1998 VOLVO C70 engine

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 comfort in mind. To help ensure your satisfaction with this
vehicle, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the equipment descriptions, operating instructions and
maintenance requirements/recommendations in this manual. We also urge you and your passengers to wear seat belts
at all times in this (or any other) automobile. And, of course, please do not operate a vehicle if you may be affected by
alcohol, medication or any impairment that could hinder your ability to drive.
Your Volvo is designed to meet all applicable safety and emission standards, as evidenced by the certification labels
attached to the driver's door opening and on the left wheel housing in the engine compartment.
Volvo and the environment
Volvo is committed to the well being of our customers. As a natural part of this commitment, we care about the
environment in which we all live. Caring for the environment means an everyday involvement in reducing our
environmental impact.
Volvo's environmental activities are based on a holistic view, which means we consider the overall environmental
impact of a product throughout its complete life cycle. In this context, design, production, product use, and recycling
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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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11 Electrically operated sun roof (optional)41
12 Rear window demister/heated door mirrors
23
13 Air mix
33
14 Air vents
33
15 Passenger side air bag (SRS) hatch
4-6
16 Air vents
33
17 Hood release
51
18 Turn signals, high/low beams
20
Cruise control
29
19 Adjustable steering wheel
32
20 Windshield wiper/washer
21
21 Heated front seats (optional)
30
22 Auxiliary socket
31
23 Audio systems
131
24 Heating and ventilation controls
33-35
25 Hazard warning flashers
23
26 Ashtray
31
27 Coin holder
28 Shiftlock release button (automatic transmission only)
97
29 Gear selector shift positions
60-62
30 Transmission mode selectors
62
31 Parking brake
30
32 Horn/SRS
4-6
33 Trunk open control
52
34 Power window controls
36
35 Power mirror controls
48
36 Fuel tank open control
37
37 Central locking button
36
Some of the items above are available on certain models only.
Shiftlock (automatic transmission only)
When your car is parked, the gear selector is locked in the (P)ark position. To release the selector from this position,
turn the ignition key to position II (or start the engine), depress the brake pedal, press the button on the front side of the
gear selector and move the selector from (P)ark.
If it is necessary to manually override the shiftlock system:
Turn the starting (ignition) key to position I
Press firmly on the "SHIFTLOCK OVERRIDE" button located near the base of the gear selector.
While holding the override button down, press the button on the front of the gear selector.
Move the gear selector from the ( P)ark position.
Keylock (automatic transmission only)
This means that when you switch off the ignition, the gear selector must be in the (P)ark position before the starting
(ignition) key can be removed from the ignition switch.
Anti -lock Brake System (ABS)
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The ABS system in your car performs a self -diagnostic test when the vehicle first reaches the speed of approximately
12 mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and a sound may be audible from the ABS control
module. This is normal.
Fuel tank cover
The fuel tank cover is locked and must be popped open using the control on the driver's door.
The pages in this section provide detailed descriptions of the vehicle's instruments and controls. Note that vehicles may
be equipped differently, depending on special legal requirements.
pg. 16 Instruments
1 Fuel gauge
The fuel tank holds approximately 18.4 US gals. (70 liters). When the warning light comes on there is approximately
1.8 US gals. (8 liters) of fuel remaining. See "Refueling" for further information.

2 Temperature gauge
Do not drive the car with the pointer in the red range. The pointer should be approximately midway on the gauge
face when driving. If the pointer approaches the red range repeatedly, check coolant level. See page 130
.
3 Speedometer
4 Clock, ambient temperature sensor, trip computer (certain models)
5 Odometer
6 Trip odometer
Used for measuring shorter distances. The last digit indicates 1/10 mile/kilometer.
7 Trip odometer reset button
8 Tachometer
Reads thousands of engine rpm. The engine should not be operated in red range. The highest permitted constant
engine speed is 6,200 rpm.

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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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Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may be used.
Ethanol may also be referred to as Ethyl alcohol, or "Gasohol".
Ethers — MTBE
Fuels containing up to 15% MTBE may be used.
Refueling
The fuel filler cap is located inside the fuel tank cover on the right rear fender.
NOTE: The fuel tank cover is locked and must be popped open using the control on the driver's door (see page 37).

Open fuel filler cap slowly during hot weather conditions.
When filling, hang the cap on the special bracket on the inside of the fuel tank cover.
NOTE: Turn the ignition off or to position I when refueling. If the ignition is on, an incorrect reading could occur in
the fuel gauge (low fuel level will be indicated).
After filling the tank, install the cap and turn until a "click" is heard.
The fuel tank is designed to hold approximately 18.4 US gal. (70 liters) with sufficient volume left over to
accommodate possible expansion of the fuel in hot weather. Be aware that the "usable" tank will be somewhat less than
the specified maximum. When the fuel level is low, such factors as ambient temperature, the fuel's "vapor pressure"
characteristics, and terrain can affect the fuel pumps' ability to supply the engine with an adequate supply of fuel.
Therefore, it is advisable to refuel as soon as possible when the needle nears the red zone, or when the fuel warning
light comes on.
CAUTION:
Do not refuel with the engine running. After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise until it
clicks into place.
Allow for fuel expansion by not overfilling the tank. Overfilling could also cause damage to the emission control
systems.
NOTE: If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the car is refueled, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may indicate a fault. Use only Volvo original or approved fuel filler caps.
CAUTION: Avoid spilling gasoline during refueling. Gasolines containing alcohol can cause damage to painted
surfaces, which may not be covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Do not use gasoline containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). This practice can result in vehicle
performance deterioration and can damage critical parts in the fuel system. Such damage may not be covered under
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Contents | Top of Page
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pg. 99 Car care
Car care

Car care includes not only maintaining the appearance of the car, but also protecting the car exterior from the effects of
air pollution, rain, mud or road salt. The paintwork should also be touched up immediately, if damaged, to prevent rust
formation.
Paint touch-up
100-101
Washing102
Automatic car washing, Polishing and waxing103
Cleaning the upholstery104
pg. 100 Paint touch-up
Paint touch -up

Paint damage requires immediate attention to avoid rusting. Make it a habit to check the finish regularly - when
washing the car for instance. Touch up if necessary.
Paint repairs require special equipment and skill. Contact your Volvo retailer for any extensive damage.
Minor scratches can be repaired by using Volvo touch-up paint.
NOTE: When ordering touch-up paint from your Volvo retailer, use the paint code indicated on the model plate. The
plate is located in the engine compartment, on the inside of the left front fender.
Minor stone chips and scratches
Material:
Primer - can
Paint - touch-up bottle
Brush
Masking tape
NOTE: When touching up the car, it should be clean and dry. The surface temperature should be above 60° F (15° C).
Scars on the surface
If the stone chip has not penetrated down to the metal and undamaged layer of paint remains, the touch-up paint can be
applied as soon as the spot has been cleaned.
pg. 101 Paint touch-up (cont.)
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