XC90 Manual & Hill Starts when Towing????

ChrisE · Jun 26th, 2009, 18:47

I am looking at a new XC90 with a Manual Gearbox. This is not negotiable as if it has to be an automatic I will be buying something else despite being a Volvo owner for 20 years. We tried an auto & just didn't like it.

My question relates to the foot operated parking brake & hill starts when towing. I am not sure if it is a new technique that I will quickly learn or an absolute disaster that will ruin our enjoyment of the car. I have always driven hill starts by balancing clutch drag with throttle & handbrake but that would need to change.

How have others got on with manual transmissions & Foot operated parking brakes with no roll back control or other aids?

dodgyken · Jun 29th, 2009, 16:50

Not being rude - but what was wrong with the auto? what engine were you using?

The 6-sp geartronic is NOT the best auto in the world - but it is also far from being the worse. Additionally, for the V70 the geartonic will tow more than the manual - I am not sure about the XC90.

What weight/size are you looking to tow? How frequently and how far?

Personally I have found my V70 D5 geartronic a perfect tow companion - over all distances and conditions. It also a very rapid and comfortable car when it doesn't have the 1800-1900KG trailer on the back.

ChrisE · Jun 30th, 2009, 09:59

The XC90 we tried was the latest Type R demonstrator from our local Volvo distributor. We also tried an XC60 with an identical engine/gearbox & that was absolutely fine.

We asked the dealer about this & he said that it was down to the XC90 being much heavier. Doesn't make much sense to me but there you are.

gillberry · Jun 30th, 2009, 10:21

Hi Chris just noticed you are in Norwich was it Inchcape where you had a test drive ? If so I would have driven the same R design on my test drive and I have to say having driven all sorts of automatics over the years that this did not feel too different maybe I needed to go and testdrive other modern automatics as most I've driven are not new . I found this r design had plenty of torque and apart from the stiffer suspension catching a few of the potholes was a very smooth and comfortable ride . We will be towing our caravan with ours (when we get it del date sept) .

ChrisE · Jun 30th, 2009, 11:19

Must be my wondeful driving style. Yes it was Inchcape.

I do hope that you enjoy your XC90. I am ordering an XC60 later today

gillberry · Jun 30th, 2009, 11:24

My other half preffered the xc60 but the boot area wasn't big enough for our dogs (2gsd's) plus I prefered the xc90 . So when you take delivery you will be one of the 1st to drive around Norwich in an xc60 .

Jun 26th, 2009, 18:47	#1
ChrisE Volvo Owner Since 1990 Last Online: Apr 3rd, 2024 13:27 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Norwich	XC90 Manual & Hill Starts when Towing???? I am looking at a new XC90 with a Manual Gearbox. This is not negotiable as if it has to be an automatic I will be buying something else despite being a Volvo owner for 20 years. We tried an auto & just didn't like it. My question relates to the foot operated parking brake & hill starts when towing. I am not sure if it is a new technique that I will quickly learn or an absolute disaster that will ruin our enjoyment of the car. I have always driven hill starts by balancing clutch drag with throttle & handbrake but that would need to change. How have others got on with manual transmissions & Foot operated parking brakes with no roll back control or other aids?

Jun 29th, 2009, 16:50	#2
dodgyken Master Member Last Online: May 13th, 2014 14:41 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Zollikon	Not being rude - but what was wrong with the auto? what engine were you using? The 6-sp geartronic is NOT the best auto in the world - but it is also far from being the worse. Additionally, for the V70 the geartonic will tow more than the manual - I am not sure about the XC90. What weight/size are you looking to tow? How frequently and how far? Personally I have found my V70 D5 geartronic a perfect tow companion - over all distances and conditions. It also a very rapid and comfortable car when it doesn't have the 1800-1900KG trailer on the back.

Jun 30th, 2009, 09:59	#3
ChrisE Volvo Owner Since 1990 Last Online: Apr 3rd, 2024 13:27 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Norwich	The XC90 we tried was the latest Type R demonstrator from our local Volvo distributor. We also tried an XC60 with an identical engine/gearbox & that was absolutely fine. We asked the dealer about this & he said that it was down to the XC90 being much heavier. Doesn't make much sense to me but there you are.

Jun 30th, 2009, 10:21	#4
gillberry VOC Member Last Online: Apr 20th, 2024 07:03 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: norwich View Photos By: gillberry	Hi Chris just noticed you are in Norwich was it Inchcape where you had a test drive ? If so I would have driven the same R design on my test drive and I have to say having driven all sorts of automatics over the years that this did not feel too different maybe I needed to go and testdrive other modern automatics as most I've driven are not new . I found this r design had plenty of torque and apart from the stiffer suspension catching a few of the potholes was a very smooth and comfortable ride . We will be towing our caravan with ours (when we get it del date sept) .

Jun 30th, 2009, 11:19	#5
ChrisE Volvo Owner Since 1990 Last Online: Apr 3rd, 2024 13:27 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Norwich	Must be my wondeful driving style. Yes it was Inchcape. I do hope that you enjoy your XC90. I am ordering an XC60 later today

Jun 30th, 2009, 11:24	#6
gillberry VOC Member Last Online: Apr 20th, 2024 07:03 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: norwich View Photos By: gillberry	My other half preffered the xc60 but the boot area wasn't big enough for our dogs (2gsd's) plus I prefered the xc90 . So when you take delivery you will be one of the 1st to drive around Norwich in an xc60 .

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