Page 369 of 580

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
367
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 changes the response from the accelerator pedal andengine.
Activating HDCThis function can be activated in different ways,depending on how the vehicle is equipped.
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.
Related information
• Brake functions (p. 364)
• Low Speed Control (LSC) (p. 367) •
Drive modes (p. 411)
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.
LSC is activated along with 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.
Page 370 of 580

||
STARTING AND DRIVING
368
Activating LSC
Select the Off Road drive mode to activate the
function. Select any other drive mode to turn it off.
NOTE
When LSC with HDC is activated by the Off
Road drive mode, the feel of the accelerator
pedal and engine response will change. The
Off Road drive mode is not intended to
be used on normal roads. The function is deactivated when driving at higher speeds and must be reactivated atlower speeds if so desired.
Related information
• Brake functions (p. 364)
• Hill Descent Control (HDC) (p. 366)
• Drive modes (p. 411)
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. 364)
• Auto-hold brake function (p. 365)
Page 371 of 580

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
369
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- ted. If it is applied while the vehicle is moving, thenormal brakes are used on all four wheels. Thebrakes will only be applied on the rear wheelsonce the vehicle has stopped.
Related information
•
Brake functions (p. 364)
• Using the parking brake (p. 369)
• Parking brake malfunctions (p. 371)
Using the parking brake
The electric parking brake helps to keep the vehicle stationary when it is parked.
Applying the parking brake
1. Put the gear selector in P.
2. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
3. Pull up the control. > The symbol in the instrument panel willilluminate when the parking brake has been fully applied.
4. Release the brake pedal and ensure that the vehicle is stationary.
Page 372 of 580

||
STARTING AND DRIVING
370
Symbol in the instrument panel
SymbolExplanation
A
BThe symbol flashes while the park- ing brake is being applied. If the symbol flashes at any other time, this indicates a fault. See themessage in the instrument panel.
A
US models
B Canadian models
Automatic function
The parking brake is applied automatically:
• If the Auto Hold function is activated and the vehicle has been stationary for approx.5 minutes.
• If the gear selector is moved to
P on a steep
hill.
• When the engine is turned off (this functioncan be selected, see "Parking brake set-tings" below).
Emergency braking
In an emergency, the parking brake can be applied when the vehicle is moving by pressing and holding up the control. Braking will be inter-rupted when the control is released. An audible signal will sound during this proce- dure if the vehicle is moving at higher speeds.
Releasing the parking brake
Releasing manually
1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Press the control.
> This releases the parking brake and thesymbol in the instrument panel will go out.
Releasing automatically
1. The driver must fasten his/her seat belt.
2. Start the engine.
3. Press firmly on the brake pedal.4. Move the gear selector to D or R and press
the accelerator pedal.
> This releases the parking brake and the symbol in the instrument panel will go out.
NOTE
• For safety reasons, the parking brake is only released automatically if the engineis running and the driver is wearing a seatbelt.
• The electric parking brake will bereleased immediately when the accelera-tor pedal is pressed and the gear selector is in position
D or R.
Parking on a hillPut 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.
The parking brake should also be applied.
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when parking on hills or uneven surfaces.
Page 373 of 580

STARTING AND DRIVING
371
Heavy load uphill
A heavy load, such as a trailer, can cause the vehicle to roll backward when the parking brakeis released automatically on a steep incline. Tohelp avoid this:
1. Keep the electric parking brake controlpushed in.
2. While pressing the accelerator pedal to pull away, release the parking brake control only after the vehicle begins to move.
Parking brake settingsAutomatically setting the parking brake can beturned on or off in the center display's Top view. 1.Tap
Settings in Top view.
2. Tap
My CarParking Brake and
Suspension and deselect Auto Activate
Parking Brake.
Related information
• Parking brake (p. 369)
• Parking brake malfunctions (p. 371)
• Auto-hold brake function (p. 365)
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. 369)
• Using the parking brake (p. 369)
• Brake functions (p. 364)
• Jump starting (p. 382)
Page 374 of 580

STARTING AND DRIVING
372
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.
• Before leaving on a trip, fill the fuel tank andmake sure the hybrid battery is fully charged.During the trip, make a habit of refueling reg-ularly.
• 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 in countries where it may be difficult toobtain 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.
Driving economically with Twin EnginePlug-in Hybrid vehicles
Plan your driving in order to utilize the electric motor as much as possible. An energy-conserving driving style lowers current consumption from the hybrid battery and helpsincrease electric driving range.
Charging
• Charge the hybrid battery as often as possi- ble from the electricity grid using the charg-ing cable. Whenever possible, begin a drivewith a fully charged battery.
• Check the location of charging points.
• Where possible, choose parking spaces withcharging points.
Page 375 of 580

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
373
Preconditioning
•If possible, precondition the vehicle with the charging cable before driving.
• Avoid parking the vehicle so that the passen-ger compartment becomes too hot or cold.Park, if possible, in a climate controlled park-ing garage.
• For short drives after using the precondition-ing function, turn off the climate systemblower if possible.
• If preconditioning is not possible in coldweather, use the seat and steering wheelheating primarily. Avoid heating the entirepassenger compartment, which reduces thehybrid battery's charge level.
Driving
•
Choose the Pure drive mode to help mini-
mize electric power consumption.
• Maintain a constant speed and an adequate distance to the vehicle ahead to minimizeuse of the brakes.
• Balance energy requirements using theaccelerator pedal and utilize the gauge onthe instrument panel to see the amount ofpower available from the electric motor. Thishelps avoid starting the gasoline engineunnecessarily. The electric motor is moreenergy-efficient than the gasoline engine,especially at lower speeds. See also the arti-cle "Hybrid-related symbols and messages". •
Brake as gently as possible; doing socharges the hybrid battery. There is a regen-erative function in the brake pedal which canbe augmented by the electric motor's brakingcapacity when the gear selector is in mode B
.
• Higher speeds increase energy consumption and the vehicle's wind resistance increasesalong with speed. Do not exceed postedspeed limits.
• In hilly terrain, put the gear selector in mode B
to utilize the electric motor's braking func-
tion when the accelerator pedal is released. This helps charge the hybrid battery.
• Use the
Hold function at highway speeds
when traveling farther than is possible using the hybrid battery's capacity.
• Whenever possible, avoid using the
Chargefunction to charge the hybrid battery. Charg- ing the battery using the gasoline engineincreases fuel consumption and carbon diox-ide emissions.
• 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 energy consumption.
• Avoid driving with open windows.
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 thatcapacity weight or maximum permissible axleloads are not exceeded.
• At the specified curb weight your vehicle hasa tendency to understeer, which means thatthe steering wheel has to be turned morethan might seem appropriate for the curva-ture of a bend. This ensures good stabilityand reduces the risk of rear wheel skid.Remember that these properties can alterwith the vehicle load. The heavier the load inthe cargo compartment, the less the ten-dency to understeer.
Related information
•Hybrid-related information in the instrumentpanel (p. 133)
• Parking climate (preconditioning) (p. 187)
• Tire inflation pressure table (p. 563)
• Volvo and the environment (p. 20)
• Hybrid-related symbols and messages(p. 397)
Page 376 of 580

STARTING AND DRIVING
374•
Gear selector positions (p. 416)
• Using the electric motor in city driving (p. 408)
Driving through standing water
The vehicle should be driven with extreme cau- tion if it is necessary to drive through standingwater.
The vehicle can be driven through water up to a depth approximately level with the floor at walk-ing speed to help prevent water from enteringthe differential and/or the transmission or dam-aging electrical components. • If possible, check the depth of the water at its deepest point before driving through it.Take particular care when driving throughflowing water.
• Before driving through water, always select the
Off Road drive mode to ensure that the
gasoline engine is running and to maximize ground clearance.
• After driving through water, apply the brakesand check that they are functioning correctly.
• 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.
CAUTION
•Damage may occur to the engine, trans- mission, electrical components, etc. if thevehicle is driven through water higherthan its floor level. Be aware that wavescreated by other vehicles could cause thelevel to temporarily be above the vehicle'sfloor level.
• Damage to any components due to waterabove the floor level, vapor lock or insuffi-cient oil is not covered under warranty.
• If the engine has been stopped while thevehicle is in water, do not attempt torestart it. Have the vehicle towed out ofthe water and inspected by a trained andqualified Volvo service technician.
WARNING
•Avoid driving through standing or rushing water. Doing so can be dangerous and itmay also be difficult to determine theactual depth of the water.
• If water cannot be avoided, after drivingthrough the water, press lightly on thebrake pedal to ensure that the brakes arefunctioning normally. Water or mud canmake the brake linings slippery, resultingin delayed braking effect.