
STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.406
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 and an electric motor for rear-wheel drive.The number of gears allows the engine's torqueand power band to be effectively utilized. Two ofthe gears are overdrive gears that save fuel whendriving at a constant engine speed. The steeringwheel paddles* can be used to shift up or downmanually. The instrument panel shows the gearcurrently in use.
CAUTION
Check the operating temperature of thetransmission 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 panel
If a problem should occur with the transmission, asymbol and a message will appear in the instru-ment panel.
SymbolMeaning
Information and messages relatedto 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 inthe 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. 406)
Gear selector positions forautomatic transmissions
In vehicles with an automatic transmission, thesystem 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 B.
For manual shifting, the gear indicator in theinstrument panel displays the gear currentlybeing used.
Selecting gears
The gear selector is a shift-by-wire selector,where shifting is done electronically instead ofmechanically. This makes shifting easier and thegear positions more distinct.

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The kickdown function
Kickdown can be used when maximum accelera-tion is needed, e.g. when passing.
When the accelerator pedal is depressed all theway 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 witha downshift protection feature to help prevent theengine from overheating.
In some conditions, the transmission will preventdownshifting/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 ormore 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. 406)
All Wheel Drive (AWD)
All-wheel drive (AWD5), also called four-wheeldrive, means that power is distributed to all fourwheels, which improves traction.
The electric motor that powers the rear wheelsenables electronic all-wheel drive functionality.All-wheel drive reacts differently depending onwhich drive mode is selected.
Related information
Drive modes (p. 412)
Transmission (p. 406)
Drive systems
Volvo Twin Engine combines a combustionengine for the front wheels and an electric motorfor the rear wheels.
Two drive systems
Depending on the selected drive mode andpower available in the electric motor, the drivesystems can either be used separately or in tan-dem.
The electric motor gets its energy from a hybridbattery located under the tunnel console. Thehybrid can be charged from a wall outlet or in aspecial charging station. The combustion enginecan also charge the hybrid battery using a specialhigh-voltage generator.
Both the combustion engine and the electricmotor can generate power directly to the wheels.An advanced control system coordinates both thedrive systems to help optimize driving economy.

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.420
Leveling control settings*
Turn off leveling control before lifting the vehiclewith a jack to help avoid problems with thepneumatic suspension.
Center display settings
Disable Leveling Control
In certain situations, this function must be turnedoff, e.g. before the vehicle is raised using a jack*.The level difference caused by raising the vehiclewith a jack could cause problems with the pneu-matic suspension.
Turning off the function in the center display:
1.Tap Settings in the Top view.
2.Tap My CarParking Brake andSuspension.
3.Select Disable Leveling Control.
Related information
Leveling control* and suspension (p. 418)
Loading recommendations (p. 551)
Economical driving
Drive economically and more environmentallyconscious by thinking ahead and avoiding rapidstarts and stops.
Adapt your driving style and speed to the currenttraffic conditions.
To help achieve the greatest distance with thelowest fuel consumption with Twin Engine,observe the following:
Charge
Charge the vehicle regularly by plugging itinto an electrical outlet. Make it a habit toalways begin trips with the hybrid battery fullycharged.
Locate charging stations along your route.
If possible, choose parking spots with charg-ing stations.
NOTE
Charge the vehicle from the electricity grid asoften as possible!
Preconditioning
Whenever possible, precondition the vehiclebefore driving by connecting the chargingcable to an electrical outlet.
Avoid parking the vehicle somewhere wherethe interior will become too hot or too cold
while the vehicle is parked. If possible, parkthe 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 iscold outside, use seat and steering wheelheating first. Avoid heating the entire pas-senger compartment to reduce the amountof current being taken from the hybrid bat-tery.

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* Option/accessory.421
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 minimizebraking. This drive mode has the lowestpower consumption.
Balance energy requirements using theaccelerator pedal. Use the indicator on theinstrument panel to see available electricpower and avoid starting the combustionengine unnecessarily. The electric motor ismore effective than the combustion engine,especially at low speeds.
When braking is necessary, brake gentlyusing the brake pedal. This will help rechargethe hybrid battery. A regenerative function isintegrated in the brake pedal and can beaugmented by the electric motor's brakingcapacity when the gear selector is in modeB.
Higher speeds increase energy consumption- air resistance increases with speed.
Activate the Hold function in the Functionview at high speeds when traveling fartherthan is possible using the hybrid battery'scapacity.
Whenever possible, avoid using the Chargefunction 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 thesteering wheel.
Maintain the correct pressure in the tires andcheck pressure regularly.
The type of tires used could affect energyconsumption - consult a retailer for advice onsuitable tires.
Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle- the heavier the load, the higher the fuelconsumption.
Roof loads increase air resistance andincrease fuel consumption. Remove roofboxes, ski racks, etc. that are not in use.
Avoid driving with the windows open.
Do not keep the vehicle still on an upwardgradient by using the accelerator pedal. Usethe brakes instead.
Related information
Drive-E ‒ purer driving pleasure (p. 27)
Energy distribution in hybrid mode using mapdata* (p. 417)
Factors affecting electric motor range(p. 421)
Hybrid gauge (p. 85)
Checking tire pressure (p. 519)
Factors affecting electric motorrange
A number of factors affect the electric motor'sdriving 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 bedriven using the electric motor should not beconsidered an expected driving range. The actualrange is dependent on a number of factors.
Factors affecting driving range
The driver can influence some factors affectingdriving range, but not all.
The longest range is achieved under very favora-ble conditions when all factors positively influ-ence range.

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Use of Additives
With the exception of gas line antifreeze duringwinter months, do not add solvents, thickeners, orother store-bought additives to your vehicle'sfuel, cooling, or lubricating systems. Overuse maydamage your engine, and some of these additivescontain organically volatile chemicals. Do notneedlessly expose yourself to these chemicals.
WARNING
Never carry a cell phone that is switched onwhile refueling your vehicle. If the phone rings,this may cause a spark that could ignite gaso-line fumes, resulting in fire and injury.
WARNING
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless,and odorless gas. It is present in all exhaustgases. If you ever smell exhaust fumes insidethe vehicle, make sure the passenger com-partment is ventilated, and immediately returnthe vehicle to a trained and qualified Volvoservice technician for correction.
Demanding driving
In demanding driving conditions, such as whentowing a trailer or driving in hot weather or forprolonged periods at high altitudes, it may be agood idea to switch to a higher-octane fuel
(AKI10 91 or higher) or to switch to another
brand of gasoline in order to fully utilize the vehi-cle's engine capacity and optimize traction.
Related information
Fuel (p. 428)
Emission controls (p. 430)
Emission controls
Three-way catalytic converter
Keep your engine properly tuned. Certainengine malfunctions, particularly involving theelectrical, fuel or distributor ignition systems,may cause unusually high three-way catalyticconverter temperatures. Do not continue tooperate your vehicle if you detect enginemisfire, noticeable loss of power or otherunusual operating conditions, such as engineoverheating or backfiring. A properly tunedengine will help avoid malfunctions thatcould damage the three-way catalytic con-verter.
Do not park your vehicle over combustiblematerials, such as grass or leaves, which cancome into contact with the hot exhaust sys-tem and cause such materials to ignite undercertain wind and weather conditions.
Excessive starter cranking (in excess of oneminute), or an intermittently firing or floodedengine can cause three-way catalytic con-verter or exhaust system overheating.
Remember that tampering or unauthorizedmodifications to the engine, the Engine Con-trol Module, or the vehicle may be illegal andcan cause three-way catalytic converter orexhaust system overheating. This includes:altering fuel injection settings or compo-nents, altering emission system components
10AKI (Anti Knock Index) is an average value of RON (Research Octane Number) and MON (Motor Octane Number) - (RON)+(MON)/2

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431
or location or removing components, and/orrepeated use of leaded fuel.
NOTE
Unleaded fuel is required for vehicles withthree-way catalytic converters.
Heated oxygen sensors
The heated oxygen sensors monitor the oxygencontent of the exhaust gases. Readings are fedinto a control module that continuously monitorsengine functions and controls fuel injection. Theratio of fuel to air into the engine is continuouslyadjusted for efficient combustion to help reduceharmful emissions.
Related information
Octane rating (p. 429)
Fuel (p. 428)
Overheating of engine andtransmission
In certain driving conditions, such as driving inmountainous areas or hot weather, there is a riskof the engine or transmission overheating, espe-cially when carrying heavy loads.
Engine power may be temporarily limited.
Remove any auxiliary lights mounted in frontof the grille when driving in hot weather.
If the temperature in the engine's coolingsystem becomes too high, a warning symbolwill appear in the instrument panel along withthe message Engine temperature Hightemperature Stop safely. Pull over to asafe location and let the engine idle for a fewminutes to cool down.
If the message Engine temperature Hightemperature Turn off engine or Enginecoolant Level low, turn off engine is dis-played, stop the vehicle and turn off theengine.
If the transmission begins to overheat, analternative gear shifting program will beselected. An integrated protective functionwill also be activated, the warning symbol willilluminate and the message Transmissionwarm Reduce speed to lowertemperature or Transmission hot Stopsafely, wait for cooling will be displayed inthe instrument panel. Follow the recommen-dations given by reducing speed or stopping
the vehicle safely and letting the engine idlefor a few minutes to let the transmissioncool.
If the vehicle begins to overheat, the air con-ditioning may be temporarily switched off.
After a prolonged period of driving indemanding conditions, do not turn off theengine immediately after stopping.
NOTE
It is normal for the engine's cooling fan tooperate for a short time after the engine isswitched off.
Symbols in the instrument panel
SymbolMeaning
High engine temperature. Followthe recommendations provided.
Low coolant level. Follow the rec-ommendations provided.
Transmission hot/overheated/cool-ing. Follow the recommendationsprovided.

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* Option/accessory.435
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 notbe 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 notbe available in all markets or on all models.Consult your Volvo retailer.
NOTE
Extreme weather conditions, towing a trailer,high altitude and lower fuel grade than rec-ommended are factors that can significantlyincrease the vehicle's fuel 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 arethose 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 tokeep 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 weather
In 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 paneland a message will appear.

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STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.436
The automatic transmission selects the optimalgear for the current load and engine speed.
Steep inclines
Do not lock the automatic transmission into ahigher gear than what the engine can handle ‒ itis not always preferable to drive in high gears atlow 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 vehicleis 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. 436)
Checking trailer lights (p. 437)
Towing capacity and tongue weight (p. 618)
Overheating of engine and transmission(p. 431)
Trailer Stability Assist*
Trailer Stability Assist (TSA12) is a functiondesigned 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 ESC13.
Reasons for swaying
A vehicle towing a trailer may begin to sway forvarious 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 function
Trailer 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 firstattempt 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 thedriver selects the sport mode by deactivatingESC in the center display's menu system.
Trailer Stability Assist may not intervene if thedriver 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.
12Trailer Stability Assist13Electronic Stability Control