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* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.263
Brake pad inspectionOn vehicles equipped with a jack*, the condi- tion of the brake pads can be checked byraising the vehicle (see Changing a wheel –removing wheel (p. 288) for informationabout using the jack and removing a wheel)and performing a visual inspection of thebrake 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.
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 through an automatic car wash can cause water tocollect on the brake discs and pads. This willcause a delay in braking effect when thepedal 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.
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 by
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braking gently for a short period while the vehicle is moving.
Related information
•Parking brake – general information (p. 266)
• Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)(p. 265)
• Brakes – general (p. 262)
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) (p. 264)
Brakes – symbols
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.
Automatic function check: steady glow for two secondswhen the engine is started.
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.
Related information
• Brakes – general (p. 262)
• Parking brake – general information (p. 266)
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
The ABS system helps to improve vehicle control (stopping and steering) during severebraking conditions by limiting brake lockup. When the system "senses" impending lockup, braking pressure is automatically modulatedin order to help prevent lockup that couldlead 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.
Related information
• Parking brake – general information (p. 266)
• Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)(p. 265)
• Brakes – general (p. 262)
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Brake lights
The 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. 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.
Related information
• Brakes – general (p. 262)
• Parking brake – general information (p. 266)
Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)
EBA is designed to provide full brake effect immediately in the event of sudden, hardbraking.
Emergency Brake AssistanceThe EBA 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.
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.
Related information
•
Parking brake – general information (p. 266)
• Brakes – general (p. 262)
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) (p. 264)
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Parking brake – general information
The electric parking brake helps to keep the vehicle stationary when it is parked.
Electric parking brake
Parking brake control
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 batteryvoltage is too low, see Jump starting (p. 249).
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.
Related information
• Parking brake – applying (p. 266)
• Parking brake – releasing (p. 267)
• Parking brake – symbols and messages(p. 269)
• Brakes – general (p. 262)
Parking brake – applying
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.
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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).
Related information
•
Parking brake – general information (p. 266)
• Parking brake – releasing (p. 267)
• Parking brake – symbols and messages(p. 269)
• Brakes – general (p. 262)
Parking brake – releasing
Releasing the electric parking brake
Parking brake control
Manual release1. Fasten the seat belt.
2. Insert the remote key in the ignition slot
and press the START/STOP ENGINE
button (or press the START/STOP
ENGINE button with a valid remote key in
the passenger compartment on vehicles with the optional keyless drive).
3. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
4. Pull the parking brake control.
Automatic release1. Start the engine.
NOTE
• For safety reasons, the parking brake is only released automatically if the engineis running and the driver is wearing aseat belt.
• The electric parking brake will bereleased immediately when the acceler-ator pedal is pressed and the gearselector is in position
D or R.
2. Fasten the seat belt.
3. Move the gear selector to position D or R
and press the accelerator pedal. The parking brake will release when the vehi-cle begins to move.
Heavy load uphillA heavy load, such as a trailer, can cause the vehicle to roll backward when the parkingbrake is released automatically on a steepincline. To help avoid this:
1. Keep the electric parking brake lever pushed in with the left hand while shifting into Drive with the right.
2. While pressing the accelerator pedal to pull away, release the parking brake leveronly after the vehicle begins to move.
Related information
• Parking brake – general information (p. 266)
• Parking brake – applying (p. 266)
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•Parking brake – symbols and messages (p. 269)
• Brakes – general (p. 262)
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Parking brake – symbols and messages
A text message can be erased by pressing briefly on the OK button on the turn signal
lever.
Symbol and messages in the instrument panel
SymbolMessageDescription/action
"Message"Read the message in the information display
A flashing symbol indicates that the parking brake is being applied. If the symbol flashes in any other situation then this means that a fault has arisen. Read the message on the information display.
-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.
Related information
• Parking brake – general information (p. 266)
• Parking brake – applying (p. 266)
• Parking brake – releasing (p. 267)
• Brakes – general (p. 262)
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Driving through water
The vehicle should be driven with extreme caution if it is necessary to drive throughstanding water. The vehicle can be driven through water up to a depth of approximately 10 in. (25 cm), (S60Cross Country: approximately 12 in. (30 cm))at walking speed to help prevent water fromentering the differential and the transmission.Water reduces the oil's lubricating capacityand may shorten the service life of thesecomponents.
• Take particular care when driving through flowing water.
• Clean the electrical connections for trailerwiring after driving in mud or water.
• When driving through water, maintain lowspeed and do not stop in the water.WARNING
•Avoid driving through standing or rushing water. Doing so can be dan-gerous and it may also be difficult todetermine the actual depth of thewater.
• If water cannot be avoided, after driv-ing through the water, press lightly onthe brake pedal to ensure that thebrakes are functioning normally. Wateror mud can make the brake liningsslippery, resulting in delayed brakingeffect.
CAUTION
•
Engine damage will occur if water is drawn into the air cleaner.
• If the vehicle is driven through waterdeeper than approximately 10 in.(25 cm), (S60 Cross Country: approxi-mately 12 in. (30 cm)), water may enterthe differential and the transmission.This reduces the oil's lubricatingcapacity and may shorten the servicelife of these components.
• Damage to any components, theengine, transmission, turbo-charger,differential or its internal componentscaused by flooding, vapor lock orinsufficient oil is not covered underwarranty.
• Do not allow the vehicle to stand inwater up to the door sills longer thanabsolutely necessary. This could resultin electrical malfunctions.
• If the engine has been stopped whilethe vehicle is in water, do not attemptto restart it. Have the vehicle towedout of the water.
Related information
•
Towing the vehicle (p. 281)
• Towing by tow truck (p. 283)