
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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Chapter 4 - Starting and driving
pg. 55 Starting and driving
Starting and  driving
 
This section on starting and  driving contains items such as starting the engine, operating the gear selector, towing,
trailers, etc. 
Break-in period
56
Fuel requirements, Refueling56-57
Driving economy58
Starting the engine59
Manual transmission60
Automatic transmission61
Points to remember64
Emergency towing66
Vehicle towing information67
Jump  starting68
Three-way catalytic converter69
Brake system, ABS70
Trailer towing71
Winter driving72
Long distance trips73
pg. 56 Break-in  period, Fuel  requirements
A new car should  be broken -in
 
Refrain from  utilizing your car's full driving potential during the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) including the "kick -
down"  function (automatic transmission). 
NOTE - ENGINE  OIL:  
Although some oil consumption occurs during normal engine operation, more oil is consumed when the engine is new
as the internal parts  generate  higher friction  while wearing-in to each other. From the time the engine is new until
the first service  is performed, the oil consumption  could be higher than  normal. For this reason, it is especially
important to check  the oil every time you refuel your car during this period. See  page 114
. 
In general,  the rate of oil consumption depends on such factors as: engine temperature, length of trip, driving
conditions, oil viscosity and  quality, engine speed and  acceleration/deceleration. 
Checking your engine oil level  each time the car is refueled is one  of the most  important items you can perform to
help keep your car in good running order. 
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Manual  transmission 
The following speeds should not be  exceeded during the break-in period: Up to 600 miles 
(1000 km)600 - 1,200 miles 
(1000 - 2000 km)
1st gear 20 mph (30 km/h)25 mph (40 km/h)
2nd gear 30 mph (50 km/h)40 mph (70 km/h)
3rd gear 45 mph (80 km/h)65 mph (100 km/h)
4th gear 70 mph (110 km/h)80 mph (130 km/h)
5th gear/overdrive 80 mph (130 km/h)95 mph (150 km/h)
Posted speed limits should not be exceeded.  
Deposit control gasoline  (detergent additives) 
Volvo recommends the use of gasoline containing deposit control additives. These additives have shown to be  efficient
in keeping injectors  and  intake  valves clean. Consistent use of deposit control gasolines will help ensure good
driveability and  fuel economy. If you are not sure whether the gasoline contains deposit control additives, check with
the service station operator. 
Unleaded  Fuel 
Each Volvo has a  three-way catalytic converter and  must  use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. and  Canadian regulations
require that pumps delivering unleaded gasoline be  labeled "UNLEADED".  Only these pumps have nozzles which  fit
your car's filler  inlet. It is unlawful to dispense  leaded fuel into a  vehicle labeled "unleaded gasoline only". Leaded
gasoline damages the three-way catalytic converter and  the heated oxygen  sensor system. Repeated use of leaded
gasoline will lessen  the effectiveness of the emission control system and  could result in loss of emission warranty
coverage. State and  local  vehicle inspection programs will make detection of misfueling easier, possibly resulting in
emission test failure for misfueled  vehicles. 
NOTE:  Some U.S. and  Canadian gasolines contain  an  octane enhancing additive called methyl-cyclopentadienyl
manganese  tricarbonyl (MMT). If such fuels  are used, your Emission Control System  performance may be  affected,
and  the Malfunction  Indicator Lamp located on your instrument panel may light. If this  occurs, please return your
vehicle to an  authorized Volvo retailer for service. 
pg. 57 Fuel  requirements, Refueling
Octane Rating
 
Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium gasoline with an  octane rating. AKI of 91,
or above. AKI (ANTI KNOCK INDEX)  is an  average of the Research Octane Number, RON, and  the Motor Octane
Number, MON, (RON  +  MON/ 2). 
The minimum octane requirement is AKI 87 (RON  91). 
Gasoline  containing  alcohol  and  ethers 
"Oxygenated fuels"  
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing "oxygenates"  which  are usually alcohols or ethers. In some areas, state or
local  laws require that the service pump be  marked indicating use of alcohol  or ethers. However, there are areas in
which  the pumps are unmarked. If you are not sure whether there is alcohol  or ethers in the gasoline you buy, check
with the service station operator. 
To meet  seasonal air quality restrictions,  some states require the use of "oxygenated" fuel in certain areas. 
Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygenated fuels; however,  the octane ratings listed on this  page must  still  be
met. 
Alcohol — Ethanol  
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Manual transmission  fluidQuality: Volvo synthetic gearbox oil
1161423
Capacity:  2.2 US qts (2.1 liters)
Power steering fluid Quality: ATF Capacity: 0.85 US qts. (0.8 liters)
Brake fluid Quality: DOT 4+ Capacity: 0.64 US qts. (0.6 liters)
* Add 0.95 qts. (0.9 liters) if the oil cooler has been drained 
All specifications are subject to change without notice.  
pg. 125 Engine
Engine
 
Liquid-cooled gasoline, 5-cylinder, in-line engine. Aluminum alloy cylinder block with cast-iron cylinder liners cast
directly into block. Aluminum alloy cylinder head with double overhead camshafts and  separate intake  and  outlet
channels. 
Engine lubrication is provided by an  eccentric pump driven from  the crankshaft. Full-flow type oil filter.  Exhaust
emission control accomplished by multiport fuel injection, heated oxygen  sensor(s) and  three-way catalytic converter. 
Designation:  Volvo B  5254 T
Output                             190 hp at 5100  rpm (142  kw  85 rps)
Max torque                      199 ft. lbs.  at 1800 -4998  rpm (270  Nm/30 -83.3  rps)
Number of cylinders              5
Bore                             3.27"  (83 mm)
Stroke                          3.54"  (90 mm)
Displacement                    2.4 liters
Compression ratio                9.0:1
Number of valves                20
Valve  clearance                  Self -adjusting
Designation:  Volvo B  5234 T3
Output                             236 hp at 5100  rpm (176  kw/85  rps)
Max torque                      243 ft. lbs.  at 2700 -5100  rpm (330  Nm/45 -85 rps)
Number of cylinders              5
Bore                             3.19"  (81 mm)
Stroke                          3.54"  (90 mm)
Displacement                    2.3 liters
Compression ratio                8.5:1
Number of valves                20
Valve  clearance                  Self -adjusting
All specifications are subject to change without notice.  
  
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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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SIPS........................................8Snow  chains................................77Snow  tires.................................77Spare  tire..............................53,84Spark  plugs...............................126Spark  plugs  - replacing...................110Specifications............................123SRS.....................................5,6,7SRS (airbag)................................4SRS diagnostic  system......................19SRS warning light.....................5,17,19Starting the engine........................59Steering wheel  adjustment..................32Steering wheel  lock........................21Storage compartments.......................40Studded tires..............................77Sun roof................................23,41Supplemental Restraint  System (SRS).........4
T
Tachometer.................................16Temperature gauge..........................16Temporary  spare  tire.......................84Three -way catalytic  converter..............69Tire  pressure..............................78Tires  - changing...........................82Towing..................................66,67Towing a trailer...........................71Traction Control System (TRACS)......17,19,23Trailer towing.............................71Trip  computer.....................23,26,27,28Trip  odometer..............................16Trunk  - opening/locking....................52Trunk  light................................53Turn  signals............................17,20
U
Uniform tire  quality grading...............79Upholstery  - cleaning.....................104
V
Vanity mirrors.............................49Vehicle Identification  Number (VIN).......106Vehicle loading...........................127Volvo  On Call.............................130
W
Warning flashers...........................23Warning lights..........................18,19Warranty..................................107Washer fluid  level.........................17Washer fluid  reservoir....................119Washing...................................102Waxing....................................103Weights...................................129Wheel  changing..........................82,83Wheels and tires...........................76Windows - electrically-operated............36Windshield  washer nozzles.................119Windshield  washers/wipers..................21Windshield  wiper  blades - replacing........95Winter driving.............................72
  
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