Page 1 of 265

1996 Volvo 850
850 Owner's Manual VOLVO 850
1 9 9 6
This manual deals with the operation and care of your Volvo.
Welcome to the world-wide family of Volvo owners. We trust that you will\
enjoy many years of safe
driving in your Volvo, an automobile designed with your safety and comfo\
rt in mind. To help ensure
your satisfaction with this vehicle, we encourage you to familiarize you\
rself with the equipment
descriptions, operating instructions and maintenance requirements/recomm\
endations in this manual. We
also urge you and your passengers to wear seat belts at all times in thi\
s (or any other) automobile. And,
of course, please do not operate a vehicle if you may be affected by alc\
ohol, medication or any
impairment that could hinder your ability to drive.
Your Volvo is designed to meet all applicable safety and emission standa\
rds, as evidenced by the
certification labels attached to the driver's door opening and on the le\
ft wheel housing in the engine
compartment.
Contents
Instruments and controls ... 1
Body and interior .. 2
Occupant safety, Reporting safety defects ... 3
Starting and driving ... 4
Wheels and tires ... 5
In case of emergency ... 6
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_000.htm (1 of 2)12/30/2006 9\
:58:53 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org
Page 4 of 265

1996 Volvo 850
page
1:191 Air vent
1:62 Turn signals, high/low beams,
1:15cruise control
1:83 Rear fog light, instrument lighting
1:64 Headlights, parking lights
1:1 - 1:55 Instruments
1:76 Windshield wiper/washer
1:97 Hazard warning flashers
1:198 Air mix
1:199 Air vents
1:19 - 1:2310 Heating and ventilation
3:4, 3:611 Passenger side SRS (air bag) hatch
1:25 - 1:70 12 Audio system
1:1713 Ash tray
4:914 Shiftlock override button
1:1615 Electrically-heated front seats (optional)
1:1716 Parking brake
1:2417 Electrically operated windows
2:7and side door mirrors
1:1718 Cigarette lighter
2:1019 Hood release
1:820 Front fog lights (optional)
1:821 Central locking button
1:1822 Adjustable steering wheel
1:723 Starting (ignition) switch/steering wheel lock
- 24 Space for additional equipment
1:3, 1:5, 1:9
25 Traction control system (optional)
2:9 26 Electrically operated sun roof (optional)
1:12 - 1:1427 Trip computer (optional)
1:928 Heated rear window/heated door mirrors
3:429 Horn/SRS
Some of the items below are available on certain models only.
pg. 1:2 Instruments
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_101.htm (2 of 7)12/30/2006 9\
:58:55 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org
Page 10 of 265

1996 Volvo 850
pg. 1:6 Headlights, Parking lights, Turn signals
Headlights and parking lights
O All lights off *
Parking lights on **
Headlights and parking lights are on if starting (ignition) switch is\
in positions I or II.
If the headlight switch is in position
all lights will go out when starting switch is switched off.
With the headlight switch in position
the parking lights will stay on (headlights off) with the daytime
running light screw (A) in position
.
The high beams can only be switched on if the headlight switch is in pos\
ition
.
Switch from high to low beams and vice versa by moving the turn signal s\
witch lever on the left side of
the steering column towards the steering wheel.
* Models equipped with daytime running lights: The low beams, tail light\
s, parking lights and license
plate lights will come on automatically when the ignition is switched on\
.
** The daytime running lights will also function when the headlight swit\
ch is in position
and the
daytime running light screw (A) is in position
.
For additional information on the daytime running lights, see page 1:8. \
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_106.htm (1 of 9)12/30/2006 9\
:58:57 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org
Page 11 of 265
1996 Volvo 850
Turn signals
1 Lane change position. In maneuvers such as lane changing, the driver c\
an flash the turn signals by
moving the turn signal lever to the first stop and holding it there. The\
lever will return to the neutral
position when released.
2 Signal lever engaged for normal turns.
3 High beam/low beam switch (headlights on).
Move the lever towards the steering wheel and release it.
Headlight flasher (headlights off).
Move the lever towards the steering wheel. The headlight high beam will \
be on until the lever is
released.
NOTE: A defective turn signal bulb will cause the turn signal indicator \
and remaining signal lights to
flash more rapidly than normal. pg. 1:7 Windshield wipers/washers, Ignition switch
Windshield wiper/washer
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_106.htm (2 of 9)12/30/2006 9\
:58:57 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org
Page 12 of 265
1996 Volvo 850
1 Intermittent wiper
With the switch in this position, the wipers will sweep approximately ev\
ery seventh second.
2 "Single sweep" position:
The switch returns automatically when released.
3 Wipers, normal speed
4 Wipers, high speed
5 Windshield wiper/washer, headlight wiper/washer (certain models)
The wiper will make 2-3 complete sweeps across the windshield and headli\
ghts after the lever is
released.
O Locked position:
Remove the key to lock the steering wheel*
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_106.htm (3 of 9)12/30/2006 9\
:58:57 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org
Page 13 of 265

1996 Volvo 850
WARNING: Never turn the key to position O while driving or when the car \
is
being towed.
I Intermediate position:
Certain accessories, etc. on, daytime running lights off.
II Drive position:
Key position when engine is running.
III Starting position:
Release the key when the engine starts. The key returns automatically to\
driving
position.
* On cars equipped with an automatic transmission the gear selector must\
also be in
the (P)ark position.
Starting (ignition) switch/steering wheel lock
The steering wheel lock might be under tension when the car is parked. T\
urn the steering wheel slightly
to free the ignition key.
In order to reduce car theft, make sure the steering wheel lock is engag\
ed before leaving the car.
A chime will sound if the starting key is left in the ignition lock and \
the front door on the driver's side is
opened. pg. 1:8 Instrument illumination, Fog lights, Daytime running lights
A - Instrument illumination
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_106.htm (4 of 9)12/30/2006 9\
:58:57 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org
Page 16 of 265

1996 Volvo 850
A - TRAction Control System (TRACS) - option
TRACS is a system designed as an aid when starting/driving off if one of\
the drive wheels has poor
traction due to weather conditions or the road surface and is connected \
to the ABS control module.
TRACS engages automatically at sppeds below 25 mph (40km/h) when on of\
the drive wheels loses
traction. It disengages automatically when speed exceeds 25 mph (40 km/\
h). The sound which can be
heard when the system is operating comes from the ABS syste.
TRACS can be disengaged manually using the switch on the dashboard. The \
indicator light will come on.
B - Electrically operated sun roof - option
The sun roof can be operated in two ways; as a conventional sliding roof\
or the rear edge can be raised
to provide increased ventilation. See page 2:9 for operating instruction\
s.
NOTE: In case of a sun roof malfunction, see page 6:17.
C - Trip computer - option
Turn the dial to the desired function. For more information, see pages 1\
:12-14.
D - Hazard warning flashers
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_106.htm (7 of 9)12/30/2006 9\
:58:57 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org
Page 24 of 265

1996 Volvo 850
pg. 1:15 Cruise control
Cruise control
The cruise control switches are located on the turn signal switch lever.\
To engage and set desired speed:
1. Set switch (B) to ON.
2. Accelerate to desired cruise speed.
3. Press the + or - area of the SET button (A) to set the desired spee\
d.
NOTE: The cruise control cannot be engaged at speeds below 22 mph (35 k\
m).
Braking
This will automatically disengage the cruise control. Previously selecte\
d cruise control speed is retained
in the memory and by momentarily setting the switch to RESUME position, \
that speed will be re-
engaged.
If the cruise control is already engaged, the cruising speed can be incr\
eased or decreased by depressing
the SET button (A) towards either + or -. One short press on the butto\
n corresponds to a speed change of
approx. 1 mph (1.6 km/h). When the button is released, the vehicle wil\
l maintain the current speed.
If actual speed falls below 70% of set speed or if the wheels spin or lo\
ck, the cruise control will
disengage automatically.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_115.htm (1 of 7)12/30/2006 9\
:59:00 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org