1996 VOLVO 850 warning light

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.



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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
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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1996 Volvo 850
l Check condition of drive belts.
l Check state of charge of battery.
l Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and replace those th\
at are worn. Check tire pressures.
l The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be checked b\
y your Volvo retailer only.
l Check all lights, including high beams.
l Reflective warning triangles are legal requirement in some countries.
l Have a word with your Volvo retailer concerning engine adjustments if yo\
u intend to drive in
countries where it may be difficult to obtain correct fuel.
l Consider your destination. If you will be driving through an area where \
snow or ice are likely to
occur, consider snow tires.




Contents | Top of Page
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1996 Volvo 850
WARNING!
l The jack attachment must engage the bar in the jack attachment (A). Th\
e car's weight must not rest
on the jack's attachment (B).
l Be sure the jack is on a firm, level, non-slippery surface.
l Never allow any part of your body to be extended under a car supported b\
y a jack.
l Use the jack intended for the car when replacing a wheel. For any other \
job, use stands to support
the end of the car being worked on.
l Apply the parking brake, select position P (automatic transmission) or\
Reverse gear (manual
transmission).
l Block the wheels standing on the ground. Use rigid wooden blocks or larg\
e stones.
l The jack should be kept well-greased.

Installing the wheel

Clean the contact surfaces on the wheel and hub. Lift the wheel and plac\
e it on the hub. Make sure that
you align the wheel with the guide stud on the wheel hub prior to instal\
lation. Install the wheel bolts
cross-wise (see illustration) and tighten by turning lightly clockwise\
. Lower the vehicle to the ground
and alternately tighten the bolts to 81 ft. lbs. (110 NM). Install the\
wheel cap (where applicable).
CAUTION: Correct tightening torque on wheel bolts must be observed. The \
wheel bolts should never
be greased or lubricated. The extended, chromed wheel bolts must not be \
used with steel rims, as they
make is impossible to fit the hub caps.


Correct tightening order for wheel bolts
pg. 6:4 Spare tire
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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
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1996 Volvo 850
pg. 6:12 Replacing bulbs

Insert the screwdriver and turn gently (rear door)

Door warning lights

Front
l Slide the lamp unit upward and lift it out.
l Twist off the bulb holder.
l Pull the bulb straight out.
l Replace the bulb.
l Reinstall the holder and lamp unit in reverse order.

Rear
l Insert a screwdriver and turn carefully to loosen the glass lens.
l Pull the bulb straight out.
l Replace the bulb.
l Press the lens back into place.

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