Automatic Gearbox - Volvo XC90 Owner's Manual

Cold start
When starting in low temperatures, the gear
changes can sometimes feel hard. This is
due to the gearbox oil's viscosity at low tem-
peratures. To minimise engine emissions, the
gearbox shifts up later than normal when the
engine is started at low temperatures.
NOTE
Depending on the engine temperature when
the engine is started, the idle speed after a
cold start may be higher than normal for
certain engine types.
Turbo engine
When the engine is cold, the transmission
shifts gears at higher revs. This allows the
catalytic converter to reach normal operat-
ing temperature more quickly, with less ex-
haust emissions.
Adaptive system
The gearbox is controlled by what is known
as an adaptive system. The system continu-
ally monitors how the gearbox is behaving
and senses every gear change for optimum
change quality.
Lock-up function
The gears have a lock-up function (locked
gears), which gives better engine braking and
lower fuel consumption.
Kick-down
When the accelerator pedal is pressed all the
way to the floor, beyond the position normal-
ly regarded as full acceleration, a lower gear
is immediately engaged. This is known as
kick-down.
If the accelerator is released from the kick-
down position, the gearbox automatically
changes up.
Kick-down is used when maximum accelera-
tion is needed, such as for overtaking.
To prevent overrevving, the gearbox control
program has a protective downshift inhibitor
which prevents the kick-down function.
The kick-down function cannot be used in
manual gear position.
Safety systems
Cars with an automatic gearbox have special
safety systems:
Keylock
To remove the ignition key, the gear selector
must be in the P position. The key is locked
in all other positions.
06 Starting and driving

Automatic gearbox

Parking position (P)
Stationary car with engine running:
– Hold your foot on the brake pedal when
moving the gear selector to another posi-
tion.
Electric gear inhibitor – Shiftlock
Parking position (P position)
To be able to move the gear selector from the
P position to other gear positions, the ignition
key must be in position I or II and the brake
pedal must be depressed.
Shiftlock – Neutral (N position)
If the gear selector is in the N position and
the car has been stationary for at least three
seconds (irrespective of whether the engine
is running) then the gear selector is locked in
the N position.
To be able to move the gear selector from the
N position to another gear position, the brake
pedal must be depressed and the ignition
key must be in position II.
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