2018 VOLVO XC90 Owner´s Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
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Battery drain The electrical functions in the vehicle drain the battery to varying degrees. Avoid using ignitionmode II when the engine is switched off. Use
ignition mode I instead, as this uses less electri-
cal current.
Note that certain accessories may also drain power from the electrical system. Do not usefunctions that use a lot of electrical current whenthe engine is turned off. Examples of such func-tions are:
• blower
• headlights
• windshield wipers
• audio system (especially at high volume).
If the starter battery voltage is low, a message isshown in the driver display. The vehicle's energy-saving function will then turn off or reduce certainfunctions, such as the blower and/or the audio system.
–Charge the battery by starting the engine and let it run for at least 15 minutes (drivingcharges the battery faster than letting theengine idle).
Related information
• Start battery (p. 598)
• Ignition modes (p. 407)
Jump starting using another battery
If the start battery is discharged, current from another battery can be used to start the vehicle.
Jumper cable connecting points.
To avoid short circuits or other damage, the fol- lowing steps are recommended when jump star-ting the battery using another battery: 1. Put the ignition in mode 0.
2. Make sure the auxiliary battery (the battery used to jump start the discharged battery) has a voltage of 12 volts.
3. If the auxiliary battery is in another vehicle, turn off that vehicle's engine and make surethat the vehicles are not touching each other. 4. Clamp the red jumper cable onto the auxiliary
battery's positive (+) terminal (1).
CAUTION
Connect the jump cable carefully to prevent short circuits with other components in theengine compartment.
5. Fold back the cover over your vehicle's posi-tive (+) jump start terminal (2).
6. Clamp the other end of the red jumper cable to your vehicle's positive (+) jump start termi- nal (2).
7. Clamp the black jumper cable onto the auxili- ary battery's negative (-) terminal (3).
8. Clamp the other end of the black jumper cable to your vehicle's negative (-) groundpoint (4).
9. Make sure the jumper cables are securely attached to help prevent sparks while jumpstarting.
10. Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and let it run for a few minutes at a higher idlingspeed than normal, about 1500 rpm.

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STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
448 11. Start the engine of the vehicle with the dead
battery.
CAUTION
Do not touch the connections between the cable and the vehicle during the start attempt.Risk of sparking.
12. Remove the jumper cables in the reverse
order ‒ first the black cables and then the
red cables. Make sure that none of the clamps of the black jumper cables come into contact witheither vehicle's positive (+) jump start termi-nals or either of the red jumper cable's con-nected clamps.
WARNING
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING! Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals knownto the state of California to cause cancer andreproductive harm. Wash hands after han-dling.
WARNING
• Batteries generate hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive.
• Do not connect the jumper cable to anypart of the fuel system or to any movingparts. Avoid touching hot manifolds.
• Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do notallow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin,fabrics or painted surfaces.
• If contact occurs, flush the affected areaimmediately with water. Obtain medicalhelp immediately if eyes are affected.
• Never expose the battery to open flameor electric spark. Do not smoke near thebattery. Failure to follow the instructionsfor jump starting can lead to injury.
Related information
• Starting the vehicle (p. 404)
• Ignition modes (p. 407)
• Adjusting the steering wheel (p. 203)
• Selecting ignition mode (p. 408)
Detachable towbar
*
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo towbars that are specially designed for the vehicle.
NOTE
The optional detachable trailer hitch may not be available in all markets or on all models.Consult your Volvo retailer.
Ball holder
Cotter pin
Towbar assembly
Locking bolt
Safety wire attachment bracket

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Installing the ball holder1. If necessary, remove the cotter pin from thelocking bolt and slide the locking bolt out of the towbar assembly.
2. Slide the ball holder into the towbar assem- bly.
3. Align the hole in the ball holder with the one in the towbar assembly.
4. Slide the locking bolt through the towbar 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/towbar assembly.
2. Pull the ball holder out of the towbar assem- bly.
Stowing the ball holder
WARNING
When not in use, the detachable ball holder should always be properly stowed in the des-ignated location under the floor of the cargocompartment.
Related information
• Driving with a trailer (p. 449)
• Towing capacity and tongue weight (p. 642)
Driving with a trailer
There are a number of things to consider when towing a trailer, such as the towbar, the trailerand how the load is distributed in the trailer.
Load-carrying capacity is determined by the vehi- cle's curb weight. The total weight of all passen-gers and any installed accessories, e.g. towbar,reduces the vehicle's load-carrying capacity bythe corresponding amount. • Towbars used on the vehicle must be approved for the applicable use.
• Distribute the load on the trailer so that theweight on the towbar complies with thespecified maximum towball weight. Thetongue weight is calculated as part of thevehicle's payload.
• Increase the tire pressure to the recom-mended pressure for a full load.
• The engine is subjected to more load thanusual when towing a trailer.
• Towing a trailer affects the vehicle's han-dling, durability and driving economy.
• Do not drive with a heavy trailer when thevehicle is very new. Wait until the mileagehas reached at least 1000 km (620 miles).
• On long and steep downgrades, the vehicle'sbrakes are subjected to much more loadthan usual. When manually shifting, down-shift and adapt speed accordingly.

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450 •
Follow applicable regulations regarding per- mitted speed and weight.
• Drive slowly when towing a trailer up a longand steep incline.
• The maximum trailer weights given only applyto altitudes up to 1000 meters (3280 feet)above sea level. At higher altitudes, enginepower (and thus the vehicle's climbing ability)is decreased due to the reduced air density,and the maximum trailer weight must there-fore be reduced. The weight of the vehicleand trailer must be decreased by 10% foreach additional 1000 m (3280 feet) or partthereof.
• Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines of morethan 12%.
• Avoid overloading and other incorrect use.
• The trailer's brakes must be balanced withthe vehicle's brakes to help ensure safestops (follow applicable local regulations).
CAUTION
•Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor should safetychains be attached to the bumper.
• Trailer hitches attaching to the vehiclerear axle must not be used.
• Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brakesystem directly to the vehicle brake sys-tem, nor a trailer's lighting system directlyto the vehicle lighting system. Consultyour nearest authorized Volvo retailer forcorrect installation.
• When towing a trailer, the trailer's safetychains or wire must be correctly fastenedto the attachment points provided in thetrailer hitch on the vehicle. The safetychain or wire must never be fastened toor wound around the towing ball.
NOTE
The optional detachable trailer hitch may not be available in all markets or on all models.Consult your Volvo retailer.
NOTE
Extreme weather conditions, towing a trailer, driving at high altitudes and fuel quality arefactors that significantly increase a vehicle'sfuel consumption.
Trailer weights
WARNING
Please adhere to the recommendations provi- ded for trailer weight. If the recommendationsare not followed, the vehicle and trailer maybe difficult to control during evasive maneu-vers and braking.
NOTE
The specified maximum trailer weights are those permitted by Volvo. National vehicleregulations may set additional restrictions ontrailer weight and speed. The trailer hitchesmay be certified for higher towing weightsthan the vehicle is permitted to tow.
Self-leveling suspension
*The vehicle's self-leveling system attempts to keep the vehicle at a constant level, regardless ofload (up to the maximum permitted weight).When the vehicle is stationary, the rear end of thevehicle will be slightly lowered, which is normal.
Driving in hilly terrain or hot weatherIn certain conditions, there is a risk of overheat-ing when driving with a trailer. If overheating ofthe engine and drive system is detected, a warn-ing symbol will illuminate in the instrument panelalong with a message.

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The automatic transmission selects the optimal gear for the current load and engine speed.
Steep inclines
Do not lock the automatic transmission into a higher gear than what the engine can handle
‒ it
is not always preferable to drive in high gears at low rpm.
Parking on a hill
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Apply the parking brake.3. Put the gear selector in P.
4. Release the brake pedal.Put chocks behind the wheels when the vehicle is parked on a hill with a trailer attached.
Starting on a hill
1. Depress the brake pedal. 2. Put the gear selector in D.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Release the brake pedal and start driving.
Related information
• Trailer Stability Assist
* (p. 451)
• Checking trailer lights (p. 452)
• Towing capacity and tongue weight (p. 642)
• Overheating of engine and transmission (p. 446)
Trailer Stability Assist
*
Trailer Stability Assist (TSA 8
) is a function
designed to help stabilize a vehicle that is tow- ing a trailer when the vehicle and trailer havebegun to sway. The function is part of the Elec- tronic Stability Control system ESC 9
.
Reasons for swayingA vehicle towing a trailer may begin to sway for various reasons. Normally this only occurs at highspeeds. However, if the trailer is overloaded orunevenly distributed, e.g. too far back, there is arisk of swaying even at low speeds. 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 or over a bump.
• Sudden movements of the steering wheel.
Once swaying has begun, it can be difficult orimpossible to stop it. This makes the vehicle andtrailer difficult to control and there is a risk ofswerving into oncoming traffic or driving off theroad.
Trailer Stability Assist functionTrailer Stability Assist continuously monitors thevehicle's movements, particularly lateral move- ments. If swaying is detected, the brakes areapplied individually on the front wheels, which hasa stabilizing effect on the vehicle and trailer. Thisis often enough to enable the driver to regaincontrol of the vehicle. If the Trailer Stability Assist function's first attempt is not adequate to stop the swayingmotion, the brakes are applied on all wheels andengine power is temporarily reduced. As theswaying motion begins to decrease and the vehi-cle and trailer have once again become stable,TSA stops regulating the brakes/engine powerand the driver regains control of the vehicle.
NOTE
Trailer Stability Assist is deactivated if the driver selects the sport mode by deactivating
ESC in the center display's menu system.
Trailer Stability Assist may not intervene if the driver tries to compensate for the swaying motionby moving the steering wheel rapidly, becausethe system will then not be able to determine if itis the trailer or the driver causing the swaying.
8
Trailer Stability Assist
9 Electronic Stability Control

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STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
452 When Trailer Stability Assist is activated, the
ESC symbol is
displayed in the instrument panel.
Related information
• Driving with a trailer (p. 449)
• Electronic Stability Control (p. 272)
Checking trailer lights
When connecting a trailer, make sure that all of the lights on the trailer are functioning beforestarting to drive.
Trailer turn signals and brake lightsIf one or more of the turn signals or brake lights on the trailer is not working, a symbol and mes-sage will be displayed in the instrument panel.The other lights on the trailer must be checkedmanually by the driver before the vehicle is driven.
SymbolMessage
•Trailer turn indicator Right
turn indicator malfunction
•Trailer turn indicator Left
turn indicator malfunction
•Trailer brake light Malfunc-
tion
If any of the trailer's turn signal lights is not work- ing, the turn signal symbol in the instrumentpanel will also flash more quickly than normal.
Trailer rear fog lightWhen a trailer is connected, the vehicle's rear foglight may not illuminate and rear fog light func-tionality is instead transferred to the trailer. If thisis the case, check to see if the trailer is equippedwith a rear fog light before activating the vehicle's fog lights when driving with a trailer to helpensure safe operation.
Checking trailer lights
*
Automatic check
When the trailer has been connected to the vehi- cle's electrical system, its lights can be checkedby automatically activating them. This functionhelps the driver check that the trailer's lights arefunctioning correctly before starting to drive. In order to perform this check, the engine must be turned off.
1. When a trailer is connected to the towbar,
the message
Automatic Trailer Lamp
Check will appear in the instrument panel.
2. Acknowledge the message by pressing the O button on the right-side steering wheel
keypad.
> The light check will begin.
3. Get out of the vehicle to perform the check. > All of the lights on the trailer will beginflashing, and then illuminate separately one at a time.
4. Visually check that all of the trailer's lights are functioning correctly.
5. After a short time, all of the trailer's lights will start flashing again.
> The light check is completed.

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Disabling the automatic check
The automatic light check can be disabled in the center display. 1.Tap
Settings in the Top view.
2. Tap
My CarLights and Lighting.
3. Deselect
Automatic Trailer Lamp Check.
Manual check
If the automatic check has been disabled, the check can be started manually. 1.Tap
Settings in the Top view.
2. Tap
My CarLights and Lighting.
3. Select
Manual Trailer Lamp Check.
> The light check will begin. Get out of the vehicle to perform the check.
Related information
• Driving with a trailer (p. 449)
Towing using a towline
This section refers to one vehicle being towed behind another using a towline.
Before towing another vehicle, check applicable speed limit regulations.
Preparations and towing
CAUTION
Note that the vehicle must always be towed with the wheels rolling forward.
• Do not tow a vehicle with automatictransmission at a speed greater than80 km/h (50 mph) or for a distancegreater than 80 km (50 miles).
WARNING
•
Ignition mode
II must be active – all air-
bags are deactivated in ignition mode I.
• Always have the remote key in the vehicle when it is towed.
WARNING
The brake and steering servos do not work when the engine is off – it takesabout 5 times more pressure on the brakepedal and steering requires much more effortthan normal. 1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
2. Attach the towline to the towing eyelet.3.
Put the vehicle in ignition mode II – without
pressing the brake pedal, turn the start knob clockwise and hold it there for about4 seconds. Release the knob, which willautomatically return to its original position.
4. Move the gear selector to neutral ( N) and
release the parking brake. If the battery charge level is too low, it may not be possible to release the parking brake.Connect an auxiliary battery to the vehicle ifthe battery is discharged.
> The towing vehicle can now start driving.
5. Keep the towline taut when the towing vehi- cle slows down by applying light pressure to the brake pedal. This will help avoid jarringmovements.
6. Be prepared to apply the brakes to stop the vehicle.
Jump startingDo not tow the vehicle to start the engine. Use anauxiliary battery if the start battery's charge levelis so low that the engine cannot be started.

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CAUTION
Attempting to tow with the engine running could result in damage to the three-way cata-lytic converter.
Related information
•Attaching and removing the towing eyelet (p. 454)
• Hazard warning flashers (p. 164)
• Recovery (p. 455)
• Jump starting using another battery (p. 447)
• Selecting ignition mode (p. 408)
Attaching and removing the towingeyelet
Use the towing eyelet when towing. Screw the towing eyelet securely into place in the threadedoutlet behind the cover on the right-hand side ofthe front and rear bumpers.
NOTE
If the vehicle is equipped with a towbar, there is no rear attachment for the towing eye.
Attaching the towing eyelet
Take out the towing eyelet, which is stored in a foam block under the floor in the cargocompartment.
Front: Remove the cover by pressing on the mark with a finger.
> The cover turns along its center line and can then be removed.
Rear: Remove the cover - press the marker with your finger while prying open the oppo-site side/corner open with a coin or similar.
> The cover turns along its center line andcan then be removed.