Volvo XC90 Owner's Manual page 20

INTRODUCTION
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Electrical current for charging the hybrid bat-
tery
Electric motor for powering the rear wheels
Hybrid battery
Drive modes (change in the center display or
by using the drive mode control in the tunnel
console)
Instrument panel showing unique hybrid-rela-
ted information
WARNING
Please be aware that there is no sound from
the engine when the vehicle is being powered
by the electric motor and it may be difficult to
detect by children, pedestrians, cyclists and
animals. This is especially true at low speeds.
High-voltage electrical current
18
WARNING
A number of electrical components in Twin
Engine Plug-in Hybrid vehicles use high-volt-
age current and can be extremely dangerous
if handled incorrectly. These components and
any orange wiring in the vehicle may only be
handled by trained and qualified Volvo service
technicians.
Hybrid-unique functions
Drive modes
Different drive modes can be selected while driv-
ing, e.g., electric power only or a combination of
electric and gasoline power. The vehicle calcu-
lates the optimal combination of drivability, driving
experience, environmental impact and fuel econ-
omy for the selected drive mode. See also the
article "Drive modes" for additional information.
Instrument panel
In certain driving situations, hybrid-unique infor-
mation may be displayed in the instrument panel,
such as: a hybrid battery gauge (current charge
level), the current drive mode, a symbol that illu-
minates when the gasoline engine is being used,
a Hybrid Guide and the level of energy regenera-
tion.
Preconditioning
In order to function optimally, the hybrid battery
(and its related electrical systems) and the gaso-
line engine (and its drive systems) should be at
the correct operating temperature. The hybrid
battery's capacity is reduced considerably if it is
too cold or hot. Preconditioning prepares the
vehicle's drive systems and passenger compart-
ment before the vehicle is driven to help reduce
wear and energy consumption.
Charging the hybrid battery
CAUTION
Never connect the charging cable if there is a
risk of thunderstorms/lightning.
Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid vehicles use a lith-
ium-ion battery that can be charged in several
ways:
•
A charging cable can be connected from the
vehicle to a 110-volt AC socket. Charging
time depends on the strength of the current.
•
When the brakes are applied lightly, the elec-
tric motor is used for engine braking, during
which the vehicle's kinetic energy is conver-
ted into electric current that is used to help
recharge the hybrid battery.
•
The hybrid battery is also recharged to a cer-
tain extent when the gasoline engine is in
operation.
Related information
•
Drive modes (p. 411)
•
Hybrid-related information in the instrument
panel (p. 133)
•
Charging the hybrid battery (p. 403)