pg. 71 Automatic transmission
P (Park)
Use this position when starting the engine or parking the car.
Never use P while car is in motion.
The parking brake should also be used when parking on grades.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFT LOCK).
To release the selector, start the engine and depress the brake pedal. If it is necessary to manually release the gear selector, see page 108 for instructions.
WARNING! Never leave the car when the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear selector is moved from P, the car may start moving.
R (Reverse)
Never engage R while is moving forward.
N (Neutral)
Neutral = no gear engaged. Use the parking brake. The engine can be started with the gear selector in this position.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. Upshift and downshift of the forward gears occur automatically and are governed by accelerator pedal position and engine speed.
3 (Intermediate position)
The indicator lamp in the instrument panel and the lamp in the W mode selector light up when this gear is selected. Automatically shifts up and down between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears. There is no upshift from 3rd gear. Position 3 can be used for driving in hilly terrain, for towing trailers or for increased engine braking power.
L (Low position)
The indicator lamp in the instrument panel and the lamp in the W mode selector light up when this gear is selected. No upshift can occur when L is engaged. Select position L for driving in first and second gears. Use this position to select low gear with no upshift, e.g. when ascending and descending steep grades. There will be a noticeable downshift when the transmission shifts from second to first gear.
Kick-down
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kick-down) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An upshift will be achieved when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly. Kick-down can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway speeds.
"Lock-up"
The transmission has a "lock-up" function which reduces engine speed and saves fuel. "Lock-up" can sometimes be felt as an additional gear change.
Driving mode selector
The buttons at the base of the gear lever allow you to select the Winter/Wet driving mode.
W Winter/Wet mode
Enhanced Vehicle Traction
This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.
In position D*, the gearbox starts in 3rd gear and changes up to 4th gear.
In position 3*, 2nd gear is locked and there is no change up to 3rd gear.
In position L, 1st gear is locked.
The indicator lamp in the instrument panel lights up when this mode is selected (the lamp will also light up if the gear selector is in position 3 or L). Press W to disengage this mode.
When this mode is disengaged or if the ignition is switched off**, the gearbox automatically reverts to the normal driving mode. If the indicator lamp begins to flash, this is an indication of a fault in the automatic gearbox. The Malfunction Indicator lamp will also light up if a fault is detected. If the transmission does not shift properly, place the gear selector in position L. Please contact your Volvo retailer if this occurs.
CAUTION:
Driveability and fuel economy will be adversely affected by prolonged driving in Winter/Wet mode . Volvo recommends using this mode only when starting in extremely slippery conditions.
Never select P or R while the car is in motion.
When initially selecting positions D, 3, L or R, your right foot should press firmly on the brake pedal to ensure that the car is standing still with the engine idling.
The gear selector should not be downshifted to L at speeds above 75 mph (125 km/h). ***
Automatic transmission - adaptive system
The automatic transmission is controlled by an adaptive guidance system that constantly monitors the way in which the transmission functions. It senses and adapts each gear shift for optimal performance. The system also monitors your particular driving style and adapts gear shifting accordingly.
* These positions always offer the kick-down function.
** If the ignition is switched on again within several minutes, mode W will remain engaged.
*** Always observe posted speed limits.
Special tips - automatic transmission
For driving down steep hills and when driving for prolonged periods at low speeds, position L should be selected. Avoid, however, repeated changes since this can cause overheating of the transmission oil. For driving on long continuous uphill gradients, select position 3.
Never select P or R while the car is in motion.
When initially selecting positions D, 3, L or R, your right foot should press firmly on the brake pedal to ensure that the car is standing still with the engine idling.
The gear selector should not be downshifted to L at speeds above 75 mph (125 km/h). Always observe posted speed limits.
Do not hold the car stationary on an incline by using the accelerator pedal. Instead, apply the hand brake (parking brake). This prevents the transmission oil from becoming overheated.
When towing a trailer, select shift position 3.
While towing a trailer in hilly terrain, do not drive continuously at engine speeds above 4500 rpm to help avoid high engine oil temperatures.
On certain models during cold starts, the transmission will shift up at higher rpm to enable the three-way catalytic converter to reach its normal operating temperature as quickly as possible.
All Wheel Drive (AWD)
(certain models)
The All Wheel Drive system in your Volvo is designed to meet rigorous technical requirements. Used correctly, AWD better enables you to deal with varying road conditions than would be possible on a car equipped with conventional front or rear wheel drive only.
Please note that the AWD system is permanently engaged.
How your All Wheel Drive
(AWD) system works
All Wheel Drive means that all four wheels on your vehicle are powered at the same time. The power is distributed automatically between the front and rear wheels. A viscous coupling distributes the power between the pair of wheels with the best traction in the current road conditions. This improves roadholding and helps avoid wheel-spin.
In normal conditions, the majority of the power is distributed to the front wheels. The front wheels are equipped with Volvo's anti-spin system TRACS, which is integrated with the car's ABS brake system. Power to the rear wheels is regulated by a differential lock if one of these wheels should lose traction when you start to drive off. The improved traction helps increase driving safety in the rain, snow and freezing road conditions.
A freewheel module disconnects the power to the rear wheels when the brakes are applied in order to give the car good braking stability.