1998 VOLVO V90 tire type

1998 Volvo S90
Observe legal requirements of
the state in which the vehicles
are registered.
WARNING! Bumper-
attached trailer hitches must
not be used on Volvos, nor
should safety chains be
attached to the bumper.
Trailer hitches attaching to
the vehicle rear axle must
not be used. kgs) a top speed of 50 mph (80
km/h) should never be
exceeded.
l Increase tire pressure to
recommended full-load
pressure. See section "Wheels
and tires".
l Engine and transmission are
subject to increased loads.
Therefore, engine coolant
temperature should be closely
watched when driving in hot
climates or hilly terrain. Use
lower gear and turn off air
conditioner if temperature gauge
pointer enters the red range.
towing a trailer to ensure that the
max. permissible axle load or
gross vehicle weight are not
exceeded.

NOTE: Refer to section
"Automatic transmission" for
additional trailer hauling tips.
Winter driving pg. 69
Cold weather precautions
l If you wish to check your car before the
approach of cold weather, the following advice is
worth noting:
Make sure that the engine coolant contains at least
50 percent antifreeze: that is, 5.3 qts. (5 liters)
Volvo Genuine Coolant/Antifreeze. This gives
protection against freezing down to -31°F (-35°
C). See section "Coolant".
The use of "recycled" antifreeze is not approved
by Volvo. Different types of antifreeze may not be
mixed.
l Try to keep the fuel tank well filled - this
prevents the formation of condensation in the
tank.
In addition in extremely cold weather conditions it
is worthwhile to add fuel line de-icer before
refueling.
l The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil
with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-
weather starting as well as decreasing fuel
consumption while the engine is warming up. For
winter use, 5W-30 oil, particularly the synthetic
type, is recommended.
Be sure to use good quality oil but do not use this

l The Volvo Washer Solvent should be diluted as
follows:
Down to 14°F (-10°C): 1 part anti-freeze and 4
parts water
Down to 5°F (-15°C): 1 part anti-freeze and 3
parts water
Down to 0°F (-18°C): 1 part anti-freeze and 2
parts water
Down to -18°F (-28°): 1 part anti-freeze and 1
part water
l Use lock spray or grease in the locks.

NOTE: Avoid the use of de-icing spray as they
can cause damage to the locks.

Automatic differential lock (certain
models)


The differential automatically locks at speed
between 3 - 25 mph (5 - 40 km/h) if either of the
drive wheels begins to lose traction. The
differential lock improves power distribution to
the drive wheels in slippery conditions, shifting
power to the wheel with best traction. It also
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1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 5 - Wheels and tires
pg. 71
Wheels and tires
The handling and riding comfort of the vehicle is dependent on the infla\
tion
pressure and the type of tires fitted. Read the following pages carefull\
y.
General information, Wear indicator, Tire economy, Flat spots pg. 72

Snow chains, Winter tires pg. 73
Inflation pressure pg. 74
Uniform tire quality grading pg. 75
Wheels and tires
pg. 72
General information

Your vehicle is equipped with tires according
to the tire information label located on the rear
facing side of the right front door.

The following is an example of a tire designation
code:
195 = tire width in mm.
60 = tire profile. This is the relationship (in
percent) between the section height and the width
of the tire.
R= radial tires.
15 = diameter in inches on all four wheels.
The tires have good road holding characteristics
and offer good handling on dry and wet surfaces.
Your Volvo may be equipped with "all-season"
tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree
of winter roadholding on slippery surfaces
than tires without the "all-season" rating.
However, for optimum road holding on icy or
snow covered roads - we recommend suitable
winter tires. When replacing worn tires, it is recommended
that the tire be identical in type (radial) and size as
the one being replaced. Using a tire of the same
make (manufacturer) will prevent alteration of the
driving characteristics of the vehicle.

To improve tire economy:

l Maintain correct tire pressure.
l Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard braking
and tire screeching.
l Tire wear increases with speed.
l Correct front wheel alignment is very
important. Unbalanced wheels impair tire
economy and driving comfort.
l If the wheels are rotated, they should be kept on
the same side of the car so that they revolve in the
same direction as prior to rotation.
l Hitting curbs or potholes can damage the tires
and/or wheels permanently.

Flat spots

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1998 Volvo S90
When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires
are the same size designation, type (radial) and
preferably from the same manufacturer, on all
four wheels. Otherwise there is a risk of altering
the car's road-holding and handling
characteristics.

NOTE:When storing wheel/tire assemblies (e.g.
winter tires and wheels), either stand the
assemblies upright or suspend them off the
ground. Laying wheel/tire assemblies on their
sides for prolonged periods can cause wheel and/
or tire damage.



Wear indicator

The tires have a so-called "wear indicator" in the
form of a number of narrow strips running across
or parallel to the tread. When approx. 1/16" (1.6
mm) is left on the tread, these strips show up and
indicate that the tire should be replaced.
Tires with less than 1/16" (1.6 mm) tread have a
very poor grip in rain or snow.
All tires become warm during use. After cooling,
when the vehicle is parked, the tires have a
tendency to distort slightly, forming flat spots.
These flat spots can cause vibrations similar to the
vibrations caused by imbalanced wheels.
They do, however, disappear when the tire warms
up. The degree to which the flat spots form
depends on the type of cord used in the tire.
Remember that, in cold weather, it takes longer
for the tire to warm up and consequently longer
for the flat spot to disappear.
Wheels and tires (cont.) pg. 73
Snow chains

Snow tire chains can be used on your Volvo with
the following restrictions:
l Snow chains should be installed on rear wheels
only. Use only Volvo approved snow chains.
l Snow chains can only be used on tires which
are not wider than 195 mm.
l Sufficient clearances between chains and
brakes, suspension and body components must be
maintained.
l Some strap-on type chains will interfere with
brake components and therefore CANNOT be
used.

Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow
Snow tires, studded tires*

Tires for winter use:
Owners who live in or regularly commute
through areas with sustained periods of snow
or icy driving conditions are strongly advised
to fit suitable winter tires to help retain the
highest degree of traction.

It is important to install winter tires on all four
wheels to help retain traction during cornering,
braking and accelerating. Failure to do so could
reduce traction to an unsafe level or adversely
affect handling. Do not mix tires of different
design as this could also negatively affect overall
tire road grip.
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1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 9 - (cont.)
Specifications
pg. 125
Power transmission


Automatic transmission:

Reduction ratios: / AW 40
1st gear / 2.80:1
2nd gear / 1.53:1
3rd gear / 1:1
Overdrive / 0.71:1
Reverse / 2.39:1

Rear axle:
Reduction ratio / 3.73:1

All specifications are subject to change without
notice. Front suspension

McPherson-type spring and strut suspension.
Shock absorbers housed in strut casing. Rack-and-
pinion steering.

Safety-type steering column.

The alignment specifications apply to an unladen
car, but include fuel, coolant, and spare wheel.
Toe-in, measured on the wheel rim: 2.2 mm +/-
1.0 mm (15" wheels)
wheel rim: 2.3 mm +/- 1.0 mm (16" wheels)
tire sides: 2.8 +/- 1.3 mm

Rear Suspension

Multi-link rear wheel suspension consisting of
four elements per side: a trailing support arm with
load leveling shock absorber ("Nivomat" level-
regulating system on certain models), an upper L-
shaped link, a lower traverse link, and an angled
rear track rod to control wheel toe-in.
Toe-in, measured at the wheel rim: (0.4+/- 0.5
mm)
tire sides: (0.5+/- 0.8mm)
Specifications pg. 126
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