1996 VOLVO 850 Owners Manual

1996 Volvo 850
850 Owner's Manual VOLVO 850
1 9 9 6
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 help ensure
your satisfaction with this vehicle, we encourage you to familiarize you\
rself with the equipment
descriptions, operating instructions and maintenance requirements/recomm\
endations in this manual. We
also urge you and your passengers to wear seat belts at all times in thi\
s (or any other) automobile. And,
of course, please do not operate a vehicle if you may be affected by alc\
ohol, medication 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 driver's door opening and on the le\
ft wheel housing in the engine
compartment.

Contents
Instruments and controls ... 1
Body and interior .. 2
Occupant safety, Reporting safety defects ... 3
Starting and driving ... 4
Wheels and tires ... 5
In case of emergency ... 6
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1996 Volvo 850


Important
Before you operate your car for the first time, please familiarize yourself with the BREAK-IN
information on page 4:2. You should also be familiar with the information in the first three chapters of
this manual.

Information contained in the balance of the manual is extremely useful and should be studied after
operating the vehicle for the first time. This manual is structured so that it can be used for reference. It
should thus be kept in the car for ready access.

Do not export your Volvo to another country before investigating the country's applicable safety and
exhaust emission requirements. In some cases it may be difficult or impossible to comply with these
requirements. Modifications to the emission control system(s) may render your Volvo not certifiable for
legal operation in the U.S., Canada or other countries.

All information, illustrations and specifications contained in this manual are based on the latest product
information available at the time of publication. Volvo reserves the right to make model changes at any
time, or to change specifications or design, without notice and without incurring obligation.

CAUTION: The 850 R turbo models have reduced ground clearance due to the design of the front
spoiler. Please observe caution when e.g., driving onto garage hoists, through drifted snow or when
other road debris is encountered, or when parking near curbs.



Contents | Top of Page
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Car care ... 7
Service and routine maintenance ... 8
Specifications ... 9 Classic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
Instruments, switches and controls
pg. 1:1 Instruments, switches and controls
IMPORTANT!
Your car is equipped with a Shiftlock-Keylock system.

SHIFTLOCK:
When your car is parked, the gear selector is locked in the (P)ark pos\
ition. To release the selector from this position, turn the
ignition key to position II (or start the engine), depress the brake p\
edal, press the button on the front side of the gear selector and
move the selector from (P)ark.
If it is necessary to manually override the Shiftlock system,
see page 6:18 for instructions.

KEYLOCK:
This means that when you switch off the ignition, the gear selector must\
be in the (P)ark position before the starting (ignition)
key can be removed from the ignition switch.

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS):
The ABS system in your car performs a self-diagnostic test when the vehi\
cle is started and at 12 mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal
will pulsate several times and a sound will be audible from the ABS cont\
rol module. This is normal.

The pages in this section provide detailed descriptions of the vehicle's\
instruments and controls. Note that vehicles may be
equipped differently, depending on special legal requirements.
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1996 Volvo 850

page

1:191 Air vent
1:62 Turn signals, high/low beams,
1:15cruise control
1:83 Rear fog light, instrument lighting
1:64 Headlights, parking lights
1:1 - 1:55 Instruments
1:76 Windshield wiper/washer
1:97 Hazard warning flashers
1:198 Air mix
1:199 Air vents
1:19 - 1:2310 Heating and ventilation
3:4, 3:611 Passenger side SRS (air bag) hatch
1:25 - 1:70 12 Audio system
1:1713 Ash tray
4:914 Shiftlock override button
1:1615 Electrically-heated front seats (optional)
1:1716 Parking brake
1:2417 Electrically operated windows
2:7and side door mirrors
1:1718 Cigarette lighter
2:1019 Hood release
1:820 Front fog lights (optional)
1:821 Central locking button
1:1822 Adjustable steering wheel
1:723 Starting (ignition) switch/steering wheel lock
- 24 Space for additional equipment
1:3, 1:5, 1:9
25 Traction control system (optional)
2:9 26 Electrically operated sun roof (optional)
1:12 - 1:1427 Trip computer (optional)
1:928 Heated rear window/heated door mirrors
3:429 Horn/SRS

Some of the items below are available on certain models only.
pg. 1:2 Instruments
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1996 Volvo 850

1 Fuel gauge

The fuel tank holds approximately 19.3 US gals. (73 liters). When the \
warning light comes on, there is approximately 1.8 US
gals. (8 liters) of fuel remaining in the tank. See "Refueling" for fu\
rther information.

2 Boost pressure gauge

(Turbo models only)
The boost pressure gauge is divided into sections. Black sections: The e\
ngine acts as a normally aspirated engine. Best fuel
economy is achieved while driving in this range. White section: The turb\
ocharger provides boost pressure.

3 Temperature gauge

The pointer should be approximately midway on the gauge face when drivin\
g. If the pointer approaches the red range repeatedly,
check coolant level. Do not drive the car with the pointer in the red ra\
nge. See "Coolant" section.

4 Trip odometer reset button

5 Clock, ambient temperature sensor (certain models), trip computer (\
certain models)

6 Speedometer

7 Odometer

8 Trip odometer

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1996 Volvo 850
Used for measuring shorter distances. The last digit indicates 1/10 mile\
/kilometer. A black number on a white background =
original speedometer. A red number on a white background = replacement s\
peedometer.

9 Tachometer

Reads thousands of engine rpm. Engine should not be operated in red rang\
e. The highest permitted constant engine speed is
6,300 rpm (turbo: 6,200 rpm, B 5252 S: 6,000 rpm). pg. 1:3 Indicator and warning lights

1 Turn signal, left
2 Turn signal , right
3 (Not in use)
4 Low washer fluid level
If the lamp glows continuously when the engine is running, there is only\
about 1/2 - 1 US qt. remaining in the washer fluid
reservoir.
5 Low fuel level
When the lamp glows, only about 1.8 US gals. (8 liters) of fuel remain\

6 Rear fog light
7 High beams
8 (Not in use)
9 Bulb failure warning sensor
10 (Not in use)
11 (Not in use)
12 SRS
13 Generator not charging
14 Low engine oil pressure
15 Brake warning light
16 Parking brake applied
17 ABS-system
18 Ambient temperature warning light* (certain models)
(see pp. 1:11 or 1:14 for more information)
19 Transmission mode "W", or gear positions 3 or L engaged (automatic t\
ransmissions)
20 Low coolant level
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1996 Volvo 850
21 Traction Control System (option)
22 Malfunction indicator lamp
(See
page 1:4 for more information)
23 (Not in use)

* Warning light is amber.
pg. 1:4 Warning lights
The warning lights described on pages
1:4 and 1:5 should never stay on when driving

When the ignition key 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 has started, the syste\
m indicated should be inspected. However, the parking brake
reminder light will not go off until the parking brake is fully released\
.


Generator warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running, check the tension of \
the generator drive belt as soon as possible.


Malfunction indicator lamp
If the lamp comes on (or stays on after the vehicle has started), the \
engine diagnostic system has detected a possible fault in the
emission control system. Although driveability may not be affected, see \
an authorized Volvo retailer as soon as possible for
inspection.

NOTE: if the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is r\
unning when the car is refueled, the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp may indicate a fault. Use only Volvo original or approved fuel fill\
er caps.


Oil pressure warning light
If the light comes on while driving, the oil pressure is too low. Stop t\
he car and then stop the engine immediately and check the
engine oil level. See the section titled "Engine oil". If the light stay\
s on after restart, have the car towed to the nearest authorized
Volvo retailer. After hard driving, the light may come on occasionally w\
hen the engine is idling. This is normal, provided it goes
off when the engine speed is increased.


Parking brake reminder light
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:

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1996 Volvo 850


Brake fluid warning light
If the light comes on while driving or braking, this indicates that the \
brake fluid level is too low.
Stop immediately, open the hood and check the brake fluid level in the r\
eservoir (see section "Engine compartment" for reservoir
position)!
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light:

WARNING! If the level is below the MIN mark in either section of the res\
ervoir: DO NOT DRIVE. Tow the car to a Volvo
retailer and have the brake system checked and any leakage repaired.
pg. 1:5 Warning lights

If the TRACS (TRaction Control System) is manually disengaged with the\
switch on the dashboard, the warning light will come
on. This will also come on to indicate a TRAC's malfunction, and when th\
e brakes overheat, although it goes out again at the
normal temperature level. If the lamp remains on, the system should be c\
hecked by an authorized Volvo retailer. This lamp
should not be confused with the ON/OFF indicator lamp above the switch. \
See page 1:9 for additional information.


Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
If the warning lamp lights up there is a malfunction of the ABS system (\
the standard braking system will however function). The
vehicle should be driven to a Volvo retailer for inspection.
See page 4:16 for additional information.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light:



Coolant level sensor
If the light comes on while driving, the coolant level is low. The coola\
nt level in the expansion tank should be checked
immediately and topped off if necessary. The cooling system should be in\
spected by an authorized Volvo retailer.


Mode "W" engaged
The lamp will light up when the Winter/Wet mode is engaged or if gears "\
3" or "L" are selected.
If the warning lamp begins to flash , this means that there is a fault i\
n the automatic gearbox.
Contact your Volvo retailer.


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. Drive to an
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