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1996 Volvo 850
Important
Before you operate your car for the first time, please familiarize yourself with the BREAK-IN
information on page 4:2. You should also be familiar with the information in the first three chapters of
this manual.
Information contained in the balance of the manual is extremely useful and should be studied after
operating the vehicle for the first time. This manual is structured so that it can be used for reference. It
should thus be kept in the car for ready access.
Do not export your Volvo to another country before investigating the country's applicable safety and
exhaust emission requirements. In some cases it may be difficult or impossible to comply with these
requirements. Modifications to the emission control system(s) may render your Volvo not certifiable for
legal operation in the U.S., Canada or other countries.
All information, illustrations and specifications contained in this manual are based on the latest product
information available at the time of publication. Volvo reserves the right to make model changes at any
time, or to change specifications or design, without notice and without incurring obligation.
CAUTION: The 850 R turbo models have reduced ground clearance due to the design of the front
spoiler. Please observe caution when e.g., driving onto garage hoists, through drifted snow or when
other road debris is encountered, or when parking near curbs.
Contents | Top of Page
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Car care ... 7
Service and routine maintenance ... 8
Specifications ... 9 Classic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org
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1996 Volvo 850
authorized Volvo retailer for an inspection of the system. See the SRS s\
ection for more information.
Service reminder indicator
This light will come on at 10,000 mile (16,000 km) intervals*, after 7\
50 hours of driving or after 12 months, whichever occurs
first. It is a reminder to the driver that the service interval has been\
exceeded. The light will stay on 2 minutes after the start until
reset by the servicing retailer.
* Turbo models intervals: 5,000 miles (8,000 km), 500 hours of driving\
or after 12 months, whichever occurs first.
Bulb failure warning light
The light will come on if any of the following bulbs are defective:
l one of the low beam headlights
l one of the tail lights
l one of the brake lights when the brake pedal is depressed.
Check the fuse and bulb. See sections titled "Replacing bulbs" and "Fuse\
s".
Should the warning light come on after a defective outside bulb has been\
replaced, the corresponding bulb on the other side of the
car should also be replaced.
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1996 Volvo 850
Cigarette lighter
To operate, depress the knob fully. When the knob automatically releases\
, the cigarette lighter is ready
for use.
The starting (ignition) switch must be switched on (to position I or \
II) for the cigarette lighter to
function.
NOTE: The "OBD II" terminal, a connector for diagnostic equipment, is lo\
cated to the left of the lighter.
This terminal is intended for use by authorized service technicians only\
.
Ash trays
To open the front ash tray, press lightly on the panel.
To open the rear ash tray, pull it straight out.
To empty the front ash tray (see illustration, center column):
(1) Grasp the removable gray insert on the sides and push it in.
(2) Pull the insert straight up.
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1996 Volvo 850
pg. 2:2 Keys, Doors and Locks
Master key
This key operates all locks
The key number codes are stamped on a separate tag supplied with the key\
s. This tag should be
separated from the key ring and kept in a safe place.
As an added anti-theft measure, new keys have been developed which may t\
ake slightly longer to copy
or replace if the original keys are misplaced.
Service key
Front doors, starting (ignition) switch/steering wheel lock
In the vent the original keys are lost, duplicates may be ordered from y\
our Volvo retailer. The central
locking system is described in detail in the section "Doors and locks". \
pg. 2:3 Doors and locks
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1996 Volvo 850
Trunk lid
The trunk lock is incorporated in the central locking system. This means\
that you can either lock or
unlock the trunk by means of either of the front doors.
You can also operate the trunk lock directly with the master key even if\
the vehicle is centrally locked.
The trunk can also be disconnected from the central locking system by tu\
rning the key counterclockwise
as shown below:
Withdraw key in the horizontal position.
The trunk is now always locked. The optional folding rear seatback can a\
lso be locked from the trunk
(
see page 2:16). This feature can be used for example, if you lend your car to someon\
e. If you give only
the service key to the driver, it will not be possible to gain access to\
the trunk. To reconnect the lock to
the central locking system:
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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
There is no maintenance to perform on the SRS yourself. The only periodi\
c maintenance recommended
on the SRS is that the air bag modules and front seat belts (including \
tensioners) should be replaced
approximately every ten years and that the other components in the syste\
m (wiring, connectors, etc.)
should also be inspected at this time. The SRS decal on your car shows t\
he month and year servicing is
due. This service must be performed by an authorized Volvo retailer. Sho\
uld you have any questions
about the SRS system, please contact your authorized Volvo Retailer or V\
olvo Customer Support.
pg. 3:6 Volvo SRS
WARNING
This car is equipped with a full frontal Supplemental Restraint System (\
SRS) with AIRBAG in front of
the driver and front passenger.
*ALL OCCUPANTS MUST BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, ADULTS USING SEAT-BELTS
AND CHILDREN USING CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.
*DO NOT INSTALL AND USE ANY CHILD RESTRAINTS IN THE FRONT SEAT.
We also recommend that children who have outgrown child restraint system\
s in the rear seat with the
seat-belt properly fastened. The safest place in the car for children is\
in the rear seat.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAN RESULT IN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE\
OCCUPANTS IN AN ACCIDENT.
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1996 Volvo 850
WARNING! Do not use child safety seats or child boosters cushions/backre\
sts in the front passenger's
seat. We also recommend that children who have outgrown these devices si\
t in the rear seat with the
seat belt properly fastened.
NOTE: Deployment of SRS components occurs only one time during an accide\
nt. In a collision where
deployment occurs, the air bags and seat belt tensioners activate. Some \
noise occurs and a small amount
of powder is released. The release of the powder may appear as smoke-lik\
e matter. This is a normal
characteristic and does not indicate fire.
WARNING!
l Occupants in the front passenger's seat must never sit on the edge of th\
e seat, sit leaning toward the
instrument panel or otherwise sit out of position. The occupant's back m\
ust be as upright as comfort
allows and be against the seat back with the seat properly fastened.
l Feet must be on the floor, e.g. not on the dash, seat or out of the wind\
ow.
l Children must never be allowed to stand in front of the passenger seat. \
l No objects or accessory equipment, e.g. dash covers, may be placed on, a\
ttached to or installed near
the SRS hatch (the area above the glove compartment) or the area affec\
ted by air bag deployment (see
illustration).
l There should be no loose articles, e.g. coffee cups, on the floor, seat \
or dash area.
l Never try to open the SRS cover on the steering wheel or the passenger s\
ide SRS hatch. This should
only be done by an authorized Volvo service technician.
l Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury to the vehicle\
occupants in an accident.
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