2013 VOLVO XC90 ECO mode

03 Climate
Air distribution
03
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.97 Ventilated front seats*
G030244
Controls for ventilated front seats
The ventilation system consists of fans in the
seats and backrests that draw air through the
seat upholstery. The cooling effect increases
as the air in the passenger compartment
becomes cooler.
The level of ventilation is adjusted on the con-
trol panel on the side of the seat. The fans can
be set to three speeds.
To start seat ventilation:
–
Press briefly on
.
To gradually increase ventilation:
–
Press briefly on
.For maximum ventilation:
–
Hold down
for approximately 2 sec-
onds.
To gradually decrease ventilation:
–
Press briefly on
.
To switch off ventilation:
–
Hold down
for approximately 2 sec-
onds.
The ventilation can be used at the same time
as seat heating*, for example, to help dry damp
clothing.
NOTE
•Seat ventilation cannot be started if the
temperature in the passenger compart-
ment is below 41°F (5°C).
•Seat ventilation should be used with
caution by people who are sensitive to
drafts. A moderate ventilation level
should be set if the function is used for
extended periods.

03 Climate
Electronic climate control (ECC)
03

99
minated outside air, the air intake closes and
the air inside the passenger compartment is
recirculated, i.e. no outside air enters the vehi-
cle. The filter also cleans recirculated passen-
ger compartment air.
When the ECC system is in the AUTO mode,
the green LED will be on.
Recirculation
Press this switch to engage the recirculation
function (air in the passenger compartment
recirculates – no fresh air enters the compart-
ment). The LED in the switch will light up to
indicate that the function is engaged.
•Use this function if the outside air is con-
taminated with exhaust gases, smoke, etc
or to heat/cool the vehicle quickly.
•Recirculation should not be used for more
than 15 minutes. If your windows begin to
fog or mist, make sure that the recirculation
function is switched off.
•Selecting Defroster automatically
switches recirculation off.
•Timer mode activation: (Vehicles equipped
with the Interior Air Quality system have no
timer mode) Press and hold the recircula-
tion button for at least 3 seconds to acti-
vate a recirculation timer mode. The amber
LED in the recirculation button will flash 5
times to show that the timer mode is being
activated. In timer mode, each time therecirculation button is pressed, the climate
control system will recirculate the air in the
passenger compartment for
5 – 12 minutes, depending on the outside
air temperature, and then revert back to
fresh air.
•Timer mode deactivation: Press and hold
the recirculation button for 3 seconds. The
amber LED in the recirculation button will
illuminate steadily for 5 seconds to show a
return to "normal" mode.
•In normal mode, when the recirculation
button is pressed, the climate control sys-
tem will recirculate the air in the passenger
compartment until the recirculation button
is pressed again.
•Timer mode memory: If the vehicle is
turned off while timer mode is active, timer
mode will still be active when the vehicle is
restarted.
AUTO
This function automatically regulates the Elec-
tronic Climate Control system so that the
selected temperatures are maintained. The
blower, heating, air distribution (air flow), air
conditioning, and optional air quality sensor
are controlled. If you prefer to manually set any
of these functions, the remaining functions will
still be controlled automatically. Pressing the
AUTO button overrides any settings that were
previously made manually.
Air distribution
G027267
•Air flow to windows
•Air through panel vents
•Air through floor vents
Press AUTO to automatically regulate air flow
or press any combination of the controls
shown in the illustration to manually adjust air
flow. An LED in the switch will light up if an air
flow control has been pressed.
Passenger compartment temperature
sensor
Measures the temperature in the compart-
ment.
Defroster
This function defrosts/deices the windshield
and front side windows. The LED in the switch

04 Interior
Rear seats
04
108
Entering the third row of seats
G027027
Tilting the outboard backrests in the
second row of seats:
•Pull up the handle (1), hold it up, and tilt the
backrest forward to move the seat.
•Return the backrest to the upright position
to slide the seat back to its original posi-
tion.
Forward/rearward seat adjustmentLift the adjustment bar (2) to move the seat for-
ward or rearward.
Removing the center console1
G028445
In order to make it possible to move the center
seat in the second row of seats as far forward
as possible (seven-seat models only), the rear
section of the center console can be removed.
•Pull the handle (see illustration) and lift out
the console.
•To return the console to its original posi-
tion, slide it back into position until it clicks
into place.
G027033
Sliding center seat – second row (seven-
seat models only)
The center seat in the second row can be
moved farther forward than the outboard
seats. This makes it possible for a child seated
in this position to sit closer to the people in the
front seats.
1The center console cannot be removed on vehicles equipped with the optional Rear Seat Entertainment System.

04 Interior
Rear seats
04
109
G027015
Head restraint – second row, center
position
The head restraint in the center position can be
adjusted to 4 different heights.
To raise – pull the restraint up until it clicks into
one of the four heights positions.
To lower – press the button at the base of the
support (see illustration) and press the head
restraint down carefully.
WARNING
The center rear seat head restraint should
only be in its lowest position when this seat
is NOT occupied. When the center position
is occupied, the head restraint should be
correctly adjusted to the passenger’s
height. The upper edge of the head restraint
should be at least on a level with the upper-
most point of the seat occupant's ear.G027022
Folding the backrests – second row of
seats
CAUTION
To help avoid damage to the upholstery,
there should be no objects on the rear seat
and the seat belt should not be buckled
when the backrest is folded down.
1. Move the seat(s) to their rearmost position
(seven-seat models only).
2. Pull the loop to fold down an outboard
head restraint. Press down the center head
restraint if necessary (see page 109).

04 Interior
Securing cargo
04
121
Steel grid (accessory)
Installing the grid, upper attachments
1. Lift in the grid through the tailgate or
through one of the rear passenger doors (in
this case, fold down the rear seat back-
rests/backrests in second row of seats in
seven-seat models).
2. Insert one of the grid's upper attachments
into an attachment bracket above one of
the rear passenger doors (see illustration
above).
3. Push the grid's attachment into the forward
position in the attachment bracket (see
inset illustration above) to lock the attach-
ment in place.
G027057
Lower attachments
4. Insert the grid's other upper attachment in
the attachment bracket above the oppo-
site rear passenger door, and press the
attachment into the forward position in the
attachment bracket to lock it in place.
Installing the grid, lower attachments1. Insert the lower attachment bracket
through the steel grid's lower mount from
underneath.
2. Install the spring on the attachment
bracket and tighten the knob.
3. Secure the attachment bracket hook in the
lower cargo eyelet. Turn the knob to ten-sion the attachment bracket in the cargo
eyelet.
4. Repeat the operation on the opposite side.
5. Tighten both attachment brackets alterna-
tively.
6. Place the protective caps on the threads
above the knobs.
WARNING
•The backrests of the third row seats
must be folded down when installing
the steel grid.
•The steel grid is installed behind the
second row of seats. To avoid the risk
of injury, no one should be allowed to sit
in the third row of seats when the steel
grid is in place in the vehicle.

06 Starting and driving
Economical driving
06
146
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 fol-
lowing 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 D (Drive) position
as often as possible and avoid using "kick-
down" to help improve fuel economy.
•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
Service intervals.
CAUTION
Drive slowly and carefully if going through
standing water (i.e. flooded roadways, etc.).
Damage to the engine could result if excess
water is drawn in through the air intake sys-
tem. Never drive the vehicle in water deeper
than 18 inches (48 cm).

06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission
06
149
KickdownAutomatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is
achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal
fully and briskly. An upshift will occur when
approaching the top speed for a particular gear
or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceler-
ation or when passing at highway speeds.
NOTE
The gear selector must be in the D (Drive)
position for kickdown to function.
Manual shifting – Geartronic
You can move the gear selector freely between
the MAN (Manual) and D (Drive) positions to
select forward gears while driving. Gears 3, 4,
5, and 6 have a "lock-up" function which
reduces engine speed and helps save fuel.
NOTE
Reverse, Neutral, and Park cannot be
selected in Geartronic mode.
•A "lock-up" feature1 reduces engine speed
and help saves fuel.The currently selected gear will be displayed in
the instrument panel (see page 58).
•To access the MAN shifting position from
D, move the gear selector to the left to
MAN.
•To return to the D positions from MAN,
move the gear selector to the right.
While driving
If you select the MAN position while driving, the
gear that was being used in the D position will
also initially be selected in MAN position.
•Move the gear selector forward (toward
"+") to shift to a higher gear or rearward
(toward "– ") to shift to a lower gear.
•If you hold the gear selector toward "–", the
transmission will downshift one gear and
will utilize the braking power of the engine.
If the current speed is too high for using a
lower gear, the downshift will not occur
until the speed has decreased enough to
allow the lower gear to be used.
•If you slow down to a very low speed, the
transmission will automatically shift down.
•When starting in the MAN position, 3rd
gear is the highest gear that may be
selected.
W – Winter/Wet driving mode –
enhanced vehicle traction
G030859
Press the W button at the base of the gear
selector to engage/disengage this driving
mode (see illustration). The
W symbol will
appear in the display (see page 58) when the
function is activated.
This mode may be selected for starting/moving
off on slippery roads. The vehicle starts off in
3rd gear to help maintain traction. First and
second gears will only be used during kick-
down.
1Six-speed transmission: gears 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06
164
Points to keep in mind when towing a
trailer
•When towing trailers without brakes, the
maximum permissible trailer weight is
1,700 lbs (750 kg).
•If necessary, redistribute the weight of any
cargo in the trailer to avoid excessive
weight on the trailer hitch.
•The maximum trailer weight listed in the
table for All Wheel Drive models, 5,000 lbs
(2250 kg) is only applicable when there are
not more than two occupants in the vehi-
cle, in the front seats, with a combined
weight of 300 lbs (135 kg), with no other
cargo in the vehicle.
•The maximum weight listed for Front
Wheel Drive models, 4,000 lbs (1800 kg) is
only applicable when there are not more
than four occupants in the vehicle, in the
front seats and second row of seats, with
a combined weight of 600 lbs (270 kg), with
no other cargo in the vehicle.
•Vehicles used for towing a trailer on a reg-
ular basis, or for long-distance highway
towing should be equipped with an auto-
matic transmission oil cooler and Volvo's
automatic self-leveling system for the rear
suspension. Consult your Volvo retailer.
•Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer
hitches that are specially designed for the
vehicle.
•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.
•Increase tire pressure to recommended full
inflation pressure. See chapter "Wheels
and tires."
•When your vehicle is new, avoid towing
heavy trailers during the first 620 miles
(1,000 km).
•Engine and transmission are subject to
increased loads. Therefore, engine coolant
temperature should be closely watched
when 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.
•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.
•Remove the ball and drawbar assembly
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.
NOTE
•When parking the vehicle with a trailer
on a hill, apply the parking brake before
putting the gear selector in P. When
starting on a hill, put the gear selector in
D before releasing the parking brake.
Always follow the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations for wheel chocking.
•If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift
positions while towing a trailer, make
sure the gear you select does not put
too much strain on the engine (using too
high a gear).