2018 VOLVO XC90 TWIN ENGINE tow

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.473
CAUTION•
Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not
be used on Volvos, nor should safety
chains be attached to the bumper.
• Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle
rear axle must not be used.
• Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake
system directly to the vehicle brake sys-
tem, nor a trailer's lighting system directly
to the vehicle lighting system. Consult
your nearest authorized Volvo retailer for
correct installation.
• When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety
chains or wire must be correctly fastened
to the attachment points provided in the
trailer hitch on the vehicle. The safety
chain or wire must never be fastened to
or 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 are
factors that significantly increase a vehicle's
fuel consumption.
Trailer weights
WARNING Please adhere to the recommendations provi-
ded for trailer weight. If the recommendations
are not followed, the vehicle and trailer may
be difficult to control during evasive maneu-
vers and braking.
NOTE
The specified maximum trailer weights are
those permitted by Volvo. National vehicle
regulations may set additional restrictions on
trailer weight and speed. The trailer hitches
may be certified for higher towing weights
than 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 of
load (up to the maximum permitted weight).
When the vehicle is stationary, the rear end of the
vehicle 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 of
the engine and drive system is detected, a warn-
ing symbol will illuminate in the instrument panel
along with a message.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. 474)
• Checking trailer lights (p. 475)
• Towing capacity and tongue weight (p. 660)
• Overheating of engine and transmission
(p. 468)

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
474 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 have
begun 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 high
speeds. However, if the trailer is overloaded or
unevenly distributed, e.g. too far back, there is a
risk 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 an
uneven road or over a bump.
• Sudden movements of the steering wheel.
Once swaying has begun, it can be difficult or
impossible to stop it. This makes the vehicle and
trailer difficult to control and there is a risk of
swerving into oncoming traffic or driving off the
road.
Trailer Stability Assist functionTrailer Stability Assist continuously monitors the
vehicle's movements, particularly lateral move- ments. If swaying is detected, the brakes are
applied individually on the front wheels, which has
a stabilizing effect on the vehicle and trailer. This
is often enough to enable the driver to regain
control of the vehicle.
If the Trailer Stability Assist function's first
attempt is not adequate to stop the swaying
motion, the brakes are applied on all wheels and
engine power is temporarily reduced. As the
swaying motion begins to decrease and the vehi-
cle and trailer have once again become stable,
TSA stops regulating the brakes/engine power
and 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 motion
by moving the steering wheel rapidly, because
the system will then not be able to determine if it
is the trailer or the driver causing the swaying. When Trailer Stability Assist is
activated, the ESC symbol is
displayed in the instrument
panel.
Related information
•
Driving with a trailer (p. 472)
• Electronic Stability Control (p. 274) 8
Trailer Stability Assist
9 Electronic Stability Control

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.475
Checking trailer lights
When connecting a trailer, make sure that all of
the lights on the trailer are functioning before
starting 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 checked
manually by the driver before the vehicle is driven. Symbol
Message •
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 instrument
panel will also flash more quickly than normal.
Trailer rear fog lightWhen a trailer is connected, the vehicle's rear fog
light may not illuminate and rear fog light func-
tionality is instead transferred to the trailer. If this
is the case, check to see if the trailer is equipped
with a rear fog light before activating the vehicle's fog lights when driving with a trailer to help
ensure safe operation.
Checking trailer lights*
Automatic check
When the trailer has been connected to the vehi-
cle's electrical system, its lights can be checked
by automatically activating them. This function
helps the driver check that the trailer's lights are
functioning 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.
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 Car Lights 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 Car Lights 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. 472)

STARTING AND DRIVING
476Towing using a towline
This section refers to one vehicle being towed
behind another using a towline.
Twin Engine vehicles may not be towed behind
another vehicle due to the risk of damage to the
electric motor. If the vehicle cannot be driven and
needs to be moved, it must be transported on a
tow truck with all four wheels on the bed of the
truck.
Towing another vehicleTowing another vehicle requires a lot of power -
use the AWD drive mode. This helps charge the
hybrid battery and improve the vehicle's driving
and roadholding characteristics.
Before towing another vehicle, check applicable
speed limit regulations.
Jump startingDo not tow the vehicle to start the engine. Use an
auxiliary battery if the start battery's charge level
is so low that the engine cannot be started.
CAUTION Attempts to tow-start the vehicle could cause
damage to the electrical drive motor and
three-way catalytic converter.
Related information
•
Attaching and removing the towing eyelet
(p. 476)
• Hazard warning flashers (p. 161)
• Recovery (p. 477)
• Jump starting using another battery (p. 469)
• Selecting ignition mode (p. 428) Attaching and removing the towing
eyelet
Use the towing eyelet to tow another vehicle.
Screw the towing eyelet securely into place in
the threaded outlet behind the cover on the
right-hand side of the rear bumper.
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 cargo
compartment.

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
* Option/accessory. 477Remove the cover - press the marker with
your finger while prying open the opposite
side/corner open with a coin or similar.
>

The cover turns along its center line and
can then be removed. 3. Screw in the towing eyelet until it reaches its
stop. Fasten the eyelet securing by, for exam-
ple, inserting a lug wrench* through it and
using this as a lever.
CAUTION It is important that the towing eye is screwed
in securely as far as possible.
Removing the towing eyelet:
–
After use, unscrew the towing eyelet and
return it to its storage location.
Replace the cover on the bumper.
Related information
• Towing using a towline (p. 476)
• Recovery (p. 477)
• Tool kit (p. 564) Recovery
This section refers to transporting the vehicle
with a tow truck or similar vehicle. Call a professional towing service for assistance.
In certain conditions, the towing eyelet can be
used to pull the vehicle onto a flatbed tow truck.
CAUTION Note that vehicles with Twin Engine must
always be towed raised with all wheels on the
tow truck.
For vehicles equipped with leveling control*:
If the vehicle is equipped with pneumatic suspen-
sion, this feature must be turned off before the
vehicle is lifted onto a tow truck. Turning off the
function in the center display.
1. Tap Settings in the Top view.
2.

Tap My Car Parking Brake and
Suspension .
3. Select Disable Leveling Control.
The vehicle's location and ground clearance
determine if it can be lifted onto a tow truck. If
the incline of the tow truck is too steep or if the
ground clearance under the vehicle is insufficient,
attempting to pull it up may result in damage. In
this case, the vehicle should only be lifted with
the tow truck's lifting equipment.

||STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
478
WARNING No person or object should be behind the tow
truck when the vehicle is lifted onto the bed
of the truck.
Related information
•
Attaching and removing the towing eyelet
(p. 476) HomeLink
®
*10
HomeLink ®11
is a programmable remote control,
integrated in the vehicle electrical system, that
can control up to three different devices (e.g.
garage door opener, alarm system, outdoor and
indoor lighting, etc.) and thereby replace the
remote controls for these.
General The illustration is generic – the design may vary.
Button 1
Button 2
Button 3
Indicator lightHomeLink
®
is delivered integrated in the rearview
mirror. The HomeLink ®
panel consists of three
programmable buttons and an indicator light in
the mirror.
For more information about HomeLink ®
, please
visit www.HomeLink.com, www.youtube.com/
HomeLinkGentex or call 1-800-355-3515.
Save the original remote controls for future pro-
gramming (e.g. for use in another vehicle). It is
also advisable to delete the button programming
if the vehicle is sold.
Related information
• Using HomeLink (p. 480)
• Programming HomeLink ®
* (p. 479)
• Type approval for HomeLink ®
* (p. 481) 10
Certain markets only.
11 HomeLink and the HomeLink house symbol are registered trademarks of Gent\
ex Corporation.

||AUDIO, MEDIA AND INTERNET
* Option/accessory.
504
5 days
Tap to see weather information for the coming 5
days.
Tap Back to return to the Local screen or Close
to return to the SiriusXM Travel Link home
screen.
Ski conditionTap to display a list of ski areas in the vicinity of
the vehicle. Tap a name in the list for information
such as if the ski area is open/closed, tempera-
ture, wind conditions, snow conditions, the num-
ber of lifts that are in operation, etc.
• Weather locations
• Ski location
Tap Map view to display a map and a weather
legend.
Tap Map options to display the following alter-
natives.
• Weather radar
• Storm attributes
• Surface features
• Tropical storm tracks
• Winds
Tap the relevant box to the right of the option to
select/deselect it. Tap Done to confirm and
return to the previous screen or Cancel.
AreasTap Areas to display a list of areas/locations in
states from the SiriusXM Travel Link database.
Scroll to a state and tap to display:
• Weather locations: tap arrow to the right to
display a list of towns. Scroll to desired town
and tap for detailed weather information. You
can choose Map view, today, 5 days or Favor-
ites (star)
• Ski locations: tap arrow at right to display
local ski areas. Tap an area for detailed info.
For information about storing a location, state,
town, etc. as a favorite, see the heading "Favor-
ites" in the article "SiriusXM Travel Link."
Related information
• SiriusXM Travel Link ®
* (p. 502)
• SiriusXM Travel Link ®
* - Fuel (p. 505)
• SiriusXM Travel Link ®
* - Sports (p. 506)
• SiriusXM Travel Link ®
* - Notifications
(p. 504) SiriusXM Travel Link
®
* -
Notifications
This SiriusXM Travel Link service provides notifi-
cations of potential weather problems or other
emergency situations in the vicinity of the vehi-
cle.
From the SiriusXM Travel Link home screen, to
show notifications:
– Tap the
Alerts button to display this screen.
• If any notifications are currently available, a
message will appear at the top of the screen.
They can also be listed from the
Settings
menu in the center display's Top view.
• If no notifications are available, No active
alerts will be displayed.
Types of notifications
To select the types of notifications to be dis-
played:
1. From the Alerts screen, tap the Select
alerts button at the bottom of the screen.
2.

This displays the types of notifications that
can be displayed. Tap the box to the right of
each type of notification to select/deselect it.
3. Tap Done when you have made your selec-
tions. You will return to the Alerts screen.

||WHEELS AND TIRES
* Option/accessory.
564
Related information
• Recommended tire pressure (p. 559)
• Adjusting tire pressure (p. 558)
• Calibrating the tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem* (p. 561)
• Viewing tire pressure status in the center
display* (p. 562)
• Tire pressure monitoring system* (p. 559)
• Inflate tires with the compressor included in
the tire sealing system (p. 577) When changing wheels
The wheels can be changed, e.g. to switch to
snow tires or spare tires. Follow the applicable
instructions for removing and installing the
wheel.
Changing to tires of another dimensionMake sure that the tire dimension is approved for
use on the vehicle.
If you change to tires of another dimension, con-
tact an authorized Volvo workshop to update the
vehicle's software. A software update may be
necessary when changing to tires of larger/
smaller dimensions or when changing to or from
snow tires.
Related information
• Removing a wheel (p. 566)
• Installing a wheel (p. 568)
• Tool kit (p. 564)
• Snow tires (p. 571)
• Spare wheel (p. 569)
• Wheel bolts (p. 565) Tool kit
Tools for e.g. towing or changing wheels are
provided in the vehicle's cargo compartment.
The foam block under the cargo compartment
floor contains the towing eyelet, the tire sealing
system, the tool for removing plastic wheel bolt
covers and the tool for removing the locking
wheel bolts.
If the vehicle is equipped with a spare wheel*
10
, a
jack, lug wrench, and a package with
disposable gloves and a bag for the damaged
wheel are also provided.
Related information
• When changing wheels (p. 564)
• Jack* (p. 565) 10
Not available on all models.