1998 VOLVO S90 engine overheat

1998 Volvo S90
For cold starts at altitudes
above 6000 ft (1800 m),
depress the accelerator pedal
halfway and turn the key to the
starting position. Release the
accelerator pedal slowly when
the engine starts.

4 To release the gear selector,
depress the brake pedal .See
page 61 for instructions on
manually overriding the
SHIFTLOCK system if the
lever cannot be moved. Do not
race a cold engine immediately
after starting. Oil flow may not
reach some lubricating points
fast enough to prevent engine
damage. WARNING!
Never leave car unattended
with engine running.
Always open the garage
doors fully before starting
the engine inside a garage to
ensure adequate ventilation.
The exhaust gases contain
carbon monoxide, which is
invisible and odorless but
very poisonous.

NOTE:
l Do not exceed 3000rpm until
the ticking sound disappears.
l Selecting position P or N
when idling at a standstill for
prolonged periods of time will
help prevent overheating of the
transmission oil.




Contents | Top of Page
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1998 Volvo S90
Special Tips - automatic transmission
l For driving down steep hills and when driving
for prolonged periods at low speeds, position L
should be selected. Avoid, however, repeated
changes since this can cause overheating of the
transmission oil. For driving on long continuous
uphill gradients, select position 3.
l Do not hold the car stationary on an incline by
using the accelerator pedal. Instead, apply the
hand brake (parking brake). This prevents the
transmission oil from becoming overheated.
l When towing a trailer, select shift position 3.
l The (E)conomy mode should be selected when
the cruise control is engaged.
l Never select P or R while the car is in motion.
l When initially selecting positions D, 3, L or R,
your right foot should press firmly on the brake
pedal to ensure that the car is standing still with
the engine idling.
l The gear selector should not be downshifted to
L at speeds above 75 mph (125 km/h). Always
observe posted speed limits. Cooling system

The risk for overheating is greatest, especially in
hot weather, when:
l towing a trailer up steep inclines for prolonged
periods at wide open throttle and low engine rpm.
l stopping the engine suddenly after high speed
driving (so-called "after-boiling" can occur).
To avoid overheating, the following rules should
be followed:
l Reduce speed and downshift when towing a
trailer up long, steep inclines. The risk of
overheating can be reduced by switching off the
air conditioning system for a short time.
l Do not let the engine idle unnecessarily for
prolonged periods.
l Do not mount auxiliary lamps in front of the
grill.
When the risk of overheating is imminent, or in
the event of overheating, (the temperature gauge
goes repeatedly into, or stays continually in, the
red section) the following precautions should be
taken:
l Switch off the air conditioning system.
l Pull off the road, away from traffic, stop the car
and put the gear lever into neutral. Do not stop the
engine!
l Switch the heater to full (maximum) position.
Increase the engine speed to approx. 2000 rpm
(twice idling speed) until the temperature begins
to drop.
See "Coolant" to check and top-up the coolant
level if necessary.

WARNING! Do not remove coolant expansion
tank cap. The coolant will be extremely hot.
Points to remember pg. 61
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1998 Volvo S90
cable.
Three-way catalytic converter cautions pg. 66
l Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain engine malfunctions,
particularly involving the electrical, fuel or distributor ignition syst\
ems,
may cause unusually high three-way catalytic converter temperatures. Do \
not continue to operate your vehicle if you detect engine misfire,
noticeable loss of power or other unusual operating conditions, such as \
engine overheating or backfiring. Aproperly tuned engine will help avoid\

malfunctions that could damage the three-way catalytic converter.
l Remember that tampering or unauthorized modification to the engine or
the vehicle may be illegal and can cause three-way catalytic converter o\
r
exhaust system overheating. This includes:
-Altering fuel injection settings or components.
-Altering emission system components or location or removing
components -Repeated use of leaded
fuel.
l Do not park your car
over combustible
materials, such as grass
or leaves, which can
come into contact with
the hot exhaust system
and cause such materials
to ignite under certain
wind and weather
conditions.
l Excessive starter
cranking (in excess of
one minute), with an
intermittently firing or
flooded engine, can
cause three-way catalytic
converter or exhaust
system overheating.

NOTE: Unleaded fuel is
required for cars with
three-way catalytic
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1998 Volvo S90
function) and the vehicle should
be driven to a Volvo retailer for
inspection.
The Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) helps to improve vehicle
control (stopping and steering)
during severe braking conditions
by limiting brake lock-up. When
the system "senses" impending
lock-up, braking pressure is
automatically modulated in
order to help prevent lockup,
which could lead to a skid. brake application feels normal.
This should also be done after
washing or starting in very damp
or cold weather.
Trailer towing pg. 68
When preparing for
trailer towing, observe
the following:


l Volvo recommends the use of
Volvo trailer hitches which are
specially designed for the car.
For trailer weights exceeding
2000 lbs. (908 kg), use only a
trailer hitch offered as a
Genuine Volvo accessory.
NOTE: Models with automatic
transmission are equipped with
a transmission oil cooler as
standard equipment. This cooler
helps prevent overheating of the
transmission during times of
increased load, as when towing
a trailer.
l Maximum trailer weight
recommended by Volvo is:
Trailers without brakes: 1100
lbs (500kg)
Trailers with brakes: 2" ball -
3300 lbs (1500 kg), 1 7/8" ball -
2000 lbs (908 kg).
WARNING! Never connect a
trailer's hydraulic brake
system directly to the vehicle
brake system, nor a trailer's
lighting system directly to the
vehicle lighting system.
Consult your nearest
authorized Volvo retailer for
correct installation.


All Volvo models are equipped
with energy-absorbing shock-
mounted bumpers. Trailer hitch
installation should not interfere
with the proper operation of this
bumper system. Trailer towing
does not normally present any
particular problems, but take
into consideration:
l Recommended hitch tongue
load is 110 lbs (50 kgs) for
trailer weights below 2,650 lbs
(1,200 kgs) and 165 lbs (75 kgs)
for trailer weights above 2,650
lbs (1,200 kgs).
l For trailer weights between
2,650-3,300 lbs (1,200-1,500

l Avoid overload and other
abusive operation.
l Hauling a trailer affects
handling, durability, and
economy.
l It is necessary to balance
trailer brakes with the towing
vehicle brakes to provide a safe
stop (check and observe State/
Local regulations).
l Do not connect the trailer's
brake system directly to the
vehicle's brake system.
l More frequent vehicle
maintenance is required.
l Remove the ball and drawbar
assembly when the hitch is not
being used.
l Volvo recommends the use of
synthetic engine oil when towing
a trailer over long distances or in
mountainous areas.
l The trailer hitch tongue load
(110/165 lbs - 50/75 kg) is part
of the vehicle's capacity weight.
It may be necessary to reduce the
trunk/cargo area load when
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