instrument panel VOLVO XC90 2011 Owner´s Manual

02 Instruments and controls
Lighting panel
02

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.67
Headlight/parking light switch
Front fog lights
Rear fog light
Instrument panel lighting
Fuel filler door unlock button
Parking lights
The 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.
Headlights
1.
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 70.
NOTE
Active Bending Lights*: Turn the headlight
switch to position 0 to activate a daylight
sensor, which automatically switches the
low beams on or off, depending on ambient
light conditions. When driving in daylight,
the headlights will switch off and the day-
time running lights will come on. In dark-
ness, the daytime running lights will switch
off and the Active Bending Lights will switch
on.
G020789
Headlight pattern with the Active Bending Light
function deactivated (left) and activated (right)
1On Canadian models, the daytime running lights will remain on with the light switch in this position.

02 Instruments and controls
Lighting panel
02
68* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Active Bending Lights (ABL)*
When this function is activated, the headlight
beams adjust laterally to help light up a curve
according to movements of the steering wheel
(see the right-pointing beam in the illustration).
The ABL function is activated automatically
when the engine is started and can be deacti-
vated/reactivated by pressing the button in the
center console (see page 64.
Fog lights
Front fog lights*The front fog lights can be used in combination
with either the headlights or the parking lights.
1.
Turn the ignition key to position II.
2. 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.
1.
Turn the ignition key to position II.2. 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 lighting
The 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 door
Press 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 69.

02 Instruments and controls
Manually unlocking the fuel filler door
02
69
G027077
Panel on passenger's side of cargo area
To 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 to access
the fuel filler door motor.
G027034
6. Move the catch rearward to unlock the fuel
filler door lock, or move it forward to lock
the filler door.

02 Instruments and controls
Right-side steering wheel lever
02
* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.73 IR-reflecting windshield*
Section of the windshield where the IR-coating is
not applied
An optional factory-installed infrared (IR) coa-
ting can be applied to the windshield to help
protect the cabin from the sun's heat and the
fading effect of sunlight on upholstery, panels,
etc.
Electronic equipment such as garage door
openers, electronic toll tags and similar devi-
ces should not be placed on sections of the
windshield with the IR coating because this
could affect their function and limit their range.
For best performance, place the device on the
section of the windshield without the IR coating
(see the area marked in the illustration).

02 Instruments and controls
Cruise control
02

77 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 controls
Cruise control
02
78
Temporarily disengaging the cruise
control
1.
Press 0 to temporarily disengage cruise
control.
>
CRUISE will be displayed in the infor-
mation window in the instrument panel.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
Pressing "resume"
causes the vehicle 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
02
82
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
side
The 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
03
95 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 blower
Approximately 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 drain
The 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 58) will also light up.

06 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements
06
136
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 141). 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. Driving or having the engine run-
ning for approximately 15 minutes will help
keep the battery charged.
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

145
NOTE
The gear selector must be in the D (Drive)
position for kickdown to function.
Manual shifting – Geartronic
You can move the gear selector freely between
the MAN (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" feature1 reduces engine speed
and help saves fuel.
The currently selected gear will be displayed in
the instrument panel (see page 58).
•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 driving
If 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 58) 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.