Volvo XC90: Driver support / Camera/radar sensor limitations

The camera and radar sensor used by several of the driver support functions has certain limitations, which also affect the functions using the camera and radar sensor. The driver should be aware of the following limitations:

Common camera and radar limitations

Obstructed camera

The area marked in the illustration must be cleaned regularly and kept free of decals, objects, solar film, etc.

The camera is located on the upper interior section of the windshield along with the radar sensor.

Do not place, affix or mount anything on the inside or outside of the windshield, or in front of or around the camera and radar sensor – this could disrupt camera and radar-based functions. It could cause functions to be reduced, deactivated completely or to produce an incorrect function response.

High temperatures

If the temperature in the passenger compartment is very high, the camera/radar sensor will switch off temporarily for approx. 15 minutes after the engine is started to protect its electronic components. When the temperature has cooled sufficiently, the camera/radar sensor will automatically restart.

Damaged windshield

NOTE

Failure to take action could result in reduced performance for the driver support systems that use the camera and radar unit. It could cause functions to be reduced, deactivated completely or to produce an incorrect function response.

To avoid the risk of malfunction of the driver support systems that use the radar sensor, the following also apply:

• If there are cracks, scratches or stone chips on the windshield in front of any of the camera and radar sensor "windows" and this covers an area of about 0.5 × 3.0 mm (0.02 × 0.12 in.) or more, contact a workshop to have the windshield replaced¹.
• Volvo advises against repairing cracks, scratches or stone chips in the area in front of the camera and radar sensor – the entire windshield should instead be replaced.
• Before replacing the windshield, contact a workshop¹ to verify that the right windshield has been ordered and installed.
• The same type of windshield wipers or wipers approved by Volvo should be used for replacement.
• If the windshield is replaced, the camera and radar sensor must be recalibrated by a workshop¹ to help ensure proper functioning of all of the vehicle's camera and radar-based systems.

Additional radar limitations

Vehicle speed

The radar sensor's ability to detect a vehicle ahead is significantly reduced if the speed of the vehicle ahead differs greatly from your vehicle's speed.

Limited field of vision

The radar sensor has a limited field of vision. In some situations, it may detect a vehicle later than expected or not at all.

The radar sensor's field of vision

The radar sensor's detection of vehicles very close to your vehicle may be delayed in certain situations, e.g. if a vehicle pulls in between your vehicle and the vehicle directly ahead.

Small vehicles, such as motorcycles, or vehicles that are not driving in the center of the lane may remain undetected.

In curves, the radar may detect the a different vehicle than intended or lose sight of a target vehicle.

Low trailers

Low trailer in the radar shadow

Low trailers may also be difficult or even impossible for the radar to detect. The driver should be extra alert when driving behind vehicles towing low trailers when Adaptive Cruise Control* or Pilot Assist* is activated.

Additional camera limitations

Reduced visibility

Cameras have the same limitations as the human eye. In other words, their “vision" is impaired by adverse weather conditions such as heavy snowfall/rain, dense fog, swirling dust/snow, etc. These conditions may reduce the function of systems that depend on the camera or cause these systems to temporarily stop functioning.

Strong sunlight, reflections from the road surface, ice or snow covering the road, a dirty road surface, or unclear lane marker lines may drastically reduce the camera’s ability to detect the side of a lane, a pedestrian, a cyclist, a large animal or another vehicle.

Additional Park Assist Camera* limitations

Blind sectors

There are "blind" sectors between the cameras' fields of vision.

With the Park Assist Camera's 360° view* selected, objects/obstacles may not be detected if they are located in the "joints" where the edges of the individual camera views meet.

WARNING

Even if it seems as though only a fairly small section of the screen image is obstructed, this may mean that a relatively large sector is hidden and obstacles there may not be detected until they are very near the vehicle.

Lighting conditions

The camera image is automatically adjusted according to the current lighting conditions. This means that the brightness and quality of the image may vary slightly. Poor lighting conditions may result in reduced image quality.

NOTE

A bike carrier and other accessories mounted on the rear of the vehicle can obscure the camera's view.

¹ An authorized Volvo workshop is recommended.

* Option/accessory.