vehicle is equipped with
the optional movement sensor).
•The vehicle is lifted or towed (if the vehicle
is equipped with the optional inclination
sensor).
•The battery is disconnected (while the
alarm is armed).
•The siren is disconnected when the alarm
is disarmed.
Arming the alarm1.
Press the LOCK button on the remote key.
2. Lock the vehicle using the key blade in the
driver's door or press the central lock but-
ton on the driver's door with the door open.
One long flash of the turn signals will confirm
that the alarm is armed.
Disarming the alarmPress the UNLOCK button on the remote key
or unlock the doors with the key blade.
Turning off (stopping) the alarmIf the alarm is sounding, it can be stopped by
pressing the UNLOCK button on the remote
key or by unlocking the driver's door with the
key blade.
Visual alarm signalThe visual alarm signal is given by flashing all
turn signals and turning on the interior lighting
for approximately 5 minutes.
Audible alarm signalAn audible alarm signal is given by a battery
powered siren. One alarm cycle lasts for
25 seconds.
"Panic" buttonIn an emergency situation, this feature can be
used to attract attention.
Activate the "panic" button by pressing the red
button on the remote key ( see page 125 for
illustration) for at least 3 seconds or by press-
ing this button twice within 3 seconds. The turn
signals will flash, and the vehicle's horn will
sound.
The function can be turned off by pressing any
of the buttons on the remote key or will stopautomatically after 25 seconds. When a button
is pressed, there is a 5 second delay before the
panic alarm is deactivated.
NOTE
This button will NOT unlock the vehicle.
LED alarm status signalsThe status of the alarm system is indicated by
the red LED at the top of the dash:
•LED off – the alarm is not armed
•LED flashes once per second – the alarm
is armed
•LED flashes rapidly before the ignition is
switched on – the alarm has been triggered
•Fault in the alarm system: If a fault has
been detected in the alarm system, a mes-
sage will be displayed in the text window.
Contact a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician.
Automatic re-lock/re-arm systemIf the vehicle is unlocked with the remote, the
vehicle will re-lock and the alarm will re-arm
after 2 minutes unless a door or the tailgate has
been opened.

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........................................................................................ 152
Stability system..................................................................................... 153
Front/rear park assist*........................................................................... 155
Towing.................................................................................................. 157
Towing a trailer...................................................................................... 159
Detachable trailer hitch......................................................................... 162
Load carriers (accessory)...................................................................... 163
Cold weather precautions..................................................................... 164
Before a long distance trip.................................................................... 165
Blind Spot Information System*............................................................ 166

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.
Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers,
"Oxygenated fuels"
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
"oxygenates" which are usually alcohols or
ethers. In some areas, state or local laws
require that the service pump be marked indi-
cating use of alcohols or ethers. However,
there are areas in which the pumps are
unmarked. If you are not sure whether there is
alcohol or ethers in the gasoline you buy, check
with the service station operator. To meet sea-
sonal air quality standards, some areas require
the use of "oxygenated" fuel.
Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygen-
ated" fuels; however, the octane ratings listed
on page 135 must still be met.
Alcohol – EthanolFuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume
may be used. Ethanol may also be referred to
as Ethyl alcohol, or "Gasohol".
Ethers – MTBE: Fuels containing up to
15% MTBE may be used.
MethanolDo not use gasolines containing methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). This practice
can result in vehicle performance deterioration
and can damage critical parts in the fuel sys-
tem. Such damage may not be covered under
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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
Refueling
06
138
CAUTION
•Do not refuel with the engine running1.
Turn the ignition off or to position I. If the
ignition is on, an incorrect reading could
occur in the fuel gauge.
•After refueling, close the fuel filler cap
by turning it clockwise until it clicks into
place
1.
•Avoid overfilling the fuel tank. Do not
press the handle on the filler nozzle
more than one extra time. Too much fuel
in the tank in hot weather conditions can
cause the fuel to overflow. Overfilling
could also cause damage to the emis-
sion control systems.
•Avoid spilling gasoline during refueling.
In addition to causing damage to the
environment, gasolines containing
alcohol can cause damage to painted
surfaces, which may not be covered
under the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
•Do not use gasolines containing meth-
anol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol).
This practice can result in vehicle per-
formance deterioration and can dam-
age critical parts in the fuel system.
Such damage may not be covered
under the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
1If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the vehicle is refueled, the Check Engine Light (malfunction indicator lamp) may indicate a fault. However, your vehicle's
performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo original or approved fuel filler caps.

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.
WARNING
•Never use more the one floor mat at one
time on the driver's floor. An extra mat
on the driver's floor can cause the
accelerator and/or brake pedal to
catch. Check that the movement of
these pedals is not impeded.
•Volvo's floor mats are specially manu-
factured for your car. They must be
firmly secured in the clips on the floor so
that they cannot slide and become trap-
ped under the pedals on the driver's
side.
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.
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
Starting the vehicle
06
140
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
Always place the gear selector in Park and
apply the parking brake before leaving the
vehicle. Never leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running.
•Always open garage doors fully before
starting the engine inside a garage to
ensure adequate ventilation. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monox-
ide, which is invisible and odorless but
very poisonous.
CAUTION
Automatic transmission
•The engine should be idling when you
move the gear selector. Never acceler-
ate until after you feel the transmission
engage! Accelerating immediately after
selecting a gear will cause harsh
engagement and premature transmis-
sion wear.
•Selecting P or N when idling at a stand-
still for prolonged periods of time will
help prevent overheating of the auto-
matic transmission fluid.