03 Your driving environment
Transmission
03
125
Steering-wheel mounted gear shift paddles
"– ": Shift down to a lower gear.
"+ ": Shift up to a higher gear.
In order to shift gears with the paddles, they have to first be activated. The gear selector
can remain in the D position. To activate the paddles:
• Pull either paddle toward the steering wheel and release it; the
D in the instru-
ment panel will change to the number ofthe gear currently being used.
To shift gears:
• Pull the paddle toward the steering wheeland release it.
Geartronic: Sport mode (S) 2This transmission mode provides sportier shifting characteristics and enables a moreactive driving style by making it possible todrive at higher rpm in each gear before shift-ing up. The engine also responds faster whenthe accelerator pedal is pressed. To access Sport mode from Drive (
D), move
the gear selector to the left. The transmission will not switch to manual shifting mode untilthe gear selector is moved forward or rear-ward toward + or –. Sport mode can be selected any time.
NOTE
• On vehicles equipped with Sport mode, the transmission symbol in themain instrument panel will changefrom
D to S when the gear selector is
moved to the manual shifting mode. Ifthe gear selector is moved toward "+"or "-", the number of the gear currentlybeing used will be displayed, seepage 77).
• Please be aware that using Sportmode may result in a slight decrease infuel economy. Driving in
D can help
improve fuel economy.
Geartronic: starting on slippery surfaces
Selecting 3rd gear in Geartronic’s manual shifting mode can help provide better tractionwhen starting off on slippery surfaces. To doso:
1. Depress the brake pedal and move the
gear selector to the side from D toward
+S– .
2. Press the gear selector forward and release it (this selects 2nd gear). Press the selector forward again and release itto select 3rd gear. The optional steeringwheel paddles can also be used; see theprevious section "Geartronic: steeringwheel paddles."
3. Release the brake pedal and press gently on the accelerator pedal.
2Certain models only
03 Your driving environment
Brakes
03
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.129
Brake system
The brake system is a hydraulic system con- sisting of two separate brake circuits. If aproblem should occur in one of these circuits,it is still possible to stop the vehicle with theother brake circuit. If the brake pedal must be depressed farther than normal and requires greater foot pres-sure, the stopping distance will be longer. A warning light in the instrument panel will light up to warn the driver that a fault hasoccurred. If this light comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately and check the brake fluidlevel in the reservoir.
NOTE
Press the brake pedal hard and maintain pressure on the pedal – do not pump thebrakes.
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 techni-cian and have the brake system inspected.
Brake pad inspectionOn vehicles equipped with a jack*, the condi- tion of the brake pads can be checked byraising the vehicle (see page 312 for informa-tion about using the jack and removing awheel) and performing a visual inspection ofthe 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 forthese components to cool before car-rying out the inspection.
• Apply the parking brake and put thegear selector in the Park (
P) position.
• Block the wheels standing on theground, use rigid wooden blocks orlarge stones.
WARNING
•Use the jack intended for the vehicle when changing a tire. For any otherjob, use stands to support the vehicle.
• The jack should be kept well-greasedand clean, and should not be dam-aged.
• Be sure the jack is on a firm, level,non-slippery surface.
• No objects should be placed betweenthe base of jack and the ground, orbetween the jack and the attachmentbar on the vehicle.
• The jack must correctly engage thejack attachment.
• Never allow any part of your body tobe extended under a vehicle suppor-ted 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 isactivated. This function causes an additionaltaillight on each side of the vehicle to illumi-nate to help alert vehicles traveling behind.
03 Your driving environment
Brakes
03
130
The adaptive brake lights activate if: •The ABS system activates for more than approximately a half second
• In the event of sudden braking while thevehicle is moving at speeds aboveapproximately 6 mph (10 km/h)
When the vehicle has come to a stop, the brake lights and additional taillights remain onfor as long as the brake pedal is depressed oruntil 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 withthe engine switched off. If the power brakes are not working, consid- erably higher pressure will be required on thebrake pedal to compensate for the lack ofpower assistance. This can happen for exam-ple when towing your vehicle or if the engineis switched off when the vehicle is rolling. Thebrake pedal feels harder than usual.
Water on brake discs and brake pads affects braking
Driving in rain and slush or passing throughan automatic car wash can cause water tocollect on the brake discs and pads. This willcause a delay in braking effect when the pedal is depressed. To avoid such a delaywhen the brakes are needed, depress thepedal occasionally when driving through rain,slush, etc. This will remove the water from thebrakes. Check that brake application feelsnormal. This should also be done after wash-ing or starting in very damp or cold weather.
Severe strain on the brake systemThe brakes will be subject to severe strainwhen driving in mountains or hilly areas, orwhen towing a trailer. Vehicle speed is usuallyslower, which means that the cooling of thebrakes is less efficient than when driving onlevel roads. To reduce the strain on thebrakes, shift into a lower gear and let theengine help with the braking. Do not forgetthat if you are towing a trailer, the brakes willbe subjected to a greater than normal load.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps toimprove vehicle control (stopping and steer-ing) during severe braking conditions by limit-ing brake lockup. When the system "senses"impending lockup, braking pressure is auto-matically modulated in order to help preventlockup that could lead to a skid. The system performs a brief self-diagnostic test when the engine has been started anddriver releases the brake pedal. Another auto-matic test may be performed when the vehi-
cle first reaches a speed of approximately6 mph (10 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsateseveral times and a sound may be audiblefrom the ABS control module, which is nor-mal.
Cleaning the brake discsCoatings of dirt and water on the brake discsmay result in delayed brake function. Thisdelay is minimized by cleaning the brake lin-ings. Cleaning the brake pads is advisable in wet weather, prior to long-term parking, and afterthe vehicle has been washed. Do this bybraking gently for a short period while thevehicle is moving.
Emergency Brake AssistanceEBA is designed to provide full brake effectimmediately in the event of sudden, hardbraking. The system is activated by the speedwith which the brake pedal is depressed. When the EBA system is activated, the brake pedal will go down and pressure in the brakesystem immediately increases to the maxi-mum level. Maintain full pressure on thebrake pedal in order to utilize the systemcompletely. EBA is automatically deactivatedwhen the brake pedal is released.
03 Your driving environment
Brakes
03
131
NOTE
•When the EBA system is activated, the brake pedal will go down and pressurein the brake system immediatelyincreases to the maximum level. Youmust maintain full pressure on thebrake pedal in order to utilize the sys-tem completely. There will be no brak-ing effect if the pedal is released. EBAis automatically deactivated when thebrake pedal is released.
• When the vehicle has been parked forsome time, the brake pedal may sinkmore than usual when the engine isstarted. This is normal and the pedalwill return to its usual position when itis released.
Symbols in the instrument panel
SymbolSpecification
Steady glow – Check the brake fluid level. If the level is low, fillwith brake fluid and check forthe cause of the brake fluidloss.
Steady glow for two seconds when the engine is started –There was a fault in the brakesystem's ABS function whenthe engine was last running.
WARNING
If and come on at the
same time and the brake level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a brake sys-
tem-related message is shown in the infor-mation display: DO NOT DRIVE . Have the
vehicle towed to a trained and qualifiedVolvo service technician and have thebrake system inspected.
03 Your driving environment
Parking brake
03
132
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 theparking brake is being applied. Thissound can also be heard during theautomatic function check of the park-ing brake.
• The brake pedal will move slightlywhen the electric parking brake isapplied or released.
Low battery voltageIf the battery voltage is too low, the park- ing brake cannot be applied or released. Connect an auxiliary battery if the battery voltage is too low, see page 121.
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 whenthe parking brake has been fullyapplied.
3. Release the brake pedal and ensure that the vehicle is at a standstill.
4. When the vehicle is parked, the gear selector must be in position P.
NOTE
• In an emergency the parking brake can be applied when the vehicle is movingby holding in the control. Braking willbe interrupted when the acceleratorpedal is depressed or the control isreleased.
• An audible signal will sound during thisprocedure if the vehicle is moving atspeeds 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 fromthe curb.
• If the vehicle is pointing downhill, turn thefront wheels so that they point toward thecurb.
The parking brake should also be applied.
03 Your driving environment
Parking brake
03
134
SymbolMessageDescription/action
-Park brake not fully releasedA fault is preventing the parking brake from being released. Try to apply the parking brake and release it sev- eral times. If the problem persists, contact an authorized Volvo workshop. If you drive off with this error mes-sage showing, a warning signal sounds.
-Parking brake not appliedA fault is preventing the parking brake from being applied. Try to apply the parking brake and release it several times. If the problem persists, contact an authorized Volvo workshop. If you drive off with this error messageshowing, a warning signal sounds.
-Parking brake Service requiredA fault has occurred. Try to apply and release. Contact a Volvo workshop if the fault remains
WARNING
If the vehicle must be parked before the fault has been corrected, always put thegear selector in P and turn the wheels so
that they point away from the curb if thevehicle is pointing uphill or toward the curbif it is pointing downhill.
04 Driver support
Road sign information (RSI)*
04
140* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Introduction
Examples of readable road signs Road Sign Information (RSI) is a feature that helps the driver see road signs with the pos-ted speed limit. If the vehicle passes a sign showing the speed limit, this will be displayed in the centerconsole.
WARNING
RSI does not function in all situations and is only intended to provide supplementaryinformation. The driver is always responsible for oper- ating the vehicle safely.
Operation
Speed limit information
When RSI registers a road sign showing the speed limit, this sign is displayed as a symbolon the instrument panel.
Settings in MY CAR
Possible settings in MY CAR Displaying the speed limit indication can be deactivated. To do so:
• Deselect the alternative in
MY CAR
SettingsCar settingsRoad Sign
Information or cancel by pressing EXIT.
Speed alertThe driver can opt to be alerted if the vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit by more than3 mph (5 km/h). The alert is given when thesymbol with the posted speed limit in theinstrument panel begins to flash. To activate speed alert:
• Check the Speed alert box in
MY CAR
SettingsCar settingsSpeed alertor cancel by pressing EXIT.
Limitations
RSI's camera has the same limitations as the human eye. See page 168 for more informa-tion about the camera's limitations. Signs that indirectly indicate the speed limit (such as a sign with a town's name and thepermitted speed limit) will not be registeredby RSI. Other factors that may interfere with RSI include:
• Faded signs
• Signs located in a curve
04 Driver support
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
04
146* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
WARNING
Adaptive Cruise Control only warns of vehicles detected by the radar sensor, seepage 151. In some cases there may be nowarning or the warning may be delayed.The driver should always apply the brakeswhen necessary.
Steep inclines and/or heavy loadsACC is primarily intended for use on fairly level roads. The system may have difficultymaintaining the correct distance to a vehicleahead on steep inclines, if the vehicle is car-rying a heavy load or is towing a trailer. Inthese situations, the driver should always beprepared to apply the brakes if necessary.
Operation
Controls and display
Resume previous settings.
Off/On/Standby mode
Decrease/increase time interval
Put in active mode and set a speed (each additional press increases/decreasesspeed by 1 mph (approximately 2 km/h))
Set speed (shown in green when active,
shown in white when in standby mode)
Time interval
ACC active ( green symbol) or in standby
mode ( white symbol)
Putting ACC in standby modeBefore ACC can be used to regulate speed and/or the distance to a vehicle ahead, itmust first be put in standby mode. To do so:
• Press
(2).
> The same symbol (7) appears (in white) in
the instrument panel to indicate that ACC is in standby mode.
NOTE
The driver's door must be closed and the driver's seat belt must be fastened beforeACC can be put in active mode. If the driv-er's seat belt is taken off or if the driver'sdoor is opened, ACC will return to standbymode.
Setting a speedOnce ACC has been put in standby mode: • Press
or (4).
> The set speed, for example 60 mph (5), will be magnified for several seconds and the frame around the speed will changecolors from white to green to indicate
that this speed has been stored (set).