instrument panel VOLVO XC70 2011 Owner´s Manual

03 Your driving environment
Lighting
03
90* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Front fog lights*
G014402
Button for front fog lights
The front fog lights can be switched on
together with high/low beams or the parking
lights. However, the fog lights switch off and
remain off while the high beams are on.

Press the button to switch the fog lights on/
off. The light in the button comes on when
the fog lights are on.
NOTE
Regulations regarding the use of the front
fog lights may vary, depending on where
you drive.
Rear fog light
G014403
Button for rear fog light
The single rear fog light is located in the driver's
side taillight cluster. The rear fog light will only
function in combination with the high/low
beam headlights or the optional front fog lights.

Press the button to switch the rear fog light
on/off.
> The rear fog light indicator symbol
on the instrument panel and the
light in the button come on when the
rear fog light is switched on.
NOTE
The rear fog light is considerably brighter
than the normal taillights and should be
used only when conditions such as fog, rain,
snow, smoke or dust reduce visibility for
other vehicles to less than 500 ft.
(150 meters).
Hazard warning flashers
Location of the hazard warning flasher button
The hazard warning flasher should be used to
indicate that the vehicle has become a traffic
hazard.

To activate the flashers, press the button
in the center dash. Press the button again
to turn off the flashers.

03 Your driving environment
Wipers and washers
03
94* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Windshield wipers/washers
Windshield wipers and washers
Rain sensor* on/off
Thumb wheel sensitivity/frequency
CAUTION
•Use ample washer fluid when washing
the windshield. The windshield should
be thoroughly wet when the wipers are
in operation.
•Before using the wipers, ice and snow
should be removed from the wind-
shield/rear window. Be sure the wiper
blades are not frozen in place.
Windshield wipers offMove the lever to position 0 to switch
off the windshield wipers.
Single sweepMove the lever upward from position
0 to sweep the windshield one stroke
at a time for as long as the lever is held up.
Intermittent wipingWith the lever in this position, you can
set the wiper interval by twisting the
thumb wheel upward to increase wiper speed
or downward to decrease the speed.
Continuous wipingThe wipers operate at normal speed.
The wipers operate at high speed.
Windshield wiper service positionThe windshield wipers must be in the service
position before the wiper blades can be
cleaned or replaced. See page 271 for addi-
tional information.
Rain sensor*The rain sensor automatically regulates wiper
speed according to the amount of water on the
windshield. The sensitivity of the rain sensor
can be adjusted moving the thumb wheel up(the wipers will sweep the windshield more fre-
quently) or down (the wipers will sweep the
windshield less frequently).
NOTE
The wipers will make an extra sweep each
time the thumb wheel is adjusted upward.
When the rain sensor is activated, the symbol
will illuminate in the instrument panel.
Activating and setting the sensitivityWhen activating the rain sensor, the vehicle
must be running or in ignition mode II and the
windshield wiper lever must be in position 0 or
in the single sweep position.
Activate the rain sensor by pressing the button
. The windshield wipers will make one
sweep.
Press the lever up for the wipers to make an
extra sweep. The rain sensor returns to active
mode when the stalk is released back to posi-
tion 0.
DeactivatingDeactivate the rain sensor by pressing the but-
ton
or press the lever down to another
wiper position.

03 Your driving environment
Transmission
03
112
Geartronic–manual shiftingGeartronic allows you to manually shift among
your vehicle's six forward speeds. Geartronic
can be selected at any time.
•To access the manual shifting position
from Drive (D), move the gear selector to
the right (to the area marked M in the illus-
tration.
NOTE
On models equipped with Sport mode, the
transmission will not switch to manual shift-
ing mode until the gear selector is moved
forward or rearward. The selected gear will
then be shown in the information display
(see page 73).
•To return to the D position from the manual
shifting position, move the gear selector to
the left.
While driving
•If you select the manual shifting position
while driving, the gear that was being used
in the Drive position will also initially be
selected in the manual shifting position.
•Move the gear selector forward (toward
"+") to shift to a higher gear or rearward
(toward "–") to shift to a lower gear.
•If you hold the gear selector toward "–", the
transmission will downshift one gear at a
time and will utilize the braking power of
the engine. If the current speed is too high
for using a lower gear, the downshift will
not occur until the speed has decreased
enough to allow the lower gear to be used.
•If you slow to a very low speed, the trans-
mission will automatically shift down.
Shiftlock – Neutral (N)If the gear selector is in the N position and the
vehicle has been stationary for at least 3 sec-
onds (irrespective of whether the engine is run-
ning) then the gear selector is locked.
To be able to move the gear selector from N to
another gear position, the brake pedal must be
depressed and the ignition must be in posi-
tion II, see page 79.
Geartronic–starting on slippery surfacesSelecting 3rd gear in Geartronic’s manual shift-
ing mode can help provide better traction when
starting off on slippery surfaces. To do so:
1. Depress the brake pedal and move the
gear selector to the right from the D posi-
tion to the manual shifting position. The
text in the instrument panel display will
change from
D to 1.2. Press the gear selector forward and
release it (this selects 2nd gear). Press the
selector forward again and release it to
select 3rd gear.
3. Release the brake pedal and press gently
on the accelerator pedal.
Shiftlock override
If the vehicle cannot be driven, for example
because of a dead battery, the gear selector
must be moved from the P position before the
vehicle can be moved
3.
Lift away the rubber mat on the floor of the
storage compartment behind the center
console to expose the small opening for
overriding the shiftlock system.
3If the battery is dead, the electric parking brake cannot be applied or released. Connect an auxiliary battery if the battery voltage is too low, see page 109.

03 Your driving environment
Transmission
03
113
Insert the key blade into the opening. Press
the key blade down as far as possible and
keep it held down. Move the gear selector
from the P position. For information on the
key blade, see page 58.
Please be aware that overriding the shiftlock
system does not release the steering wheel
lock.
All Wheel Drive – AWD4
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 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
116
Electric parking brake
An electric parking brake has the same func-
tion as a manual parking brake.
NOTE
•A faint sound from the parking brake's
electric motor can be heard when the
parking brake is being applied. This
sound can also be heard during the
automatic function check of the parking
brake.
•The brake pedal will move slightly when
the electric parking brake is applied or
released.
Low battery voltageIf the battery voltage is too low, the parking
brake cannot be applied or released. Connect
an auxiliary battery if the battery voltage is too
low, see page 109.
Applying the electric parking brake
Parking brake control
1. Press firmly on the brake pedal.
2. Push the control.
3. Release the brake pedal and ensure that
the vehicle is at a standstill.
4. When the vehicle is parked, the gear selec-
tor must be in position P.
The
symbol in the instrument panel
flashes while the parking bake is being applied,
and glows steadily when the parking brake has
been fully applied.
NOTE
•In an emergency the parking brake can
be applied when the vehicle is moving
by holding in the control. Braking will be
interrupted when the accelerator pedal
is depressed or the control is released.
•An audible signal will sound during this
procedure if the vehicle is moving at
speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).
Parking on a hill
•If the vehicle is pointing uphill, turn the front
wheels so that they point away from the
curb.
•If the vehicle is pointing downhill, turn the
front wheels so that they point toward the
curb.
The parking brake should also be applied.

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.

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
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.