VOLVO
S70 & V70 1 9 9 8
VOLVO
This manual deals with the operation and care of your Volvo.
Welcome to the world-wide family of Volvo owners. We trust that you will enjoy many years of safe driving in your
Volvo, an automobile designed with your safety and comfort in mind. To help ensure your satisfaction with this
vehicle, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the equipment descriptions, operating instructions and
maintenance requirements/recommendations in this manual. We also urge you and your passengers to wear seat belts
at all times in this (or any other) automobile. And, of course, please do not operate a vehicle if you may be affected by
alcohol, medication or any impairment that could hinder your ability to drive.
Your Volvo is designed to meet all applicable safety and emission standards, as evidenced by the certification labels
attached to the driver's door opening and on the left wheel housing in the engine compartment.
Volvo and the environment
Volvo is committed to the well being of our customers. As a natural part of this commitment, we care about the
environment in which we all live. Caring for the environment means an everyday involvement in reducing our
environmental impact.
Volvo's environmental activities are based on a holistic view, which means we consider the overall environmental
impact of a product throughout its complete life cycle. In this context, design, production, product use, and recycling
are all important considerations.
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In production, Volvo has partly or completely phased out several chemicals including freons, lead chromates,
naphtanates, asbestos, mercury and cadmium; and reduced the amount of chemicals used in our plants 50% since 1991.
In use, Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into production a three-way catalytic converter with a Lambda
sond, now called oxygen sensor, in 1976. The current version of this highly efficient system reduces emissions of
harmful substances (CO, HC, NOx) from the exhaust pipe by approximately 95% and the search to eliminate the
remaining emissions continues. Volvo is the only automobile manufacturer to offer CFC-free retrofit kits for the air
conditioning system for all models back to the M/Y 1975 240. Advanced electronic engine controls, refined
purification systems and cleaner fuels are bringing us closer to our goal.
After Volvo cars and parts have fulfilled their use, recycling is the next critical step in completing the life cycle. The
metal content is about 75% of the total weight of the car, which makes the car among the most recycled industrial
products. In order to have efficient and well controlled recycling, many Volvo variants have printed dismantling
manuals indication the weight and material of individual components. For Volvo, all homogeneous plastic parts
weighing more than 1.7 oz. (50 grams)are marked with international symbols that indicate how the component is to be
sorted for recycling.
In addition to continuous environmental refinement of conventional gasoline-powered internal combustion engines,
Volvo is actively looking at advanced technology alternative-fuel vehicles.
When you drive a Volvo, you become our partner in the work to lessen the car's impact on the environment. To reduce
your vehicle's environmental impact, you can:
Maintain proper air pressure in your tires. Tests have shown decreased fuel economy with improperly inflated
tires Follow the recommended maintenance schedule
Drive at a constant speed
See an authorized Volvo retailer as soon as possible for inspection if the check engine (malfunction indicator)
lamp illuminates, or stays on after the vehicle has started
Properly dispose of any vehicle related waste such as used motor oil, used batteries, brake pads, etc.
When cleaning your car, use Volvo's own car care products, all of which have systematically been adapted to
the environment.
Contents
Important
Before you operate your car for the first time, please familiarize yourself with the BREAK-IN information on page 66.
You should also be familiar with the information in the first three chapters of this manual.
Information contained in the balance of the manual is extremely useful and should be studied after operating the
vehicle for the first time.
This manual is structured so that it can be used for reference. It should thus be kept in the car for ready access.
Do not export your Volvo to another country before investigating the country's applicable safety and exhaust emission
requirements. In some cases it may be difficult or impossible to comply with these requirements. Modifications to the
emission control system(s) may render your Volvo not certifiable for legal operation in the U.S., Canada or other
countries.
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Chapter 2 - Instruments and controls
pg. 16 Instruments, switches and controls
NumberSubjectPage No.
33Trunk/ tailgate open control pg. 47
34Power window controls pg. 40
35Power mirror control pg. 50
36Fuel tank open control pg. 67
37Central locking button pg. 43
pg. 17 Instruments, switches and controls (cont.)
Shiftlock (automatic transmission only)
When your car is parked, the gear selector is locked in the (P)ark position. To release the selector from this position,
turn the ignition key to position II (or start the engine), depress the brake pedal, press the button on the front side of th
e gear selector and move the selector from (P)ark.
If it is necessary to manually override the shiftlock system:
Turn the starting (ignition) key to position I
Press firmly on the "SHIFTLOCK OVERRIDE" button located near the base of the gear selector.
While holding the override button down, press the button on the front of the gear selector.
Move the gear selector from the ( P )ark position.
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3 Speedometer
4 Clock, ambient temperature sensor, trip computer (certain models)
5 Trip odometerUsed for measuring shorter distances. The last digit indicates 1/10 mile/kilometer.
6 Odometer
7 Trip odometer reset button
8 Tachometer Reads thousands of engine rpm. The engine should not be operated in red range. The highest permitted
constant engine speed is 6,200 rpm.
Contents | Top of Page
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WARNING! The doors should not be locked while driving. In case of an accident, this may hinder rapid access to
the occupants of the vehicle. (Also see information on "Child safety locks".)
Central locking button (on both front doors)
Central locking button
The central locking buttons on both front door armrests can be used to lock or unlock all doors and trunk/tailgate and
set the alram if your car is so equipped. This switch functions even if a door/trunk/tailgate is open.
Lock: Press the left side of the button
Unlock: Press the right side of the button
NOTE: To help prevent accidentally locking the keys in the car, the central locking system is designed to unlock the
doors immediately if the key is left in the ignition switch and the car is locked using the lock button on the door. A
sound from the lock will be audible at this time.
Please note that this function will not unlock the doors if the engine is running. pg. 44 Remote keyless entry system
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Chapter 4 - Starting and driving
pg. 65 Starting and driving
Starting and driving
This section on starting and driving contains items such as starting the engine, operating the gear selector, towing,
trailers, etc. Page No.
Subject
pg. 66Break-in period
pg. 66-67
Fuel requirements, Refueling
pg. 68
Driving economy
pg. 69
Starting the engine
pg. 70
Manual transmission
pg. 70-73
Automatic transmission, All Wheel Drive (AWD)
pg. 74-75
Points to remember
pg. 76
Emergency towing
pg. 77
Vehicle towing information
pg. 78
Jump starting
pg. 79
Three-way catalytic converter
pg. 80
Brake system, ABS
pg. 81
Trailer towing
pg. 82
Winter driving
pg. 83
Long distance trips
pg. 66 Break-in period, Fuel requirements
A new car should be broken-in
Refrain from utilizing your car's full driving potential during the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) including the "kick -
down" function (automatic transmission).
NOTE - ENGINE OIL:
Although some oil consumption occurs 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 124
.
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 refueled is one of the most important items you can perform to
help keep your car in good running order.
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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.
Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygenated fuels; however, the octane ratings listed on this page must still be
met.
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 filler cap is located inside the fuel tank cover on the right rear fender.
NOTE: The fuel tank cover is locked and must be popped open using the control on the driver's door.
Open fuel filler cap slowly during hot weather conditions.
When filling, hang the cap on the special bracket on the inside of the fuel tank cover.
NOTE: Turn the ignition off or to position I when refueling. If the ignition is on, an incorrect reading could occur in
the fuel gauge (low fuel level will be indicated).
After filling the tank, install the cap and turn until a "click" is heard.
The fuel tank is designed to hold approximately 18.4 US gal. (70 liters) with sufficient volume left over to
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accommodate possible expansion of the fuel in hot weather. Be aware that the "usable" tank will be somewhat less than
the specified maximum. 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 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.CAUTION:
Do not refuel with the engine running. After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise until it
clicks into place.
Allow for fuel expansion by not overfilling the tank. Overfilling could also cause damage to the emission control
systems.
NOTE: If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the car is refueled, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may indicate a fault. Use only Volvo original or approved fuel filler caps. CAUTION: 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.
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 LimitedWarranty.
pg. 68 Driving economy
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:
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.
Whenever possible, avoid using the car for driving short distances. This does not allow the engine to reach normal
operating temperature.
Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
Do not exceed speed limit.
Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the car.
Check tire pressure regularly (check when tires are cold).
Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc., increase air resistance and thereby fuel consumption.
Avoid using automatic transmission kick-down feature unless necessary.
Avoid using the air conditioning when it is not required. When engaged, the air conditioner's compressor 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.
If your car is equipped with the optional Trip Computer, utilizing the fuel consumption modes can help you "learn"
how to drive more economically.
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