2023 Volvo XC90 Gearbox
Kick-down function
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.
To prevent over-revving of the engine, the gearbox control program has a protective downshift inhibitor.The gearbox does not permit downshifting/kick-down which would result in an engine speed high enough to damage the engine. Nothing happens if the driver still tries to shift down in this way at high engine speed – the original gear remains engaged.
On kick-down the car can shift down one or more steps at a time, depending in engine speed. The car shifts up when the engine has reached is maximum engine speed in order to prevent engine damage.
Launch function
- 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 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.
Gearbox
The car has a seven or eight-speed automatic gearbox. The number of gear changes means that the engine’s torque and power range can be used effectively.
Two of the gears are overdrive gears that save fuel when driving at constant engine speed. The driver display shows the selected gear position.
Gear positions
Overview of gear lever and shift pattern in the driver display.
The driver display shows the selected gear position:
P, R, N, D or M.
Changing gear with automatic gearbox
Overview of gear lever and gear positions.
Overview of gear lever and position P.
Parking is activated with the P button located next to the gear selector.
The gearbox is mechanically blocked when the P position is engaged.
Select position P for parking. The car can start in position P. The car must be stationary when the P position is selected.
To park – first apply the parking bake and then select P position.
Always use the parking brake when parking on an inclined surface. Engaging a gear or the automatic transmission’s P position is not sufficient to hold the car stationary in all situations.
To be able to lock the car and arm the alarm, the gear position must be in P.
The system will change to the P position automatically:
- if the car is switched off in D or R position when stationary.
- if the car is moving at low speed when the driver unbuckles the seatbelt and opens the driver’s door without a pedal depressed.
To park a car without wearing the seatbelt and with the door open – exit the P position by selecting R or D again.
If the car is switched off in N position there is no automatic change-over to P position. This makes it possible to wash the car in an automatic car wash.
Select position R to reverse. The car must be stationary when the R position is selected.
D is the normal driving position. Shifting up and down takes place automatically based on the level of acceleration and speed.
The car must be stationary when changing gear from R position to D position.
It is possible to change between D/R at very low speed without your foot on the brake in order to facilitate parking, for example.
In M position, it is possible to change gear manually. The car engine-brakes when the accelerator pedal is released.
Position M is selected by moving the gear selector backwards from the D position.
- Press the gear selector to the right to “+” (plus) to change up one step and release it.
- Press the gear selector to the left to “–” (minus) to change down one step and release it.
- Press the gear selector backwards to return to the D position.
The gearbox automatically shifts down if the speed decreases to a level lower than appropriate for the selected gear, in order to avoid jerking and stalling.
Symbols and messages for the transmission
To prevent damage to any drive system components, the working temperature of the gearbox is checked. If there is a risk of overheating, a warning symbol illuminates in the driver display and a text message is shown – follow the recommendation given.
| Symbol | Specification |
|---|---|
 |
An error has occurred in the transmission.
Read the message in the driver display. |
 |
Hot or overheated gearbox.
Read the message in the driver display. |
 |
Temporary fault on drivetrain.
Read the message in the driver display. |
All-wheel drive
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 stabilising 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.
Gear selector inhibitor
The automatic gear selector inhibitor has special safety systems.
In order to move the gear selector from P or N position to another gear position, the engine must be running, the brake pedal must be depressed and the ignition position must be II.
If the gear selector is in the N position and the car has been stationary for at least 3 seconds (irrespective of whether the engine is running) then the gear selector is locked.
If the gear selector is inhibited a message is shown in the driver display, e.g. Press brake pedal to activate gear lever.
The gear selector is not inhibited mechanically.
Gear shift indicator
For eco-driving during manual gear changing, it is important to drive in the right gear and to change gear in good time.
Gear shift indicator in the driver display.The gear shift indicator shows the current gear in the driver display and indicates recommended shifting to a higher gear by a flashing plus sign.
The gear shift indicator is only available in certain markets.