Page 5 of 143
Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 6 240 DL Sedan
pg. 7 Before you drive
pg. 8Instruments and controls
pg. 10Instruments
pg. 11Warning lights
pg. 12Clock, ambient temperature gauge
pg. 13Oil pressure gauge, voltmeter
pg. 14Ignition switch, turn signals
pg. 15Lighting
pg. 16Windshield wipers, washer nozzles
pg. 18Washer fluid reservoir
pg. 18Rear window demister, heated seat, hazard warning flasher
pg. 19Parking brake
pg. 20Cigarette lighter, ash trays
pg. 21Electrically operated windows
pg. 22Heating and ventilation
pg. 24Air conditioning
pg. 25Audio systems
pg. 26Child safety
pg. 28Seat belts
pg. 30SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
pg. 32Doors and locks
pg. 33Trunk lid
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_01.htm (1 of 5)12/30/2006 8:\
25:01 AM
Page 6 of 143
Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 34Hood release, long load storage
pg. 35Rear/side view mirrors
pg. 36Interior light, sun roof, fuel tank cap
pg. 37Rear seat (wagon)
pg. 38Tailgate (wagon)
pg. 39Cargo compartment (wagon)
pg. 40Front seats
pg. 8 Instruments and Controls
pg. 9 Instruments and Controls
1 Air louver 23
2 Turn signals, cruise control 17, 24
3 Headlights, parking lights 15
4 Instruments, lights 15
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_01.htm (2 of 5)12/30/2006 8:\
25:01 AM
Page 10 of 143

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
Page 14 of 143
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
Page 15 of 143
Volvo 1990 240 Model
Turn signals
1 Signal lever engaged for normal turns.
Note: A defective turn signal bulb will cause turn signal indicator and \
remaining signal lights to flash
more rapidly than normal.
2 Lane change position. In maneuvers such as lane changing, the driver c\
an flash the turn signals by
moving the turn signal lever to the first stop and holding it there. The\
lever will return to the neutral
position when released.
3 High and low beam switching (Headlight switch in position
).
Move the lever towards the steering wheel and release it.
3 Headlight flasher (Headlight switch in position
or 0).
Move the lever towards the steering wheel. The headlight high beam will \
be on until the lever is
released.
pg. 15 Rear fog lights, Lighting
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_03.htm (2 of 7)12/30/2006 8:\
25:02 AM
Page 16 of 143
Volvo 1990 240 Model
Rear fog lights
The rear fog lights are considerably brighter than the normal tail light\
s and should be used only when
atmospheric conditions, such as fog, rain, snow, smoke or dust reduce th\
e daytime or nighttime visibility
of other vehicles to less than 500 ft. (152 meters). (The headlights \
must be switched on.)
Note: Local regulations governing the use of these lights may
vary.
Headlights and position lights
0 All lights off*
Parking lights on*
Headlights and parking lights on
Switch from upper to lower beams, and vice versa, by moving the turn sig\
nal switch lever on the left
side of the steering column towards the steering wheel. The parking ligh\
ts can be used without switching
on the starting (ignition) key.
* Canadian models equipped with daytime running lights: Headlights and p\
arking lights on when
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_03.htm (3 of 7)12/30/2006 8:\
25:02 AM
Page 17 of 143
Volvo 1990 240 Model
starting (ignition) switch is switched on.
A chime will sound if the starting (ignition) key is in the switch loc\
k when the door is open. The chime
goes off when the driver's door is closed. If the headlight switch is in\
position
, all lights will go out
when starting (ignition) switch is switched off.
Instrument panel lamps rheostat
Clockwise - brighter
Counterclockwise - dimmer
pg. 16 Windshield wipers, Tailgate window wiper, Washer nozzles
Wiper/washer
1 Intermittent wiper
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_03.htm (4 of 7)12/30/2006 8:\
25:02 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