1998 VOLVO S90 towing

1998 Volvo S90
Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS)

If the warning lamp lights up
there is a malfunction of the
ABS system (the standard
braking system will however
function). The vehicle should be
driven to a Volvo retailer for
inspection.
See page 67 for additional
information.
Canadian models are equipped
with this warning light:


Mode "W" engaged

The lamp will light up when the
Winter/Wet mode is engaged.
If the warning lamp begins to
flash,this means that there is a
fault in the automatic gearbox.
Contact your Volvo retailer.
Supplemental
Restraint System

If the light comes on (or stays
on after the vehicle has started),
the SRS diagnostic system has
detected a fault. Drive to an
authorized Volvo retailer for an
inspection of the system. See
the SRS section for more
information.

Service reminder
indicator

This light will come on at
10,000 mile (16,000 km)
intervals. It is a reminder to the
driver that the 10,000 mile
(16,000 km) service interval has
been exceeded. The light will
stay on 2 minutes after start
until reset by the servicing
retailer.

Coolant level sensor

If the light comes on while
driving, the coolant level is low.
The coolant level in the
expansion tank should be
checked immediately and
topped off if necessary. The
cooling system should be
inspected by an authorized
Volvo retailer.
Turn signal indicators-
trailer (certain models)

When towing a trailer, this light
will flash simultaneously with
the turn signals on the trailer. If
the light does not flash when
signaling, neither the trailer's turn
signals nor the car's turn signals
are functioning.

Bulb failure warning
light

The light will come on if any of
the following bulbs are defective:
one of the low beam headlights
one of the tail lights
one of the brake lights when the
brake pedal is depressed.
Check the fuse and bulb.
See sections titled "Replacing
bulbs" and "Fuses".
Lighting, Turn signals pg. 20
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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
and third gears when in
driving modes E or S. There
is no upshift from third gear.
Position 3 can be used for
driving in hilly terrain, for
towing trailers or for
increased engine braking
power.
CAUTION: Never select P
or R while the car is in
motion. 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. The gear
selector should not be
downshifted to L at speeds
above 75 mph (125 km/h). -
Always observe posted
speed limits!
Automatic transmission pg. 59


Shift gate positions

The gear selector can be moved
freely between D and 3.
Selections of other positions are

Kick-down

Automatic shift to a lower gear
(kick-down) is achieved by
depressing the accelerator pedal
fully and briskly.
An up-shift will be achieved
when approaching the top speed
for a particular gear or by
releasing the accelerator pedal
slightly. Kick-down can be used
for maximum acceleration or
when passing at highway
speeds.
The indicator lamp in the
instrument panel lights up when
mode W is selected. Press button
W in order to disengage this
mode.
When mode W is disengaged,
the gearbox automatically
reverts to the previously selected
S or E mode.
If the indicator lamp begins to
flash, this is an indication of a
fault in the automatic gearbox. If
the transmission does not shift
properly, place the gear selector
in position L. Please contact
your Volvo retailer if this
occurs.
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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
Chapter 4 (cont)
Emergency towing (pulling of vehicles)
pg. 63
Precautionary steps to observe when car is in tow
l Steering must be unlocked.
l Please check with state and local authorities before attempting this typ\
e of towing, as vehicles being
towed are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length \
and type of towing device,
lighting, etc.
l Remember that power brake and power steering assists will not be availab\
le when engine is
inoperative. Brake pedal pressure required is 3 - 4 times above normal a\
nd greater steering effort must
be exerted.
l Gear selector in position N. Check transmission oil level (see section \
titled "Transmission oil").
l Maximum speed: 20 mph (30 km/h).
l Maximum distance with rear wheels on ground: 20 miles (30 km).
l If the battery is dead, it is not possible to release the gear selector \
by pressing the brake pedal.
Release the gear selector manually, see page 61.
Cars equipped with automatic transmission/three-way catalytic converters\
cannot be started by pushing
or pulling the car.
CAUTION: The towing eyelets must not be used for pulling another vehicle\
out of a ditch or any
similar purpose involving severe strain.
Do not attempt to start the car by pushing or pulling it as damage to th\
e three-way catalytic converter
can result.
Vehicle towing information pg. 64
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1998 Volvo S90
Only use wheel lift or flat bed equipment.
CAUTION:
Sling-type equipment applied at the front will
damage radiator and air conditioning lines.
It is equally important not to use slingtype
equipment at the rear or apply lifting equipment
inside the rear wheels: serious damage to the
rear axle may result.
WARNING!
Do not use the towing eyelets on the car to pull
the car up onto a flat bed tow truck.
Jump starting pg. 65
Jump starting Check that cars are not touching to prevent
premature completion of negative circuit. Note the position
of the battery terminals and using jumper cables, first
connect booster battery positive (+) terminal (1) to car
battery positive (+) terminal (2). Then connect the 12 volt
booster battery negative (-) terminal (3) to a stationary solid
metal part on the engine at a point away from the battery
(4).
Do not connect booster cable to any part of fuel system or
any moving parts. Avoid touching hot manifolds. After
engine has started, remove first the negative (-) terminal
jumper cable. Then remove the positive (+) terminal jumper
WARNING!
l To reduce the possibility of
explosion, never expose battery to
open flame or electric spark.
l Do not smoke near battery.
l Batteries generate hydrogen gas
which is flammable and explosive.
l Battery fluid contains sulfuric
acid. Do not allow battery fluid to
contact eyes, skin, fabrics or painted
surfaces. If contact occurs, flush
affected area immediately with
water.
l Obtain medical attention
immediately if eyes are affected.
Failure to follow the instructions for
jump starting can lead to personal
injury.
CAUTION: Improper hook-up of
jumper cables or use of other than 12-
volt batteries could result in damage
to equipment and/or battery.
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1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 4 (cont)
Brake system
pg. 67


If one of the brake
circuits should
malfunction, the red
warning light will come
on


The pedal stroke increases
slightly, the pedal feels softer
and extra pressure is required for
normal braking.
If the light comes on while
driving or braking, stop
immediately and check the brake
fluid level in the reservoir.

WARNING!
If the fluid level is below the
MIN mark in either section
of the reservoir: DO NOT
DRIVE. Tow the car to a
Volvo retailer and have the
brake system checked and
repaired.




Anti-lock Brake System
– ABS


If the warning lamp lights up
there is a malfunction of the
ABS system (the standard
braking system will however

The system performs a self-
diagnostic test when the vehicle
is started and at 4 mph (6 km/h).
The driver may detect one
pulsation of the brake pedal,
which is normal.
To obtain optimal effect from
the ABS system, constant
pressure should be kept on the
brake pedal while the system
is modulating the brakes. Do
not pump the brake pedal.
The switching of the ABS
modulator will be audible at this
time.
Please be aware that ABS does
not increase the absolute braking
potential of the vehicle.
While control will be enhanced,
ABS will not shorten stopping
distances on slippery surfaces.

Moisture on brake
discs and brake pads
affects braking.


Driving in rain and slush or
passing through an automatic car
wash can cause water to collect
on the brake discs and pads.
This will cause a delay in
braking effect when the pedal is
depressed. To avoid such a delay
when the brakes are needed,
depress the pedal occasionally
when driving through rain, slush
etc. This will remove the water
from the brakes. Check that
Severe strain on the
brake system


The brakes will be subject to
severe strain when driving in
mountains or hilly areas or
towing. The speed is usually low
which means that the cooling of
the brakes is less efficient than
when driving on level roads. To
reduce the strain on the brakes it
is advisable not to use the brakes
excessively. Instead, shift into a
lower gear, position 3 or in some
cases L ,and let the engine help
with the braking.
Do not forget that, if you are
towing a trailer, the brakes will
be subjected to greater load than
is normal.

If the brake power-
assist does not
function


The power assist to the brakes
functions only when the engine
is running. When the car is
moving without the engine
running the brake pedal pressure
required to stop the car is
increased by 3-4 times.
The brake pedal feels stiff and
hard.
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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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