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440
Symbols in the instrument panel
Symbol
Meaning A
B
Check the brake fluid level. If the
level is low, fill brake fluid and
check to determine the reason for
the loss of brake fluid. A
B
Fault in pedal sensor. Symbol
Meaning A
B
Steady glow for 2 seconds after
the engine is started: Automatic
function check.
Steady glow for more than 2 sec-
onds: Fault in the ABS system. The
vehicle's regular brake system is
still working, but without the ABS
function. If the message Brake pedal Cha-
racteristics changed Service
required is displayed, the "Brake-
by-wire" system is not functioning
properly. Greater pressure will be
required to brake the vehicle. A
In Canada.
B In the US.WARNING If the warning symbols for both brake fault
and ABS fault are lit simultaneously, there
may be a fault in the brake system.
If the brake fluid reservoir level is normal
when this occurs, drive carefully to the
nearest workshop to have the brake sys-
tem checked - an authorized Volvo work-
shop is recommended.
If the brake fluid has fallen below the MIN
level in the brake fluid reservoir, the vehi-
cle should not be driven until the brake
fluid has been filled. The reason for the
brake fluid loss must be checked.
Related information
Brake Assist System (p. 441)
Auto-hold brakes (p. 446)
Hill Start Assist (p. 447)
Braking on wet roads (p. 441)
Braking on salted roads (p. 441)
Maintenance of the brake system (p. 442)
Brake lights (p. 160)

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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
445
Parking brake malfunction
If you are unable to deactivate or activate the
parking brake after several attempts, contact an
authorized Volvo workshop.
A audible warning signal will sound if the parking
brake is applied while the vehicle is being driven.
If the vehicle must be parked before the problem
is rectified, turn the wheels as when parking on
an incline and put the gear selector in P.
Low battery charge levelIf the battery charge level is too low, it will not be
possible to apply or release the parking brake.
Connect an auxiliary battery to the vehicle if the
battery is discharged.
Replacing brake padsDue 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.
Symbols in the instrument panel Symbol
Meaning A
B
A flashing symbol indicates that a
fault has been detected. See the
message in the instrument panel. A
B
Fault in the brake system. See the
message in the instrument panel. Information message in the instru-
ment panel.
A
In Canada.
B In the US.Related information
Activating and deactivating the parking brake
(p. 443)
Start battery (p. 627)
Volvo's service program (p. 610)

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
447
When shutting off
If the function is active and holding the
vehicle stationary using the normal
brakes (A symbol lit), the brake pedal
must be depressed while pressing the
button in order to deactivate Auto-hold.
The function will remain off until it is reactiva-
ted.
When Auto-hold is switched off, Hill Start
Assist (HSA) will remain active to help pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling backward when
starting up a hill.
Related information
Auto-hold brakes (p. 446) Hill Start Assist
The function for assisting when starting the vehi-
cle on inclines, Hill Start Assist (HSA), helps
prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when
starting on an uphill gradient. When backing up
a hill, HSA helps prevent the vehicle from rolling
forward.
The function retains pressure from the brake
pedal in the brake system for several seconds
after the brake pedal has been released.
This temporary braking effect is released after a
few seconds or when the driver begins driving.
Hill Start Assist is available even if the Auto-hold
brake function is switched off.
Related information
Auto-hold brakes (p. 446)
Brakes (p. 439) Braking assist after a collision
In a collision in which the activation level is
reached for the pyrotechnic seat belt tensioners
or airbags, or if a collision with a large animal is
detected, the vehicle's brakes will be automati-
cally activated. This function is intended to help
prevent or reduce the effects of any subsequent
collision.
After a serious collision, it may no longer be pos-
sible to control and steer the vehicle. In order to
avoid or mitigate a possible further collision with
a vehicle or an object in the vehicle's path, the
brake assist system is activated automatically to
help stop the vehicle safely.
The brake lights and hazard warning flashers are
activated during braking. When the vehicle has
stopped, the hazard warning flashers will con-
tinue to flash and the parking brake will be
applied.
If braking is not appropriate, e.g. if there is a risk
of being hit by passing traffic, the driver can over-
ride the system by depressing the accelerator
pedal.
This function assumes that the brake system is
intact after a collision.
Brake assist is part of the Rear Collision Warning
and Blind Spot Information safety systems.

||STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
448
Related information
Rear Collision Warning (p. 354)
BLIS* (p. 355)
Brake functions (p. 438) Transmission
The transmission is part of the vehicle's driveline
(power transmission) between the engine and
the drive wheels. The function of the transmis-
sion is to change gears depending on speed
and 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 torque
and power band to be effectively utilized. Two of
the gears are overdrive gears that save fuel when
driving at a constant engine speed. The steering
wheel paddles* can be used to shift up or down
manually. The instrument panel shows the gear
currently in use.
CAUTION Check the operating temperature of the
transmission to help avoid damage to any of
the drive system components. If there is a risk
of overheating, a warning symbol will appear
in the instrument panel and a text message
will be displayed. Follow the recommenda-
tions given.
Symbols in the instrument panelIf a problem should occur with the transmission, a
symbol and a message will appear in the instru-
ment panel. Symbol
Meaning Information and messages related
to 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 in
the driveline, the vehicle may go
into a "limp home" mode with
reduced power output to help avoid
damage to the driveline.
Related information
Gear selector positions for automatic trans-
missions (p. 449)

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}}
449
Gear selector positions for
automatic transmissions
In vehicles with an automatic transmission, the
system selects the optimal gear for the current
driving conditions. The transmission also has a
manual 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 the
instrument panel displays the gear currently
being used (1-8).
Selecting gearsThe gear selector is a shift-by-wire selector,
where shifting is done electronically instead of
mechanically. This makes shifting easier and the
gear positions more distinct. Select gears by moving the spring-loaded, non-
locking gear selector forward or backward.
Gear selector positions
Park - P
Park is activated using the P button located next
to the gear selector. Select P when the vehicle is parked or when star-
ting the engine. The vehicle must be stationary
when Park is selected.
To move to another gear from Park, the brake
pedal must be depressed and the ignition in
mode II.
When parking – apply the parking brake before
shifting to Park.
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.
NOTE The gear selector must be in the P position
before the vehicle can be locked and the
alarm set.

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
454 Starting and stopping the
combustion engine in Twin Engine
vehicles
An advanced control system determines the dis-
tance that the vehicle can be driven on the com-
bustion engine, electric motor, or both at the
same time. When driving on only the electric
motor, the vehicle may automatically start the
combustion engine due to outside circumstan-
ces, e.g. low ambient temperatures. This is com-
pletely normal. The combustion engine will also
always start when the hybrid battery is nearly
fully discharged.
Climate settings at low temperaturesAt low ambient temperatures, the combustion
engine will sometimes start automatically to help
achieve the desired passenger compartment
temperature and air quality. The amount of time
the combustion engine is running can be affec-
ted by:
lowering the temperature
reducing blower speed
activating Pure drive mode.
Using the electric motor in hot or cold
weather
At very low or high ambient temperatures, the
electric motor's driving range and power may be
reduced and affect how often the combustion
engine automatically starts.
Emission control systemTo help ensure that the emission control system
functions optimally, the combustion engine will
run for several minutes after it is started. The
amount of time the combustion engine needs to
be used varies depending on the temperature of
the three-way catalytic converter.
WARNING California Proposition 65
Operating, servicing and maintaining a pas-
senger vehicle can expose you to chemicals
including engine exhaust, carbon monoxide,
phthalates, and lead, which are known to the
State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. To mini-
mize exposure, avoid breathing exhaust, do
not idle the engine except as necessary, serv-
ice your vehicle in a well ventilated area and
wear gloves or wash your hands frequently
when servicing your vehicle. For more infor-
mation go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
Related information
Drive systems (p. 453)
Economical driving (p. 467)
Using the electric motor only (p. 469)
Drive modes (p. 454) Drive modes
Drive modes affect the vehicle's driving charac-
teristics in different ways to enhance and sim-
plify the driving experience in certain types of sit-
uations.
Drive modes enable easy access to the vehicle's
many functions and settings in different driving
situations. The following systems are adapted to
help optimize driving characteristics in each drive
mode:
Steering
Engine/transmission/all-wheel drive
Brakes
Pneumatic suspension* and shock absorbers
Instrument panel
Climate control settings
Select the drive mode that is best suited to the
current driving conditions. Keep in mind that not
all drive modes are available in all situations.

STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
455
Available drive modes
WARNING Keep in mind that the vehicle does not emit
any engine noise when using the electric
motor and may therefore be difficult to detect
for children, pedestrians, cyclists or animals.
This is particularly true at low speeds, e.g. in
parking lots.
WARNING
Do not leave the vehicle in an unventilated
area with a drive mode activated and the com-
bustion engine switched off. The engine will
start automatically if the charge level in the
hybrid battery is low and the resulting exhaust
gases can be very harmful to people and ani-
mals.
HYBRID
This is the default mode in which the electric
motor and combustion engine work together.
The vehicle starts in Hybrid mode. The control
system uses both the electric motor and the gas-
oline engine - separately or in tandem - and cal-
culates optimal utilization with regard to perform-
ance, fuel consumption and comfort. At high
speeds, ground clearance is automatically low-
ered 3
to reduce air resistance. Driving capacity on
the electric motor alone is determined by factors such as the hybrid battery's charge level, the
need for heat/cooling in the passenger compart-
ment, etc.
If there is sufficient charge in the battery, it is
possible to drive solely on electric power. When
the accelerator pedal is pressed, only the electric
motor will be activated until the battery reaches a
certain charge level. Above this level, the current
in the battery cannot supply the power requested
by the accelerator pedal and the combustion
engine will start.
When the hybrid battery's charge level is low, the
combustion engine will start more frequently to
save the remaining current in the battery. Charge
the hybrid battery from a 120-240 volt outlet
using a charging cable, or activate
Charge in
Function view to reset the option of only using
the electric motor.
This drive mode is designed for low energy con-
sumption with an optimized mix between the
electric motor and gasoline engine, without com-
promising on climate comfort or driving experi-
ence. When faster acceleration is requested by
the driver, the electric driveline will be utilized to
help provide maximum additional power. The
vehicle also monitors the driving conditions and
automatically engages all-wheel drive if neces-
sary. All-wheel drive and extra electric power are
always available regardless of the battery's
charging status.
Information in the instrument panel
When driving in Hybrid mode, a hybrid gauge will
be displayed in the instrument panel. The gauge
will indicate the amount of electrical current
required when the driver depresses the accelera-
tor pedal. The marker between the lightning and
the drop shows how much current is available. The instrument panel gauge when both the electric
motor and the combustion engine are being used.
The instrument panel also shows how
much current is being restored to the
battery (regenerated) during light brak-
ing. 3
For vehicles with pneumatic suspension.