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
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
To obtain best parking brake performance, the brake linings should be br\
oken in.
Stop 5-7 times from 30 mph (50 km/h), transmission in neutral, applyin\
g the parking brake with the
release button pressed in during the stop. The force must not lock the r\
ear wheels. If this happens,
release the brake enough to let the wheels rotate. Drive a mile between \
each stop to cool the brakes.
Check for proper parking brake operation.
Note: The brake lights are not illuminated when applying the parking bra\
ke. To warn traffic from
behind it is therefore advisable to depress the brake pedal slightly to \
illuminate the brake lights.
600 - 1,200 mile maintenance service
To ensure proper operation the car should be taken to a Volvo dealer bet\
ween the first 600 - 1,200 miles
(1,000 - 2,000 km) for a maintenance service. The oil in the engine, m\
anual transmission and rear axle
will then be changed. This is very important since the oil rapidly colle\
cts impurities during the break-in
period.
pg. 43 Driving economy, Shift indicator light
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. Obs\
erve the following rules:
l Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by \
driving with a light foot on
the accelerator pedal instead of allowing the engine to idle for a prolo\
nged period. A cold engine uses
more fuel and is subject to increased wear.
l When possible avoid using the car for driving short distances. This does\
not allow the engine to reach
normal operating temperature.
l Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
l Do not exceed speed limit.
l Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the car.
l Check tire pressures regularly (cold tires).
l Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
l Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc., increase air resistance and there\
by fuel consumption.
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
l Avoid using automatic transmission kick-down feature unless necessary.
Other factors which decrease gas mileage are:
l Worn or dirty spark plugs
l Incorrect spark plug gap
l Dirty air filter
l Incorrect valve clearance
l Incorrect idle speed
l Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
l Dragging brakes
l Incorrect front end alignment
l Low tire pressure
Shift indicator light
(manual transmission models only)
The Volvo shift indicator light (S.I.L.) is a device designed to help \
you get even better gas mileage from
your Volvo car. Studies have shown that the best fuel economy is obtaine\
d by shifting gears at low
engine rpm and high relative engine load. The Volvo S.I.L. is calibrated\
to show you when to shift for
improved mileage without sacrificing smooth acceleration .
Use of the S.I.L. is simple. Shift to next higher gear as soon as the li\
ght comes on. You may find after
using the S.I.L. for some time that your natural shifting rhythm will ad\
apt to the S.I.L.'s suggestion.
Some drivers may even shift before the light comes on.
Obviously, there will be times when you need to shift later than the lig\
ht would indicate (for example,
when climbing hills or trailer towing). Using the light regularly, howe\
ver, should result in a mileage
improvement of six percent or more, depending on how you normally drive.\
Programming instructions for shift indicator
If the current supply to the control unit is cut (battery disconnected)\
, the control unit will have to be re-
programmed as the control unit memory will be erased.
Drive the car in each gear (first gear not necessary) for approximatel\
y 8 seconds.
The gear change indicator light will flicker once (0.5 seconds), as ea\
ch gear is programmed.
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
If it is not clear whether the fuel contains such additives, ask the sta\
tion operator for further information
regarding the detergency of their gasolines.
Gasoline Containing Alcohol
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing alcohol without advertising\
the presence of alcohol. If you
are not sure whether there is alcohol in the gasoline you buy, check wit\
h the service station operator.
Blends of unleaded gasoline and ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol)\
, sometimes called "gasohol", are
available in some areas. Gasohol, if used, must contain no more than 10 \
percent ethanol and must have
an (R+M)/2 rating of 87 or higher. If you experience problems with sta\
rting, drive ability, or fuel
economy with gasohol, you should discontinue its use.
Take care not to spill gasoline during refueling. Gasolines containing a\
lcohol can cause damage to
painted surfaces, which may not be covered under the New Vehicle Limited\
Warranty.
Caution:
Do not use gasolines containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol)\
. This practice can result in
vehicle performance deterioration and can damage critical parts in the f\
uel system. Such damage may
not be covered under the New Vehicle Warranty.
Fuel Tank
The fuel tank is designed to hold approx. 15.8 US gal. (60 liters), wi\
th sufficient volume left over to
accommodate possible expansion of the fuel in hot weather.
Be aware that the "usable" tank capacity will be somewhat less than the \
15.8-US gal. (60-liter)
maximum. When the fuel level is low, such factors as ambient temperature\
, the fuel's "vapor pressure"
characteristics, and terrain can affect the fuel pumps' ability to suppl\
y the engine with an adequate
supply of fuel. Therefore, it is advisable to refuel as soon as possible\
when the needle nears the red zone.
After the needle enters the red zone, you should be able to drive approx\
. 25 miles (40 km) depending on
driving style and conditions.
pg. 61 Engine fluids
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
Check coolant level
The cooling system must be filled with coolant and not leak to operate a\
t maximum efficiency. Check
the coolant level whenever you refuel. The level should be between the "\
Max"' and "Min" marks on the
expansion tank. The check should be made with particular thoroughness wh\
en the engine is new or the
cooling system has been drained.
Do not remove the filler cap other than for topping up with coolant. Fre\
quent removal may prevent
coolant circulation between the engine and the expansion tank during eng\
ine warm up and cooling.
CAUTION
The cooling system must always be kept filled to the correct level.
If it is not kept filled, there can be high local temperatures in the en\
gine which could result in
damage.
Top up with coolant
Top up with coolant by filling the expansion tank when level is at the "\
Min" mark. Use a mixture of 50
percent Volvo Type C coolant and 50 percent water all the year round. To\
p up to the "Max" mark.
If the engine is warm, and you are going to add coolant, unscrew the cap\
slowly in order to allow any
excess pressure to escape.
Note: Do not add water only. Water by itself reduces the rust protective\
and anti-freeze qualities of the
coolant and has a lower boiling point. It can also cause damage to the c\
ooling system if it should
freeze.
See 'Specifications' section of the manual for type of coolant recommend\
ed.
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 82 Wheels and tires
Checking and correcting tire pressure
Check the tire pressure when refueling. The tire pressure should only be\
corrected when the tires are
cold. With warm tires, correct only when the pressure is too low. The ti\
re temperature (and, thus,
pressure) rises after driving just a few miles.
Warning: Improperly inflated tires will reduce tire life, adversely affe\
ct vehicle handling and can
possibly lead to failure resulting in loss of vehicle control without pr\
ior warning.
Vehicle Loading
The tires on your Volvo will perform to specifications at all normal loa\
ds when inflated as
recommended on the tire information label located on the rear facing sid\
e of the right front door. This
label lists both tire and vehicle design limits.
Do not load your car beyond the load limits indicated.
Tire Pressure Label
The tire pressure label is located on the rear facing side of the right \
front door.
See section titled ''Specifications'' and Consumer Information Booklet f\
or complete tire pressure
information.
Wear indicator
The tires have a so-called "wear indicator in the form of a number of na\
rrow strips running across or
parallel to the tread. When approx 1/16 " (1.5 mm) is left on the trea\
d, these strips show up and indicate
the tire should be replaced.
Tires with less than 1/16" (1.5 mm) tread have a very poor grip in rai\
n or snow.
pg. 83 Wheels and tires
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
Type Positive pressure, closed system
Thermostat begins to open at 188.6 ° F
Fan belts, designation HC-38 x 918 (two)
Coolant: Volvo Coolant type C (blue-green)
Fuel system
The engine is equipped with an electronic fuel injection system.
Ignition System
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Ignition setting (12 ° B.T.D.C. at 750 rpm)
Spark plugs Bosch WR7DC (or equivalent)
Spark plug gap 0.028-0.032" (0.7-0.8 mm)
Tightening torque 15-22 ft. lbs. (20-30 Nm)
Distributor, direction of rotation Clockwise pg. 101 Specifications
POWER TRANSMISSION
Manual or automatic transmission. Hypoid type final drive.
Manual transmission M47 II
Reduction ratios:
1st gear 4.03:1
2nd gear 2.16:1
3rd gear 1.37:1 Rear axle reduction ratio:
4th gear 1.00:1 3.31:1
5th gear 0.82:1
Reverse 3.68:1
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