2018 VOLVO XC90 brakes

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* Option/accessory.409
Brakes The brake pedal is used to apply the vehicle's regular brakes, which are part of the brake sys-tem.
The vehicle is equipped with two brake circuits. If one brake circuit is damaged, the brake pedal willgo down further when depressed. More pressurewill then be required from the driver for normalbraking effect. The driver's pressure on the brake pedal is enhanced by a power braking function.
WARNING
Power braking only functions if the engine is running.
If the brake pedal is used when the engine is turned off, the pedal will feel stiffer than usualand greater pressure must be applied to brakethe vehicle. In very hilly areas or when driving with a heavy load, engine braking in manual gear should beused to augment the brakes. Engine braking ismost effective if the same gear is used both uphill and downhill. Use the Off Road * drive mode
to increase the engine braking effect when driv- ing on steep downgrades at low speeds.
Anti-lock brakesThe vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock BrakingSystem (ABS), which can help prevent the wheels from locking and help maintain steeringcontrol when braking. Vibrations may be felt fromthe brake pedal when ABS is operating, which isnormal. After the vehicle is started, a brief test of the ABS system is automatically performed when thedriver releases the brake pedal. An additionalautomatic test of the system may be performedwhen the vehicle is traveling at a low speed. Dur-ing the test, the brake pedal may feel as though itis pulsating.
Symbols in the instrument panel
SymbolMeaning
A
B
Check the brake fluid level. If the level is low, fill brake fluid andcheck to determine the reason forthe loss of brake fluid.
A
B
Steady glow for 2 seconds after the engine is started: Automaticfunction check. Steady glow for more than 2 sec- onds: Fault in the ABS system. Thevehicle's regular brake system isstill working, but without the ABSfunction.
A
Canadian models.
B US models.

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WARNING
•If both symbols illuminate at the same time and the brake level is below the
MIN
mark in the reservoir or if a brake system- related message is shown in the instru-ment panel: DO NOT DRIVE. Have thevehicle towed to a trained and qualifiedVolvo service technician and have thebrake system inspected.
• If both symbols illuminate at the sametime and the brake level is normal (notbelow the MIN mark in the reservoir) or ifa brake system-related message isshown in the instrument panel: drive thevehicle carefully to an authorized Volvoworkshop and have the brake systeminspected by a trained and qualified Volvoservice technician.
Related information
• Brake Assist System (p. 410)
• Auto-hold brakes (p. 415)
• Hill Start Assist (p. 416)
• Braking on wet roads (p. 410)
• Braking on salted roads (p. 411)
• Maintenance of the brake system (p. 411)
• Brake lights (p. 163)
Brake Assist System
The brake enhancing system, Brake Assist
System (BAS), helps increase braking force andthereby reduce braking distance.
The system monitors the driver's braking habits and increases braking force when necessary.Braking force can be increased up to the point atwhich the ABS intervenes. The function is deacti-vated when pressure on the brake pedal isdecreased.
NOTE
When BAS is activated, the brake pedal will go down slightly more than usual. Press(hold) down the brake pedal as long as nec-essary. When the brake pedal is released, all braking ceases.
Related information
• Brakes (p. 409)
Braking on wet roads
Prolonged driving in heavy rain without braking may cause braking effect to be slightly delayedthe first time the brakes are applied.
This may also occur after washing the vehicle. It will then be necessary to apply greater pressureto the brake pedal. You should therefore maintaina greater distance to the vehicle ahead. Firmly apply the brakes after washing the vehicle or driving on wet roads. This helps warm up thebrake discs, enabling them to dry more quicklyand protecting them against corrosion. Considerthe current traffic situation when braking.
Related information
• Brakes (p. 409)
• Braking on salted roads (p. 411)

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411
Braking on salted roads When driving on salted roads, a layer of salt may form on the brake discs and brake pads.
This could increase stopping distance. Maintain an extra large safety distance to the vehicleahead. Make sure to also:
• Apply the brakes from time to time to helpremove salt. Make sure braking does notpose a risk to any other road users.
• Gently apply the brakes when you have fin-ished driving and before driving again.
Related information
• Brakes (p. 409)
• Braking on wet roads (p. 410)
Maintenance of the brake system
Regularly check the brake system components for wear.
To keep the vehicle as safe and reliable as possi- ble, follow the Volvo service schedule specified inthe Warranty and Maintenance Records Informa-tion booklet. New and replaced brake pads andbrake discs do not provide optimal braking effectuntil they are "broken in" by driving a few hun-dred kilometers (miles). Compensate for thereduced braking effect by applying greater pres-sure to the brake pedal. Volvo recommends onlyusing brake pads approved for your Volvo.
CAUTION
The brake system's components should be regularly checked for wear. Contact a workshop for advice on how to do this or let a workshop perform the inspection- an authorized Volvo workshop is recom-mended.
Related information
• Brakes (p. 409)
Parking brake The parking brake helps keep the vehicle sta- tionary by mechanically locking two wheels.
The parking brake controls are located in the tunnel console between the seats.
When the electric parking brake is being applied, a faint sound can be heard from the brake's elec-tric motor. This sound can also be heard duringthe automatic function check of the parkingbrake. If the vehicle is stationary when the parking brake is applied, it will only be applied to the rearwheels. If it is applied while the vehicle is moving,the normal brakes will be used on all four wheels.Braking will be transferred to only the rearwheels when the vehicle is almost stopped.

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Related information
•Activating and deactivating the parking brake (p. 412)
• Parking on a hill (p. 414)
• Parking brake malfunction (p. 414)
• Auto-hold brakes (p. 415)
Activating and deactivating theparking brake Use the parking brake to help keep the vehicle stationary when it is parked.
Activating the parking brake
1. Pull up the control.
> The symbol in the instrument panel willilluminate when the parking brake is acti- vated.
2. Make sure the vehicle is stationary.
Symbol in the instrument panel
SymbolMeaning
A
B The symbol will be illuminated when the parking brake is acti-vated. A flashing symbol indicates that a fault has been detected. Read themessage in the instrument panel.
A
Canadian models.
B US models.
Automatic activation
The parking brake is applied automatically:
• if the Auto-hold function (automatic brake application when the vehicle is stationary) isactivated and the vehicle has been stationaryfor a prolonged period of time (5-10minutes).
• when the gear selector is moved to
P on a
steep hill.
• when the ignition is switched off and the set-ting for automatically activating the parkingbrake is activated in the center display.

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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)

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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)

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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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* Option/accessory.423
Gear indicator in 8" instrument panel.
Related information
•Gear selector positions for automatic trans- missions (p. 418)
All Wheel Drive (AWD)
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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.