2015 VOLVO XC90 tow

DRIVER SUPPORT
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
306 •
Do not use PAP if snow chains or a tempo- rary spare tire are being used.
• Do not use PAP if there are any objects pro-truding from the vehicle.
WARNING
•The front end of your vehicle may turn out toward oncoming traffic during the park-ing procedure.
• Objects located above the parking sen-sors' field of vision are not included whenPAP measures a parking space. For thisreason, PAP may turn into the parkingspace too soon. Avoid parking spaces ofthis type.
• The driver is always responsible for deter-mining if PAP has selected a suitableparking space.
Maintenance
Location of the PAP sensors
PAP uses the same sensors as the Park Assist system. To function correctly, these sensors mustbe cleaned regularly with water and a suitable carwashing detergent.
Related information
•
Park Assist Pilot (PAP)
* (p. 301)
• Park Assist Pilot (PAP)
* limitations (p. 305)
• Park Assist Pilot (PAP)
* symbols and mes-
sages (p. 307)

DRIVER SUPPORT
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
308
Adjustable steering force *
Steering force increases with the speed of the vehicle to give the driver an enhanced sense ofcontrol and stability. At low speed the vehicle iseasier to steer in order to facilitate parking, etc.
Changing the steering force level1.
Tap Settings in the center display's Top
view.
2. Tap
My CarDrive ModeSteering
force.
3. Select
Low, Medium or High to set the
desired level.
NOTE
• This steering force level menu function cannot be accessed when the vehicle isin motion.
• In certain situations, the power steeringfunction may become too hot and mustbe temporarily cooled. During cooling,power steering effect will be reduced andmore force may be necessary to turn thesteering wheel and a message will bedisplayed in the instrument panel.
Related information
•
Driver support systems (p. 240)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) helps reduce wheel spin, counteract skidding and to generallyhelp improve directional stability.
A pulsating sound will be audi- ble when the system is activelyoperating and is normal. Accel-eration may also be slightlyslower than normal.
WARNING
ESC is a supplementary aid and cannot deal with all situations or road conditions. The driver is always responsible for operating the vehicle in a safe manner in accordancewith current traffic regulations.
ESC consists of the following functions: • Traction control
• Spin control
• Active Yaw Control
• Engine Drag Control
• Trailer Stability Assist
Traction controlThis function is designed to help reduce wheel spin by transferring power from a drive wheel that begins to lose traction to the wheel on the oppo-site side of the vehicle (on the same axle).
Spin controlThis function is designed to help prevent thedrive wheels from spinning while the vehicle isaccelerating.
Active Yaw ControlAt low speeds, this function helps maintain direc-tional stability by braking one or more of thewheels if the vehicle shows a tendency to skid orslide laterally.
Engine Drag Control EDCEDC helps keep the engine running if the wheelsshow a tendency to lock, e.g., when shifting downin the manual shifting mode or while using theengine's braking function on a slippery surface. Ifthe wheels were to lock, the vehicle wouldbecome more difficult to steer.
Trailer Stability Assist
*7TSA helps stabilize a vehicle that is towing atrailer when the vehicle and trailer have begun tosway. This system is automatically deactivated if the driver selects
Sport mode.
Related information
•Detachable trailer hitch (p. 353)
• Driving with a trailer (p. 351)
7
This function is included if the vehicle is equipped with a Volvo original trailer hitch.

DRIVER SUPPORT
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
314
Distance Alert *
Distance Alert is a function that alerts the driver if the time interval to the vehicle ahead is too short.
Distance Alert is active at speeds above approxi- mately 18 mph (30 km/h) and only reacts to avehicle ahead that is driving in the same direc-tion. No information is provided for vehicles driv-ing toward you, moving very slowly, or at a stand-still.
Warning light
An warning light in the windshield glows steadily if your vehicle is closer to the one ahead than theset time interval. If your vehicle is equipped with the optional head- up display, a symbol showing a vehicle willappear.
NOTE
Distance Alert only monitors distance to the vehicle ahead while Adaptive Cruise Control isin standby mode or off.
WARNING
Distance Alert only indicates the distance to the vehicle ahead. It does not affect thespeed of your vehicle.
Related information
• Distance Alert
* limitations (p. 315)
• Using Distance Alert
* (p. 314)
Using Distance Alert *
Distance Alert is used as follows:
OperationPull down the center display's Top view and select Settingsfollowed by Distance alert.
Tap to turn the function On or Off.
Setting a time interval
Controls for setting a time interval
Reduce the time interval
Increase the time interval
Distance/time indicator

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
330
Starting and driving The vehicle is equipped with features that sup- plement its basic functions, such as shifting gears with steering wheel paddles * and the fuel-
conserving start/stop function.
The vehicle is equipped with an automatic trans- mission that also makes it possible to shift gearsmanually. Certain functions can also be used when the engine is not running, depending on the ignitionmode being used.
Related information
• Starting the engine (p. 356)
• Ignition modes (p. 355)
• Automatic transmission (p. 367)
• Opening/closing the fuel filler door (p. 348)
• Start/Stop (p. 364)
• Parking brake (p. 335)
Brakes The brake system is a hydraulic system consist- ing of two separate brake circuits. If a problemshould occur in one of these circuits, it is stillpossible to stop the vehicle with the other brakecircuit.
Brake systemIf one of the brake circuits is not functioning, more pressure will be needed on the brake pedal(and the pedal will go down farther) for normalbraking effect. If the brake pedal must be depressed farther than normal and requires greater foot pressure,the stopping distance will be longer. Pressure on the brake pedal is enhanced by the power braking function. The power brakes only function when the engine is running. If the power brakes are not working, considerably higher pressure will be required on the brakepedal to compensate for the lack of power assis-tance. This can happen for example when towingyour vehicle or if the engine is switched off whenthe vehicle is rolling. The brake pedal feels stifferthan usual. When the Hill Start Assist function is being used, it will take slightly longer for the brake pedal toreturn to its normal position if the vehicle isparked on an incline or uneven surface. When driving in very hilly areas or if the vehicle iscarrying a heavy load, manual gear shifting canbe used (move the gear selector toward +/-) forengine braking to augment the brakes. Hill Descent Control or the
Off Road*
driving mode
can also be used to increase the engine braking effect at low speeds.
Anti-lock Braking System ABSThe ABS system helps to improve vehicle control (stopping and steering) during severe brakingconditions by limiting brake lockup. When ABS is operating, there may be some vibration in the brake pedal, which is normal. The system performs a brief self-diagnostic test when the engine has been started and driverreleases the brake pedal. Another automatic testmay be performed when the vehicle first reachesa speed of approximately 6 mph (10 km/h). Thebrake pedal will pulsate several times and asound may be audible from the ABS controlmodule, which is normal.
Cleaning the brake discsCoatings of dirt and water on the brake discsmay result in delayed brake function. This delay isminimized by cleaning the brake linings. Cleaning the brake pads is advisable in wet weather, prior to long-term parking, and after thevehicle has been washed. Do this by braking gen-tly for a short period while the vehicle is moving.

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.331
Driving on wet or salted roadsProlonged driving on wet or salted roads can affect brake function and increase stopping dis-tance. Be sure to keep a safe distance to thevehicle ahead when driving under these condi-tions.
Brake pad inspection
On vehicles equipped with a jack*, the condition
of the brake pads can be checked by raising thevehicle and performing a visual inspection of thebrake pads.
WARNING
• If the vehicle has been driven immediately prior to a brake pad inspection, the wheelhub, brake components, etc., will be veryhot. Allow time for these components tocool before carrying out the inspection.
• Apply the parking brake and put the gear selector in the Park (
P) position.
• Block the wheels standing on the ground, use rigid wooden blocks or large stones.
WARNING
•
Use the jack intended for the vehicle when changing a tire. For any other job,use stands to support the vehicle.
• The jack should be kept well-greased andclean, and should not be damaged.
• Be sure the jack is on a firm, level, non-slippery surface.
• No objects should be placed between thebase of jack and the ground, or betweenthe jack and the attachment bar on thevehicle.
• The jack must correctly engage the jackattachment.
• Never allow any part of your body to beextended under a vehicle supported by ajack.
Instrument panel symbols
SymbolExplanation
Red symbol: Check the brake fluid level. If the level is low, top up andhave the system inspected todetermine the cause of the loss offluid.
Yellow symbol: Time for brake sys- tem service.
Steady glow for 2 seconds when the engine is started: automaticfunction control. Steady glow for more than 2 seconds: there is a fault inthe ABS system. The normal brakesystem will still function but withoutABS brake modulation.
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 technician and have the brake system inspected.

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
332
WARNING
If both symbols illuminate at the same time and the brake level is below the MIN mark in
the reservoir or if a brake system- related message is shown in the information display: DO NOT DRIVE . Have the vehicle towed to a
trained and qualified Volvo service technician and have the brake system inspected.
Related information
• Brake functions (p. 332)
• Brake assist system (p. 333)
• Emergency brake lights (p. 334)
Brake functions
The vehicle's standard braking features are aug- mented by a number of auxiliary help functions.
In addition to the wheel brakes and the parking brake, the vehicle is equipped with several auto-matic brake assist functions. These systems helpthe driver by e.g., keeping the vehicle stationarywhen the brake pedal is not depressed (at a traf-fic light or intersection), when starting up a hill orwhen driving down a hill. These systems include: • Auto-hold brakes
• Hill Start Assist
• Braking assist after a collision
• Hill Descent Control
*
Related information
•Brakes (p. 330)
• Parking brake (p. 335)
• Hill Descent Control (HDC) (p. 334)
• Auto-hold brake function (p. 332)
Auto-hold brake function
With the Auto-hold brake function, the driver can release the brake pedal and the brakes willremain applied, for example, when the vehiclehas stopped at a traffic light or intersection.
When the vehicle is no longer moving forward, Auto-hold applies the brakes automatically, eitherusing the normal brakes or the parking brake.The brakes will be released when the acceleratorpedal is depressed. If the driver's door is opened or the engine is turned off, the parking brake will be applied auto-matically.
Auto-hold control
Auto-hold control and indicator light
Turn Auto-hold on or off by pressing the control in the tunnel console. The indicator light illumi-nates when the function is on.

STARTING AND DRIVING
337
Symbol in the instrument panel
SymbolExplanation
A
B
The symbol flashes while the park- ing brake is being applied. If the symbol flashes at any other time, this indicates a fault. See themessage in the instrument panel.
AUS models
B Canadian models
Automatic functionThe parking brake is applied automatically:
• If the Auto Hold function is activated and the vehicle has been stationary for approx.5 minutes.
• If the gear selector is moved to
P on a steep
hill.
• When the engine is turned off (this functioncan be selected, see "Parking brake set-tings" below).
Emergency brakingIn an emergency, the parking brake can be applied when the vehicle is moving by pressingand holding up the control. Braking will be inter-rupted when the control is released. An audible signal will sound during this proce- dure if the vehicle is moving at higher speeds.
Releasing the parking brake
Releasing manually1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Press the control.
> This releases the parking brake and thesymbol in the instrument panel will go out.
Releasing automatically1. The driver must fasten his/her seat belt.
2. Start the engine.
3. Press firmly on the brake pedal.4. Move the gear selector to D or R and press
the accelerator pedal.
> This releases the parking brake and the symbol in the instrument panel will go out.
NOTE
• For safety reasons, the parking brake is only released automatically if the engineis running and the driver is wearing a seatbelt.
• The electric parking brake will bereleased immediately when the accelera-tor pedal is pressed and the gear selector is in position
D or R.
Parking on a hillPut the gear selector in P.
• If the vehicle is pointing
uphill, turn the front
wheels so that they point away from the curb.
• If the vehicle is pointing
downhill, turn the
front wheels so that they point toward the curb.
The parking brake should also be applied.
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when parking on hills or uneven surfaces.

STARTING AND DRIVING
338
Heavy load uphillA heavy load, such as a trailer, can cause the vehicle to roll backward when the parking brakeis released automatically on a steep incline. Tohelp avoid this:
1. Keep the electric parking brake controlpushed in.
2. While pressing the accelerator pedal to pull away, release the parking brake control only after the vehicle begins to move.
Parking brake settingsAutomatically setting the parking brake can beturned on or off in the center display's Top view. 1.Tap
Settings in Top view.
2. Tap
My CarElectric Parking Brake and
deselect Auto Activate Parking Brake.
Related information
• Parking brake (p. 335)
• Parking brake malfunctions (p. 338)
• Auto-hold brake function (p. 332)
Parking brake malfunctions
If it has not been possible to apply or release the parking brake after several attempts, consult atrained and authorized Volvo service technicianor retailer.
An audible signal will sound if the parking brake is applied when the vehicle is being driven. If thevehicle must be parked while the parking brake isnot functioning properly: • Put the gear selector in
P.
• If the vehicle is pointing
uphill, turn the front
wheels so that they point away from the curb.
• If the vehicle is pointing
downhill, turn the
front wheels so that they point toward the curb.
• Put the gear selector in
P.
Low battery charge levelIf the battery is discharged, the parking brake cannot be operated. Connect an auxiliary batteryto the vehicle.
Replacing brake padsThe rear brake pads have to be replaced by atrained and authorized Volvo service techniciandue to the design of the electric parking brake.
Symbols in the instrument panel
SymbolExplanation
A
B
If the symbol flashes, a parking brake fault has been detected.See the message in the instru-ment panel.
A
B
Fault in the brake system.
A
US models
B Canadian models
Related information
• Using the parking brake (p. 336)
• Using the parking brake (p. 336)
• Brake functions (p. 332)
• Jump starting (p. 350)