2015 VOLVO XC90 Owners Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.367
Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission has 8 forward gears and shifts up or down based on the level ofacceleration, speed and engine speed (meas-ured in revolutions per minute - rpm). Manualshifting is also possible. The gear indicator in theinstrument panel shows the gear currently beingused or gear shift mode.
CAUTION
The transmission

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
368
Drive

STARTING AND DRIVING
369
Shiftlock The automatic transmission's shiftlock feature helps prevent inadvertently moving the gearselector between different positions.
There are two different types of shiftlock: mechanical and automatic.
Mechanical shiftlock
The gear selector can be moved back and forth freely between N and D. There is a mechanical
shiftlock for the other positions. To move the gear selector to between P, R , N
and D, press the button on the front of the gear
selector (see the illustration).
Automatic shiftlock
From Park

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
370
Gear shift indicator
During manual gear shifting, the gear shift indi- cator will prompt the driver to shift up or down tohelp get the best possible fuel economy.
The gear shift indicator shows the current gear in the instrument panel and uses an upward arrowto recommend shifting to a higher gear or adownward arrow to recommend shifting to alower gear.
Gear shift indicator (generic illustration)
Related information
• Gear selector positions (p. 367)
• Steering wheel paddles
* (p. 370)
Steering wheel paddles *
In addition to the manual gearshift function using the gear selector, the paddles make it possibleto manually shift gears from the steering wheel.
Activating the paddlesIn order to shift gears with the paddles, they have to first be activated. To do so:
–Pull either paddle toward the steering wheel and release it; the D in the instrument panel
will change to M and the number of the gear
currently being used will be displayed.
Manually shifting gearsIn shift mode M, the paddles are automatically
activated.
ShiftingTo shift one gear:
–Pull either paddle toward the steering wheel and release it.
"

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.371
AutomaticallyIf the paddles are not used for a period of time, they will deactivate automatically. The number ofthe current gear in the instrument panel changes to "D".
The paddles will remain active if engine braking is currently being used.
Related information
• Gear selector positions (p. 367)
• Gear shift indicator (p. 370)
Low Speed Control (LSC) Low Speed Control (LSC) helps make off-road driving easier on slippery surfaces when towinga trailer on grass, etc. This feature is part of the
Off Road drive mode.
When driving at low speeds, LSC prioritizes low gears and all wheel drive to help avoid wheel spinand to improve the vehicle's tractive force. Theaccelerator pedal and engine react differently tomake low-speed driving easier. It is activated along with Hill Descent Control (HDC), which increases engine braking to helpkeep vehicle speed low and smooth, even drivingdown steep hills.
Activating LSCThis function can be activated in different ways,depending on how the vehicle is equipped.
Using the driving mode control
*
Select the Off Road drive mode to activate LSC.
Select any other drive mode to turn it off.
NOTE
When LSC with HDC is activated by the Off
Road drive mode, the feel of the accelerator
pedal and engine response will change. The function is deactivated when driving at higher speeds and must be reactivated atlower speeds if so desired.
Related information
• Brake functions (p. 332)
• Hill Descent Control (HDC) (p. 334)
• Drive modes
* (p. 359)

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
372
All Wheel Drive (AWD) 11
Your Volvo can be equipped with All Wheel Drive, which means that power is distributedautomatically between the front and rear wheels.
Under normal driving conditions, most of the engine's power is directed to the front wheels.However, if there is any tendency for the frontwheels to spin, an electronically controlled cou-pling distributes power to the wheels that havethe best traction. AWD reacts differently, depending on the drive mode * selected.
Related information
• Drive modes
* (p. 359)
• Low Speed Control (LSC) (p. 371)
Suspension and leveling control
*
The leveling control system adjusts the suspen- sion and shock absorbers automatically to helpprovide good comfort and control while driving.Leveling can also be controlled manually tomake loading or getting in and out of the vehicleeasier.
Pneumatic suspension and shock absorbers
This system is linked to the selected drive mode and is adapted to the vehicle's speed. The pneu-matic suspension reduces the vehicle's groundclearance at higher speeds to reduce wind resis-tance and increase stability. The shock absorbersare normally set to provide the best possiblecomfort and are adjusted continuously accordingto the road surface, acceleration, braking andcornering. A message will be displayed in the instrument panel when the suspension level is beingadjusted. The level cannot be adjusted if one of the side doors or the hood is open.
Suspension leveling settings
Easy entryThe vehicle can be lowered to entering and exit- ing easier. Select
SettingsVehicleEasy Entry/Exit
Control via the center display's Top view to lower
the vehicle when getting in or out. When the vehicle is parked and the engine is turned off, the level is lowered (if a side door isopened, the level adjustment will stop). When theengine is started and the vehicle begins to move,the level will be raised to the height set by theselected drive mode.
Turning off suspension and leveling
control
In certain situations, this function has to be turned off, for example when lifting the vehicle ona jack or garage hoist. 1. Tap
Settings in the center display's Top
view.
2. Tap
My CarSuspension .
3. Select
Disable Suspension & Leveling
Control.
Changing suspension controlThree different levels of suspension control can be selected from the center display: 1. Tap
Settings in the center display's Top
view.
2. Tap
My CarDrive Mode.
3. Under
Suspension Control, selectComfort, Normal or Dynamic.
11
Standard equipment on certain models.

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.373
Loading modeUse the buttons in the cargo compartment to raise or lower the vehicle to make loading orunloading easier or when attaching a trailer.
Parking the vehicleWhen parking, be sure that there is adequatespace above and below the vehicle since itsground clearance may vary, e.g., depending onthe ambient temperature, how the vehicle is loa-ded, if loading mode is being used or the drivemode selected after the engine is started. The level may also be adjusted for a certain time after the vehicle has been parked to compensatefor possible height adjustments due to tempera-ture changes in the pneumatic suspension whenthe vehicle has cooled.
TransportWhen transporting the vehicle on a ferry, train ora tow truck, it may only be secured (lashed)around the tires, not using any other chassiscomponents. Changes in the pneumatic suspen-sion may occur during transport that could nega-tively affect the lashing and result in damage.
Related information
•Drive modes
* (p. 359)
• Driving with a trailer (p. 351)
• Loading (p. 207)