Volvo XC90 Owner's Manual page 410

STARTING AND DRIVING
Drive modes*
Drive modes affect the vehicle's driving charac-
teristics in different ways to enhance and sim-
plify the driving experience in certain types of sit-
uations.
Drive modes enable easy access to the vehicle's
many functions and settings in different driving
situations. The following systems are adapted to
help optimize driving characteristics in each drive
mode:
• Steering
•
Engine/transmission/all-wheel drive*
• Brakes
•
Pneumatic suspension* and shock absorbers
• Instrument panel
• Start/Stop function
• Climate control settings
Select the drive mode that is best suited to the
current driving conditions. Keep in mind that not
all drive modes are available in all situations.
Available drive modes
Comfort
• This is the vehicle's default mode.
When the engine is started, the vehicle will be in
Comfort
mode and the start/stop function will
5 All Wheel Drive
Hill Descent Control
6
408
be activated. This setting offers driving comfort,
light steering and soft suspension.
Eco
• Adapt the vehicle for more fuel-efficient and
Eco
eco-friendly driving with
In this mode, the Start/Stop function is activated,
the ground clearance is lower to reduce air resis-
tance and certain climate settings are reduced.
Eco
When driving in mode, an ECO gauge indi-
cating how economical the driving is will be dis-
played in the instrument panel.
Off Road
• Helps maximize the vehicle's ability to tra-
verse difficult terrain or poor roads.
In this mode, ground clearance is high, steering is
light, and all-wheel drive* and the low-speed
function with assistance for driving downhill
6
(HDC ) are activated. The Start/Stop function is
deactivated.
This mode can only be activated at low speeds.
The permitted speed range will be shown in the
speedometer. If this speed is exceeded,
Road
mode will be deactivated and another drive
mode activated.
Off Road
In mode, a compass will be displayed
between the speedometer and the tachometer in
the instrument panel.
NOTE
This drive mode is not designed to be used
for normal street driving.
mode.
NOTE
Due to the increased ground clearance, if the
Off Road
engine was switched off, the suspension will
lower when the engine is restarted.
CAUTION
Do not use the
towing a trailer without an electrical connec-
tion. This could result in damage to the pneu-
matic suspension system's bellows.
Off
mode was selected when the
Off Road
drive mode when
* Option/accessory.