2015 VOLVO XC90 manual transmission

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
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WARNING
•Do not connect the jumper cable to any part of the fuel system or to any movingparts. Avoid touching hot manifolds.
• Batteries generate hydrogen gas, whichis flammable and explosive.
• Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do notallow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin,fabrics or painted surfaces. If contactoccurs, flush the affected area immedi-ately with water. Obtain medical helpimmediately if eyes are affected.
• Never expose the battery to open flameor electric spark.
• Do not smoke near the battery.
• Failure to follow the instructions for jumpstarting can lead to injury.
Related information
• Ignition modes (p. 355)
• Starting the engine (p. 356)
• Turning the engine off (p. 359)
Driving with a trailer
When towing a trailer, always observe the legal requirements of the state/province.
• All Volvo models are equipped with energy- absorbing shock-mounted bumpers. Trailerhitch installation should not interfere with theproper operation of this bumper system.
Trailer towing does not normally present any par- ticular problems, but take into consideration:
• Increase tire pressure to recommended full pressure.
• When your vehicle is new, avoid towing heavytrailers during the first 620 miles (1,000 km).
• Maximum speed when towing a trailer:50 mph (80 km/h).
• Engine and transmission are subject toincreased loads. Therefore, engine coolanttemperature should be closely watched whendriving in hot climates or hilly terrain. Use alower gear and turn off the air conditioner ifthe temperature gauge needle enters the redrange.
• If the automatic transmission begins to over-heat, a message will be displayed in the textwindow.
• Avoid overload and other abusive operation.
• Hauling a trailer affects handling, durability,and economy.
• It is necessary to balance trailer brakes withthe towing vehicle brakes to provide a safe stop (check and observe state/local regula-tions).
• Do not connect the trailer's brake systemdirectly to the vehicle's brake system.
• More frequent vehicle maintenance isrequired.
• Remove the ball holder when the hitch is notbeing used.
NOTE
• When parking the vehicle with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking brake before put- ting the gear selector in
P. Always follow
the trailer manufacturer's recommenda- tions for wheel chocking.
• When starting on a hill, put the gear selector in
D before releasing the parking
brake.
• If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift positions while towing a trailer, make surethe gear you select does not put toomuch strain on the engine (using toohigh a gear).
• The drawbar assembly/trailer hitch maybe rated for trailers heavier than the vehi-cle is designed to tow. Please adhere toVolvo's recommended trailer weights.
• Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines ofmore than 15%.

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
362
ECO drive mode
The Eco drive mode is a function designed to give the driver the opportunity to drive more eco-nomically and to help reduce fuel consumption.
When this mode is activated, the following cha- racteristics are modified:
• The automatic transmission's shifting points
• The engine management system and accel- erator pedal response
• Eco Coast functionality is activated: enginebraking is disabled at speeds betweenapprox. 40 and 85 mph (65 and 140 km/h)
• Climate system settings: certain functionswill be temporarily reduced or deactivated
• The suspension's self-leveling function
* low-
ers ground clearance to help reduce windresistance
• Information is shown in an ECO gauge in theinstrument panel to help promote more eco-nomical driving
NOTE
When Eco is activated, several climate system parameters are changed and the function ofcertain current-consuming systems will bereduced. Some of these functions can be restarted manually but full functionality will not berestored until Eco is deactivated.
Selecting ECO modeWhen the engine is switched off, ECO mode is deactivated and must be reactivated each time the engine is started.
ECO will appear in the
instrument panel when the function is activated.
Via Function view
Select Driving mode ECO in
the center display's Function view. A green indicator light inthe button shows that the func-tion is activated.
With the drive mode control *
1.
Press the DRIVE MODE control.
> A pop-up menu will open in the center display.
2. Roll the control upward or downward to scroll to the desired drive mode and 3. Press the control again to select it. A drive
mode can also be selected by tapping its button on the center display.
Eco CoastEco Coast essentially deactivates engine braking,allowing the vehicle to roll freely. When the driver releases the accelerator pedal, the transmission is automatically disengagedfrom the engine to allow the vehicle to roll as faras possible, which helps reduce fuel consump-tion. This feature is primarily intended to be used in driving situations where the vehicle can roll freely,such as down gentle hills or when a decrease inspeed is expected, such as when approaching anintersection or a traffic light. Eco Coast enables proactive driving with as little braking as possible. Depending on the driving situation, Eco and Eco Coast can be used in different ways to helpreduce fuel consumption: • With Eco activated
: this enables Eco Coast,
which allows the vehicle to roll freely for as
far as possible when the driver releases the
accelerator pedal (e.g., when approaching a traffic light or intersection).
or
• With Eco deactivated
: engine braking can
be used when the vehicle will only roll for

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.363
a short distance
(in heavy traffic, etc.) or
when driving down hills .
To help keep fuel consumption as low as possi- ble, Eco Coast should not be used in traffic situa-tions where the brakes have to be used fre-quently.
Activating Eco CoastEco Coast is activated when the accelerator pedal is released completely if:
• Eco is activated
• The gear selector is in
D
• The vehicle's speed is between approxi- mately 25–85 mph (40–140 km/h). Alwaysobserve posted speed limits
• The gradient of a down-slope is less thanapproximately 6%
COASTING will appear in the instrument panel
when Eco Coast is being used.
LimitationsEco Coast is not available if:
• The engine and/or transmission have not reached their normal operating temperature
• Cruise control is activated
• The gear selector is moved from
D to " +/-"
for manual shifting
• The vehicle's speed is not within the25–85 mph (40–140 km/h) range
• The gradient of a down-slope is more thanapproximately 6% •
The steering wheel paddles
* are used for
manual shifting
Deactivating and turning off Eco CoastIn certain situations, it may be advisable to switch off the Eco Coast function, such as:
• When driving down steep hills, in order to uti- lize engine braking
• Prior to passing another vehicle, in order todo so as safely as possible
Deactivating Eco Coast (and reactivating engine braking) can be done in the following ways: • Move the gear selector to the manual "
+/

STARTING AND DRIVING
366•
the road's incline is very steep.
• the hood is opened.
• the transmission has not reached its normal operating temperature.
• driving at high altitude and the engine hasnot reached its normal operating tempera-ture.
• the gear selector is in the manual shiftingposition.
• the ABS brakes have activated.
• hard braking (even if the ABS brakes havenot activated).
• many starts during a short time period havetriggered the starter motor's overheating pro-tection.
• a trailer's electrical system is connected tothe vehicle's electrical system.
The engine does not auto-startIn certain situations or conditions, the engine may not auto-start
after an auto-stop, such as:
• if the driver is not wearing a seat belt
• the gear selector is in the
P position and the
driver's door is open. The engine must be started normally.
The engine auto-starts while the brake
pedal is depressed
In the following situations, the engine will auto-
start even though the brake pedal is depressed: •
condensation forms on the inside of the win-dows.
• the climate system cannot keep the desiredsettings in the passenger compartment.
• electrical current consumption is temporarilyhigh or the main battery's charge is belowthe minimum level.
• the brake pedal is pumped repeatedly.
• the hood is opened.
• the vehicle begins to move or increasesspeed slightly (if the engine auto-stoppedbefore the vehicle was at a standstill).
• the driver's seat belt is unbuckled while the gear selector is in the
D or N positions.
• the gear selector is moved from
D to R or ±.
• the driver's door is opened with the gearselector in
D: an audible signal and a text
message will inform the driver that the igni- tion is on.
WARNING
Do not open the hood if the engine has auto- stopped. The engine could suddenly auto-start. Before opening the hood:
• Switch off the ignition by turning the start knob in the tunnel console toward
STOP.
• Be aware that if the engine has been run- ning, components in the engine compart-ment will be very hot.
Related information
• Using the Start/Stop function (p. 364)

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