Parking brake

Updated 06/08/2023

The parking brake prevents the car from rolling away from stationary by means of mechanically locking/blocking two wheels.

Function

A faint electric motor noise can be heard when the electrically-controlled parking brake is being applied. The noise can also be heard during the automatic function checking of the parking brake.

If the car is stationary when the parking brake is applied then it only acts on the rear wheels. If it is applied when the car is moving then the normal foot brake is used, i.e. the brake acts on all four wheels. Brake function changes over to the rear wheels when the car is almost stationary.

Low battery voltage

If the battery voltage is too low then the parking brake can neither be released nor applied. Connect a donor battery if the battery voltage is too low, see Jump starting with another battery.

Applying the parking brake

P3-V60H ParkeringsBromsReglage Ansätt — Parking brake control - apply.

Depress the foot brake pedal firmly.

Press the parking brake control.

P3 V60H Symbol parkeringsbroms åtdragen-text

The combined instrument panel's symbol starts flashing - once there is a constant glow the parking brake is applied.

Release the foot brake pedal and make sure that the car is at a standstill position.

When parking the vehicle, always engage 1st gear (for manual gearbox) or put the gear selector in position P (for automatic gearbox).

Emergency brake

In an emergency the parking brake can be applied when the vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding the parking brake control. The braking procedure is stopped when the control is released.

Note

An acoustic signal sounds while emergency braking is active at high speeds.

Parking on a hill

If the car is parked facing uphill:

Turn the wheels away from the kerb.

If the car is parked facing downhill:

Turn the wheels towards the kerb.

Warning

Always apply the parking brake when parking on a slope - leaving the car in gear, or in P if it has automatic transmission, is not sufficient to hold the car in all situation.

Disengaging the parking brake

P3-V60H ParkeringsBromsReglage Lossa — Parking brake control - release.

Cars with manual gearbox

Releasing manually

Insert the remote control key in the ignition switch1.

Depress the foot brake pedal firmly.

Apply the parking brake control.

The parking brake releases and the combined instrument panel's symbol extinguishes.

Note

The parking brake can also be released manually by depressing the clutch pedal instead of the brake pedal. Volvo recommends that the brake pedal is used.

Releasing automatically

Start the engine.

Engage 1st gear or reverse gear.

Ease up the clutch and depress the accelerator.

The parking brake releases and the combined instrument panel's symbol extinguishes.

Cars with automatic gearbox

Releasing manually

Insert the remote control key in the ignition switch1.

Depress the foot brake pedal firmly.

Pull the control.

The parking brake releases and the combined instrument panel's symbol extinguishes.

Releasing automatically

Put the seatbelt on.

Start the engine.

Depress the foot brake pedal firmly.

Move the gear selector to position D or R and depress the accelerator.

The parking brake releases and the combined instrument panel's symbol extinguishes.

Note

For safety reasons, the parking brake is only released automatically if the engine is running and the driver is wearing a seatbelt. The parking brake is released immediately on cars with automatic gearbox when the accelerator pedal is depressed and the gear selector is in position D or R.

Heavy load uphill

A heavy load, such as a trailer, can cause the car to roll backward when the parking brake is released automatically on a steep incline. Avoid this by depressing the control while driving off. Release the control when the engine achieves traction.

Replacing the brake linings

The rear brake linings must be replaced at a workshop due to the design of the electric parking brake - an authorised Volvo workshop is recommended.

Symbols and messages

For information on how the combined instrument panel's text messages can be shown and deleted, see Messages - handling.

Symbol	Message	Meaning/Action
	"Message"	Read the combined instrument panel's message.
		A flashing symbol indicates that the parking brake is applied. If the symbol flashes in any other situation then this means that a fault has arisen. Read the combined instrument panel's message.
	Handbrake not fully released	A fault is preventing the parking brake from being released: Try to apply and release the brake. If the fault persists after a few attempts: Visit a workshop - an authorised Volvo workshop is recommended. Note: A warning signal sounds if the journey is continued with this error message.
	Handbrake not applied	A fault is preventing the parking brake from being applied: Try to release and apply the brake. If the fault persists after a few attempts: Visit a workshop - an authorised Volvo workshop is recommended. The message is also illuminated on cars with manual gearbox when the car is driven at low speed with the door open in order to alert the driver that the parking brake may have been unintentionally disengaged.
	Handbrake Service required	A fault has arisen: Try to apply and release the brake. If the fault persists after a few attempts: Visit a workshop - an authorised Volvo workshop is recommended.

If the car has to be parked before a possible fault has been rectified, then the wheels must be turned as if parking on a hill and 1st gear engaged (manual gearbox) or the gear selector must be in position P (automatic gearbox).

A text message can be acknowledged by briefly pressing the OK button on the direction indicator stalk.