
1996 Volvo 850
Current fuel consumption mpg (Canada: L/100 km)
Continuous information on current fuel consumption, calculated once per \
second. When the car is not
moving, the display shows "---".
Average fuel consumption Ø mpg (Canada: L/100km)
Average fuel consumption since the function was last reset. When the ign\
ition is switched off, the
average fuel consumption figure is stored in memory until it is reset us\
ing the button on the trip
computer control. pg. 1:14 Trip computer (certain models)
Ambient temperature
Shows the ambient temperature just above the road surface while driving.\
When the temperature is in the
range 23-36° F(-5 - +2° C), the ambient temperature sensor activ\
ates and amber warning light. Please
note that this light does not indicate a fault with your car. At low spe\
eds or when the car is not moving,
the temperature readings may be slightly higher than the actual ambient \
temperature due to the heat
generated by the engine.
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1996 Volvo 850
l Move the seat as far forward as possible
WARNING! Cover sharp edges on load to help prevent injury to occupants. \
Secure load to help
prevent shifting during sudden stops.
Long load storage (sedans)
There is a flap located in the panel behind the rear seat which makes it\
possible to carry long loads such
as skis, etc. To open, pull the strap forward.
Protective covers (for skis) should be used to avoid soiling or tearin\
g the upholstery. Please note that the
flap in the rear seat is only intended for light loads such as skis, car\
pets, etc.
Max length: 6 1/2 ft (2 meters) Max weight: 55 lbs (25 kg)
WARNING! Always turn engine off and apply parking brake when loading/unl\
oading the vehicle.
Place transmission selector in P (PARK) position to help prevent inadv\
ertent movement of selector.
Contents | Top of Page
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1996 Volvo 850
A self-diagnostic system incorporated in the sensor monitors the SRS. Th\
is system does not, however,
monitor the SIPS airbags. If a fault is detected, the "SRS" warning ligh\
t will illuminate. The light is
included in the warning/indicator light cluster in the instrument panel.\
Normally, the SRS warning lamp
should light up when the ignition is switched on and should go out after\
10 seconds or when the engine
is started. Check that this light is functioning properly every time the\
car is started.
The following items are monitored by all the self-diagnostic system:
l Sensor unit
l Cable harness
l Gas generator ignitors
WARNING!
Never drive an SRS equipped car with your hands on the steering wheel pa\
d/airbag housing.
No objects, accessory equipment or stickers may be placed on, attached t\
o or installed near the SRS
cover in the center of the steering wheel, the SRS cover above the glove\
compartment or the area
affected by the airbag deployment.
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 retailer for inspection as\
soon as possible.
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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
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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).
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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.
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1996 Volvo 850
Deposit control gasoline
Volvo recommends the use of gasoline containing deposit control additive\
s. These additives have shown
to be efficient in keeping injectors and intake valves clean. Consistent\
use of deposit control gasolines
will help ensure good driveability and fuel economy. If you are not sure\
whether the gasoline contains
deposit control additives, check with the service station operator.
Unleaded Fuel
Each Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter and must use only unleade\
d gasoline (as specified on the
instrument panel and by a label near the filler inlet). U.S. and Canadi\
an regulations require that pumps
delivering unleaded gasoline be labelled "UNLEADED". Only these pumps ha\
ve nozzles which fit your
car's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel into a vehicl\
e labelled "unleaded gasoline only".
Leaded gasoline damages the three-way catalytic converter and the heated\
oxygen sensor system.
Repeated use of leaded gasoline will lessen the effectiveness of the emi\
ssion control system and could
result in loss of emission warranty coverage. State and local vehicle in\
spection programs will make
detection of misfueling easier, possibly resulting in emission test fail\
ure for misfueled vehicles. pg. 4:3 Fuel requirements, Refueling
Octane Rating
Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium g\
asoline with an octane
rating, AKI of 91, or above. AKI (ANTI KNOCK INDEX) is an average of t\
he Research Octane
Number, RON, and the Motor Octane Number, MON, (RON + MON/ 2).
The minimum octane requirement is AKI 87 (RON 91).
Gasoline Containing Alcohol and Ethers
"Oxygenated fuels"
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing "oxygenates" which are usua\
lly alcohols or ethers. In some
areas, state or local laws require that the service pump be marked indic\
ating use of alcohol or ethers.
However, there are areas in which the pumps are unmarked. If you are not\
sure whether there is alcohol
or ethers in the gasoline you buy, check with the service station operat\
or. To meet seasonal air quality
restrictions, some states require the use of "oxygenated" fuel in certai\
n areas.
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1996 Volvo 850
Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygenated fuels"; however, the o\
ctane ratings listed on this page
must still be met.
Alcohol -- Ethanol
Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may be used.
Ethanol may also be referred to as Ethyl alcohol, or "Gasohol".
Ethers -- MTBE
Fuels containing up to 15% MTBE may be used.
Refueling
The fuel tank filler cap is located behind the door on the left rear fen\
der. Open cap slowly during hot
weather conditions.
When filling, position the cap in the special bracket on the door.
NOTE: Turn the ignition off or to position I when refueling. If the igni\
tion is on, an incorrect reading
could occur in the fuel gauge (low fuel will be indicated).
After filling the tank, install the cap and turn until a "click" is hear\
d.
The fuel tank is designed to hold approximately 19.3 US gals (73 liters\
) with sufficient volume left over
to accommodate possible expansion of the fuel in hot weather. The "usabl\
e" tank capacity will be
somewhat less than the specified maximum. When the fuel level is low, su\
ch factors as ambient
temperature, the fuel's "vapor pressure" characteristics, and terrain ca\
n affect the fuel pumps' ability to
supply the engine with an adequate supply of fuel. Therefore, it is advi\
sable to refuel as soon as possible
when the needle nears the red zone, or when the fuel warning light comes\
on.
CAUTION: Do not refuel with the engine running. After refueling, close t\
he fuel filler cap by turning
it clockwise until it clicks into place.
NOTE: if the filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is runnin\
g when the car is refueled, the
Malfunction Indicator Lamp may indicate a fault. Use only Volvo original\
or approved fuel filler caps.
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