Page 393 of 546

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
391
Available drive modes
HYBRID
This is the default mode. The vehicle normally starts in
Hybrid mode 4
. The
engine management system uses both the elec- tric motor and gasoline engine (separately or intandem) and calculates the optimal levels of per-formance, fuel consumption and comfort. Athigher speeds, ground clearance is reducedautomatically to help reduce wind resistance. The amount of driving done using only the elec- tric motor in
Hybrid mode is determined by the
hybrid battery's charge level and the need for heating/cooling in the passenger compartment. If sufficient electrical energy is available, only the electric motor will be activated when the driverpresses the accelerator pedal up to a certainlevel. Above this level, the gasoline engine willstart.The instrument panel gauge when both the electric motor and gasoline engine are being used
The long needle in the gauge indicates the amount of energy that the vehicle is currentlyusing. The short white line between the "light-ning" and "oil drop" symbols indicates theamount of energy available. See also the article"General information about the XC90 T8 TwinEngine Plug-in Hybrid" for additional information. The gasoline engine starts when the response required when the driver presses the acceleratorpedal cannot be provided by the electric motoralone. The gauge also indicates when the battery is being recharged (regenerated) during light brak-ing. See the article "Brakes" for additional infor-mation. When the hybrid battery's charge level is low, thegasoline engine will start more often to help con-serve electrical energy. Charge the battery withthe charging cable as soon as possible or switch to the
Save drive mode.
PURE
This mode activates the electric motor only with as low energy consumption as possible and thelowest possible carbon dioxide emissions. Ground clearance will be lowered to help reduce wind resistance and certain climate system func-tions will be reduced.
Pure mode is available when the hybrid battery is
sufficiently charged. If the level gets too low, the gasoline engine will start. The gasoline engine will also start: • If the vehicle's speed goes above approx. 75 mph (125 km/h)
• If the driver wants more response than theelectric motor alone can provide
• If factors such as cold weather, etc., affectthe system or components
To restart the climate system functions that have been reduced in the mode, press the,
AUTO or
defroster buttons.
4 Unless the vehicle was switched off in Off Road mode. If so, it will restart in Off Road mode.
Page 394 of 546

||
STARTING AND DRIVING
392
SAVE
This mode makes it possible to save electrical energy (hybrid battery charge) for times whenusing the electric motor is more suitable (e.g., citydriving). Using the electric motor only saves more fuel at low speeds than at high ones. Therefore, use theSAVE mode primarily when the hybrid battery'scharge level is high and driving will initially be athighway speeds but will end with city drivingwhen electric driving is preferable. If the hybrid battery's charge level is low when this mode is selected, the gasoline engine willstart and charge the hybrid battery up to approx.33%. If the battery's charge level is already above33%, this level will be maintained by the enginemanagement system, which will start/stop the gasoline engine in the same way as in
Hybriddrive mode. This mode increases fuel consumption because the gasoline engine is used to conserve batterycharge for later use.
OFF ROAD
This mode helps maximize the vehicle's capacity to traverse difficult terrain or poor roads. In OFF ROAD, ground clearance is maximized, the steering is light, All Wheel Drive and HillDescent Control are activated and a compassand altimeter will be displayed in the instrumentpanel.This drive mode can only be activated at lowspeeds (the permissible speed range will beshown on the speedometer). At higher speeds,OFF ROAD mode will be cancelled and AWD willbe activated. This mode is not intended for normal street driv- ing.
CAUTION
OFF ROAD drive mode may not be used if the vehicle is towing a trailer without an elec-trical connection. This could result in damageto the pneumatic suspension system's bel-lows.
Due to the increased ground clearance, if the OFF ROAD mode was selected when the enginewas switched off, it will also restart in this mode.
AWD
This mode offers improved traction using four- wheel drive and is intended primarily for low-speed driving on slippery surfaces. However, italso helps increase directional stability at higherspeeds. In this mode, both the electric motor and the gas- oline engine are used continuously, which resultsin higher fuel consumption.
POWER
Power mode is intended for sportier, more active
driving. This mode maximizes the combined effects of the electric motor and the gasoline engine andprovides power to all four wheels. Response topressure on the accelerator pedal is more imme-diate and the transmission shifts up at higherspeeds. Steering response is also more immedi-ate, the suspension is stiffer and lower groundclearance reduces body roll when cornering. In this mode, both the electric motor and the gas- oline engine are used continuously, which resultsin higher fuel consumption.
Page 395 of 546

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.393
INDIVIDUAL
This setting allows you to adapt a driving mode to your personal preferences. Select one of the other driving modes as a basis and change the settings to provide the drivingcharacteristics that you prefer. This driving modeis only available if it has been activated in thecenter display. INDIVIDUAL is only available if it has been acti- vated in the center display.
Settings view5
for INDIVIDUAL driving mode
1. Tap Settings in the center display's Top
view.
2. Tap
My CarIndividual Drive Mode and
tap Individual Drive Mode. 3.
Select:
Eco, Comfort or Dynamic.
The following settings can be modified: •
Driver Display
•Steering force
•Powertrain Characteristics
•Brake Characteristics
•Pneumatic suspension and shock absorbers
Related information
• Adjustable steering force
* (p. 323)
• Loading (p. 215)
• General information about the XC90 T8 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid (p. 16)
• ECO drive mode (p. 394)
• All Wheel Drive (AWD) (p. 400)
• Hill Descent Control (HDC) (p. 350)
• Brakes (p. 346)
5
Generic illustration.
Page 396 of 546

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
394
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
• 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 gauge in the instrument panel
Eco gauge 12" instrument panel
Eco gauge 8 instrument panel
Page 397 of 546
STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.395
The ECO gauge in the instrument panel helps improve driving economy.
• A low reading in the green area indicates economical driving.
• A higher reading indicates higher fuel con-sumption.
The ECO gauge also has an indicator showing how a "reference" driver would drive in the samesituation. This is indicated by a diamond in thegauge.
Related information
• Driving economically (p. 355)
• Drive modes (p. 390)
Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission has 8 forward gears and an electric motor that powers the rear wheels. Steering wheel paddles * make it possi-
ble to shift manually. The gear indicator in the instrument panel shows the gear currently beingused or gear shift mode.
CAUTION
The transmission
Page 398 of 546

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
396
Shiftlock The automatic transmission's shiftlock feature helps prevent inadvertently moving the gearselector between different positions.
Automatic shiftlock
From Park – P
In order to move the gear selector from the P
position, the brake pedal must be depressed and the ignition must be in mode II.
From neutral – N
If the gear selector is in N and the vehicle has
been stationary for more than 3 seconds (regard- less of whether or not the engine is running), theshiftlock feature will lock the gear selector in thisposition. In order to move the gear selector from the N
position, the brake pedal must be depressed and the ignition must be in mode II.
Messages in the instrument panelIf the gear selector is locked in position, a mes- sage such as: Gear lever Press brake pedal
to activate gear lever will be displayed.
There is no mechanical shiftlock function.
Related information
• Gear selector positions (p. 396)
• Automatic transmission (p. 395)
Gear shift indicator
The gear shift indicator in the instrument panel shows the current gear (in manual shiftingmode) and will prompt the driver to shift up ordown to help get the best possible fuel econ-omy.
The gear shift indicator shows the current gear in the instrument panel and uses an upward arrowto recommend shifting to a higher gear. The indi- cator is also shown in mode B or if the steering
wheel paddles * are being used in while the trans-
mission is in mode D.
Gear shift indicator (generic illustration)
Related information
• Gear selector positions (p. 396)
• Steering wheel paddles
* (p. 398)
Gear selector positions
The shift-by-wire gear transmission shifts gears electronically instead of mechanically for fasterand more distinct gear shifting.
Selecting gearsSelect gears by moving the spring-loaded, non-locking gear selector forward or rearward.
Page 399 of 546

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
397
Gear selector positions
The following gear selector positions are shown in the instrument panel:
P, R, N, D or B (brake).
For manual shifting, the gear indicator in the instrument panel shows the gear currently beingused (1–8).
Park – P
Park is activated using a switch located next to the gear selector. Select P when the vehicle is parked or when the
starting the engine. The vehicle must be station- ary when P is selected.
To select another gear, the ignition must be inmode II and the brake pedal must be depressed.
Help functions: The system will automatically shift to P:
• If the ignition is switched off while
D or R is
selected.
• If the driver unbuckles the seat belt and opens the door while the engine is running if P
has not already been selected. In position
P, the transmission is mechanically
locked. Always apply the parking brake when the vehicle is parked.
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when the vehicle is parked, particularly when parking on a hill. The transmission's P mode may not be
able to keep the vehicle stationary if it is parked on an incline.
Reverse – R
The vehicle must be stationary before R can be
selected.
Neutral – N
No gear is selected and the engine can be started. Always apply the parking brake if thevehicle is not moving and the gear selector is in the N position.
The ignition must be in mode II and the brake
pedal must be depressed before the gear selec-tor can be moved from N.
Drive – D
D is the normal driving position and gear shifting
is fully automatic. The vehicle must be stationary when the gear selector is moved from R to D.
Page 400 of 546

||
STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
398
Brake – B
B can be selected at any time during a drive. In
this mode, the engine braking function is acti- vated when the accelerator pedal is released,which helps charge the hybrid battery. Thismeans that the hybrid battery is charged even ifthe brake pedal is not depressed.
B mode in the instrument panel
With B selected, manual shifting to lower gears
is possible. The gear indicator in the instrument panel shows the gear currently being used (1–8). Each time the gear selector is pulled rearward, the transmission will shift down one gear. In order to manually shift to higher gears, the vehicle must be equipped with steering wheel paddles *.
• Press the gear selector forward to return to D
mode. For smooth shifting and engine performance, the transmission will shift down automatically if thevehicle's speed becomes too low for the selectedgear.
Safety functionTo help avoid excessive rpm that might causeengine damage, the transmission control modulehas a down-shift protection feature that in somesituations may prevent a down-shift or kickdown. During kickdown, the transmission may shift down one or more gears, depending on theengine's rpm and will shift up again when max.rpm is reached for a specific gear.
Related information
•
Steering wheel paddles
* (p. 398)
• Shiftlock (p. 396)
• Gear shift indicator (p. 396)
Steering wheel paddles
*
In addition to the manual gearshift function using the gear selector, the paddles make it possibleto manually shift gears from the steering wheel.
Activating the paddlesIn order to shift gears with the paddles, they have to first be activated. To do so:
–Pull either paddle toward the steering wheel and release it; the D in the instrument panel
will change to M and the number of the gear
currently being used will be displayed.
Manually shifting gears
In shift mode M, the paddles are automatically
activated.
ShiftingTo shift one gear: