1996 VOLVO 850 oil type

1996 Volvo 850
pg. 1:19 Heating, ventilation and air conditioning

Heating and air conditioning

Volvo cares about the environment. Your Volvo is equipped with a heating\
system combined with air
conditioning. Depending on which function you select, warm or cool/cold \
air is distributed to the
different parts of the passenger compartment. A slight amount of condens\
ation may be emitted from the
air vents when the air conditioning is initially switched on. This can o\
ccur when both humidity and
ambient temperature are high and is normal.

Refrigerant

Volvo cares about the environment. The air conditioning system in your c\
ar contains a CFC-free
refrigerant -R134a. This substance will not deplete the ozone layer. The\
system contains 1.65 lbs (0.75
kg) R134a and uses ZXL 100PG (type PAG) oil.

file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_119.htm (1 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:03 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
pg. 1:69 Audio systems, general information
FM stereo reception

Stereo reception places very high demands on the signal quality which me\
ans the type of distortions
previously mentioned become even more obvious. The signal strength needs\
to be stronger for good
stereo reception and this limits the effective range of the slender.

We hope that this information proves to be useful and provides you with \
a better understanding of the
problems related to car radio reception.

Reception conditions are not always optimum and this is, of course, beyo\
nd our control. However, we
have endeavored to make the Volvo Audio System of a quality that will en\
able you to enjoy the best
possible reception no matter what the reception conditions may be.

Radio antenna (sedans)

NOTE: Always lower the antenna when using an automatic car wash or enter\
ing a garage.

The antenna should be cleaned at least every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) \
or more frequently if needed.
Use WD40 for cleaning.
Spray the antenna with WD40 and wipe it clean and dry with a rag. Spray \
it again. Lower and raise the
antenna. Wipe it clean and dry again. Lower and raise the antenna 4-6 ti\
mes. Make sure it is dry and free
from dirt or lubricating oil.

Radio antenna (wagons)

The radio antenna is built into the driver side window of the cargo area\
. This antenna also has a factory
installed antenna booster.

NOTE: The antenna will not work without this booster.

Place objects in the cargo area so that the antenna wires on the inside \
of the window will not be
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_166.htm (6 of 7)12/30/2006 9\
:59:19 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

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.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_412.htm (1 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:35 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

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
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_412.htm (8 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:35 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

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
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_605.htm (1 of 13)12/30/2006 \
9:59:43 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

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
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_806.htm (1 of 11)12/30/2006 \
9:59:52 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

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
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_806.htm (10 of 11)12/30/2006\
9:59:52 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
pg. 8:13 Automatic transmission fluid

Check the oil level as follows:

Park the car on a level surface with the engine idling . Slowly move the\
gear selector lever through all
the shift positions and then to position P. Wait 3 minutes before checki\
ng the oil level.
As the illustration shows, the dipstick has a COLD and a HOT side. The o\
il level should between the
MIN and MAX marks. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth.
WARNING! The oil may be very
hot.

Do not use rags that could leave lint on the dipstick. The transmission \
is topped up via the dipstick tube.
The space between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick corresponds to 0\
.5 US qt. (0.5 liter). Do
not fill the transmission with too much oil, since this can result in oi\
l being ejected from the
transmission. Too little oil, on the other hand, can negatively affect t\
ransmission operation, particularly
in very cold weather.

A Cold transmission: oil temperature 105° F (40° C). This is a n\
ormal temperature for the transmission
after idling for about 10 minutes. At oil temperatures below 105° F (\
40° C), the level may be below the
MIN mark.
B Warm transmission: oil temperature 169° F (80° C). This temper\
ature after driving for about 30
minutes. At oil temperatures above 190° F (90° C), the level may\
be above the MAX mark.

Fluid type: ATF Dexron IIE/III and Mercon.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_813.htm (1 of 7)12/30/2006 9\
:59:53 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org