Auto Trim Guide – How It Works and When to Use It (Volvo Penta IPS Drives)

For boat owners running Volvo Penta IPS drives, the Auto Trim system is one of the most effective tools for achieving smooth, efficient, and balanced performance on the water. It takes much of the guesswork out of trimming, automatically adjusting your vessel’s running angle for improved fuel economy, comfort, and handling.

How Auto Trim Works

When activated, Auto Trim sets and maintains the ideal bow-to-stern attitude while keeping the boat level from port to starboard. This ensures your vessel runs efficiently and predictably in varying sea conditions.

You can still manually adjust the bow angle — for example, trimming slightly up or down — while Auto remains active. Once set, the system locks in your preferred attitude and continues to manage the side-to-side levelling automatically.

Auto Trim’s primary goal is to balance speed, performance, and fuel efficiency, typically achieving the lowest engine load possible at a given speed while maintaining a stable, comfortable ride.

When to Use Auto Trim

• Flat Water Cruising
  Leave Auto Trim on. Fine-tune the bow slightly up or down to find your boat’s “sweet spot” — the point where you maintain speed at the lowest engine load and fuel burn.

• Head Seas or Choppy Conditions
  Trim the bow down slightly for a softer re-entry and smoother motion through the waves.

• Following or Quartering Seas
  Trim the bow up a little for improved directional control and to prevent the bow from burying into the swell.

• Acceleration
  Keep the bow slightly down to help the boat climb onto the plane more quickly. Once you’re above roughly 18–20 knots, engage Auto Trim to maintain the optimal running attitude.

• Slow Manoeuvring or Drifting
  Switch Auto Trim off when off plane — this prevents the system from overcorrecting when stability inputs aren’t needed.

Pro Tips for Best Performance

• Bow-down trim improves comfort in rough water but slightly increases engine load.

• Bow-up trim lightens the bow, reduces spray, and can boost fuel efficiency in following conditions.

• Even small adjustments (1–2 clicks) can make a noticeable difference in ride quality and efficiency.

The Bottom Line

Volvo Penta’s Auto Trim system is designed to make boating easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable. By automatically maintaining your vessel’s ideal running attitude, it allows you to focus on navigation and the experience — not constant trim adjustments.

Whether you’re cruising in calm water or tackling a bit of swell, Auto Trim ensures your boat runs smoothly, efficiently, and exactly how it should.