2017 VOLVO XC90 tow

STARTING AND DRIVING
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3. Align the hole in the ball holder with the one
in the hitch assembly.
4. Slide the locking bolt through the hitch assembly/ball holder.
5. Insert the cotter pin in the hole at the end of the locking bolt.
WARNING
• Be sure the towbar is securely locked in position before attaching anything to it.
• Always attach the trailer's safety wiresecurely to the towbar's safety wireattachment bracket.
Removing the ball holder1. Remove the cotter pin from the locking bolt
and slide the locking bolt out of the ballholder/hitch assembly.
2. Pull the ball holder out of the hitch assembly.
NOTE
A cover for the hitch assembly is also included in the kit.
Stowing the ball holder
WARNING
When not in use, the detachable trailer hitch should always be properly stowed under thecargo compartment floor.
Related information
• Driving with a trailer (p. 376)
• Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) (p. 379)
Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
Trailer Stability Assist is a system designed to help stabilize a vehicle that is towing a trailerwhen the vehicle and trailer have begun to swayand is part of the Electronic Stability Control sys-tem.
FunctionA vehicle towing a trailer may begin to sway for various reasons. Normally this only occurs at highspeeds but, for example, if the trailer is overloa-ded or if the load is unevenly distributed in thetrailer, there is risk of swaying. Swaying may be caused by factors such as:
• The vehicle and trailer are hit by a sudden, strong crosswind
• The vehicle and trailer are traveling on anuneven road surface or drive over a bump
• Sudden movements of the steering wheel
Facts about TSA
• The stability system symbol in the instrumentpanel will flash when TSA is working
• If the driver switches off the stability system'sSpin Control function, TSA will also beswitched off (but will be on again the nexttime the engine is started)
• TSA may not intervene when the vehicle andtrailer begin to sway if the driver tries to com-pensate for the swaying motion by movingthe steering wheel rapidly

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Battery drain Your vehicle's electrical functions drain the bat- tery to varying extents.
Avoid using ignition mode II as much as posssi-
ble, or electrical functions that require a great deal of electrical current when the engine is notrunning. Using ignition mode I whenever possible con-
sumes less electrical current. Functions that require a great deal of electrical current include:
• the climate system blower
• headlights
• wipers
• infotainment system (especially at high vol-ume).
If the battery's charge level is low, a text messagewill appear in the instrument panel. The vehicle'senergy-saving function will then turn off orreduce certain functions that are currently con-suming electrical current. If the battery needs to be recharged, start the engine and let it idle for at least 15 minutes ordrive the vehicle (driving charges the batteryfaster than letting the engine idle).
Related information
• Ignition modes (p. 380)
Starting the engine
The engine can be started using the start knob on the tunnel console if there is a remote key inthe passenger compartment.
Start knob in the tunnel console between the front seats (generic illustration)
WARNING
Before starting the engine:
• Fasten the seat belt.
• Check that the seat, steering wheel and mirrors are adjusted properly.
• Make sure the brake pedal can bedepressed completely. Adjust the seat ifnecessary. To start the engine.
1. A remote key must be in the passenger com-
partment. On models with the standard Passive Start, the key has to be in the frontsection of the passenger compartment. If thevehicle is equipped the optional PassiveEntry system (keyless locking/unlocking) thekey can be anywhere in the vehicle.
2. Press firmly on the brake pedal 2
.
3. Turn the start knob toward START and
release it to start the engine.
> The starter motor will crank until the engine starts or its overheating protection is triggered.
2If the vehicle is moving, it is only necessary to turn the start knob toward START to start the engine.

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WARNING
•Never use more than one floor mat at a time on the driver's floor. Before driving,remove the original mat from the driver'sseat floor before using any other type offloor mat. Any mat used in this positionshould be securely and properly anchoredin the attaching pins. An extra mat on thedriver's floor can cause the acceleratorand/or brake pedal to catch. Check thatthe movement of these pedals is notimpeded.
• Volvo's floor mats are specially manufac-tured for your car. They must be firmlysecured in the clips on the floor so thatthey cannot slide and become trappedunder the pedals on the driver's side.
Back-up reader in the tunnel console
If Vehicle key not found is displayed in the
instrument panel, place the remote key in the back-up reader in the tunnel console (see the illustration) and try again to start the engine.
NOTE
When the remote key is in the back-up reader, be sure there are no other metallicobjects (e.g., other keys, coins, cell phones) inthe cup holder. This could affect the back-upreader's function.
CAUTION
If the engine does not start after the third try, wait for approximately 3 minutes before tryingto start it again to give the battery time torecover its starting capacity.
WARNING
•
Always remove the remote key from the passenger compartment when leaving thevehicle and ensure that the ignition in mode
0.
• On vehicles with the optional Passive Entry, never remove the remote key fromthe vehicle while it is being driven ortowed.
• Always place the gear selector in Parkand apply the parking brake before leav-ing the vehicle. Never leave the vehicleunattended with the engine running.
• Always open garage doors fully beforestarting the engine inside a garage toensure adequate ventilation. The exhaustgases contain carbon monoxide, which isinvisible and odorless but very poisonous.
NOTE
After a cold start, idle speed may be noticea- bly higher than normal for a short period. Thisis done to help bring components in theemission control system to their normal oper-ating temperature as quickly as possible,which enables them to control emissions andhelp reduce the vehicle's impact on the envi-ronment.

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STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
384
CAUTION
• When starting in cold weather, the auto- matic transmission may shift up at slightlyhigher engine speeds than normal untilthe automatic transmission fluid reachesnormal operating temperature.
• Do not race a cold engine immediatelyafter starting. Oil flow may not reachsome lubrication points fast enough toprevent engine damage.
• The engine should be idling when youmove the gear selector. Never accelerateuntil after you feel the transmissionengage. Accelerating immediately afterselecting a gear will cause harsh engage-ment and premature transmission wear.
• Selecting
P or N when idling at a stand-
still for prolonged periods of time will helpprevent overheating of the automatictransmission fluid.
Related information
• Ignition modes (p. 380)
• Turning the engine off (p. 384)
• Changing the remote key's battery (p. 225)
• Jump starting (p. 374)
Turning the engine off
The engine can be turned off using the start knob on the tunnel console.
Start knob in the tunnel console between the front seats
To turn off the engine:
–Turn the start knob toward STOP and
release it to switch the engine off.
If the gear selector is in P or if the vehicle is mov-
ing:
–Hold the knob in the STOP position until the
engine stops.
Related information
• Starting the engine (p. 382)
• Ignition modes (p. 380)
Drive modes
*
Selecting a drive mode affects the vehicle's driv- ing characteristics to help make driving moreenjoyable or easier in certain types of situations.
The following systems are adapted to help pro- vide the best vehicle performance in the respec-tive drive modes: • Steering
• Engine/transmission/All Wheel Drive
*
• Brakes
• Pneumatic suspension
*Suspension control
• Instrument panel
• Start/Stop
• Climate system settings
Select the drive mode best suited to the current driving conditions. Please be aware that not all modes can be selected in all driving situations. The selectedmode will be displayed in the instrument panel.

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Selecting a drive mode
1.Press the DRIVE MODE control in the tun-
nel console.
> A pop-up menu will open in the center display.
2. Roll the control upward or downward to scroll to the desired drive mode.
3. Press the control again to select it. A drive mode can also be selected by tapping its button on the center display.
> The selected drive mode will be displayedin the instrument panel.
When a drive mode cannot be selected, one of the following messages may be displayed:
•
Not possible to select due to gear in manual
•Not possible to select due to low battery
•Not possible to select due to low temperature
•Not possible to select due to limitations
•Not possible to select due to high speed.
Available drive modes
COMFORT
This is the default mode. When the engine is started, COMFORT drive mode will be selected and the Start/Stop func-tion will be activated. This setting offers drivingcomfort, light steering and relatively soft suspen-sion.
ECO
ECO drive mode is designed to help promote fuel-efficient driving. In this mode, Start/Stop is activated, ground clearance is lowered to help reduce wind resis-tance and certain climate system functions willbe reduced. There is an ECO gauge in the instrument panel to indicate the current level of fuel-efficiency. Seealso the article "ECO drive mode."
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, and All Wheel Drive and Hill Descent Control are activated.
Start/Stop is
deactivated. This drive mode can only be activated at low speeds (the permissible speed range will beshown on the speedometer). At higher speeds,OFF ROAD mode will be cancelled and anotherdrive mode will be activated. In OFF ROAD mode, a compass will be displayed in the instrument panel. This drive mode is not intended for normal street driving.
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, the suspension will lower whenthe engine is restarted.

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STARTING AND DRIVING
390approx. 3 seconds. See also the article "Condi- tions for Start/Stop."
Auto-startThe following conditions must be met for theengine to auto-start:
• Release the brake pedal; the engine willautomatically restart. When starting on anuphill incline, the Hill Start Assist (HSA)function will be activated to help prevent thevehicle from rolling backward.
• When the brake system's Auto Hold functionis activated, the engine will not auto-startuntil the accelerator pedal is pressed.
• When
Adaptive cruise or Pilot Assist are
activated, the engine will auto-start when the accelerator pedal is pressed or if the
button is pressed on the left-side steering wheel keypad.
• Keep the brake pedal depressed but pressthe accelerator pedal. The engine will auto-start.
• On a downhill incline, release the brake pedalso that the vehicle begins to roll. The enginewill auto-start after a slight increase in speed.
Symbols in the instrument panel
12" instrument panel
•READY will be displayed in the tachometer
when Start/Stop is available.
• An indicator in the tachometer will point toward
READY when Start/Stop is active
and the engine has auto-stopped.
•
READY will be grayed-out when Start/Stop
is not available.
• No text will be displayed when Start/Stop is turned off.
Instrument panel when Start/Stop is active and the engine has auto-stopped
8" instrument panel
The symbol is displayed at the bottom of the speedometer.
Symbol
Explanation
White symbol: the function is avail- able.
Beige symbol: the function is active and the engine has auto-stopped.
The function is not available because the conditions have notbeen met.
- No symbol displayed - the function is turned off.
Turning Start/Stop offIn certain situations (e.g., heavy stop-and-go traf- fic), it may be advisable to temporarily turn thisfunction off. To do so:
Tap the
Start/Stop button in
the center display's Function view. The green indicator lightin the button will go out. Start/Stop will remain off until thebutton is tapped again, the driv-ing mode is changed
COMFORT or ECO, or until the engine is restar-ted.

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STARTING AND DRIVING
392•
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. 389)
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

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Park – P
Select P when the vehicle is parked or when the
starting the engine. The vehicle must be station- ary when P is selected.
The ignition must be in mode II and the brake
pedal must be depressed before the gear selec-tor can be moved from P.
In position P, the transmission is mechanically
locked. Always apply the parking brake when the vehicle is parked.
NOTE
The gear selector must be in the P position
before the vehicle can be locked and the alarm set.
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.
Manual shifting – M (shown on the
instrument panel)
Manual shifting can be selected at any time and engine braking will occur when the acceleratorpedal is released. To select, move the gear selector from D to the
side toward " ±". The current gear (1 - 8) will be
shown in the instrument panel.
• Press the gear selector forward toward "
+"
(plus) and release it to shift up one gear.
• Pull the gear selector rearward toward "
–"
(minus) and release it to shift down one gear.
Manual shift indicator in the instrument panel 5
.
For smooth shifting and engine performance, the transmission will shift down automatically if thevehicle's speed becomes too low for the selectedgear. Move the gear selector to the side toward D at
any time to resume automatic gear shifting.
Safety functionTo help avoid excessive rpm that might cause engine 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.
5 Generic illustration.