Automatic Gearbox; Safety Systems - Volvo V50 Owner's Manual

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.
NOTE! Depending on the engine temper-
ature when the engine is started, the idle
speed after a cold start may be higher than
normal for certain engine types.
Kick-down
When the accelerator pedal 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.
If the accelerator is released from the kick-
down position, the gearbox automatically
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
which prevents the kick-down function.
The kick-down function cannot be used in
manual gear position (Geartronic).

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.
Parking position (P)
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 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.
Starting and driving
Disengaging shiftlock
In certain cases, it may be necessary to move
the car when it is not driveable, for example if
the battery is flat. Proceed as follows to move
the car:
– There is a small cover behind P- R- N- D
on the gear selector panel. Open the rear
edge.
– Insert the key blade from the remote
control. Press down and hold the key
blade. The gear selector can now be
moved out of the P position.
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