2020 VOLVO S90 Quick Guide

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Brakes
The brake pedal is used to apply the vehicle's regular brakes, which are part of the brakesystem.
The vehicle is equipped with two brake cir- cuits. If one brake circuit is damaged, thebrake pedal will go down further whendepressed. More pressure will then berequired from the driver for normal brakingeffect. The driver's pressure on the brake pedal is enhanced by a power braking function.
WARNING
Power braking only functions if the engine is running.
If the brake pedal is used when the engine is turned off, the pedal will feel stiffer than usualand greater pressure must be applied to brakethe vehicle. In very hilly areas or when driving with a heavy load, manual gear shifting can be used to aug-ment the brakes with engine braking. Enginebraking is most effective if the same gear isused both uphill and downhill.
Anti-lock brakesThe vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS 2
), which helps prevent
the wheels from locking and helps maintain steering control when braking. Vibrations maybe felt from the brake pedal when ABS isoperating, which is normal. After the vehicle is started, a brief test of the ABS system is automatically performed whenthe driver releases the brake pedal. An addi-tional automatic test of the system may beperformed when the vehicle is traveling at alow speed. During the test, the brake pedalmay feel as though it is pulsating.Symbols in the instrument panel
Symbol Meaning
A
B Check the brake fluid level. If the level is low, fill brake fluid andcheck to determine the reasonfor the loss of brake fluid.
A
BSteady glow for 2 seconds after the engine is started: Automaticfunction check. Steady glow for more than 2 seconds: Fault in the ABS sys-tem. The vehicle's regular brakesystem is still working, but with-out the ABS function.
A
In Canada.
B In the US.
2Anti-lock Braking System

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WARNING
If the warning symbols for both brake fault and ABS fault are lit simultaneously, theremay be a fault in the brake system.
If the brake fluid reservoir level is nor- mal when this occurs, drive carefully tothe nearest workshop to have thebrake system checked - an authorizedVolvo workshop is recommended.
If the brake fluid has fallen below theMIN
level in the brake fluid reservoir,
the vehicle should not be driven untilthe brake fluid has been filled. The rea-son for the brake fluid loss must bechecked.
Related information
Brake Assist System (p. 384)
Auto-hold brakes (p. 389)
Hill Start Assist (p. 390)
Braking on wet roads (p. 384)
Braking on salted roads (p. 385)
Maintenance of the brake system(p. 385)
Brake lights (p. 157)
Brake Assist System The brake enhancing system, (BAS 3
), helps
increase braking force and can thereby reduce braking distance.
The system monitors the driver's braking hab- its and increases braking force when neces-sary. Braking force can be increased up to thepoint at which the ABS intervenes. The func-tion is deactivated when pressure on the brakepedal is decreased.
NOTE
When BAS is activated, the brake pedal will go down slightly more than usual.Press (hold) down the brake pedal as longas necessary. When the brake pedal is released, all brak- ing ceases.
Related information
Brakes (p. 383)
Braking on wet roads
Prolonged driving in heavy rain without brak- ing may cause braking effect to be slightlydelayed the first time the brakes are applied.
This may also occur after washing the vehicle. It will then be necessary to apply greater pres-sure to the brake pedal. You should thereforemaintain a greater distance to the vehicleahead. Firmly apply the brakes after washing the vehicle or driving on wet roads. This helpswarm up the brake discs, enabling them to drymore quickly and protecting them against cor-rosion. Consider the current traffic situationwhen braking.
Related information
Brakes (p. 383)
Braking on salted roads (p. 385)
3
Brake Assist System

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Braking on salted roads
When driving on salted roads, a layer of salt may form on the brake discs and brake pads.
This could increase stopping distance. Main- tain an extra large safety distance to the vehi-cle ahead. 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 havefinished driving and before driving again.
Related information
Brakes (p. 383)
Braking on wet roads (p. 384)
Maintenance of the brake system
Regularly check the brake system compo- nents for wear.
To keep the vehicle as safe and reliable as possible, follow the Volvo service schedulespecified in the Warranty and MaintenanceRecords Information booklet. After replacingbrake pads and brake discs, braking effect isnot adapted until they are "broken in" by driv-ing a few hundred kilometers (miles). Com-pensate for the reduced braking effect byapplying greater pressure to the brake pedal.Volvo recommends only using brake padsapproved for your Volvo.
CAUTION
The brake system's components should be regularly checked for wear. Contact a workshop for advice on how to do this or let a workshop perform theinspection - an authorized Volvo workshopis recommended.
Related information
Brakes (p. 383)
Parking brake
The parking brake helps keep the vehicle sta- tionary by mechanically locking two wheels.
The parking brake controls are located in the tunnel console between the seats.
When the electric parking brake is being applied, a faint sound can be heard from thebrake's electric motor. This sound can also beheard during the automatic function check ofthe parking brake. If the vehicle is stationary when the parking brake is activated, it will only be applied to therear wheels. If it is activated while the vehicleis moving, the normal brakes will be used onall four wheels. Braking will be transferred toonly the rear wheels when the vehicle isalmost stopped.

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Related information
Activating and deactivating the parking brake (p. 386)
Parking on a hill (p. 388)
Parking brake malfunction (p. 388)
Auto-hold brakes (p. 389)
Activating and deactivating the parking brake
Use the parking brake to help keep the vehi- cle stationary 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 activated.
2. Make sure the vehicle is stationary.
Symbol in the instrument panel
Symbol Meaning
A
B The symbol will be illuminated when the parking brake is acti-vated. A flashing symbol indicates that a fault has been detected. Readthe message in the instrumentpanel.
A
Canadian models.
B US models.
Automatic activation
The parking brake is applied automatically when the ignition is switched off and the setting for automatically activating theparking brake is activated in the centerdisplay.
when the gear selector is moved to
P on a
steep hill.
if the auto-hold brake (automatic brake atstandstill) function is activated and
the vehicle has been stationary for aprolonged period of time (5-10minutes).
the vehicle is switched off.
the driver has left the vehicle.

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Emergency braking
In an emergency, the parking brake can be activated when the vehicle is moving by pull-ing and holding up the control. The brakingprocess is canceled when the control isreleased or if the accelerator pedal isdepressed.
NOTE
In case of emergency braking at high speeds, a signal sounds during the brakeprocedure.
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. Start the vehicle.
2. Depress the brake pedal firmly. 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
For automatic deactivation to be possible, the driver's seat belt must be buckled orthe driver's door closed.
Related information
Settings for automatically activating the parking brake (p. 387)
Parking brake malfunction (p. 388)
Parking brake (p. 385)
Parking on a hill (p. 388)
Settings for automatically activating the parking brake Choose whether the parking brake should be activated automatically when the vehicle isswitched off.
To change this setting: 1.
Tap
Settings in the center display's Top
view.
2. Tap
My CarParking Brake and
Suspension and select or deselect theAuto Activate Parking Brake function.
Related information
Activating and deactivating the parking brake (p. 386)
Parking brake (p. 385)

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Parking on a hillAlways use the parking brake when parking on a hill.
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when park- ing on an incline. Selecting a gear or put-ting the automatic transmission in P may
not be sufficient to keep the vehicle sta-tionary in all situations.
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 pointingtoward
the curb.
Heavy load uphill
Heavy loads, such as a trailer, could cause the vehicle to roll backward when the parkingbrake is released automatically on steep uphillgradients. To help avoid this, pull the controlupward while you are driving away. Releasethe control when the vehicle gains traction.
Related information
Activating and deactivating the parkingbrake (p. 386)
Parking brake malfunction
If you are unable to deactivate or activate the parking brake after several attempts, contactan authorized Volvo workshop.
A audible warning signal will sound if the park- ing brake is activated while the vehicle isbeing driven. If the vehicle must be parked before the prob- lem is rectified, turn the wheels as when park-ing on an incline and put the gear selector inP .
Low battery charge levelIf the battery charge level is too low, it will notbe possible to activate or deactivate the park-ing brake. Connect an auxiliary battery to thevehicle if the battery is discharged.
Replacing brake padsDue to the design of the electric parkingbrake, the rear brake pads must be replacedby a workshop. An authorized Volvo workshopis recommended.
Symbols in the instrument panel
Symbol Meaning
A
B A flashing symbol indicates that a fault has been detected. Seethe message in the instrumentpanel.
A
BFault in the brake system. See the message in the instrumentpanel.
Information message in the instrument panel.
A
Canadian models.
B US models.

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Related information
Activating and deactivating the parking brake (p. 386)
Parking on a hill (p. 388)
Start battery (p. 567)
Volvo's service program (p. 542)
Auto-hold brakes
With the Auto-hold brake function, the driver can release the brake pedal and the brakeswill remain applied, for example, when thevehicle has stopped at a traffic light or inter-section.
When the vehicle stops, the brakes are acti- vated automatically. The function can useeither the normal brakes or the parking brakesto keep the vehicle stationary and works onflat surfaces or hills. If the driver has their seatbelt fastened or if the driver's door is closed,the brakes will disengage automatically whenthe vehicle starts driving.
NOTE
When braking to a stop on an uphill or downhill gradient, depress the brake pedalwith slightly more force than usual beforereleasing to ensure that the vehicle cannotmove at all.
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)
Symbols in the instrument panel
Symbol Meaning
This symbol illuminates when the function is using the normalbrakes to keep the vehicle sta-tionary.
A
B This symbol illuminates when the function is using the parkingbrake to keep the vehicle station-ary.
A
Canadian models.
B US models.
Related information
Activating and deactivating Auto-hold at a standstill (p. 390)
Brakes (p. 383)
Parking brake (p. 385)
Hill Start Assist (p. 390)

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Activating and deactivating Auto- hold at a standstill
The Auto-hold brake function at a standstill is activated with the button in the tunnel con-sole.
–Press the button in the tunnel console to activate or deactivate the function.
> The indicator light in the button will illu- minate when the function is activated. The function will remain active the nexttime the vehicle is started.
When shutting offIf the function is active and holdingthe vehicle stationary using the nor-mal brakes (A symbol lit in theinstrument panel), the brake pedal
must be depressed while pressing the buttonin order to deactivate Auto-hold.
The function will remain off until it is reac- tivated.
When Auto-hold is switched off, Hill StartAssist (HSA) will remain active to helpprevent the vehicle from rolling backwardwhen starting up a hill.
Related information
Auto-hold brakes (p. 389)
Hill Start Assist
The function for assisting when starting the vehicle on inclines (HSA 4
) helps prevent the
vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an uphill gradient. When backing up a hill,HSA helps prevent the vehicle from rollingforward.
The function retains pressure from the brake pedal in the brake system for several secondsafter the brake pedal has been released. This temporary braking effect is released after a few seconds or when the driver begins driv-ing. Hill Start Assist is available even when the Auto-hold brake function is switched off.
Related information
Auto-hold brakes (p. 389)
Brakes (p. 383)