Page 34 of 143
Volvo 1990 240 Model
Place the top tether anchorage plate as shown in the illustration. Using\
the M8 bolt, tighten securely, to
16 i 2.5 ft. lbs. Place the plastic trim plate over the anchorage plate,\
if desired.
WARNING!
Child Restraint Anchorages are designed to withstand only those loads im\
posed by correctly fitted
Child Restraints. Under no circumstances are they to be used for adult s\
eat belts or harnesses.
The anchorages are not able to withstand excessive forces on them in the\
event collision if full harness
seat belts or adult seat belts are installed to them.
An adult who uses a belt anchored in a Child Restraint Anchorage runs a \
great risk of suffering severe
injuries should a collision occur.
pg. 28 Seat belts
Seat belts, retractable
Always fasten the seat belts before you drive or ride.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_06.htm (3 of 9)12/30/2006 8:\
25:04 AM
Page 35 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
Two lights will be illuminated for 4-8 seconds after the starting (igni\
tion) key is turned to driving
position. One light is located in the instrument cluster and one in the \
console between the front seats.
A chime will sound at the same time if the driver has not fastened his s\
eat belt. The front and rear
outboard seats are provided with self-retracting inertia-reel belts.
To buckle:
Pull the belt out from the retractor far enough to insert the latch plat\
e into the buckle until a distinct
snapping sound is heard. The belt should not be twisted or turned.
Note: The lap belt should sit low and tight under
abdomen.
To unfasten, depress red push-button in buckle and let the belts rewind \
into their retractors.
Before exiting the car, check that the seat belt retracts fully after be\
ing unbuckled. If necessary, guide
the belt back into its retractor slot.
The seat belt retractors are normally "unlocked",. The retractors will l\
ock up as follows:
l if belt is pulled out rapidly
l during braking and acceleration
l if the vehicle is leaning excessively
l when driving in turns
Check seat belt mechanism function as follows:
1. Attach the seat belt. Pull rapidly on the strap.
2. WARNING! Check other traffic before performing this
check.
Brake firmly from approximately 30 mph (50 km/h) or turn in a tight ci\
rcle while pulling on the belt.
In all the above checks you should not be able to pull the belt out.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_06.htm (4 of 9)12/30/2006 8:\
25:04 AM
Page 36 of 143
Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 29 Seat belts
Seat belts, manually adjustable
The center rear seat belt is manually adjustable. It should always be ad\
justed to the correct length.
To lengthen, angle the buckle as shown in the upper illustration and pul\
l the belt through.
To shorten, pull the upper part of the double webbing until snug.
During pregnancy
Pregnant women should always wear seat belts. The lap belt should be loc\
ated low on the hips, not
pressing against the abdomen.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_06.htm (5 of 9)12/30/2006 8:\
25:04 AM
Page 37 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
WARNING: Never use any single seat belt for more than one occupant.
Never wear the shoulder portion of the belt under the arm or otherwise o\
ut of position. Such use could,
in event of accident, cause injury.
Volvo recommends that all occupants fasten their seat belts. Aftermarket\
devices used to induce slack
into the shoulder belt portion of Volvo's three-point belt system will h\
ave a detrimental effect on the
amount of protection available to you in the event of a collision
Note: Legislation in your state or province may mandate seat belt
usage.
Maintenance
Check periodically that the anchor bolts are secure and that the belts a\
re in good condition.
Use water and a mild detergent for cleaning.
As the seat belts lose much of their strength when stretched, they shoul\
d be replaced after collision, even
though they may appear to be undamaged.
Never modify or repair the belt on your own. If repair is required, have\
the work performed by an
authorized Volvo dealer.
pg. 30 Supplemental Restraint System (optional in Canada)
As an enhancement to the three-point seat belt system, your Volvo is equ\
ipped with a Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS). The Volvo SRS consists of a drivers side air b\
ag with a driver's side knee
bolster. The system is designed to supplement the protection provided by\
the three-point seat belt
system.
The interior of an SRS-equipped Volvo looks very much the same as any ot\
her. The only indications of
the system's presence are the "SRS" embossed on the steering wheel pad, \
and the knee bolster beneath
the steering column. Also, the SRS diagnostic receptacle is indicated on\
the center dash panel.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_06.htm (6 of 9)12/30/2006 8:\
25:04 AM
Page 38 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
The air bag is folded and located in the center of the steering wheel. I\
t is released only during a frontal
or certain front-angular collision in which the forces sustained by the \
car are equivalent to an impact into
a rigid barrier of approximately 12 mph (19 kph).
WARNING! As its name implies, SRS is designed to be a SUPPLEMENT to - no\
t a replacement for -
the three-point belt system. The air bag is not designed to be released \
in the event of a protection, wear
seat belts at all times. Be aware that no system can prevent all possibl\
e injuries that may occur in an
accident.
The air bag system includes a gas generator (1), surrounded by the air\
bag itself (2). In the event of a
frontal or certain front-angular collision in which the forces sustained\
by the car are equivalent to an
impact into a rigid barrier of approximately 12 mph (19 kph)), the se\
nsor (3) activates the gas generator
causing the air bag to be inflated with nitrogen gas. As the movement of\
the driver compresses the air
bag, some of the gas is expelled at a controlled rate to provide better \
cushioning.
The entire process, including inflation and deflation of the air bag tak\
es approximately two-tenths of a
second.
WARNING:
When installing any accessories make sure that the SRS system is not dam\
aged. Do not attempt to
service any component of the SRS yourself. Attempting to do so may resul\
t in serious personal injury.
If a problem arises, take your car to the nearest authorized Volvo Deale\
r for inspection as soon as
possible.
pg. 31 Supplemental Restraint System
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_06.htm (7 of 9)12/30/2006 8:\
25:04 AM
Page 45 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
Pull the release handle (located under the left side of the dash).
Lift the hood slightly, insert a hand under the center line of the hood \
and depress the safety catch handle.
Open the hood.
Check that the hood locks properly when closing.
Long load storage (except wagon)
A flap in the rear seat makes it possible to carry "long loads" such as \
skis, etc.
WARNING!
When braking rapidly the load could be displaced and cause injury to occ\
upants. Sharp edges on the
load should be covered for protection. It is essential that the "load" b\
e secured safely. Use belts locked
around the folded down armrest (see illustration).
WARNING!
Do no place heavy objects on the rear window shelf. These objects can be\
come dangerous projectiles
in the event of sudden braking. Always secure large or heavy objects wit\
h the seat belts.
An optional, specially designed, storage bag should also be used to avoi\
d soiling or tearing the
upholstery. Please note that the flap in the rear seat is intended only \
for light loads such as skis, wood
etc.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_07.htm (5 of 6)12/30/2006 8:\
25:04 AM
Page 55 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
Note: Remove foot completely from the clutch pedal after each gear chang\
e when programming the
control unit.
pg. 44 Starting the engine
To start the engine;
1 Enter the car and check that the seat is adjusted properly. Make sure \
that the brake (and clutch) pedal
can be depressed completely. Move the seat closer if necessary.
2 Fasten the seat belt.
3 Apply the parking brake if not already set. Depress the brake pedal wi\
th your right foot.
4 Place the gear selector lever in neutral (position N or P, automatic \
transmission).
5 Depress the clutch pedal (manual transmission).
6 Without touching the accelerator pedal turn the ignition key to starti\
ng position. Release the key as
soon as the engine starts.
Avoid repeated short attempts to start (fuel is injected every time the\
starter is engaged when engine is
cold).
Allow the starter to operate for a longer time (but not more than 15-20\
seconds).
Do not race a cold engine immediately starting.
Engine warm-up-initial driving procedure
Experience shows that engines in vehicles driven short distances are sub\
ject to abnormally rapid wear
because the engine never reaches normal operating temperature.
It is therefore beneficial to reach normal operating temperature as soon\
as possible by driving with a
light foot on the accelerator pedal.
Warning: Always open the garage doors fully before starting the engine i\
nside the garage to ensure
adequate ventilation. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which i\
s invisible and odorless but
very poisonous.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_09.htm (5 of 6)12/30/2006 8:\
25:05 AM
Page 61 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
1. Enter the car and check that the seat is adjusted properly. Make sure\
that the brake pedal can be
depressed completely. Move the seat closer if necessary.
2. Fasten the seat belt.
3. Apply the parking brake if not already set. Depress the brake pedal w\
ith your right foot.
4. Place the gear selector in Park (or neutral).
5. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to the \
starting position. Release the key
as soon as the engine starts.
6. Select the desired gear. There is a slight delay before the gear enga\
ges which is most notable when
selecting Reverse. Do not accelerate until you have felt the gear engage\
!
Note: Too-rapid acceleration immediately after selecting a gear will cau\
se harsh engagement and
premature transmission wear.
7. Release parking brake, then foot brake, and accelerate. To stop the c\
ar release the accelerator and
apply the brakes with your right foot.
It is not necessary to move the gear selector as the transmission will d\
ownshift automatically.
When idling for extended periods of time, select position N to prevent u\
nnecessary heating of the
transmission.
WARNING! Always place gear selector in Park and apply parking brake befo\
re leaving vehicle. Never
leave car unattended with engine running.
pg. 48 Emergency towing (pulling)
Front eyelet Rear eyelet
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_10.htm (5 of 7)12/30/2006 8:\
25:05 AM