
are all important considerations.
In production, Volvo has partly or completely  phased out several chemicals including freons, lead chromates,
naphtanates, asbestos, mercury and  cadmium; and  reduced the amount of chemicals used in our plants 50% since 1991.
In use, Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into production a  three-way catalytic converter with a  Lambda
sond, now called oxygen  sensor, in 1976. The current version  of this  highly efficient system reduces emissions  of
harmful substances (CO, HC, NOx) from  the exhaust pipe by approximately 95% and  the search to eliminate the
remaining emissions  continues. Volvo is the only automobile manufacturer to offer  CFC-free retrofit kits  for the air
conditioning system for all models back to the M/Y 1975 240. Advanced electronic  engine controls, refined
purification systems and  cleaner  fuels  are bringing us closer to our goal.
After Volvo cars and  parts  have fulfilled their use, recycling is the next critical step in completing the life cycle. The
metal content  is about 75% of the total weight of the car, which  makes the car among the most  recycled  industrial
products.  In order to have efficient and  well controlled recycling, many Volvo variants have printed dismantling
manuals indication the weight and  material of individual components. For Volvo, all homogeneous plastic parts
weighing more than 1.7 oz.  (50 grams)are marked with international symbols that indicate how the component  is to be
sorted  for recycling.
In addition to continuous environmental refinement of conventional gasoline-powered  internal combustion engines,
Volvo is actively looking at advanced technology  alternative-fuel vehicles.
When you drive a  Volvo, you become our partner in the work to lessen  the car's impact on the environment. 
To reduce your vehicle's environmental impact, you can:
Maintain proper air pressure in your tires. Tests have shown decreased  fuel economy with improperly  inflated
tires
Follow the recommended maintenance schedule
Drive at a  constant speed
See  an  authorized Volvo retailer as soon as possible for inspection if the check engine (malfunction indicator)
lamp illuminates,  or stays on after the vehicle has started
Properly  dispose of any  vehicle related waste such as used motor oil, used batteries, brake pads, etc.
When cleaning your car, use Volvo's  own car care products,  all of which  have systematically been adapted to
the environment.
Contents
Important
Before you operate your car for the first time, please familiarize yourself  with the BREAK-IN information on
page 56. 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.
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 Maintain correct tire pressure.
 Drive smoothly:  avoid fast  starts, hard braking and  tire screeching.
 Tire wear  increases with speed.
 Correct front  wheel alignment is very important.
 Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy and  driving comfort.
 If the wheels are rotated, they should be  kept on the same side of the car so that they revolve in the same direction
as prior  to rotation.
 Hitting curbs or potholes can damage the tires and/or wheels permanently. 
Flat spots 
All tires become warm during use. After cooling, when the vehicle is parked, the tires have a  tendency to distort
slightly,  forming flat spots. These flat spots can cause vibrations similar to the vibrations caused by unbalanced wheels.
They do, however,  disappear when the tire warms up. The degree to which  the flat spots form  depends on the type of
cord used in the tire. Remember that, in cold weather, it takes longer for the tire to warm up and  consequently longer
for the flat spot to disappear. 
CAUTION:  The car must  not be  driven with wheels of different  dimensions. The use of different  size wheels can
seriously damage your car's transmission.
pg. 77 Wheels and tires (cont.)
Snow  chains
 
Snow tire chains can be  used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
Snow chains should be  installed on front  wheels only. Use only Volvo approved snow chains.
Snow chains may be  mounted on tire dimension 195/65R15.  Tire dimension 205/55R16  requires a  special type of
snow chain. Consult your Volvo retailer. Snow chains may not be  used on 205/55R16  tires. 
If accessory,  aftermarket or "custom" tires and  wheels are installed and  are of a  size different  than the original tires
and  wheels, chains in some cases CANNOT be  used. Snow chains cannot be  used on those turbo-charged models fitted
with all-season tires 225/50R16  or 225/45R17  or 225/40R18.  Sufficient  clearances between chains and  brakes,
suspension and  body components must  be  maintained.
Some strap -on type chains will interfere  with brake components and  therefore CANNOT be  used. 
Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow chain information. 
CAUTION:
 Check local  regulations  regarding the use of snow chains before installing.
 Always follow the chains manufacturer's installation  instructions carefully. Install chains as tightly as possible and
re-tighten periodically.
 Never  exceed the chain manufacture's  specified maximum speed limit. (Under no circumstances should that limit
be  higher than 30 mph (45 km/h).
 Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns when driving with snow chains.
 The handling of the vehicle can be  adversely affected when driving with chains. Avoid fast  or sharp turns as well
as locked wheel braking.
Snow  tires, studded  tires * 
Tires for winter use: 
Owners who live in or  regularly  commute  through  areas with sustained  periods of snow or  icy driving
conditions are strongly advised to fit  suitable winter tires to help retain the highest degree of traction.  
It is important to install  winter tires on all four wheels  to help retain traction during cornering, braking and
accelerating. Failure to do so could reduce traction to an  unsafe level  or adversely affect handling. Do not mix tires of
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pg. 188 Index
A
ABS........................................17Air conditioning...........................35Air mix....................................33Air vents..................................33Airbag (SIPS)...............................8Airbag (SRS)................................4Alarm......................................44Ambient temperature sensor.................25Anti -lock  Brake  System (ABS).........17, 19,70Ashtrays...................................31Audio  systems
  General information.....................184
  SC-813..................................132  SC-816..................................145  SC-900..................................161Auto -dim (rear -view  mirror)................48Automatic  car washing.....................103Automatic  daytime running lights...........24Automatic  transmission...........61,62,63,127  Driving mode  selector....................62Automatic  transmission fluid..........117,124
B
Battery................................72,128Battery drain  - avoiding...................54Battery maintenance.......................122Booster cushion............................11Brake  failure warning light.............17,18Brake  fluid...........................116,124Brake  fluid  warning light..................18Brake  system...............................70Brake  warning light........................17Break -in period............................56Bulb  failure warning....................17,19Bulbs.....................................128Bulbs  - replacing..........................85
C
Capacities................................127Catalytic  converter........................69Central locking button.....................36Chains (snow)..............................77Changing a wheel...........................82Child  booster cushion......................11Child  Restraint  Anchorages..................9Child  safety...............................11Clock......................................16Clock  - resetting..........................25Clutch fluid..............................116Coolant - checking/changing...............120Coolant level  sensor.......................19Coolant level  warning light................17Cooling system.........................64,126Courtesy lights - front....................49Cruise control.............................29
D
Daytime running lights..................20,24Demister - rear  window.....................23Dimensions................................129Distributor ignition system...............126Doors  and locks............................42Drive  belt................................118Driving economy............................58
E
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ECC - Electronic  Climate Control........34,35Electrical  system......................64,128Electrically heated front  seats............30Electrically operated front  seats.......46,47Electrically operated sun roof.............41Electrically-operated windows..............36Emergency  towing...........................66Emergency  warning flashers.................23Engine....................................125Engine compartment........................121Engine oil........................114,115,124Engine oil - checking/changing............114Engine oil pressure........................17
F
Fog light  - rear........................17,22Fog lights - front.........................22Front  courtesy lights......................49Front  fog lights...........................22Front  seats................................46Front  seats  - heated.......................30Front  seats  - memory function..............46Front  suspension..........................126Fuel  gauge.................................16Fuel  level.................................17Fuel  requirements..........................56Fuel  system...............................126Fuel  tank  cover  - opening............15,37,57  opening manually.........................97Fuses................................91,92,93Fuses  - replacing..........................91
G
Gas tank  cover  - opening.............15,37,57  opening manually.........................97Generator..............................17,128Generator  warning light....................18
H
Hand  brake.................................30Handling...................................65Hazard warning flashers....................23Headlight  wiper  blades - replacing.........96Headlights.................................20Heated front  seats.........................30Heated side -view  mirrors...................23Heating....................................35Heating and air conditioning...............33High  beams.................................17Hoisting the car..........................110Hood.......................................51
I
Ignition switch............................21Instrument  illumination....................22Instruments.............................14,15
J
Jack.................................53,82,83Jump  starting..............................68
K
Keyless entry  system.......................43Keylock....................................59Keys.......................................42Kick -down..................................61
L
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