06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission
06
149
G026990
P (Park)Use this position when starting the engine or parking the vehicle. Never use P while the vehicle is in motion.
The parking brake should also be set when- ever the vehicle is parked. The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release
the gear selector from this position, the engine must be running (or the ignition keymust be in position II) and the brake pedal
must be depressed.
N (Neutral)Neutral – no gear engaged. Use the parkingbrake.
WARNING
Never leave the vehicle unattended when the engine is running. If, by mistake, thegear selector is moved from P, the vehicle
may start moving.
R (Reverse)Never engage R while the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive)D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fueleconomy. The vehicle should not be movingwhen shifting from R to the D position.
NOTE
The transmission has 6 forward speeds.
Automatic transmission – shift gate positions
G020237
Shift gate positions
Depress the button on the front of the gear selector knob to move between the R, N, D,
and P positions.
CAUTION
The transmission’s temperature is moni- tored to help prevent damage to the trans-mission or other drivetrain components. Ifthere is a risk of overheating, the warningsymbol on the instrument panel will illumi-nate and a text message will be displayed.Follow the instructions provided there.
06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission
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150
KickdownAutomatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedalfully and briskly. An upshift will occur whenapproaching the top speed for a particulargear or by releasing the accelerator pedalslightly. 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 driv-ing. Gears 3, 4, 5, and 6 have a "lock-up"function which reduces engine speed andhelps save fuel.
NOTE
Reverse, Neutral, and Park cannot be selected in Geartronic mode.
• A "lock-up" feature 1
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 posi-
tion will also initially be selected in MAN posi-
tion. • 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 gearand will utilize the braking power of theengine. If the current speed is too high forusing a lower gear, the downshift will notoccur until the speed has decreasedenough to allow the lower gear to beused.
• If you slow down to a very low speed, thetransmission will automatically shift down. •
When starting in the
MAN position, 3rd
gear is the highest gear that may beselected.
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
1 Six-speed transmission: gears 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
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
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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
Stability system
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158
Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC)
The stability system consists of a number of functions designed help reduce wheel spin,counteract skidding, and to generally helpimprove directional stability.
NOTE
A pulsating sound will be audible when the system is actively operating and is normal.
Traction control (TC)This function is designed to help reduce wheel spin by transferring power from a drivewheel that begins to lose traction to thewheel on the opposite side of the vehicle (onthe same axle). TC is most active at low speeds.This is one of DSTC's permanent functions and cannot be switched off.
Spin control (SC)The spin control function is designed to helpprevent the drive wheels from spinning whilethe vehicle is accelerating. Under certain circumstances, such as when driving with snow chains, or driving in deepsnow or loose sand, it may be advisable totemporarily switch off this function for maxi-mum tractive force.
Temporarily switching off Spin control1. Turn the thumbwheel (1) on the left-side
steering wheel lever until the DSTC menu
is displayed.
2. Hold down the RESET button (2) to tog-
gle between
DSTC ON or DSTC SPIN
CONTROL OFF.
NOTE
• The message DSTC SPIN CONTROL
OFF indicates that the stability sys-
tem's spin control function has tempo- rarily been switched off.
• The stability control indicator light willilluminate and remain on until spincontrol has been reactivated.
• The spin control function is automati-cally enabled each time the engine isstarted.
•
DSTC ON indicates that all system
functions are active.
Active Yaw Control (AYC)This function helps maintain directional stabil- ity, for example when cornering, by brakingone or more of the wheels if the vehicleshows a tendency to skid or slide laterally. This is one of DSTC's permanent functions
and cannot be switched off.
WARNING
The car's handling and stability characte- ristics will be altered if the DSTC systemfunctions have been disabled.
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Stability system
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DSTC-related messages in the text window
•TRACTION CONTROL TEMPORARILY OFF : The system has been temporarily
switched off due to high brake tempera- ture and will automatically switch onagain when the brakes have cooled.
•
ANTI-SKID SERVICE REQUIRED: The
system has been automatically disen- gaged due to a fault. A trained and quali-fied Volvo service technician shouldcheck the system.
Symbols in the instrument panel
The Stability Control indicator lightThis light indicates different con- ditions, depending on how it illu-minates.
The Stability Control indicator light illuminates for approximately 2 seconds
This indicates that the system is performing a self-diagnostic test when the ignition isswitched on.
The Stability Control indicator light
flashes
This indicates that the stability system is actively functioning to help counteract wheelspin and/or a skid.
The Stability Control indicator light glows steadily
ANTI-SKID SERVICE REQUIRED will be
displayed in the text window at the same time. A fault is indicated in the stability system.
• Stop the vehicle in a safe place and switch off the engine.
• Restart the engine.
• If the indicator light goes out, the faultwas temporary and no further action isrequired.
• If the indicator light remains on, drive toan authorized Volvo workshop as soon aspossible to have the system checked.
The Stability Control indicator light
glows steadily
If DSTC SPIN CONTROL OFF is displayed
in the text window at the same time, this is a reminder that spin control has been disabledby the driver.
The warning symbolThe warning symbol glowssteadily yellow
The system has been temporarily switched off due to high brake temperature.
TRACTION CONTROL TEMPORARILY OFF will be displayed. The system will auto-
matically switch on again when the brakes have cooled.
WARNING
The stability system is intended to help improve driving safety. It supplements, butcan never replace, the driver's judgementand responsibility when operating the vehi-cle. Speed and driving style should alwaysbe adapted to traffic and road conditions.
06 Starting and driving
Front/rear park assist*
06
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.161
NOTE
• Front park assist is disengaged auto- matically when the parking brake isapplied.
• If the vehicle is equipped with frontand rear park assist, both systems willbe deactivated by pressing the button.
Audible signals from the park assist system
The Park Assist system uses an intermittent tone that pulses faster as you come close toan object, and becomes constant when youare within approximately 1 ft (30 cm) of anobject in front of or behind the vehicle. If thevolume of another source from the audio sys-tem is high, this will be automatically lowered. If there are objects within this distance both behind and in front of the vehicle, the signalalternates between front and rear speakers.
Faults in the system
If the yellow warning symbol illu- minates and PARK ASSIST
SERVICE REQUIRED is shown
on the information display, this indicates that the system is not
functioning properly and has been disen-gaged. Consult a trained and qualified Volvoservice technician.
CAUTION
In certain circumstances, the park assist system may give unexpected warning sig-nals that can be caused by external soundsources that use the same ultrasound fre-quencies as the system. This may includesuch things as the horns of other vehicles,wet tires on asphalt, pneumatic brakes,motorcycle exhaust pipes, etc. This doesnot indicate a fault in the system.
Cleaning the sensors
G026946
Park assist sensors The sensors must be cleaned regularly to ensure that they work properly. Clean themwith water and a suitable car washing deter-gent. Ice and snow covering the sensors may cause incorrect warning signals.
NOTE
If the sensors are obstructed by e.g., dirt, snow, or ice, this could result in falsewarning signals from the park assist sys-tem.
06 Starting and driving
Towing a trailer
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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 ofany cargo in the trailer to avoid excessiveweight on the trailer hitch.
• The maximum trailer weight listed in thetable for All Wheel Drive models,5,000 lbs (2250 kg) is only applicablewhen there are not more than two occu-pants in the vehicle, in the front seats,with a combined weight of 300 lbs(135 kg), with no other cargo in the vehi-cle.
• The maximum weight listed for FrontWheel Drive models, 4,000 lbs (1800 kg)is only applicable when there are notmore than four occupants in the vehicle,in the front seats and second row ofseats, with a combined weight of 600 lbs(270 kg), with no other cargo in the vehi-cle.
• Vehicles used for towing a trailer on aregular basis, or for long-distance high-way towing should be equipped with anautomatic transmission oil cooler andVolvo's automatic self-leveling system forthe rear suspension. Consult your Volvoretailer. •
Volvo recommends the use of Volvotrailer hitches that are specially designedfor the vehicle.
• All Volvo models are equipped withenergy-absorbing shock-mounted bump-ers. Trailer hitch installation should notinterfere with the proper operation of thisbumper system.
• Increase tire pressure to recommendedfull inflation pressure. See chapter"Wheels and tires."
• When your vehicle is new, avoid towingheavy trailers during the first 620 miles(1,000 km).
• Engine and transmission are subject toincreased loads. Therefore, engine cool-ant temperature should be closelywatched when driving in hot climates orhilly terrain. Use a lower gear and turn offthe air conditioner if the temperaturegauge needle enters the red range.
• If the automatic transmission begins tooverheat, a message will be displayed inthe text window.
• Hauling a trailer affects handling, durabil-ity, and economy.
• It is necessary to balance trailer brakeswith the towing vehicle brakes to providea safe stop (check and observe state/local regulations). •
Do not connect the trailer's brake systemdirectly to the vehicle's brake system.
• Remove the ball and drawbar assemblywhen the hitch is not being used.
• Volvo recommends the use of syntheticengine oil when towing a trailer over longdistances or in mountainous areas.
NOTE
•When parking the vehicle with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking brakebefore putting the gear selector in
P.
When starting on a hill, put the gearselector in D before releasing the park-
ing brake. Always follow the trailermanufacturer's recommendations forwheel chocking.
• If you use the manual (Geartronic) shiftpositions while towing a trailer, makesure the gear you select does not puttoo much strain on the engine (usingtoo high a gear).