Automatic Gearbox; Safety Systems - Volvo XC90 Owner's Manual

Starting and driving

Automatic gearbox

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 tempera-
tures. To minimise engine emissions, the
gearbox shifts up later than normal when the
engine is started at low temperatures.
Turbo engine
When the engine is cold, the transmission
shifts gears at higher revs. This allows the
catalytic converter to reach normal operating
temperature more quickly, with less exhaust
emissions.
Adaptive system
The gearbox is controlled by what is known
as an adaptive system. The system contin-
ually 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.

Safety systems

Cars with an automatic gearbox have special
safety systems:
118
Keylock
To remove the ignition key, the gear selector
must be in the P position. The key is locked in
all other positions.
Parking position (P position)
Stationary car with engine running:
– Hold your foot on the brake pedal when
moving the gear selector to another
position.
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.
Kick-down
When the accelerator is pressed all the way
to the floor, beyond the position normally
regarded as full acceleration, a lower gear is
immediately engaged. This is known as kick-
down.
When maximum speed for this gear is
reached, or if the accelerator is released from
the kick-down position, the gearbox automat-
ically changes up.
Kick-down is used when maximum acceler-
ation is needed, such as for overtaking.
To prevent overrevving, the gearbox control
program has a protective downshift inhibitor.
The kick-down function cannot be used in
the manual positions. Return to
automatic position D.