
1996 Volvo 850
Button 1: lock, Button 2: unlock
Batteries
The remote transmitter is powered by 2 three-volt batteries, type CR 122\
0. If three short signals are
audible from the transmitter each time you lock/unlock the car, this ind\
icates that the batteries are weak.
Replacement : Remove the battery cover on the back of the transmitter wi\
th a coin. Replace the
batteries. Reinstall the cover, making sure it is secured tightly to hel\
p protect the transmitter.
NOTE: If only the driver's door is unlocked, the lock will automatically\
reengage (re-lock) and the alarm
will reset after 30 seconds unless the door has been opened.
If all of the doors were unlocked (by pushing button 2 twice within 10 \
seconds) and no door/trunk/
tailgate was opened within two minutes, all locks will reengage and the \
alarm will reset. This is to
prevent the vehicle from being left unlocked if the unlock button is ina\
dvertently pressed.
The lock/unlock and alarm features can also be utilized by using the key\
s. See section: Keys, Doors and
Locks on
page 2:2-3.
If the alarm LED glows continuously for 5 seconds, this indicates a faul\
t in the system or that a door is
not properly closed.
Contents | Top of Page
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_201.htm (8 of 8)12/30/2006 9\
:59:21 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
the SRS system warning light when starting and driving the car. Normally\
, this light will come on when
the ignition is switched on and should go out after approximately 10 sec\
onds or when the engine is
started. If this light should stay on or come on while you are driving, \
drive the car to an authorized
Volvo retailer for inspection as soon as possible.
Seat belts - the heart of the Volvo safety system
The heart of the Volvo safety system is the three-point seat belt! In or\
der for the SRS system to provide
the protection intended, seat belts must be worn at all times by everyon\
e in the car. The SRS system is a
supplement to the seat belts.
WARNING! If your car has been subjected to flood conditions (e.g. soake\
d carpeting/standing water
on the floor of the vehicle) or if your car has become flood-damaged in\
any way, do not attempt to
start the vehicle or put the key in the ignition before disconnecting th\
e battery (see below). This may
cause airbag deployment which could result in personal injury. Have the \
car towed to an authorized
Volvo retailer for repairs.
Automatic transmission only:
Before attempting to tow the car, use the following procedure to overrid\
e the shiftlock system to move
the gear selector to the neutral position.
l Disconnect the battery
l Wait at least one minute
l Insert the key in the ignition and turn it to position 1
l Press firmly on the shiftlock override button (located near the base of\
the gear selector).
l While holding the override button down, move the gear selector from the \
park position.
pg. 3:8 Volvo Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) airbag
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_304.htm (8 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:29 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
Starting and driving
pg. 4:1 Starting and driving
Starting and driving
This section on starting and driving contains items such as starting the\
engine, operating gear selector,
towing, trailers.
4:2 Break-in period
4:3Fuel requirements, Octane rating
4:4Driving economy
4:5Starting the engine
4:6Manual transmission
4:7Automatic Transmission
4:10Points to remember
4:12Emergency towing
4:13Vehicle Towing Information
4:14Starting with an auxiliary battery (jump starting)
4:15Three-way catalytic converter
4:16Brake system, ABS
4:17Trailer towing
4:18Winter driving
4:19Long distance trips, City driving
pg. 4:2 Break-in period, Fuel requirements
A new car should be broken-in!
Refrain from utilizing your car's full driving potential during the firs\
t 1,200 miles (2,000 km) including
the "kick-down" function (automatic transmission).
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_401.htm (1 of 8)12/30/2006 9\
:59:32 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
WARNING! Do not remove the coolant expansion tank
cap.
See "Coolant" to check and top-up the coolant level if necessary.
CAUTION: Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.\
e. flooded roadways, etc.).
Damage to engine could result if excess water is ingested through the ai\
r intake system.
Never drive the vehicle in water deeper than 1 foot (300 mm).
See the flood warning on page 3:7.
WARNING! Do not drive with trunk lid or tailgate open!
Poisonous exhaust gases may enter via the trunk lid or tailgate.
If the trunk lid/tailgate must be kept open for any reason, proceed as f\
ollows:
l Close the windows.
l Set the ventilation system control to air to floor, windshield and side \
windows and blower control to
its highest setting.
Electrical system
When replacing the battery or when carrying out work involving the elect\
rical system, the following
should be observed:
l A battery connection to the wrong terminal will damage the diodes. Befor\
e connections are made,
check the polarity of the battery with a voltmeter.
l If booster batteries are used for starting, they must be properly connec\
ted to minimize the risk of the
diode being damaged. For correct connection, see "Jump starting" section\
.
l Never disconnect the battery circuit (for example, to replace the batte\
ry) while the engine is running,
as this will immediately ruin the generator. Always make sure that all t\
he battery connections are
properly tightened.
l If any electrical-welding work is performed on the vehicle, the ground l\
ead and all the connecting
cables of the generator must be disconnected and the welder cables place\
d as near the welding point as
possible.
l The radio must be turned off before the battery is disconnected.
l The anti-theft code must be re-entered before the radio will function pr\
operly.
l The electrical system in your car is designed to accommodate Volvo acces\
sories. It also has an
accessory connector beneath the dashboard on the driver's side.
pg. 4:11 Points to remember
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_406.htm (8 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:34 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
pg. 4:12 Emergency towing (pulling of vehicles)
Front eyelet Rear eyelet
Precautionary steps to observe when car is in tow
l Steering must be unlocked.
l Please check with state and local authorities before attempting this typ\
e of towing, as vehicles being
towed are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length \
and type of towing device,
lighting, etc.
l Remember that power brake and power steering assists will not be availab\
le when engine is
inoperative. Brake pedal pressure required is 3 - 4 times above normal a\
nd greater steering effort must
be exerted.
Automatic transmissions only:
l Gear selector in position N. Check transmission oil level (see section \
titled "Transmission oil").
l Maximum speed: 20 mph (30 km/h).
l Maximum distance with front wheels on ground: 20 miles (30 km).
l If the battery is dead, it is not possible to release the gear selector \
by pressing the brake pedal. Release
the gear selector manually, by pressing the OVERRIDE button near the bas\
e of the gear selector.
CAUTION: The towing eyelets must not be used for pulling another vehicle\
out of a ditch or any
similar purpose involving severe strain.
Do not attempt to start the car by pushing or pulling it as damage to th\
e three-way catalytic converter
can result.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_412.htm (1 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:35 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
Jump starting
If the booster battery to be used is in another car, check that the cars\
are not touching to prevent
premature completion of negative circuit. Note the position of the batte\
ry terminals and using jumper
cables:
l First connect the booster battery positive (+) terminal (1) to car b\
attery positive (+) terminal (2).
l Then connect the booster battery negative (-) terminal (3) to a stat\
ionary solid metal part on the
engine at a point away from the battery (4).
Do not connect booster cable to any part of fuel system or any moving pa\
rts. Avoid touching hot
manifolds.
After the engine has started, first remove the negative (-) terminal j\
umper cable. Then remove the
positive (+) terminal jumper cable.
CAUTION: Improper hook-up of jumper cables or use of other than 12-volt \
batteries could result in
damage to equipment and/or battery.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_412.htm (3 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:35 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
WARNING!
l To reduce the possibility of explosion, never expose battery to open fla\
me or electric spark.
l Do not smoke near battery.
l Batteries generate hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive.
l Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow battery fluid to cont\
act eyes, skin, fabrics or
painted surfaces. If contact occurs, flush affected area immediately wit\
h water. Obtain medical
attention immediately if eyes are affected.
Failure to follow the instructions for jump starting can lead to persona\
l injury.
pg. 4:15 Three-way catalytic converter
Three-way catalytic converter cautions
l Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain engine malfunctions, particular\
ly involving the electrical,
fuel or distributor ignition systems, may cause unusually high three-way\
catalytic converter
temperatures. Do not continue to operate your vehicle if you detect engi\
ne misfire, noticeable loss of
power or other unusual operating conditions, such as engine overheating \
or backfiring. A properly tuned
engine will help avoid malfunction that could damage the three-way catal\
ytic converter.
l Do not park your car over combustible materials, such as grass or leaves\
, which can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system and cause such materials to ignite under cer\
tain wind and weather
conditions.
l Excessive starter cranking (in excess of one minute), with an intermit\
tently firing or flooded engine,
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_412.htm (4 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:35 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
mountainous areas.
NOTE: Refer to section "Automatic transmission" for additional trailer h\
auling tips.
WARNING!
l Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor should s\
afety chains be attached to
the bumper.
l Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle rear axle must not be used.
l Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to the vehicle\
brake system, nor a trailer's
lighting system directly to the vehicle lighting system. Consult your ne\
arest authorized Volvo retailer
for correct installation.
pg. 4:18 Winter driving
Cold weather precautions
l If you wish to check your car before the approach of cold weather, the f\
ollowing advice is worth
noting:
l Make sure that the engine coolant contains at least 50 percent antifreez\
e: that is, 3.7 qts. (3.5 liters)
Volvo Genuine Coolant/Antifreeze. This gives protection against freezing\
down to -31°F (-35°C). See
section "Coolant". The use of "recycled" antifreeze is not approved by V\
olvo. Different types of
antifreeze may not be mixed.
l Try to keep the fuel tank well filled - this prevents the formation of c\
ondensation in the tank. In
addition in extremely cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to add fu\
el line de-icer before refueling.
l The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity (t\
hinner oil) improves cold-
weather starting as well as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine\
is warming up. For winter use,
5W-30 oil, particularly the synthetic type, is recommended. Be sure to u\
se good quality oil but do not
use this cold-weather oil for hard driving or in warm weather. See secti\
on "Engine oil" for more
information.
l The load placed on the battery is greater during the winter since the he\
ater, windshield wipers,
lighting etc. are used more often. Moreover, the capacity of the battery\
decreases as the temperature
drops. In very cold weather, a poorly charged battery can freeze and be \
damaged. It is therefore
advisable to check the state of charge more frequently and spray an anti\
-rust oil on the battery posts.
l Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter dri\
ving - see section "Wheels
and tires".
l To prevent the washer reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents conta\
ining antifreeze (see page
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_412.htm (8 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:35 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org