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ShiftlockWhen P has been selected, the transmission
is mechanically blocked in this position. The brake pedal must be depressed and the igni-tion must be in at least mode II (see Ignition
modes (p. 79)) before the gear lever can bemoved from the P position.
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when the vehicle is parked, particularly when park-ing on a hill. The transmission's P mode
may not be able to keep the vehicle sta-tionary if it is parked on an incline.
Press the control to apply the parking brake, see Parking brake – general information(p. 269).
CAUTION
The vehicle must be stationary when posi- tion P is selected.
Gear indicatorThe gear currently being used is displayed on the rightside of the instrument panel. The " S" symbol turns orange
if Sport mode is being used.
Reverse: position RThe vehicle must be stationary when position R is selected.
Neutral: position NNo gear is engaged and the engine can bestarted with the gear selector in this position.Apply the parking brake if the vehicle is sta-tionary with the gear selector in position N. In
order to move the gear selector from the N
position, the brake pedal must be depressedand the ignition must be in at least mode II.
Drive: position DD is the normal driving position. The car auto-
matically shifts between the various forwardgears, based on the level of acceleration andspeed. The car must be at a standstill whenshifting from position R to position D.
Related information
• Transmission – general information (p. 252)
• Transmission – Geartronic (p. 254)
• Transmission – shiftlock override (p. 256)
• Fuel tank volume – specification and vol-ume (p. 380)

08 Starting and driving
08
254* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Transmission – Geartronic
Geartronic allows you to manually shift among your vehicle's forward gears. The manualposition ( +S–) can be selected at any time.
Geartronic: manual shifting (+S–)To shift gears manually, move thegear selector to the side from D
toward +S–. The +S– symbol in the
instrument panel will change from
white to orange and the number of the gear
currently being used (
1, 2, 3, etc.) will be dis-
played (see the following illustration) 5
.
• To return to automatic shifting mode from +S–
, move the gear selector to the side
toward D.
Gear shift indicator*
Gear shift indicator in a digital instrument panel* 6This option indicates when to shift up or down to help conserve fuel. A white arrow willappear above or below the number of thecurrent gear to prompt the driver to shift upor down.
While driving
•
If you select the manual shifting position while driving, the gear that was beingused in the Drive position will also initiallybe selected in the manual shifting posi-tion.
• Move the gear selector forward (toward
+)
to shift to a higher gear or rearward(toward –) to shift to a lower gear.
• If you hold the gear selector toward "
–",
the transmission will downshift one gearat a time and will utilize the braking powerof the engine. If the current speed is toohigh for using a lower gear, the downshiftwill not occur until the speed hasdecreased enough to allow the lower gearto be used.
• If you slow to a very low speed, the trans-mission will automatically shift down.
Shiftlock: Neutral (N)If the gear selector is in the
N position and
the vehicle has been stationary for at least 3 seconds (irrespective of whether the engineis running) then the gear selector is locked. In order to move the gear selector from
N to
another gear position, the brake pedal mustbe depressed and the ignition must be in atleast position II, see Ignition modes (p. 79).
5
If Sport mode is being used, the symbol will change to "S".
6 Analog instrument panel: the gear shift indicator is displayed in the center of the speedometer.

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Geartronic: starting on slippery
surfaces
Selecting 3rd gear in Geartronic’s manual shifting mode can help provide better tractionwhen starting off on slippery surfaces. To doso:
1. Depress the brake pedal and move the gear selector to the side from D toward
+S– .
2. Press the gear selector forward and release it (this selects 2nd gear). Press the selector forward again and release itto select 3rd gear. The optional steeringwheel paddles can also be used; see theprevious section "Geartronic: steeringwheel paddles."
3. Release the brake pedal and press gently on the accelerator pedal.
Related information
• Transmission – general information (p. 252)
• Transmission – positions (p. 252)
• Transmission – shiftlock override (p. 256)
• Fuel tank volume – specification and vol-ume (p. 380)
Transmission – shiftlock override
If the vehicle cannot be driven, for example because of a dead battery, the gear selectormust be moved from the
P position before the
vehicle can be moved 8
.
Shiftlock override
Lift away the rubber mat on the floor of the storage compartment behind the cen-ter console to expose the small openingfor overriding the shiftlock system.
Insert the key blade into the opening. Press the key blade down as far as possi-ble and keep it held down.
Move the gear selector from the P posi-
tion. For information on the key blade, see Detachable key blade – general infor-mation (p. 155).
Related information
• Transmission – general information (p. 252)
• Transmission – positions (p. 252)
• Transmission – Geartronic (p. 254)
• Fuel tank volume – specification and vol-ume (p. 380)
8
If the battery is dead, the electric parking brake cannot be applied or released. Connect an auxiliary battery if the battery voltage is too low, see Jump starting (p. 251).

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08 Starting and driving
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266* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
NOTE
Engine response to pressure on the accel- erator pedal may be slightly slower thannormal when HDC is activated.
Related information
• Hill Descent Control (HDC) – introduction (p. 264)
• Brakes – general (p. 266)
Brakes – general
The brake system is a hydraulic system con- sisting of two separate brake circuits. If aproblem should occur in one of these circuits,it is still possible to stop the vehicle with theother brake circuit. If the brake pedal must be depressed farther than normal and requires greater foot pres-sure, the stopping distance will be longer. A warning light in the instrument panel will light up to warn the driver that a fault hasoccurred. If this light comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately and check the brake fluidlevel in the reservoir.
NOTE
Press the brake pedal hard and maintain pressure on the pedal – do not pump thebrakes.
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 techni-cian and have the brake system inspected.
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. 292) 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.

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267
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 braking gently for a short period while thevehicle is moving.
Related information
•
Parking brake – general information (p. 269)
• Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)(p. 269)
• Brakes – general (p. 266)
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) (p. 268)
• Hill Descent Control (HDC) – introduction(p. 264)

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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. 266)
• Parking brake – general information (p. 269)
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. 269)
• Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)(p. 269)
• Brakes – general (p. 266)
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. 266)
• Parking brake – general information (p. 269)

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269
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. 269)
• Brakes – general (p. 266)
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) (p. 268)
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.

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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 13 in. (35 cm) atwalking 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 13 in.(35 cm), water may enter the differen-tial and the transmission. This reducesthe oil's lubricating capacity and mayshorten the service life of these com-ponents.
• 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. 285)
• Towing by tow truck (p. 286)