Volvo S60 Cross Country 2016, Owner'S Manual

Page: 286 / 440

08 Starting and driving
08
284
*
Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
Hill Descent Control (HDC)* 13
HDC can be compared to an automatic
engine brake. When you release the accelera-
tor on downhill gradients the car is normally
braked by means of the engine striving for low
engine idling speeds, so-called engine brak-
ing. But the steeper the roadway and the
more load in the car, the faster the car coasts
despite engine braking - the HDC function
compensates for this with automatic brake
intervention.
General information on HDC
HDC makes it possible to increase/reduce
speed on steep downhill gradients, with a
foot only on the accelerator pedal, without
using the foot brake. The sensitivity of the
accelerator pedal decreases and becomes
more precise by means of the full actuation of
the pedal being restricted to adjusting engine
speed within a limited range. The brake sys-
tem brakes itself and provides the car with a
low and even speed, so allowing the driver to
fully focus on steering.
HDC is particularly helpful on steep gradients
with an uneven road surface and slippery
sections. E.g. when launching a boat on a
trailer from a ramp.
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
HDC On/Off.
HDC is activated or deactivated with one of
the centre console's switches. The lamp
within it illuminates when the function is acti-
vated.
When HDC is operating, the combined
instrument panel's symbol illuminates
combined with the text message
Hill
descent control ON
.
The function only operates in first gear posi-
tion and in reverse gear. For an automatic
gearbox, gear position
1
must be selected,
which is shown with the figure
1
in the com-
bined instrument panel, see Automatic gear-
box -- Geartronic* (p. 277).
NOTE
HDC cannot be activated on an automatic
gearbox when the gear selector is in posi-
tion D .
Operation
HDC allows the car to roll at a maximum of
10 km/h forwards with engine braking and
7 km/h backwards. However, any speed
within the gear's speed register can be
selected using the accelerator pedal. When
the accelerator pedal is released, the car is
braked quickly to 10 or 7 km/h respectively,
irrespective of the hill's gradient and without
the need for the foot brake.
The brake lights come on automatically when
the function is operating. The driver can brake
or stop the car at any time by using the foot
brake.
HDC is deactivated:
13 Only possible on the S60 Cross Country with AWD.