2018 VOLVO XC90 TWIN ENGINE Owners Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
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455
the hill is and without the brakes needing to be
applied. The brake lights will illuminate when the
function is activated.
The driver can brake to stop or slow the vehicle
at any time by depressing the brake pedal.
HDC is activated along with Low Speed Control
(LSC), which facilitates and improves traction and
control on rough and slippery surfaces. The sys-
tem is intended to be used at low speeds, up to
approximately 40 km/h (25 mph).
To keep in mind when using HDC
•
If the function is switched off while driving on
a steep downhill gradient, braking effect will
be gradually reduced.
• HDC can be used in gear positions D and R,
and in manual gears 1 or 2.
• It is not possible to manually shift to third
gear or higher when HDC is active.
NOTE When LSC with HDC is activated in the OFF
ROAD drive mode, the feel of the accelerator
pedal and engine response will change.
NOTE
This drive mode is not designed to be used
for normal street driving.
NOTE The function is deactivated when driving at
high speeds and must be reactivated at lower
speeds if so desired.
Related information
•
Activating and deactivating Hill Descent Con-
trol using the function button (p. 455)
• Changing drive mode (p. 449)
• Low Speed Control (p. 453)
• All Wheel Drive (AWD) (p. 443) Activating and deactivating Hill
Descent Control using the function
button
Vehicles that are not equipped with drive mode
controls in the tunnel console have a function
button for Hill Descent Control with Hill
Descent Control in the center display's Func-
tion view.
Selecting Hill Descent Control in the
center display's Function view
HDC only works at low speeds.
– Tap the
Hill Descent Control button to
activate or deactivate the function. > An indicator light in the button will illumi-
nate when the function is activated.
When the engine is switched off, the function will
be automatically deactivated.
NOTE The function is deactivated when driving at
high speeds and must be reactivated at lower
speeds if so desired.

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456
Related information
•
Hill Descent Control (p. 454)
• Changing drive mode (p. 449) Economical driving
Drive economically and environmentally con-
scious by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts
and stops and adapting driving style and speed
to the current traffic conditions.
Planning for electric drivingIt is important to plan electric motor use carefully
to achieve the best possible mileage:
Charge
• Charge the vehicle regularly by plugging it
into an electrical outlet. Make it a habit to
always begin trips with the hybrid battery fully
charged.
• Locate charging stations along your route.
• If possible, choose parking spots with charg-
ing stations.
NOTE Charge the vehicle from the electricity grid as
often as possible!
Preconditioning
•
Whenever possible, precondition the vehicle
before driving by connecting the charging
cable to an electrical outlet.
• Avoid parking the vehicle somewhere where
the interior will become too hot or too cold
while the vehicle is parked. If possible, park
the vehicle in a climate-controlled garage. •
During a short drive after passenger com-
partment preconditioning, turn off the pas-
senger compartment fan or the air condition-
ing in a hot climate.
• If preconditioning is not possible when it is
cold outside, use seat and steering wheel
heating first. Avoid heating the entire pas-
senger compartment to reduce the amount
of current being taken from the hybrid bat-
tery.

STARTING AND DRIVING
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457
Driving
• Choose the Pure drive mode to help mini-
mize electric power consumption.
• Maintain a steady speed and a generous fol-
lowing distance to traffic ahead to minimize
braking. This drive mode has the lowest
power consumption.
• Balance energy requirements using the
accelerator pedal. Use the indicator on the
instrument panel to see available electric
power and avoid starting the combustion
engine unnecessarily. The electric motor is
more effective than the combustion engine,
especially at low speeds.
• When braking is necessary, brake gently
using the brake pedal. This will recharge the
hybrid battery. A regenerative function is
integrated in the brake pedal and can be
augmented by the electric motor's braking
capacity when the gear selector is in mode
B.
• Higher speeds increase energy consumption
- air resistance increases with speed.
• Activate the
Hold function in the Function
view at high speeds when traveling farther
than is possible using the hybrid battery's
capacity.
• Whenever possible, avoid using the Charge
function to charge the hybrid battery. Charg-
ing the battery using the combustion engine increases fuel consumption and carbon diox-
ide emissions.
• In a cold climate, reduce heating of the wind-
shield/rear window, mirrors, seats and the
steering wheel.
• Maintain the correct pressure in the tires and
check pressure regularly.
• The type of tires used could affect energy
consumption - consult a retailer for advice on
suitable tires.
• Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle
- the heavier the load, the higher the fuel
consumption.
• Roof loads increase air resistance and
increase fuel consumption. Remove roof
boxes, ski racks, etc. that are not in use.
• Avoid driving with the windows open.
• Do not keep the vehicle still on an upward
gradient by using the accelerator pedal. Use
the brakes instead.
Related information
•
Drive-E
‒
purer driving pleasure (p. 27)
• Factors affecting electric motor range
(p. 458)
• Using the electric motor only (p. 457)
• Hybrid gauge (p. 87)
• Checking tire pressure (p. 557) Using the electric motor only
When using the electric motor, Volvo Twin
Engine provides a combination of good fuel
economy, low emissions and high performance.
For energy-efficient driving:
• Select the Pure drive mode to help maximize
driving range using only the electric motor.
• Balance energy requirements using the
accelerator pedal. Use the indicator on the
instrument panel's hybrid gauge to see avail-
able electric power and avoid starting the
combustion engine unnecessarily.
• When braking is necessary, brake gently
using the brake pedal. This will recharge the
hybrid battery.
• Activate the
Hold function in the Function
view at high speeds when traveling farther
than is possible using the hybrid battery's
capacity.
• Reduce current consumption in the passen-
ger compartment by reducing e.g. fan speed,
electric heating, or air conditioning use.
Also follow the general economical driving advice
regarding speed, tires and load to maximize
range.
Related information
• General information about Twin Engine
(p. 406)
• Economical driving (p. 456)

STARTING AND DRIVING
458•
Hybrid gauge (p. 87)
• Factors affecting electric motor range
(p. 458)
• Starting and stopping the combustion engine
in Twin Engine vehicles (p. 444)
• "Hold" and "Charge" functions (p. 459) Factors affecting electric motor
range
A number of factors affect the electric motor's
driving range. The ability to achieve a long driv-
ing range varies according to the outside condi-
tions and to how the vehicle is driven. The certified value for the distance that can be
driven using the electric motor should not be
considered an expected driving range. The actual
range is dependent on a number of factors.
Factors affecting driving rangeThe driver can influence some factors affecting
driving range, but not all.
The longest range is achieved under very favora-
ble conditions when all factors positively influ-
ence range.
Factors the driver cannot control
There are several outside conditions that affect
range to varying degrees:
• the current traffic situation
• driving short distances
• topography
• ambient temperature and headwinds
• road conditions and road surface.
The following table shows the approximate rela-
tionship between ambient temperature and driv-
ing range with normal climate settings and with
climate settings turned off. Up to a certain limit, warmer ambient tempera-
tures increase the electric motor's driving range. Ambient tem-
perature
Climate set-
tings turned
offNormal cli-
mate set-
tings
30 °C (86 °F) 95 %

80 %
20 °C (68 °F) 100 % 90%
10 °C (50 °F) 90 % 80 %
0 °C (32 °F) 80 % 60 %
-10 °C (14 °F) 70 % 40 %

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459
Factors the driver can control
The driver should be aware that the following fac-
tors help conserve energy and improve driving
range: • charging the battery regularly
• preconditioning
• Pure drive mode
• climate control settings
• speed and acceleration
• the
Hold function
• tires and tire pressure.
The following table shows the approximate rela-
tionship between constant speed and driving
range. Driving at a lower constant speed helps
increase the electric motor's driving range. Constant speed
100 km/h (62 mph)
50 %
80 km/h (50 mph) 70 %
60 km/h (37 mph) 90 %
50 km/h (31 mph) 100 %
NOTE •
The figures shown in the tables pertain to
a new vehicle.
• None of the figures are absolute and are
affected by e.g. driving style, environment
and other conditions.
Related information
• Using the electric motor only (p. 457)
• Economical driving (p. 456)
• "Hold" and "Charge" functions (p. 459)
• Drive modes (p. 445) "Hold" and "Charge" functions
In certain situations, it can be useful to control
the hybrid battery's charge level while driving.
This is possible with the Hold and Charge func-
tions, which are available in all drive modes.
Function buttons for Hold and ChargeThe functions can be activated in the center dis-
play's Function view.
Hold
Battery level sustained for
later use.
This function retains the charge
in the hybrid battery for the
electric motor and saves availa-
ble electrical current for use at
a later time, such as when driving in an urban
area or residential neighborhood. Hold is availa-
ble regardless of the hybrid battery's charge level.
The vehicle will function as in normal hybrid driv-
ing with a discharged battery - in addition to
reusing energy from e.g. regenerative braking, the
combustion engine will be used more frequently
to maintain the charge in the battery.

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460
Charge
Engine charges hybrid
battery.
This function charges the
hybrid battery with the help of
the combustion engine for
increased use of the electric
motor at a later time. This function is not available
if the hybrid battery's charge level is already high.
Symbols in the instrument panel The symbol is displayed in the hybrid battery gauge
when Hold is activated. The symbol is displayed in the hybrid battery gauge
when Charge is activated.
Related information
• Using the electric motor only (p. 457)
• Economical driving (p. 456)
• Hybrid gauge (p. 87) Preparing for a long trip
It is important to have the vehicle's systems and
equipment checked carefully before driving long
distances.
Check that:
• the engine is running properly and that fuel
consumption is normal
• there are no leaks (fuel, oil or other fluid)
• the brake pedal is functioning optimally
• all lights are working ‒ adjust the headlight
height if the vehicle is carrying a heavy load
• tire tread depth and air pressure are at cor-
rect levels. Change to snow tires when driv-
ing in areas where there is a risk of snowy or
icy roads.
• the start battery is sufficiently charged
• the wiper blades are in good condition
Related information
• Checking tire pressure (p. 557)
• Filling washer fluid (p. 650)
• Winter driving (p. 461)
• Economical driving (p. 456)
• Vehicle modem settings (p. 533)
• Loading recommendations (p. 586)
• Driving with a trailer (p. 472)
• Pilot Assist (p. 311)

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461
•
Speed limiter (p. 278)
• Tire sealing system (p. 572) Winter driving
It is important to check the vehicle before driving
in cold/snowy conditions to make sure it can be
driven safely.
Before the cold season arrives:• Make sure the engine coolant contains 50%
antifreeze. This mixture helps protect the
engine from frost erosion down to
approx. -35 °C (-31 °F). Do not mix different
types of antifreeze as this could pose a
health risk.
• Keep the fuel tank well filled to prevent con-
densation from forming.
• Check the viscosity of the engine oil. Oil with
low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-
weather starting and reduces fuel consump-
tion when driving with a cold engine.
CAUTION Low-viscosity oil should not be used with hard
driving or in hot weather.
•
Check the condition and charge level of the
start battery. Cold weather places greater
demands on the start battery and reduces its
capacity.
• Use washer fluid containing antifreeze to
help prevent ice from forming in the washer
fluid reservoir.
Slippery driving conditionsFor optimal traction and roadholding, Volvo rec-
ommends using snow tires on all wheels when-
ever there is a risk of snow or ice on the road.
NOTE Certain countries require use of winter tires
by law. Not all countries permit the use of
studded tires.
Practice driving on slippery surfaces under con-
trolled conditions to learn how the vehicle reacts.
Related information
•
Snow tires (p. 571)
• Snow chains (p. 571)
• Braking on salted roads (p. 431)
• Braking on wet roads (p. 431)
• Filling washer fluid (p. 650)
• Start battery (p. 615)
• Replacing windshield wiper blades (p. 648)
• Changing rear window wipers (p. 647)
• Refilling coolant (p. 612)

STARTING AND DRIVING
462Driving through standing water
Driving the vehicle through a deep pool of stand-
ing water on a water-covered roadway is called
fording. This must be done with great caution. To prevent damage to the vehicle when driving
through water (e.g. on flooded roads):
• Do not drive in water higher than the floor of
the vehicle. If possible, check the depth of
the water at its deepest point before driving
through it. Be particularly careful when driv-
ing through flowing water.
• Always select the Off Road drive mode
before driving in water to ensure the gasoline
engine is running.
• Do not drive faster than walking speed.
• Do not stop the vehicle in the water. Drive
carefully forward or back the vehicle out of
the water.
• Remember that waves created by passing
vehicles could cause the water level to rise
above the vehicle's floor level.
• Avoid driving through salt water to help avoid
the risk of corrosion.
CAUTION Parts of the vehicle (e.g. engine, transmission,
driveline, electrical components, etc.) can be
damaged if the vehicle is driven through water
higher than its floor level. Damage to any
components caused by flooding, vapor lock or
insufficient oil is not covered under warranty.
If the engine stalls while the vehicle is in
water, do not attempt to restart it. Have the
vehicle towed on the bed of a tow truck to a
workshop - an authorized Volvo workshop is
recommended.
When you have passed the water, press lightly on
the brake pedal and check that the brakes are
functioning properly. Water, mud, slush, etc. can
make the brake linings slippery, resulting in
delayed braking effect.
If the vehicle is equipped with a trailer coupling
contact, clean the contact after driving in water or
mud.
Related information
•
Recovery (p. 477)
• Low Speed Control (p. 453) Opening/closing the fuel filler door
A button on the instrument panel is used to
unlock the fuel filler door.
An arrow next to the fuel pump
symbol in the instrument panel
indicates the side of the vehicle
on which the fuel filler door is
located.