Get STARTING AND DRIVING -> Level control, HDC and Economical driving Guide for Volvo XC40 SUV Second Generation (2022-2026)

STARTING AND DRIVING

mode selected and the speed of the car.

Shock absorption is normally set for optimum

comfort and is regulated continuously depend-

ing on the road surface, the car's acceleration,

braking and cornering.

Level control* and shock

Symbols and messages

If a fault arises with the level control, a mes-

sage is shown in the driver display.

absorption

Level control and shock absorption are regu-

lated automatically in the car.

Shock absorption (Four-C)

On a car equipped with Four-C the shock

absorption is adapted according to the drive

Symbol

Message

Specification

A fault has occurred. Visit a workshop^Aas soon as possible.

Suspension

Service required

A

An authorised Volvo workshop is recommended.

Related information

Drive modes* (p. 424)

•

434

* Option/accessory.

STARTING AND DRIVING

Low speed control*

Activating and deactivating low-

speed driving* using a function

button

NOTE

The low speed control function (LSC¹⁵) facili-

tates and improves traction for driving off-

road and on slippery surfaces, such as with a

caravan on grass or a boat trailer on a launch

ramp.

When LSC with HDC is activated, the feel

of the accelerator pedal and engine

response are changed.

There is a function button for low-speed driv-

ing with Hill Descent Control in the centre

display's function view unless the car was

equipped with a drive mode button in the

centre console.

NOTE

In a car with drive mode button*, the function

is included in the Off Road drive mode.

The function is adapted for off-road driving

and driving with a trailer at low speed, up to

approx. 40 km/h (25 mph).

The driving mode is not designed to be

used on public roads.

Select low-speed driving in the centre

display function view

NOTE

–

Press the Hill Descent Control button to

Low speed control prioritises low gears and

traction. If the car is all-wheel drive, the

motive force is distributed evenly in order to

provide as good traction as possible on all

wheels and to reduce the risk of wheel spin.

The accelerator pedal is less responsive in

order to facilitate traction and speed control at

low speed.

activate or deactivate the function.

The function is deactivated when driving at

higher speeds and must be reactivated at a

lower speed, if required.

Related information

Activating and deactivating low-speed

driving* using a function button (p. 435)

•

> An indicator in the button illuminates

when the function is activated.

The function is activated together with hill

descent control, (HDC¹⁶) which means that

speed down steep hills can be controlled with

the accelerator pedal, reducing the need to

use the brake pedal. The system facilitates a

low and even speed while driving on steep

downhill gradients.

Changing drive mode* (p. 427)

Hill descent control* (p. 436)

All-wheel drive* (p. 424)

•

This function is disabled automatically when

the engine is switched off.

NOTE

The function is deactivated when driving at

higher speeds and must be reactivated at a

lower speed, if required.

15

Low Speed Control

Hill Descent Control

16

}}

* Option/accessory. 435

STARTING AND DRIVING

||

regardless of the gradient of the hill and with-

out the need for the foot brake to be used. The

brake lights are switched on when the func-

tion is operating.

Related information

Hill descent control*

Hill descent control (HDC¹⁷) is a low speed

function with enhanced engine braking. The

function makes it possible to increase or

reduce the car's speed on steep downhill gra-

dients using only the accelerator pedal, with-

out using the foot brake.

Low speed control* (p. 435)

•

Changing drive mode* (p. 427)

•

The driver can brake and reduce crawling

speed, or stop the car at any time by using the

foot brake.

In a car with drive mode button*, the function

is included in the Off Road drive mode.

Hill descent control is adapted for off-road

driving at low speeds and facilitates driving on

steep downhill gradients with difficult surfa-

ces. The driver does not need to use the brake

pedal, but can instead focus on steering.

The function is activated together with low

speed control (LSC¹⁸) which facilitates driving

and improves traction for driving off-road and

on slippery surfaces. The systems are

designed for use at low speed, up to approx.

40 km/h (25 mph).

WARNING

HDC does not work in all situations but is

designed merely as a supplementary aid.

The driver always bears ultimate responsi-

bility for ensuring that the vehicle is driven

safely.

Function

Hill descent control allows the car to roll at

inching speed both forward and backward,

assisted by the brake system. The speed can

be increased by using the accelerator pedal.

When the accelerator pedal is then released

the car slows back down to crawling speed,

17

18

Hill Descent Control

Low Speed Control

436

* Option/accessory.

STARTING AND DRIVING

Points to remember when driving with

HDC

Activating and deactivating hill

descent control* with the function

button

There is a function button for hill descent

control with Hill Descent Control in the cen-

tre display's function view unless the car was

equipped with a drive mode button in the

centre console.

NOTE

The function is deactivated when driving at

higher speeds and must be reactivated at a

lower speed, if required.

If the function is disabled while driving on

a steep downhill gradient, the braking

effect will gradually decrease.

•

With automatic gearbox

Related information

HDC can be used in gear position D, R,

and with 1st or 2nd gear with manual gear

changing.

•

Activating and deactivating hill descent

control* with the function button (p. 437)

•

Selecting hill descent control in the

centre display function view

Hill descent control only works at low speeds.

Changing drive mode* (p. 427)

Low speed control* (p. 435)

All-wheel drive* (p. 424)

•

It is not possible to change to 3rd gear or

higher with manual gear changing.

•

With manual gearbox

–

Press the Hill Descent Control button to

activate or deactivate the function.

HDC only brakes in 1st gear or with

reverse gear (R). There is no active braking

in higher gears even though the function is

not deactivated until approx. 40 km/h (25

mph).

•

NOTE

> An indicator in the button illuminates

when the function is activated.

When LSC with HDC is activated, the feel

of the accelerator pedal and engine

response are changed.

This function is disabled automatically when

the engine is switched off.

NOTE

The driving mode is not designed to be

used on public roads.

The function is deactivated when driving at

higher speeds and must be reactivated at a

lower speed, if required.

}}

* Option/accessory. 437

STARTING AND DRIVING

||

order to avoid braking, use engine braking

if possible.

Related information

Economical driving

A more economical driving style can contrib-

Hill descent control* (p. 436)

•

ute to lower fuel consumption.

High speed results in increased energy

consumption since the wind resistance

increases with speed.

•

Changing drive mode* (p. 427)

•

Before driving

If possible, precondition the car before

driving.

•

In a cold climate, reduce electrical heating

of windows, mirrors, seats and steering

wheel, if possible.

If preconditioning is not possible when it

is cold outside, use seat heating and steer-

ing wheel heating first of all. Avoid warm-

ing up the whole of the interior which

takes energy from the starter battery.

•

Avoid driving with open windows.

•

Do not hold the car stationary on a hill

with the accelerator pedal. Instead, acti-

vate the function for automatic braking

when stationary.

Avoid warming up the car using idling.

•

Choice of tyres and tyre pressure can

affect energy consumption - seek advice

on suitable tyres from an authorised Volvo

dealer.

Use the trip computer to see instantane-

ous fuel consumption.

•

WARNING

Remove unnecessary items from the car -

the greater the load the higher the con-

sumption.

•

Never switch off the engine while moving,

such as downhill, this deactivates impor-

tant systems such as the power steering

and brake servo.

While driving

Activate drive mode Eco.

•

After driving

Use gear position D as often as possible¹⁹

.

•

If possible, park in an acclimated garage.

•

When driving with manual gear changing,

drive in the highest gear possible. Use the

gear shift indicator.

Related information

Drive mode Eco (p. 427)

•

Drive at a steady speed and keep a good

distance to other vehicles and objects in

•

Start and switch off preconditioning*

(p. 208)

•

19

Applies to automatic gearbox.

438

* Option/accessory.

STARTING AND DRIVING

Checking tyre pressure (p. 542)

Recommendations for loading (p. 570)

Driving with a trailer (p. 461)

Pilot Assist* (p. 305)

•

Preparations for a long trip

•

Before a driving holiday or some other type of

long journey, it is important to check the car's

functions and equipment particularly care-

fully.

Activating and deactivating the automatic

brake at a standstill (p. 416)

Start/stop function (p. 430)

Trip computer (p. 80)

•

Speed limiter (p. 285)

Check that

Emergency puncture repair kit (p. 557)

the engine is working normally and that

fuel consumption is normal

•

there are no leaks (fuel, oil or other fluid)

•

braking effect on braking works as

intended

the tyres have sufficient tread depth and

pressure. Change to winter tyres when

driving to areas where there is a risk of

snowy or icy road surfaces

•

starter battery charging is good

•

the wiper blades are in good condition

a warning triangle and high-visibility vest

are located in the car - legally required in

certain countries

Related information

Checking tyre pressure (p. 542)

•

Fuel consumption and CO₂emissions

(p. 659)

•

Filling washer fluid (p. 638)

Winter driving (p. 440)

•

Economical driving (p. 438)

Settings for car modem* (p. 520)

* Option/accessory. 439

STARTING AND DRIVING

Winter driving

Slippery driving conditions

Driving in water

To achieve optimum roadholding Volvo recom-

mends using winter tyres on all wheels if there

is a risk of snow or ice.

For winter driving it is important to perform

certain checks of the car in order to ensure

that it can be driven safely.

Check the following in particular before the

cold season:

Wading means the car being driven through

water e.g. on a flooded road. Driving in water

must be performed with great caution.

The car can be driven through water to a maxi-

mum depth of 45 cm (17 inches) at no more

than walking speed. Extra caution should be

exercised when passing through flowing

water.

NOTE

The engine coolant must contain 50%

glycol. This mixture protects the engine

against frost down to approx. -35°C

(-31°F). To avoid health risks, different

types of glycol must not be mixed.

•

The use of winter tyres is a legal require-

ment in certain countries. Studded tyres

are not permitted in all countries.

During driving in water, maintain a low speed

and do not stop the car. When the water has

been passed, depress the brake pedal lightly

and check that full brake function is achieved.

Water and mud for example can make the

brake linings wet resulting in delayed brake

function.

Practise driving on slippery surfaces under

controlled conditions to learn how the car

reacts.

The fuel tank must be kept filled to pre-

vent condensation.

•

Engine oil viscosity is important. Oils with

lower viscosity (thinner oils) facilitate star-

ting in cold weather and also reduce fuel

consumption while the engine is cold.

Related information

Engine oil — specifications (p. 653)

•

If necessary, clean the contacts for the

electric heater and trailer coupling after

driving in water and mud.

Winter tyres (p. 555)

•

Snow chains (p. 556)

The condition of the starter battery and

charge level must be inspected. Cold

weather places great demands on the

starter battery and its capacity is reduced

by the cold.

•

Braking on gritted roads (p. 411)

Braking on wet roads (p. 411)

Filling washer fluid (p. 638)

Starter battery (p. 597)

Do not let the car stand with water over

the sills for any long period of time - this

could cause electrical malfunctions.

•

Use washer fluid with antifreeze to avoid

ice forming in the washer fluid reservoir.

•

Replacing windscreen wiper blades

(p. 636)

See the separate section for engine oil recom-

mendations.

Replacing the wiper blade, rear window

(p. 635)

•

Topping up coolant (p. 596)

•

Adverse driving conditions for engine oil

(p. 655)

440

STARTING AND DRIVING -> Level control, HDC and Economical driving for Your Volvo XC40 SUV Second Generation (2022-2026)

Related Topics

STARTING AND DRIVING

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals