2014 VOLVO XC90 Owner´s Manual

06 Starting and driving
Detachable trailer hitch
06
167
Overview
A
C
EDBG010496
Ball holder
Locking bolt
Cotter pin
Hitch assembly
Safety wire attachment
Installing the ball holder1. If necessary, remove the cotter pin fromthe locking bolt and slide the locking bolt out of the hitch assembly.
2. Slide the ball holder into the hitch assem- bly.
3. Align the hole in the ball holder with the one in the hitch assembly. 4. Slide the locking bolt through the hitch
assembly/ball holder.
5. Insert the cotter pin in the hole at the end of the locking bolt.
Removing the ball holder1. Remove the cotter pin from the lockingbolt and slide the locking bolt out of theball holder/hitch assembly.
2. Pull the ball holder out of the hitch assembly.
A cover for the hitch assembly can be pur-chased from your Volvo retailer.

06 Starting and driving
Load carriers (accessory)
06
168
Positioning load carriersIf wing-shaped load carriers are used, make sure that they are installed on the roof railswith the rounded edge forward. Load carriersof this type are identical and can be placedanywhere along the roof rails. When not in use, we recommend that the front load carrier be placed approximately2 inches (5 cm) in front of the center roof railanchorage point and the rear load carrierapproximately 1.5 inches (3.5 cm) in front ofthe rear rail anchorage. This will help toreduce wind noise.
Installing load carriersMake sure that the load carriers are pressedfirmly out against the roof rail and securelytightened place. Check regularly that any loadcarriers are securely in place.
WARNING
Loads carried on the vehicle's roof should not exceed 220 lbs (100 kg), including theweight of the load carriers and any otherload carrying equipment (ski boxes, bicy-cle racks, etc.). Excessive loads on theroof can adversely affect the handling androadholding characteristics of the vehicle.

06 Starting and driving
Cold weather precautions
06
169
If you wish to check your vehicle before the approach of cold weather, the followingadvice is worth noting:
• Make sure that the engine coolant con- tains 50 percent antifreeze. Any othermixture will reduce freeze protection. Thisgives protection against freezing down to–31 °F (–35 °C). See section "Coolant".
• The use of "recycled" antifreeze is notapproved by Volvo. Different types ofantifreeze must not be mixed.
• Volvo recommends using only genuineVolvo antifreeze in your vehicle's radiator.Your Volvo retailer stocks plenty of Volvoengine coolant to protect your vehicleduring cold weather.
• Try to keep the
fuel tank well filled – this
prevents the formation of condensation inthe tank. In addition, in extremely coldweather conditions it is worthwhile to addfuel line de-icer before refueling.
• The viscosity of the engine oil is impor-tant. Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil)improves cold-weather starting as well asdecreasing fuel consumption while theengine is warming up. Full synthetic0W-30 oil is recommended for driving inareas with sustained low temperatures.
• The load placed on the
battery is greater
during the winter since the windshieldwipers, lighting, etc. are used more often. Moreover, the capacity of the batterydecreases as the temperature drops. Invery cold weather, a poorly charged bat-tery can freeze and be damaged. It istherefore advisable to check the state ofcharge more frequently and spray an anti-rust oil on the battery posts.
• Volvo recommends the use of
snow tires
on all four wheels for winter driving – seesection "Wheels and tires."
• To prevent the
washer fluid reservoir
from freezing, add washer solvents con-taining antifreeze (see page 224 for thelocation of the washer fluid reservoir).This is important since dirt is oftensplashed on the windshield during winterdriving, requiring the frequent use of thewashers and wipers. Volvo Washer Sol-vent should be diluted as follows:
• Down to 14 ° F (–10 ° C):
1 part washer
solvent and 4 parts water
• Down to 5 ° F (–15 ° C):
1 part washer
solvent and 3 parts water
• Down to 0 ° F (–18 ° C):
1 part washer
solvent and 2 parts water
• Down to –18 ° F (–28 ° C):
1 part washer
solvent and 1 part water
• Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
NOTE
Avoid the use of de-icing sprays as they can cause damage to the locks.
W – Winter/Wet driving mode – enhanced vehicle traction
•Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (
D)rive position.
• Press the button at the base of the gearselector to engage/disengage this drivingmode.
• An LED in the button will light up to indi-cate that W is engaged and this will alsobe displayed in the instrument panel (seepage 58).
• This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.

06 Starting and driving
Before a long distance trip
06
170
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked by a trained and qualified Volvoservice technician before driving long dis-tances. Your retailer or service technician willalso be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses,spark plugs and wiper blades for your use inthe event that problems occur. As a minimum, the following items should be checked before any long trip:• Check that engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.
• Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage.
• Check transmission oil level 1
.
• Check condition of drive belts.
• Check state of the battery's charge.
• Examine tires carefully (the spare tire aswell), and replace those that are worn.Check tire pressures.
• The brakes, front wheel alignment, andsteering gear should be checked by atrained and qualified Volvo service techni-cian only.
• Check all lights, including high beams.
• Reflective warning triangles are legallyrequired in some states/provinces. •
Have a word with your Volvo retailer ifyou intend to drive in countries where itmay be difficult to obtain the correct fuel.
• Consider your destination. If you will bedriving through an area where snow or iceare likely to occur, consider snow tires.
1
To prevent injury from contact with hot surfaces, do not inspect your vehicle’s transmission fluid yourself. Have your vehicle’s transmission fluid level inspected by a qualified Volvo service techni- cian.

06 Starting and driving
Blind Spot Information System*
06
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.171
G020295
BLIS camera
Indicator light
BLIS symbol
The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) is an information system that indicates the pres-ence of another vehicle moving in the samedirection as your vehicle in the side-view mir-ror's "blind area." The system is based on digital camera tech- nology. The cameras (1) are located beneaththe side-view mirrors. When one (or both) of the cameras have detected a vehicle in the blind area (up to approximately 10 ft. (3 meters) from the sideof your vehicle, and up to approximately 31 ft.(9.5 meters) behind the side-view mirror), seethe illustration, the indicator light in the doorpanel (2) illuminates. The light will glow con-tinuously to alert the driver of the vehicle inthe blind area.
WARNING
•
BLIS is an information system, NOT a warning or safety system.
• BLIS does not eliminate the need foryou to visually confirm the conditionsaround you, and the need for you toturn your head and shoulders to makesure that you can safely change lanes.
• As the driver, you have full responsibil-ity for changing lanes in a safe man-ner.
NOTE
The door panel indicator light illuminates on the side of the vehicle where the sys-tem has detected another vehicle. If yourvehicle is passed on both sides at thesame time, both lights will illuminate.
Areas monitored by BLIS
Distance A = approx. 10 ft. (3 meters) Distance B = approx. 31 ft. (9.5 meters)BLIS has an integrated function that alerts the driver if a fault should occur with the system.For example, if one or both of the system'scameras are obscured, a message ( see thetable on page 173) will appear in the informa-tion display in the instrument panel. If thisoccurs, clean the camera lenses. If neces-sary, the system can be temporarily switchedoff (for instructions, see page 173).
When does BLIS functionThe system functions when your vehicle ismoving at speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).

06 Starting and driving
Blind Spot Information System*
06
172* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
When you pass another vehicle: The system reacts when you pass another vehicle at a speed of up to 6 mph (10 km/h)faster than that vehicle. When you are passed by another vehicle:The system reacts if your vehicle is passed by another vehicle at a speed of up to 43 mph(70 km/h) faster than your vehicle.
WARNING
• BLIS does not function in sharp curves.
• BLIS does not function when yourvehicle is backing up.
• If you are towing a wide trailer, thismay prevent the BLIS cameras fromdetecting other vehicles in adjacentlanes.
How BLIS functions in daylight and darkness
Daylight BLIS reacts to the
shape of surrounding vehi-
cles. The system is designed to help detect motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses,motorcycles, etc. Darkness BLIS reacts to the
headlights of surrounding
vehicles. In order to be detected by BLIS, a vehicle in the blind area must have its head-lights on. This means, for example, that thesystem will not detect a trailer without head-lights that is being towed behind a car ortruck.
WARNING
• BLIS does not react to cyclists or mopeds.
• BLIS does not react to vehicles thatare standing still.
• The BLIS cameras have the same limi-tation as the human eye. In otherwords, their "vision is impaired" byadverse weather conditions such asheavy snowfall, intense light directlyinto the camera, dense fog, etc.
Cleaning the BLIS camera lensesIn order to function optimally, the BLIS cam- era lenses must be kept clean. They can bewiped clean with a soft cloth or wet sponge.
CAUTION
• Clean the lenses carefully to avoid scratching.
• The lenses are electrically heated tohelp melt ice or snow. If necessary,gently brush away snow from the len-ses.
LimitationsIn certain situations, the BLIS indicator light(s) may illuminate even when there are no othervehicles in the area monitored by the system.
NOTE
If the BLIS indicator lights illuminate occa- sionally even when there are no other vehi-cles in the blind area, this does not indi-cate a fault in the system. In the event of a fault,
Blind spot syst.
service required will be displayed.
The following are several examples of situa- tions in which the BLIS indicator light(s) mayilluminate even when there are no other vehi-cles in the area monitored by the system.

06 Starting and driving
Blind Spot Information System*
06
}}
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.173
Light reflected from a wet road surface
G018177
The vehicle's own shadow against a large, light, smooth surface such as barriers between laneson a highway
Sunlight directly in the camera when the sun is low on the horizon
G026955
Switching BLIS on and offBLIS is automatically activated when the igni- tion is switched on. The indicator lights willprovide confirmation by flashing 3 times.
• The system can be switched off by press- ing the
BLIS button in the center console
(see the illustration). The indicator light inthe button goes out when the system isswitched off, and a text message is dis-played.
• BLIS
can be switched on again by press-
ing the button. The indicator light in thebutton will illuminate and a new text mes-sage will be displayed. Press the READ
button (see page 62) to erase the mes-sage.
System statusText in the display
BLIND-SPOT SYST SERVICEREQUIREDBLIS not functioning properly. Contact anauthorized Volvo serv-ice technician.
BLIND-SPOT SYST R CAM-ERA BLOCKEDThe right side BLIS camera is obscured.Clean the lenses.
BLIND-SPOT SYST L CAM-ERA BLOCKEDThe left side BLIS camera is obscured.Clean the lenses.
BLIND-SPOT SYST CAM-ERASBLOCKEDBLIS camera obscured. Clean thelenses.
BLIND-SPOT INFO SYSTEMOFFBLIS system off

06 Starting and driving
Blind Spot Information System*
06
174* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
System statusText in the display
BLIND-SPOT INFO SYSTEMONBLIS system on
BLIND-SPOT SYST FUNC-TION REDUCEDThe BLIS cameras' function has beenreduced due to weakor impaired datatransfer between theBLIS system's cam-eras and the vehicle'selectrical system. Thecameras will resetthemselves when thisdata transfer hasreturned to normal.
The messages listed above can only be dis- played if the ignition key is in position II (or if
the engine is running) and if BLIS is active (i.e.if the system has not been turned off bypressing the BLIS button).