Shift Lock; R Reverse; D Driving Position; 3 Low Gear Position - Volvo 2003 V40 Operation And Care Manual

Shift lock

In order to move the gear selector from P position to the other gear positions the key must be in driving position
(position II) and the brake pedal must be depressed. See
manually in case of a dead battery.

R Reverse

The car must be at a standstill before you select Reverse gear.
N Neutral position
The N position is the neutral position. The engine can be started, but no gear is selected. Apply the parking brake when
the car is stationary with the gear selector in position N.

D Driving position

D is the normal driving position. The gear se-lector automatically shifts up and down between the transmission gears,
based on the level of acceleration and the speed. The car should be stationary when you select D from position R.
4 Low gear position
Shifting up and down between the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th occurs automatically.
Shifting up to Drive does not occur.
Position 4 can be used:
for mountain driving
for driving with trailer
to increase the engine braking

3 Low gear position

Shifting up and down between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd occurs automatically.
The 4th and Drive gears will not be engaged.
Position 3 can be used:
for mountain driving
for driving with trailer
to increase the engine braking
L Low gear position
Choose position L if you want to drive with the 1st or 2nd gear engaged. Position L gives the best possible engine
braking effect when, for example, mountain driving.
Shifting up to 5th does not occur.
Position 4 can be used:
for mountain driving
for driving with trailer
to increase the engine braking
Downshifting protection
There is a built in protection in the transmission which prevents over revving in the engine when you select one of the
low gear positions.
pg. 67 Automatic transmission
page 99 for information on how to move the gear selector