warning light VOLVO XC70 2009 Owner´s Manual

03 Your driving environment
Transmission
03
109
All Wheel Drive – AWD
4
Your Volvo can be equipped with permanent
All Wheel Drive, which means that power is
distributed automatically between the front
and rear wheels. Under normal driving condi-
tions, most of the engine's power is directed to
the front wheels. However, if there is any ten-
dency for the front wheels to spin, an electron-
ically controlled coupling distributes power to
the wheels that have the best traction.
NOTE
The message
AWD disabled Service
required
will be appear in the information
display if an electrical fault should occur in
the AWD system. A warning light will also
illuminate in the instrument panel. If this
occurs, have the system checked by a
trained and qualified Volvo service techni-
cian.
4Standard on certain models.

03 Your driving environmentBrakes
03110
Brake systemThe brake system is a hydraulic system con-
sisting of two separate brake circuits. If a prob-
lem should occur in one of these circuits, it is
still possible to stop the vehicle with the other
brake circuit.
If the brake pedal must be depressed farther
than normal and requires greater foot pressure,
the stopping distance will be longer.
A warning light in the instrument panel will light
up to warn the driver that a fault has occurred.
If this light comes on while driving or braking,
stop immediately and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir.
NOTE
Press the brake pedal hard and maintain
pressure on the pedal – do not pump the
brakes.
WARNING
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the
reservoir or if a brake system message is
shown in the information display:
DO NOT
DRIVE
. Have the vehicle towed to a trained
and qualified Volvo service technician and
have the brake system inspected.
Power brakes function only when the
engine is runningThe power brakes utilize vacuum pressure
which is only created when the engine is run-
ning. Never let the vehicle roll to a stop with the
engine switched off.
If the power brakes are not working, the brake
pedal must be pressed approximately five
times harder than usual to make up for the lack
of power assistance. This can happen for
example when towing your vehicle or if the
engine is switched off when the vehicle is roll-
ing. The brake pedal feels harder than usual.Water on brake discs and brake pads
affects brakingDriving in rain and slush or passing through an
automatic car wash can cause water to collect
on the brake discs and pads. This will cause a
delay in braking effect when the pedal is
depressed. To avoid such a delay when the
brakes are needed, depress the pedal occa-
sionally when driving through rain, slush, etc.
This will remove the water from the brakes.
Check that brake application feels normal. This
should also be done after washing or starting
in very damp or cold weather.Severe strain on the brake systemThe brakes will be subject to severe strain
when driving in mountains or hilly areas, or
when towing a trailer. Vehicle speed is usuallyslower, which means that the cooling of the
brakes is less efficient than when driving on
level roads. To reduce the strain on the brakes,
shift into a lower gear and let the engine help
with the braking. Do not forget that if you are
towing a trailer, the brakes will be subjected to
a greater than normal load.
Anti-lock braking systemThe Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps to
improve vehicle control (stopping and steering)
during severe braking conditions by limiting
brake lockup. When the system "senses"
impending lockup, braking pressure is auto-
matically modulated in order to help prevent
lockup that could lead to a skid.
The system performs a brief self-diagnostic
test when the engine has been started and
driver releases the brake pedal. Another auto-
matic test may be performed when the vehicle
first reaches a speed of approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several
times and a sound may be audible from the
ABS control module. This is normal.Cleaning the brake discsCoatings of dirt and water on the brake discs
may result in delayed brake function. This delay
is minimized by cleaning the brake linings.
Cleaning the brake pads is advisable in wet
weather, prior to long-term parking, and after
the vehicle has been washed. Do this by brak-

03 Your driving environmentHill Descent Control (HDC)
03112
Introduction
1
Normally, when the accelerator pedal is
released while driving down hills, the vehicle's
speed slows as the engine runs at lower rpm
(the normal engine braking effect). However, if
the downhill gradient becomes steeper and if
the vehicle is carrying a load, speed increases
despite the engine braking effect. In this situa-
tion, the brakes must be applied to reduce the
vehicle's speed.
HDC is a type of automatic engine brake and
makes it possible to increase or decrease the
vehicle's speed on downhill gradients using
only the accelerator pedal, without applying
the brakes. The brake system functions auto-
matically to maintain a low and steady speed.
HDC is particularly useful when driving down
steep hills with rough surfaces, and where the
road may have slippery patches.
WARNING
HDC does not function in all situations, and
is a supplementary braking aid. The driver
has full responsibility for driving in a safe
manner.
Function
G017426
•
HDC can be switched on and off with the
button in the center console. An indicator
light in the button illuminates when HDC is
activated.
•
The indicator light
in the instru-
ment panel illuminates and a message is
displayed when the system is controlling
the vehicle's speed.
•
HDC only functions when first or reverse
gears are selected (
1 will be shown in the
instrument panel display when first gear is
selected).
NOTE
HDC cannot be activated if the gear selector
is the D position.Using HDCHDC allows the car to roll forward at a maxi-
mum speed of 6 mph (10 km/h), and 4 mph
(7 km/h) in reverse. However, the accelerator
pedal can be used to select any speed that is
possible in first or reverse gears. When the
accelerator pedal is released, speed is quickly
reduced again to 6 mph (10 km/h) or 4 mph
(7 km/h), depending on the gear selected,
regardless of the hill's gradient. It is not nec-
essary to apply the brakes.•
The brake lights illuminate automatically
when HDC is controlling the vehicle's
speed.
•
The driver can slow or stop the vehicle at
any time by applying the brakes.
HDC is deactivated when:
•
The button on the center console is
pressed
•
A gear higher than first gear is selected
•
D is selected on vehicles with an automatic
transmission
1HDC is only available on the XC70, on which it is standard equipment.

04 Comfort and driving pleasureCollision warning with Auto-brake (option)
04160
IntroductionCollision Warning with Auto-brake is designed
to assist the driver if there is a risk of a collision
with the vehicle ahead, if that vehicle is at a
standstill or moving in the same direction as
your vehicle. Auto-brake helps reduce the col-
lision speed.
Collision Warning consists of the following
three functions:1. Collision warningThe driver is warned of the imminent risk of a
collision.2. Brake supportThis helps the driver brake efficiently in a criti-
cal situation.3. Auto-brakeThis function brakes the vehicle automatically
if a collision cannot be avoided.
WARNING
The auto-brake function connot prevent a
collision but instead is intended to reduce
speed at the moment of impact. For full
braking effect, driver must apply the brakes.
WARNING
•
The collision warning system does not
work in all driving situations, and traffic,
weather and road conditions.
•
The collision warning system is not
designed to detect pedestrians.
•
Warnings are only provided when the
risk of collision is high. The Function
section provides information about lim-
itations that the driver must be aware of
before use.
•
Never wait for a collision warning. This
system is designed to be a supplemen-
tary driving aid. It is not, however,
intended to replace the driver's atten-
tion and judgement. The driver is
responsible for maintaining a safe dis-
tance and speed, even when the colli-
sion warning system is in use.
•
Maintenance of the collision warning
system components must only be per-
formed by a trained and qualified Volvo
technician.
Function
G017382
Function overview
Visual warning signal, collision riskRadar sensorCamera
Collision warningThe radar sensor and the camera work
together to detect stationary vehicles and vehi-
cles that are moving in the same direction as
your vehicle. If there is a risk of collision, the
driver is alerted by a flashing red warning light
and an audible warning signal. Collision warn-
ing is active at speeds above 5 mph (7 km/h).Brake supportIf the risk of collision continues to increase after
the collision warning has been given, brake

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Collision warning with Auto-brake (option)
04``161
support is activated. Brake support prepares
the brake system to react quickly, and the
brakes are applied slightly. This may be expe-
rienced as a light tug.
If the brakes are applied quickly, full braking
effect will be provided, even if pressure on the
brake pedal is light.Auto-brakeIf a collision is imminent and the driver has not
applied the brakes, the auto-brake function is
activated without the driver pressing the brake
pedal. Limited brake force is applied to reduce
the vehicle’s speed when the collision occurs.
WARNING
The auto-brake function connot prevent a
collision but instead is intended to reduce
speed at the moment of impact. For full
braking effect, driver must apply the brakes.
NOTE
The auto-brake function is always on and
cannot be turned off.OperationSome settings are controlled from the center
console via a menu system. For information on
how the menu system is used, see page 120.
On and offTo switch Collision Warning on or off, go into
the menu Car settings
Collision warning
settings and select On or Off. When the engine
is started, the setting that was selected when
it was switched off will be used.
Activating/deactivating warning signalsThe collision warning system’s audible and vis-
ual signals are activated automatically when
the engine is started if the collision warning
system is activated.
The audible warning signal can be activated/
deactivated by selecting the alternative
On
or
Off
in Car settings
Collision warning
settings
Warning sound.
Setting a warning distanceThis setting determines the distance at which
the visual and audible warnings are triggered.
Select
Long, Normal
or
Short
under
Car
settings
Collision warning settings
Warning distance
The warning distance determines the level of
sensitivity used by the system. The warning
distance
Long
provides an earlier warning.
Begin by using Long and if the system gives
too many warnings, try changing to
Normal.
WARNING
•
The setting
Short
should only be used
in situations where traffic is light and
moving at low speeds.
•
Collision Warning alerts the driver to the
risk of a collision but this function can-
not reduce the driver’s reaction time.
•
For Collision Warning to be as effective
as possible, it is recommended that Dis-
tance Alert be set to 4 or 5, see
page 173.NOTE
•
When adaptive cruise control is used,
the warning light and signal will be used
by cruise control, even if they have been
deactivated by the driver.
•
In situations where traffic is moving at
considerably different speeds, or if the
vehicle ahead brakes suddenly, warn-
ings may be considered to be late, even
if the setting
Long
has been selected.
Checking settingsThe current Collision Warning settings can be
checked by going into the menu system at Car
settings
Collision warning settings. See
page 120 for more information on the menu
system.

04 Comfort and driving pleasureCollision warning with Auto-brake (option)
04162
LimitationsStrong sunlight, reflections, extreme light con-
trasts, the use of sunglasses, or if the driver is
not looking straight ahead may make the visual
warning signal in the windshield difficult to see.
For this reason, always activate the audible
warning signal in such conditions.
NOTE
The visual warning signal may be temporar-
ily disengaged in the event of high passen-
ger compartment temperature due to strong
sunlight, etc. If this occurs, the audible
warning signal will be used, even if it has
been deactivated in the menu system.Warnings may not appear if the distance to the
vehicle ahead is very small or if steering wheel
and pedal movements are great, for example,
due to a very active driving style.
WARNING
•
In certain situations, the system cannot
provide warnings or warning may be
delayed if traffic conditions or other
external factors make it impossible for
the radar sensor or camera to detect the
vehicle ahead.
•
Warnings may not be provided if the
distance to the vehicle ahead is short,
or if movements of the steering wheel/
brake pedal are great, such as during
active driving.
•
The sensor system has a limited range
for stationary or slow-moving vehicles
and may therefore give delayed or no
warnings if your vehicle’s speed is
above approximately 45 mph
(70 km/h).
•
Warnings for stationary or slow-moving
vehicles may not be provided in dark
conditions.
The Collision Warning system uses the same
radar sensors as Adaptive Cruise Control. For
more information on the radar sensor and its
limitations, see page 169.
If no warning is given, or if a warning is delayed,
Auto-brake will also not be provided or will be
delayed.
NOTE
If warnings are given too frequently, the
warning distance can be reduced (see
page 161. This causes the system to pro-
vide later warnings, which decreases the
total number of warnings provided.The camera’s limitationsThe camera is used by Collision Warning with
Auto-brake, Driver Alert Control (see
page 176), and Lane Departure Warning (see
page 178).
NOTE
•
To help protect the camera in very hot
conditions, it may be temporarily
switched off for approximately 15
minutes after the engine has been
started.
•
Keep the section of the windshield in
front of the camera clean and free of ice,
snow, or condensation.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Collision warning with Auto-brake (option)
04``163
WARNING
•
The camera has the same limitations as
the human eye. In other words, its
“vision is impaired” by adverse weather
conditions such as heavy snowfall,
dense fog, etc. These conditions may
reduce the function of systems that
depend on the camera or cause these
systems to temporarily stop function-
ing.
•
Never place any objects, decals, etc.,
on the windshield in front of the camera.
This could reduce or block the camera’s
function, and could cause one or more
of the systems that utilize the camera to
stop functioning.
•
Strong sunlight, reflections from the
road surface, ice or snow covering the
road, a dirty road surface, or unclear
lane marker lines may drastically reduce
the camera’s capacity to detect the side
of a lane or another vehicle.
Fault tracing and actionsIf the message
Windshield sensors
blocked
is displayed, this means that the cam-
era is obscured and cannot detect vehicle or
road marker lines in front of the vehicle.
This, in turn, means that Collision Warning with
Auto-brake, Lane Departure Warning, and
Driver Alert Control will not have full function-
ality.
The table lists possible causes for this mes-
sage being displayed, and suitable actions.
Cause
Action
The surface of the windshield in front of the camera is dirty or covered
with ice or snow.
Clean or clear the section of the windshield in front of the camera.
Fog, heavy rain or snow is interfering with the function of the camera.
No action possible. Heavy precipitation may affect the function of the
camera.

04 Comfort and driving pleasureAdaptive Cruise Control–ACC (option)
04166
IntroductionAdaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is an optional
system designed to assist the driver by main-
taining a set speed or a set distance to the
vehicle ahead. It is primarily intended for use
on long straight roads in steady traffic, such as
on highways and other main roads.
WARNING
•
Do not use the adaptive cruise control
system in demanding driving conditions
such as city traffic, winding roads, at
intersections, on slippery surfaces, in
poor visibility, heavy rain, etc.
•
Maintenance of cruise control compo-
nents must only be performed by an
authorized Volvo workshop.
WARNING
•
Adaptive cruise control cannot cover all
driving situations and traffic, weather
and road conditions. The Function sec-
tion provides information about limita-
tions that the driver must be aware of
before using the adaptive cruise con-
trol.
•
This system is designed to be a supple-
mentary driving aid. It is not, however,
intended to replace the driver's atten-
tion and judgement. The driver is
responsible for maintaining a safe dis-
tance and speed and must intervene if
adaptive cruise control does not main-
tain a suitable speed or suitable dis-
tance.
Function
G021412
Function overview
Warning light, braking by driver requiredControlsRadar sensor in front grille
Adaptive cruise control consists of:
•
A cruise control system to maintain a set
speed
•
A system to maintain a set distance to the
vehicle ahead (expressed as a time inter-
val. For example, you can choose to
remain approximately 2 seconds behind
the vehicle ahead).

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Adaptive Cruise Control–ACC (option)
04``167
WARNING
•
Adaptive cruise control is not a collision
avoidance system. The driver is always
responsible for applying the brakes if
the system does not detect another
vehicle.
•
Adaptive cruise control does not react
to slow moving or stationary vehicles.
The distance to the vehicle ahead (in the same
lane) is measured by a radar sensor. Your vehi-
cle's speed is regulated by acceleration and
braking. The brakes may emit a sound when
they are being modulated by the adaptive
cruise control system. This is normal.
WARNING
The brake pedal moves when the adaptive
cruise control system modulates the
brakes. Do not rest your foot under the
brake pedal.The adaptive cruise control system is designed
to follow the vehicle ahead of you in the same
lane, at a set time interval.
If the radar sensor has not detected a vehicle
ahead, the system will then attempt to maintain
the set speed. This is also the case if the speedof the vehicle ahead exceeds the speed that
you have set.
The adaptive cruise control system is designed
to smoothly regulate speed. However, the
driver must apply the brakes in situations that
require immediate braking. This applies when
there are great differences in speed between
vehicles, or if the vehicle ahead brakes sud-
denly.
WARNING
Due to limitations in the radar sensor, brak-
ing may occur unexpectedly or not at all,
see page 169.Adaptive cruise control can only be activated
at speeds above 20mph (30 km/h). If speed
falls below 20 mph (30 km/h) or if engine speed
(rpm) becomes too low, adaptive cruise control
disengages and will no longer modulate the
brakes. In situations when adaptive cruise con-
trol cannot be activated
Cruise Control
Unavailable
is shown in the display, see
page 171.
WARNING
When adaptive cruise control disengages,
the brakes will not be modulated automati-
cally. The driver must assume full control
over the vehicle.Warning light-driver braking requiredAdaptive cruise control has a braking capacity
that is equivalent to approximately 30% of the
vehicle's total braking capacity. In situations
requiring more brake force than ACC can pro-
vide, if the driver does not apply the brakes, an
audible signal will sound and a red warning
light will illuminate in the windshield to alert the
driver to react.
NOTE
Strong sunlight, reflections, extreme light
contrasts, the use of sunglasses, or if the
driver is not looking straight ahead may
make the visual warning signal in the wind-
shield difficult to see.
WARNING
Cruise control only warns of vehicles
detected by the radar sensor, see
page 169. In some cases there may be no
warning or the warning may be delayed. The
driver should always apply the brakes when
necessary.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Adaptive Cruise Control–ACC (option)
04``169
WARNING
•
Only use a time interval that is suitable
in current traffic conditions.
•
A short time interval gives the driver lim-
ited reaction time if an unexpected sit-
uation occurs in traffic.
The number of bars indicating the selected
time interval are shown while the setting is
being made and for several seconds afterward.
A smaller version of the symbol is then shown
to the right in the display. The same symbol is
also displayed when Distance Alert is acti-
vated, see page 173 .Deactivating and resuming settingsCruise control is deactivated, either with a
short press on
, or by action taken by the
driver, such as braking, etc. The set speed, for
example 55 mph, is then shown in parenthe-
ses. Speed and time interval are resumed by
pressing
.
WARNING
There may be a significant increase in speed
after the
button has been pressed.
A short press on
in standby mode or a long
press in active mode deactivates cruise con-trol. The set speed is then cleared and cannot
be resumed.
When ACC is activated, the vehicle’s speed
increases by approximately 1 mph (1 km/h)
each additional time
is pressed.
Deactivation due to action by the driverACC is deactivated:•
when the brakes are applied
•
if the gear selector is moved to N
•
if the accelerator pedal is depressed for an
extended period.NOTE
If the accelerator pedal is only depressed for
a short time, such as when passing another
vehicle, ACC is deactivated temporarily and
is reactivated when the pedal is released.Automatic deactivationAdaptive cruise control is linked to other sys-
tems such as ABS, the stability and traction
control system (DSTC), and the Distance Alert
System. If any of these systems are not func-
tioning properly, adaptive cruise control is
automatically deactivated.
In the event of automatic deactivation a signal
will sound and the message
Cruise Control
Canceled
is shown in the display. The drivermust then intervene and adapt the vehicle's
speed to the surrounding traffic.
Automatic deactivation may be caused if:
•
the vehicle's speed falls below 20 mph
(30 km/h)
•
the wheels lose traction or if the anti-lock
brake system (ABS) is activated
•
brake temperature is high
•
engine speed (rpm) is too low
•
the radar sensor is obstructed by, for
example, wet snow or rain.
The radar sensor and its limitationsThe radar sensor is used by both Adaptive
Cruise Control and the Collision Warning Sys-
tem with Auto-brake. It is designed to detect
cars or larger vehicles driving in the same
direction as your vehicle.
WARNING
Accessories or other objects, such as extra
headlights, must not be installed in front of
the grille.
Modification of the radar sensor could make
its use illegal.The radar sensor's capacity to detect vehicles
ahead is impeded: