Volvo XC90 Owners Manual.pdf - ESD - Volvo

06 Starting and drivingBrake systemBrake servoIf the car is rolling or is being towed with theengine turned off, the brake pedal must bepressed about five times harder than whenthe engine is running. If the brake pedal ispressed when the engine is started, you willfeel the pedal drop. This is normal and due tothe brake servo becoming active. This maybe more noticeable if the car has emergencybrake assistance (EBA).WARNINGThe brake servo only works when the engineis running.NOTEIf braking with the engine switched off,press the brake pedal sharply once, not repeatedly.Brake circuitsThis symbol lights if a brake circuitis not working.If a fault should occur in one of thecircuits, it is still possible to brakethe car. The brake pedal will travel furtherand may feel softer than normal. Harderpressure on the pedal is needed to producethe normal braking effect.Dampness can affect braking characteristicsBrake components become wet when thecar is driven in heavy rain, through pools ofwater or when the car is washed. This mayalter brake pad friction characteristics so thatthere is a delay before braking effect is noticed.Press the brake pedal lightly from time totime if driving for long stretches in rain orslushy snow, as well as after setting off invery damp or cold weather. This warms upthe braking surfaces and dries off any water.It is also recommended to do this beforeparking the car for a long period in suchweather conditions.If the brakes are used heavilyWhen driving in the Alps or other roads withsimilar characteristics, the car’s brakes areheavily loaded even if the brake pedal is notbeing depressed especially hard.Because speed is often low, the brakes arenot cooled as effectively as when driving onflat roads at higher speed.So as not to overload the brakes, shift downwhen driving downhill instead of using thefoot brake. Use the same gear driving downhillas you would use driving uphill. Thismethod uses engine braking more efficientlyand requires the foot brake for only brief periods.Bear in mind that driving with a trailer puts anadditional load on the car’s brakes.Anti-lock braking system (ABS)The anti-lock braking system (ABS)prevents the wheels from lockingup under braking.This means the ability to steer ismaintained and it is easier to swerve to avoida hazard, for example.After the engine has been started, the ABSwill perform a brief self-test at a speed ofabout 20 km/h. This can be felt and heard aspulses in the brake pedal.To get the most out of the ABS:– Depress the brake pedal with full force.Pulses will be felt.– Steer the car in the direction of travel. Donot release the pressure on the pedal.Practice braking with the ABS system in atraffic-free area and in different weather conditions.The ABS symbol illuminates for two secondsif there was a fault in the ABS system whenthe engine was last running.06123