1990 VOLVO 240 engine

Volvo 1990 240 Model
1990 VOLVO 240 Owner's Manual U.S.A. & Canada
Essential Information
Please take the time to fill out the forms on this page. When completed,\
these forms will provide
information essential to the proper servicing and ordering of parts for \
your Volvo.

Owner
Name_________
Address_______
City, State____Zip/Code_____
Tel. No________

Notice:
Your Volvo is designed to meet all applicable safety and emission standa\
rds, as evidenced by the
certification labels attached to the door opening sheet metal and on the\
left wheel housing in the engine
compartment. For further information regarding these regulations, please\
contact your dealer.

Vehicle Information (see "Label information" section)
Vehicle License Number_____
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)_____
Service Designation Number_____
Engine Designation_____ See "Specifications" section
Color Code_____
Upholstery_____
Tire designation_____ See "Tires" section
Vehicle Capacity_____

VOLVO NORTH AMERICA CORPORATION Contents
Important

file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_00.htm (1 of 4)12/30/2006 8:\
25:01 AM

Volvo 1990 240 Model
You should be familiar with the information in the first two chapters be\
fore you operate the car.
Information contained in the balance of the manual is extremely useful a\
nd should be studied shortly
after operating the vehicle for the first time. The manual is structured\
so that it can be used for reference.
It should thus be kept in the car for ready access.

All information, illustrations and specifications contained in this manu\
al are based on the latest product
information available at the time of publication. Volvo reserves the rig\
ht to make model changes at any
time, or to change specifications or design, without notice and without \
incurring obligation.

Introduction to the manual 2
Before you drive 7
This section provides a detailed description of the vehicle's instrument\
s and controls.
Operating the car 41
This section contains items such as starting the engine, operating gear \
selector, towing trailers.
Service and maintenance 53
An investment which will pay dividends in the form of improved reliabili\
ty, durability, and resale value.
Specifications 97
All specifications are subject to change without notice. Consult your Vo\
lvo dealer for information.
Should you require more detailed information please contact your Volvo d\
ealer. pg. 2 This manual deals with the operation and care of your Volvo
Welcome to the world-wide family of Volvo owners. We trust that you will\
enjoy many years of safe
driving in your Volvo, an automobile designed with your safety and comfo\
rt in mind. To ensure your
satisfaction with this vehicle, we encourage you to familiarize yourself\
with the equipment descriptions,
operating instructions, and maintenance requirements/recommendations in \
this manual. We also urge
you and your passengers to wear seat belts at all times in this (or any\
other) automobile. And of course,
please do not operate a vehicle if you may be affected by alcohol, medic\
ation, or any impairment that
could hinder your ability to drive.

Your Volvo is designed to meet all applicable safety and emission standa\
rds, as evidenced by the
certification labels attached to the door opening sheet metal and on the\
left wheel housing in the engine
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_00.htm (2 of 4)12/30/2006 8:\
25:01 AM

Volvo 1990 240 Model

A Clock
B Direction indicator (green)
C Speedometer
In kilometers and miles per hour (U.S. models)
In kilometers per hour (Canadian models)
D Odometer
Total reading in miles (U.S. models)
Total reading in kilometers (Canadian models)
E Temperature gauge
The gauge pointer should remain inside the black range during normal \
operation.
If the pointer enters the red range repeatedly, check coolant level a\
nd fan belt tension. (See sections
titled "Cooling system and coolant") Warning: allow engine to cool before adding
fluid.

Do not continue to drive the car with the pointer in the red zone.
F Fuel gauge
The fuel tank capacity is approx 60 liters = 15.8 US gals. See "Fuel \
requirements".
G Clock reset knob
H Service reminder light
I Check engine (red)
J Alternator warning light (red)
K Oil pressure warning light (red)
Do not drive the car with this light on.
L SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
M Trip odometer reset knob Push in to reset
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_01.htm (4 of 5)12/30/2006 8:\
25:01 AM

Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 11 Warning lights
The warning lights described on this page should never be on when drivin\
g

When the ignition is turned on, and before the engine starts, all of the\
warning lights should be on to test
the function of the bulbs. Should a light not go off after the engine ha\
s started, the system indicated
should be inspected. (However, the parking brake reminder light will no\
t go off until the parking brake
is fully released.)

Alternator warning light (red)

If the light comes on while the engine is running,
check the tension of the alternator drive belt as soon
as possible. (See section titled "Cooling system".)
NOTE: This warning light is illuminated if the
alternator is not charging. However, alternator,
parking brake, brake failure, and bulb failure will
be illuminated at the same time due to the design
of the system
Parking brake reminder light (red)

This light will be on when the parking brake
(hand brake) is applied. The parking brake lever
is situated between the front seats. Canadian
models are equipped with this warning light:

Bulb failure warning light (yellow)

The light will come on if any of the following bulbs
are defective:
one of the lower beams
one of the tail lights
one of the brake lights (when the brake pedal is
depressed).
See section on "Replacing Bulbs."
Oil pressure warning light (red)

If the light comes on during driving, the oil
pressure is too low. Stop the engine immediately
and check the engine oil level. See section titled
"Engine Oil". Do not continue to drive the car
with this light on.
After hard driving, the light will come on
occasionally when the engine is idling. This is
normal, provided it goes off when the engine
speed is increased.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_02.htm (1 of 4)12/30/2006 8:\
25:02 AM

Volvo 1990 240 Model
Brake failure warning light (red)

If the light comes on while driving and the brake
pedal can be depressed further than normal, it is an
indication that one of the brake circuits is not
functioning. Stop immediately, open engine hood
and check brake fluid level (see section "Brake fluid,
power steering").
Reservoir empty: do NOT drive. Tow car to shop for
check/repair of brake system. Reservoir not empty:
proceed immediately and with caution to a Volvo
dealer for an inspection of the brake system.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning
light:

pg. 12 Service reminder light, Clock, Ambient temperature gauge
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)

If the light comes on (or stays on after the vehicle has started), the\
SRS diagnostic system has detected a
fault. Take the car to an authorized Volvo dealer for an inspection of t\
he system. See the SRS section for
more information.

Service reminder light

This light will come on at 5,000 mile (8,000 km) intervals. It is a re\
minder to the driver that the 5,000
mile (8,000 km) service interval has been exceeded. The light will sta\
y on 2 minutes after start until
reset by the servicing dealer.

Check Engine warning light
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_02.htm (2 of 4)12/30/2006 8:\
25:02 AM

Volvo 1990 240 Model

If the light comes on (or stays on after the vehicle has started), the\
Engine Check diagnostic system has
detected a fault. Drive to an authorized Volvo dealer for inspection.


Quartz crystal clock

To reset the hands, push in the reset knob and
turn.

Ambient temp. gauge (accessory)

An electronic thermometer that indicates ambient
temperature just above the road surface. Warns you
of icy road conditions.
pg. 13 Oil pressure gauge, Voltmeter.

Oil pressure gauge (accessory)

The oil pressure gauge indicates the pressure of the
oil in the lubricating system of the engine. The
pressure is dependent on the speed of the engine,
the oil temperature and the viscosity of the oil.

Voltmeter (accessory)

The voltmeter indicates the voltage in the
electrical system and thereby also the state of the
battery. While the car is being driven the pointer
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_02.htm (3 of 4)12/30/2006 8:\
25:02 AM

Volvo 1990 240 Model
The gauge pointer must not go down to the red
field while driving.
Do not continue to drive the car with the pointer in
the red zone.
Note: While idling with a hot engine the pointer
may go into the red field. This is not a cause for
concern providing the pointer rises to the normal
driving range again when you increase the engine
speed. should be within the black field.
Should the pointer point to the upper or lower red
field when driving, this may indicate some fault in
the electrical system.
Note: While idling with a hot engine (especially
with air conditioning ON), the pointer may
indicate low voltage. This is not a cause for
concern provided that the indicated voltage
increases when you increase engine speed.




Contents | Top of Page
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_02.htm (4 of 4)12/30/2006 8:\
25:02 AM

Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 14 Starting (ignition) switch, Turn signals
Starting (ignition) switch/steering wheel lock

O Locked position: remove the key to lock the steering wheel.
I Intermediate position: certain circuits (heater blower, cigarette lig\
hter, accessories, etc.) on.
II Drive position: key position when engine is running.
III Starting position: release the key when engine starts. The key retur\
ns automatically to
drive position.
The steering wheel lock may be under tension when the car is parked. Tur\
n the steering wheel slightly to
free the ignition key.
A chime will sound if the starting key is in the ignition lock and the f\
ront door on the driver's side is
open. The chime will also sound if the headlights or parking lights are \
on when the door is open. The
chime goes off when the front door is closed.

file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_03.htm (1 of 7)12/30/2006 8:\
25:02 AM