2018 VOLVO XC90 transmission

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
408
Selecting ignition mode
The vehicle's ignition can be put in various modes (levels) to make different functions availa-ble.
Selecting an ignition mode
Start knob in the tunnel console.
• Ignition mode 0
- Unlock the vehicle and
keep the remote key in the passenger com- partment.
NOTE
To set level I or II without engine start – do
not depress the brake pedal (or clutch pedal
for vehicles with manual transmission) when selecting this ignition mode.
• Ignition mode I
- Turn the start knob clock-
wise and release it. The control will automati- cally return to the original position.
• Ignition mode II
- Turn the start knob clock-
wise and hold it there for approx. 5 seconds.Release the knob, which will automaticallyreturn to its original position.
• Back to ignition mode 0
- To return to igni-
tion mode 0 from mode I and II, turn the start
knob clockwise and release it. The controlwill automatically return to the original posi-tion.
Related information
• Starting the vehicle (p. 404)
• Switching off the vehicle (p. 406)
• Ignition modes (p. 407)
• Adjusting the steering wheel (p. 203)
• Jump starting using another battery (p. 447)
Brake functions
The vehicle's brakes are used to reduce speed or prevent the vehicle from rolling.
In addition to the wheel brakes and parking brakes, the vehicle is also equipped with a num-ber of automatic brake assist functions. Thesesystems help the driver by e.g. keeping the vehi-cle stationary when the brake pedal is notdepressed (e.g. at a traffic light or intersection),when starting up a hill or when driving down a hill. Depending on how the vehicle is equipped, the following brake assist functions may be included:
• Auto-hold brakes (Auto Hold)
• Hill Start Assist (Hill Start Assist)
• Braking assist after a collision
• City Safety
• Hill Descent Control (Hill Descent Control)
*
Related information
•Brakes (p. 409)
• Parking brake (p. 411)
• Auto-hold brakes (p. 415)
• Braking assist after a collision (p. 417)
• Hill Start Assist (p. 416)
• City Safety
™ (p. 333)
• Hill Descent Control
* (p. 437)

STARTING AND DRIVING
414
Parking on a hill
Always use the parking brake when parking on a hill.
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when parking on an incline. Selecting a gear or putting the automatic transmission in P may not be suffi-
cient to keep the vehicle stationary in all sit- uations.
If the vehicle is pointing uphill: • Turn the front wheels so they are pointing away from
the curb.
If the vehicle is pointing downhill:
• Turn the front wheels so they are pointingtoward
the curb.
Heavy load uphill
Heavy loads, such as a trailer, could cause the vehicle to roll backward when the parking brakeis released automatically on steep uphill gradi-ents. To help avoid this, pull the control upwardwhile you are driving away. Release the controlwhen the vehicle gains traction.
Related information
•Activating and deactivating the parking brake(p. 412)
Parking brake malfunction
If you are unable to deactivate or activate the parking brake after several attempts, contact anauthorized Volvo workshop.
A audible warning signal will sound if the parking brake is applied while the vehicle is being driven. If the vehicle must be parked before the problem is rectified, turn the wheels as when parking on an incline and put the gear selector in P.
Low battery charge levelIf the battery charge level is too low, it will not be possible to apply or release the parking brake.Connect an auxiliary battery to the vehicle if thebattery is discharged.
Replacing brake padsDue to the design of the electric parking brake,the rear brake pads must be replaced by a work-shop. An authorized Volvo workshop is recom-mended.
Symbols in the instrument panel
SymbolMeaning
A
B A flashing symbol indicates that a fault has been detected. See themessage in the instrument panel.
A
B
Fault in the brake system. See the message in the instrument panel.
Information message in the instru- ment panel.
A
Canadian models.
B US models.

STARTING AND DRIVING
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* Option/accessory.417
Braking assist after a collision In a collision in which the activation level is reached for the pyrotechnic seat belt tensionersor airbags, or if a collision with a large animal isdetected, the vehicle's brakes will be automati-cally activated. This function is intended to helpprevent or reduce the effects of any subsequentcollision.
After a serious collision, it may no longer be pos- sible to control and steer the vehicle. In order toavoid or mitigate a possible further collision witha vehicle or an object in the vehicle's path, thebrake assist system is activated automatically tohelp stop the vehicle safely. The brake lights and hazard warning flashers are activated during braking. When the vehicle has stopped, the hazard warning flashers will con-tinue to flash and the parking brake will beapplied. If braking is not appropriate, e.g. if there is a risk of being hit by passing traffic, the driver can over-ride the system by depressing the acceleratorpedal. This function assumes that the brake system is intact after a collision. Brake assist is part of the Rear Collision Warning and Blind Spot Information safety systems.
Related information
•Rear Collision Warning (p. 345)
• BLIS
* (p. 346)
• Brake functions (p. 408)
Transmission The transmission is part of the vehicle's driveline (power transmission) between the engine andthe drive wheels. The function of the transmis-sion is to change gears depending on speedand power needs.
The vehicle has an 8-speed automatic transmis- sion. The number of gears allows the engine'storque and power band to be effectively utilized.Two of the gears are overdrive gears that savefuel when driving at a constant engine speed.Manual shifting is also possible. The instrumentpanel shows the gear currently in use.
CAUTION
Check the operating temperature of the transmission to help avoid damage to any ofthe drive system components. If there is a riskof overheating, a warning symbol will appearin the instrument panel and a text messagewill be displayed. Follow the recommenda-tions given.
Symbols in the instrument panelIf a problem should occur with the transmission, a symbol and a message will appear in the instru-ment panel.

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STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
418
SymbolMeaning
Information and messages related to the transmission. Follow the rec-ommendations provided.
Hot or overheated transmission. Follow the recommendations provi-ded.
Reduced performance/Acceler-
ation performance reduced
In the event of a temporary fault in the driveline, the vehicle may gointo a "limp home" mode withreduced power output to help avoiddamage to the driveline.
Related information
• Gear selector positions for automatic trans- missions (p. 418)
• Gear indicator
* (p. 422)
Gear selector positions forautomatic transmissions In vehicles with an automatic transmission, the system selects the optimal gear for the currentdriving conditions. The transmission also has amanual mode.
The instrument panel shows which gear is cur- rently in use:
P, R, N, D or M.
In manual gear mode, the gear indicator in the instrument panel displays the gear currentlybeing used.
Gear selector positions
Park - P
In P mode, the transmission is mechanically
locked. Select
P when the vehicle is parked or when star-
ting the engine. The vehicle must be stationary when Park is selected. To move the gear selector from Park, the brake pedal must be depressed and the ignition in mode II.
When parking – apply the parking brake before shifting to Park.
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when parking on an incline. Selecting a gear or putting the automatic transmission in P may not be suffi-
cient to keep the vehicle stationary in all sit- uations.
NOTE
The gear selector must be in the P position
before the vehicle can be locked and the alarm set.
Reverse - R
Select R when backing up. The vehicle must be
stationary when Reverse is selected.

STARTING AND DRIVING
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* Option/accessory.419
Neutral - N
No gear is selected and the engine can be started. Apply the parking brake if the vehicle is stationary with the gear selector in N.
To move the gear selector from Neutral to another gear, the brake pedal must be depressed and the ignition in mode II.
D drive mode
D is the normal driving gear position. The trans-
mission shifts up or down automatically depend- ing on acceleration and speed. The vehicle mustbe stationary when the gear selector is moved from R to D.
Manual shifting mode - M
Manual shifting mode can be selected at any time during a drive. Engine braking will occurwhen the accelerator pedal is released. Select manual shifting mode by moving the gear selector sideways from D to ±
. The current gear
will be displayed in the instrument panel.
• Push the gear selector forward toward
+
(plus) and release to shift up one gear.
• Pull the gear selector backward toward
–
(minus) and release to shift down one gear.
Manual shifting mode in the instrument panel 2
.
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 sideways to D at any time
to return to automatic shifting.
Related information
• Shiftlock (p. 421)
• Using the steering wheel paddles
* to shift
(p. 419)
• The kickdown function (p. 422)
• Gear indicator
* (p. 422)
Using the steering wheel paddles *to shift
The steering wheel paddles are a supplement to the gear selector and make it possible to shiftmanually without removing your hands from thesteering wheel.
Activating the steering wheel paddlesIn order to shift gears using the paddles, they must first be activated:
–Pull one of the paddles toward the steering wheel.
> A number in the instrument panel indi- cates the current gear being used.
Instrument panel when the paddles are activated for shifting.
2The illustration is generic - details may vary according to vehicle model.

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421
Shiftlock The automatic transmission's shiftlock function helps prevent inadvertently moving the gearselector between different positions.
There are two types of shiftlocks: mechanical and automatic.
Mechanical shiftlock
The gear selector can be moved back and forth between N and D. The other positions have a
shiftlock that is operated using the lock button on the gear selector. Press and hold the shiftlock button and move the gear selector forward or backward between P, R ,
N and D.
Automatic shiftlockThe automatic shiftlock has a separate safety system.
From Park - P
To move the gear selector from the P position,
the brake pedal must be depressed and the igni- tion in mode II.
From Neutral - N
If the gear selector is in N and the vehicle has
been stationary for at least 3 seconds (with or without the engine running), the gear selector willbe locked in that position. To move the gear selector from N to another
gear, the brake pedal must be depressed and the ignition in mode II.
Related information
• Gear selector positions for automatic trans- missions (p. 418)
• Deactivating the automatic shiftlock (p. 421)
Deactivating the automatic shiftlock
The automatic shiftlock can still be disengaged even when there is no electrical current to thevehicle.
Deactivating the automatic shiftlock
If the vehicle cannot be driven (e.g. due to a dis- charged battery), the gear selector must be moved to the N position so that the vehicle can
be moved.
Lift the rubber mat in the storage compart- ment in front of the gear selector. Locate thehole with a spring-loaded button in the bot-tom of the compartment.
Press a small screwdriver or similar object into the hole and hold it down.
Move the gear selector to N and release the
button.
4. Replace the rubber mat.

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STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
422
Related information
• Shiftlock (p. 421)
• Gear selector positions for automatic trans- missions (p. 418)
The kickdown function
Kickdown is used when maximum acceleration is needed, e.g. when passing.
When the accelerator pedal is depressed all the way to the floor (past the normal full acceleratorposition), the transmission will automaticallyengage kickdown, i.e. immediately shift down to alower gear. If the accelerator pedal is released from the kick- down position, the transmission will automaticallyshift up again.
Safety function
The transmission control module is equipped with a downshift protection feature to help prevent theengine from overheating. In some conditions, the transmission will prevent downshifting/kickdown if this would lead to suchhigh engine speed (rpm) that the engine couldbe damaged. If the driver still attempts downshift-ing or kickdown at a high rpm, nothing will hap-pen and the original gear will remain selected. With kickdown, the vehicle can downshift one or more steps at a time depending on the enginespeed. The vehicle upshifts when the engine rea-ches its maximum rpm to prevent engine dam-age.
Related information
• Gear selector positions for automatic trans-missions (p. 418)
Gear indicator
*
The gear indicator in the instrument panel shows the gear currently being used for manual shiftingand indicates when another gear should beselected to optimize fuel economy.
For eco-friendly driving when manually shifting, it is important to use the correct gear and to shiftgears in good time. The gear indicator in the instrument panel shows the gear currently being used and indicates withan upward-facing arrow if a higher gear shouldbe selected.
Gear indicator in 12" instrument panel *.

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* Option/accessory.423
Gear indicator in 8" instrument panel.
Related information
•Gear selector positions for automatic trans- missions (p. 418)
All Wheel Drive (AWD)
*
All-wheel drive, All Wheel Drive (AWD), also called four-wheel drive, means that power is dis-tributed to all four wheels, which improves trac-tion.
To achieve the best traction, power is automati- cally directed to the wheels that have the bestgrip. The system continuously calculates theneed for torque to the rear wheels, and canimmediately redistribute up to half of the engine'storque to the rear wheels. All-wheel drive also has a stabilizing effect at higher speeds. In normal driving conditions, mostof the engine's power is directed to the frontwheels. When the vehicle is stationary, all-wheeldrive is always activated in preparation for maxi-mum traction during acceleration. All-wheel drive reacts differently depending on which drive mode * is selected.
Related information
• Drive modes
* (p. 423)
• Low Speed Control
* (p. 435)
• Transmission (p. 417)
Drive modes
*
Drive modes affect the vehicle's driving charac- teristics in different ways to enhance and sim-plify the driving experience in certain types of sit-uations.
Drive modes enable easy access to the vehicle's many functions and settings in different drivingsituations. The following systems are adapted tohelp optimize driving characteristics in each drivemode: • Steering
• Engine/transmission/all-wheel drive
*
• Brakes
• Pneumatic suspension
* and shock absorbers
• Instrument panel
• Start/Stop function
• Climate control settings
Select the drive mode that is best suited to the current driving conditions. Keep in mind that notall drive modes are available in all situations.
Available drive modes
COMFORT
• This is the vehicle's default mode.
When the engine is started, the vehicle will be in Comfort mode and the Start/Stop function will beactivated. This setting offers driving comfort, lightsteering and soft suspension.