1996 VOLVO 850 Owners Manual

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.
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1996 Volvo 850
pg. 4:13 Vehicle towing information
Only use flat bed equipment.

CAUTION:
l Sling-type equipment applied at the front will damage radiator and air c\
onditioning lines.
l It is equally important not to use sling-type equipment inside the rear \
wheels: serious damage to the
rear axle may result.

The car should be towed with the rear wheels on the ground, if at all po\
ssible. If it is absolutely
necessary to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on the ground, please\
refer to the towing information
on the previous page.

* If wheel lift equipment must be used, please use extreme caution to he\
lp avoid damage to the car.

WARNING!
Do not use the towing eyelets on the car to pull the car up onto a flat \
bed tow
truck.

pg. 4:14 Jump starting
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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.

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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,
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1996 Volvo 850
can cause three-way catalytic converter or exhaust system overheating.
l Remember that tampering or unauthorized modification to the engine or th\
e vehicle may be illegal
and can cause three-way catalytic converter or exhaust system overheatin\
g. This includes:
- Altering fuel injection settings or components.
- Adjusting distributor ignition timing beyond specified limits.
- Altering emission system components or location or removing components\

- Repeated use of leaded fuel.

NOTE: Unleaded fuel is required for cars with three-way catalytic conver\
ters. A label on the instrument
panel and inside fuel tank filler door will remind owners and filling st\
ation attendants of this
requirement.

Important! It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel into any vehicle label\
ed "unleaded gasoline only".
pg. 4:16 Brake system


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) and the vehicle should be driven to a Volvo retailer \
for inspection. The Anti-lock
Braking System (ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stopping and s\
teering) during severe braking
conditions by limiting brake lock-up. When the system "senses" impending\
lock-up, braking pressure is
automatically modulated in order to help prevent lockup, which could lea\
d to a skid.
The system performs a self-diagnostic test when the vehicle first reache\
s a speed of approximately 12
mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and a sound \
may be audible from the ABS
control module. This is normal.
To obtain optimal effect from the ABS system, constant pressure should b\
e kept on the brake pedal
while the system is modulating the brakes. Do not pump the brake pedal. \

The switching of the ABS modulator will be audible and the brake pedal w\
ill pulsate at this time. Please
be aware that ABS does not increase the absolute braking potential of th\
e vehicle. While control will be
enhanced, ABS will not shorten stopping distances on slippery surfaces. \

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1996 Volvo 850


Brake circuit malfunction

If one of the brake circuits should malfunction, the red warning light w\
ill come on, the pedal stroke
increases slightly, the pedal feels softer and extra pressure is require\
d for normal braking. If the light
comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately and check the brake \
fluid level in the reservoir.
WARNING! If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in either section of t\
he reservoir: DO NOT
DRIVE. Tow the car to a Volvo retailer and have the brake system checked\
and repaired.

Moisture on brake discs and brake pads affects braking.

Driving in rain and slush or passing through an automatic car wash can c\
ause water to collect on the
brake discs and pads. This will cause a delay in braking effect when the\
pedal is depressed. To avoid
such a delay when the brakes are needed, depress the pedal occasionally \
when driving through rain,
slush etc. This will remove the water from the brakes. Check that brake \
application feels normal! This
should also be done after washing or starting in very damp weather.

Severe strain on the brake system

The brakes will be subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or\
hilly areas or towing. The speed
is usually low which means that the cooling of the brakes is less effici\
ent than when 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, position 3 or in some cases, L(automatic transmissio\
n) and let the engine help with the
braking. Do not forget that, if you are towing a trailer, the brakes wil\
l be subjected to greater load than is
normal.

If the brake power-assist does function

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 th\
e car is increased by 3-4 times
and the brake pedal feels stiff.
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1996 Volvo 850
pg. 4:17 Trailer towing
When preparing for trailer towing, observe the following:

l Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches which are specially de\
signed for the car. For
trailer weights exceeding 2000 lbs. (908 kg), use only a trailer hitch\
offered as a Genuine Volvo
accessory.

NOTE: Models with automatic transmission are equipped with a transmissio\
n oil cooler as standard
equipment. This cooler helps prevent overheating of the transmission dur\
ing times of increased load, as
when towing a trailer.

l Maximum trailer weight recommended by Volvo is:
Trailers without brakes : 1100 lbs (500kg)
Trailers with brakes: 2" (50 mm) ball - 3300 lbs (1500 kg), 1 7/8" (\
47 mm) ball - 2000 lbs (908 kg).

Observe the legal requirements of the state/province in which the vehicl\
es are registered. All Volvo
models are equipped with energy-absorbing shock-mounted bumpers. Trailer\
hitch installation should
not interfere with the proper operation of this bumper system.

Trailer towing does not normally present any particular problems, but ta\
ke into consideration:
l Increase tire pressure to recommended full. See section "Wheels and tire\
s".
l Recommended hitch tongue load is 110 (50 kgs) for trailer weights belo\
w 2,650 lbs (1,200 kgs) and
165 lbs (75 kgs) for trailer weights above 2,650 lbs (1,200 kgs). Fo\
r trailer weights between 2,650-3,300
lbs (1,200-1,500 kgs) a top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) should never b\
e exceeded.
l Engine and transmission are subject to increased loads. Therefore, engin\
e coolant temperature should
be closely watched when driving in hot climates or hilly terrain. Use lo\
wer gear and turn off air
conditioner if temperature gauge pointer enters the red range.
l Avoid overload and other abusive operation.
l Hauling a trailer affects handling, durability, and economy.
l It is necessary to balance trailer brakes with the towing vehicle brakes\
to provide a safe stop (check
and observe State/Local regulations).
l Do not connect the trailer's brake system directly to the vehicle's brak\
e system.
l More frequent vehicle maintenance is required.
l Remove the ball and drawbar assembly when the hitch is not being used.
l Volvo recommends the use of synthetic engine oil when towing a trailer o\
ver long distances or in
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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
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