2018 VOLVO XC90 Owner´s Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
415
Related information
•Activating and deactivating the parking brake (p. 412)
• Start battery (p. 598)
• Volvo's service program (p. 576)
Auto-hold brakes
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 stops, the brakes are activated automatically. The function can use either thenormal brakes or the parking brakes to keep thevehicle stationary and works on flat surfaces orhills. When driving off, the brakes will be automat-ically released if the driver's seat belt is buckled.
NOTE
When braking to a stop on an uphill or down- hill gradient, depress the brake pedal withslightly more force than usual before releas-ing to ensure that the vehicle cannot move atall.
The parking brake is activated if: • the vehicle is switched off
• the driver's door is opened
• the driver's seat belt is removed
• the vehicle has been stationary for a pro- longed period of time (5-10 minutes)
Symbols in the instrument panel
SymbolMeaning
This symbol illuminates when the function is using the normal brakesto keep the vehicle stationary.
A
B This symbol illuminates when the function is using the parking braketo keep the vehicle stationary.
A
Canadian models.
B US models.
Related information
• Activating and deactivating Auto-hold at a standstill (p. 416)
• Brakes (p. 409)
• Parking brake (p. 411)
• Hill Start Assist (p. 416)

STARTING AND DRIVING
416
Activating and deactivating Auto-hold at a standstill The Auto-hold brake function at a standstill is activated with the button in the tunnel console.
–Press the button in the tunnel console to activate or deactivate the function.
> The indicator light in the button will illumi-nate when the function is activated. The function will remain active the next timethe vehicle is started.
When shutting offIf the function is active and holding thevehicle stationary using the normalbrakes (A symbol lit), the brake pedalmust be depressed while pressing the
button in order to deactivate Auto-hold.
• The function will remain off until it is reactiva- ted.
• When Auto-hold is switched off, Hill StartAssist (HSA) will remain active to help pre-vent the vehicle from rolling backward whenstarting up a hill.
Related information
•Auto-hold brakes (p. 415)
Hill Start Assist
The function for assisting when starting the vehi- cle on inclines, Hill Start Assist (HSA), helpsprevent the vehicle from rolling backward whenstarting on an uphill gradient. When backing upa hill, HSA helps prevent the vehicle from rollingforward.
The function retains pressure from the brake pedal in the brake system for several secondsafter the brake pedal has been released. This temporary braking effect is released after a few seconds or when the driver begins driving. Hill Start Assist is available even if the Auto-hold brake function is switched off.
Related information
• Auto-hold brakes (p. 415)
• Brakes (p. 409)

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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STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
420 In shift mode
M, the paddles are automatically
activated.
Instrument panel when the paddles are activated for shifting in manual mode.
ChangeTo shift one gear:
–Pull one of the paddles toward the steering wheel and then release.
" -": Shift down one gear.
" + ": Shift up one gear.
As long as the engine speed (rpm) is within the permissible range for the selected gear, a gear shift will take place each time a paddle is pulled. After each gear shift, a number indicating the current gear will be displayed in the instrumentpanel.
Turning off Start/Stop
Manual deactivation in gear position D
–Deactivate the paddles by pulling the right paddle (+) toward the steering wheel and
holding it until the number of the current gear is no longer displayed in the instrumentpanel.
Automatic deactivation
In gear position D, the steering wheel paddles
are deactivated after a short period of time if they are not used. The number of the current gear willno longer be displayed in the instrument panel. Ifengine braking is currently being used, the pad-dles will remain active until engine braking stops. In gear position M, the paddles will not activate
automatically.
Related information
• Gear selector positions for automatic trans- missions (p. 418)
• Gear indicator
* (p. 422)

STARTING AND DRIVING
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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 *.