1998 VOLVO S90 Owners Manual

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.


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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
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1998 Volvo S90
can also be utilized by using the
keys. See section: Keys, Doors and
Locks on page 32.
If the alarm LED glows
continuously for 5 seconds, this
indicates a fault in the system or that
a door is not properly closed.




Contents | Top of Page
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1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 4 - Starting and driving
pg. 53
Starting and driving
This section on starting and driving contains items
such as starting the engine, operating gear selector, towing, trailers.
Break-in period pg. 54

Fuel requirements, Refueling pg. 54
Driving economy pg. 56
Starting the engine pg. 57
Automatic Transmission pg. 58
Points to remember pg. 60
Emergency towing pg. 63
Vehicle Towing Information pg. 64
Jump starting pg. 65
Three-way catalytic converter pg. 66
Brake system, ABS pg. 67
Trailer towing pg. 68
Winter driving pg. 69
Before a long distance trip pg. 70
Break-in period, Fuel requirements pg. 54
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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.
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1998 Volvo S90
NOTE: Do not add additives yourself to the
gasoline, unless you are recommended to do so
by an authorized Volvo retailer.
Fuel requirements, Refueling pg. 55
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.
Alcohol -- Ethanol
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 tank filler cap is
located behind the door on the
left rear fender. Open cap
slowly during hot weather
conditions.
When filling, position the cap
in the special bracket on the
door.
After filling the tank, install the
cap and turn until a "click" is
heard.
The fuel tank is designed to
hold approximately 21.1 US
gals (80 liters) with sufficient
volume left over to
accommodate possible
expansion of the fuel in hot
weather. The "usable" capacity
is 20.3 US gallons (77 liters).
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 CAUTION:
l 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.
l 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.
l Allow for fuel expansion by
not overfilling the tank.
Overfilling could also cause
damage to the emission control
systems.
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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

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1998 Volvo S90
(check when tires are cold). items and others are checked at
the standard Maintenance
Service intervals.

NOTE: Since using (D)rive
improves fuel economy, it
should be used as often as
possible.
Starting the engine pg. 57
Starting and stopping a
car equipped with
automatic transmission

1 Fasten the seat belt.
WARNING! Before
starting, check that the seat
is adjusted properly. Make
sure the brake pedal can be
depressed completely. Move
the seat closer if necessary.
Refer to section "Front
seats".

2 Apply the parking brake, if
not already set. The gear
selector is locked in the (P)ark
position (SHIFTLOCK).

3Without touching the
accelerator pedal ,turn the
ignition key to the starting
position. Allow the starter to
operate for 5-10 seconds.
Release the key as soon as the
engine starts. If the engine fails
to start, repeat step 3.

5 Select desired gear. The gear
engages after a slight delay,
especially noticeable when
selecting R.
CAUTION: Engine should
be idling; never accelerate
until after you feel the gear
engage! Too rapid
acceleration immediately
after selecting a gear will
cause harsh engagement and
premature transmission
wear.

NOTE:Your car is equipped
with a KEYLOCK system.
When the engine is switched
off, the gear selector must be in
the (P)ark position before the
key can be removed from the
ignition switch.

Engine warm-up - initial
driving procedure

Engines in vehicles driven short
distances are subject to
abnormally rapid wear because
the engine never reaches normal
operating temperature. It is
therefore beneficial to reach
normal operating temperature as
soon as possible. This is best
achieved by driving with a light
foot on the accelerator pedal for
a few minutes after starting,
rather than prolonged idling.

B6304 S Engine


This engine features hydraulic
valve lifters which means that
valve clearance is adjusted
automatically. It is possible that
the valve lifters will produce a
ticking sound for the first few
seconds after the engine is
started, while the oil pressure is
increasing.
If the car has not been used for a
long period of time, this ticking
sound may last for up to 15
minutes. This is entirely normal.
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