2022 Volvo S60 Drive Modes
Regenerative braking
The battery symbol is shown in the driver display when the car is generating power for the battery.
The function is available in all drive modes together with gear position D or M.
Activating brake regeneration
Brake regeneration is activated by gentle pressure on the brake pedal or during engine braking.
Regeneration increases during engine braking when manual gearshift mode M is selected.
Drive modes
Using the drive modes it is possible to quickly have access to the car’s numerous functions and settings for different driving needs. The following systems are adapted to maintain driving characteristics that are as good as possible in each drive mode:
- Steering
- Engine/gearbox/all-wheel drive
- Brakes
- Shock absorption
- Driver display
- Start/stop function
- Climate settings
Select the drive mode adapted for the current driving conditions. Remember that not all drive modes are available in all situations.
Selectable drive modes
When the car starts, it is in Comfort mode and the start/stop function is activated. The drive mode can be changed when the car has been started, e.g. to the Individual mode. When the Individual mode is selected, it is possible to make adjustments for specific preferences, e.g. to show the tachometer.
Comfort
The Comfort mode is the car’s normal mode. These settings make the car feel comfortable, the steering and shock absorbers are adapted for normal driving and the body movements are compliant.
This drive mode is the certification mode for carbon dioxide emissions.
In Comfort mode, no tachometer is displayed in the driver display.
Eco
- Adapt the car for more energy-efficient and environmentally-conscious driving with the Eco mode.
The drive mode means, for example, that the Start/Stop function is activated, the shock absorbers are soft and the output of certain climate settings is reduced.
When driving in Eco mode, the driver display shows an eco-meter that indicates in real time how economical your driving is.
Dynamic
- Dynamic mode means that the car has sportier characteristics and a faster response to accelerating.
- The gear changes become faster and more distinct, and the gearbox prioritizes a gear with greater traction.
- Steering response is faster and shock absorption is harder which means that the body follows the roadway in order to reduce roll during cornering.
- Start/Stop function is deactivated.
- The Dynamic mode is also available in the Polestar Engineered version.
Individual
- Adapting a drive mode according to individual preferences.
- Select a drive mode to start from, and then adjust the settings according to the desired driving characteristics. These settings are saved in the active driver profile and are available each time the car is unlocked with the same key.
- An individual drive mode is only available if it is first activated in the center display.
Settings view for individual drive mode.- Press Settings in the top view.
- Press and select Individual Drive Mode.
- In Presets, select a drive mode to start from Eco, Comfort, Dynamic, or Polestar Engineered.
- Possible adjustments apply to settings for:
- Driver Display
- Steering Force
- Powertrain Characteristics
- Brake Characteristics
- Suspension Control
- ECO Climate
- Start/Stop
Changing drive mode
- Swipe from left to right across the screen in order to access the function view from the home view.
- Press Drive Modes
- Select the required drive mode to activate.
Drive mode Eco
Use this drive mode to save fuel and the environment.
The following properties are adapted for Eco mode:
- Gearbox gearshift points.
- Engine management and response from the accelerator pedal.
- The Eco Coast freewheel function is activated and engine braking is deactivated when the accelerator pedal is released at speeds between 65 and 140 km/h (40 and 87 mph).
- Some of the climate control system’s settings work at reduced power or are deactivated.
- The driver display shows information in an ECO gauge which facilitates environmentally-conscious and fuel-efficient driving.
Free-wheel function Eco Coast
The freewheel function Eco Coast means in practice that engine braking ceases, meaning in turn that the car’s kinetic energy is used to freewheel for longer distances. When the driver releases the accelerator pedal the gearbox is automatically disengaged from the engine whose speed is reduced to idling speed with reduced consumption. The function is best used where it is possible to freewheel a long way e.g. roads with a slight downhill gradient or when there is a predictable speed reduction to freewheel into a zone with a lower speed limit.
Activating the freewheel function
The function is activated when the accelerator pedal is fully released, in combination with the following parameters:
- Drive mode Eco is activated.
- The gear selector is in the D position.
- Speed within the range of approx. 65-140 km/h (40-87 mph).
- The road’s downhill gradient is not steeper than approx. 6%.
The driver display shows COASTING when the freewheel function is being used.
Limitations
The freewheel function is not available if
- the engine and/or gearbox are not at normal operating temperature
- the gear selector is moved from the D position to the manual position
- if the speed is outside the range of approx. 65-140 km/h (40-87 mph)
- the road’s downhill gradient is steeper than approx. 6%
Deactivating and switching off the freewheel function
In certain situations, it may be desirable to deactivate or switch off the function in order to use engine braking. Examples of such situations may be on steep downhill gradients or before an imminent overtaking maneuver – in order to be able to do it in the safest way possible.
Deactivate the freewheel function as follows
- actuate the accelerator or brake pedal
- move the gear selector to manual position
Switch off the freewheel function as follows
- change drive mode
- switch off drive mode Eco in the function view.
Even without the freewheel function, it is possible to freewheel for short distances. This, in turn, reduces consumption. However, for the best fuel economy, it is better to have the freewheel function activated and be able to freewheel for longer distances.
Cruise control Eco Cruise
When using the cruise control in the Eco drive mode, the car’s acceleration and deceleration will be lower compared to other drive modes, which enables further fuel savings. This means that the car’s speed can be slightly above or below the set speed.
- On a smooth road, the car’s speed can deviate from the set speed when the cruise control is active and the car free-rolls.
- On a steep uphill slope, the car’s speed drops until a downshift is made, then reduced acceleration starts in order to achieve the set speed.
- On a downhill slope where the car free-rolls, the car’s speed can be slightly above or below the set speed. The function uses normal engine braking to maintain the set speed. The foot brake is also used if necessary.
Eco gauge in the driver’s display
Eco gauge in the 12-inch driver display.
Eco gauge in the 8-inch driver display.The ECO gauge indicates how fuel-efficient the driving is:
- With fuel-efficient driving, the gauge shows a low value with the pointer in the green zone.
- With non-fuel-efficient driving, e.g. during heavy braking or heavy acceleration, the gauge shows a high value.
The ECO gauge also has an indicator to show how a reference driver would drive the car under the same driving conditions. This is indicated with the short pointer on the gauge.
ECO climate control
In the Eco drive mode, eco climate control is activated automatically in the passenger compartment in order to reduce energy consumption.
Note
When the Eco drive mode is activated, several parameters in the climate control system’s settings are changed, and several electricity consumer functions are reduced. Certain settings can be reset manually, but full functionality is only regained by switching off Eco drive mode or adapting Individual drive mode with full climate functionality. In the event of difficulties due to misting, press the button for max. defroster which has normal functionality.
The Eco mode is deactivated when the engine is switched off, and it must therefore be activated each time the engine is started. The driver display shows ECO when the function is activated.
Selecting Eco drive mode in the center display function view
Press the Driving Mode ECO button to activate or deactivate the function.
An indicator in the button illuminates when the function is activated.
Launch function
Activate Launch
- Make sure the car is stationary and the wheels are pointing straight forward.
- Move to gear position D.
- Depress the brake pedal fully.
- Then fully depress the accelerator pedal.
- Release the brake pedal within 2 seconds.
Note
If the Launch function does not work, wait a few minutes and let the drivetrain cool down to a working temperature before retrying.
Important
The drivetrain is subject to wear and tear when using Launch and therefore the function is only available a limited number of times.
Level control and shock absorption
Shock absorption (Four-C)
On a car equipped with Four-C, the shock absorption is adapted according to the drive mode selected and the speed of the car. Shock absorption is normally set for optimum comfort and is regulated continuously depending on the road surface, the car’s acceleration, braking, and cornering.
Symbols and messages
If a fault arises with the level control, a message is shown in the driver display.
| Symbol | Message | Specification |
|---|---|---|
 |
Suspension
Service required |
A fault has occurred. Visit a workshop as soon as possible. |
All-wheel drive
- All-wheel drive (AWD) means that the car is driving all four wheels at the same time, which improves traction.
- To achieve the best possible traction, the motive force is distributed automatically to the wheels with the best grip. The system continuously calculates the need for torque to the rear wheels, and can immediately redistribute up to half of the motor’s torque to the rear wheels.
- All-wheel drive also has a stabilizing effect at higher speeds. Under normal driving conditions, the majority of power is transmitted to the front wheels. When stationary, the all-wheel drive is always engaged in preparation for maximum traction during acceleration.
- All-wheel drive characteristics vary depending on the selected drive mode.