06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission
06
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
Towing a trailer
06
165
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).
