1998 VOLVO V90 automatic transmission

1998 Volvo S90
characteristic and does not
indicate fire. area above the glove
compartment) or the area
affected by air bag
deployment (see
illustration).
l There should be no loose
articles, e.g. coffee cups,
on the floor, seat or dash
area.
l Never try to open the
SRS cover on the steering
wheel or the passenger
side SRS hatch. This
should only be done by
an authorized Volvo
service technician.
l Failure to follow these
instructions can result in
injury to the vehicle
occupants in an accident.
VOLVO SRS (cont.) pg. 7
NOTE:The information on this page does not pertain
to the Side Impact Protection System airbags.

When are the airbags deployed?

The SRS system is designed to deploy during certain
frontal or front-angular collisions, impacts, or
decelerations, depending in the crash severity, angle,
speed, and object impacted. The SRS sensor is
designed to react to both the impact of the collision
and the inertial forces generated by it and to
determine if the intensity of the collision is sufficient
for the airbags to be deployed.
WARNING! The SRS is designed to help prevent
serious injury. Deployment occurs very quickly
and with considerable force. During normal
deployment and depending on variables such as
seating position, one may experience abrasions,
bruises, swellings, or other injuries as a result of
airbag(s) deployment.
Seat belts - the heart of the Volvo safety
system

The heart of the Volvo safety system is the three-
point seat belt (a Volvo invention)! In order for the
SRS system to provide the protection intended, seat
belts must be worn at all times by everyone in the car.
The SRS system is a supplement to the seat belts.
WARNING! If your car has been subjected to
flood conditions (e.g. soaked carpeting/standing
water on the floor of the vehicle) or if your car has
become flood-damaged in any way, do not
attempt to start the vehicle or put the key in the
ignition before disconnecting the battery (see
below). This may cause airbag deployment which
could result in personal injury. Have the car towed
to an authorized Volvo retailer for repairs.
Automatic transmission only:
Before attempting to tow the car, use the
following procedure to override the shiftlock
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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
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
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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1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 4 (cont)
Automatic transmission
pg. 58

P(Park)

Use this position when
starting the engine or parking
the car.
Never use P while car is in
motion.
The transmission is
mechanically locked when in
position P. Also use the
parking brake when parking
on grades.
The gear selector is locked in
the P position (Shift lock). To
release the selector, start the
engine and depress the brake
pedal. See page 61 for
instructions on manually
releasing the gear selector. WARNING!
Never leave the car when
the engine is running. If, by
mistake, the gear selector is
moved from P the car may
start moving.


R(Reverse)

Never engage R while car is
moving forward.

N(Neutral)

Neutral position = no gear is
engaged.
Use parking brake. The
engine can be started with
the gear selector in this
position.

D(Drive)

D is the normal driving
position and should be used
as often as possible to help
improve fuel economy.
When modes E or S are
selected, upshift and
downshift of the forward
gears occur automatically
and are governed by
accelerator pedal position
and vehicle speed.

3 (Intermediate position)

Automatically shifts up and
down between first second

L (Low gear)

The gearbox does not upshift in
position L! Select position L if you
wish to drive in first or second gear
and you do not wish to shift up (when
driving in hilly terrain, for example, as
position L provides the best engine
braking power). The transmission will
conspicuously shift down from second
to first if road speed drops to below 25
or 20 mph (40 km/h or 30 km/h)
(engines B6304 and B6254
respectively) when driving in
Economy mode. When driving in
Sport mode, the same very noticeable
shift takes place if the speed drops to
below 6 mph (10 km/h).
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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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