
08 Starting and driving
08
278
Gear selector inhibitor
There are two different types of gear selector inhibitor - mechanical and automatic.
Mechanical gear selector inhibitor
G021351
The gear selector can be moved forward and back freely between N and  D. Other positions
are locked with a latch that is released withthe inhibitor button on the gear selector. With the inhibitor button depressed the lever can be moved forwards or backwardsbetween  P, R , N  and  D.
Automatic gear selector inhibitorThe automatic gearbox has special safetysystems: Parking position (P) Stationary car with engine running: •
Keep your foot on the brake pedal when moving the gear selector to another posi-tion.
Electric gear inhibitor – Shiftlock
Parking position (P)
To be able to move the gear selector from  P
to other gear positions, the brake pedal must be depressed and the remote control keymust be in key position  II (p. 70).
Shiftlock – Neutral (N)If the gear selector is in  N position and the
car has been stationary for at least 3 seconds(irrespective of whether the engine is running)then the gear selector is locked. To be able to move the gear selector from  N
to other gear positions, the brake pedal must be depressed and the remote control keymust be in key position  II.
Deactivate automatic gear selector inhibitor
If the car cannot be driven, e.g. due to a flat battery, the gear selector must be movedfrom the  P position so that the car can be
moved.
Lift the rubber mat in the compartment behind the centre console and locate a hole 11
 for the key blade (p. 155) in the
bottom of the compartment.
Search for a spring-loaded button down in the hole with the key blade; depressthe button with the blade and hold.
Move the gear selector from the  P posi-
tion and pull up the key blade.
4. Set the rubber mat back in place.
11 There may be 2 holes - one for the key blade and one that fixes the rubber mat.
ProCarManuals.co’        

||
08 Starting and driving
08
294
Disengaging the parking brake
Parking brake control - release.
Cars with manual gearbox
Releasing manually
1. Insert the remote control key in the igni- tion switch. 13
2. Press the foot brake pedal down firmly. 
3. Pull the control  PUSH LOCK/PULL
RELEASE .
>
 The parking brake releases and
the combined instrument panel's sym- bol extinguishes.
NOTE
The parking brake can also be released manually by depressing the clutch pedalinstead of the brake pedal. Volvo recom-mends that the brake pedal is used.
Releasing automatically1. Start the engine. 
2. Engage 1st gear or reverse gear.
3. Ease up the clutch and depress the accelerator. >
 The parking brake releases and
the combined instrument panel's sym- bol extinguishes.
Cars with automatic gearbox Releasing manually
1. Insert the remote control key in the igni-
tion switch 13
.
2. Press the foot brake pedal down firmly. 
3. Pull the control. >
 The parking brake releases and
the combined instrument panel's sym- bol extinguishes.
Releasing automatically1. Put the seatbelt on. 2. Start the engine. 
3. Press the foot brake pedal down firmly.
4. Move the gear selector to position 
D or  R
and depress the accelerator. >
 The parking brake releases and
the combined instrument panel's sym- bol extinguishes.
NOTE
For safety reasons, the parking brake is only released automatically if the engine isrunning and the driver is wearing a seat-belt. The parking brake is released imme-diately on cars with automatic gearboxwhen the accelerator pedal is depressedand the gear selector is in position  D or  R.
Heavy load uphillA heavy load, such as a trailer, can cause the car to roll backward when the parking brakeis released automatically on a steep incline.Avoid this by depressing the control whiledriving off. Release the control when theengine achieves traction.
Replacing the brake liningsThe rear brake linings must be replaced at aworkshop due to the design of the electricparking brake - an authorised Volvo work-shop is recommended.
13
For a car with the Keyless system: Press  START/STOP ENGINE.
ProCarManuals.co’  

08 Starting and driving
08
302
Fuel - petrol
Petrol is used as fuel. Petrol must fulfil the EN 228 standard. Most engines can be run with octane ratings of 95and 98 RON. Only in exceptional casesshould 91 RON be used.
• 95 RON can be used for normal driving.
• 98 RON is recommended for optimum performance and minimum fuel consump-tion.
When driving in temperatures above +38 °C, fuel with the highest possible octane rating isrecommended for optimum performance andfuel economy.
IMPORTANT
• Always refuel with unleaded petrol so as not to damage the catalytic con-verter.
• Do not use additives not recom-mended by Volvo.
Related information
•
Fuel - handling (p. 301)
• Economical driving (p. 305)
• Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (p. 403)
• Fuel tank - volume (p. 402)
Fuel - diesel
Diesel is used as fuel. Only use diesel fuel from well-known produc- ers. Never use diesel of dubious quality. Die-sel should fulfil the EN 590 or JIS K2204standards. Diesel engines are sensitive tocontaminants in the fuel, such as excessivelyhigh volumes of sulphur particles for exam-ple. At low temperatures (-6 °C to -40 °C), a par- affin precipitate may form in the diesel fuel,which may lead to ignition problems. Specialdiesel fuel designed for low temperaturesaround freezing point is available from themajor oil companies. This fuel is less viscousat low temperatures and reduces the risk ofparaffin precipitate. The risk of condensation in the fuel tank is reduced if the tank is kept well filled. Whenrefuelling, check that the area around the fuelfiller pipe is clean. Avoid spilling fuel onto thepaintwork. Wash off any spillage with deter-gent and water.
IMPORTANT
Only ever use fuel that fulfils the European diesel standard. The sulphur content must be a maximum of 50 ppm.
IMPORTANT
Diesel type fuels that must not be used:
• Special additives
• Marine diesel fuel
• Heating oil
• FAME 15
 (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) and
vegetable oil.
These fuels do not fulfil the requirements in accordance with Volvo recommendationsand generate increased wear and enginedamage that is not covered by the Volvowarranty.
Empty tankThe design of the fuel system in a diesel engine means that if the vehicle runs out offuel, the tank may need to be vented in theworkshop in order to restart the engine afterfuelling. Once the engine has stopped due to fuel starvation, the fuel system needs a fewmoments to carry out a check. Do this beforestarting the engine, once the fuel tank hasbeen filled with diesel: 
1. Insert the remote control key in the igni- tion switch and push it in to the end posi-
15Diesel fuel may contain a certain amount of FAME, but further amounts must not be added.
ProCarManuals.co’ 

08 Starting and driving
08
313
end up in the wrong lane or leave the car- riageway. The trailer stability assist continually monitors the car's movements, particularly lateralmovements. If snaking is detected, the frontwheels are individually braked. This serves tostabilise the car/trailer combination. This isoften enough to help the driver regain controlof the car. If snaking is not eliminated the first time the trailer stability assist comes into action, thecar/trailer combination is braked with allwheels and engine power is reduced. Oncesnaking has been gradually suppressed andthe car/trailer combination is stable onceagain, the system stops regulating and thedriver once again has full control of the car.For more information, see Stability and trac-tion control system (DSTC) - operation (p.176)
MiscellaneousThe trailer stability assist can engage withinthe speed interval 60-160 km/h.
NOTE
TSA function is switched off if the driver selects Sport mode, see Stability and
traction control system (DSTC) (p. 175).
The trailer stability assist may fail to engage if the driver uses sudden steering wheel move-ments to try to rectify the snaking because in such a situation the system cannot determinewhether it is the trailer or the driver that iscausing the snaking.
When the trailer stability assist isworking, the combined instrument
panel's  DSTC symbol flashes.
Related information
•Stability and traction control system (DSTC) - symbols and messages (p. 178)
Towing
During towing, one vehicle is towed by another vehicle using a tow rope.
IMPORTANT
Note that the car must always be towed with the wheels rolling forward. Do not tow the vehicle at speeds higher than 80 km/h or for distances in excess of80 km.
Find out the statutory maximum speed limit for towing before towing begins. 
1. Unlock the steering lock by inserting the
remote control key in the ignition switch and giving a long press on the  START/
STOP ENGINE  button - key position  II is
activated, see Key positions (p. 70) formore information about key positions.
2. The remote control key must remain in the ignition switch while the car is beingtowed.
3. Keep the towline taut when the towing vehicle reduces speed by holding yourfoot gently pressed on the brake pedal -thereby avoiding unnecessary jerking.
4. Be prepared to brake to stop.
ProCarManuals.co’ 

||
08 Starting and driving
08
314
WARNING
•Check that the steering lock is unlocked before towing.
• The remote control key must be in keyposition 
II - in position  I all airbags are
deactivated.
• Never remove the remote control keyfrom the ignition switch when the caris being towed.
WARNING
The brake servo and power steering do not work when the engine is switched off - thebrake pedal needs to be depressedabout 5 times more heavily and the steer-ing is considerably heavier than normal.
Manual gearboxPrior to towing:
–Move gear lever into neutral and release the parking brake.
Automatic gearbox GeartronicPrior to towing:
–Move the gear selector to position 
N and
release the parking brake.
Automatic gearbox PowershiftThe model with Powershift transmission should not be towed as it is dependent on theengine running in order to receive sufficient lubrication. If towing still has to take place,the route must be as short as possible andthen with very low speed. In the event of uncertainty as to whether or not the car is equipped with Powershift trans-mission, this can be verified by checking thedesignation on the gearbox label under thebonnet, see Type designations (p. 386). Thedesignation ”MPS6” means that it isPowershift transmission - otherwise it isGeartronic automatic transmission.
IMPORTANT
Avoid towing.
• However, the car can be towed for a short distance at low speed to move itfrom a dangerous position - not furtherthan 10 km and not faster than10 km/h. Note that the car mustalways be towed with the wheels roll-ing forward.
• In the event of moving a longer dis-tance than 10 km, the car must betransported with the drive wheelsraised from the road - professionalrecovery is recommended.
Prior to towing:
–Move the gear selector to position 
N and
release the parking brake.
Jump startingDo not tow the car to bump start the engine. Use a donor battery if the battery is dis-charged and the engine does not start, seeJump starting with battery (p. 270).
IMPORTANT
The catalytic converter may be damaged during attempts to tow-start the engine.
Related information
• Towing eye (p. 315)
ProCarManuals.co’ 

||
10 Maintenance and service
10
354
1. Plug in the connector, a clicking soundshould be heard.
2. Reinstall the headlamp and locking pins. The short pin is fitted closest to the grille. Check that they are correctly inserted.
3. Check the lighting. The headlamp must be mounted and the con- nector correctly installed before the lighting isswitched on or the remote control key isinserted into the ignition switch.
Related information
• Lamp replacement (p. 352)
• Lamp replacement - cover for main/ dipped beam bulbs (p. 354)
• Lamps - specifications (p. 358)
Lamp replacement - cover for main/ dipped beam bulbs
Main/dipped beam bulbs are accessed by releasing the headlamp's larger cover.
Before starting to replace a bulb, see Lamp replacement - headlamps (p. 353). 
1. Unscrew the cover's four screws using a
Torx tool, size T20 (1). They should not be loosened completely. (3 - 4 turns are suf-ficient.)
2. Slide the cover to one side. 
3. Remove the cover.Reinstall the cover in reverse order.
Related information
• Lamp replacement - headlamps (p. 353)
• Lamp replacement - dipped beam (p. 355) •
Lamp replacement - main beam (p. 355)
• Lamp replacement - extra main beam (p.355)
ProCarManuals.co’   

10 Maintenance and service
10
359
LightingWAType
–––
Reversing lamp21P21W LL
Rear fog lamp21H21W LL
A
Watt
Related information
• Lamp replacement (p. 352)
• Lamp replacement - location of rear lamps (p. 357)
• Lamp replacement - vanity mirror lighting(p. 358)
Wiper blades
The wiper blades sweep water away from the windscreen and rear window. Together withthe washer fluid they clean the windows andensure visibility for driving. The windscreen wiper blades must be in serv- ice position when they are to be replaced.
Service position
Wiper blades in service position.
In order to make replacement possible, to clean or lift the wiper blades (for scraping office from the windscreen, for example), theymust be in service position.
IMPORTANT
Before placing the wiper blades in the service position, make sure that they arenot frozen down.
1. Place the remote control key in the igni- tion lock 11
 and briefly press the  START/
STOP ENGINE  button to set the car's
electrical system to key position  I. For
detailed information on key positions, see Key positions - functions at different lev-els (p. 70).
2. Briefly press the  START/STOP ENGINE
button again to set the car’s electricalsystem in key position  0.
3. Within 3 seconds, move the right stalk switch up and hold it in position forapprox. 1 second. 
> The wipers then move to standingstraight up.
The wipers return to their starting position when you briefly press the  START/STOP
ENGINE  button to set the car’s electrical sys-
tem to key position  I (or when the car is
started).
11 Not necessary in cars with Keyless function.
ProCarManuals.co’  

10 Maintenance and service
10
363
Avoid sparks and naked flames.
Risk of explosion.
Must be taken for recy- cling.
NOTE
An expended battery must be recycled in an environmentally safe manner as it con-tains lead.
Related information
•Battery (p. 361)
Starter battery - replacement
The starter battery in the car can be replaced without the help of a workshop. The starter battery is a traditional 12 V bat- tery.
RemovalFirst of all
: Take the remote control key from
the ignition switch and wait at least 5 minutesbefore any electrical connections are touched- this is because the car's electrical systemneeds to store the necessary information tocontrol modules.
Open the clips on the front cover and remove the cover.
Release the rubber moulding so that the rear cover is free.
ProCarManuals.co’