03 Your driving environment
Brakes
03
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.119 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 304 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
120
•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.
04 Driver support
Cruise control
04
133
•During wheel spin or wheel lock-up.
•If the vehicle's speed is increased by using
the accelerator pedal for more than
1 minute.
The currently set speed will be saved in the
system's memory.
Temporary deactivationThe driver can temporarily deactivate cruise
control by pressing 0. The saved speed is
shown in brackets in the information display.
Resume set speedIf cruise control has been deactivated tempo-
rarily, it can be reactivated by pressing
. The
vehicle's speed returns to the most recently set
speed.
WARNING
There may be a significant increase in speed
after the button has been pressed.
Deactivation
Cruise control is disengaged by pressing or
by switching off the engine. The set speed is
cleared.
WARNING
Cruise control should not be used in heavy
traffic or when driving on wet or slippery
roads. Cruise control may not maintain set
speed on steep downgrades.
04 Driver support
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
04
142* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
WARNING
•Adaptive Cruise Control is not a colli-
sion avoidance system. The driver is
always responsible for applying the
brakes if the system does not detect
another vehicle.
•Adaptive Cruise Control does not react
to people or animals, or small vehicles
such as bicycles and motorcycles. It
also does not react to slow moving,
parked or approaching vehicles, or sta-
tionary objects.
•Do not use Adaptive Cruise Control in
demanding driving conditions such as
city driving or other heavy traffic situa-
tions, in slippery conditions, when there
is a great deal of water or slush on the
road, during heavy rain or snow, in poor
visibility, on winding roads or on high-
way on- or off-ramps.
Fault tracing and actions
If the message Radar blocked See manual is
displayed, this means that the radar signals
from the sensor have been obstructed and that
a vehicle ahead cannot be detected.
This, in turn, means that the functions of the
ACC, Distance Alert, and Collision Warning
System with Auto-brake and Pedestrian
Detection will not function.
The table lists possible causes for this mes-
sage being displayed, and suitable actions.
CauseAction
The surface of the radar in the grille is dirty or obstructed in some way.Clean the radar surface, or remove the object causing the obstruction.
Heavy rain or snow is interfering with the radar signals.No action possible. Heavy precipitation may affect the function of the
radar.
04 Driver support
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
04
144* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
SymbolMessageDescription
-Cruise control UnavailableACC cannot be put in active mode. This may be due to:
•high brake temperature
•the radar sensor is obstructed (by heavy rain, snow, etc.)
Radar blocked See manualACC has been temporarily disconnected because the radar is obstructed in some way and cannot
detect other vehicles.
See page 140 for information on the radar sensor’s limitations.
Cruise control Service
requiredACC is not functioning.
Contact a trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
Press Brake To hold + an
audible signalThe vehicle is at a standstill and ACC will release the brakes before the parking brake engages to keep
the vehicle stopped but a problem with the parking brake means that the vehicle may begin to roll.
The driver will have to apply the brakes. The message will remain in the display and the audible signal
will continue until the driver applies the brakes or presses the accelerator pedal.
–Below 20 mph Only follow-
ingThis is displayed if you try to activate ACC at speeds below approx. 18 mph (30 km/h) without a vehicle
ahead within range (approx. 100 ft/30 meters).
04 Driver support
Distance Alert*
04
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.147 Symbols and messages in the display
SymbolMessageDescription
-Time interval while it is being set.
-Time interval after it has been set.
Radar blocked See manualDistance Alert has been temporarily disconnected because the radar is obstructed in some way and
cannot detect other vehicles. See page 140 for information on the radar sensor’s limitations.
Collision warn. Service
requiredDistance Alert or Collision Warning with Full Auto-brake and Pedestrian Detection is not functioning
properly. Contact a trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
04 Driver support
City Safety™
04
150
WARNING
The laser sensor has certain limitations and
its function may be reduced (or it may not
function at all) in conditions such as heavy
rain or snowfall, or by dense fog or thick,
blowing dust or snow. Condensation, dirt,
ice or snow on the windshield may also
interfere with the sensor’s function.
Objects such as warning flags hanging from
long objects on the roof or accessories such as
auxiliary lights or protective arches on the front
of the vehicle that are higher than the hood may
also impede the sensor’s function.
Braking distance to the vehicle ahead increa-
ses on slippery road surfaces, which may
reduce City Safety’s capacity to avoid a colli-
sion. In situations like this, the DSTC system
(see page 128) will help provide the best pos-
sible braking capacity and stability.
City Safety™ emits a laser beam and measures
the way in which the light is reflected. There-
fore, vehicles or objects with low-reflective sur-
faces may not be detected. Normally, the
license plate and taillight reflectors give the
rear section of a vehicle ahead sufficient reflec-
tive surfaces to be detected.
NOTE
•Keep the windshield in front of the laser
sensor free of ice, snow, dirt, etc. See
page 149.
•Snow or ice on the hood deeper than
2 inches (5 cm) may obstruct the sen-
sor. Keep the hood free of ice and snow.
•Do not mount or in any way attach any-
thing on the windshield that could
obstruct the laser sensor.
Troubleshooting
If Windscreen Sensors blocked appears in
the information display, this indicates that the
City Safety™ laser sensor is obstructed in
some way and cannot detect vehicles ahead of
you, which means that the system is not func-
tioning.
However, this message will not be displayed in
all situations in which the sensor is obstructed.
For this reason, the driver must ensure that the
area of the windshield in front of the sensor is
always kept clean.
The following table shows some of the situa-
tions that can cause the message to be dis-
played and suggested actions.
CauseAction
The area of the
windshield in front of
the sensor is dirty or
covered by ice or
snow.Clean the wind-
shield or remove the
ice/snow.
The laser sensor's
field of view is
obstructed.Remove the
obstruction.
04 Driver support
City Safety™
04
153
SymbolMessageMeaning/action required
Auto braking by City SafetyCity Safety™ is applying/has applied the brakes automatically.
Windscreen Sensors
blockedThe laser sensor is temporarily not functioning due to an obstruction.
•Remove the obstruction and/or clean the windshield in front of the sensor(s).
For more information on the sensor’s limitations, see page 149.
City Safety Service requiredCity Safety™ is not functioning.
•If this message remains in the display, have the system checked by a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician.