Starting and driving

Page 3:2 Points to remember

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Weight distribution affects handling At the specified kerb weight your car has a tendency to understeer which means that the steering wheel has to be turned more than seems appropriate for the curvature of the bend. This ensures good stability and reduces the risk or rear wheel skid. Remember that these properties can alter with the load. The heavier the load in the boot, max 100 kg, the smaller the tendency to understeer. Handling, road holding and tyres Tyres road holding of a car. the type of tyre (radial), size and pressure are important for proper handling. When fitting new tyres, it is therefore very important to fit tyres, of the same size and type (and preferably made by the same manufacturer) as those previously fitted, and follow the recommendations con- cerning tyre pressures. See 4:4

Do not drive with the boot open If you drive with the boot open, exhaust gases (including carbon monoxide) may be drawn in to the car. To prevent any risk: Close all windows Set the heater control on and     swith the fan to max 5 Overheating The possibility of the cooling system over- heating increases in hot weather if: - you drive up long steep inclines at full    trottle towing a trailer. - the car idles with the air conditioning    switched on. - you switch off the engine directly after driv-    ing at high speed. - you have extra lights mounted in front of    the grille. To avoid overheating: Reduce speed if you are towing a trailer     up long steep inclines. Also switch off     the airconditioning for a while. Do not let the engine idle unneccessarily. Allow the engine to idle for a few min-    utes beforeswitching off after long high    speed driving.

Roof racks Use a sturdy roof rack which is designed    for your Volvo and can be securely fitted    to the car roof Max. roof load 100 kg. Spread the load evently over the rack. Place the heaviest load nearest the car    roof. Remember that the centre of gravity of    the car alters with the weight of the load    on the roof rack, this changing the driv-    ing characteristics. Anchor the load securely and recheck    during journey. Drive smoothly. Avoid rapid starts, hard    cornering and abrupt stops. Remove the rack when it is no longer    needed. This reduces wind resistance    and lowers fuel consumption. WARNING! An extra mat on the driver's floor may cause the accelerator pedal to catch. Check that the accelerator pedal is not impedded.

Page 3:3 Brakes

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	Should there be a mal- function in a brake circuit, a red warning light will come on	The brake servo functions only when the engine is runing If your car is being towed or is coasting to a halt with the engine switched off, then you must depress the brake pedal approximately four times harder than normal because the brake servo is inoperative. the brake pedal pedal feels stiff and hard. Moisture on the brake discs and brake pads may affect braking Driving in heavy rain and slush or passing through an automatic car wash can cause water to collect on the brake discs and pads. This will cause a delay in the braking effect when the pedal is depressed. In such situa- tions it is therefore advisable to lightly de- press the brake pedal now and agin when driving. The heat generated will then evaporate any moisture on the brakes. This should also be done after washing or starting the car in very damp weather.	Severe use of brakes When driving in mountainous areas, the car can be exposed to extremely severe loading even if you do not depress the brake pedal particularly hard. Since the speed is also quite often very low, the brakes are not cooled as efficiently as when driving on level roads. In order to avoid excessive strain on the brakes, engage position 2 or possible position 1. In this way, the braking power of the engine is more effectively utilised and it is only necessary to use the footbrake now and again. Do not forget that if you are towing a cara- van or trailer, the brakes will be subjected to more load than is usual. ABS brakes ABS brake are disigned to prevent wheel- locking under devere braking conditions. The system "senses" when the brake begin te lock redistributes the brake pressure automatically, and thereby prevent the wheels from locking. When the system is activated the brake pedal vibrates and the switing sound of the boot- mounted control is audible. This is quite normal. Note that you must depress the brake fully for optimum effect and that the ABS system does not increase the total braking capacity of your vehicle. On the other hand, it does enable you to retain better control of your vehicle.
The pedal will sink in a lttle deeper and may feel softer, and some extra pressure is required for normal braking. If the light comes on while driving or when braking the fluid level it too low. Stop immediately and check the level of the brake fluid (see 7:4 for location). If the level is under MIN in the whole reservoir: do not drive the car but have the car rowed to a workshop for checking and repair. If the level is under MIN on only one side of a reservoir: drive carefully to a workshop for checking.

Page 3:4 Economical driving

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Economical driving does not necessarily mean driving slowly
Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts and stops and adjusting the speed of your vehicle to immediate traffic conditions. Observe the following. Bring the engine to normal operation tempe-    rate as soon as possible by driving under    light load. A cold engine uses more fuel    than a warm engine and is subject to    uncrease wear. Whenever possible, avoid driving short    distances as this does not allow the engine    to reach normal operation temperature. Drive smoothly, avoid racing starts, and    abrupt stops. Maintain a moderate speed on highways    and motorways. Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra    load in the car. Remove snow tyres when risk of snow or    ice has ended. Use a roof rack only when necessary.	Do not open the side windows unnecessarily. Avoid using the automatic transmission kick-    down unless necessary.	You should maintain the car and specially the engine in good condition. factors which ensure good fuel consumption are: correct spark plug gap clean air filter correct valve clearance efficient preheating system correct engine oil (oil change interval +     filter) correct front end alignment correct tyre pressures. Do not forget that the most important factor affecting fuel economy is you you- self, and the way in which you drive.

Page 3:5 Towing a caravan or trailer

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Towing a caravan

Only approved towing brackets should be used. Information on    which tyres are approved can be obtained from your Volvo dealer.    Towing brackets which are designed to be attached to the bumper    must not be used. the bumpers are designed to absorb impacts    and consequently should not be used to mount towing brackets. The rear suspension incorporate "Nivomat" an automatic level-    regulating system to compensate for load variations. the system    operates when the vehicle is in motion. The rear of the vehicle    will however droop if, for instance, you are carrying a lot of    luggage in the boot or if the vehicle is hitched to a caravan or    trailer. However, as soon as you start driving the "Nivomat" system    will pump up the rear suspension to the most suitable level. Maximum weight for trailers with brakes and towing speeds re-    commended by Volvo are shown below: Observe the legal requirements in force in your country or state.    * Max 1500 kg, max 50 mph (80 km/h)    * Max 1600 kg not exceeding 45 mph (70 km/h). the vehicle must be    equipped with an auxiliary oil cooler. Distribute the load on the trailer so that the weight acting on the    towing bracket is approx 50 kg for trailers up to 1200 kg and 70 kg    for trailers above 1200 kg weight.    Increase tyre inflation pressures to values specified under full load    and towing in table 4:4. If your car is equipped with the retractable type towing bracket,    remember to lock the bar with the pin.

Clean the towing bracket regurarly and grease the towbar head    and all movable parts to avoid unnecessary wear. grease    the nipples on the retractable type for towing bracket. Do not tow heavy trailers when the car is new. Wait until it has    been run in for at least 1000 km (600 miles). the brakes will be subject to more strain when driving in hilly    areas. The risk of overheating can be minimised by selecting a    lower gear and adjusting the speed of the vehicle to suit. Since the engine is placed under more load than normal the oil    must be changed more often, see 7:12.

Page 3:6 Winter driving

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Frost precautions For the onset of winter, take note of the following advice: Make sure that the engine coolant contains at least 50 %    anti-freeze, i.e., 5 litres Volvo type C (blue-green) glycol additive.    This gives protection against freezing down to -35°C. See 7:8. Try to keep the fuel tank well filled. This prevents the formation of    condensation in the tank. The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity    (thinner oil) aids cold starting as well as decreasing fuel consumption    while the engine is warming up. For winter use, provided the tempera-    ture limits on see 7:12. are maintained, 5W-30 oil, particularly the    synthetic type, is recommended.    Be sure to use good quality oil but do not use this cold weather oil    for hard driving or in a warm climate.     See 7:12. or ask your Volvo dealer for more information. The battery is subjected to a greater load during the winter since the    heater, windscreen wipers, lighting etc. are used more often. As well    as this capacity of the battery decreases as the temperature drops.    In very cold weather, a poorly charged battery can freeze and    become frequently and spray an anti-rust oil on to the battery poles. To prevent the washer washer reservoir from freezing, add washer    solvents    containing de-icer. This is most important since dirt is often    splashed on the windscreen and headlamps during winter driving, thus    requiring frequent use of the washer and the wipers.    Use Volvo Lock lubricant in the locks. This can be obtained from    your Volvo dealer. Note: Avoid the use of de-icing sprays as these can affect the locking    function.

Automatic differential lock The differantial automatically locks at speeds between 3-25 mph (5-40 km/h) if either of the drive wheels begins to lose traction. The differential lock improves power distrubution to the drive wheels in slippery conditions, shifting power to the wheel with best traction. It also functions when the transmission is in reverse.

Page 3:7 Long distance trips

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Before a long distance trip It is always advisable to have your car checked at a Volvo dealer before driving long distances. Your dealer will be able to supply special kits containing bulbs, fuses, spark plugs and wiper blades for use if needed. If you prefer to check the car yourself, the following hints are worth noting: Check that the engine runs smoothly and that the fuel consumption    is normal Check the engine, gearbox and rear axle for leakage. Check the drive belts carefully, Replace any worn belts Check the battery charge. Check the tyres, including the spare, carefully,. Replace worn tyres. Check the brakes, front wheel alignment and the steering gear. Check the lighting. Check the tool bag. Note that warning triangles are requires by law in some countries. Before travelling to Great Britian and other countries with left-    hand traffic, the lamp should be adjusted to avoid blinding    oncoming traffic. For this purpose the triangler sections the head-    lamp lens should be covered with black tape. Have a word with your Volvo dealer about engine adjustments if    you plan to drive to countries where it may be difficult to obtain    the correct octane fuel or unleaded petrol.

Page 3:8 Vehicle storage

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Vehicle storage Iy you do not intend to use your car for a long time The following points may be of use if you do not intend to use your car for a long time, i.e., because of a long holiday, winter etc. Fill the tank to prevent water condensing on the sides of the    tank Wash the car carefully and wax it to protect the paintwork. Don't    forget the chromed parts. The vehicle should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated garage. Do not apply the handbrake, use chocks instead. Open one of the windows slightly for ventilation. Ensure that the coolant contains suffucient anti-freeze to provide    protection down to -35°C. Volvo anti-freeze also provides resistance    against corrosion. Remove all valuables and lock the car. Check the air pressure of the tyres regularly. Check the battery voltage every six weeks.

Page 3:9 Automatic transmission

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R Reverse The car must be stationary shifting into or out of R. N Neutral The transmission is disengaged. Apply the parking brake when the car is stationary in position N. D Drive The normal driving position. Changing up and down between the gears takes place automati- cally depending on acceleration and speed.

2 Second Changing up and down between 1st and 2nd takes places automatically. No changing up from 2nd occurs. position 2 can be used: when driving in hilly terrain to obtain increased engine braking 1 First If position1 is selected when driving at high speeds 2nd is engaged first and 1 st is en- gaged when the speed has dropped to approximately 50 km/h. No changing up from 1st occurs. Use position 1 to select low gear with no changing up, for instance, when driving in mountainous terrain.

P Park Use this position once the car is parked. Never leave the car when the engine is running. If by mistake the gear selector lever is moved the car may start moving. The car must be completely stationary before select- ing in P. When P is selected the gearbox is locked. However, apply the parking brake when parked on an incline.

Page 3:10 Automatic gearbox

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To change to a 4-speed unit depress the button again - the light will go out. It is advisable to disengage 4th speed when: towing a caravan or trailer driving in hilly terrain But use 4th speed as much as possible in other driving conditions as it improves fuel economy.

Gear selector gate The gear selector can be moved freely between D and 2. The other positions are separated by a lockout which is operated by depressing the selector knob. Depressing the selectyor knob slightly allows selection of position N, D, 2 and 1. Depres- sing of selector knob allows selection of posistion R and P. This is also necessary when initially bringing the selector out of position P. Depressing the selector knob fully thus permits freely between all posistions.

Disengagement of 4th speed By pressing the button on the side of the gear selector you can switch between 3rd and 4th speeds. An indicator lamp on the dashboard lights up when the 4th speed is disengaged as a reminder that the transmission is operated as a 3- speed unit. Never select P or R when the vehicle is in motion. When initially selecting position D, 2, 1, or R the vehicle should be standing still    when the engine idling The selector lever must not be moved to position 2 or 1 at speeds in excess of    125 km/h.

Page 3:11 Automatic gearbox

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Kick down For automatic shift to a lower gear depress the trottle pedal briskly to its limit. Changing up will occur as the top speed for a particular gear is approached or by releasing the trotthle pedal slightly. Kick-down can be used for maximum acceleration or when overtaking. Remember that the transmission only reverts to a 4-speed unit after the accelerator has been released. The gearbox is equipped with a downshift lock. At speeds exceeding 160 km/h no down- shift will occur.

Starting and stopping 1 Move the selector lever to P or N. (It is not    possible to start the engine in any other    position). 2 Start the engine by turning the ignition key. 3 Apply the parking brake or depress the    brake pedal lightly (otherwise the car will    start moving slowly when the selector is    moved to any of the driving position). 4 Move the selector lever to the desired    driving position. Wait-there is a slight    delay before the gear in engaged,    especially when "R" is selected. As soon    as the vehicle begins to "creep"... release    the brake and depress the accelerator.    The engine must be idling.    To prevent harsh engagement and    excessive transmission wear do not    drive off until the transmission has    engaged properly. To stop the vehicle, release the accelerator pedal and apply the brakes. In order to avoid overheating the gearbox during long periods of waiting with the engine running (e.g. traffic jams), position N should be selected.

Towing a caravan or trailer For steep hills and when driving for pro-    longed periods at low speeds, position 1    should be selected. In this way the gear-    box is prevented from changing up and the    gearbox oil remains cooler. For driving on    mountain roads with long or frequent    uphill gradients, select position 2. When negotiating long, steep downhill    slopes, posistion 1 should be selected and    posistion 2 for less severe inclines, in order    to obtain the best possible engine braking    effect. Do not hold the car stationary on an icline    by using the accelerator pedal, engage the    handbrake onstead. This prevents the    gearbox oil from becoming overheated. Depress the button on the selector lever to    engage 3-speed transmission and check that    the dashboard indicator lamp lights up. This    prevents changing up to 4th speed.

Page 3:12 Starting the engine

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Starting the engine 1 Apply the parking brake (handbrake) 2 Move the gear selector to N and P. 3 Do not touch the accelerator 4 Turn the ignition key to start the engine.    Engage the starter motor until the engine    starts, however no more than 15-20 seconds. If the engine does not start immediately depress the accelerator pedal half way and hold it there until the engine starts. Do not make repeated short attempts to start the engine! Fuel is injected each time you use the star- ter. Never race the engine directly after a cold start. If the engine misfires or will not start, con- tact your Volvo dealer.

Warm-up the engine as soon as possible! Experience has shown that engines in cars used regularly for short trips, where the engine is frquently switched off, are subject to more rapid wear because the engine does not have the opportunity of reaching operat- ing temperature. It is therefore important that the engine reaches its normal operating temperature. As quickly as possible. Do not try to warm up the engine by letting it idle for a time or by reving up in neutral, but start driving as soon as possible - without hard acceleration.

Caution carbon monoxide! If you park your car in the garage, always open the garage doors fully before strarting the engine. Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide which is odourless but potentially lethal. Catalytic converter warning Do not park your car over combustible materials such as loch grass or leaves exhaust system and cause such materials to ignite.

Page 3:13 Jump starting

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WARNING! To prevent possible explosion. never expose battery to open flame or elec- tric spark. Do not smoke near battery. Batteries generate hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. The battery contains sulphuric acid which can cause serious injury. If the acid comes in contact with eyes, skin or clothes flush with large amounts of water. If eyes are affectes seek medical attention.

Jump starting If the battery is flat, you may have to use a charged battery to start the engine. To avoid any risk of explosion, the following procedures are strongly recommended: Check the voltage of the other battery. It must be 12 V. If you are using jump leads make sure that the other car does not    touch yours. First connect the posititve terminal (red lead, P or +) of the other    battery to the positive terminal of the discharged battery, then    connect the black lead to the negative terminal (blue, N or -). Ensure    that there is good contact at the clamps to prevent sparks occurring    when attempting to start.

Connect the other end of the black lead to a suitable earth point    away from the battery. Start the engine of the other car and allow it to run for a few    minutes at higher than adling speed (around 1500 rpm). Start the engine    Do not move the clamps during start attempts!    Do not lean over de batteries! After the car has started, remove the clamps in the reverse order.

Page 3:14 Towing

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Towing the car The following precautions must be taken if the car has to be towed: Unlock the steering wheel. In most countries vehicles on tow are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed. With the engine stopped the brake servo and steering servo will not function.    Approximately four times more pedal pressure will have to be applies when braking and    the steering will feel heavier than usual. Drive as smoothly as possible. Try to keep the tow-line stretched to avoid unnecessary jerking. The selector lever must be set at posistion N, the transmission oil level should be checked    and the gearbox should be correctly adjusted. Maximum speed 20 km/h. Maximum towing distance 30 km. It is not possible to start the engine by towing.

text en picture's from Owners manual Model year 1990

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