towing VOLVO XC90 TWIN ENGINE 2020 User Guide

HYBRID INFORMATION
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395

Factors affecting electric motor range (p. 448)
Automatic transmission (p. 427)
Towing using a towline (p. 469)
Charging the hybrid battery
In addition to the conventional fuel tank, your vehicle is also equipped with a rechargeablelithium-ion hybrid battery.
WARNING
California Proposition 65 Operating, servicing and maintaining a pas- senger vehicle can expose you to chemi-cals including engine exhaust, carbon mon-oxide, phthalates, and lead, which areknown to the State of California to causecancer and birth defects or other reproduc-tive harm. To minimize exposure, avoidbreathing exhaust, do not idle the engineexcept as necessary, service your vehicle ina well ventilated area and wear gloves orwash your hands frequently when servicingyour vehicle. For more information go towww.P65Warnings.ca.gov/passenger-vehicle.
The hybrid battery can be recharged using the charging cable stored in a storage space in thecargo compartment.
WARNING
The hybrid electrical system in your vehicle uses high voltage electrical current. Anydamage to this system or to the hybrid bat-tery may result in the danger of overheat-ing, fire, or serious injury. If the vehicle isinvolved in a collision or subjected to flood-ing, fire, etc., have it inspected by a trainedand qualified Volvo service technician. Priorto this inspection, the vehicle should beparked outdoors at a safe distance fromany building or potentially flammable mate-rials.
The hybrid battery's charging time depends on the charging current used.
NOTE
The capacity of the hybrid battery dimin- ishes somewhat with age and use, whichcould result in increased use of the gaso-line engine and consequently, slightlyhigher fuel consumption.
WARNING
If the hybrid battery needs to be replaced, this may only be done by a Volvo retailer orauthorized Volvo workshop.

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STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
436 This drive mode is adapted for optimal control when driving at low speeds on very poor roads or difficult terrain. It raises the chassis
7
,
reduces driveline throttle response, and locks the vehicle in all-wheel drive. The Hill DescentControl function facilitates controlled drivingon steep downgrades.
NOTE
This drive mode is not designed to be used for normal street driving.
NOTE
Due to the increased ground clearance, if the Off Road mode was selected when
the engine was switched off, the suspen- sion will lower when the engine is restar-ted.
CAUTION
Do not use the Off Road drive mode when
towing a trailer without an electrical con- nection. This could result in damage to thepneumatic suspension system's bellows.
Constant AWD
Improves the vehicle's traction and han- dling by increasing all-wheel drive. This drive mode locks the vehicle in all-wheeldrive. An adapted distribution between frontand rear axle torque provides effective control,stability and traction, e.g. on slippery roads orwhen towing a heavy trailer or another vehicle. The
Constant AWD drive mode is always
available regardless of the hybrid battery's charge status. Both the combustion engine and the electric motor are engaged to enable all-wheel drive,which results in higher fuel consumption. In the other drive modes, the vehicle automati- cally adapts the need for all-wheel driveaccording to the road surface, and can acti-vate the electric motor or start the combustionengine as needed.
Power
The vehicle gets sportier driving characte- ristics and a faster acceleration response.
This drive mode adapts the combined powerfrom the combustion engine and the electricmotor by providing power to both the frontand rear wheels. Gear shifting will be fasterand more distinct and the transmission willprioritize gears with a higher traction force.Steering response is faster, suspension is stiffer and ground clearance is lower 7
to help
reduce body roll when cornering. Both the combustion engine and the electric motor are engaged to enable all-wheel drive,which results in higher fuel consumption. This drive mode is adapted for optimal per- formance and response during acceleration. Itchanges the throttle response, gear shiftingprogram and turbo boost system. Chassis set-tings and steering and brake response are also optimized. The
Power drive mode is always
available regardless of the hybrid battery's charge status.
Power mode is also available in a Polestar
Engineered* version.
7
For vehicles with pneumatic suspension.

STARTING AND DRIVING
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* Option/accessory.443
Leveling control settings *
Turn off leveling control before lifting the vehicle with a jack to help avoid problemswith the pneumatic suspension. The vehicle can be lowered or raised to make it easier to load or for passengers to get inand out.
Adjusting loading mode
Use the buttons in the cargo compartment to raise or lower the rear section of the vehicle tofacilitate loading or unloading the vehicle orconnecting or disconnecting a trailer.
Center display settings
Easy Entry and Exit Suspension Control
The vehicle can be lowered to make it easier to get in and out. Activating easy entry in the center display: 1.
Tap
Settings in the Top view.
2. Tap
My CarMirrors and Convenience.
3. Select
Easy Entry and Exit Suspension
Control.
> When the vehicle is parked and the engine is turned off, the level is low- ered. (Level adjustment will stop if aside door is opened and will resumeafter a slight delay when the door hasbeen closed.) When the engine isstarted and the vehicle begins to move,the level will be raised to the height setby the selected drive mode.
Disable Leveling Control
In certain situations, this function must be turned off, e.g. before the vehicle is raised using a jack *. The level difference caused by
raising the vehicle with a jack could cause problems with the pneumatic suspension. Turning off the function in the center display:1. Tap
Settings in the Top view.
2. Tap
My CarParking Brake and
Suspension.
3. Select
Disable Leveling Control.
Related information
Leveling control
* and suspension (p. 440)
Loading recommendations (p. 585)
Low Speed Control
The low-speed function (LSC 10
) facilitates
and improves control and traction on rough roads and slippery surfaces, e.g. when towinga trailer on grass or up boat ramps. The function is included in the
Off Road drive
mode.
Low Speed Control is designed for driving on rough roads and when towing trailers at lowspeeds, up to approximately 40 km/h (25mph). When driving at low speeds, LSC prioritizes low gears and all-wheel drive to help avoidwheel spin and improve traction on all wheels.The accelerator pedal will be less responsiveto improve traction and speed control at lowspeeds. The function is activated together with Hill Descent Control (HDC 11
), which makes it pos-
sible to control speed going down steep hills using the accelerator pedal and reduces theneed to use the brake pedal. The systemmakes it possible to maintain a low and uni-form speed when driving down steep hills.

STARTING AND DRIVING
457
WARNING
Never carry a cell phone that is switched
on while refueling your vehicle. If the
phone rings, this may cause a spark that could ignite gasoline fumes, resulting in fireand injury.
WARNING
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. It is present in all exhaustgases. If you ever smell exhaust fumesinside the vehicle, make sure the passengercompartment is ventilated, and immedi-ately return the vehicle to a trained andqualified Volvo service technician for cor-rection.
Demanding drivingIn demanding driving conditions, such as when towing a trailer or driving in hot weatheror for prolonged periods at high altitudes, itmay be a good idea to switch to a higher- octane fuel (AKI 14
91 or higher) or to switch to
another brand of gasoline in order to fully uti- lize the vehicle's engine capacity and optimizetraction.
Related information
Fuel (p. 454)
Emission controls (p. 457)
Emission controls
Three-way catalytic converter
Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain engine malfunctions, particularly involvingthe electrical, fuel or distributor ignitionsystems, may cause unusually high three-way catalytic converter temperatures. Donot continue to operate your vehicle if youdetect engine misfire, noticeable loss ofpower or other unusual operating condi-tions, such as engine overheating or back-firing. A properly tuned engine will helpavoid malfunctions that could damage thethree-way catalytic converter.
Do not park your vehicle over combustiblematerials, such as grass or leaves, whichcan come into contact with the hotexhaust system and cause such materialsto ignite under certain wind and weatherconditions.
Excessive starter cranking (in excess ofone minute), or an intermittently firing orflooded engine can cause three-way cata-lytic converter or exhaust system over-heating.
Remember that tampering or unauthor-ized modifications to the engine, theEngine Control Module, or the vehicle maybe illegal and can cause three-way cata-lytic converter or exhaust system over- heating. This includes: altering fuel injec-tion settings or components, alteringemission system components or locationor removing components, and/or repeateduse of leaded fuel.
NOTE
Unleaded fuel is required for vehicles with three-way catalytic converters.
Heated oxygen sensorsThe heated oxygen sensors monitor the oxy- gen content of the exhaust gases. Readingsare fed into a control module that continuouslymonitors engine functions and controls fuelinjection. The ratio of fuel to air into the engineis continuously adjusted for efficient combus-tion to help reduce harmful emissions.
Related information

Octane rating (p. 455)
Fuel (p. 454)
14
AKI (Anti Knock Index) is an average value of RON (Research Octane Number) and MON (Motor Octane Number) - (RON)+(MON)/2

STARTING AND DRIVING
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* Option/accessory.463
NOTE
Volvo recommends only using Volvo origi- nal accessories. Follow the instructionssupplied with the product.
CAUTION
Never use towbar adapters or towbar extenders
Only use ball mount for towing. Do notmount accessories directly on the ballmount. Use accessories designed tobe mounted in the towbar's squarebracket. Do not use accessoriesdesigned to be secured around the ballmount.
Loading the bicycle holderThe greater the distance between the load and the bicycle holder, the greater the load on thehitch and on the vehicle. Keep the following points in mind: Mount the heaviest bicycle closest to the vehicle.
If possible, mount the bicycles symmetri-cally, as close as possible to the center ofthe vehicle.
Remove loose objects from the bicycle,such as baskets, batteries or child seats.This will help reduce the load on the hitchand the bicycle holder.
Do not place a cover over the bicycle asthis could lead to increased load on thehitch.
Related information

Detachable towbar
* (p. 463)
Driving with a trailer (p. 465)
Detachable towbar
*
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo towbars that are specially designed for the vehicle.
NOTE
The optional detachable trailer hitch may not be available in all markets or on allmodels. Consult your Volvo retailer.
Ball holder
Cotter pin
Towbar assembly
Locking bolt
Safety wire attachment bracket

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STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
464
Installing the ball holder1. If necessary, remove the cotter pin from
the locking bolt and slide the locking bolt out of the towbar assembly.
2. Slide the ball holder into the towbar assembly.
3. Align the hole in the ball holder with the one in the towbar assembly.
4. Slide the locking bolt through the towbar assembly/ball holder.
5. Insert the cotter pin in the hole at the end of the locking bolt.
WARNING
Be sure the towbar is securely locked in position before attaching anything toit.
Always attach the trailer's safety wiresecurely to the towbar's safety wireattachment bracket.
Removing the ball holder1. Remove the cotter pin from the locking
bolt and slide the locking bolt out of theball holder/towbar assembly.
2. Pull the ball holder out of the towbar assembly.
WARNING
Damage may occur on the towbar if it is not used correctly or if incorrect or faultyaccessories are used, such as:
Overloading of accessory.
Use of incorrect or faulty accessory.
Accessory used for an incorrect pur- pose.
Use of weight-distributing towing sys-tem.
Incorrectly positioned ball mount; seegeometric limits for the towbar.
Stowing the ball holder
WARNING
When not in use, the detachable ball holder should always be properly stowed in thedesignated location under the floor of thecargo compartment.
Driving with a trailerWhen towing a trailer, the original ball holder or equivalent should be used.
The ball mount must fall within the geometric limits for the towbar, for both distance
and
height
. Geometric limits are described on a
type plate located on the towbar.
Related information
Retractable hitch
* (p. 461)
Driving with a trailer (p. 465)
Towing capacity and tongue weight (p. 667)

STARTING AND DRIVING
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* Option/accessory.465
Driving with a trailer
There are a number of things to consider when towing a trailer, such as the towbar, thetrailer and how the load is distributed in thetrailer.
Load-carrying capacity is determined by the vehicle's curb weight. The total weight of allpassengers and any installed accessories, e.g.towbar, reduces the vehicle's load-carryingcapacity by the corresponding amount.
Towbars used on the vehicle must beapproved for the applicable use.
Distribute the load on the trailer so thatthe weight on the towbar complies withthe specified maximum towball weight.The tongue weight is calculated as part ofthe vehicle's payload.
Increase the tire pressure to the recom-mended pressure for a full load.
The engine is subjected to more load thanusual when towing a trailer.
Towing a trailer affects the vehicle's han-dling, durability and driving economy.
Do not drive with a heavy trailer when thevehicle is very new. Wait until the mileagehas reached at least 1000 km (620 miles).
On long and steep downgrades, the vehi-cle's brakes are subjected to much moreload than usual. When manually shifting, downshift and adapt speed accordingly.
Follow applicable regulations regarding permitted speed and weight.
Drive slowly when towing a trailer up along and steep incline.
The maximum trailer weights given onlyapply to altitudes up to 1000 meters(3280 feet) above sea level. At higher alti-tudes, engine power (and thus the vehi-cle's climbing ability) is decreased due tothe reduced air density, and the maximumtrailer weight must therefore be reduced.The weight of the vehicle and trailer mustbe decreased by 10% for each additional1000 m (3280 feet) or part thereof.
Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines ofmore than 12%.
Avoid overloading and other incorrect use.
The trailer's brakes must be balanced withthe vehicle's brakes to help ensure safestops (follow applicable local regulations).
NOTE
To facilitate towing a trailer in a vehicle equipped with pneumatic suspension
*,
select: the
Suspension ControlDynamic setting in Individual drive mode.
CAUTION
Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor shouldsafety chains be attached to thebumper.
Trailer hitches attaching to the vehiclerear axle must not be used.
Never connect a trailer's hydraulicbrake system directly to the vehiclebrake system, nor a trailer's lightingsystem directly to the vehicle lightingsystem. Consult your nearest author-ized Volvo retailer for correct installa-tion.
When towing a trailer, the trailer'ssafety chains or wire must be correctlyfastened to the attachment points pro-vided in the trailer hitch on the vehicle.The safety chain or wire must never befastened to or wound around the tow-ing ball.
NOTE
The optional detachable trailer hitch may not be available in all markets or on allmodels. Consult your Volvo retailer.

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STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
466
NOTE
Extreme weather conditions, towing a trailer, high altitude and lower fuel gradethan recommended are factors that cansignificantly increase the vehicle's fuel con-sumption.
Trailer weights
WARNING
Please adhere to the recommendations provided for trailer weight. If the recom-mendations are not followed, the vehicleand trailer may be difficult to control duringevasive maneuvers and braking.
NOTE
The specified maximum trailer weights are those permitted by Volvo. National vehicleregulations may set additional restrictionson trailer weight and speed. The trailerhitches may be certified for higher towingweights than the vehicle is permitted totow.
Self-leveling suspension *The vehicle's self-leveling system attempts to keep the vehicle at a constant level, regardlessof load (up to the maximum permitted weight).When the vehicle is stationary, the rear end of the vehicle will be slightly lowered, which isnormal.
Driving in hilly terrain or hot weatherIn certain conditions, there is a risk of over-heating when driving with a trailer. If overheat-ing of the engine and drive system is detected,a warning symbol will illuminate in the instru-ment panel and a message will appear. The automatic transmission selects the opti- mal gear for the current load and enginespeed.
Steep inclines
Do not lock the automatic transmission into a higher gear than what the engine can handle
‒
it is not always preferable to drive in highgears at low rpm.
Parking on a hill
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Put the gear selector in P.
4. Release the brake pedal.Put chocks behind the wheels when the vehi- cle is parked on a hill with a trailer attached.
Starting on a hill
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Put the gear selector in D.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Release the brake pedal and start driving.
Related information
Trailer Stability Assist
* (p. 467)
Checking trailer lights (p. 468)
Towing capacity and tongue weight (p. 667)
Overheating of engine and transmission(p. 458)
Retractable hitch
* (p. 461)

STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.467
Trailer Stability Assist *
Trailer Stability Assist (TSA 16
) is a function
designed to help stabilize a vehicle that is towing a trailer when the vehicle and trailerhave begun to sway. The function is part of the Electronic Stability Control system ESC 17
.
Reasons for swayingA vehicle towing a trailer may begin to sway for various reasons. Normally this only occursat high speeds. However, if the trailer is over-loaded or unevenly distributed, e.g. too farback, there is a risk of swaying even at lowspeeds. Swaying may be caused by factors such as:
The vehicle and trailer are hit by a sudden, strong crosswind.
The vehicle and trailer are traveling on anuneven road or over a bump.
Sudden movements of the steering wheel.
Once swaying has begun, it can be difficult orimpossible to stop it. This makes the vehicleand trailer difficult to control and there is a riskof swerving into oncoming traffic or driving offthe road.
Trailer Stability Assist functionTrailer Stability Assist continuously monitorsthe vehicle's movements, particularly lateral movements. If swaying is detected, the brakesare applied individually on the front wheels,which has a stabilizing effect on the vehicleand trailer. This is often enough to enable thedriver to regain control of the vehicle. If the Trailer Stability Assist function's first attempt is not adequate to stop the swayingmotion, the brakes are applied on all wheelsand engine power is temporarily reduced. Asthe swaying motion begins to decrease andthe vehicle and trailer have once againbecome stable, TSA stops regulating thebrakes/engine power and the driver regainscontrol of the vehicle.
NOTE
Trailer Stability Assist is deactivated if the driver selects the sport mode by deactivat- ing
ESC in the center display's menu sys-
tem.
Trailer Stability Assist may not intervene if the driver tries to compensate for the swayingmotion by moving the steering wheel rapidly,because the system will then not be able todetermine if it is the trailer or the driver caus-ing the swaying. When Trailer Stability Assistis activated, the ESC symbolis displayed in the instrumentpanel.
Related information

Driving with a trailer (p. 465)
Electronic Stability Control (p. 281)
16
Trailer Stability Assist
17 Electronic Stability Control

STARTING AND DRIVING
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469
Towing using a towline
This section refers to one vehicle being towed behind another using a towline.
Never attempt to tow a Twin Engine vehicle behind another vehicle as this could damagethe electric motor. The vehicle must instead belifted onto a tow truck and transported with allfour wheels on the bed or lifting platform ofthe truck (no wheels may touch the road).
Towing another vehicleTowing another vehicle requires a lot of power - use the Constant AWD drive mode. This
helps charge the hybrid battery and improve the vehicle's driving and roadholding characte-ristics. Before towing another vehicle, check applica- ble speed limit regulations.
Jump startingNever attempt to tow the vehicle to start theengine, as this could damage the electricmotor. Use an auxiliary battery if the start bat-tery's charge level is so low that the enginecannot be started.
CAUTION
Attempts to tow-start the vehicle could cause damage to the electrical drive motorand three-way catalytic converter.
Related information
Attaching and removing the towing eyelet (p. 469)
Hazard warning flashers (p. 164)
Recovery (p. 470)
Jump starting using another battery(p. 459)
Selecting ignition mode (p. 416)
Transmission (p. 426)
Attaching and removing the towing eyelet
Use the towing eyelet to tow another vehicle. Screw the towing eyelet securely into placein the threaded outlet behind the cover on theright-hand side of the rear bumper.
NOTE
If the vehicle is equipped with a towbar, there is no rear attachment for the towingeye.
Attaching the towing eyelet
Take out the towing eyelet, which is stored in a foam block under the floor inthe cargo compartment.