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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.
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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
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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1996 Volvo 850
WARNING!
l The SIPS airbag system is a supplement to the Side Impact Protection Sys\
tem and the three-point
seat belt system. It is not designed to deploy during collisions from th\
e front or rear of the car or in
rollover situations.
l Only Volvo approved seat covers may be used. The use of non-approved aft\
ermarket seat covers
may impede SIPS airbag deployment.
l No objects, accessory equipment or stickers may be placed on, attached t\
o or installed near the SIPS
airbag system or in the area affected by SIPS airbag deployment (see il\
lustration to the right above).
l Never try to open or repair any components of the SIPS airbag system. Th\
is should only be done by
an authorized Volvo service technician.
l For best protection from the SIPS airbag system, both front seat occupan\
ts should sit in an upright
position with the seat belt properly fastened.
WARNING! Never drive with the airbags deployed. The fact that they hang \
out can impair the
steering of your car. Other safety systems can also be damaged. The smok\
e and dust formed when the
airbags are deployed can cause skin and irritation in the event of prolo\
nged exposure.
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1996 Volvo 850
above right headlight.
5 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) *
The VIN plate is located on the top left surface of the dashboard. The V\
IN is also stamped on the right
hand door pillar.
6 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) specifications (USA)\
and Ministry of Transport
(CMVSS) Standards (Canada)
Your Volvo is designed to meet all applicable safety standards, as evide\
nced by the certification label on
the facing side of the driver's door. For further information regarding \
these regulations, please consult
your Volvo retailer.
7 Child safety latch label
* The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) should always be quoted in a\
ll correspondence concerning
your vehicle with the retailer and when ordering parts.
** These decals are located on the underside of the hood.
All specifications are subject to change without notice. pg. 8:3 Maintenance service, Warranty
Maintenance service
Volvo advises you to follow the service program which is outlined in the\
"Maintenance Records
Manual". This maintenance program contains inspections and services nece\
ssary for the proper function
of your car. The maintenance services contain several checks which requi\
re special instruments and
tools and therefore must be performed by a qualified technician. To keep\
your Volvo in top condition,
specify time tested and proven Genuine Volvo Parts and Accessories.
The Federal Clean Air Act - U.S.
The Clean Air Act requires vehicle manufacturers to furnish written inst\
ructions to the ultimate
purchaser to assure the proper functioning of those components that cont\
rol emissions. The maintenance
instructions listed in the "Servicing" section of this Manual represent \
the minimum maintenance
required. These services are not covered by the warranty. You will be re\
quired to pay for labor and
material used. Refer to your Warranty booklet for further details.
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