1998 Volvo S90
are used properly. However, children
could be endangered in a crash if the
child restraints are not properly secured
in the vehicle. Failure to follow the
installation instructions for your child
restraint can result in your child striking
the vehicle's interior in a sudden stop.
Holding a child in your arms is NOT a
suitable substitute for a child restraint
system. In an accident, a child held in a
person's arms can be crushed between
the vehicle's interior and an unrestrained
person. The child could also be injured
by striking the interior, or by being
ejected from the vehicle during a sudden
maneuver or impact. The same can also
happen if the infant or child rides
unrestrained on the seat. Other
occupants should also be properly
restrained to help reduce the chance of
injuring or increasing the injury of a
child. All states and provinces have
legislation governing how and where
children should be carried in a car. Find
out the regulations existing in your state
or province. l Make sure the child restraint
system is approved for the child's
height, weight and development -
the label required by the standard
or regulation, or instructions for
infant restraints, typically provide
this information.
l In using any child restraint
system, we urge you to look
carefully over the instructions
that are provided with the
restraint. Be sure you
understand them and can use
the device properly and safely
in this vehicle. A misused child
restraint system can result in
increased injuries for both the
infant or child and other
occupants in the vehicle.
l If your child restraint requires a
top tether strap, consult your
authorized Volvo retailer for top
tether anchorage and installation
information.
is available for use in the luggage
compartment of station wagon models.
This seat is designed for two children,
each weighing between 23 - 40 kg (50 -
88 lbs.) and up to 150 cm (59 inches) in
height.
WARNING!
l When using the auxiliary seat
for children, both sections of
the rear seat backrest must be
secured in the upright position
l Do not use a booster cushion or
child seat in conjunction with
the auxiliary seat.
Occupant Safety pg. 13
Seat belt maintenance
Check periodically that the anchor bolts
are secure and that the belts are in good
condition. Use water and a mild
detergent for cleaning. Check seat belt
mechanism function as follows: Attach
the seat belt and pull rapidly on the strap.
Volvo Concern for Safety
Safety is the cornerstone for Volvo. Our
concern dates back to 1927 when the
first Volvo rolled off the production line.
Three-point seat belts (a Volvo
invention), safety cages, and energy-
absorbing impact zones were designed
into Volvo cars long before it was
fashionable or required by government
regulation. We will not compromise our
commitment to safety. We continue to
seek out new safety features and to refine
those already in our cars. You can help.
We would appreciate hearing your
suggestions about improving automobile
Occupant safety
How safely you drive doesn't depend on
how old you are but rather on:
l how well you see
l your ability to concentrate
l how quickly you make decisions
under stress to avoid an accident.
The tips listed below are
suggestions to help you cope with
the ever changing traffic
environment.
l Never drink and drive.
l If you are taking any medication,
consult your physician about its
potential effects on your driving
abilities.
l Take a driver-retraining course
l Have your eyes checked regularly
l Keep your windshield and
headlamps clean.
l Replace wiper blades when they
start to leave streaks.
l Take into account the traffic,
Reporting Safety Defects in
the U.S.
If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in
addition to notifying Volvo Cars of
North America. If NHTSA receives
similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you,
your retailer, or Volvo Cars of North
America. To contact NHTSA, you
may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393
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1998 Volvo S90
cold-weather oil for hard driving or in warm
weather. See section "Engine oil" for more
information.
l The load placed on the battery is greater during
the winter since the heater, windshield wipers,
lighting etc. are used more often. Moreover, the
capacity of the battery decreases as the
temperature drops. In very cold weather, a poorly
charged battery can freeze and be damaged. It is
therefore advisable to check the state of charge
more frequently and spray an anti-rust oil on the
battery posts.
l Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all
four wheels for winter driving - see section
"Wheels and tires".
l To prevent the washer reservoir from freezing,
add washer solvents containing antifreeze. This is
important since dirt is often splashed on the
windshield during winter driving, thus requiring
frequent use of the washers and wipers.
functions when the transmission is in reverse.
Also see "Winter/Wet" mode on page 59.
Winter/Wet mode
Enhanced Vehicle Traction
This mode may be selected for starting/moving
off on slippery roads or to lower downshift speeds
if the transmission is in "L".
Mode W
*In position D, the gearbox starts in third gear and
changes up to fourth gear.
*In position 3, second gear is locked and there is
no change up to third gear. In position L, first gear
is locked.
*These positions always offer the kick-down
feature.
Long distance trip pg. 70
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your car checked at a Volvo retailer
before driving long distances. Your retailer will also be able to supply\
you with bulbs, fuses, spark plugs and wiper blades for your use in the \
event that problems occur.
If you prefer to check the car yourself, please note the following:
l Check that the engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is
normal.
l Check engine oil, coolant levels, and for possible fuel leakage.
l Check transmission oil level and rear axle for leakage.
l Check condition of drive belts.
l Check state of charge of battery.
l Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and replace those
that are worn. Check tire pressures.
l The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be
checked by your Volvo retailer only.
l Check all lights, including high beams.
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1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 6 - In case of an emergency
pg. 77
In case of an emergency
Even if you maintain your car in good running condition, there is always\
the possibility that something might go wrong and prevent you from
driving, such as a punctured tire, blown fuse or bulb, etc. For addition\
al information, see section "ON CALL Road Assistance".
Changing a wheel pg. 78
Temporary spare tire pg. 80
Replacing bulbs pg. 81
Replacing fuses pg. 89
Installation of accessories pg. 93
Replacing wiper blades pg. 94
Wheel changing
pg. 78
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1998 Volvo S90
In order to avoid interference and damage to your car's electrical syste\
m, your car is supplied with two
connectors for the installation of a telephone and other electrical acce\
ssories. The two connectors are
located beneath the glove compartment behind the soundproofing panel.
When installing the accessories or the telephone, contact an authorized \
Volvo workshop.
Black connector (for accessories)
Position Connection Max.
load
1 Earth (31) 4A
2 High beam (56
A) 1A
3 Rheostat (PR) 1A
4 Battery + (30) 16 A*
Yellow connector (for telephone)
Position Connection Max.
load
1 Earth (31) 4A
2 Ignition positions I and
II 1A
3
4 Battery + (30) 16 A*
*The maximum combined load for Position 4 - black connector + Position 4\
- yellow connector is 16A.
Replacing wiper blades pg.94
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1998 Volvo S90
Replacing wiper
blades
Lift the wiper arm off
the windshield and hold
blade at right angles to
arm. Pinch the end of
the plastic clip located
at the back of the arm.
Slide the wiper blade
along the arm to release
it from the hook.
Install new blade
(installation is the
reverse of removal) and
make sure that it is
properly attached to the
wiper arm.
For reasons of safety,
you should change the
windshield wiper blades
as soon as they start to
leave marks on the
windshield or fail to
wipe efficiently and
cleanly.
To obtain maximum
lifetime from a set of
wiper blades, clean
them with a stiff-bristle
brush and warm, soapy
water as part of a
normal car wash.
Replacing headlight
wiper blades (certain
models)
Pull the wiper blade in the
direction indicated by the arrow
in the illustration to remove it.
Press the new blade into place.
Check that the new blade is
properly attached to the wiper
arm.
Replacing wiper blades pg. 95
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1998 Volvo S90
Cleaning the
outside of the
windshield and
wiper blades
If the windshield/tailgate is
not clear after using the
wiper(s) or if the blade
chatters when running, wax
or other material may be on
the blade or on the surface
of the glass.
Clean the glass with a
suitable cleaning agent.
The glass is clean if beads
do not form when you rinse
it with water.
Tailgate wiper (wagons)
1. Pull out the wiper arm. Press the lock
knob outwards.
2. Push the wiper inwards towards the
middle and remove. Fit the new wiper blade
in the reverse order to the above
instructions.
Contents | Top of Page
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1998 Volvo S90
plenty of water, to avoid scratching.
l Bird droppings: Remove from
paintwork as soon as possible.
Otherwise the finish may be
permanently damaged.
l A detergent can be used to
facilitate the softening of dirt and
oil.
l A water-soluble grease solvent
may be used in cases of sticky dirt.
However, use a washplace equipped
with a drainage separator.
l Dry the car with a clean chamois
and remember to clean the drain
holes in the doors and rocker panels
*.
l The power radio antenna (sedans)
must be dried after washing.
l Tar spots can be removed with
kerosene or tar remover after the car
has been washed.
l A stiff-bristle brush and
lukewarm soapy water can be used
to clean the wiper blades. Frequent
cleaning improves visibility
considerably.
l Wash off the dirt from the
underside (wheel housings fenders,
etc.).
l In areas of high industrial fallout,
more frequent washing is
recommended.
CAUTION: During high pressure
washing, the spray mouth piece
must never be closer to the vehicle
than 13" (30 cm). Do not spray
into the locks.
l When washing or steam cleaning
the engine, avoid spraying water or
steam directly on the electrical
WARNING!
When the car is driven immediately after being washed,
apply the brake several times in order to remove any
moisture from the brake linings.
Engine cleaning agents should not be used when the engine
is warm. This constitutes a fire risk.
NOTE: When washing the car, remember to remove dirt from
the drain holes in the doors and sills. Bumpers: Wash the
bumpers with the same cleaning agent used on the rest of the
car. Never clean the bumpers with gasoline or paint thinner.
Difficult spots can be removed with denatured alcohol. To
avoid scratches, do not dry the bumpers with paper.
*Pay special attention to the drain holes at the base of the
windshield in the cowl under the rear edge of the hood.
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