2015 VOLVO S60 tow

03 Your driving environment
Transmission
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* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.127
Geartronic: steering wheel paddles*In addition to the manual gearshift function using the gear selector, this option makes itpossible to manually shift gears from thesteering wheel.
Steering-wheel mounted gear shift paddles
" – ": Shift down to a lower gear.
"+ ": Shift up to a higher gear.
In order to shift gears with the paddles, they have to first be activated. The gear selector
can be in either the D or S position. Activating the paddles:
• Pull either paddle toward the steering wheel and release it; the
D in the instru- ment panel will change to the number ofthe gear currently being used.
Shifting gears:
• Pull the paddle toward the steering wheeland release it.
NOTE
If the gear selector was in
D when paddle
shifting was activated ( D changed to the
number of the gear being used), the trans- mission will automatically revert to D after
approximately 5 seconds if the paddlesare not used to shift gears. This will not occur:
• during active driving (e.g., on a wind- ing road, while accelerating, etc)
• if the gear selector was in
S when the
paddles were activated
If the transmission reverts to D, the pad-
dles will have to be reactivated (pull either paddle toward the steering wheel andrelease it) before they can be used to shiftgears again. The paddles can also be manually deacti- vated by pulling both paddles toward thesteering wheel and holding them until thegear number shown in the instrumentpanel changes to D.
Geartronic: Sport mode (S) 3This transmission mode provides sportier shifting characteristics and enables a moreactive driving style by making it possible todrive at higher rpm in each gear before shift-ing up. The engine also responds faster whenthe accelerator pedal is pressed. To access Sport mode from Drive (
D), move
the gear selector to the left. The transmission will not switch to manual shifting mode untilthe gear selector is moved forward or rear-ward toward + or –. Sport mode can be selected any time.
NOTE
• On vehicles equipped with Sport mode, the transmission symbol in themain instrument panel will changefrom
D to S when the gear selector is
moved to the manual shifting mode. Ifthe gear selector is moved toward "+"or "-", the number of the gear currentlybeing used will be displayed, seepage 79).
• Please be aware that using Sportmode may result in a slight decrease infuel economy. Driving in
D can help
improve fuel economy.
3 Certain models only

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Transmission
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Geartronic: starting on slippery
surfaces
Selecting 3rd gear in Geartronic’s manual shifting mode can help provide better tractionwhen starting off on slippery surfaces. To doso:
1. Depress the brake pedal and move the gear selector to the side from D toward
+S– .
2. Press the gear selector forward and release it (this selects 2nd gear). Press the selector forward again and release itto select 3rd gear. The optional steeringwheel paddles can also be used; see theprevious section "Geartronic: steeringwheel paddles."
3. Release the brake pedal and press gently on the accelerator pedal.
Shiftlock override
If the vehicle cannot be driven, for example because of a dead battery, the gear selectormust be moved from the P position before
the vehicle can be moved 4
.
Lift away the rubber mat on the floor of the storage compartment behind the cen-ter console to expose the small openingfor overriding the shiftlock system.
Insert the key blade into the opening. Press the key blade down as far as possi-ble and keep it held down.
Move the gear selector from the P posi-
tion. For information on the key blade, see page 62.
All Wheel Drive: AWD 5
Your Volvo can be equipped with permanent All Wheel Drive, which means that power isdistributed automatically between the frontand rear wheels. Under normal driving condi-tions, most of the engine's power is directedto the front wheels. However, if there is anytendency for the front wheels to spin, an elec-tronically controlled coupling distributespower to the wheels that have the best trac-tion.
4
If the battery is dead, the electric parking brake cannot be applied or released. Connect an auxiliary battery if the battery voltage is too low, see page 123.5
Standard on certain models.

03 Your driving environment
Brakes
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* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.139
Brake system
The brake system is a hydraulic system con- sisting of two separate brake circuits. If aproblem should occur in one of these circuits,it is still possible to stop the vehicle with theother 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 system message is shown in the information display: DO
NOT DRIVE . Have the vehicle towed to a
trained and qualified Volvo service techni-cian and have the brake system inspected.
Brake pad inspectionOn vehicles equipped with a jack*, the condi- tion of the brake pads can be checked byraising the vehicle (see page 328 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.
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.
Brake lightsThe brake lights come on automatically when the brakes are applied.
Adaptive brake lightsThe adaptive brake lights activate in the event of sudden braking or if the ABS system isactivated. This function causes an additionaltaillight on each side of the vehicle to illumi-nate to help alert vehicles traveling behind.

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Brakes
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The adaptive brake lights activate if: •The ABS system activates for more than approximately a half second
• In the event of sudden braking while thevehicle is moving at speeds aboveapproximately 6 mph (10 km/h)
When the vehicle has come to a stop, the brake lights and additional taillights remain onfor as long as the brake pedal is depressed oruntil braking force on the vehicle is reduced.
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 the pedal 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 braking system (ABS)The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps toimprove vehicle control (stopping and steer-ing) during severe braking conditions by limit-ing brake lockup. When the system "senses"impending lockup, braking pressure is auto-matically modulated in order to help preventlockup that could lead to a skid. The system performs a brief self-diagnostic test when the engine has been started anddriver releases the brake pedal. Another auto-matic test may be performed when the vehi-
cle first reaches a speed of approximately6 mph (10 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsateseveral times and a sound may be audiblefrom the ABS control module, which is nor-mal.
Cleaning the brake discsCoatings of dirt and water on the brake discsmay result in delayed brake function. Thisdelay is minimized by cleaning the brake lin-ings. Cleaning the brake pads is advisable in wet weather, prior to long-term parking, and afterthe vehicle has been washed. Do this bybraking gently for a short period while thevehicle is moving.
Emergency Brake AssistanceEBA is designed to provide full brake effectimmediately in the event of sudden, hardbraking. The system is activated by the speedwith which the brake pedal is depressed. When the EBA system is activated, the brake pedal will go down and pressure in the brakesystem immediately increases to the maxi-mum level. Maintain full pressure on thebrake pedal in order to utilize the systemcompletely. EBA is automatically deactivatedwhen the brake pedal is released.

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Brakes
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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.
Symbols in the instrument panel
SymbolSpecification
Steady glow – Check the brake fluid level. If the level is low, fillwith brake fluid and check forthe cause of the brake fluidloss.
Steady glow for two seconds when the engine is started –There was a fault in the brakesystem's ABS function whenthe engine was last running.
WARNING
If and come on at the
same time and the brake level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a brake sys-
tem-related message is shown in the infor-mation display: DO NOT DRIVE . Have the
vehicle towed to a trained and qualifiedVolvo service technician and have thebrake system inspected.

03 Your driving environment
Parking brake
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Electric parking brake
An electric parking brake has the same func- tion as a manual parking brake.
NOTE
•A faint sound from the parking brake's electric motor can be heard when theparking brake is being applied. Thissound can also be heard during theautomatic function check of the park-ing brake.
• The brake pedal will move slightlywhen the electric parking brake isapplied or released.
Low battery voltageIf the battery voltage is too low, the park- ing brake cannot be applied or released. Connect an auxiliary battery if the battery voltage is too low, see page 123.
Applying the electric parking brake
Parking brake control
1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Push the control. >The
symbol in the instrument
panel flashes while the parking brake is being applied and glows steadily whenthe parking brake has been fullyapplied.
3. Release the brake pedal and ensure that the vehicle is at a standstill.
4. When the vehicle is parked, the gear selector must be in position P.
NOTE
• In an emergency the parking brake can be applied when the vehicle is movingby holding in the control. Braking willbe interrupted when the acceleratorpedal is depressed or the control isreleased.
• An audible signal will sound during thisprocedure if the vehicle is moving atspeeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).
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.
The parking brake should also be applied.

03 Your driving environment
Parking brake
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SymbolMessageDescription/action
-Park brake not fully releasedA fault is preventing the parking brake from being released. Try to apply the parking brake and release it sev- eral times. If the problem persists, contact an authorized Volvo workshop. If you drive off with this error mes-sage showing, a warning signal sounds.
-Parking brake not appliedA fault is preventing the parking brake from being applied. Try to apply the parking brake and release it several times. If the problem persists, contact an authorized Volvo workshop. If you drive off with this error messageshowing, a warning signal sounds.
-Parking brake Service requiredA fault has occurred. Try to apply and release. Contact a Volvo workshop if the fault remains
WARNING
If the vehicle must be parked before the fault has been corrected, always put thegear selector in P and turn the wheels so
that they point away from the curb if thevehicle is pointing uphill or toward the curbif it is pointing downhill.

04 Driver support
Stability system
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Introduction
The Dynamic Stability and Traction Control system (DSTC) consists of a number of func-tions designed to help reduce wheel spin,counteract skidding, and to generally helpimprove directional stability.
CAUTION
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.
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.
Spin control (SC)The spin control function is designed to helpprevent the drive wheels from spinning whilethe vehicle is accelerating.
Corner Traction Control – CTCCTC compensates for understeering andhelps provide additional stability when accel-erating through a curve by preventing theinside wheel from spinning. This is particularlyuseful when accelerating on a curving high-way on-ramp. CTC is most effective if the stability system's Sport mode is selected. See the section
about Sport mode.
Engine Drag Control (EDC)EDC helps keep the engine running if thewheels show a tendency to lock, e.g., whenshifting down in the Geartronic manual shift-ing mode or while using the engine's brakingfunction on a slippery surface. If the enginewere to stop, power steering would not func-tion, making the vehicle more difficult tosteer.
Trailer Stability Assist – TSATrailer Stability Assist helps stabilize a vehiclethat is towing a trailer when the vehicle andtrailer have begun to sway. See page 301 formore information. This system is automatically deactivated if thedriver selects
Sport mode.
Operation
Sport modeThe stability system is always activated and cannot be switched off. However, the driver can select Sport mode,
which offers more active driving characteris- tics. In this mode, the engine managementsystem monitors movement of the acceleratorpedal and steering wheel for sportier drivingby allowing more lateral movement of the rearwheels before DSTC is activated. Under certain circumstances, such as when driving with snow chains, or driving in deepsnow or loose sand, it may be advisable totemporarily use Sport mode for maximum
tractive force. If the driver releases pressure on the acceler- ator pedal, DSTC will also activate to helpstabilize the vehicle. To switch to Sport mode:
1. Press the My Car button in the center
console control panel and select
My S60
DSTC in the menu.