tow VOLVO XC70 2011 Owner´s Manual

03 Your driving environment
Instruments and controls
03

77
Seat belt reminder
This symbol comes on for approximately 6 sec-
onds if the driver has not fastened his or her
seat belt.
Generator not charging
This symbol comes on during driving if a fault
has occurred in the electrical system. Contact
an authorized Volvo workshop.
Engine temperatureEngine overheating can result from low oil or
coolant levels, towing or hard driving at high
heat and altitude, or mechanical malfunction.
Engine overheating will be signaled with text
and a red warning triangle in the middle of the
instrument display. The exact text will depend
on the degree of overheating. It may range from
High engine temp Reduce speed to High
engine temp Stop engine. If appropriate,
other messages, such as Coolant level low,
Stop safely will also be displayed. If your
engine does overheat so that you must stop the
engine, always allow the engine to cool before
attempting to check oil and coolant levels.
See page 262 for more information.
Fault in brake system
If this symbol lights, the brake fluid level may
be too low. Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
check the level in the brake fluid reservoir, see
page 262. If the level in the reservoir is belowMIN, the vehicle should be transported to an
authorized Volvo workshop to have the brake
system checked.
Canadian models are equipped with this
symbol.
If the
and symbols come on at the
same time, there may be a fault in the brake
force distribution system.
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off
the engine.
2. Restart the engine.
•If both symbols extinguish, continue driv-
ing.
•If the symbols remain on, check the level in
the brake fluid reservoir, see page 262. If
the brake fluid level is normal but the sym-
bols are still lit, the vehicle can be driven,
with great care, to an authorized Volvo
workshop to have the brake system
checked.
•If the level in the reservoir is below MIN, the
vehicle should be transported to an author-
ized Volvo workshop to have the brake
system checked.
WARNING
•If the fluid level is below the MIN mark
in the reservoir or if a warning message
is displayed in the text window: DO
NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed to
a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician and have the brake system
inspected.
•If the ABS and Brake system lights are
on at the same time, there is a risk of
reduced vehicle stability.
Warning symbol
The red warning symbol lights up to indicate a
problem related to safety and/or drivability. A
message will also appear in the main instru-
ments panel's display. The symbol remains
visible until the fault has been rectified but the
text message can be cleared with the READ
button, see page 126. The warning symbol can
also come on in conjunction with other sym-
bols.
Action:
1. Stop in a safe place. Do not drive the vehi-
cle further.
2. Read the information on the information
display. Implement the action in accord-
ance with the message in the display. Clear
the message using READ.

03 Your driving environment
Ignition modes
03

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.79 Inserting and removing the remote key
Ignition slot with remote key and START/STOP
ENGINE button.
Inserting the remote keyHolding the end of the remote key with the
base of the key blade, insert the remote key
into the ignition slot as shown in the illustration.
CAUTION
Foreign objects in the ignition slot can
impair function or damage the lock.
Removing the remote keyThe remote key can be removed from the igni-
tion slot by pressing the key in lightly. It will
then be ejected slightly and can be removed
from the slot. The gear selector must be in
position P (Park).
Ignition modesThe various ignition modes are accessed with
the remote key in the ignition slot.
Posi-
tionFunction
0Odometer, clock and tempera-
ture gauge are illuminated. Steer-
ing lock is deactivated. The audio
system can be used.
IMoonroof*, power windows,12-
volt sockets, navigation system*,
climate system blower, ECC,
windshield wipers can be used.
IIThe headlights come on. Warn-
ing/indicator lights come on for
5 seconds. All equipment oper-
ates apart from heated seats and
rear window defroster, which
only work when the engine is run-
ning.
IIIThe starter motor will operate
until the engine has started.
NOTE
The brake pedal must not be depressed
when accessing ignition modes I or II.
Ignition mode 0
Insert the remote key in the ignition slot and
press it lightly. It will be drawn into the slot.
WARNING
The ignition key should always be fully
inserted in the ignition slot when the vehicle
is being towed to help prevent the steering
wheel from locking.
On vehicles with the optional keyless drive,
the remote key must be in the passenger
compartment and the driver's door must be
closed.
Ignition mode I
Press the remote key into the ignition slot
and press START/STOP ENGINE briefly.
Ignition mode II
Press the remote key into the ignition slot
and press START/STOP ENGINE for
approximately 2 seconds.
Ignition mode III (engine start)Start the engine, see page 107.
Stopping the engine
Press START/STOP ENGINE. (If the
engine is running and the vehicle is mov-
ing, keep the button depressed until the
engine stops).

03 Your driving environment
Ignition modes
03
80
Returning to ignition mode 0
Press START/STOP ENGINE briefly to
return to ignition mode 0 from modes I or
II.
Emergency towingIf the vehicle is being towed, the steering wheel
must be unlocked and the remote key must be
in the ignition slot
1.
Ignition mode II should be used so that the
lighting can be switched on.
1On vehicles with the optional keyless drive, the remote key must be in the passenger compartment.

03 Your driving environment
Steering wheel
03
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.87 Adjusting
G021138
Adjusting the steering wheel
Lever for releasing/locking the steering
wheel
Possible positions
The steering wheel can be adjusted for both
height and reach:
1. Pull the lever toward you to release the
steering wheel.
2. Adjust the steering wheel to the position
that suits you.
3. Push back the lever to lock the steering
wheel in place. If the lever is difficult to
push into place, press the steering wheel
lightly at the same time as you push the
lever.
WARNING
Never adjust the steering wheel while driv-
ing.
With the optional speed-dependent power
steering the level of steering force can be
adjusted, see page 159.
Keypads
Keypads in the steering wheel
Cruise control, see page 160. Adaptive
cruise control*, see page 162.
Audio controls, see page 135.
Horn
Horn

Press the steering wheel hub to sound the
horn.

03 Your driving environment
Lighting
03
88
Lighting panel
G022854
Overview, light switches
Thumb wheel for adjusting display and
instrument lighting
Rear fog light
Front fog lights
Headlights/parking lights
Instrument lightingIllumination of the display and instrument lights
will vary, depending on ignition mode.
The display lighting is automatically subdued
in darkness and the sensitivity is set with the
thumb wheel.
The intensity of the instrument lighting is
adjusted with the thumb wheel.
High/low beam headlights
21
G022855
Headlight switch and lever
High beam flash
Toggle between high and low beams
Daytime running lights/no high
beams
Parking lights
Low beams
High beam flashMove the lever toward the steering wheel to
position 1. The high beams come on until the
lever is released.
High/low beam headlights
Continuous high beams
1.
Set the ignition to mode II.
2.
With the light switch in position
, pull
the turn signal lever toward the steering
wheel to position 2 to toggle between high
and low beams (this also applies on mod-
els equipped with the optional Active
Bending Lights).
>
The symbol
illuminates in the
instrument panel to indicate that the
high beams are on.
Low beamsWhen the engine is started, the low beams are
activated automatically (daytime running lights)
if the headlight control is in position 0 or
.
Daytime running lights can be deactivated by
a trained and qualified Volvo service techni-
cian.

03 Your driving environment
Lighting
03
92* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Interior lighting, rear
G021150
Rear reading lights
The lights are switched on or off by pressing
each respective button.
Courtesy lights/door step lighting*The courtesy lights/door step lighting switch
on/off automatically when one of the front
doors is opened/closed.
Glove compartment lightingThe glove compartment lighting switches on/
off automatically when the lid is opened/
closed.
Overhead courtesy lightingThe passenger compartment lighting is
switched on and off automatically when button
(3) is in the neutral position.
The lighting comes on and remains on for
30 seconds if:
•the vehicle is unlocked from the outside
with the key or remote control
•the engine is switched off and the ignition
is in mode 0.
The lighting switches off when:
•the engine is started
•the vehicle is locked from the outside.
The lighting comes on and remains on for two
minutes if one of the doors is open.
The passenger compartment lighting can be
switched on and off manually within 30 minutes
after the vehicle has been unlocked.
If the lighting is switched on manually and the
vehicle is locked, the courtesy lighting will
switch off automatically after one minute.
Cargo area lightingThe cargo area lighting comes on automatically
when the tailgate is opened.
Home safe lighting
When you leave your vehicle at night, you can
make use of the home safe lighting function to
illuminate the area in front of the vehicle.
1. Remove the key from the ignition slot.
2. Pull the turn signal lever as far as possible
towards the steering wheel and release it.
3. Exit the vehicle and lock the doors.
The headlights, parking lights, turn signals,
lights in the door mirrors, license plate lights,
and footwell lighting will illuminate and remain
on for 30
1, 60 or 90 seconds. The time interval
can be set under Car settings
Light
settings
Home safe light duration. For
a description of the menu system, see
page 124.
Approach lighting
Approach lighting is activated by pressing the
approach light button on the remote key (see
the illustration on page 56).
When the function has been activated, the
parking lights, indicator lights, door mirror
lights, license plate lighting, dome lighting and
door step lighting come on.
1Factory setting

03 Your driving environment
Wipers and washers
03

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.95
The rain sensor is automatically deactivated
when the key is removed from the ignition slot
or five minutes after the ignition has been
switched off.
CAUTION
The rain sensor should be deactivated when
washing the car in an automatic car wash,
etc. If the rain sensor function is left on, the
wipers will start inadvertently in the car
wash and could be damaged.
Windshield washing
Washing function
Move the lever toward the steering wheel to
start the windshield and headlight washers.After the lever is released the wipers make sev-
eral extra sweeps.
Heated washer nozzles*The washer nozzles are heated automatically
in cold weather to help prevent the washer fluid
from freezing.
High-pressure headlight washing*High-pressure headlight washing consumes a
large quantity of washer fluid. To save fluid, the
headlights are washed using two alternatives:
•Low/high beam headlights on. The head-
lights will be washed the first time the wind-
shield is washed. Thereafter, the head-
lights will only be washed once for every
five times the windshield is washed within
a 10-minute period.
•Parking lights on. Optional Active Bend-
ing Lights will be washed once for every
five times the windshield is washed. Nor-
mal halogen headlights will not be washed.
CAUTION
Use ample washer fluid when washing the
windshield. The windshield should be thor-
oughly wet when the wipers are in opera-
tion.
Tailgate wiper/washer
G017632
Move the lever forward to start the tailgate washer.
Intermittent wiping
Normal (continuous) wiping
NOTE
The rear wiper is equipped with cut-off func-
tion, which means that it will not operate if
its electric motor overheats. The wiper will
function again after a cool-down period
(30 seconds or longer, depending on the
heat of the motor and ambient temperature
conditions).

03 Your driving environment
Starting the engine
03
108
WARNING
•Always remove the remote key from the
ignition slot when leaving the vehicle,
especially if there are children in the
vehicle.
•Never remove the remote key from the
ignition slot while driving or when the
vehicle is being towed. The steering
lock could otherwise be activated, mak-
ing it impossible to steer the vehicle. On
vehicles with the optional keyless drive,
never remove the remote key from the
vehicle while driving or during towing.
•Always place the gear selector in Park
and apply the parking brake before
leaving the vehicle. Never leave the
vehicle unattended with the engine run-
ning.
•Always open garage doors fully before
starting the engine inside a garage to
ensure adequate ventilation. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monox-
ide, which is invisible and odorless but
very poisonous.
NOTE
•After a cold start, idle speed may be
noticeably higher than normal for a
short period. This is done to help bring
components in the emission control
system to their normal operating tem-
perature as quickly as possible, which
enables them to control emissions and
help reduce the vehicle's impact on the
environment
3.
•Keylock: Your vehicle is equipped with
a keylock system. When the engine is
switched off, the gear selector must be
in the Park position before the key can
be removed
4 from the ignition slot.
CAUTION
•When starting in cold weather, the auto-
matic transmission may shift up at
slightly higher engine speeds than nor-
mal until the automatic transmission
fluid reaches normal operating tem-
perature.
•Do not race a cold engine immediately
after starting. Oil flow may not reach
some lubrication points fast enough to
prevent engine damage.
•The engine should be idling when you
move the gear selector. Never acceler-
ate until after you feel the transmission
engage. Accelerating immediately after
selecting a gear will cause harsh
engagement and premature transmis-
sion wear.
•Selecting P or N when idling at a stand-
still for prolonged periods of time will
help prevent overheating of the auto-
matic transmission fluid.
3If the gear selector is in the D or R positions and the car is not moving, engine speed (rpm) will be lower and it will take longer for the engine to reach normal operating temperature.4Does not apply to vehicles with the optional keyless drive.

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
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.