All Wheel Drive - Awd; Hill Descent Control (Hdc) - Volvo V70 Owner's Manual

All Wheel Drive - AWD*

The best traction possible is achieved with all-
wheel drive.
All Wheel Drive is always available
All Wheel Drive (All Wheel Drive) means that
the car is driving all four wheels at the same
time.
The power is automatically distributed
between the front and rear wheels. An elec-
tronically controlled clutch system distributes
the power to the wheels that have the best
grip on the current road surface. This pro-
vides the best traction and prevents wheel
spin. Under normal driving conditions, the
majority of power is transmitted to the front
wheels.
All Wheel Drive improves driving safety in
rain, snow and icy conditions.
HDC is only available on the XC70.
13

Hill Descent Control (HDC)*

HDC can be compared to an automatic
engine brake. When you release the accelera-
tor on downhill gradients the car is normally
braked by means of the engine striving for low
engine idling speeds, so-called engine brak-
ing. But the steeper the road and the more
load there is in the car, the faster the car rolls
despite engine braking. In order to then
reduce speed the driver has to assist using
the foot brake.
WARNING
HDC does not work in all situations but is
designed merely as a supplementary aid.
The driver always bears ultimate responsi-
bility for ensuring that the vehicle is driven
safely.
HDC makes it possible to increase/reduce
speed on steep downhill gradients, with a
foot only on the accelerator pedal, without
using the foot brake. The sensitivity of the
accelerator pedal decreases and becomes
more precise by means of the full actuation of
the pedal being restricted to adjusting engine
speed within a limited range. The brake sys-
tem brakes itself and provides the car with a
low and even speed, so allowing the driver to
fully focus on steering.
08 Starting and driving
13
HDC is particularly helpful on steep gradients
with an uneven road surface and slippery
sections. E.g. when launching a boat on a
trailer from a ramp.
Function
HDC is engaged or disengaged using a
switch on the centre console. An indicator
lamp in the button illuminates when the func-
tion is switched on.
When HDC is operating this symbol
illuminates and the combined instru-
ment panel shows
The function only operates with gear 1 or
reverse gear R - with automatic gearbox the
combined instrument panel then shows the
1
character or
Geartronic* (p. 260).
*
Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Hill descent control ON .
R
, see Automatic gearbox --
08
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