Page 433 of 669

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
431
Brakes
The brake pedal is used to apply the vehicle'sregular brakes, which are part of the brake sys-tem.
The vehicle is equipped with two brake circuits. Ifone brake circuit is damaged, the brake pedal willgo down further when depressed. More pressurewill then be required from the driver for normalbraking effect.
WARNING
The power brakes only work when the electricmotor or combustion engine is running.
If the brake pedal is used when the engine isswitched off, greater pressure must be applied tobrake the vehicle.
In very hilly areas or when driving with a heavyload, gear position B can be used to augment thebrakes with engine braking.
Anti-lock brakes
The vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock BrakingSystem (ABS), which helps prevent the wheelsfrom locking and helps maintain steering controlwhen braking. Vibrations may be felt from thebrake pedal when ABS is operating, which is nor-mal.
After the vehicle is started, a brief test of theABS system is automatically performed when the
driver 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.
Light braking charges the hybrid battery
When the brakes are applied lightly, the electricmotor braking function is used. This converts thevehicle's kinetic energy into electrical energy,which is used to charge the hybrid battery. Whenthe battery is being charged with the electricmotor braking function, this will be indicated inthe instrument panel.
When the battery is being charged with the electricmotor braking function, this will be indicated in theinstrument panel.
This function is active at speeds in the range of150-5 km/h (93-3 mph). When braking atspeeds outside of this range, or during harderbraking, the hydraulic braking system is used to
augment braking. This is indicated in the instru-ment panel with the pointer down in the red area.
Symbols in the instrument panel
Symbol Meaning
A
B
Check the brake fluid level. If thelevel is low, fill brake fluid andcheck to determine the reason forthe loss of brake fluid.
A
B
Fault in pedal sensor.
Page 434 of 669

||
STARTING AND DRIVING
432
Symbol Meaning
A
B
Steady glow for 2 seconds afterthe 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.
If the message Brake pedal Cha-racteristics changed Servicerequired is displayed, the "Brake-by-wire" system is not functioningproperly. Greater pressure will berequired to brake the vehicle.
AIn Canada.BIn the US.
WARNING
If the warning symbols for both brake faultand ABS fault are lit simultaneously, theremay be a fault in the brake system.
If the brake fluid reservoir level is normalwhen this occurs, drive carefully to thenearest workshop to have the brake sys-tem checked - an authorized Volvo work-shop is recommended.
If the brake fluid has fallen below the MINlevel in the brake fluid reservoir, the vehi-cle should not be driven until the brakefluid has been filled. The reason for thebrake fluid loss must be checked.
Related information
Brake Assist System (p. 432)
Auto-hold brakes (p. 437)
Hill Start Assist (p. 439)
Braking on wet roads (p. 433)
Braking on salted roads (p. 433)
Maintenance of the brake system (p. 433)
Brake lights (p. 156)
Brake Assist System
The brake enhancing system, Brake AssistSystem (BAS), helps increase braking force andthereby reduce braking distance.
The system monitors the driver's braking habitsand 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.
Related information
Brakes (p. 431)
Page 435 of 669

STARTING AND DRIVING
433
Braking on wet roads
Prolonged driving in heavy rain without brakingmay cause braking effect to be slightly delayedthe first time the brakes are applied.
This may also occur after washing the vehicle. Itwill 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 vehicleor 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. 431)
Braking on salted roads (p. 433)
Braking on salted roads
When driving on salted roads, a layer of salt mayform on the brake discs and brake pads.
This could increase stopping distance. Maintainan 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. 431)
Braking on wet roads (p. 433)
Maintenance of the brake system
Regularly check the brake system componentsfor 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 beregularly checked for wear.
Contact a workshop for advice on how to dothis or let a workshop perform the inspection- an authorized Volvo workshop is recom-mended.
Related information
Brakes (p. 431)
Page 436 of 669

STARTING AND DRIVING
434
Parking brake
The parking brake helps keep the vehicle sta-tionary by mechanically locking two wheels.
The parking brake controls are located in the tunnelconsole 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 brakeis 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.
Related information
Activating and deactivating the parking brake(p. 434)
Parking on a hill (p. 436)
Parking brake malfunction (p. 436)
Auto-hold brakes (p. 437)
Activating and deactivating theparking brake
Use the parking brake to help keep the vehiclestationary 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.
Page 437 of 669

STARTING AND DRIVING
435
Symbol in the instrument panel
Symbol Meaning
A
B
The symbol will be illuminatedwhen the parking brake is acti-vated.
A flashing symbol indicates that afault has been detected. Read themessage in the instrument panel.
AIn Canada.BIn the US.
Automatic activation
The parking brake is applied automatically:
when the ignition is switched off and the set-ting for automatically activating the parkingbrake is activated in the center display.
if the Auto-hold function (automatic brakeapplication 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 asteep hill.
Emergency braking
In an emergency, the parking brake can be acti-vated when the vehicle is moving by pulling and
holding up the control. The braking process iscanceled when the control is released or if theaccelerator pedal is depressed.
NOTE
In case of emergency braking at high speeds,a signal sounds during the brake procedure.
Deactivating the parking brake
Deactivating manually
1. Depress the brake pedal firmly.
2. Press the control.
> The parking brake will release and thesymbol in the instrument panel will go out.
Deactivating automatically
1. Fasten your seat belt.
2. Depress the brake pedal firmly.
3. Start the vehicle.
4.Move the gear selector to D or R and pressthe accelerator pedal.
> The parking brake will release and thesymbol in the instrument panel will go out.
NOTE
When the vehicle is initially started, the park-ing brake could disengage automatically evenif the driver's seat belt is not buckled.
Related information
Settings for automatically activating the park-ing brake (p. 436)
Parking brake malfunction (p. 436)
Parking brake (p. 434)
Parking on a hill (p. 436)
Page 438 of 669

STARTING AND DRIVING
436
Settings for automatically activatingthe parking brake
Choose whether the parking brake should beactivated automatically when the vehicle isswitched off.
This selection is made in the Settings menu inthe center display.
1.Tap Settings in the Top view.
2. Tap My CarParking Brake andSuspension and select or deselect theAuto Activate Parking Brake function.
Related information
Activating and deactivating the parking brake(p. 434)
Parking brake (p. 434)
Parking on a hill
Always use the parking brake when parking on ahill.
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when parkingon an incline. Selecting a gear or putting theautomatic transmission in P may not be suffi-cient to keep the vehicle stationary in all sit-uations.
If the vehicle is pointing uphill:
Turn the front wheels so they are pointingaway from the curb.
If the vehicle is pointing downhill:
Turn the front wheels so they are pointingtoward the curb.
Heavy load uphill
Heavy loads, such as a trailer, could cause thevehicle to roll backward when the parking brakeis released automatically on steep uphill gradi-ents. To help avoid this, pull the control upwardwhile you are driving away. Release the controlwhen the vehicle gains traction.
Related information
Activating and deactivating the parking brake(p. 434)
Parking brake malfunction
If you are unable to deactivate or activate theparking brake after several attempts, contact anauthorized Volvo workshop.
A audible warning signal will sound if the parkingbrake is applied while the vehicle is being driven.
If the vehicle must be parked before the problemis rectified, turn the wheels as when parking onan incline and put the gear selector in P.
Low battery charge level
If the battery charge level is too low, it will not bepossible to apply or release the parking brake.Connect an auxiliary battery to the vehicle if thebattery is discharged.
Replacing brake pads
Due to the design of the electric parking brake,the rear brake pads must be replaced by a work-shop. An authorized Volvo workshop is recom-mended.
Page 439 of 669

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
437
Symbols in the instrument panel
Symbol Meaning
A
B
A flashing symbol indicates that afault has been detected. See themessage in the instrument panel.
A
B
Fault in the brake system. See themessage in the instrument panel.
Information message in the instru-ment panel.
AIn Canada.BIn the US.
Related information
Activating and deactivating the parking brake(p. 434)
Start battery (p. 601)
Volvo's service program (p. 584)
Auto-hold brakes
With the Auto-hold brake function, the driver canrelease 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 activatedautomatically. 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)
Page 440 of 669

||
STARTING AND DRIVING
438
Symbols in the instrument panel
Symbol Meaning
This symbol illuminates when thefunction is using the normal brakesto keep the vehicle stationary.
A
B
This symbol illuminates when thefunction is using the parking braketo keep the vehicle stationary.
ACanadian models.BUS models.
Related information
Activating and deactivating Auto-hold at astandstill (p. 438)
Brakes (p. 431)
Parking brake (p. 434)
Hill Start Assist (p. 439)
Activating and deactivating Auto-hold at a standstill
The Auto-hold brake function at a standstill isactivated with the button in the tunnel console.
–Press the button in the tunnel console toactivate or deactivate the function.
> The indicator light in the button will illumi-nate when the function is activated. Thefunction will remain active the next timethe vehicle is started.
When shutting off
If the function is active and holding thevehicle stationary using the normalbrakes (A symbol lit), the brake pedalmust be depressed while pressing thebutton 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. 437)