1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 2 - Instruments, switches and controlsInstruments, switches and controls
pg. 14
Instruments, switches and controls pg. 15
Shiftlock
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
the gear selector and move the selector from (P)
ark.
If it is necessary to manually override the
Shiftlock system:
l Turn the starting (ignition) key to position
I
l Press firmly on the OVERRIDE" button
located near the base of the gear selector.
l While holding the override button down,
move the gear selector from the (P)ark
position.
Keylock
Some of the items below are available on certain
models only.
1
Air vent...pg. 25
2
Headlights, parking lights...pg. 20
3
Rear fog light...pg. 22
4
Front fog lights...pg. 22
5 Space for additional equipment
6
Power antenna (sedans only)...pg. 22
7
Instruments...pg. 15-17
8
Electrically operated sun roof...pg. 23,
Electrically operated sun roof...pg. 49
9
Heated rear window/side door mirrors...pg. 23
10
Hazard warning flasher...pg. 23
11
Central lock switch...pg. 23
12
Air vents...pg. 25
13
Heating and ventilation...pg. 25-27
14
Passenger's side SRS (air bag)...pg. 6
15
Audio system...pg. 131
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1998 Volvo S90
This means that when you switch off the ignition,
the gear selector must be in the (P)ark position
before the starting (ignition) key can be removed
from the ignition switch.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS system in your car performs a self-
diagnostic test when the vehicle is started and at
4 mph (6km/h). The driver may detect one
pulsation of the brake pedal and a sound will be
audible from the ABS control module. This is
normal.
The pages in this section provide detailed
descriptions of the vehicle's instruments and
controls.
Note that vehicles may be equipped differently,
depending on special legal requirements. 16 Controls for electrically operated windows...
pg. 29
and side-view mirrors...pg. 35
17
Instrument illumination...pg. 22
18
Hood-release handle...pg. 39
19
Turn signals, high/low beams...pg. 20
cruise control...pg. 24
20
Adjustable steering wheel...pg. 22
21
SRS (air bag)/Horn...pg. 4
22
Starting (ignition) switch/steering wheel
lock...pg. 21
23
Windshield wiper/washer...pg. 21
Tailgate wiper/washer (wagons)...pg. 23
24
Cigarette lighter...pg. 30
25
Transmission mode selector buttons...pg. 59
26
Gear selector...pg. 58
27
Ash tray...pg. 30
28
Shiftlock release (override) button...pg. 61
29
Parking brake...pg. 30
30
Electrically-heated front seats (certain
models)...pg. 28
Instruments pg. 16
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1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 2 - Instruments, switches and controls (cont.)Indicator and warning lights
pg. 17
1 Turn signal, left
2 Turn signal, right
3 Malfunction indicator
lamp
4 Direction indicator,
trailer
5 Service reminder
indicator
6 Low washer fluid level
If the lamp glows continuously
when the engine is running,
there is only about 1/2 - 1 US
qts. remaining in the washer
fluid reservoir.
7 Rear fog light
8 Bulb failure
9 Generator not charging
10 Low engine oil pressure
11 High beams
12 Brake failure
13 Parking brake applied
14 ABS-system
15 Low coolant level
16 (Not in use)
17 "Winter" mode engaged/
transmission fault
18 Fasten seat belts
19 SRS
20 (Not in use)
21 (Not in use)
Warning lights
pg. 18
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1998 Volvo S90
The warning lights described on pages 18 and 19 should never stay on whe\
n driving
When the ignition key is turned on, and before the engine starts, all of\
the warning lights should be on
to test the function of the bulbs. Should a light not go off after the e\
ngine has started, the system
indicated should be inspected. However, the parking brake reminder light\
will not go off until the
parking brake is fully released.
Generator warning
light
If the light comes on while the
engine is running, have the
charging system checked.
Malfunction
indicator lamp
If the lamp comes on (or stays
on after the vehicle has started),
the engine diagnostic system
has detected a possible fault in
the emission control system.
Although driveability may not
be affected, see an authorized
Volvo retailer as soon as
possible for inspection.
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.
Oil pressure warning
light
If the light comes on while
driving, stop the car and then s
If the light stays on after restart,
have the car towed to the
nearest authorized Volvo
retailer. After hard driving, the
light may come on occasionally
when the engine is idling. This
is normal, provided it goes off
when the engine speed is
increased.
Parking brake
reminder light
This light will be on when the
parking brake (hand brake) is
applied. The parking brake
lever is situated between the
front seats. Canadian models
are equipped with this warning
light:
Brake failure
warning light
If the light comes on while
driving or braking, stop
immediately, open the hood and
check the brake fluid level in the
reservoir. See page 114 for
reservoir position.
Canadian models are equipped
with this warning light:
WARNING!
If the 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 any
leakage repaired.
Warning lights (cont.) pg. 19
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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
the above illustration.
The starting (ignition) switches must be ON
(position II) for the electrically operated windows
to function. The window is lowered if the rear part
of the switch is pressed and raised if the front part
of the switch is pressed.
NOTE: Driver's window only (AUTO): The
window can be opened completely by pressing the
rear part of the switch lightly and releasing it
immediately. The window can be stopped by
pressing the button again. If the button is held
down, the window will be lowered until the button
is released.
WARNING!Remove the starting (ignition)
key when children are left unattended in the
vehicle.
Make sure that children's hands are clear
before raising the windows. is positioned 90° in relation to the other switches.
ON The rear door windows can be raised or
lowered with the respective door switch as well as
the switch on the driver's door.
OFF The rear door windows cannot be raised or
lowered with the respective door switch but
instead only with the corresponding switch on the
driver's door.
NOTE: The power window motors have an
overload protecting circuit breaker which is
activated when an object blocks a window.
Should this occur, remove the object and wait 20
seconds for the circuit breaker to reset. The power
windows should then function.
Parking brake, Cigarette lighter, Ashtrays pg. 30
Parking brake (hand brake)
The lever is situated between
the front seats. The brake is
applied to the rear wheels.
Cigarette lighter/ashtrays
To operate, depress the knob
fully. When the knob
automatically releases, the
cigarette lighter is ready for use.
The starting (ignition) switch
must be switched on (to position
I or II) for the cigarette lighter
to function.
"OBD II"
A connector for on-board
diagnostics ("OBD II") is located
to the right of the parking brake.
This connector is intended for
use by authorized service
technicians only.
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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
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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