
1996 Volvo 850
Occupant safety
pg. 3:1 Occupant safety
Occupant safety
3:2 Seat belts
3:4Volvo SRS
3:8Side Impact Protection System - (SIPS) air bag
3:9Child safety
3:13Occupant safety
3:13Reporting Safety Defects
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: In every state and province, some type of child-restraint legislat\
ion 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. 3:2 Seat belts
Seat belts
Always fasten the seat belts before you drive or ride.
Two lights above the rear view mirror will be illuminated for 4-8 second\
s after the starting (ignition) key
is turned to the driving position. A chime will sound at the same time i\
f the driver has not fastened his
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_301.htm (1 of 4)12/30/2006 9\
:59:27 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
NOTE - ENGINE OIL:
Although some oil consumption during normal engine operation, more oil i\
s consumed when the engine
is new as the internal parts generate higher friction while wearing-in t\
o each other. From the time the
engine is new until the first service is performed, the oil consumption \
could be higher than normal. For
this reason, it is especially important to check the oil every time you \
refuel your car during this period.
See page 8:10.
In general, the rate of oil consumption depends on such factors as: engi\
ne temperature, length of trip,
driving conditions, oil viscosity and quality, engine speed and accelera\
tion/deceleration.
Checking your engine oil level each time the car is refuelled is one of \
the most important items you can
perform to help keep your car in good running order.
Manual transmission
The following speeds should not be exceeded during the break-in period: \
Up to 600 miles
(1000 km) 600 - 1,200 miles
(1000 - 2000 km)
1st gear 20 mph (30 km/h) 25 mph (40 km/h)
2nd gear 30 mph (50 km/h) 40 mph (70 km/h)
3rd gear 45 mph (80 km/h) 65 mph (100 km/
h)
4th gear 70 mph (110 km/
h) 80 mph (130 km/
h)
5th gear/
overdrive 80 mph (130 km/
h) 95 mph (150 km/
h)
Posted speed limits should not be exceeded.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_401.htm (2 of 8)12/30/2006 9\
:59:32 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
Your car is equipped with a KEYLOCK system. When the engine is switched \
off, the gear selector must
be in the ( P )ark position before the starting key can be removed fro\
m the ignition switch.
5. Select desired gear. The gear engages after a slight delay (automati\
c transmission) which is especially
noticeable when selecting R.
CAUTION: (Automatic transmission only) The engine should be idling; ne\
ver accelerate until after
you feel the gear engage! Too rapid acceleration immediately after selec\
ting a gear will cause harsh
engagement and premature transmission wear.
NOTE: Selecting P or N (automatic transmission) when idling at a stand\
still for prolonged periods of
time will help prevent overheating of transmission oil.
WARNING! Always place the gear selector (automatic transmission) in Pa\
rk and apply the parking
brake before leaving the vehicle. Never leave the car unattended with th\
e engine running.
Always open the garage doors fully before starting the engine inside a g\
arage to ensure adequate
ventilation. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which is invisib\
le and odorless but very
poisonous.
TURBO CAUTION:
Never race the engine immediately after starting. Oil flow may not reach\
some lubricating points fast
enough to prevent engine damage.
Do not race the engine just prior to switching off!
Hydraulic valve lifters
This engine features hydraulic valve lifters which means that valve clea\
rance is adjusted automatically.
It is possible that the valve lifters will produce a ticking sound for t\
he first few seconds after the engine
is started, while the oil pressure is increasing.
If the car has not been used for a long period of time, this ticking sou\
nd may last for up to 15 minutes.
This is entirely normal.
Do not exceed 300 rpm until the ticking sound disappears.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_401.htm (7 of 8)12/30/2006 9\
:59:32 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
pg. 4:9 Automatic transmission
Special Tips - automatic transmission
l For driving down steep hills and when driving for prolonged periods at l\
ow speeds, position L should
be selected. Avoid, however, repeated changes since this can cause overh\
eating of the transmission oil.
For driving on long continuous uphill gradients, select position 3.
l See caution on page 4:7.
l Do not hold the car stationary on an incline by using the accelerator pe\
dal. Instead, apply the hand
brake (parking brake). This prevents the transmission oil from becomin\
g overheated.
l When towing a trailer, select shift position 3.
l The (E)conomy mode should be selected when the cruise control is engag\
ed.
l While towing a trailer in hilly terrain, do not drive continuously at en\
gine speeds above 4500 rpm to
help avoid high engine oil temperatures.
pg. 4:10 Points to remember
Cooling system
The risk for engine overheating is greatest, especially in hot weather, \
when:
l towing a trailer up steep inclines for prolonged periods at wide open th\
rottle and low engine rpm.
l stopping the engine suddenly after high speed driving (so-called "after\
-boiling" can occur).
l To avoid overheating, the following rules should be followed:
l Do not drive for prolonged periods at engine speeds above 4500 rpm if yo\
u are towing a trailer in
hilly terrain.
l Reduce speed and downshift when towing a trailer up long, steep inclines\
. The risk of overheating can
be reduced by switching off the air conditioning system for a short time\
.
l Do not let the engine idle unnecessarily for prolonged periods.
l Do not mount auxiliary lamps in front of the grill.
When the risk of overheating is imminent, or in the event of overheating\
, (the temperature gauge goes
repeatedly into, or stays continually in, the red section) the followin\
g precautions should be taken:
l Switch off the air conditioning system.
l Stop the car and put the gear lever into neutral. Do not stop the engine\
!
l Switch the heater to full (maximum) position. Increase the engine spee\
d to approx. 2000 rpm (twice
idling speed) until the temperature begins to drop.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_406.htm (7 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:34 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
WARNING!
Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Temporary Spare" tire othe\
r than as a temporary
replacement for a punctured tire. In other words, it must be replaced as\
soon as possible by a standard
tire. Roadholding, etc.., may be affected with the "Temporary Spare" in \
use. Do not, therefore, exceed
50 mph (80 km/h).
Temporary Spare (certain models)
The spare tire of your car is what is called a "Temporary Spare". It has\
the following designation:
T115/70 R15 or T125/90R15.
Recommended tire pressure (see decal on fuel filler flap) should be ma\
intained irrespective of which
position of the car the Temporary Spare tire is used on.
In the event of damage to this tire a new one can be purchased from your\
Volvo retailer.
Contents | Top of Page
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_601.htm (5 of 5)12/30/2006 9\
:59:39 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
pg. 6:5 Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Make sure when installing bulbs, that the guide pin on the socket fits i\
nto its corresponding recess.
When installing Halogen bulbs, do not touch the glass with your fingers \
because grease, oil or any other
impurities can be carbonized onto the bulb and damage the reflector. Use\
bulbs of correct type and
voltage. Failure to do so could cause the bulb failure warning light to \
activate.
NOTE: Turn the ignition and the light switch off before replacing any bu\
lbs.
Parking light/direction indicator
1. Loosen the spring which retains the lamp housing.
2. Withdraw the entire lamp housing; separate the bulb holder from the l\
amp unit.
3. Leave the connector with its wires in the bulb holder.
4. Remove the bulb from the holder by pressing in and turning counter-cl\
ockwise.
5. Insert a new bulb and reinstall the unit in the reverse order. pg. 6:6 Replacing bulbs
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_605.htm (1 of 13)12/30/2006 \
9:59:43 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
Bumpers: Wash the bumpers with the same cleaning agent used on the rest \
of the car. Never clean the
bumpers with gasoline or paint thinner. Difficult spots can be removed w\
ith denatured alcohol. To avoid
scratches, do not dry the bumpers with paper. pg. 7:5 Automatic car washing, Polishing and waxing
Automatic washing - simple and quick
An automatic wash is a simple and quick way to clean your car, but it is\
worth remembering that it may
not be as thorough as when you yourself go over the car with sponge and \
water. Keeping the underbody
clean is most important, especially in the winter. Some automatic washer\
s do not have facilities for
washing the underbody.
Before driving into an automatic wash, make sure that the side view mirr\
ors, auxiliary lamps, etc., are
secure, otherwise there is risk of the machine dislodging them. You shou\
ld also lower the antenna
(sedans).
We do NOT recommend washing your car in an automatic wash during the fir\
st six months (because the
paint will not have hardened sufficiently).
Polishing and waxing
Normally, polishing is not required during the first year after delivery\
, however, waxing may be
beneficial.
Before applying polish or wax the car must be washed and dried. Tar spot\
s can be removed with
kerosene or tar remover. Difficult spots may require a fine rubbing comp\
ound.
After polishing use liquid or paste wax.
Several commercially available products contain both polish and wax.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_701.htm (6 of 8)12/30/2006 9\
:59:48 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
Waxing alone does not substitute for polishing of a dull surface.
A wide range of polymer-based car waxes can be purchased today. The waxe\
s are easy to use and
produce a long-lasting, high-gloss finish that protects the bodywork aga\
inst oxidation, road dirt and
fading. pg. 7:6 Cleaning the upholstery
Cleaning the upholstery
The fabric can be cleaned with soapy water or a detergent. For more diff\
icult spots caused by oil, ice
cream, shoe polish, grease, etc., use a clothing/clothing fabric stain r\
emover.
The plastic in the upholstery can be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild \
soap solution.
Leather upholstery can be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild soap soluti\
on. For more different spots,
Volvo offers a leather care kit.
On no account must gasoline, naphtha or similar cleaning agents be used \
on the plastic or the leather
since these can cause damage.
Cleaning the seat belts
Clean only with lukewarm water and mild soap solution.
Cleaning floor mats
The floor mats should be vacuumed or brushed clean regularly, especially\
during winter when they
should be taken out for drying. Spots on textile mats can be removed wit\
h a mild detergent.
Bear in mind
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_701.htm (7 of 8)12/30/2006 9\
:59:48 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org