2017 VOLVO XC90 light

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
354
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. 382)
• Ignition modes (p. 380)
• Automatic transmission (p. 392)
• Opening/closing the fuel filler door (p. 373)
• Start/Stop (p. 389)
• Parking brake (p. 360)
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 for engine braking to augment the brakes. Use the
Off Road*
drive mode on steep
downgrades to increase the engine braking effect at low speeds.
Anti-lock Braking System ABS
The 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.

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STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
356
WARNING
If both symbols illuminate at the same time and the brake level is below the MIN mark in
the reservoir or if a brake system-related mes-sage is shown in the instrument panel: DO
NOT DRIVE . Have the vehicle towed to a
trained and qualified Volvo service technician and have the brake system inspected. If both symbols illuminate at the same time and the brake level is normal (not below the
MIN mark in the reservoir) or if a brake sys-
tem-related message is shown in the instru- ment panel: drive the vehicle carefully to anauthorized Volvo workshop and have thebrake system inspected by a trained andqualified Volvo service technician.
Related information
• Brake functions (p. 356)
• Brake assist system (p. 357)
• Emergency brake lights (p. 358)
Brake functions
The vehicle's standard braking features are aug- mented by a number of auxiliary help functions.
In addition to the wheel brakes and the parking brake, the vehicle is equipped with several auto-matic brake assist functions. These systems helpthe driver by e.g., keeping the vehicle stationarywhen the brake pedal is not depressed (at a traf-fic light or intersection), when starting up a hill orwhen driving down a hill. These systems include: • Auto-hold brakes
• Hill Start Assist
• Braking assist after a collision
• Hill Descent Control
*
Related information
•Brakes (p. 354)
• Parking brake (p. 360)
• Hill Descent Control (HDC) (p. 358)
• Auto-hold brake function (p. 356)
Auto-hold brake function
With the Auto-hold brake function, the driver can release the brake pedal and the brakes willremain applied, for example, when the vehiclehas stopped at a traffic light or intersection.
When the vehicle is no longer moving forward, Auto-hold applies the brakes automatically, eitherusing the normal brakes or the parking brake.The brakes will be released when the acceleratorpedal is depressed. If the driver's door is opened or the engine is turned off, the parking brake will be applied auto-matically. Auto-hold is deactivated when the transmission is in neutral or if the driver's door is open and theseat belt is unbuckled.
Auto-hold control
Auto-hold control and indicator light

STARTING AND DRIVING
357
Turn Auto-hold on or off by pressing the control in the tunnel console. The indicator light illumi-nates when the function is on. When Auto-hold is off, Hill Start Assist (HSA) will be activated to help prevent the vehicle from roll-ing backwards when starting up a hill.
Instrument panel symbol
Symbol
Explanation
The symbol in the instrument panel illuminates when this func-tion is using the normal brakes tokeep the vehicle stationary.
A
BThis symbol in the instrument panel illuminates when Auto-holdis using the parking brake to keepthe vehicle stationary
A
US models
B Canadian models
Related information
• Hill Start Assist (p. 360)
• Brake functions (p. 356)
Brake assist system The Brake Assist System (BAS) increases brak- ing force, thereby helping reduce braking dis-tance.
The system monitors the driver's braking habits and increases braking force when necessary.Brake force can be increased up to the point atwhich the ABS system is activated. The functionis deactivated when pressure on the brake pedaldecreases.
Related information
•Brakes (p. 354)
Braking effect after a collision
In certain types of collisions, the vehicle's brakes are applied to help prevent or mitigate a secon-dary collision.
Maintaining control of the vehicle after a collision may be difficult. To help avoid or mitigate theeffect of a secondary collision, the brakes areapplied automatically to help bring the vehicle toa stop. The brake lights and hazard warning flashers will be activated and the flashers will remain on afterthe vehicle has come to a standstill. The parkingbrake will then be applied automatically. In a situation where stopping the vehicle may not be desirable, the driver can override this systemby pressing the accelerator pedal. This feature can only function if the brake system is intact after the collision.
Related information
• Brake functions (p. 356)
• Airbag system (p. 65)
• Rear Collision Warning (RCW) (p. 316)

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
358
Emergency brake lights
The emergency brake lights activate in the event of hard braking/rapid deceleration at most nor-mal driving speeds or if the ABS system is acti-vated. This function causes an additional taillighton each side of the vehicle to illuminate to helpalert vehicles traveling behind.
Once the emergency brake lights have been acti- vated, if the driver releases the brake pedal, thebrake lights will return to their normal function.
Related information
• Brakes (p. 354)
• Hazard warning flashers (p. 146)
• Brake lights (p. 146)
Hill Descent Control (HDC) HDC is a type of low-speed automatic engine brake and makes it possible to increase ordecrease the vehicle's speed on steep downhillgradients using only the accelerator pedal, with-out applying the brakes.
HDC is particularly useful when driving down steep hills with rough surfaces, and where theroad may have slippery patches.
WARNING
HDC does not function in all situations, and is a supplementary braking aid. The driver hasfull responsibility for driving in a safe manner.
FunctionHDC allows the vehicle to roll forward or in reverse at very low speed with enhanced enginebraking. However, speed can be adjusted to ahigher level with the accelerator pedal. When theaccelerator pedal is released, the vehicle willreturn to very low speed regardless of the steep-ness of the hill and without applying the brakes.The brake lights illuminate when HDC is func-tioning. The driver can use the brakes to slow or stop the vehicle at any time. HDC is activated along with Low Speed Control (LSC), which together make driving on slipperysurfaces at low speeds easier. When HDC and LSC are activated, this changesthe response from the accelerator pedal andengine.
Activating HDCThis function can be activated in different ways,depending on how the vehicle is equipped.
Using the drive mode control
*
Select the Off Road drive mode to activate the
function. Select a different drive mode to turn HDC off. If this is done while the vehicle is on a steep down-grade, engine braking will decrease gradually.

STARTING AND DRIVING
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* Option/accessory.359
From the center display's Function view
Models without the drive mode control have a button for Hill
Descent Control in the center
display's Function view.
• Tap the button to activate. A light in the but- ton illuminates when the function is acti-vated.
NOTE
HDC can be used:
• Automatic gear shifting:
in Drive or
R everse.
• Manual gear shifting:
in gears 1 or 2. It
is not possible to manually shift to a higher gear when HDC is active.
NOTE
The function is deactivated when driving at higher speeds and must be reactivated atlower speeds if so desired.
Related information
• Brake functions (p. 356)
• Low Speed Control (LSC)
* (p. 359)
• Drive modes
* (p. 384)
Low Speed Control (LSC) *
Low Speed Control (LSC) helps make off-road driving easier on slippery surfaces when towinga trailer on grass, etc. This feature is part of the
Off Road drive mode.
When driving at low speeds, LSC prioritizes low gears and all wheel drive to help avoid wheelspin and to improve traction on slippery surfa-ces. The accelerator pedal and engine react dif-ferently to make low-speed driving easier.
In models equipped with the drive mode control *,
LSC is part of the Off Road drive mode.
It is activated along with Hill Descent Control (HDC), which increases engine braking to helpkeep vehicle speed low and smooth, even drivingdown steep hills.
Activating LSCThis function can be activated in different ways,depending on how the vehicle is equipped.
Using the drive mode control *
Select the Off Road drive mode to activate the
function. Select any other drive mode to turn it off.

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STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
360
From the center display's Function view
Models without the drive mode control have a button for Hill
Descent Control in the center
display's Function view.
–Tap the button to activate.
> A light in the button illuminates when the function is activated.
NOTE
The function is deactivated when driving at higher speeds and must be reactivated atlower speeds if so desired.
Related information
• Brake functions (p. 356)
• Hill Descent Control (HDC) (p. 358)
• Drive modes
* (p. 384)
Hill Start Assist
Hill Start Assist (HSA) helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting up a hill. Ifyou are backing up a hill, HSA helps prevent thevehicle from rolling forward.
HSA makes it easier to start or back up on a hill by retaining pressure on the brake pedal for sev-eral seconds after the pedal has been released inorder to keep the vehicle at a standstill. The brakes will be released after several seconds or when the driver presses the accelerator pedal. HSA is available even if the Auto-hold braking function is turned off.
Related information
• Brake functions (p. 356)
• Auto-hold brake function (p. 356)
Parking brake The electric parking brake helps to keep the vehicle stationary when it is parked.
Parking brake control in the tunnel console between the front seats
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 the auto-matic function check of the parkingbrake.
• The brake pedal will move slightly whenthe electric parking brake is applied orreleased.
If the vehicle is not moving when the parking brake is applied, only the rear wheels are affec-

STARTING AND DRIVING
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363
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 brakecannot 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
Symbol Explanation
A
BIf 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. 361)
• Using the parking brake (p. 361)
• Brake functions (p. 356)
• Jump starting (p. 374)
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked by a trained and qualified Volvo servicetechnician before driving long distances. Yourretailer will also be able to supply you with bulbs,fuses, spark plugs and wiper blades for your usein the event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be checked before any long trip:
• Check that engine runs smoothly and thatfuel consumption and the oil level are normal.
• Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage.
• Check condition of drive belts.
• Check state of the battery's charge.
• Examine tires carefully (including the sparetire where applicable), and replace those thatare worn. Also, check tire inflation pressure.
• The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steer-ing gear should be checked by a trained andqualified Volvo service technician only.
• Check all lights, including high beams.
• Reflective warning triangles are legallyrequired in some states/provinces.
• Have a word with a trained and qualifiedVolvo service technician if you intend to drive

STARTING AND DRIVING
364in countries where it may be difficult to obtain the correct fuel.
• Consider your destination. If you will be driv-ing through an area where snow or ice arelikely to occur, consider using snow tires.
Driving economically
Better driving economy can be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts and stopsand adjusting the speed of your vehicle to imme-diate traffic conditions.
Economical driving conserves natural resources
Observe the following rules: • Bring the engine to normal operating tem- perature as soon as possible by driving witha light foot on the accelerator pedal for thefirst few minutes of operation. A cold engineuses more fuel and is subject to increasedwear.
• Whenever possible, avoid using the vehiclefor driving short distances. This does notallow the engine to reach normal operatingtemperature.
• Drive carefully and avoid rapid accelerationand hard braking.
• Use the transmission's Drive (
D) position as
often as possible and avoid using kick-down.
• Using the engine's Eco function can helpimprove fuel economy.
• Do not exceed posted speed limits.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load)in the vehicle.
• Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tirepressure regularly (when the tires are cold). •
Use tires recommended by Volvo for yourvehicle.
• Remove snow tires when threat of snow orice has ended.
• Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc, increaseair resistance and also fuel consumption.
• At highway driving speeds, fuel consumptionwill be lower with the air conditioning on andthe windows closed than with the air condi-tioning off and the windows open.
• Using the onboard trip computer's fuel con-sumption modes can help you learn how todrive more economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:
• Dirty air cleaner
• Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
• Dragging brakes
• Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and othersare checked at the standard maintenance inter-vals.
Handling and roadholding
• Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pres-sure all affect vehicle handling. Therefore,check that the tires are inflated to the rec-ommended pressure according to the vehicleload. Loads should be distributed so that