
03 Your driving environment
Gearboxes
03
123
Geartronic – Manual gear positions (+/-)The driver can also change gear manually
using the Geartronic automatic gearbox. The
car engine-brakes when the accelerator pedal
is released.
Manual gearshift mode is obtained by moving
the lever to the side from D position to the end
position at +/–. The information display shifts
the indication from
D to one of the figures 1 –6, which is equivalent to the gear that is
engaged just then, see page 71.
•Move the lever forwards towards + (plus)
to change up a gear and release the lever,
which returns to its rest position between
+ and –.
or
•Pull the lever back towards – (minus) to
change down a gear and release it.
The manual gearshift mode (+/–) can be
selected at any time while driving.
Geartronic automatically shifts down if the
driver allows the speed to decrease lower than
a level suitable for the selected gear, in order
to avoid jerking and stalling.
To return to automatic driving mode:
•Move the lever to the side to the end posi-
tion at D.
NOTE
f the gearbox has a Sport programme then
the gearbox will only become manual after
the lever has been moved forwards or back-
wards in its (-+/–) position. The information
display then shifts the indication from
S to
show which of the gears 1-6 is engaged.
Geartronic - Sport mode (S)2
The Sport programme provides sportier cha-
racteristics and allows higher engine speed for
the gears. At the same time it responds more
quickly to acceleration. During active driving,
the use of a lower gear is prioritised, leading to
a delayed upshift.
Sport mode is obtained by moving the lever to
the side from D position to the end position at
+/–. The information display shifts the indica-
tion from
D to S.
Sport mode can be selected at any time while
driving.
Geartronic - Winter modeIt can be easier to pull away on slippery roads
if 3rd gear is engaged manually.
1. Depress the brake pedal and move the
gear lever from D position to the end posi-tion at +/– - the instrument panel display
shifts the indication from
D to the figure 1.
2. Scroll up to gear 3 by pushing the lever
forward towards + (plus) twice - the display
shifts the indication from
1 to 3.
3. Release the brake and accelerate carefully.
The gearbox "winter mode" means that the car
moves off with a lower engine speed and
reduced engine power on the drive wheels.
Kick-downWhen the accelerator pedal is pressed all the
way to the floor (beyond the position normally
regarded as full acceleration) a lower gear is
immediately engaged. This is known as kick-
down.
If the accelerator is released from the kick-
down position, the gearbox automatically
changes up.
Kick-down is used when maximum accelera-
tion is needed, such as for overtaking.
Safety functionTo prevent overrevving the engine, the gearbox
control program has a protective downshift
inhibitor which prevents the kick-down func-
tion.
2Only models D5 and T6.
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03 Your driving environment
Foot brake
03
135 General
The car is equipped with two brake circuits. If
one brake circuit is damaged then this will
mean that the brakes engage at a deeper level
and harder pressure on the pedal is needed to
produce the normal braking effect.
The driver's brake pedal pressure is assisted
by a brake servo.
WARNING
The brake servo only works when the engine
is running.
If the brake is used when the engine is switched
off then the pedal will feel stiff and more force
must be used to brake the car.
In very hilly terrain or when driving with a heavy
load the brakes can be relieved by using engine
braking. Engine braking is most efficiently used
if the same gear is used downhill as up.
For more general information on heavy loads
on the car, see page 378.
Anti-lock braking systemThe car is equipped with ABS (Anti-lock
Braking System) which prevents the wheels
from locking during braking. This means the
ability to steer is maintained and it is easier to
swerve to avoid a hazard for example. Vibrationmay be felt in the brake pedal when this is
engaged and this is normal.
A short test of the ABS system is made auto-
matically after the engine has been started
when the driver releases the brake pedal. A
further automatic test of the ABS system may
be made when the car reaches 10 km/h. The
test may be experienced as pulses in the brake
pedal.
Emergency brake lights and automatic
hazard warning flashers
Emergency brake lights are activated to alert
vehicles behind about sudden braking. The
function means that the brake light flashes
instead of - as in normal braking - shining with
a constant glow.
Emergency brake lights are activated at
speeds above 50 km/h if the ABS system is
working and/or in the event of sudden braking.
After the car's speed has been slowed below
10 km/h the brake light returns from flashing to
the normal constant glow - while at the same
time the hazard warning flashers are activated,
and they flash until the driver changes engine
speed with the accelerator pedal or they are
deactivated with their button, see page 92.
Cleaning the brake discsCoatings of dirt and water on the brake discs
may result in delayed brake function. This delay
is minimised by cleaning the brake linings.
Manual cleaning is advisable with wet road sur-
faces, prior to long-stay parking and after the
car has been washed. Carry this out by braking
gently during a short period while en route.
Emergency Brake AssistanceEmergency Brake Assistance EBA (Emergency
Brake Assist) helps to increase brake force and
so reduce braking distance. EBA detects the
driver's braking style and increases brake force
as necessary. The brake force can be rein-
forced up to the level when the ABS system is
engaged. The EBA function is interrupted when
the pressure on the brake pedal is reduced.
NOTE
When EBA is activated the brake pedal low-
ers slightly more than usual, depress (hold)
the brake pedal as long as necessary. If the
brake pedal is released then all braking
ceases.
MaintenanceTo keep the car as safe and reliable as possi-
ble, follow the Volvo service intervals as speci-
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04 Driver support
DSTC – Stability and traction control system
04
147 Symbols and messages in the display
SymbolMessageSpecification
DSTC Temporarily OFFDSTC system temporarily reduced due to excessive brake disc temperature. - The function is reac-
tivated automatically when the brakes have cooled.
DSTC Service requiredDSTC system disengaged.
•Stop the car in a safe place, switch off the engine and start it again.
•Visit a workshop if the message remains - an authorised Volvo workshop is recommended.
and
"Message"There is a message on the speedometer's display - Read it!
Constant glow for 2 seconds.System check when the engine is started.
Flashing light.DSTC system is being activated.
Sport mode is activated.
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04 Driver support
Adaptive cruise control*
04
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.155
WARNING
Adaptive cruise control is not a collision
avoidance system. The driver must inter-
vene if the system does not detect a vehicle
in front.
The adaptive cruise control does not brake
for humans or animals, and not for small
vehicles such as bicycles and motorcycles.
Nor for oncoming, slow or stationary vehi-
cles and objects.
Do not use the adaptive cruise control, for
example, in city traffic, in dense traffic, at
junctions, on slippery surfaces, with a lot of
water or slush on the road, in heavy rain/
snow, in poor visibility, on winding roads or
on slip roads.
The distance to the vehicle ahead is mainly
measured by a radar sensor. Cruise control
regulates the speed with acceleration and
braking. It is normal for the brakes to emit a low
sound when they are being used by the Adap-
tive cruise control.
WARNING
The brake pedal moves when the cruise
control brakes. Do not rest your foot under
the brake pedal as it could become trapped.
The adaptive cruise control aims to follow the
vehicle ahead in the same lane at a time interval
set by the driver. If the radar sensor cannot see
any vehicle in front then the car will instead
maintain the cruise control's set speed. This
also happens if the speed of the vehicle in front
exceeds the cruise control's set speed.
The adaptive cruise control aims to control the
speed in a smooth way. In situations that
demand sudden braking the driver must brake
himself/herself. This applies with large differ-
ences in speed, or if the vehicle in front brakes
heavily. Due to limitations in the radar sensor,
braking may come unexpectedly or not at all,
see page 160.
The adaptive cruise control can be activated to
follow another vehicle at speeds from
30 km/h
2 up to 200 km/h. If the speed falls
below 30 km/h or if the engine speed becomes
too low, the cruise control is set in standby
mode at which automatic braking ceases - the
driver must then take over himself/herself to
maintain a safe distance to the vehicle ahead.
Warning lamp - braking by driver
required
Adaptive cruise control has a braking capacity
that is equivalent to more than 40% of the car's
braking capacity.If the car needs to be braked more heavily than
cruise control capacity and the driver does not
brake, then the cruise control uses the collision
warning system's warning lamp and warning
sound (see page 173) to alert the driver that
immediate intervention is required.
NOTE
The warning lamp may be difficult to notice
in strong sunlight or when sunglasses are
being worn.
WARNING
Cruise control only warns of vehicles
detected by the radar sensor. Consequently
there may be no warning or it may be sub-
ject to a delay. Do not wait for a warning but
brake when it is necessary.
Steep roads and/or heavy loadBear in mind that the adaptive cruise control is
primarily intended for use when driving on level
road surfaces. It may have difficultly in keeping
the correct distance from the vehicle ahead
when driving on steep roads, with a heavy load
or with a trailer - in which case, be extra atten-
tive and ready to slow down.
2Queue Assistant (in cars with automatic gearbox) can operate in the range of 0-200 km/h, see page 159.
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04 Driver support
Adaptive cruise control*
04
160* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
WARNING
When the cruise control is following another
vehicle at speeds in excess of 30 km/h and
the target is changed from a moving vehicle
to a stationary vehicle, the cruise control will
ignore the stationary vehicle and instead
select the stored speed.
•The driver must intervene him/herself
and brake.
Automatic standby mode with change of
target
Cruise control is disengaged and set in
standby mode:
•when the speed is below 5 km/h and cruise
control is not sure whether the target
object is a stationary vehicle or some other
object, e.g. a speed bump.
•when the speed is below 5 km/h and the
vehicle in front turns off so the cruise con-
trol no longer has a vehicle to follow.
Termination of automatic braking at a
standstill
In certain situations Queue Assist automati-
cally interrupts braking when stationary. This
means that the brakes are released and the car
may start to roll - the driver must therefore
intervene and brake the car himself/herself in
order to maintain its position.Queue Assist releases the foot brake and sets
cruise control in standby mode in the following
situations:
•the driver puts his/her foot on the brake
pedal
•the parking brake is applied
•the gear selector is moved to P, N or R
position
•the driver sets the cruise control in standby
mode.
Automatic activation parking brakeIn some situations Queue Assist applies the
parking brake in order to keep the car station-
ary.
This takes place if:
•the driver opens the door or takes off his/
her seatbelt
•DSTC is changed from Normal to Sport
mode
•Queue Assist has held the car stationary
for more than 4 minutes
•the engine is switched off
•the brakes have overheated.
The radar sensor and its limitations
The radar sensor is used - apart from by Adap-
tive cruise control - by the following functions
as well:
•Collision Warning with Auto Brake, see
page 173
•Distance Warning, see page 165.
The function of the radar sensor is to detect
cars or larger vehicles in the same direction, in
the same lane.
Modification of the radar sensor could result in
it being illegal to use.
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04 Driver support
City Safety™
04
169
If the difference in speed between the vehicles
is greater than 15 km/h then City Safety™ may
not prevent the collision on its own. To obtain
full brake force, the driver must depress the
brake pedal. This could then make it possible
to prevent a collision, even at speed differen-
ces above 15 km/h.
When the function is activated and brakes, the
instrument panel display shows a message to
the effect that the function is/has been active.
NOTE
The brake lights come on when City
Safety™ brakes the car.
Operation
NOTE
The City Safety™ function is always ena-
bled after the engine has been started via
key position I and II (see page 78 on key
positions).
On and OffIn certain situations, it may advisable to disable
City Safety™, e.g. where leafy branches could
sweep over the bonnet and/or windscreen.
After starting the engine City Safety™ can be
deactivated as follows:
•Using MY CAR on the centre console dis-
play screen with its menu system, search
and locate Settings
Car settings
Driver support systemsCity Safety.
Select the
Off option. For more information
on the menu system MY CAR, see
page 202.
However, the function will be enabled the
next time the engine is started, regardless
of whether the system was enabled or dis-
abled when the engine was switched off.
WARNING
The laser sensor also transmits laser light
when City Safety™ is disabled manually.
To enable City Safety™ again:
•Follow the same procedure as for disa-
bling, but select the On option.
Limitations
The sensor in City Safety™ is designed to
detect cars and other large vehicles in front of
the car irrespective of whether it is day or night.
However, the sensor has limitations and has
poorer functionality - or none at all - in e.g.
heavy snowfall or rain, dense fog, dust storms
or snow flurries. Mist, dirt, ice or snow on the
windscreen may disrupt the function.Low-hanging objects, e.g. a flag/pennant for
projecting load, or accessories such as auxili-
ary lamps and bull bars that are higher than the
bonnet limit the function.
The laser light from the sensor in City
Safety™ measures how the light is reflected.
The sensor cannot detect objects with low
reflection capacity. The rear sections of the
vehicle generally reflect the light sufficiently
thanks to the number plate and rear light reflec-
tors.
On slippery road surfaces the braking distance
is extended, which may reduce the capacity of
City Safety™ to avoid a collision. In such sit-
uations the ABS and DSTC systems will pro-
vide best possible braking force with main-
tained stability.
When your own car is reversing, City Safety™
is temporarily deactivated.
City Safety™ is not activated at low speeds -
under 4 km/h, which is why the system does
not intervene in situations where a vehicle in
front is being approached very slowly, e.g.
when parking.
Driver commands are always prioritised, which
is why City Safety™ does not intervene in sit-
uations where the driver is steering or acceler-
ating in a clear manner, even if a collision is
unavoidable.
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04 Driver support
Collision Warning with Auto Brake & Pedestrian Protection*
04
174* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
The collision warning system and City
Safety™ complement each other. For more
information on City Safety™, see page 168.
1 - Collision warningThe driver is first warned of a potentially immi-
nent collision.
The collision warning system detects pedes-
trians, stationary vehicles as well as vehicles
driving in the same direction in front of the car.
If there is a risk of collision with a pedestrian or
a vehicle, the driver's attention is attracted with
a flashing red warning signal (no. [1] in the illus-
tration on page 173) and an acoustic signal.
2 - Brake support2
If the risk of collision has increased further after
the collision warning then the brake support is
activated.
This means that the brake system is prepared
for rapid braking by applying the brakes lightly,
which may feel like a slight jolt.
If the brake pedal is depressed sufficiently
quickly then full brake function is implemented.
Brake support also reinforces the driver's brak-
ing if the system considers that the braking is
not sufficient to avoid a collision.
3 - Auto Brake2
The automatic brake function is activated last.
If in this situation the driver has not yet started
to take evasive action and the risk of collision
is imminent then the automatic braking func-
tion is deployed - this takes place irrespective
of whether or not the driver brakes. Braking
then takes place with full brake force in order
to reduce collision speed, or with limited brake
force if it is sufficient to avoid a collision.WARNING
The collision warning system does not
engage in all driving situations or traffic,
weather or road conditions. The collision
warning system does not react to vehicles
driving in another direction to the car or to
animals.
Warning only activated in the event of a high
risk for collision. This section "Function"
and the section "Limitations" inform about
limitations that the driver must be aware of
before using the Collision Warning system
with Auto Brake.
Warnings and brake interventions for
pedestrians are switched off at vehicle
speeds exceeding 80 km/h.
Warnings and brake interventions for
pedestrians do not work in darkness and
tunnels - not even when streetlights are lit.
The auto-brake function can prevent a col-
lision or reduce collision speed. To ensure
full brake performance, the driver should
always depress the brake pedal - even when
the car auto-brakes.
Never wait for a collision warning. The driver
is always responsible that the correct dis-
tance and speed are maintained - even
when the collision warning system with
auto-brake is used.
2With system Level 2 only.
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04 Driver support
Park assist syst*
04
190* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
IMPORTANT
When fitting auxiliary lamps: Remember that
they must not obscure the sensors – the
auxiliary lamps could then be detected as
obstacles.
Fault indicator
If the information symbol illuminates
with constant glow and the informa-
tion display shows
Park assist syst Service
required then parking assistance is disen-
gaged.
IMPORTANT
In certain conditions the parking assistance
system may produce incorrect warning sig-
nals that are caused by external audio
sources that emit the same ultrasonic fre-
quencies that the system works with.
Examples of such sources include horns,
wet tyres on asphalt, pneumatic brakes and
exhaust noises from motorcycles etc.
Cleaning the sensors
Sensor location, front.
Sensor location, rear.
The sensors must be cleaned regularly to
ensure that they work properly. Clean them
with water and car shampoo.
NOTE
Dirt, ice and snow covering the sensors may
cause incorrect warning signals.
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