1996 Volvo 850
1 Fuel gauge
The fuel tank holds approximately 19.3 US gals. (73 liters). When the \
warning light comes on, there is approximately 1.8 US
gals. (8 liters) of fuel remaining in the tank. See "Refueling" for fu\
rther information.
2 Boost pressure gauge
(Turbo models only)
The boost pressure gauge is divided into sections. Black sections: The e\
ngine acts as a normally aspirated engine. Best fuel
economy is achieved while driving in this range. White section: The turb\
ocharger provides boost pressure.
3 Temperature gauge
The pointer should be approximately midway on the gauge face when drivin\
g. If the pointer approaches the red range repeatedly,
check coolant level. Do not drive the car with the pointer in the red ra\
nge. See "Coolant" section.
4 Trip odometer reset button
5 Clock, ambient temperature sensor (certain models), trip computer (\
certain models)
6 Speedometer
7 Odometer
8 Trip odometer
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1996 Volvo 850
Used for measuring shorter distances. The last digit indicates 1/10 mile\
/kilometer. A black number on a white background =
original speedometer. A red number on a white background = replacement s\
peedometer.
9 Tachometer
Reads thousands of engine rpm. Engine should not be operated in red rang\
e. The highest permitted constant engine speed is
6,300 rpm (turbo: 6,200 rpm, B 5252 S: 6,000 rpm). pg. 1:3 Indicator and warning lights
1 Turn signal, left
2 Turn signal , right
3 (Not in use)
4 Low washer fluid level
If the lamp glows continuously when the engine is running, there is only\
about 1/2 - 1 US qt. remaining in the washer fluid
reservoir.
5 Low fuel level
When the lamp glows, only about 1.8 US gals. (8 liters) of fuel remain\
6 Rear fog light
7 High beams
8 (Not in use)
9 Bulb failure warning sensor
10 (Not in use)
11 (Not in use)
12 SRS
13 Generator not charging
14 Low engine oil pressure
15 Brake warning light
16 Parking brake applied
17 ABS-system
18 Ambient temperature warning light* (certain models)
(see pp. 1:11 or 1:14 for more information)
19 Transmission mode "W", or gear positions 3 or L engaged (automatic t\
ransmissions)
20 Low coolant level
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1996 Volvo 850
Brake fluid warning light
If the light comes on while driving or braking, this indicates that the \
brake fluid level is too low.
Stop immediately, open the hood and check the brake fluid level in the r\
eservoir (see section "Engine compartment" for reservoir
position)!
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light:
WARNING! If the level is below the MIN mark in either section of the res\
ervoir: DO NOT DRIVE. Tow the car to a Volvo
retailer and have the brake system checked and any leakage repaired.
pg. 1:5 Warning lights
If the TRACS (TRaction Control System) is manually disengaged with the\
switch on the dashboard, the warning light will come
on. This will also come on to indicate a TRAC's malfunction, and when th\
e brakes overheat, although it goes out again at the
normal temperature level. If the lamp remains on, the system should be c\
hecked by an authorized Volvo retailer. This lamp
should not be confused with the ON/OFF indicator lamp above the switch. \
See page 1:9 for additional information.
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). The
vehicle should be driven to a Volvo retailer for inspection.
See page 4:16 for additional information.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light:
Coolant level sensor
If the light comes on while driving, the coolant level is low. The coola\
nt level in the expansion tank should be checked
immediately and topped off if necessary. The cooling system should be in\
spected by an authorized Volvo retailer.
Mode "W" engaged
The lamp will light up when the Winter/Wet mode is engaged or if gears "\
3" or "L" are selected.
If the warning lamp begins to flash , this means that there is a fault i\
n the automatic gearbox.
Contact your Volvo retailer.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
If the light comes on (or stays on after the vehicle has started), the\
SRS diagnostic system has detected a fault. Drive to an
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1996 Volvo 850
pg. 1:11 Clock, Ambient temperature sensor (certain models)
Resetting the clock
The digital clock can be reset by pressing one of the two buttons (A an\
d B) with a pointed object such as
the tip of a pen.
h = hours
m = minutes
Maintain the pressure on the buttons for more than four seconds to chang\
e the time more quickly.
Ambient temperature sensor
This sensor indicates the temperature slightly above the road surface. A\
n amber warning lamp (C) lights
up when the temperature is in the range of 23 - 35° F (-5 - +2° C\
). Please note that this lamp does not
indicate a fault with your car.
At low speeds or when the car is not moving, the temperature readings ma\
y be slightly higher than the
actual ambient temperature due to the heat generated by the engine.
Display alternatives
If buttons A and B are pressed down simultaneously, it is possible to sh\
ift between four different display
alternatives, as follows:
Press 1st time: 12 hour clock and °F
Press 2nd time: 24 hour clock and °F
Press 3rd time: 12 hour clock and °C
Press 4th time: 24 hour clock and °C
NOTE: If your battery has been disconnected, the display will default to\
the 24 hour clock and degrees
centigrade.
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1996 Volvo 850
Current fuel consumption mpg (Canada: L/100 km)
Continuous information on current fuel consumption, calculated once per \
second. When the car is not
moving, the display shows "---".
Average fuel consumption Ø mpg (Canada: L/100km)
Average fuel consumption since the function was last reset. When the ign\
ition is switched off, the
average fuel consumption figure is stored in memory until it is reset us\
ing the button on the trip
computer control. pg. 1:14 Trip computer (certain models)
Ambient temperature
Shows the ambient temperature just above the road surface while driving.\
When the temperature is in the
range 23-36° F(-5 - +2° C), the ambient temperature sensor activ\
ates and amber warning light. Please
note that this light does not indicate a fault with your car. At low spe\
eds or when the car is not moving,
the temperature readings may be slightly higher than the actual ambient \
temperature due to the heat
generated by the engine.
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1996 Volvo 850
compartment from outside. Do not leave the system in this mode for more \
than 10-15 minutes, since the
air inside the car will become stale and condensation will form on the w\
indows.
NOTE: To help maintain stable passenger compartment temperature when dri\
ving with the sun roof or
windows open, place the blower control in position "0" and adjust the de\
sired temperature manually.
l If the panel vents are open, a certain amount of air will always flow th\
rough, regardless of the position
the function dial is in. To increase the flow of air to either the floor\
or the windows, close the panel
vents. The outer vents can be opened to avoid mist on the side windows. \
l The panel vents may emit some condensation when the air conditioning is \
initially switched on and is
quite normal. This may occur if the ambient temperature and humidity are\
high.
l The sunlight sensor (located at the top center of the dashboard) shoul\
d not be covered in any way as
this could cause incorrect information to be sent to the ECC system.
l The air conditioning is momentarily disengaged during full-throttle acce\
leration.
Difficult weather conditions
When driving in very humid conditions, heavy rain, sleet, etc., it may b\
e better to use the manual rather
than the automatic setting to defrost the windows. Set the mode selector\
to "Defrost"
or "Defrost/
floor" and the fan speed to 3 or higher. Also shut the middle air vents.\
Faults in the ECC system
The REC and AC OFF lights will flash for approximately 20 seconds if a f\
ault is detected in the ECC
system.
If this flashing recurs the next time the system is switched on, the cli\
mate control unit should be checked
by an authorized Volvo retailer.
pg. 1:24 Electrically-operated windows
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1996 Volvo 850
The airbag system includes gas generators (1) surrounded by the airbag\
s (2) and front seat belt
tensioners for both of the front seats (4). To deploy the system, the \
sensor (3) activates the gas
generators causing the airbags to be inflated with nitrogen gas. As the \
movement of the seat's occupants
compresses the airbags, some of the gas is expelled at a controlled rate\
to provide better cushioning.
Both seat belt tensioners also deploy, minimizing any seat belt slack.
The entire process, including inflation and deflation of the airbags, ta\
kes approximately two-tenths of a
second.
WARNING! When installing any optional equipment make sure that the SRS s\
ystem is not damaged.
Do not attempt to service any component of the SRS yourself. Attempting \
to do so may result in
serious personal injury. If a problem arises, take your car to the neare\
st authorized Volvo Retailer for
inspection as soon as possible.
pg. 3:5 Volvo SRS
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1996 Volvo 850
A self-diagnostic system incorporated in the sensor monitors the SRS. Th\
is system does not, however,
monitor the SIPS airbags. If a fault is detected, the "SRS" warning ligh\
t will illuminate. The light is
included in the warning/indicator light cluster in the instrument panel.\
Normally, the SRS warning lamp
should light up when the ignition is switched on and should go out after\
10 seconds or when the engine
is started. Check that this light is functioning properly every time the\
car is started.
The following items are monitored by all the self-diagnostic system:
l Sensor unit
l Cable harness
l Gas generator ignitors
WARNING!
Never drive an SRS equipped car with your hands on the steering wheel pa\
d/airbag housing.
No objects, accessory equipment or stickers may be placed on, attached t\
o or installed near the SRS
cover in the center of the steering wheel, the SRS cover above the glove\
compartment or the area
affected by the airbag deployment.
If the SRS warning light stays on after the engine has started or if it \
comes on while you are driving,
drive the car to the nearest authorized Volvo retailer for inspection as\
soon as possible.
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