2015 VOLVO XC90 brake pads

INTRODUCTION
15
Mobile appsFor certain model year 2014 and 2015 Volvos, the owner's manual is available in the form of anapp. The VOC app can also be found here.
Owner's manuals for earlier model VolvosOwner's manuals for earlier model Volvos are available in PDF format. Quick Guides and sup-plements can also be found on the support site.Select a model and a model year and downloadthe desired information.
ContactContact information for customer support and thenearest Volvo retailer are available on the site.
Related information
•Using the owner's manual (p. 50)
• On-board digital owner's manual (p. 52)
• Volvo ID (p. 27)
Volvo and the environment Volvo is committed to the well-being of its cus- tomers. As a natural part of this commitment, wecare about the environment in which we all live.Concern for the environment means an everydayinvolvement in reducing our environmentalimpact.
Volvo's environmental activities are based on a holistic view, which means we consider the over-all environmental impact of a product throughoutits complete life cycle. In this context, design, pro-duction, product use, and recycling are all impor-tant considerations. In production, Volvo haspartly or completely phased out several chemicalsincluding CFCs, lead chromates, asbestos, andcadmium; and reduced the number of chemicalsused in our plants 50% since 1991. Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into production a three-way catalytic converter with aLambda sond, now called the heated oxygen sen-sor, in 1976. The current version of this highlyefficient system reduces emissions of harmfulsubstances (CO, HC, NOx) from the exhaust pipeby approximately 95 – 99% and the search toeliminate the remaining emissions continues.Volvo is the only automobile manufacturer tooffer CFC-free retrofit kits for the air conditioningsystem of all models as far back as the 1975model 240. Advanced electronic engine controlsand cleaner fuels are bringing us closer to ourgoal. In addition to continuous environmental refinement of conventional gasoline-poweredinternal combustion engines, Volvo is activelylooking at advanced technology alternative-fuelvehicles. When you drive a Volvo, you become our partner in the work to lessen the car's impact on theenvironment. To reduce your vehicle's environ-mental impact, you can:
• Maintain proper air pressure in your tires. Tests have shown decreased fuel economywith improperly inflated tires.
• Follow the recommended maintenanceschedule in your Warranty and ServiceRecords Information booklet.
• Drive at a constant speed whenever possible.
• See a trained and qualified Volvo servicetechnician as soon as possible for inspectionif the check engine (malfunction indicator)light illuminates, or stays on after the vehiclehas started.
• Properly dispose of any vehicle-related wastesuch as used motor oil, used batteries, brakepads, etc.
• When cleaning your vehicle, please use gen-uine Volvo car care products. All Volvo carcare products are formulated to be environ-mentally friendly.
Related information
•Driving economically (p. 339)

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
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)