2014 VOLVO XC90 tow

06 Starting and driving
Brake system
06
154* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
BRAKE Brake circuit malfunction
The brake system is a hydraulic system con- sisting of two master cylinders and two sepa-rate brake circuits. If a problem should occurin one of these circuits, it is still possible tostop the vehicle with the other 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 FAILURE
STOP SAFELY message is displayed in
the text window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have
the vehicle towed to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician and have thebrake system inspected.
NOTE
When the vehicle is at a standstill and the engine is idling, e.g. at a traffic light andthe brake pedal is depressed, the pedalmay go down slightly. This is a normalfunction of the power-assisted brake sys-tem.
Brake pad inspectionOn vehicles equipped with a jack*, the condi- tion of the brake pads can be checked byraising the vehicle (see page 198 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.

06 Starting and driving
Brake system
06
155
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.
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 thepedal 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 brakes (ABS)If the ABS warning lamp lights up there is a
malfunction in the ABS system (the standardbraking system will however function) and thevehicle should be driven cautiously to atrained and qualified Volvo service technicianfor inspection. The Anti-lock Braking System(ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stop-ping and steering) during severe braking con-ditions by limiting brake lockup. When thesystem "senses" impending lockup, brakingpressure is automatically modulated in orderto help prevent lockup, which could lead to askid. The system performs a self-diagnostic test when the engine is started and when thevehicle first reaches a speed of approxi- mately 12 mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal
will pulsate several times and a sound may be audible from the ABS control module. This isnormal. To obtain optimal effect from the ABS sys- tem, constant pressure should be kept on thebrake pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal. The switching of the ABS modulator will be audible and the brake pedal will pulsate dur-ing braking. Please be aware that ABS doesnot increase the absolute braking potential ofthe vehicle. While control will be enhanced,ABS will not shorten stopping distances onslippery surfaces.

06 Starting and driving
Brake system
06
156
ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Force
Distribution)
EBD is an integrated part of the ABS system. EBD regulates the hydraulic pressure to therear brakes to help provide optimal brakingcapacity. The brake pedal will pulsate duringbraking, which is normal. If the BRAKE and ABS warning lights come on at the same time, this could indicate afault in the brake system.
1. Stop the vehicle in a suitable place and switch off the engine.
2. Restart the engine.
• If both warning lights go off, no further action is required.
• If both lights are still on after the enginehas been restarted, switch off the engineagain and check the brake fluid level (seepage 225 for the location of the brakefluid reservoir).
WARNING
If the fluid level is below the
MIN mark in
the reservoir or if a Brake failure –
Service urgent message is displayed in
the text window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed to a trained and qualifiedVolvo service technician and have thebrake system inspected.
• If the brake fluid level is above the
MIN
mark, drive carefully to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician andhave the brake system inspected.
Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)The EBA function is designed to provide full brake effect immediately in the event of sud-den, hard braking. The system is activated bythe speed with which you depress the brakepedal.
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.

06 Starting and driving
Parking brake
06
157
G026992
Parking brake pedal
Handle for releasing the parking brake
The parking brake pedal is located under the dashboard, to the left of the brake pedal.
NOTE
The indicator light will light up even if the parking brake has only been partiallyap-plied.
When applying the parking brake
1. Press firmly on the brake pedal. 2. Press down pedal (1) firmly to its full
extent.
3. Release the brake pedal and ensure that the vehicle is at a standstill.
4. If the vehicle rolls, the parking brake pedal must be pushed down more firmly.
5. When parking a vehicle always put the gear selector in P.
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.
Releasing the parking brake
1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Pull handle (2).
NOTE
If you inadvertently pull the plastic cover, it can be pressed back into place.
WARNING
Press down the parking brake pedal firmly to its full extent.

06 Starting and driving
Front/rear park assist*
06
160* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Front/rear park assist
The park assist system is designed to assist you when driving into parking spaces,garages, etc. It utilizes four ultrasound sen-sors located in one or both bumpers to meas-ure the distance to a vehicle, object, or a per-son who may be close to the front or rear ofyour vehicle. Park assist is available in two versions:
• Rear bumper only
• Front and rear bumpers
WARNING
Park Assist is an information system, NOT a safety system. This system is designedto be a supplementary aid when parkingthe vehicle. It is not, however, intended toreplace the driver's attention and judge-ment.
Function
The system is activated automatically when the vehicle is started. The indicator light in thebutton in the center console illuminates. • The front park assist system is active from the time the engine is started untilthe vehicle exceeds a speed of approxi-mately 10 mph (15 km/h). It is also activewhen the vehicle is backing up.
• Rear park assist is active when the engineis running and reverse gear has beenselected.
Rear park assistThe distance monitored behind the vehicle is approximately 5 ft (1.5 m). The signal comesfrom the rear speakers. The system must be deactivated when towing a trailer, carrying bicycles in a rear-mountedcarrier, etc, which could trigger the rear parkassist system's sensors.
NOTE
Rear park assist is deactivated automati- cally when towing a trailer if Volvo genuinetrailer wiring is used.
Front park assistThe distance monitored in front of the vehicle is approximately 2.5 ft (0.8 m). The audiblesignal comes from the audio system's frontspeakers.
• It may not be possible to combine auxili- ary headlights and front park assist sincethese lights could trigger the system'ssensors.
Activating/deactivating park assist
The system is activated automatically when the vehicle is started.
• Press the Park assist button on the center console (see page 65) to temporarilydeactivate the system(s). The indicatorlight in the button will go out when thesystem has been deactivated.
• Park assist will be automatically reactiva-ted the next time the engine is started, orif the button is pressed (the indicator lightin the button will illuminate).

06 Starting and driving
Towing
06
162
G027042
Positions for attaching towing eyelets
Emergency towingThe towing eyelet is located in the tool bag, under the floor of the cargo area. This eyeletmust be screwed into the positions providedon the right sides of either the front or rearbumper (see illustrations).
To attach the towing eyelet:1. Use a coin to pry open the lower edge ofthe cover (A)
2. Screw the towing eyelet (C) in place (B), first by hand and then using the tire ironuntil it is securely in place. After the vehicle has been towed, the eyeletshould be removed and returned to the toolbag. Press the cover back into position.
WARNING
Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the vehicle up onto a flat bed tow truck.
Precautions when the vehicle is in tow
•
The steering wheel must be unlocked. Turn the ignition key to position
I or II.
• The gear selector must be in position
N. •
Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h). Donot exceed the maximum allowable tow-ing speed.
• Maximum distance with front wheels onground: 50 miles (80 km).
• While the vehicle is being towed, try tokeep the tow rope taut at all times.
• The vehicle should only be towed in theforward direction.

06 Starting and driving
Towing
06
163
CAUTION
Vehicles with AWD (All Wheel Drive) with the front wheels off the ground should notbe towed at speeds above 50 mph(70 km/h) or for distances longer than30 miles (50 km).
CAUTION
•Please check with state and local authorities before attempting this typeof towing, as vehicles being towed aresubject to regulations regarding maxi-mum towing speed, length and type oftowing device, lighting, etc.
• If the vehicle's battery is dead, do notattempt to start the vehicle by pushingor pulling it as this will damage thethree-way catalytic converter(s). Theengine must be jump started using anauxiliary battery (see page 152).
• If the vehicle is being towed on a flatbed truck, the towing eyelets must notbe used to pull the vehicle up onto theflat bed or to secure the vehicle on theflat bed. Consult the tow truck opera-tor.
WARNING
•The power brakes and power steering will not function when the engine is notrunning. Approximately 5 times morepressure will be required on the brakepedal and the steering wheel will beconsiderably harder to turn.
• The towing eyelets must not be usedfor pulling the vehicle out of a ditch orfor any similar purpose involvingsevere strain.
G030862
Towing vehicles with front wheel drive/All Wheel Drive
Volvo recommends the use of flat bed equip- ment. If wheel lift equipment must be used, please use extreme caution to help avoid damage tothe vehicle.
In this case, the vehicle should
be towed with the rear wheels on theground if at all possible. If it is absolutely necessary to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on the ground, pleaserefer to the towing information on the previ-ous page.
CAUTION
• Sling-type equipment applied at the front will damage radiator and air con-ditioning lines.
• It is equally important not to use sling-type equipment at the rear or apply lift-ing equipment inside the rear wheels;serious damage to the rear axle mayresult.
• If the vehicle is being towed on a flatbed truck, the towing eyelets must notbe used to secure the vehicle on theflat bed. Consult the tow truck opera-tor.

06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
06
164* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
The maximum weights recommended by Volvo for trailers with brakes are shown in
the table below. Recommended hitch tongue load: not more than 10% of the trailer's weight. Thetrailer load should be positioned so that it does not shift and the tongue load should be10% of the trailer's weight. However, thetongue load should not exceed the maximum
permissible weights indicated in the tablebelow.
No. of occu- pants1234567
Seating positionFront seatFront seat2nd row of seats2nd row of seats2nd row of seats3rd row of seats*3rd row of seats*
All Wheel Drive5,000 lbs (2250 kg)5,000 lbs (2250 kg)4,500 lbs (2050 kg)3,700 lbs (1700 kg)2,900 lbs (1350 kg)1,800 lbs (800 kg)Trailer towing not recommended
Max. trailer hitch tongue load500 lbs (225 kg)500 lbs (225 kg)450 lbs (205 kg)370 lbs (170 kg)290 lbs (135 kg)180 lbs (80 kg)–
Front Wheel Drive4,000 lbs (1800 kg)4,000 lbs (1800 kg)4,000 lbs (1800 kg)4,000 lbs (1800 kg)3,700 lbs (1650 kg)2,500 lbs (1150 kg)1,400 lbs (650 kg)
Max. trailer hitch tongue load400 lbs (180 kg)400 lbs (180 kg)400 lbs (180 kg)400 lbs (180 kg)370 lbs (165 kg)250 lbs (115 kg)140 lba (65 kg)