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
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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
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
compartment. For further information regarding these regulations, please\
contact your dealer. pg. 3 Seat belts: "Something We Believe In"
Despite our strongest recommendations, and your best intentions, not wea\
ring a seat belt is like
believing "It'll never happen to me!". Volvo urges you and all adult occ\
upants of your car to wear seat
belts and ensure that children are properly restrained, using an infant,\
car or booster seat determined by
age, weight and height.
Fact: Inevery state and province, some type of child-restraint legislati\
on has been passed. Additionally,
most states and provinces have already made it mandatory for occupants o\
f a car to use seat belts.
So, urging you to "buckle up" is not just our recommendation - legislati\
on in your state or province may
mandate seat belt usage. The few seconds it takes to buckle up may one d\
ay allow you to say, "It's a
good thing I was wearing my seat belt". pg. 4 General Information
Do not export your Volvo to another country before investigating the cou\
ntry's applicable safety and
exhaust emission requirements. In some cases it may be difficult or impo\
ssible to comply with these
requirements. Modifications to the emission control system(s) may rend\
er your Volvo not certifiable for
legal operation in the U.S., Canada or other countries.
Model versions of the basic Volvo Models 240, 240 DL
USA: Canada:
240 4-door, Wagon 240 DL 4-door, Wagon
240 DL 4-door, Wagon pg. 5 Keys
Owner's Key
This key operates all locks in the vehicle
Service Key
Front doors
Starting (ignition)/steering wheel lock
The key number codes are stamped on a separate tag supplied with the key\
s. This tag should be
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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
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
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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
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A self-diagnostic system incorporated in the sensor monitors the SRS. If\
a fault is detected, the "SRS"
warning light will illuminate. the light is included in the warning/indi\
cator light cluster in the instrument
panel. Normally, the SRS warning light will be illuminated along with th\
e other warning/indicator lights
when the ignition key is turned to the ON position (position II), and \
go out a short time after the engine
has been started. Check that this light is functioning properly every ti\
me the car is started.
The following items are monitored by the diagnostic system:
l Sensor unit electronics integrity.
l Reserve energy supply.
l Diagnostic output circuit.
l System voltage.
l Integrity of system connectors.
l Mercury switch closure.
l Gas generator ignitor
WARNING! If the SRS warning light stays on after the engine has started \
or if it comes on while you
are driving, drive the car to the nearest authorized Volvo Dealer for in\
spection as soon as possible.
ATTENTION! SRS VEHICLE!
THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. TO PROVIDE
CONTINUED RELIABILITY, CERTAIN ELEMENTS OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM SHALL BE SERVICED OR REPLACED BY 1999. SEE OWNERS MANUAL FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION.
VOLVO
There is no maintenance to perform on the SRS yourself. The only periodi\
c maintenance recommended
on the SRS is that the air bag module and the sensor unit should be repl\
aced every ten years and that the
other components in the system (wiring, connectors, etc.) should also \
be inspected at this time. This
service must be performed by an authorized Volvo dealer.
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Trunk lid
The trunk lock is incorporated in the central locking system. This means\
that you can either lock or
unlock the trunk by means of the drivers door lock.
You can also operate the trunk lock directly with the owner's key even i\
f the vehicle is centrally locked.
Unlocking Locking
Withdraw key in vertical position
The trunk lock can also be disconnected from the central locking system \
by turning the key
counterclockwise as shown below:
Withdraw key in horizontal position
The trunk is now always locked.
This option can be used if for example, you lend your car to somebody. I\
f you give only the service key
to the driver it will not be possible to open the trunk.
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