
1998 Volvo S90
Trunk light
A Light always off.
B Light is on when trunk lid is opened.
NOTE:See pages 78-79 for information on how
the jack should be used.
Tailgate, Child safety lock (wagon) pg. 41
Opening the tailgate
Tailgate
The tailgate is opened by pressing up
the catch on the handle.
To unlock - turn the key clockwise and
allow it to spring back.
To lock - turn the key counter-
clockwise and allow it to spring back.
NOTE:The tailgate is also unlocked
and locked at the same time as either of
the front doors.
Opening from the inside
To open the tailgate from the inside of
the vehicle move the lever to the left and
push outwards.
The handle can be used to pull the
tailgate closed from the inside.
WARNING! Do not drive with
tailgate open! Poisonous exhaust
gases may enter via the open tailgate.
Location and setting of child safety lock
Child Safety lock
The tailgate incorporates a safety catch
which is located to the side of the lock.
A the tailgate functions normally
B the tailgate cannot be opened from the
inside.
WARNING!Remember, in the event
of an accident, the tailgate cannot be
opened from the inside when the
safety catch is in position B.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1998/1998_SV90/98S90_037.htm (3 of 4)12/30/2006 \
1:52:39 PM

1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 3 - Body and interior (cont.)
Concealed storage bins, Rear seat head restraints (wagon)
pg. 42
Opening the small storage bin
Concealed storage bins
There are three storage bins under the floor of the
cargo space; the largest bin can be locked with a
key.
The lid of the largest
bin is hinged in the
middle (not useable if
the auxiliary child seat is installed).
Folding rear seat; increasing the cargo
space
The center head restraint should be lowered
manually before folding down the rear seat
backrest. The outboard head restraints retract
automatically when the backrest is folded down.
The rear seat head restraints can be raised by
pulling straight up or lowered by grasping the
restraint, pulling it slightly forward and pushing
down.
Folding rear seat (wagon) pg. 43
Seat cushion strap
The rear seat is split 60/40 so that each
section can be folded independently.
Straighten front backrests if they are
tilted too far to the rear.
Pull the strap to lift the seat cushion and
Release lever - backrest
CAUTION: Check that latches under
seat cushions engage holes at top edge of
backrest.
Seat belts must be correctly positioned as
Latches fit into holes
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1998/1998_SV90/98S90_042.htm (1 of 4)12/30/2006 \
1:52:40 PM

1998 Volvo S90
swing the cushion up and toward the
back of the front seats.
Move the backrest release lever rearward
and fold the backrest down.
When the backrest is raised, the outboard
head restraints return to their normal
position and must be raised manually if
required.
The backrest must lock into place. The
red lock indicator will not be visible if
the seat has locked into place
correctly. seat is returned to normal position. WARNING! When the rear seat is
folded down, do not place heavy
objects against the backs of the front
seats. This places a severe strain on
the folded down backrest of the rear
seat. Be sure to secure cargo. Cargo
must not be stacked higher than the
top of seatbacks. This will reduce the
possibility of luggage, etc. becoming
projectiles during sudden maneuvers,
rapid braking or an accident. The red
lock indicator is visible when the
backrest is NOT locked in position
and not visible when the backrest is
correctly locked in place. When the
backrest is in the upright position, it
must always be correctly locked in
place.
Removing seat cushions, Tool box, Securing cargo (wagon) pg. 44
Lift the seat cushion part way and
remove the seat.
Removing seat cushions
The seat cushion can be easily removed
to provide a slightly larger cargo storage
area. To remove, lift the seat cushion out
of the hinges.
Tool box
Tool box
The tool box can be released by turning
the catch.
WARNING! Do not place extremely
heavy articles the front seats, as the
backrest which is folded down is then
placed under severe strain.
Be sure to secure cargo. Hard and sharp
articles could otherwise damage the
frontseat backrest and/or cause injury to
passengers in the event of rapid braking
or a collision.
Always secure cargo
Securing cargo
As a safety precaution, the cargo space
is equipped with six eyelets to which
straps can be attached to secure
luggage.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1998/1998_SV90/98S90_042.htm (2 of 4)12/30/2006 \
1:52:40 PM

1998 Volvo S90
WARNING! The eyelets are not to
be used as passenger restraints or as
anchorages for child restraints. See
page 9.
Wagons only:
Unless the station wagon is
equipped with Volvo's auxiliary seat
for children (option) passengers
should not ride in the rear cargo
area.
Cargo space lighting, Spare tire and jack (wagon) pg. 45
Cargo space lighting
There is an extra courtesy light at the rear of the cargo space.
1 Light comes on when the tailgate is opened
2 The light is always OFF
3 The light is always ON Spare tire and jack
The spare tire and the jack are located beneath the floor mat
in the large storage bin. Always secure the spare tire and the
jack to prevent them from rattling.
NOTE: See pages 78-79 for information on how the jack
should be used.
Cargo space (wagon), loading pg. 46
Load the cargo against the backrest
Load both sections of the backrest
Tie down the cargo
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1998/1998_SV90/98S90_042.htm (3 of 4)12/30/2006 \
1:52:40 PM

1998 Volvo S90
l To slide open the sun roof :
press the lower section of the
switch.
l To close the sun roof :press
the upper section of the
switch until the sun roof has
closed completely .
l To open the rear edge of
the sun roof (ventilation
position): press the upper
section of the switch. Press
the lower section of the
switch to return the sun roof
to the closed position.
with the sun roof when the sun roof slides
back (not when the sun roof is opened to
the ventilation position).
l The sun shade can also be opened
manually even if the sun roof is closed.
l The sun shade will not close
automatically with the sun roof. It must be
closed manually.
WARNING! (SUN ROOF): The sun
roof must never be obstructed in any
way when in operation.
an overload protecting circuit breaker
(fuse no. 26) which is activated when an
object blocks the sun roof. Should this
occur, remove the object and wait 20
seconds for the circuit breaker to reset.
The sun roof should then function
normally.
l To help alleviate "rumbling" wind
noise when the sun roof is open, adjust the
position slightly (open/close).
Long load storage (sedan) pg. 50
Long load storage
In the panel behind the rear seat is a door
which makes it possible to carry long
loads such as skis, etc.
WARNING!
Cover sharp edges on load to help
prevent injury to occupants. Secure
load to help prevent shifting during
sudden stops.
Protective covers (for skis) should
also be used to avoid soiling or
tearing the upholstery. Please note
that the flap in the rear seat is only
intended for light loads such as skis,
carpets, etc.
Max. length of load 6 1/2 ft = 2m.
Max. weight of load 33 lbs = 15 kg.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1998/1998_SV90/98S90_048.htm (2 of 4)12/30/2006 \
1:52:40 PM

1998 Volvo S90
WARNING!
Always turn engine off and apply
parking brake when loading/
unloading the vehicle. Place
transmission selector in P (PARK)
position to help prevent
inadvertent movement of selector.
Alarm pg. 51
Alarm LED
Alarm
To lock: Press the lock/panic button
once to lock all doors and trunk/tailgate
and arm the security system. Lamps will
flash to acknowledge that the vehicle is
locked and the security system is armed.
To unlock: Press the unlock button once
to unlock the driver's door only and
disarm the security system.
Press the unlock button again (within 10
seconds) to unlock all doors and trunk/
tailgate.
Emergency function
To activate the " panic alarm
"function:
Press and hold lock/panic button for at
least 3 seconds. The car's lights will
flash and an alarm will sound for
approximately 30 seconds.
This function can be switched off at
any time by pressing either of the
buttons.
Programming a transmitter
New transmitters (max. 4) must be
programmed to function with your
alarm system. To do this:
l Make sure all doors, hood and
trunk/tailgate are closed.
l Turn the ignition on and off 5
times within 10 seconds. On the
fifth try, leave the ignition on.
l Press either button on the
transmitter. NOTE: The first transmitter must be
programmed within 15 seconds, the
others within 10 second intervals.
When the alarm system accepts the
codes from each transmitter, the
LED on the dash will glow steadily
for several seconds.
l Switch the ignition off and test the
transmitter(s).
Batteries
The remote transmitter is powered
by 2 three-volt batteries, type CR
1220. If three short signals are
audible from the transmitter each
time you lock/unlock the car, this
indicates that the batteries are weak.
Replacement: Remove the battery
cover on the back of the transmitter
with a coin. Replace the batteries.
Reinstall the cover, making sure it is
secured tightly to help protect the
transmitter.
NOTE: If only the driver's door is
unlocked, the lock will automatically
reengage (re-lock) and the alarm will
reset after 30 seconds unless the
door has been opened.
If all of the doors were unlocked (by
pushing button 2 twice within 10
seconds) and no door/trunk/tailgate
was opened within two minutes, all
locks will reengage and the alarm
will reset. This is to prevent the
vehicle from being left unlocked if
the unlock button is inadvertently
pressed.
The lock/unlock and alarm features
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1998/1998_SV90/98S90_048.htm (3 of 4)12/30/2006 \
1:52:40 PM

1998 Volvo S90
A new car should be broken-in!
Refrain from utilizing your car's full driving
potential, e.g. full-throttle acceleration, during the
first 1,200 miles (2,000 km).
Automatic transmission
Do not use "kick-down" during the first 1,200
miles (2,000 km).
NOTE - ENGINE OIL:
Although some oil consumption 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 108.
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 refuelled is one of the most important items
you can perform to help keep your car in good
running order.
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.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1998/1998_SV90/98S90_053.htm (2 of 6)12/30/2006 \
1:52:41 PM

1998 Volvo S90
Volvo allows the use of the
following "oxygenated fuels";
however, the octane ratings
listed on this page must still be
met. 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.
Driving economy pg. 56
Economical driving
conserves natural
resources
Better driving economy may be
obtained by thinking ahead,
avoiding rapid starts and stops
and adjusting the speed of your
vehicle to immediate traffic
conditions. Observe the
following rules:
l Bring the engine to normal
operating temperature as soon
as possible by driving with a
light foot on the accelerator
pedal for the first few minutes
of operation. A cold engine
uses more fuel and is subject to
increased wear.
l Whenever possible, avoid
using the car for driving short
distances. This does not allow
the engine to reach normal
operating temperature.
l Drive carefully and avoid
rapid acceleration and hard
braking.
l Do not exceed speed limit.
l Avoid carrying unnecessary
items (extra load) in the car.
l Check tire pressure regularly
l Remove snow tires when
threat of snow or ice has ended.
l Note that roof racks, ski
racks, etc., increase air
resistance and thereby fuel
consumption.
l Avoid using automatic
transmission kick-down feature
unless necessary.
l Avoid using the air
conditioning when it is not
required. When engaged, the
air conditioner's compressor
places places an additional load
on the engine. However, please
note that fuel consumption is
lower with the air conditioning
on than it is when driving with
the air conditioning switched
off and the windows down.
Other factors which decrease
gas mileage are:
l Worn or dirty spark plugs
l Incorrect spark plug gap
l Dirty air cleaner
l Dirty engine oil and clogged
oil filter
l Dragging brakes
l Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1998/1998_SV90/98S90_053.htm (4 of 6)12/30/2006 \
1:52:41 PM