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
l It is necessary to balance trailer brakes with the towing vehicle brakes\
to provide a safe stop (check
and observe State regulations).
l More frequent vehicle maintenance is required.
l Remove the ball and drawbar assembly when the hitch is not being used.
l Increase tire pressure to recommended full-load pressure. See section 'W\
heels and Tires."
Note: Refer to section entitled "Automatic transmission" for additional \
trailer hauling
tips.
Warning: Do not drive with trunk lid or tailgate
open!
Poisonous exhaust gases may enter via the open trunk lid or tailgate. (\
This is especially true for wagon
models.)
If the trunk lid or tailgate for any reason must be open, proceed as fol\
lows:
l Close the windows.
l Set the heating system controls for floor and defroster to max. and the \
blower to full speed (4). See
section titled "Heating and Ventilation".
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure are important for prope\
r handling. Therefore check that
the tires are inflated to the recommended pressure according to the vehi\
cle load.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity weight or maximum permissib\
le axle loads are not
exceeded.
It is recommended to use tires of the same make and dimensions on all fo\
ur wheels.
Warning: Do not mix radial ply and bias ply tires as this will adversely\
alter the vehicle handling
characteristics.
Roof rack
Permanent and removable roof racks are available from Volvo Accessories.\
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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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Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 58 Servicing Engine
The following items should be checked weekly Description
by the owner. (This only takes a few moments.) on page
Engine oil level 61
Brake fluid 72
Radiator coolant level 74
Tire pressures (including spare) 82, 103
Operation of all lights -
Horns -
Windshield wipers -
Level of windshield fluid -
The following should also be carried out at Description
regular intervals on page
Washing 87
Polishing 87
Cleaning 87
Rust protection inspection 87 pg. 59 Servicing Engine
Engine B230F
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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
General
When replacing worn tires, it is recommended that the tire be identical \
in type (radial) and size as the
one being replaced. Using a tire of the same make (manufacturer) will \
prevent altering the driving
characteristics of the vehicle.
How to improve tire economy
l Maintain correct tire pressure
l Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard braking and tire screeching.
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Possible cause Correction
Spark plugs
fouled. Drive the vehicle in a lower gear and keep the engine rpm higher for a f\
ew miles
in order to remove carbon deposit on the spark plugs. If this procedure \
is not
effective, clean or replace the spark plugs.
pg. 96 Label information
The Vehicle Identification Number should always be quoted in all corresp\
ondence concerning your
vehicle with the dealer and when ordering parts.
1 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
VIN plate is located on top left surface of dash. The VIN is also stampe\
d on the right hand door pillar.
2 Vehicle Emission Control Information
Your Volvo is designed to meet all applicable safety and emissions stand\
ards. Evidence of this can be
verified from the certification label on the left wheel valance. For fur\
ther information regarding these
regulations, please consult your Volvo dealer.
3 Model Plate
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Codes for color and upholstery et\
c. This plate is located on right
wheel valance.
4 Loads, Capacities, and Tire Pressures
5 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(FMVSS) specifications (USA) and Ministry of Transport (CMVSS) Sta\
ndards (Canada)
This label is located on rear facing side of the driver's front door.
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