2013 VOLVO XC70 brake light

03 Your driving environment
Parking brake
03
124
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 116.
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 brake 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
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*
03
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.127 Introduction
Normally, when the accelerator pedal is
released while driving down hills, the vehicle's
speed slows as the engine runs at lower rpm
(the normal engine braking effect). However, if
the downhill gradient becomes steeper and if
the vehicle is carrying a load, speed increases
despite the engine braking effect. In this situa-
tion, the brakes must be applied to reduce the
vehicle's speed.
HDC is a type of automatic engine brake and
makes it possible to increase or decrease the
vehicle's speed on downhill gradients using
only the accelerator pedal, without applying
the brakes. The brake system functions auto-
matically to maintain a low and steady speed.
HDC is particularly useful when driving down
steep hills with rough surfaces, and where the
road may have slippery patches.
WARNING
HDC does not function in all situations, and
is a supplementary braking aid. The driver
has full responsibility for driving in a safe
manner.
Function
•HDC can be switched on and off with the
button in the center console. An indicator
light in the button illuminates when HDC is
activated.
•The indicator light in the instrument
panel illuminates and a message is dis-
played when the system is controlling the
vehicle's speed.
•HDC only functions when first or reverse
gears are selected (1 will be shown in the
instrument panel display when first gear is
selected).
NOTE
HDC cannot be activated if the gear selector
is the D position.
Using HDC
HDC allows the car to roll forward at a maxi-
mum speed of 6 mph (10 km/h), and 4 mph
(7 km/h) in reverse. However, the accelerator
pedal can be used to select any speed that is
possible in first or reverse gears. When the
accelerator pedal is released, speed is quickly
reduced again to 6 mph (10 km/h) or 4 mph
(7 km/h), depending on the gear selected,
regardless of the hill's gradient. It is not nec-
essary to apply the brakes.
•The brake lights illuminate automatically
when HDC is controlling the vehicle's
speed.
•The driver can slow or stop the vehicle at
any time by applying the brakes.
HDC is deactivated when:
•The button on the center console is
pressed
•A gear higher than first gear is selected
•D is selected on vehicles with an automatic
transmission
HDC can be deactivated at any time. If this is
done while driving down a steep hill, the sys-
tem's braking effect will decrease gradually.

04 Driver support
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
04
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.139
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.
The distance to the vehicle ahead (in the same
lane) is monitored by a radar sensor. Your vehi-
cle's speed is regulated by accelerating and
braking. The brakes may emit a sound when
they are being modulated by the adaptive
cruise control system. This is normal.
WARNING
The brake pedal moves when the adaptive
cruise control system modulates the
brakes. Do not rest your foot under the
brake pedal.
The ACC system is designed to smoothly reg-
ulate speed. However, the driver must apply
the brakes in situations that require immediate
braking. This applies when there are great dif-
ferences in speed between vehicles, or if the
vehicle ahead brakes suddenly.
WARNING
Due to limitations in the radar sensor, brak-
ing may occur unexpectedly or not at all,
see page 144.
Adaptive Cruise Control can be put in active
mode at any permitted speed. However, if the
vehicle's speed falls below 18 mph (30 km/h)
or if engine speed (rpm) becomes too low, ACC
disengages (goes into standby mode) and will
no longer modulate the brakes
2. The driver will
then have to maintain a safe distance to the
vehicle ahead.
WARNING
When Adaptive Cruise Control is in standby
mode or is switched off completely, the
brakes will not be modulated automatically.
The driver must assume full control over the
vehicle.
Warning light—driver braking requiredAdaptive Cruise Control can exert brake force
that is equivalent to approximately 40% of the
vehicle's total braking capacity. In situations
requiring more brake force than ACC can pro-
vide and if the driver does not apply the brakes,
an audible signal from the Collision Warning
system will sound and warning light will illumi-
nate (see page 159) in the windshield to alert
the driver to react.
NOTE
Strong sunlight, reflections, extreme light
contrasts, the use of sunglasses, or if the
driver is not looking straight ahead may
make the visual warning signal in the wind-
shield difficult to see.
2Does not apply to vehicles with the optional Queue Assist. See page 142 for more information.

04 Driver support
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
04
144* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
•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 132)
•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 149) and Collision Warning with Full
Auto-brake and Pedestrian Detection (see
page 158). This sensor is designed to detect
cars or larger vehicles driving in the same
direction as your vehicle, in the same lane.
WARNING
Accessories or other objects, such as extra
headlights, must not be installed in front of
the grille.
Modification of the radar sensor could make
its use illegal.
The radar sensor's capacity to detect vehicles
ahead is impeded:
•if the radar sensor is obstructed and can-
not detect other vehicles, for example in
heavy rain, or if snow or other objects are
obscuring the radar sensor.
NOTE
Keep the area in front of the radar sensor
clean.
•if the speed of vehicles ahead is signifi-
cantly different from your own speed.

04 Driver support
City Safety™
04
153 Function
Location of the laser sensor in the windshield2
City Safety™ monitors traffic ahead of you
using a laser sensor mounted in the upper sec-
tion of the windshield. If a collision is imminent,
City Safety™ will automatically apply the
brakes, which may feel like hard braking.
If the difference in speed between your vehicle
and the vehicle ahead is more than approxi-
mately 9 mph (15 km/h), City Safety™ alone
cannot prevent a collision from taking place.
The driver must apply the brakes to help avoid
a collision or reduce its effect.
When the function activates and applies the
brakes, a message will appear in the informa-tion display to indicate that the system is/has
been active.
NOTE
•When City Safety™ applies the brakes,
the brake lights will illuminate.
•In cases where City Safety™ has stop-
ped the vehicle, the system will then
release the brakes. The driver must
apply the brakes to keep the vehicle at
a standstill.
Using City Safety™
NOTE
The City Safety™ function is activated auto-
matically each time the engine has been
switched off and restarted.
On and OffIn certain situations, it may be desirable to
switch City Safety™ off, such as when driving
in close quarters where leaves, branches, etc.
may obscure the hood and windshield.
When the engine is running, City Safety™ can
be switched off as follows:Press My Car in the center console control
panel and go to Settings
Car settings
Driver support systemsCity Safety.
Select
Off.
If the engine is switched off, City Safety™ will
reactivate when the engine is restarted.
WARNING
The laser sensor emits light when the igni-
tion is in mode II or higher, even if City
Safety™ has been switched off.
To switch City Safety™ on again:
•Follow the same procedure as for switch-
ing City Safety™ off but select On.
Limitations
The sensor used by City Safety™ is designed
to detect cars and other larger motor vehicles
ahead of your vehicle in both daylight and dark-
ness.
2The illustration is schematic; details will vary, depending on the model

04 Driver support
Collision warning with Full Auto-brake and Pedestrian Detection*
04
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.159
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
Audio-visual warning signals, 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 Driver support
Collision warning with Full Auto-brake and Pedestrian Detection*
04
160* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Operation
Settings are made by pressing MY CAR on the
center console control panel and using the
menus displayed.
Activating/deactivating both warning
signals
To switch Collision Warning's audible and vis-
ual signals on or off at the same time, 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
189 for a description of the menu system.
When the engine is switched on, the Collision
Warning setting that was being used when it
was switched off will be the default setting.
NOTE
The auto-brake and pedestrian detection
features are always on, even if the audible
and visual warning signals have been deac-
tivated.
Activating/deactivating the audible
warning signal only
The audible warning signal can be activated/
deactivated by pressing MY CAR on the centerconsole 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 149.
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 Driver support
Collision warning with Full Auto-brake and Pedestrian Detection*
04
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.161
capacity to avoid a collision. In these condi-
tions, the ABS and DSTC systems provide the
best possible braking effect while helping to
maintain stability.
NOTE
The visual warning signal may be temporar-
ily disengaged in the event of high passen-
ger compartment temperature due to strong
sunlight, etc. If this occurs, the audible
warning signal will be used, even if it has
been deactivated in the menu system.
WARNING
•In certain situations, the system cannot
provide warnings or warnings may be
delayed if traffic conditions or other
external factors make it impossible for
the radar sensor or camera to detect a
pedestrian or a vehicle ahead.
•Warnings may not be provided if the
distance to the vehicle ahead is short,
or if movements of the steering wheel/
brake pedal are great, such as during
active driving.
•The sensor system has a limited range
for pedestrians and provides warnings
and braking effect most effectively at
speeds up to 30 mph (50 km/h). For sta-
tionary or slow-moving vehicles, the
system functions best if your vehicle’s
speed is below approximately 45 mph
(70 km/h).
•Warnings for stationary or slow-moving
vehicles may not be provided in dark
conditions or in poor visibility.
The Collision Warning system uses the same
radar sensors as Adaptive Cruise Control. For
more information on the radar sensor and its
limitations, see page 144.
NOTE
If warnings are given too frequently, the
warning distance can be reduced (see
page 160). This causes the system to pro-
vide later warnings, which decreases the
total number of warnings provided.
WARNING
•The system is not activated at speeds
under approx. 2 mph (4 km/h). There-
fore, it will not brake your vehicle if you
approach a vehicle ahead at very low
speed, such as when parking.
•The driver's actions always have high-
est priority and override the Collision
Warning system. This means that the
system will not intervene in situations
where the driver is actively steering,
braking or pressing the accelerator
pedal, even if a collision is imminent.
•When Auto-brake has prevented a col-
lision with a stationary object, your vehi-
cle will remain at a standstill for approx.
1.5 seconds. If your vehicle has been
braked for a moving vehicle ahead, your
vehicle's speed will be reduced to the
same speed as that vehicle's.