
1996 Volvo 850
CAUTION: Take care not to spill gasoline during refueling. Gasolines con\
taining alcohol can cause
damage to painted surfaces, which may not be covered under the New Vehic\
le Limited Warranty.
Do not use gasoline containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol)\
. This practice can result in
vehicle performance deterioration and can damage critical parts in the f\
uel system. Such damage may
not be covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
pg. 4:4 Driving economy
Economical driving does not necessarily mean driving slowly
Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid\
starts and stops and
adjusting the speed of your vehicle to immediate traffic conditions. Obs\
erve the following rules:
l Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by \
driving with a light foot on
the accelerator pedal for the first minutes of operation. A cold engine \
uses more fuel and is subject to
increased wear.
l Whenever possible, avoid using the car for driving short distances. This\
does not allow the engine to
reach normal operating temperature.
l Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
l Do not exceed speed limit.
l Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the car.
l Check tire pressure regularly (check when tires are cold).
l Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
l Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc., increase air resistance and there\
by fuel consumption.
l Avoid using automatic transmission kick-down feature unless necessary.
l Avoid using the air conditioning when it is not required. When engaged, \
the air conditioner's
compressor places places an additional load on the engine.
l If your car is equipped with the optional Trip Computer, utilizing the f\
uel consumption modes can
help you "learn" how to drive more economically.
Other factors which decrease gas mileage are:
l Low tire pressure
l Worn or dirty spark plugs
l Incorrect spark plug gap
l Dirty air cleaner
l Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
l Dragging brakes
l Incorrect front end alignment
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1996 Volvo 850
EMISSION SYSTEM
MAINTENANCE
Engine oil and filter
1 R
3 R R 3 R R 3 R R 3 R R 3 R R 3 R
Engine drive belt accessory belt) R
Air cleaner filter R R
Spark plugs R R
Automatic transmission fluid
I
I I I I I
Timing belt - B 5254 S, B 5234 T
4
1) See section "Engine oil" for detailed information.
NOTE: The oil should be changed at these intervals or after 750 hours of\
driving or after 12 months
which ever occurs first. See "Service Reminder indicator",
page 1:5.
2) For services beyond 60,000 miles (96,000 km), consult your "Mainte\
nance records booklet".
3) These intervals may apply, depending on actual driving conditions (\
see page 8:11 for details)
4) For proper functioning of the vehicle and its emission control syste\
m, Volvo recommends that the
timing belt be replaced every 70,000 (112,000 km).
pg. 8:5 Servicing (cont.)
Maintenance schedule
A = Adjust (Correct if necessary) I = Inspect (Correct or Replace if \
necessary)
R = Replace L = Lubricate
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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
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
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
Engine oil Quality: Meeting API specification SG
or SH Capacity (incl. filter): 850 (5-
cyl. engine) 5.6 US qts./5.3
liters (certain models: 6.1 US
qts./5.8 liters)
850 Turbo - 5.6 US qts. (5.3
liters)*
Automatic transmission
fluid Quality: ATF Dexron IIE/ III and
Mercon Capacity: 8 US qts. (7.6 liters)
Manual transmission fluid Quality: Volvo synthetic gearbox oil
1161423 Capacity: 2.2 US qts (2.1
liters)
Power steering fluid Quality: ATF Capacity: 0.85 US qts. (0.8
liters)
Brake fluid Quality: DOT 4+ Capacity: 0.64 US qts. (0.6
liters)
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
* Add 0.95 qts. (0.9 liters) if the oil cooler has been drained Capaci\
ty: 8 US qts (7.6 liters)
pg. 9:3 Specifications
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