2019 VOLVO XC90 TWIN ENGINE traction control

||STARTING AND DRIVING
444
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 press
the accelerator pedal.
> The parking brake will release and the symbol in the instrument panel will go out.
NOTE When the vehicle is initially started, the park-
ing brake could disengage automatically even
if the driver's seat belt is not buckled.
Related information

Settings for automatically activating the park-
ing brake (p. 444)
Parking brake malfunction (p. 445)
Parking brake (p. 442)
Parking on a hill (p. 444) Settings for automatically activating
the parking brake
Choose whether the parking brake should be
activated automatically when the vehicle is
switched off.
This selection is made in the Settings menu in
the center display.
1. Tap Settings in the Top view.
2.

Tap My Car Parking Brake and
Suspension and select or deselect the
Auto Activate Parking Brake function.
Related information
Activating and deactivating the parking brake
(p. 443)
Parking brake (p. 442) Parking on a hill
Always use the parking brake when parking on a
hill.
WARNING Always apply the parking brake when parking
on an incline. Selecting a gear or putting the
automatic 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 pointing
away from the curb.
If the vehicle is pointing downhill:
Turn the front wheels so they are pointing
toward the curb.
Heavy load uphill
Heavy loads, such as a trailer, could cause the
vehicle to roll backward when the parking brake
is released automatically on steep uphill gradi-
ents. To help avoid this, pull the control upward
while you are driving away. Release the control
when the vehicle gains traction.
Related information
Activating and deactivating the parking brake
(p. 443)

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
457
This drive mode is optimized for maximum control
when driving at low speeds on very poor roads or
difficult terrain. It raises the chassis
3
, reduces
driveline throttle response, and locks the vehicle
in all-wheel drive. The Hill Descent Control func-
tion facilitates controlled driving on steep down-
grades.
NOTE This drive mode is not designed to be used
for normal street driving.
NOTE
Due to the increased ground clearance, if the
OFF ROAD mode was selected when the
engine was switched off, the suspension will
lower when the engine is restarted.
CAUTION
Do not use the OFF ROAD drive mode when
towing a trailer without an electrical connec-
tion. This could result in damage to the pneu-
matic suspension system's bellows.
AWD

Improves the vehicle's traction and handling
by increasing all-wheel drive. This drive mode locks the vehicle in all-wheel
drive. An optimal distribution between front and
rear axle torque helps provide the best possible
control, stability and traction, e.g. on slippery
roads or when towing a heavy trailer or another
vehicle. The AWD drive mode is always available
regardless of the hybrid battery's charge status.
Both the combustion engine and the electric
motor are engaged to enable all-wheel drive,
which results in higher fuel consumption.
In the other drive modes, the vehicle automati-
cally adapts the need for all-wheel drive accord-
ing to the road surface, and can activate the elec-
tric motor or start the combustion engine as nee-
ded.
POWER

Power mode is designed to provide sportier
driving characteristics and a faster accelera-
tion response.
This drive mode maximizes the combined power
from the combustion engine and the electric
motor by providing power to both the front and
rear wheels. Gear shifting will be faster and more
distinct and the transmission will prioritize gears
with a higher traction force. Steering response is
faster, suspension is stiffer and ground clearance
is lower 3
to help reduce body roll when cornering. Both the combustion engine and the electric
motor are engaged to enable all-wheel drive,
which results in higher fuel consumption.
This drive mode is optimized for maximum per-
formance and throttle response. It changes the
throttle response, gear shifting program and
turbo boost system. Chassis settings and steer-
ing and brake response are also optimized. The
Power drive mode is always available regardless
of the hybrid battery's charge status.
3
For vehicles with pneumatic suspension.

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
464 Leveling control settings*
Turn off leveling control before lifting the vehicle
with a jack to help avoid problems with the
pneumatic suspension.
The vehicle can be lowered or raised to make it
easier to load or for passengers to get in and
out.
Adjusting loading mode Use the buttons in the cargo compartment to
raise or lower the rear section of the vehicle to
facilitate loading or unloading the vehicle or con-
necting or disconnecting a trailer.
Center display settings
Easy Entry and Exit Suspension Control
The vehicle can be lowered to make it easier to
get in and out.
Activating easy entry in the center display: 1.
Tap Settings in the Top view.
2.

Tap My Car Mirrors and Convenience
.
3. Select Easy Entry and Exit Suspension
Control.
>

When the vehicle is parked and the
engine is turned off, the level is lowered.
(Level adjustment will stop if a side door
is opened and will resume after a slight
delay when the door has been closed.)
When the engine is started and the vehi-
cle begins to move, the level will be raised
to the height set by the selected drive
mode.
Disable Leveling Control
In certain situations, this function must be turned
off, e.g. before the vehicle is raised using a jack*.
The level difference caused by raising the vehicle
with 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 Car Parking Brake and
Suspension .
3. Select Disable Leveling Control.
Related information
Leveling control* and suspension (p. 461)
Loading recommendations (p. 598) Low Speed Control
The low-speed function, Low Speed Control
(LSC), facilitates and improves control and trac-
tion on rough roads and slippery surfaces, e.g.
when towing a trailer on grass or up boat ramps.
The function is included in the Off Road drive
mode.
Low Speed Control is designed for driving on
rough roads and when towing trailers at low
speeds, up to approximately 40 km/h (25 mph).
When driving at low speeds, LSC prioritizes low
gears and all-wheel drive to help avoid wheel spin
and improve traction on all wheels. The accelera-
tor pedal will be less responsive to improve trac-
tion and speed control at low speeds.
The function is activated together with Hill
Descent Control (HDC), which makes it possible
to control speed going down steep hills using the
accelerator pedal and reduces the need to use
the brake pedal. The system makes it possible to
maintain a low and uniform speed when driving
down steep hills.

STARTING AND DRIVING
466Hill Descent Control
The function for assisting when driving downhill,
Hill Descent Control (HDC), is a low-speed
function with increased engine braking. The
function makes it possible to increase or
decrease the vehicle's speed on steep downhill
gradients by only using the accelerator pedal,
without applying the brakes.
The function is included in the Off Road drive
mode.
HDC is designed for driving on rough roads at
low speeds and downhill gradients with slippery
or otherwise difficult road surfaces. The driver
does not need to use the brake pedal but can
instead focus on steering.
WARNING
HDC is only intended to be a supplementary
braking aid and it does not function in all sit-
uations.
The driver is always ultimately responsible for
operating the vehicle in a safe manner.
FunctionHill Descent Control allows the vehicle to move
forward or backward at very low speeds assisted
by the brake system. The driver can increase the
speed by pressing the accelerator pedal. When
the accelerator pedal is released, the vehicle will
return to very low speed regardless of how steep 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. 467)
Changing drive mode (p. 459)
Low Speed Control (p. 464)
All Wheel Drive (AWD) (p. 452)

STARTING AND DRIVING
473
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.
NOTECertain 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. 581)
Snow chains (p. 581)
Braking on salted roads (p. 441)
Braking on wet roads (p. 441)
Filling washer fluid (p. 662)
Start battery (p. 627)
Replacing windshield wiper blades (p. 660)
Changing rear window wipers (p. 659)
Refilling coolant (p. 625) Driving 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.
CAUTION
Because it can be difficult to determine the
water depth, avoid driving through standing or
running water.
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. 489)
Low Speed Control (p. 464)

||STARTING AND DRIVING
478
NOTE
When switching to higher octane fuel or
changing gasoline brands, it may be neces-
sary to fill the tank more than once before a
difference in engine operation is noticeable.
Fuel FormulationsDo not use gasoline that contains lead or manga-
nese as a knock inhibitor, and do not use lead
additives. Besides damaging the exhaust emis-
sion control systems on your vehicle, lead has
been strongly linked to certain forms of cancer.
Many fuels contain benzene as a solvent.
Unburned benzene has been strongly linked to
certain forms of cancer. If you live in an area
where you must fill your own gas tank, take pre-
cautions. These may include:

standing upwind away from the filler nozzle
while refueling
refueling only at gas stations with vapor
recovery systems that fully seal the mouth of
the filler neck during refueling
wearing neoprene gloves while handling a
fuel filler nozzle.
Use of AdditivesWith the exception of gas line antifreeze during
winter months, do not add solvents, thickeners, or other store-bought additives to your vehicle's
fuel, cooling, or lubricating systems. Overuse may
damage your engine, and some of these additives
contain organically volatile chemicals. Do not
needlessly expose yourself to these chemicals.
WARNING Never carry a cell phone that is switched on
while 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 exhaust
gases. If you ever smell exhaust fumes inside
the vehicle, make sure the passenger com-
partment is ventilated, and immediately return
the vehicle to a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician for correction.
Demanding drivingIn demanding driving conditions, such as when
towing a trailer or driving in hot weather or for
prolonged periods at high altitudes, it may be a
good idea to switch to a higher-octane fuel (AKI
6
91 or higher) or to switch to another brand of
gasoline in order to fully utilize the vehicle's
engine capacity and optimize traction.
Related information
Fuel (p. 476)
Emission controls (p. 479) 6
AKI (Anti Knock Index) is an average value of RON (Research Octane Nu\
mber) and MON (Motor Octane Number) - (RON)+(MON)/2

AUDIO, MEDIA AND INTERNET
* Option/accessory.
496 Audio, media and Internet
The audio and media system consists of a media
player and a radio. A cellular phone can also be
connected through Bluetooth to use hands-free
functions or play music in the vehicle. When the
vehicle is connected to the Internet, it is also
possible to use apps to play media. Audio and media overview
The functions can be controlled using voice com-
mands, the steering wheel keypad or the center
display. The number of speakers and amplifiers
varies depending on the audio system installed in
the vehicle.
System updates
The audio and media system is continuously
improved. When the vehicle has an Internet con-
nection, system updates can be downloaded for
optimal functionality; see support.volvocars.com.
Related information

Media player (p. 518)
Radio (p. 501)
Phone (p. 532)
Internet-connected vehicle* (p. 541)
Apps (p. 498)
Voice control (p. 145)
Ignition modes (p. 437)
Driver distraction (p. 39)
Handling system updates via Download Cen-
ter (p. 613)
License agreement for audio and media
(p. 549) Sound settings
The sound system is precalibrated for optimal
sound reproduction, but these settings can be
personalized.
The system's volume is normally adjusted using
the volume control below the center display or
the right-side steering wheel keypad. This
applies, for example, when playing music or the
radio or during phone calls and active traffic mes-
sages.
Optimal sound reproductionThe audio system is precalibrated for optimal
sound reproduction using digital signal process-
ing. This calibration takes into account speakers,
amplifiers, passenger compartment acoustics, lis-
tener position, etc. for each combination of vehi-
cle model and audio system. There is also a
dynamic calibration that takes into account the
volume control setting and the vehicle's speed.
Personal settingsDifferent settings are available in Top view under
Settings Sound
depending on the vehicle's
sound system.

WHEELS AND TIRES
560Tires
The function of the tires is to carry loads, provide
traction on road surfaces, reduce vibrations and
protect the wheels from wear.
The tires significantly influence the vehicle's driv-
ing characteristics. The type, dimensions, tire
pressure and speed rating have a considerable
impact on how the vehicle performs.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to
the vehicle's tire information placard on the B-pil-
lar (the structural member at the side of the vehi-
cle, at the rear of the driver's door opening).
WARNING A damaged tire could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
CAUTION Some Volvo models are equipped with an
Ultra High Performance tire and wheel com-
bination designed to provide maximum dry
pavement performance with consideration for
hydroplaning resistance. They may be more
susceptible to road hazard damage and,
depending on driving conditions, may achieve
a tread life of less than 30,000 km (20,000
miles). Even if this vehicle is equipped with
Volvo's advanced AWD or stability system,
these tires are not designed for winter driving,
and should be replaced with winter tires when
weather conditions dictate.
The tires have good road holding characteristics
and offer good handling on dry and wet surfaces.
It should be noted however that the tires have
been developed to give these features on snow/
ice-free surfaces.
Most models are equipped with "all-season" tires,
which provide a somewhat higher degree of road-
holding on slippery road surfaces than tires with-
out the "all-season" rating. However, for optimal
roadholding on icy or snow-covered roads, Volvo
recommends snow tires on all four wheels.
When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires
are the same size designation, type (radial) and
preferably from the same manufacturer, on allfour wheels. Otherwise there is a risk of altering
the vehicle's roadholding and handling characte-
ristics.
Recommended tiresOn delivery, the car is equipped with Volvo origi-
nal tires that have the VOL
1
marking on the side
of the tires. These tires have been designed spe-
cifically for your vehicle. It is therefore important
when replacing tires that the new tires have this
same marking to help maintain the vehicle's driv-
ing characteristics, comfort and fuel consumption.
New tires Tires are perishable goods. After a few years,
they will begin to harden and their friction proper-
ties will gradually deteriorate. Always replace tires
with the freshest tires possible. This is particularly
important for snow tires. A series of numbers is
1
This may vary for certain tire dimensions.