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1996 Volvo 850
Maintenance Operation thousand miles
(thousand km) 10
(16) 20
(32) 30
(48) 40
(64) 50
(80) 60
(96)
ENGINE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
ENGINE
Fuel (Line) Filter¹
PCV Nipple (orifice)/hoses,clean I
Battery I I I I I I
BRAKES
Inspect brakes, replace components as necessary I I I I I I
Brake Fluid²
STEERING/SUSPENSION
Rotate tires/check wear (align front end if
needed.) I
I I I I I
Check power steering fluid level. I I I I I I
Grease front link arm stops L L L L L L
BODY
Power antenna (clean) I I I I I I
Trunk/hood, hinges and latches L L L L L L
1) Replace at 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
2) Brake fluid should be changed at owner request every second year (o\
nce a year if the car is driven in
mountainous areas or in areas with high humidity).
The following items should be checked weekly by the driver (it takes on\
ly a few minutes).
Engine oil level Horns
Brake fluid level Windshield wipers
Radiator coolant level Tire pressure (all five tires)
Operation of all lights Level of windshield washer fluid
The following should also be carried out at regular intervals:
Washing
Polishing
Cleaning
Rust protection
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1996 Volvo 850
pg. 8:6 Servicing (cont.)
The following precautions must be observed when carrying out repairs to \
the vehicle
WARNING! The distributor ignition system operates at very high voltages.\
Special safety precautions
must be followed to prevent injury. Always turn the ignition off when:
l Connecting engine test and diagnostic equipment to the vehicle (timing \
light, tach-dwell tester,
ignition oscilloscope, etc.).
l Replacing distributor ignition components e.g. plugs, coil, etc.
l Do not touch any part of the distributor ignition system while the engin\
e is running. This may result
in unintended movements and body injury.
Battery
l Check that the battery cables are correctly connected and properly tight\
ened.
l Never disconnect the battery when the engine is running, for example whe\
n changing the battery.
l The battery should be disconnected when a boost charger is used.
l Switch off the radio before disconnecting the battery. If your radio has\
an anti-theft code and the
battery is disconnected, the radio code has to be re-entered in order fo\
r the radio to function.
Replacing spark plugs
The spark plugs should be changed every 30,000 miles (48,000 km). Howe\
ver, city driving or fast
highway driving may necessitate changing after 15,000 miles (24,000 km)\
of driving. When installing
new plugs, be sure to fit the right type and use correct torque, see "Sp\
ecifications". When changing the
plugs, check that the suppressor connectors are in good condition. Crack\
ed or damaged connectors
should be replaced. When changing the spark plugs, clean the terminals a\
nd the rubber seals.
Hoisting the car
If a garage jack is used to lift the car, the two jack attachments point\
s should be used. They are specially
reinforced to bear the weight of the car. A garage jack can also be plac\
ed under the front of the engine
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1996 Volvo 850
support frame and under the reinforced plate in the spare wheel well. Ta\
ke care not to damage the splash
guard under the engine. Ensure that the jack is positioned so that the c\
ar cannot slide off it. Always use
axle stands or similar structures.
If a two-post hoist is used to lift the car, the front and rear lift arm\
pads should be centered under the
reinforced lift plates on the inboard edge of the sill rail. The positio\
n of these plates is marked with
arrows molded into the bottom of the sill rail.
CAUTION: 850 R turbo models have reduced ground clearance due to the des\
ign of the front spoiler.
Please observe caution when driving the car onto a garage hoist.
pg. 8:7 Servicing (cont.)
Torque exhaust and intake manifold nuts
A loose manifold could alter air/fuel ratio and cause an increase in emi\
ssion and/or poor driveability.
Air cleaner
Replace the air cleaner cartridge with a new one every 30,000 miles (48\
,000 km). The cartridge should
be replaced more often when driving under dirty and dusty conditions. Th\
e filter cannot be cleaned and
therefore should always be replaced with a new one.
Vacuum fittings, hoses and connections
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1996 Volvo 850
No. Lubrication point lubricant No. Lubrication point lubricant
1 Hood lock and latch Oil 6 Window winder (on
inside of door) Oil, grease, low
temperature grease
2 Door stop and hinges Oil 7 Front seat slide rail
and latch Oil
3 Sun roof wind
deflector Oil
Low temperature
grease
8
Door locks Volvo teflon lock
spray
4 Door lock catch plate Oil
5 Trunk/tailgate lid lock Low temperature
grease
To avoid rattles and unnecessary wear, the body should be lubricated at \
regular service intervals. This
should be done by an authorized Volvo retailer.
pg. 8:10 Engine oil
Checking the oil level
The oil level should be checked every time the car is refuelled. This is\
especially important during the
engine break-in period (up to the first service).
CAUTION : Not checking the oil level regularly can result in serious eng\
ine damage if the oil
becomes too low.
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1996 Volvo 850
Park the car on a level surface and wait for at least 3 minutes after th\
e engine has been switched off. Be
sure the oil level is maintained between the upper and lower marks on th\
e dipstick. Low oil level can
cause internal damage to the engine and over-filling can result in high \
oil consumption. The distance
between the dipstick marks represents approx. 1 US qts (1 liter)*. The\
oil should preferably be checked
when cold, before the engine has been started.
* Certain models: 1.6 US qts (1.5 liters)
NOTE: The engine must be stopped when checking the oil.
Draining the oil
Drain the oil after driving while it is still warm.
WARNING! The oil may be very
hot.
If you change the engine oil and filter yourself, your Volvo retailer ca\
n assist you in disposing of the
used oil. Engine oil can be harmful to your skin - gloves should worn wh\
en performing this work.
To add or change oil
Add oil of the same kind as already used. Capacity (including filter):\
5.6 US qts (5.3 liters) (certain
models: 6.1 US qts/5.8 liters). Turbo models: 5.6 US qts (5.3 liters)\
.** The oil filter should be replaced
at every oil change
** Add 0.95 qts (0.9 liters) if the oil cooler has been drained.
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1996 Volvo 850
A - Drain plug, B - Oil filter, C - Oil dipstick, D - Oil filler cap
WARNING! Oil spilled on a hot exhaust pipe constitutes a fire
risk.
pg. 8:11 Engine oil (cont.)
Oil quality
Meeting API specification SG, SG/CD, SH or Energy Conserving (EC) II
For best fuel economy and engine protection consult with your authorized\
Volvo retailer for
recommended oils. Oils with a different quality rating may not provide a\
dequate engine protection.
Viscosity (stable ambient temperatures):
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1996 Volvo 850
Do not use oils with other viscosity ratings. The use of incorrect visco\
sity oil can shorten engine life.
Volvo recommends the use of energy-conserving oils. Look for the API lab\
el. Synthetic oils complying
with oil quality requirements are recommended for: Driving in areas of s\
ustained temperature extremes
(hot or cold), when towing a trailer over long distances or for a prol\
onged driving in mountainous areas.
Extra oil additives must not be used unless advised by an authorized Vol\
vo retailer.
SAE 15W/40 is recommended for use in driving conditions that raise oil t\
emperature and increase oil
consumption (i.e., mountain driving, trailer towing).
NOTE: SAE 15W-40 must not be used at low ambient temperatures; see visco\
sity chart.
Changing oil and oil filter
Oil and oil filter changes should be made as specified in the following \
table:
If driving conditions include: Then the correct oil/oil filter change interval
is:
l Extended periods of idling and/or low-speed
operation
l Frequent short trips less than 7 miles 11 km
l Extended periods of driving in dusty and/or sandy
areas
l Trailer towing
l Driving in mountainous areas EVERY
5,000 miles= 8,000 km
OR EVERY 6 MONTHS,
WHICHEVER COMES FIRST
l Primarily highway driving
l Frequent trips of longer than 7 miles = 11 km
EVERY
10,000 miles = 16,000 km
5,000 miles= 8,000 km *
OR EVERY 12 MONTHS,
WHICH EVER COMES FIRST
* Turbo models
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1996 Volvo 850
American Petroleum Institute (API) labels. These labels certify the oi\
l conforms to the
applicable standards and specifications of the API.
pg. 8:12 Power steering fluid, Brake/clutch fluid reservoir
Power steering fluid
The dipstick has marks for checking hot and cold oil. The oil level when\
the engine is cold must never
be higher than the COLD mark. After the engine has reached normal operat\
ing temperature, the level
may not be higher than the HOT mark. Top up when the level is at the ADD\
mark.
Check the level at every service.
Fluid type: ATF
Replace: no fluid change required.
Brake and clutch systems
The brake and clutch systems share the same fluid reservoir. The fluid l\
evel should be between the MIN
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