Volvo S90 T8 2019 Transmission Guide

Introduction

The 2019 Volvo S90 T8 represents a harmonious fusion of advanced engineering and elegant design, offering a truly exceptional driving experience. At the heart of this luxurious sedan lies its innovative transmission system, a pivotal component that seamlessly connects power and efficiency. The transmission in the S90 T8 is a critical link between the dynamic power of its hybrid powertrain and the smooth distribution of that power to all four wheels. This transmission, carefully engineered and precision-crafted, plays a central role in shaping the car’s performance, responsiveness, and fuel economy.

Incorporating cutting-edge technology, the transmission in the 2019 S90 T8 serves as an interface between the potent gasoline engine and the electric motor, allowing for a range of driving modes that cater to different preferences and driving conditions. Whether you seek the eco-conscious silence of electric-only propulsion, the harmonious blending of gas and electric power in hybrid mode, or the exhilarating thrust of combined forces in power mode, the transmission adapts effortlessly to your desires.

Transmission

The transmission is part of the vehicle’s driveline (power transmission) between the engine and the drive wheels. The function of the transmission is to change gears depending on speed and power needs.
The vehicle has an 8-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor for rear-wheel drive. The number of gears allows the engine’s torque and power band to be effectively utilized. Two of the gears are overdrive gears that save fuel when driving at a constant engine speed. The steering wheel paddles* can be used to shift up or down manually. The instrument panel shows the gear currently in use.

CAUTION
Check the operating temperature of the transmission to help avoid damage to any of the drive system components. If there is a risk of overheating, a warning symbol will appear in the instrument panel and a text message will be displayed. Follow the recommendations given.

Symbols in the instrument panel
If a problem should occur with the transmission, a symbol and a message will appear in the instrument panel.

Symbol	Meaning
	Information and messages related to the transmission. Follow the recommendations provided.
	Hot or overheated transmission. Follow the recommendations provided.
	Reduced performance/Acceleration performance reduced In the event of a temporary fault in the driveline, the vehicle may go into a “limp home” mode with reduced power output to help avoid damage to the driveline.

Related information

• Gear selector positions for automatic transmissions

Gear selector positions for automatic transmissions
In vehicles with an automatic transmission, the system selects the optimal gear for the current driving conditions. The transmission also has a manual mode.

The instrument panel shows which gear is currently in use:

P, R, N, D, or B.
For manual shifting, the gear indicator in the instrument panel displays the gear currently being used (1-8).

Selecting gears
The gear selector is a shift-by-wire selector, where shifting is done electronically instead of mechanically. This makes shifting easier and the gear positions more distinct.

Select gears by moving the spring-loaded, non-locking gear selector forward or backward.

Gear selector positions
Park – P

Park is activated using the P button located next to the gear selector.

Select P when the vehicle is parked or when starting the engine. The vehicle must be stationary when Park is selected.
To move to another gear from Park, the brake pedal must be depressed, and the ignition in mode II.
When parking – apply the parking brake before shifting to Park.

WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when parking on an incline. Selecting a gear or putting the automatic transmission in P may not be sufficient to keep the vehicle stationary in all situations.

NOTE
The gear selector must be in the P position before the vehicle can be locked and the alarm set.

Help functions
The system will automatically shift to P:

• If the ignition is switched off while D or R is selected.
  If the driver unbuckles the seat belt and opens the driver’s door while the vehicle is running with the gear selector in a gear other than P.

To park a vehicle with an unbuckled seat belt and open door – end P mode by shifting to R or D again.
The system will not automatically shift to P if the ignition is switched off while the gear selector is in the neutral position (N). This is to make it possible to wash the vehicle in an automatic car wash in which the vehicle is pulled forward on rolling wheels.

Reverse – R
Select R when backing up. The vehicle must be stationary when Reverse is selected.

Neutral – N
No gear is selected and the engine can be started. Apply the parking brake if the vehicle is stationary with the gear selector in N.
To move the gear selector from Neutral to another gear, the brake pedal must be depressed and the ignition in mode II.

D drive mode
D is the normal driving gear position. The transmission shifts up or down automatically depending on acceleration and speed. The vehicle must be stationary when the gear selector is moved from R to D.

Brake – B
B can be selected at any time during a drive. In B mode, the engine braking function is activated when the accelerator pedal is released, which helps charge the hybrid battery. This offers additional opportunities to recharge the hybrid battery since the battery is charged even when the brake pedal is not depressed.

B mode in the instrument panel.
From B mode, it is possible to manually shift to lower gears. The currently selected gear (1-8) will be displayed in the instrument panel.

• Pull the gear selector backward once to shift down one gear.
  Pull the gear selector backward again to shift down to lower gears.

To shift manually to a higher gear, the vehicle must be equipped with steering wheel paddles*.

• Push the gear selector forward to return to D mode.

For smooth shifting and engine performance, the transmission will shift down automatically if the vehicle’s speed becomes too low for the selected gear.
Related information

• Shiftlock
• Using the steering wheel paddles* to shift
• The kickdown function

Using the steering wheel paddles* to shift
The steering wheel paddles are a supplement to the gear selector and make it possible to shift manually without removing your hands from the steering wheel.
Activating the steering wheel paddles In order to shift gears using the paddles, they must first be activated:

• Pull one of the paddles toward the steering wheel.
  > A number in the instrument panel indicates the current gear being used.

Instrument panel when the paddles are activated for shifting.

Change
To shift one gear:

• Pull one of the paddles toward the steering wheel and then release.

1. Shift down one gear.
2. Shift up one gear.

As long as the engine speed (rpm) is within the permissible range for the selected gear, a gear shift will take place each time a paddle is pulled.
After each gear shift, a number indicating the current gear will be displayed in the instrument panel.

Turning off Start/Stop
Manual deactivation in gear D and B

• Deactivate the paddles by pulling the right paddle (+) toward the steering wheel and holding it until the number of the current gear is no longer displayed in the instrument panel.
  > The transmission will revert to gear D or B depending on which gear was selected before the paddles were activated.

Automatic deactivation
In gear position D, the steering wheel paddles are deactivated after a short period of time if they are not used. The number of the current gear will no longer be displayed in the instrument panel.
In gear position B, the paddles will not activate automatically.

Related information

• Gear selector positions for automatic trans-missions

Shiftlock

The automatic transmission’s shiftlock function helps prevent inadvertently moving the gear selector between different positions.

Automatic shiftlock
The automatic shiftlock has a separate safety system.

From Park – P
To move to another gear from P (Park), the brake pedal must be depressed and the ignition in mode II.

From Neutral – N
If the gear selector is in N and the vehicle has been stationary for at least 3 seconds (with or without the engine running), the gear selector will be locked in that position.
To move the gear selector from N to another gear, the brake pedal must be depressed and the ignition in mode II.

Messages in the instrument panel
If the gear selector is locked in position, a message will appear in the instrument panel, e.g. Gear lever Press brake pedal to activate gear lever.
There is no mechanical shiftlock function.

Related information

• Gear selector positions for automatic transmissions

The kickdown function
Kickdown is used when maximum acceleration is needed, e.g. when passing.
When the accelerator pedal is depressed all the way to the floor (past the normal full accelerator position), the transmission will automatically engage kickdown, i.e. immediately shift down to a lower gear.
If the accelerator pedal is released from the kick-down position, the transmission will automatically shift up again.
Safety function
The transmission control module is equipped with a downshift protection feature to help prevent the engine from overheating.
In some conditions, the transmission will prevent downshifting/kickdown if this would lead to such high engine speed (rpm) that the engine could be damaged. If the driver still attempts downshifting or kickdown at a high rpm, nothing will hap-pen and the original gear will remain selected.
With kickdown, the vehicle can downshift one or more steps at a time depending on the engine speed. The vehicle upshifts when the engine reaches its maximum rpm to prevent engine damage.

FAQs