engine VOLVO XC70 2011 Owner´s Manual

03 Your driving environment
Brakes
03
114
Brake system
The 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.
Brake lightsThe brake lights come on automatically when
the brakes are applied.
Adaptive brake lightsThe adaptive brake lights activate in the event
of sudden braking or if the ABS system is acti-
vated. This function causes an additional tail-
light on each side of the vehicle to illuminate to
help alert vehicles traveling behind.
The adaptive brake lights activate if:
•The ABS system activates for more than
approximately a half second
•In the event of sudden braking while the
vehicle is moving at speeds above approx-
imately 6 mph (10 km/h)
When the vehicle has come to a stop, the brake
lights and additional taillights remain on for as
long as the brake pedal is depressed or until
braking force on the vehicle is reduced.
Power brakes function only when the
engine is running
The 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, consider-
ably higher pressure will be required on the
brake pedal to compensate for the lack of
power assistance. This can happen for exam-ple when towing your vehicle or if the engine is
switched off when the vehicle is rolling. The
brake pedal feels harder than usual.
Water on brake discs and brake pads
affects braking
Driving 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 usually
slower, 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.

03 Your driving environment
Brakes
03
115
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-
ing gently for a short period while the vehicle is
moving.
Emergency Brake AssistanceEBA is designed to provide full brake effect
immediately in the event of sudden, hard brak-ing. The system is activated by the speed with
which the brake pedal is depressed.
When the EBA system is activated, the brake
pedal will go down and pressure in the brake
system immediately increases to the maximum
level. Maintain full pressure on the brake pedal
in order to utilize the system completely. EBA
is automatically deactivated when the brake
pedal is released.
NOTE
•When the EBA system is activated, the
brake pedal will go down and pressure
in the brake system immediately increa-
ses to the maximum level. You must
maintain full pressure on the brake
pedal in order to utilize the system com-
pletely. There will be no braking effect if
the pedal is released. EBA is automati-
cally deactivated when the brake pedal
is released.
•When the vehicle has been parked for
some time, the brake pedal may sink
more than usual when the engine is
started. This is normal and the pedal will
return to its usual position when it is
released.
Symbols in the instrument panel
SymbolSpecification
Steady glow – Check the brake
fluid level. If the level is low, fill
with brake fluid and check for
the cause of the brake fluid
loss.
Steady glow for two seconds
when the engine is started –
There was a fault in the brake
system's ABS function when
the engine was last running.
WARNING
If and come on at the same time
and the brake level is below the MIN mark
in the reservoir or if a brake system-related
message is shown in the information dis-
play: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle
towed to a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician and have the brake system
inspected.

03 Your driving environment
Parking brake
03

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.117
Releasing the electric parking brake
Parking brake control
Manual release1. Fasten the seat belt.
2. Insert the remote key in the ignition slot.
3. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
4. Pull the parking brake control.
Vehicles with Keyless drive*1.
Press the START/STOP ENGINE button.
2. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
3. Pull the parking brake control.
Automatic release1. Start the engine.
NOTE
•For safety reasons, the parking brake is
only released automatically if the engine
is running and the driver is wearing a seat
belt.
•The electric parking brake will be
released immediately when the acceler-
ator pedal is pressed and the gear selec-
tor is in position D, R or .
2. Fasten the seat belt
3.
Move the gear selector to position D or R
and press the accelerator pedal. The park-
ing brake will release when the vehicle
begins to move.
Heavy load uphillA heavy load, such as a trailer, can cause the
vehicle to roll backward when the parking
brake is released automatically on a steep
incline. To help avoid this:
1. Keep the electric parking brake lever
pushed in with the left hand while shifting
into Drive with the right.
2. While pressing the throttle pedal to pull
away, release the parking brake lever only
after the vehicle begins to move.
Symbols
SymbolSpecification
Read the message in the infor-
mation display
A flashing symbol indicates that
the parking brake is being
applied. If the symbol flashes in
any other situation then this
means that a fault has arisen.
Read the message on the infor-
mation display.
Messages
G016556
Park brake not fully released – A fault is pre-
venting the parking brake from being released.
Contact an authorized Volvo workshop. If you

03 Your driving environment
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*
03

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.119 Introduction
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
•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 instrument
panel illuminates and a message is dis-
played 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 HDC
HDC 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
HDC can be deactivated at any time. If this is
done while driving down a steep hill, the sys-
tem's braking effect will decrease gradually.

03 Your driving environment
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*
03
120* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
NOTE
Engine response to pressure on the accel-
erator pedal may be slightly slower than
normal when HDC is activated.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Menus and messages
04
126
Phone settings
Call options
Sounds and volume
Synchronize phone book
Main instrument panel
G022908
Information display and menu controls
READ – access to the list of messages and
message confirmation.
Thumbwheel – browse among menus and
options in the list of functions.
RESET – reset the active function. Used in
certain cases to select/activate a function,
see the explanation under each respective
function.The menus shown on the information displays
in the instrument panel are controlled with the
left lever. The menus shown depend on ignition
mode. Press READ to erase a message and
return to the menus.
Menu overviewDriving distance on current fuel reserve
Average
Instantaneous
Average speed
Current speed in mph (Canadian models
only)
DSTC
Messages
G028940
When a warning, information or indicator sym-
bol comes on, a corresponding message
appears on the information display. An error
message is stored in a memory list until the
fault is rectified.
Press READ to acknowledge and scroll among
the messages.
NOTE
If a warning message appears while you are
using the trip computer, the message must
be read and confirmed by pressing READ
before the previous activity can be
resumed.
MessageDescription
Stop safelyStop and switch off
the engine. Serious
risk of damage.
Contact an author-
ized Volvo work-
shop.
Stopping the
engineStop and switch off
the engine. Serious
risk of damage.
Contact an author-
ized Volvo work-
shop.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Menus and messages
04
127
MessageDescription
Service urgentHave the vehicle
checked by an
authorized Volvo
workshop immedi-
ately.
Service requiredHave the vehicle
checked by an
authorized Volvo
workshop as soon
as possible.
See manualRead the owner's
manual.
Book time for
maintenanceTime to book service
at an authorized
Volvo retailer.
Time for regular
maintenanceTime for regular
service at an author-
ized Volvo work-
shop. The timing is
determined by the
number of miles
driven, number of
months since the
last service, engine
running time.
MessageDescription
Maintenance over-
dueIf the service inter-
vals are not fol-
lowed, the warranty
does not cover any
damaged parts.
Contact an author-
ized Volvo workshop
for service.
Temporarily OFFA function has been
temporarily
switched off and is
reset automatically
while driving or after
starting again.
Power save modeThe audio system is
switched off to save
current. Charge the
battery.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Climate system
04
130* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Air vents in the door pillars
G021368
Open
Closed
Horizontal airflow
Vertical airflow
Direct the outer air vents toward the side win-
dows to defrost.
Direct the vents into the passenger compart-
ment to help maintain the desired temperature
in the rear seat.
Electronic climate control, ECC
Ventilated front driver's seat*
Blower
Heated front driver's seat*
Air distribution
Ventilated front passenger's seat*
Auto
Heated front passenger's seat*
Temperature control, passenger's side
A/C – On/Off
Heated rear window and door mirrors, see
page 100.
Defroster (maximum effect)
Recirculation/Air quality system
Temperature control, driver's side
Climate system controls
Ventilated front seats*The ventilation system consists of fans in the
seats and backrests that draw air through the
seat upholstery. The cooling effect increases
as the air in the passenger compartment
becomes cooler.
The ventilation is controlled by the ECC sys-
tem, which takes into account the seat tem-
perature, sunlight in the passenger compart-
ment, and the ambient temperature.
The ventilation can be used at the same time
as seat heating.
The ventilation system can be activated when
the engine is running. There are three comfort
levels that produce different cooling and dehu-
midifying effects:
•Level three: press the button once for
maximum output – three indicator lights
come on.
•Level two: press the button twice for a
lower output – two indicator lights come
on.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Climate system
04

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.131
•Level one: press the button three times for
the lowest output – one indicator light
comes on.
•Press the button a fourth time to switch off
the function – the indicator light will go out.
Heated front seats*Press the button once for the
highest heat level – three indi-
cator lights come on.
Press the button twice for a
lower heat level – two indica-
tor lights come on.
Press the button three times for the lowest heat
level – one indicator light comes on.
Press the button four times to switch off the
heat – no indicator lights come on.
The seat heating is normally switched off when
the engine is started. If the heating is on when
the ignition is switched off, the heating will also
switch off. Automatic start of the seat heating
can be activated/deactivated in the menu sys-
tem, under: Climate settings
Seat heating
off at start
Seat heating is switched off automatically after
a certain length of time. This function can be
activated/deactivated in the menu system,
under: Climate settings
Seat heating
timer
By default, seat heating is off when the engine
is started. If the heating is on, it will automati-
cally switch off when the engine is switched off.
Automatic start for seat heating can be set in
Climate settings
Seat heating off at
start
The seat heating switches off automatically
after several minutes. This function can be acti-
vated/deactivated in Climate settings
Seat
heating timer
Heated rear seats*
G021376
Heat control for the outboard seating positions
is done in the same way as for the front seats.
Blower controlTurn the control clockwise to
increase or counterclockwise
to decrease the blower
speed. Pressing the AUTO
switch will automatically reg-
ulate blower speed and over-
ride manual adjustment.
NOTE
If the blower is turned off completely, the air
conditioning is disengaged, which may
result in fogging on the windows.
Air distributionThe figure consists of three
buttons. When the buttons
are pressed, an indicator light
in front of the respective part
of the figure illuminates and
shows which manual air flow
has been selected. See also
the air distribution chart on page 134.

04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Stability system
04

157 Introduction
The Dynamic Stability and Traction Control
system (DSTC) consists of a number of func-
tions designed help reduce wheel spin, coun-
teract skidding, and to generally help improve
directional stability.
CAUTION
A pulsating sound will be audible when the
system is actively operating and is normal.
Traction control (TC)This function is designed to help reduce wheel
spin by transferring power from a drive wheel
that begins to lose traction to the wheel on the
opposite side of the vehicle (on the same axle).
TC is most active at low speeds.
This is one of DSTC's permanent functions and
cannot be switched off.
Active Yaw Control (AYC)This function helps maintain directional stabil-
ity, for example when cornering, by braking
one or more of the wheels if the vehicle shows
a tendency to skid or slide laterally.
This is one of DSTC's permanent functions and
cannot be switched off.
Spin control (SC)The spin control function is designed to help
prevent the drive wheels from spinning while
the vehicle is accelerating.
Under certain circumstances, such as when
driving with snow chains, or driving in deep
snow or loose sand, it may be advisable to
temporarily switch off this function for maxi-
mum tractive force.
WARNING
The car's handling and stability characteris-
tics will be altered if the spin control function
has been disabled.
Operation
G021409
Temporarily switching off Spin control1.
Turn the thumbwheel (1) until the DSTC
menu is shown.
2.
Hold down the RESET button (2) to toggle
between
DSTC SPIN CONTROL ON/
OFF.
Symbols in the instrument panel
If the symbols and are displayed
at the same time, read the message in the
information display.
If the symbol
appears alone, it may
appear as follows:
•If the symbol flashes, this indicates that the
stability system is actively functioning to
help counteract wheel spin and/or a skid.
•If the symbol remains on for approximately
2 seconds after the engine has been
started, this indicates that the system is
performing a self-diagnostic test.
WARNING
The stability system is intended to help
improve driving safety. It supplements, but
can never replace, the driver's judgment
and responsibility when operating the vehi-
cle. Speed and driving style should always
be adapted to traffic and road conditions.