Starting and driving -&gt; Towbar for your Volvo XC40 2018-2026

The car can be equipped with a towbar that

makes it possible to tow e.g. a trailer behind

the car.

There may be different towbar variants availa-

ble for the car. Contact a Volvo dealer for more

information.

If the starter battery has been discharged

so much that the car has no normal electri-

cal functions and the engine is then jump-

started with an external battery or a battery

charger, the Start/stop function may con-

tinue to be activated. If the Start/stop

function then auto-stops the engine shortly

afterwards, there is a great risk that engine

auto-start will fail due to insufficient bat-

tery capacity, because the battery has not

had the time to recharge.

When the engine is switched off, the con-

stant battery voltage to the trailer connec-

tor can be switched off automatically so as

not to drain the starter battery.

If the car has been jump-started, or if there

is insufficient time to charge the battery

with a battery charger, the Start/stop func-

tion is temporarily deactivated until the

battery has been recharged by the car. In

an outside temperature of approx. +15 °C

(approx. 60 °F), the battery needs to be

charged for at least 1 hour by the car. In a

lower outside temperature, the charging

time may increase to 3–4 hours. The rec-

ommendation is to charge the battery

using an external battery charger.

The towball needs regular cleaning and

lubrication with grease in order to prevent

wear.

Extendable and retractable towbar *

When a hitch with a vibration damper is

used, the towball must not be lubricated.

This also applies when fitting a bicycle rack

that is clamped in around the towball.

Related information

Starting the car (p. 396)

•

Ignition positions (p. 398)

Adjusting the steering wheel (p. 180)

Selecting ignition mode (p. 399)

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* Option/accessory. 449

STARTING AND DRIVING

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Related information

Specifications for towbar*

Dimensions and mounting points for towbar.

Dimensions, mounting points in mm

(inches)

•

(p. 451)

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

939 (37)

72 (2.8)

Towbar-mounted bicycle rack * (p. 456)

•

Specifications for towbar * (p. 450)

6 (0.24)

145 (5.7)

88 (3.5)

Side beam tilts 8 degrees

353 (13.9)

1048 (41.3)

524 (20.6)

Related information

Towbar * (p. 449)

•

Towing capacity and towball load

(p. 634)

•

450

* Option/accessory.

STARTING AND DRIVING

1.

2. Press and release the button – extension

might not start if the button is pressed for

too long.

Extendable and retractable

towbar*

The retractable tow hook is easy to retract or

extend as required. In the retracted position,

the towbar is completely concealed.

WARNING

Follow the instructions for retracting and

extending the towbar carefully.

WARNING

Open the tailgate. A button for extending/

retracting the towbar is located on the

right-hand side at the rear of the cargo

area. An indicator lamp in the button must

illuminate with a constant orange glow for

the extension function to be active.

Do not press the extend/retract button if a

trailer is attached to the towbar.

> The towbar extends out and down in an

unlocked position - the indicator lamp

flashes orange. The tow hook is ready

to continue moving to the locked posi-

tion.

Extending the towbar

WARNING

Avoid standing close to the bumper in the

centre behind the car when extending the

towing hitch.

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* Option/accessory. 451

STARTING AND DRIVING

|| 3.

2.

Power save mode activates after a while

and the indicator lamp goes out. The sys-

tem is reactivated by closing and opening

the tailgate. This applies when retracting or

extending the towbar.

If the car detects a connected trailer elec-

trically, the indicator lamp stops illuminat-

ing with a constant glow.

Move the towbar to its end position,

where it is secured and locked in place -

the indicator lamp illuminates with a con-

stant orange glow.

Lock the towbar by moving it back to its

retracted position, where it is locked.

Retracting the towbar

> The indicator lamp will now illuminate

with a constant glow if the towbar is

correctly retracted.

Make sure that there is no plug or adapter

in the electrical socket when retracting the

towbar.

> The towbar is ready for use.

The towbar must finish the extension pro-

cedure before it can then be moved to

locked position. This procedure may take

several seconds. If the towbar is not fixed

in locked position, wait a few seconds and

try again.

1. Open the tailgate. Press and release the

button on the right-hand side at the rear of

the cargo area - retraction might not start

if the button is pressed for too long.

> The towbar automatically lowers in an

unlocked position - the indicator lamp

in the button flashes orange.

Related information

WARNING

•

Take care to secure the trailer's safety

cable in the intended bracket.

Towbar * (p. 449)

•

452

* Option/accessory.

STARTING AND DRIVING

Follow the regulations in force for the per-

mitted speeds and weights.

Driving with a trailer

•

When driving with a trailer, there are a num-

ber of points that are important to think about

regarding the towbar, the trailer and how the

load is positioned in the trailer.

Payload depends on the car's kerb weight. The

total of the weight of the passengers and all

accessories, e.g. towbar, reduces the car's

payload by a corresponding weight.

When the engine is switched off, the con-

stant battery voltage to the trailer connec-

tor can be switched off automatically so as

not to drain the starter battery.

Maintain a low speed when driving with a

trailer up long, steep ascents.

The maximum indicated trailer weight only

applies to heights up to 1000 metres

above sea level (3280 ft). At higher eleva-

tions, the engine output and the vehicle's

climbing ability are reduced due to the

reduced air density, and the maximum

trailer load must therefore be reduced. The

weight of the car and trailer must be

decreased by 10% for each additional

1000 m (3280 ft) or part thereof.

Trailer weights

WARNING

The car is supplied with the necessary equip-

ment for towing a trailer.

Follow the stated recommendations for

trailer weights. Otherwise, the car and

trailer may be difficult to control in the

event of sudden movement and braking.

The car's towbar must be of an approved

type.

•

Distribute the load on the trailer so that

the weight on the towbar complies with

the specified maximum towball load. Tow-

ball load is calculated as part of the car's

payload.

•

Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines of

more than 12%.

•

The stated maximum permitted trailer

weights are those permitted by Volvo.

National vehicle regulations can further

limit trailer weights and speeds. Towbars

can be certified for higher towing weights

than the car can actually tow.

Trailer stability assist * (p. 454)

Extreme weather conditions, driving with a

trailer or driving at high altitudes, in combi-

nation with poorer fuel quality than recom-

mended, are factors that considerably

increase the car's fuel consumption.

Increase the tyre pressure to the recom-

mended pressure for a full load.

•

The engine is loaded more heavily than

usual when driving with a trailer.

Do not tow a heavy trailer when the car is

brand new. Wait until it has been driven at

least 1000 km (620 miles).

Level control*

Trailer connector

The car's system for level control endeavours

to maintain a constant height regardless of

load (up to the maximum permissible weight).

When the car is stationary the rear of the car

lowers slightly, which is normal.

An adapter is required if the car's towbar has a

13 pin connector and the trailer has a 7 pin

connector. Use an adapter approved by Volvo.

Make sure the cable does not drag on the

ground.

The brakes are loaded much more than

usual on long and steep downhill slopes.

Downshift to a lower gear when shifting

manually and adjust your speed.

•

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* Option/accessory. 453

STARTING AND DRIVING

||

4. Release the brake pedal and start driving

off.

When driving in hilly terrain and hot

climates

Trailer stability assist*

The function of trailer stability assist (TSA³¹

)

Under certain circumstances, there may be a

risk of overheating when towing a trailer. If the

engine and drive system overheats, a warning

symbol comes on in the driver display and a

message is displayed.

is to stabilise cars towing trailers in situations

where they begin snaking. The function is

Related information

•

included in the stability system ESC³²

.

Checking trailer lamps (p. 455)

Reasons for snaking

Towing capacity and towball load

(p. 634)

The snaking phenomenon can occur with any

car/trailer combination. Snaking normally

occurs at high speeds. However, there is a risk

of it occurring at lower speeds if the trailer is

overloaded or the load is improperly distrib-

uted, e.g. too far back.

The following applies for cars with automatic

gearbox:

Overheating in the engine and drive sys-

tem (p. 446)

•

The automatic gearbox adapts the gears

depending on load and engine speed.

Adverse driving conditions for engine oil

(p. 639)

Steep inclines

Extendable and retractable towbar *

Do not lock the automatic gearbox in a higher

gear than the engine "can cope with" - it is not

always a good idea to drive at a high gear with

low engine speed.

In order for snaking to occur, there must be a

triggering factor, e.g.:

(p. 451)

Car with trailer subjected to a sudden and

powerful side wind.

•

Parking on a hill

1. Depress the brake pedal fully.

Car with trailer drives on an uneven road

surface or in a pothole.

2. Activate the parking brake.

3. Select gear position P.

4. Release the brake pedal.

Sweeping steering wheel movements.

If snaking has started, it could be difficult or

even impossible to suppress. This makes the

car/trailer combination difficult to control and

there is a risk that you could, for example, end

up in the wrong lane or leave the carriageway.

Block the wheels with chocks when parking a

car with hitched trailer on a hill.

Starting on a hill

1. Depress the brake pedal fully.

Trailer stability assist function

The trailer stability assist function continually

monitors the car's movements, particularly lat-

eral movements. If snaking is detected, the

front wheels are individually braked. This

2. Select gear position D.

3. Releasing the parking brake.

454

* Option/accessory.

STARTING AND DRIVING

serves to stabilise the car/trailer combination.

This is often enough to help the driver regain

control of the car.

When Trailer Stability Assist

(TSA) is operating, the ESC

symbol flashes in the driver

display.

Checking trailer lamps

When connecting a trailer - check that all the

trailer lamps work before departure.

If snaking is not eliminated the first time that

trailer stability assist intervenes, the car/trailer

combination is braked with all wheels and

engine power is reduced. Once snaking has

been gradually suppressed and the car/trailer

combination is stable once again, the system

stops regulating and the driver once again has

full control of the car.

Direction indicators and brake lights

on the trailer

If one or more of the trailer's direction indica-

tors or brake light bulbs is broken, the driver

display shows a symbol and a message. Other

lights on the trailer must be checked manually

by the driver before setting off.

Related information

•

Electronic stability control (p. 267)

•

Symbol Message

The stability function is deactivated if the

driver selects Sport mode by deactivating

ESC via the menu system in the centre

display.

Trailer turn indicator Right

turn indicator malfunction

•

Trailer turn indicator Left

turn indicator malfunction

Trailer brake light Malfunc-

tion

•

Trailer stability assist may fail to intervene if

the driver uses severe steering wheel move-

ments to try to rectify the snaking because in

such a situation the system cannot determine

whether it is the trailer or the driver causing

the snaking.

If any lamp for the trailer's direction indicators

is broken, the driver display symbol for direc-

tion indicators will also flash more quickly than

normal.

31

Trailer Stability Assist

Electronic Stability Control

32

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455

STARTING AND DRIVING

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5. After a moment, all lamps on the trailer

flash again.

Rear fog lamp on trailer

Towbar-mounted bicycle rack*

When connecting the trailer, the rear fog lamp

may not light up on the car. In such cases, the

rear fog lamp function switches to the trailer.

Upon activation of the rear fog lamp, check

therefore that the trailer is equipped with a

rear fog lamp to travel safely.

When using a bicycle rack, the bicycle racks

that Volvo has developed are recommended.

This is in order to avoid damage to the car and

in order to achieve the maximum possible

safety during a journey. Volvo's bicycle racks

are available for purchase at authorised Volvo

dealers.

> The check is complete.

Switching off automatic checking

The automatic checking function can be

switched off in the centre display.

1.

2. Press My Car Lights and Lighting.

Press Settings in the top view.

Checking trailer lamps*

Carefully follow the instructions enclosed with

the bicycle rack.

Automatic checking

3.

Deselect Automatic Trailer Lamp

Check.

After a trailer is connected electrically, it is

possible to check that the trailer lamps are

working via an automatic lamp activation. The

function helps the driver check that the trailer

lamps are working before starting off.

Bicycle rack including load must weigh a

maximum of 75 kg (165 pounds).

•

Manual checking

If the automatic checking is switched off then

it is possible to start the check manually.

The bicycle rack may be designed for a

maximum of three bicycles.

•

The car must be switched off to perform the

check.

1.

2. Press My Car Lights and Lighting.

Press Settings in the top view.

WARNING

Incorrect use of the bicycle rack may cause

damage to the towbar and car.

1. When a trailer is connected to the towbar,

the Automatic Trailer Lamp Check mes-

sage is shown in the driver display.

3.

Select Manual Trailer Lamp Check.

The bicycle rack can loosen from the tow-

bar if it

> The lamp check starts. Exit the car to

check lamp functionality.

2. Confirm the message by pressing the

right-hand steering wheel keypad's O but-

ton.

is incorrectly fitted on the towball

•

Related information

is overloaded, see the bicycle rack's

instructions for maximum load weight

•

> The lamp check starts.

is used for carrying something other

than bicycles.

•

3. Exit the car to check lamp functionality.

> All trailer lamps start to flash - then the

lamps are switched on one at a time.

4. Visually check that all lamps available on

the trailer are operational.

456

* Option/accessory.

STARTING AND DRIVING

The car's driving characteristics are affected

when a bicycle rack is fitted on the towbar.

For example due to:

sumption. It may also lead to an increased

load on the towbar.

Towing

During towing, the car is towed by another

vehicle by means of a towline.

Find out the statutory maximum speed limit

for towing before the towing begins.

Related information

increased weight

•

Towbar * (p. 449)

•

reduced acceleration capacity

reduced ground clearance

changed braking capacity.

Preparations and towing

Recommendations for loading

bicycles on the bicycle rack

The larger the distance between the load's

centre of gravity and the towball, the greater

the load on the towbar.

Some gear lever variants make it impossi-

ble to shift out of P unless the engine is

running. Contact an authorised Volvo

workshop for assistance when towing, or

summon professional help for recovery.

Load according to the following recommenda-

tions: