1990 VOLVO 240 engine

Volvo 1990 240 Model


Shift positions

P park D drive
R reverse 2 intermediate
N neutral 1 low

The gear selector can be moved freely between D and 2. Selections of oth\
er positions are obtained by
depressing the selector knob prior to moving the selector.
Depressing the selector knob slightly allows selection of positions N an\
d 1 .
Depressing the selector knob fully allows selection of positions R and P\
. This is also necessary when
initially bringing the selector out of position P .
Depressing the selector knob fully thus permits shifting freely between \
all positions.

P Park
Use this position when parked with the engine running or stopped.
Never use P while car is in motion.
The transmission is mechanically locked in position P. Also use the park\
ing brake when parking on
grades for added safety.

R Reverse
Never use R while car Is moving forward.

N Neutral
Neutral position = no gear is engaged. Use parking brake.
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Volvo 1990 240 Model

D Drive
D is the normal driving position. Upshift and downshift of the forward g\
ears occurs automatically and is
governed by acceleration and vehicle speed.

2 Intermediate position
Upshift and downshift of first two gears (low and intermediate) occurs\
automatically.
No upshift to 3rd (top) gear occurs.
Position 2 may be used to obtain forced downshift to 2nd gear for increa\
sed engine braking effect.
Position 2 can also be used...
l for relatively slow highway driving.
l for city driving.
l when driving on mountain roads where precise speed control is desirable.\

l for passing.

1 Low position
If position 1 is selected when driving at high speeds, 2 is engaged firs\
t and 1 when the speed has
dropped to approx. 30 mph (50 km/h).
NOTE: No upshift once 1 is
engaged.

Use position 1 to select low gear with no upshift. Use for instance, whe\
n ascending and descending steep
grades.
CAUTION:
l Never select P or R while the car is in motion.
l When initially selecting D, 2, 1 or R, your right foot should press firm\
ly on the brake and the engine
must be idling.
l Never downshift to 2 or 1 at speeds above 75 mph (125 km/h)*.
*Always observe local speed limits!
pg. 47 Automatic Transmission
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
Button on gear selector knob and indicator light
symbol.
Disengaging 4th gear

The transmission will engage 4th gear automatically after upshifting thr\
ough first, second and third gears
unless the disengagement button on the side of the gear knob is pushed. \

When the button is pushed to disengage 4th gear, the transmission operat\
es as a 3-speed unit. If the
button is pushed while 4th gear is engaged, then a downshift to 3rd gear\
will occur. The transmission,
then, cannot upshift to 4th gear until the button is pushed again. As a \
reminder, when 4th gear is
disengaged, the indicator light (
) in the instrument panel is illuminated.
Be aware that, if 4th gear is disengaged (reminder light illuminated) \
when the engine is switched off, the
transmission will revert automatically to 4-speed operation (reminder l\
ight not illuminated) when the
engine is restarted.

Disengage 4th gear (reminder light illuminated) when:
* towing a trailer
* driving on hilly roads where precise speed control is desired.

Kick-down

Automatic down-shift to a lower gear is achieved by depressing the throt\
tle pedal fully and briskly.
An up-shift will be achieved when approaching the top speed for a partic\
ular gear or by releasing the
throttle pedal slightly.
Kick-down can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highwa\
y speeds.

Starting and stopping a car equipped with automatic transmission
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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
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Volvo 1990 240 Model

Precautionary steps to observe when towing

Please check with state and local authorities before attempting this typ\
e of towing as vehicles being
towed are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length \
and type of towing device,
lighting, etc.
l Steering must be unlocked.
l Remember that power brake and power steering assists will not be availab\
le when engine is
inoperative. Pedal pressure required is 3 - 4 times above normal and gre\
ater steering effort must be
employed.
l Towing cars equipped with automatic transmission:
-- Gear selector in position N. Check transmission oil level (see secti\
on titled "Transmission oil").
-- Maximum speed: 20 mph (30 km/h).
-- Maximum distance with rear wheels on ground: 20 miles (30 km).

CAUTION!
Do not attempt to start the car by pushing or pulling as damage to catal\
ytic converter can
result.

Jump starting, see section titled "alternator, jump starting".
NOTE:
Refer lo the section regarding "On-
Call"
pg. 49 Tow-truck information
Only use wheel lift or flat bed equipment.
CAUTION:
Sling-type equipment applied at the font will damage radiator and air co\
nditioning lines. It is equally
important not to use sling-type equipment at the rear or apply lifting e\
quipment inside the rear wheels;
serious damage to the rear axle may result.


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Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 50 Trailer hauling
When preparing for trailer hauling, observe the following:

l Use a trailer hitch which meets Federal Safety Standards for rear end co\
llisions (FMVSS 301 -75).
For trailer weights exceeding 2,000 lbs (908 kgs) use only a trailer h\
itch offered as a Genuine Volvo
Accessory.
l Maximum trailer weight recommended by Volvo is 3,300 lbs (1,500 kg). \
However, for cars with automatic transmission, an optional Volvo automat\
ic transmission oil cooler
must be installed when trailer weight exceeds 2,000 lbs (908 kgs). Wit\
h manual transmission, 5th gear
should not be used while towing. Observe legal requirements of the state\
in which the vehicles are
registered.

All Volvo models are equipped with energy absorbing shock mounted bumper\
s. Trailer hitch installation
should not interfere with the proper operation of the bumper system.

WARNING! Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvo's, no\
r should safety chains be
attached to the bumper.
Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle rear axle must not be used.
WARNING! Never connect a trailer's hydraulic-brake system directly to th\
e vehicle brake system, nor
a trailer's lighting system directly to the vehicle lighting system. Con\
sult your nearest authorized
Volvo dealer for correct installation.

Trailer hauling does not normally present any particular problems, but t\
ake into consideration:
l Recommended hitch tongue load is 110 lbs (50 kgs) for trailer weights \
below 2,650 lbs (1,200 kgs)
and 143-154 lbs (65-70 kgs) for trailer weights above 2,650 lbs (1,20\
0 kgs). However, it must not
exceed 200 lbs (90 kgs).
l For trailer weights between 2,650-3,300 lbs (1,200-1,500 kgs) a top sp\
eed of 50 mph (80 km/h)
should never be exceeded.
l Engine and transmission are subject to increased loads. Therefore, engin\
e coolant temperature should
be closely watched when driving in hot climate or hilly terrain. Use low\
er gear and turn off air
conditioner if temperature gauge pointer enters the red range.
l Avoid overload and other abusive operation.
l Hauling a trailer affects handling, durability and economy.
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
l Observe the following points when in use.
l Avoid point loads. Distribute the load evenly.
l Place the heavy cargo at bottom of load.
l Observe that center of gravity and handling are influenced by the load w\
eight.
l Increasing load size increases wind resistance.
l Anchor the cargo correctly with a cord.
l Drive carefully. Avoid rapid starts, heavy cornering and heavy braking. \
l Max. roof load is 220 lbs (100 kg); use a root rack with a sufficient \
load rating.
pg. 51 Automatic transmission, Brake system
The following "Special Tips" apply to cars with automatic transmission

l For steep hills and when driving for prolonged periods at low speeds, po\
sition 1 should be selected.
Avoid, however, repeated changes since this can cause overheating of the\
transmission oil. For driving
on mountain roads with long persistent uphill gradients, select position\
2.
l When negotiating long, steep, downhill slopes, position 1 should be sele\
cted and position 2 for less
severe inclines, in order to obtain the best possible engine braking eff\
ect.
Do not hold the car stationary on an incline by using the accelerator pe\
dal. Instead, engage the hand
brake. This prevents the transmission oil from becoming overheated.
l 4th gear must be disengaged when hauling a trailer!
l If an additional transmission oil cooler is installed you can haul a tra\
iler with the overdrive engaged.
See next "special tip".
l When driving with heavy trailers, it is recommended that an additional o\
il cooler be installed. This
applies especially when driving under severe conditions e.g. mountain dr\
iving or prolonged driving at
high speeds without breaks. The additional oil cooler is available as a \
genuine Volvo accessory.
Regarding oil change, see section titled "Transmission oil".

Moisture on brake discs and brake pads affects braking.

Driving in rain and slush or passing through a normal car wash can cause\
water to collect on the brake
discs and pads. This will cause a delay in braking effect when the pedal\
is depressed. To avoid such a
delay, when the brakes are needed, depress the pedal occasionally when d\
riving in rain or slush.
This will remove the water from the brakes.
This should also be done after washing or starting in very damp weather.\


If the brake power assist does not function --
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Volvo 1990 240 Model

The power assist to the brakes functions only when the engine is running\
. When the car is moving
without the engine running the brake pedal pressure required to stop the\
car is increased 3- 4 times.
The brake pedal feels stiff and hard.
Disc brake noise: A slight-to-moderate amount of disc brake "squeal" is \
considered normal.

Air dam (front spoiler)

A non-factory air dam can negatively influence the normal flow of coolin\
g air to the front wheel brakes.
(See section titled "Wheels and Tires").

If one of the brake circuits should malfunction the red warning light wi\
ll come on



(See section titled "Warning Lights".)
The pedal stroke increases slightly and the pedal feels softer but the p\
edal pressure required does not
increase noticeably.
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 immed\
iately, open engine hood and
check brake fluid level.
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.

Severe strain on the brake system

The brakes will be subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or\
hilly areas. The speed is usually
low which means that the cooling of the brake is less efficient than whe\
n driving on level roads.
To reduce the strain on the brakes it is advisable not to use the brakes\
excessively.
Instead, shift into a lower gear and let the engine help with the brakin\
g. A good rule is to use the same
gear downhill as would be used ascending the same grade. For vehicles wi\
th automatic transmission use
position 2, or in some cases, 1.
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