lights VOLVO XC70 2012 Owner´s Manual
Page 124 of 376
03 Your driving environment
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*
03
124* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
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.
Page 133 of 376
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
The MY CAR menus
04
133
Driver support systems
MY CARSupport systems
(MY CAR > Support systems)
The screen shows the current status (settings)
for the vehicle's driver support systems.
Menu settings
The following pages list the main menus/sub-
menus and possible selections.
Car key memory
See pages 86 and 55 for more information.
Lock settings
Automatic door lockingDoors unlock
All doors
Driver door, then all
Keyless entry
All doors
Any door
Doors on same side
Both front doors
Audible confirmation
See page 55 and 62 for more information.
Reduced Guard
Activate once
Ask when exiting
See page 69 for more information.
Side mirror settings
Fold mirrors
Tilt left mirror
Tilt right mirror
See page 103 for more information.
Light settings
Door lock confirmation light
Unlock confirmation lightSee page 55 for more information.
Approach light duration
Off
30 sec
60 sec
90 sec
See page 56 for more information.
Home safe light duration
30 sec
60 sec
90 sec
See page 97 for more information.
Triple indicator
See page 95 for more information.
Daytime running lights
See page 92 for more information.
Active bending lights
See page 93 for more information.
Tire pressure system
Warns if tire pressure is too low
Page 141 of 376
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Climate system
04
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.141
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.
•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*
The current seat temperature is shown in the cen-
ter console display
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.
Seat heating will automatically switch off when
the engine is switched off.
Heated rear seats*2
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. If AUTO is selected,
blower speed will be regula-
ted automatically and this will
override manual adjustment.
NOTE
If the blower is turned off completely, the air
conditioning is disengaged, which may
result in fogging on the windows.
2Not available on models equipped with the optional integrated booster cushions
Page 143 of 376
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Climate system
04
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.143
A/C – ON/OFFWhen the indicator light in the
button is on, the air condition-
ing is controlled automati-
cally. This cools/heats and
dehumidifies the incoming air.
When the indicator light in the
button is off, the air condition-
ing is disengaged. Other functions are still con-
trolled automatically. When maximum
defroster is selected, the air conditioning sys-
tem is set for maximum blower speed and
dehumidification.
DefrosterThis function defrosts/de-ices
the windshield and front side
windows. The indicator light
in the defroster button lights
when the function is active.
•Blower speed increases automatically and
the air conditioning will switch on (if not
already on and if the passenger compart-
ment blower is not turned off) to dehumid-
ify the air in the passenger compartment.
Air conditioning can be switched off by
pressing the AC button.
•Recirculation will not function while defrost
is engaged.The climate system will return to its previous
settings when the defroster function is
switched off.
Recirculation/air quality system
Recirculation
This function can be used to
shut out exhaust fumes,
smoke, etc., from the passen-
ger compartment. The air in
the passenger compartment
is then recirculated, i.e., no air
from outside the car is taken
into the car when this function is activated. The
indicator light in the button will illuminate when
recirculation is selected.
If the air in the car recirculates for too long,
there is a risk of condensation forming on the
insides of the windows, especially in winter.
TimerThe timer function minimizes the risk of fog-
ging, or stale air when the recirculation function
is selected by automatically switching off the
function after a certain length of time, depend-
ing on the ambient temperature. Activate/
deactivate the function under Climate
settings
Recirculation timer. See page
131 for a description of the menu system.
NOTE
When Defroster is selected, recirculation is
always deactivated.
Interior Air Quality System–IAQS*This system consists of a multifilter and an air
quality sensor. The filter helps remove gases
and particles from the incoming air, thereby
reducing the amounts of odors and contami-
nants entering the vehicle. The air quality sen-
sor detects increased levels of contaminants in
the outside air. When the air quality sensor
detects contaminated outside air, the air intake
closes and the air inside the passenger com-
partment is recirculated, i.e., no outside air
enters the vehicle. The filter also cleans recir-
culated passenger compartment air. When the
AUTO button is depressed the air quality sen-
sor is always engaged.
Activate or deactivate this function in Climate
settings
Interior air quality system.
Page 159 of 376
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)*
04
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.159
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:
•if the radar sensor is obstructed and can-
not detect other vehicles, for example in
heavy rain, or if snow or other objects are
obscuring the radar sensor.
NOTE
Keep the area in front of the radar sensor
clean.
•if the speed of vehicles ahead is signifi-
cantly different from your own speed.
Situations where ACC may not function
optimally
WARNING
•The radar sensor has a limited field of
vision. In some situations it may detect
a vehicle later than expected or not
detect other vehicles at all.
•If ACC is not functioning properly,
cruise control will also be disabled.
Radar sensor's field of vision (shown in pink)
In certain situations, the radar sensor can-
not detect vehicles at close quarters, for
example a vehicle that suddenly enters the
lane between your vehicle and the target
vehicle.
Small vehicles, such as motorcycles, or
vehicles not driving in the center of the lane
may remain undetected.
Page 167 of 376
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
City Safety™
04
167
driver is always responsible for main-
taining a safe distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Function
Location of the laser sensor in the windshield2
City Safety™ monitors traffic ahead of you
using a laser sensor mounted in the upper sec-
tion of the windshield. If a collision is imminent,
City Safety™ will automatically apply the
brakes, which may feel like hard braking.
If the difference in speed between your vehicle
and the vehicle ahead is more than approxi-
mately 9 mph (15 km/h), City Safety™ alone
cannot prevent a collision from taking place.The driver must apply the brakes to help avoid
a collision or reduce its effect.
When the function activates and applies the
brakes, a message will appear in the informa-
tion display to indicate that the system is/has
been active.
NOTE
•When City Safety™ applies the brakes,
the brake lights will illuminate.
•In cases where City Safety™ has stop-
ped the vehicle, the system will then
release the brakes. The driver must
apply the brakes to keep the vehicle at
a standstill.
Using City Safety™
NOTE
The City Safety™ function is activated auto-
matically each time the engine has been
switched off and restarted.
On and OffIn certain situations, it may be desirable to
switch City Safety™ off, such as when drivingin close quarters where leaves, branches, etc.
may obscure the hood and windshield.
When the engine is running, City Safety™ can
be switched off as follows:
Press My Car in the center console control
panel and go to Settings
Car settings
Driver support systemsCity Safety.
Select
Off.
If the engine is switched off, City Safety™ will
reactivate when the engine is restarted.
WARNING
The laser sensor emits light when the igni-
tion is in mode II or higher, even if City
Safety™ has been switched off.
To switch City Safety™ on again:
•Follow the same procedure as for switch-
ing City Safety™ off but select ON.
2The illustration is schematic; details will vary, depending on the model
Page 168 of 376
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
City Safety™
04
168
Limitations
The sensor used by City Safety™ is designed
to detect cars and other larger motor vehicles
ahead of your vehicle in both daylight and dark-
ness.
However, there are certain limitations and the
laser sensor’s function may be reduced by, for
example, heavy rain or snowfall, or by dense
fog or thick, blowing dust or snow. Condensa-
tion, dirt, ice or snow on the windshield may
also interfere with the sensor’s function.
Objects such as warning flags hanging from
long objects on the roof or accessories such as
auxiliary lights or protective arches on the front
of the vehicle that are higher than the hood may
also impede the sensor’s function.
Braking distance to the vehicle ahead increa-
ses on slippery road surfaces, which may
reduce City Safety’s capacity to avoid a colli-
sion. In situations like this, the DSTC system
(see page 148) will help provide the best pos-
sible braking capacity and stability.
City Safety™ emits infrared light and measures
the way in which the light is reflected. There-
fore, vehicles or objects with low-reflective sur-
faces may not be detected. Normally, the
license plate and taillight reflectors give the
rear section of a vehicle ahead sufficient reflec-
tive surfaces to be detected.NOTE
•Keep the windshield in front of the laser
sensor free of ice, snow, dirt, etc. See
page 167.
•Snow or ice on the hood deeper than
2 inches (5 cm) may obstruct the sen-
sor. Keep the hood free of ice and snow.
•Do not mount or in any way attach any-
thing on the windshield that could
obstruct the laser sensor.
Troubleshooting
If Windscreen Sensors blocked appears in
the information display, this indicates that the
City Safety™ laser sensor is obstructed in
some way and cannot detect vehicles ahead of
you, which means that the system is not func-
tioning.
However, this message will not be displayed in
all situations in which the sensor is obstructed.
For this reason, the driver must ensure that the
area of the windshield in front of the sensor is
always kept clean.
The following table shows some of the situa-
tions that can cause the message to be dis-
played and suggested actions.
CauseAction
The area of the
windshield in front of
the sensor is dirty or
covered by ice or
snow.Clean the wind-
shield or remove the
ice/snow.
The laser sensor's
field of view is
obstructed.Remove the
obstruction.
CAUTION
If a crack, scratch or stone chip should
occur in the section of the windshield in
front the laser sensor and covers an area of
approximately 1/50 x 1/10 in. (0.5 x 3 mm)
or larger, contact a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician to repair or replace
the windshield (see the illustration showing
the location of the sensor on page 167).
Failing to do so may result in reduced City
Safety™ functionality.
To help prevent reduced functionality,
please also observe the following:
•If the windshield is replaced, use the
same type or a windshield approved by
Volvo.
•When replacing windshield wipers, use
the same type or ones approved by
Volvo.
Page 187 of 376
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Park assist*
04
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.187
Front park assist
G021424
The distance monitored in front of the vehicle
is approximately 2.5 ft (0.8 m). The audible sig-
nal comes from the audio system's front
speakers.
It may not be possible to combine auxiliary
headlights and front park assist since these
lights could trigger the system's sensors.
NOTE
Front park assist is deactivated when the
parking brake is applied and or when the
gear selector is in the P position.
Faults in the system
If the information symbol illuminates and Park
assist syst Service required is shown on the
information display, this indicates that the sys-
tem is not functioning properly and has been
disengaged. Consult a trained and qualified
Volvo service technician.
CAUTION
In certain circumstances, the park assist
system may give unexpected warning sig-
nals that can be caused by external sound
sources that use the same ultrasound fre-
quencies as the system. This may include
such things as the horns of other vehicles,
wet tires on asphalt, pneumatic brakes,
motorcycle exhaust pipes, etc. This does
not indicate a fault in the system.
Cleaning the sensors
Location of the front sensors
Location of the rear sensors
The sensors must be cleaned regularly to
ensure that they work properly. Clean them
Page 193 of 376
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Blind Spot Information System*
04
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.193 Introduction
G021426
BLIS camera
Indicator light
BLIS symbol
The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) is an
information system that indicates the presence
of another vehicle moving in the same direction
as your vehicle in the side-view mirror's "blind
area."
CAUTION
The BLIS system should only be repaired by
a trained and qualified Volvo service tech-
nician.
WARNING
•BLIS is an information system, NOT a
warning or safety system.
•BLIS does not eliminate the need for
you to visually confirm the conditions
around you, and the need for you to turn
your head and shoulders to make sure
that you can safely change lanes.
•As the driver, you have full responsibility
for changing lanes in a safe manner.
The system is based on digital camera tech-
nology. The cameras are located beneath the
side-view mirrors.
When one (or both) of the cameras have
detected a vehicle in the blind area (up to
approximately 10 ft. (3 meters) from the side of
your vehicle, and up to approximately 31 ft.
(9.5 meters) behind the side-view mirror), see
the illustration, the indicator light in the door
panel illuminates. The light will glow continu-
ously to alert the driver of the vehicle in the
blind area.
NOTE
The door panel indicator light illuminates on
the side of the vehicle where the system has
detected another vehicle. If your vehicle is
passed on both sides at the same time, both
lights will illuminate.
BLIS has an integrated function that alerts the
driver if a fault should occur with the system.
For example, if one or both of the system's
cameras are obscured, a message (see the
table on page 195) will appear in the informa-
tion display in the instrument panel. If this
occurs, clean the camera lenses. If necessary,
the system can be temporarily switched off (for
instructions, see page 195).
Areas monitored by BLIS Distance A = approx.
31 ft. (9.5 meters), Distance B = approx. 10 ft.
(3 meters)
Page 194 of 376
04 Comfort and driving pleasure
Blind Spot Information System*
04
194* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
When does BLIS function
The system functions when your vehicle is
moving at speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).
When you pass another vehicle:The system reacts when you pass another
vehicle at a speed of up to 6 mph (10 km/h)
faster than that vehicle.
When you are passed by another vehicle:The system reacts if your vehicle is passed by
another vehicle at a speed of up to 43 mph
(70 km/h) faster than your vehicle.
WARNING
•BLIS does not function in sharp curves.
•BLIS does not function when your vehi-
cle is backing up.
•If you are towing a wide trailer, this may
prevent the BLIS cameras from detect-
ing other vehicles in adjacent lanes.
How BLIS functions in daylight and
darkness
Daylight
BLIS reacts to the shape of surrounding vehi-
cles. The system is designed to help detect
motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses,
motorcycles, etc.
DarknessBLIS reacts to the headlights of surrounding
vehicles. In order to be detected by BLIS, a
vehicle in the blind area must have its head-
lights on. This means, for example, that the
system will not detect a trailer without head-
lights that is being towed behind a car or truck.
WARNING
•BLIS does not react to cyclists or
mopeds.
•BLIS does not react to vehicles that are
standing still.
•The BLIS cameras have the same limi-
tation as the human eye. In other words,
their "vision is impaired" by adverse
weather conditions such as heavy
snowfall, intense light directly into the
camera, dense fog, etc.
LimitationsIn certain situations, the BLIS indicator light(s)
may illuminate even when there are no other
vehicles in the area monitored by the system.
NOTE
If the BLIS indicator lights illuminate occa-
sionally even when there are no other vehi-
cles in the blind area, this does not indicate
a fault in the system.
In the event of a fault,
Blind spot syst.
Service required will be displayed.
The following are several examples of situa-
tions in which the BLIS indicator light(s) may
illuminate even when there are no other vehi-
cles in the area monitored by the system.
Light reflected from a wet road surface