Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid (2017 year). Instruction - part 25

•

At very low or high temperatures, some of
the charging current is used to heat or
cool the hybrid battery and the passenger
compartment, which means that charging
may take longer.

•

Charging time is longer if preconditioning
has been selected. This time is primarily
affected by the ambient temperature.

Charging coupler and charging socket

There are normally several 120-/240-volt power
consumers in a fuse circuit, which means that
more than one power consumer (lighting, vacuum
cleaner, electric drill, etc.) may use the same fuse.

Long-term storage of a vehicle with

a hybrid battery

To help keep the hybrid battery from degrading if
the vehicle is not driven for a prolonged period
(longer than 1 month), the hybrid battery charge
level should be kept at approx. 25% according
to the gauge in the instrument panel.

Do as follows:

1. If the hybrid battery charge level is high, drive

the vehicle until approx. 25% of the charge
remains. If the charge level is low, charge the
battery until the level is approx. 25%.

2. If the vehicle has not been driven for at least

6 months or the charge level is noticeably
below the 25% level, charge the battery up
to 25% again to help compensate for natural
battery discharge. Check the charge level
regularly using the gauge in the instrument
panel.

See the article "Jump starting" for information
about charging the start battery.

Initiating hybrid battery charging (p. 412)

•

If the vehicle will not be driven for an
extended period, park it in as cool a loca-
tion as possible to help minimize hybrid
battery aging. Park the vehicle indoors or
in a shady location in the summer, which-
ever is coolest.

Related information

•

Jump starting (p. 395)

•

•

Charging the hybrid battery (p. 413)

STARTING AND DRIVING

419

Using the electric motor in city

driving

A number of factors affect the electric motor's
driving range.

The driver can affect some of these factors while
others depend on outside conditions such as
temperature, road surface, etc.

Factors that determine the electric
motor's driving range

Factors outside of the driver's control

The following are examples of factors that the
driver cannot control:

•

The current traffic situation

•

Driving short distances

•

Topography

•

Ambient temperature and headwinds

•

Road conditions/road surface

The following table shows the approximate rela-
tionship between ambient temperature and driv-
ing range using the electric motor (with reduced
climate system functionality). Warmer tempera-
tures increase driving range.

°F (25°C)

105%

°F (20°C)

100%

°F (10°C)

90%

°F (5 °C)

85%

°F (0°C)

80%

°F (-5°C)

75%

°F (-10°C)

70%

Factors in the driver's control

The driver should be aware of the following fac-
tors in order to utilize the vehicle's electric motor
most efficiently:

•

Charge the hybrid battery regularly

•

Preconditioning

•

The

Pure

drive mode

•

Climate system settings

•

Speed and acceleration

•

Tires and inflation pressure

The following table shows the approximate rela-
tionship between constant speed and driving
range where driving at a lower constant speed
helps increase the electric motor's driving range.

62 mph (100 km/h)

70%

55 mph (90 km/h)

80%

50 mph(80 km/h)

90%

43 mph (70 km/h)

100%

37 mph (60 km/h)

110%

30 mph(50 km/h)

120%

Driving economically (p. 385)

•

The figures in the preceding tables per-
tain to a new vehicle.

•

None of the figures are absolute and are
affected by e.g., driving style, weather,
traffic conditions, etc.

Driving with the electric motor

Use the

Pure

drive mode for the most energy-

efficient driving to help maximize driving range
using the electric motor only.

Related information

•

•

STARTING AND DRIVING

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

420

Maintaining/increasing the hybrid

battery's charge while driving

In certain situations, it can be useful to control
the hybrid battery's charge level while the vehicle
is being driven. The hybrid battery functions

Hold

and

Charge

while driving are available in

all drive modes.

The "Hold" and "Charge" function
buttons

These functions are activated from the center
display's Function view.

Hold

Battery level sustained for
later use

This function saves the hybrid
battery's charge for use at a
later time such as when driving
in an urban area or residential

neighborhood.

Hold

is available regardless of the

hybrid battery's charge level.

The vehicle will function as in normal hybrid driv-
ing and will use energy from e.g., regenerative
braking to support the gasoline engine.

Charge

Engine charges hybrid
battery

This function is only available when the hybrid
battery's charge level is low and can recharge the
battery up to 33

%, after which the

Hold

function

will be activated automatically.

Symbol in the instrument panel

The

symbol will appear in the instrument

panel when either of these functions is activated.
See also the article "Hybrid-related symbols and
messages" for additional information.

Related information

•

Using the electric motor in city driving
(p. 419)

•

•

Driving economically (p. 385)

Drive modes

Selecting a drive mode affects the vehicle's driv-
ing characteristics to help make driving more
enjoyable or easier in certain types of situations.

The following systems are adapted to help pro-
vide the best vehicle performance in the respec-
tive drive modes:

•

Steering

•

Engine/transmission/All Wheel Drive

•

Brakes

•

Suspension control

•

Instrument panel

•

Climate system settings

Select the drive mode best suited to the current
driving conditions.

Please be aware that not all modes can be
selected in all driving situations. The selected
mode will be displayed in the instrument panel.

STARTING AND DRIVING

}}

421

Selecting a drive mode

1. Press the DRIVE MODE control in the tun-

nel console.
> A pop-up menu will open in the center

display.

2. Roll the control upward or downward to scroll

to the desired drive mode.

A drive mode can also be selected by tap-
ping its button on the center display.

3. Press the control again to select it.

When a driving mode cannot be selected, one of
the following messages may be displayed:

•

Not possible to select due to gear in
manual

•

Not possible to select due to low battery

•

Not possible to select due to low
temperature

•

Not possible to select due to limitations

•

Not possible to select due to high
speed

Available drive modes

HYBRID

This is the default mode.

The vehicle normally starts in

Hybrid

mode

. The

engine management system uses both the elec-
tric motor and gasoline engine (separately or in
tandem) and calculates the optimal levels of per-
formance, fuel consumption and comfort. At
higher speeds, ground clearance is reduced
automatically to help reduce wind resistance.

The amount of driving done using only the elec-
tric motor in

Hybrid

mode is determined by the

hybrid battery's charge level and the need for
heating/cooling in the passenger compartment.

If sufficient electrical energy is available, only the
electric motor will be activated when the driver
presses the accelerator pedal up to a certain
level. Above this level, the gasoline engine will
start.

The instrument panel gauge when both the electric
motor and gasoline engine are being used

The long needle in the gauge indicates the
amount of energy that the vehicle is currently
using. The short white line between the "light-
ning" and "oil drop" symbols indicates the
amount of energy available. See also the article
"General information about the XC90 T8 Twin
Engine Plug-in Hybrid" for additional information.

The gasoline engine starts when the response
required when the driver presses the accelerator
pedal cannot be provided by the electric motor
alone.

The gauge also indicates when the battery is
being recharged (regenerated) during light brak-
ing. See the article "Brakes" for additional infor-
mation.

Unless the vehicle was switched off in

Off Road

mode. If so, it will restart in

Off Road

mode.

STARTING AND DRIVING

422

When the hybrid battery's charge level is low, the
gasoline engine will start more often to help con-
serve electrical energy. Charge the battery with
the charging cable as soon as possible.

PURE

This mode activates the electric motor only with
as low energy consumption as possible and the
lowest possible carbon dioxide emissions.

Ground clearance will be lowered to help reduce
wind resistance and certain climate system func-
tions will be reduced.

Pure

mode is available when the hybrid battery is

sufficiently charged. If the level gets too low, the
gasoline engine will start.

The gasoline engine will also start:

•

If the vehicle's speed goes above approx.
78 mph (125 km/h)

•

If the driver wants more response than the
electric motor alone can provide

•

If factors such as cold weather, etc., affect
the system or components

To restart the climate system functions that have
been reduced in the mode, press the

AUTO

defroster buttons.

In order to return to full functionality for all of the
systems that may be affected by

Pure

mode,

select another drive mode or adapt the climate
system functions using the INDIVIDUAL mode.

OFF ROAD

This mode helps maximize the vehicle's capacity
to traverse difficult terrain or poor roads.

In OFF ROAD, ground clearance is maximized,
the steering is light, All Wheel Drive and Hill
Descent Control are activated and a compass
and altimeter will be displayed in the instrument
panel.

This drive mode can only be activated at low
speeds (the permissible speed range will be
shown on the speedometer). At higher speeds,
OFF ROAD mode will be cancelled and AWD will
be activated.

This mode is not intended for normal street
driving.

CAUTION

OFF ROAD drive mode may not be used if
the vehicle is towing a trailer without an elec-
trical connection. This could result in damage
to the pneumatic suspension system's bel-
lows.

Due to the increased ground clearance, if the
OFF ROAD mode was selected when the engine
was switched off, it will also restart in this mode.

AWD

This mode offers improved traction using four-
wheel drive and is intended primarily for low-
speed driving on slippery surfaces. However, it

also helps increase directional stability at higher
speeds.

In this mode, both the electric motor and the gas-
oline engine are used continuously, which results
in higher fuel consumption.

POWER

Power

mode is intended for sportier, more active

driving.

This mode maximizes the combined effects of
the electric motor and the gasoline engine and
provides power to all four wheels. Response to
pressure on the accelerator pedal is more imme-
diate and the transmission shifts up at higher
speeds. Steering response is also more immedi-
ate, the suspension is stiffer and lower ground
clearance reduces body roll when cornering.

In this mode, both the electric motor and the gas-
oline engine are used continuously, which results
in higher fuel consumption.

STARTING AND DRIVING

423

INDIVIDUAL

This setting allows you to adapt a driving mode to
your personal preferences.

Select one of the other driving modes as a basis
and change the settings to provide the driving
characteristics that you prefer. This driving mode
is only available if it has been activated in the
center display.

INDIVIDUAL is only available if it has been acti-
vated in the center display.

Settings view

for INDIVIDUAL driving mode

1. Tap

Settings

in the center display's Top

view.

2. Tap

My Car

Individual Drive Mode

and

tap

Individual Drive Mode

3. Select:

Eco

Comfort

Dynamic

The following settings can be modified:

•

Driver Display

(instrument panel)

•

Steering force

•

Powertrain Characteristics

•

Brake Characteristics

•

Pneumatic suspension and shock
absorbers

•

ECO Climate

Related information

•

Adjustable steering force (p. 262)

•

Loading (p. 218)

•

General information about the XC90 T8 Twin
Engine Plug-in Hybrid (p. 16)

•

All Wheel Drive (AWD) (p. 429)

•

Hill Descent Control (HDC) (p. 380)

•

Brakes (p. 376)

Generic illustration.

STARTING AND DRIVING

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

424

Automatic transmission

The automatic transmission has 8 forward gears
and an electric motor that powers the rear
wheels. Steering wheel paddles

* make it possi-

ble to shift manually. The gear indicator in the
instrument panel shows the gear currently being
used or gear shift mode.

CAUTION

The transmission’s temperature is monitored
to help prevent damage to the transmission
or other drivetrain components. If there is a
risk of overheating, the warning symbol on the
instrument panel will illuminate and a text
message will be displayed. Follow the instruc-
tions provided there.

Symbols in the instrument panel

If a problem should occur with the transmission, a
symbol and a message will be displayed in the
instrument panel.

Symbol

Explanation

Transmission-related information.
Follow the instructions provided.

Hot or overheated transmission.
Follow the instructions provided.

Related information

•

Gear shift indicator (p. 425)

•

•

Shiftlock (p. 424)

•

Steering wheel paddles

* (p. 427)

•

All Wheel Drive (AWD) (p. 429)

Shiftlock

The automatic transmission's shiftlock feature
helps prevent inadvertently moving the gear
selector between different positions.

Automatic shiftlock

From Park – P

In order to move the gear selector from the P
position, the brake pedal must be depressed and
the ignition must be in mode II.

From neutral – N

If the gear selector is in N and the vehicle has
been stationary for more than 3 seconds (regard-
less of whether or not the engine is running), the
shiftlock feature will lock the gear selector in this
position.

In order to move the gear selector from the N
position, the brake pedal must be depressed and
the ignition must be in mode II.

Messages in the instrument panel

If the gear selector is locked in position, a mes-
sage such as:

Gear lever

Press brake pedal

to activate gear lever

will be displayed.

There is no mechanical shiftlock function.

Related information

•

Automatic transmission (p. 424)

•

STARTING AND DRIVING

}}

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

425

Gear shift indicator

The gear shift indicator in the instrument panel
shows the current gear (in manual shifting
mode) and will prompt the driver to shift up or
down to help get the best possible fuel econ-
omy.

The gear shift indicator shows the current gear in
the instrument panel and uses an upward arrow
to recommend shifting to a higher gear. The indi-
cator is also shown in mode B or if the steering
wheel paddles

* are being used in while the trans-

mission is in mode D.

Gear shift indicator (generic illustration)

Related information

•

•

Steering wheel paddles

* (p. 427)

Gear selector positions

The shift-by-wire gear transmission shifts gears
electronically instead of mechanically for faster
and more distinct gear shifting.

Selecting gears

Select gears by moving the spring-loaded, non-
locking gear selector forward or rearward.

Gear selector positions

The following gear selector positions are shown
in the instrument panel:

(brake).

For manual shifting, the gear indicator in the
instrument panel shows the gear currently being
used (1–8).

STARTING AND DRIVING

426

Park – P

Park is activated using a switch located next to
the gear selector.

Select P when the vehicle is parked or when the
starting the engine. The vehicle must be station-
ary when P is selected.

To select another gear, the ignition must be in
mode II and the brake pedal must be depressed.

Help functions:

The system will automatically shift to P:

•

If the ignition is switched off while D or R is
selected.

•

If the driver unbuckles the seat belt and
opens the door while the engine is running if
P has not already been selected.

In position P, the transmission is mechanically
locked. Always apply the parking brake when the
vehicle is parked.

Gear shift indicator (p. 425)

The gear selector must be in the P position
before the vehicle can be locked and the
alarm set.

WARNING

Always apply the parking brake when the
vehicle is parked, particularly when parking on
a hill. The transmission's P mode may not be
able to keep the vehicle stationary if it is
parked on an incline.

Reverse – R

The vehicle must be stationary before R can be
selected.

Neutral – N

No gear is selected and the engine can be
started. Always apply the parking brake if the
vehicle is not moving and the gear selector is in
the N position.

The ignition must be in mode II and the brake
pedal must be depressed before the gear selec-
tor can be moved from N.

Drive – D

D is the normal driving position and gear shifting
is fully automatic. The vehicle must be stationary
when the gear selector is moved from R to D.

STARTING AND DRIVING

}}

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

427

Brake – B

B can be selected at any time during a drive. In
this mode, the engine braking function is acti-
vated when the accelerator pedal is released,
which helps charge the hybrid battery. This
means that the hybrid battery is charged even if
the brake pedal is not depressed.

B mode in the instrument panel

With B selected, manual shifting to lower gears
is possible. The gear indicator in the instrument
panel shows the gear currently being used (1–8).

Each time the gear selector is pulled rearward,
the transmission will shift down one gear.

In order to manually shift to higher gears, the
vehicle must be equipped with steering wheel
paddles

•

Press the gear selector forward to return to
D mode.

For smooth shifting and engine performance, the
transmission will shift down automatically if the
vehicle's speed becomes too low for the selected
gear.

Safety function

To help avoid excessive rpm that might cause
engine damage, the transmission control module
has a down-shift protection feature that in some
situations may prevent a down-shift or kickdown.

During kickdown, the transmission may shift
down one or more gears, depending on the
engine's rpm and will shift up again when max.
rpm is reached for a specific gear.

Related information

•

Steering wheel paddles

* (p. 427)

•

Shiftlock (p. 424)

•

Steering wheel paddles

In addition to the manual gearshift function using
the gear selector, the paddles make it possible
to manually shift gears from the steering wheel.

Activating the paddles

In order to shift gears with the paddles, they have
to first be activated. To do so:

–

Pull either paddle toward the steering wheel
and release it.
> A number in the instrument panel will indi-

cate the current gear being used.

Instrument panel when the paddles are activated

Shifting

To shift one gear:

–

Pull either paddle toward the steering wheel
and release it.

STARTING AND DRIVING

428

"–": Shift down one gear.

"+": Shift up one gear.

A gear shift will take place each time a paddle is
pulled if the engine speed (rpm) is within the per-
missible range for the selected gear.

The gear number shown in the instrument panel
will change after each gear shift.

Deactivating the paddles

Manually
–

Pull both paddles toward the steering wheel
and hold them until the number of the cur-
rent gear is no longer displayed in the instru-
ment panel.

Automatically

In shift mode D, if the paddles are not used for a
period of time, they will deactivate automatically.

The number of the current gear will no longer be
displayed.

In shift mode B, the paddles will not deactivate
automatically.

Related information

•

Gear shift indicator (p. 425)

•

Low Speed Control (LSC)

Low Speed Control (LSC) helps make off-road
driving easier on slippery surfaces when towing
a trailer on grass, etc. This feature is part of the

Off Road

drive mode.

When driving at low speeds, LSC prioritizes low
gears and all wheel drive to help avoid wheel spin
and to improve the vehicle's tractive force. The
accelerator pedal and engine react differently to
make low-speed driving easier.

It is activated along with Hill Descent Control
(HDC), which increases engine braking to help
keep vehicle speed low and smooth, even driving
down steep hills.

STARTING AND DRIVING

}}

* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

429

Activating LSC

Select the

Off Road

drive mode to activate the

function.

Select any other drive mode to turn it off.

Hill Descent Control (HDC) (p. 380)

When LSC with HDC is activated by the

Off

Road

drive mode, the feel of the accelerator

pedal and engine response will change.

The function is deactivated when driving at
higher speeds and must be reactivated at
lower speeds if so desired.

Related information

•

Brake functions (p. 378)

•

•

All Wheel Drive (AWD)

Your Volvo can be equipped with All Wheel
Drive, which means that power is distributed
automatically between the front and rear wheels.

Under normal driving conditions, most of the
engine's power is directed to the front wheels.
However, if there is any tendency for the front
wheels to spin, an electronically controlled cou-
pling distributes power to the wheels that have
the best traction.

AWD reacts differently, depending on the drive
mode

* selected.

Related information

•

Low Speed Control (LSC) (p. 428)

•

Suspension and leveling control

The leveling control system adjusts the suspen-
sion and shock absorbers automatically to help
provide good comfort and control while driving.
Leveling can also be controlled manually to
make loading or getting in and out of the vehicle
easier.

Pneumatic suspension and shock
absorbers

This system is linked to the selected drive mode
and is adapted to the vehicle's speed. The pneu-
matic suspension reduces the vehicle's ground
clearance at higher speeds to reduce wind resis-
tance and increase stability. The shock absorbers
are normally set to provide the best possible
comfort and are adjusted continuously according
to the road surface, acceleration, braking and
cornering.

The instrument panel will indicate when the sus-
pension level is being adjusted.

The level cannot be adjusted if one of the side
doors or the hood is open.

STARTING AND DRIVING

430

Suspension leveling settings

Easy entry

The vehicle can be lowered to entering and exit-
ing easier.

In the center display's Top view:

1. Tap

Settings

2. Tap

My Car

Suspension

3. Select

Easy Entry/Exit Control

> When the vehicle is parked and the

engine is turned off, the level is lowered.
Level adjustment will stop if a side door is
opened and will resume after a slight
delay when the door has been closed.
When the engine is started and the vehi-
cle begins to move, the level will be raised
to the height set by the selected drive
mode.

If a door has been opened and closed, there may
be a slight delay before the leveling function will
resume.

Turning off suspension and leveling control

In certain situations, this function has to be
turned off, for example when lifting the vehicle on
a jack to help avoid problems created by the dif-
ference in levels in the pneumatic suspension
when the vehicle is raised.

1. Tap

Settings

in the center display's Top

view.

2. Tap

My Car

Suspension

3. Select

Deactivate Suspension & Leveling

Control

Loading mode

Use the buttons in the cargo compartment to
raise or lower the vehicle to make loading or
unloading easier or when attaching a trailer.

Parking the vehicle

When parking, be sure that there is adequate
space above and below the vehicle since its
ground clearance may vary, e.g., depending on
the ambient temperature, how the vehicle is loa-
ded, if loading mode is being used or the drive
mode selected after the engine is started.

The level may also be adjusted for a certain time
after the vehicle has been parked to compensate
for possible height adjustments due to tempera-
ture changes in the pneumatic suspension when
the vehicle has cooled.

Transport

When transporting the vehicle on a ferry, train or
a tow truck, it may only be secured (lashed)
around the tires, not using any other chassis
components. Changes in the pneumatic suspen-
sion may occur during transport that could nega-
tively affect the lashing and result in damage.

Related information

•

Driving with a trailer (p. 397)

•

•

Loading (p. 218)

Standard equipment on certain models.

INFOTAINMENT

432

The infotainment system

The infotainment system consists of a radio,
media player and has the capacity to communi-
cate with a Bluetooth-connected cell phone. It is
also possible to connect to the Internet to e.g.,
stream audio content via apps.

The system's functions can be controlled from
the right-side steering wheel keypad, the center
display or by using voice commands.

Infotainment overview

Infotainment system overview

System updates

The infotainment system is constantly being
developed and improved. For optimal functional-
ity, updates can be downloaded when the vehicle
is connected to the Internet. See the article "Sys-
tem updates" and the support site
support.volvocars.com.

Related information

•

Media player (p. 455)

•

Radio (p. 434)

•

Phone (p. 448)

•

Internet connected vehicle (p. 466)

•

Apps (applications) (p. 432)

•

Ignition modes (p. 400)

•

Symbols in the center display status bar
(p. 48)

•

Voice control (p. 125)

•

Infotainment system license information
(p. 472)

•

System updates (p. 506)

Apps (applications)

Apps (applications) are programs used to con-
trol some of the vehicle's features and functions.

The center display's App view (generic illustration)

Several basic apps are always available and oth-
ers can be downloaded. Downloadable apps
include navigation services, web radio, streaming
music services, retailer contact and software
downloads.

INFOTAINMENT

433

Some apps are only available if the vehicle is
connected to the Internet.

–

In the center display's App view, tap an app
to start it.

Related information

•

Internet connected vehicle (p. 466)

•

Downloading, updating and uninstalling apps
(p. 468)

•

Changing settings in different types of apps
(p. 49)

Sound settings

The infotainment system is precalibrated for opti-
mal sound reproduction but these settings can
be changed to suit your personal preferences.

The system's volume is normally adjusted using
the right-side steering wheel keypad or the vol-
ume control below the center display.

Optimal sound reproduction settings

The audio system is precalibrated for optimal
sound reproduction using digital signal process-
ing. This calibration takes into account the speak-
ers, amplifier, cabin acoustics, listener position,
etc., for each combination of vehicle and infotain-
ment system.

Dynamic calibration is also available, which moni-
tors the setting of the volume control, radio
reception and the vehicle's speed.

Specific sound settings are described in the
respective articles/sections of this owner's infor-
mation.

To change a setting, pull down the center dis-
play's Top view and tap

Settings

Sound

Active noise suppression

The vehicle can be equipped with an active noise
suppression function that reduces engine noise
in the passenger compartment by utilizing the
infotainment system. The microphone(s) in the

ceiling liner react to engine noise and the info-
tainment system produces signals (white noise)
to counteract this.

Microphone in the ceiling liner. The number and position
vary, depending on the vehicle