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:
Volvo-developed load carriers are recommended for carrying loads on the roof
of the vehicle.
Volvo load carriers are specially designed to help prevent damage to your vehicle
and help ensure maximum safety while driving. Volvo load carriers are available
from authorized Volvo retailers...
The automatic transmission's shiftlock function helps prevent inadvertently
moving the gear selector between different positions. There are two types of shiftlocks:
mechanical and automatic.
Mechanical shiftlock
Shiftlock for vehicles with large gear selectors...