Volvo XC90: Starting and driving / Automatic transmission
Gear position is selected automatically to make driving as energy efficient
as possible. The transmission also has a manual mode.
The transmission is available in two different versions. The gear selector indicates
which transmission the vehicle has. The various gear selectors have different functions.

Overview of large gear selector and gear shift pattern in the
instrument panel.

Overview of small gear selector and gear shift pattern in the
instrument panel.
The selected gear selector position is displayed in the instrument panel:
P, R, N, D or M.
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...
For the small gear selector, change gear position by pushing the spring-loaded
gear selector forward or rearward, or to the side for manual shifting. For the large
gear selector, you instead move the gear selector to the left for manual shifting...
Other information:
Kickdown can be 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...
The electric seat belt tensioners are designed to be reset automatically,
but if the seat belt remains taut it can be reset manually.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
Unbuckle the seat belt and then rebuckle it.
The seat belt and the electric seat belt tensioner will be reset...