instrument panel VOLVO XC90 2009 Owner´s Manual

02 Instruments and controls
Lighting panel
02``
*Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
63
3501866mG027132
Headlight/parking light switchFront fog lightsRear fog lightInstrument panel lightingFuel filler door unlock button
Parking lightsThe front and rear parking lights can be turned
on even when the ignition is switched off.•
Turn switch (1) to position
.
The license plate lights also illuminate when the
parking lights are switched on.
Headlights1.
Turn the ignition key to position II.
2. The low beam headlights (daytime running
lights) illuminate automatically, except
when the light switch (1) is in position
1.
For information on switching between high and
low beams, see page 66.
NOTE
Active Bi-Xenon
Ÿ headlights*: Turn the
headlight switch to position 0 to activate a
daylight sensor, which automatically
switches the low beams on or off, depend-
ing on ambient light conditions. When driv-
ing in daylight, the headlights will switch off
and the daytime running lights will come on.
In darkness, the daytime running lights will
switch off and the Active Bi-Xenon
Ÿ head-
lights will switch on.
G020789
Active Bi-Xenon
Ÿ headlight beams
1On Canadian models, the daytime running lights will remain on with the light switch in this position.

02 Instruments and controlsLighting panel
0264
Active Bi-Xenon
Ÿ headlights (ABL)—
option
When the ABL function is activated, the head-
light beams adjust laterally to help light up a
curve according to movements of the steering
wheel (see the right-pointing beam in the illus-
tration).
This function is activated automatically when
the engine is started and can be deactivated/
reactivated by pressing the ABL button (see
page 60.Fog lightsFront fog lights (option)The front fog lights can be used in combination
with either the headlights or the parking lights.•
Turn the ignition key to position II.
•
Press button (2) to turn on the front fog
lights.
An indicator light in the button illuminates when
the front fog lights are on.
Rear fog lightThe single rear fog light is located in the driver's
side of the vehicle.
The rear fog light will only function in combi-
nation with the high/low beam headlights or the
optional front fog lights.
•
Turn the ignition key to position II.
•
Press button (3) to turn on the rear fog light.
An indicator light in the button illuminates when
the rear fog light is on.NOTE
The rear fog light is considerably brighter
than the normal tail lights 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).Instrument panel lightingThe instrument panel lighting illuminates when
the ignition key is in position II and the light
switch (1) is in either position
or
.
•
Move the thumb wheel (4) up to increase
brightness or down to decrease bright-
ness.
Unlocking the fuel filler doorPress button (5) when the vehicle is at a stand-
still to unlock the fuel filler door. Please note
that the fuel filler door will remain unlocked until
the vehicle begins to move forward. An audible
click will be heard when the fuel filler door
relocks.
NOTE
If the fuel filler door does not unlock after the
button has been pressed, drive the vehicle
at a speed of at least 5 mph (8 km/h), stop
the vehicle, and press the button again.For information on unlocking the fuel filler door
manually, see page 65.

02 Instruments and controlsManually unlocking the fuel filler door
0265
G027077
Panel on passenger's side of cargo areaTo manually unlock the fuel filler door1. Open the upper and lower sections of the
tailgate, and fold up the rear section of the
cargo area floor.
2. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional
grocery bag holder, detach the holder's
bands.
3. Remove the corner panel from the floor of
the cargo area.
4. Open the cover in the side panel by pulling
the tab upward/outward.
5. Pull down the insulating material (4) to
access the fuel filler door motor (5).
G027034
6. Move the catch (6) rearward to unlock the
fuel filler door lock, or move it forward to
lock the filler door.

02 Instruments and controls
Cruise control
02``73 Engaging the cruise control function
G027098
The cruise control panel is located on the left
side of the steering wheel hub.
NOTE
This does not set the vehicle's speed.1.
Press the CRUISE button.
>
CRUISE
will be displayed in the infor-
mation window in the instrument panel.
2.
Press+ or –to set the current speed.
>
CRUISE-ON
will be displayed in the
information window in the instrument
panel.
Increasing or decreasing speed
G027139
Use+ or – in the following ways to increase or
decrease the vehicle's speed:
1.
Press and hold down + or – until the vehicle
reaches the desired speed.
2.
Press+ or – for approximately a half sec-
ond and release the button to increase or
decrease vehicle speed by approximately
1 mph (1.6 km/h).
NOTE
Cruise control will not function at speeds
below 20 mph. (30 km/h).
Braking•
Cruise control is automatically disengaged
when the brake pedal is depressed. The
currently set speed is stored in memory.
•
Pressing resume
will return the vehicle
to the previously set speed.
AccelerationMomentary acceleration, such as when pass-
ing another vehicle, does not affect cruise con-
trol operation. The vehicle will automatically
return to the previously set speed when you
release the accelerator pedal.Disengaging cruise controlTo disengage cruise control, press the
CRUISE button.
CRUISE
or
CRUISE-ON
will
no longer be displayed in the information win-
dow in the instrument panel.
NOTE
Cruise control is automatically disengaged
if:•
the engine is switched off
•
the gear selector is placed in (N) Neutral
•
the wheels start to spin or lock
•
if an increase in speed is maintained for
more than one minute
•
if the vehicle's speed falls below
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h).

02 Instruments and controlsCruise control
0274
Temporarily disengaging the cruise
control1.
Press 0 to temporarily disengage cruise
control.
>
CRUISE
will be displayed in the infor-
mation window in the instrument panel.
2. Press the brake pedal.
Press "resume"
to return to the previously
set speed.
WARNING
Cruise control should not be used in heavy
traffic or when driving on wet or slippery
roads, or when driving on unpaved or
uneven road surfaces. Cruise control may
not maintain set speed on steep down-
grades.

02 Instruments and controls
Power windows
0279
Lockout switch for rear windowsThe power rear door windows can be disabled
by a switch located on the driver's door (see
illustration).
If the light in the switch is OFF: The rear door
windows can be raised or lowered with the
buttons on the rear door armrests or with the
buttons on the driver's door armrest.
If the light in the switch is ON: The rear door
windows can only be raised or lowered with the
buttons on the driver's door armrest.
G029573
Power window on the front passenger's
sideThe control for the power window in the front
passenger's seat operates that window only.
G029574
Power windows in the rear doorsThe rear door windows can be operated with
the control on each door and the switch on the
driver's door. If the light in the switch for block-
ing power windows in the rear doors (located
in the driver's door control panel) is on, the rear
door windows can only be operated from the
driver's door.

03 Climate
Climate control system – general information
0391 Climate system blower
The climate system blower will be automati-
cally switched off when the engine is not run-
ning (even if the ignition key is in position I or
II) to avoid unnecessary battery drain. To acti-
vate the blower, turn the control to the desired
setting.
The climate system blower may start automat-
ically during a period of up to approximately
50 minutes after the ignition has been turned
off to remove condensation in the A/C evapo-
rator. It will run for 15 minutes and switch off
automatically.Passenger compartment blowerApproximately 50 minutes after the ignition is
turned off, the blower may come on automati-
cally, and run for seven minutes, to remove
condensation in the A/C evaporator.Blower function to reduce battery drainThe climate system's blower functions nor-
mally while the engine is running.
However, when the engine is switched off
(even if the ignition is switched to positions I or
II), the blower control will be automatically
switched off to avoid unnecessary battery
drain.The following points pertain if the ignition is on
but the engine in not running:
•
To restart the blower, turn the control knob
to the setting of your choice.
•
After approximately 2 minutes, the blower
speed will be reduced to avoid battery
drain.
You can reset the blower speed at any time.
Please be aware that the system has been
designed to reduce the blower's speed again
after 2 minutes, until the engine is started.
If the battery becomes drained:
•
LOW BATTERY, FAN IS REDUCED will
be displayed in the text window in the
instrument panel.
•
The yellow warning light in the instrument
panel (see page 54) will also light up.

06 Starting and drivingFuel requirements
06130
WARNING
Driving with the tailgate open: Driving with
the tailgate open could lead to poisonous
exhaust gases entering the passenger com-
partment.•
If the tailgate must be kept open for any
reason, proceed as follows:
•
Close the windows
•
Set the ventilation system control to air
flow to floor, windshield and side win-
dows and blower control to its highest
setting.
Weight distribution affects handlingAt the specified curb weight your vehicle has a
tendency to understeer, which means that the
steering wheel has to be turned more than
might seem appropriate for the curvature of a
bend.
This ensures good stability and reduces the
risk of rear wheel skid. Remember that these
properties can alter with the vehicle load.
The heavier the load in the cargo area, the less
the tendency to understeer.Handling, roadholdingVehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure
all affect vehicle handling. Therefore, check
that the tires are inflated to the recommendedpressure according to the vehicle load. See
"Tire pressure" section.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity
weight or maximum permissible axle loads are
not exceeded.
Conserving electrical currentKeep the following in mind to help minimize
battery drain:•
When the engine is not running, avoid turn-
ing the ignition key to position II (see
page 135). Many electrical systems (the
audio system, the optional infotainment/
navigation systems, power windows, etc)
will function with the ignition key in position
I. This position reduces drain on the bat-
tery.
•
Please keep in mind that using systems,
accessories, etc that consume a great deal
of current when the engine is not running
could result in the battery being completely
drained.NOTE
A warning message will be displayed in the
text window in the instrument panel when
the battery charge is low.

06 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission
06``139
NOTE
The gear selector must be in the D (Drive)
position for kickdown to function.Manual shifting – GeartronicYou can move the gear selector freely between
theMAN (Manual) and D (Drive) positions to
select forward gears while driving. Gears 3, 4,
5, and 6 have a "lock-up" function which
reduces engine speed and helps save fuel.
NOTE
Reverse, Neutral, and Park cannot be
selected in Geartronic mode.•
A "lock-up" feature
1 reduces engine speed
and help saves fuel.
The currently selected gear will be displayed in
the instrument panel (see page 54).
•
To access the MAN shifting position from
D, move the gear selector to the left to
MAN.
•
To return to the D positions from MAN,
move the gear selector to the right.
While drivingIf you select the MAN position while driving, the
gear that was being used in the D position will
also initially be selected in MAN 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 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 down to a very low speed, the
transmission will automatically shift down.
•
When starting in the MAN position, 3rd
gear is the highest gear that may be
selected.
W – Winter/Wet driving mode –
enhanced vehicle traction
G030859
Press the W button at the base of the gear
selector to engage/disengage this driving
mode (see illustration). The
W symbol will
appear in the display (see page 54) when the
function is activated.
This mode may be selected for starting/moving
off on slippery roads. The vehicle starts off in
3rd gear to help maintain traction. First and
second gears will only be used during kick-
down.
1Six-speed transmission: gears 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

06 Starting and driving
Brake system
06``143 BRAKE Brake circuit malfunction
The brake system is a hydraulic system con-
sisting of two master cylinders and two sepa-
rate brake circuits. If a problem 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 failure – Service
urgent
message is displayed in the text
window:DO NOT DRIVE
. Have the vehicle
towed to a trained and qualified Volvo serv-
ice technician and have the brake system
inspected.
NOTE
When the vehicle is at a standstill and the
engine is idling, e.g. at a traffic light and the
brake pedal is depressed, the pedal may go
down slightly. This is a normal function of
the power-assisted brake system.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 four
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 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.Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
If the warning lamp lights up there
is a malfunction of the ABS system
(the standard braking system will
however function) and the vehicle
should be driven cautiously to a
trained and qualified Volvo service technician
for inspection. The Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stop-
ping and steering) during severe braking con-
ditions by limiting brake lockup. When the
system "senses" impending lockup, braking
pressure is automatically modulated in order to
help prevent lockup, which could lead to a skid.
The system performs a self-diagnostic test
when the engine is started and when the