2014 VOLVO XC90 brake pads

Introduction
Environment
13
Volvo and the environment
Volvo is committed to the well being of its customers. As a natural part of this commit-ment, we care about the environment inwhich we all live. Caring for the environmentmeans an everyday involvement in reducingour environmental impact. Volvo's environ-mental activities are based on a holistic view,which means we consider the overall environ-mental impact of a product throughout itscomplete life cycle. In this context, design,production, product use, and recycling are allimportant considerations. In production,Volvo has partly or completely phased outseveral chemicals including CFCs, lead chro-mates, asbestos, and cadmium; and reducedthe number of chemicals used in ourplants 50% since 1991. Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into production a three-way catalytic con-verter with a Lambda sond, now called theheated oxygen sensor, in 1976. The currentversion of this highly efficient system reducesemissions of harmful substances (CO, HC,NOx) from the exhaust pipe by approximately95 – 99% and the search to eliminate theremaining emissions continues. Volvo is theonly automobile manufacturer to offer CFC-free retrofit kits for the air conditioning systemof all models as far back as the 1975model 240. Advanced electronic engine con-trols and cleaner fuels are bringing us closerto our goal. In addition to continuous environ-mental refinement of conventional gasoline-powered internal combustion engines, Volvois actively looking at advanced technologyalternative-fuel vehicles. When you drive a Volvo, you become our partner in the work to lessen the car's impacton the environment. To reduce your vehicle'senvironmental impact, you can: •
Maintain proper air pressure in your tires. Tests have shown decreased fuel econ-omy with improperly inflated tires.
• Follow the recommended maintenanceschedule in your Warranty and ServiceRecords Information booklet.
• Drive at a constant speed whenever pos-sible.
• See a trained and qualified Volvo servicetechnician as soon as possible forinspection if the check engine (malfunc-tion indicator) light illuminates, or stayson after the vehicle has started.
• Properly dispose of any vehicle-relatedwaste such as used motor oil, used bat-teries, brake pads, etc.
• When cleaning your vehicle, please usegenuine Volvo car care products. AllVolvo car care products are formulated tobe environmentally friendly.
FSC®
The FSC ®
(Forest Stewardship Council ®
)
symbol indicates that the wood pulp used in this publication comes from FSC ®
certified
forests and other responsible sources.

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.