
Volvo Cars of North America Volvo Canada Ltd.
Customer Relations175 Gordon Baker Road
P.O. Box 914 Willowdale, Ontario M2H 2N7
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647-0914 800-663-8255
800-458-1552
We also invite you to visit our Home Page on the Internet at:
http://www.volvocars.com
Contents
Contents
Chapter 1 - Safety
Chapter 2 - Instruments, switches and controls
Chapter 3 - Climate control system
Chapter 4 - Interior
Chapter 5 - Keys, Locks, Alarm
Chapter 6 - Starting and driving
Chapter 7 - Wheels and tires
Chapter 8 - Maintenance/Servicing
Chapter 9 - Specifications
Chapter 10 - Audio systems
Index
© 1998 Volvo Cars of North America Inc.
General information
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.
Keylock
This means that when you switch off the ignition, the gear selector must be in the (P)ark position before the key can be
removed from the ignition switch.
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Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS system in your car performs a self -diagnostic test when the vehicle first reaches the speed of approximately
12 mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and a sound may be audible from the ABS control
module. This is normal.
Fuel tank cover The fuel tank cover, located on the right rear fender, is connected to your car's central locking system.
The driver's door must be unlocked before the fuel tank cover can be opened.
Fuel filler cap
After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise until it clicks into place If this cap is not closed tightly
or if the engine is running when the car is refueled, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp ("Check Engine" light) may
indicate a fault.
Important
Before you operate your car for the first time, please familiarize yourself with the BREAK-IN information on
page 62
. 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 read after operating the
vehicle for the first time.
The manual is structured so that it can be used for reference. For this reason, it should be kept in the car for
ready access.
Do not export your Volvo to another country before investigating that 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 and other countries.
All information, illustrations and specifications contained in this manual are based on the latest product
information available at the time of publication. Please note that some vehicles may be equipped differently,
depending on special legal requirments and that optional equipment described in this manual may not be
available in all markets.
Volvo reserves the right to make model changes at any time, or to change specifications or design, without
notice and without incurring obligation.
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.
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
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1 9 9 9
VOLVO S80
Chapter 1 - Safety
pg. 1 Safety
Despite our strongest recommendations, and your best intentions, not wearing a seat belt is like believing "It'll never
happen to me!". Volvo, the inventor of the three-point seat belt, urges you and all adult occupants of your car to wear
seat belts and ensure that children are properly restrained, using an infant, car or booster seat determined by age,
weight and height. Volvo also believes no child should sit in the front seat of a car.
Fact: In every state and province, some type of childrestraint legislation has been passed. Additionally, most states and
provinces have already made it mandatory for occupants of a car to use seat belts.
So, urging you to "buckle up" is not just our recommendation legislation in your state or province may mandate seat
belt usage. The few seconds it takes to buckle up may one day allow you to say, "It's a good thing I was wearing my
seat belt".
Seat belts
2
Center head restraint3
Front airbags (SRS)4
Side impact airbags (SIPS)8
Volvo Inflatable Curtain (VIC)9
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)10
Occupant safety11
Child safety12
Brake system16
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)17
Stability Traction Control (STC)18
pg. 2 Seat belts
Seat belts
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Always fasten the seat belts before you drive or ride. A chime will sound several times if the driver has not
fastened his seat belt.
To buckle:
Pull the belt out far enough to insert the latch plate into the receptacle until a distinct click is heard. The seat belt
retractor is normally "unlocked" and you can move freely, provided that the shoulder belt is not pulled out too far. The
retractor will lock up as follows:
· if the belt is pulled out rapidly
· during braking and acceleration
· if the vehicle is leaning excessively
· when driving in turns
For the seat belt to provide maximum protection in the event of an accident, it must be worn correctly. When wearing
the seat belt remember:
· The belt should not be twisted or turned.
· The lap belt must be positioned low on the hips (not pressing against the abdomen).
Make sure that the shoulder belt is rolled up into its retractor and that the shoulder and lap
belts are taut.
Before exiting the car, check that the seat belt retracts fully after being unbuckled.
If necessary, guide the belt back into the retractor slot.
NOTE: Legislation in your state or province may mandate seat belt usage.
Adjusting shoulder belt
Lap portion of the belt should sit low
Child seats: Please refer to page 14
for information on securing child seats with the seat belts.
During pregnancy Pregnant women should always wear seat belts. Remember that the belt should always be
positioned in such a way as to avoid any possible pressure on the abdomen. The lap portion of the belt should be
located low, as shown in the above illustration.
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Driver's side airbag - in steering wheel hub
Passenger's side airbag - above glove compartment
As an enhancement to the three-point seat belt system, your Volvo is equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS). The Volvo SRS consists of an airbag (2) on both the driver's and passenger's sides and seat belt tensioners in
both front door pillars (4). The system is designed to supplement the protection provided by the three-point seat belt
system. All three rear seat belts are also equipped with tensioners.
The SRS system is indicated by the "SRS" embossed on the steering wheel pad and above the glove compartment, and
by decals on both sun visors and on the far right side of the dash.
The airbags are folded and located in the steering wheel hub and above the glove compartment. They are designed to
deploy during certain frontal or front -angular collisions, impacts, or decelerations, depending on the crash severity,
angle, speed and object impacted. The airbags may also deploy in certain non-frontal collisions where rapid
deceleration occurs.
The airbag system includes gas generators (1) surrounded by the airbags (2) and front seat belt tensioners for both of
the front seats (4). To deploy the system, the sensor (3) activates the gas generators causing the airbags to be inflated
with nitrogen gas. As the movement of the seats' occupants compresses the airbags, some of the gas is expelled at a
controlled rate to provide better cushioning. Both seat belt tensioners also deploy, minimizing any seat belt slack.
The entire process, including inflation and deflation of the airbags, takes approximately two-tenths of a second.WARNING!
· As its name implies, SRS is designed to be a SUPPLEMENT to - not a replacement for - the three-point belt
system. For maximum protection, wear seat belts at all times. Be aware that no system can prevent all possible
injuries that may occur in an accident.
· When installing any optional equipment, make sure that the SRS system is not damaged. Do not attempt to service
any component of the SRS yourself. Attempting to do so may result in serious personal injury. If a problem arises,
take your car to the nearest authorized Volvo retailer for inspection as soon as possible.
NOTE: All doors will automatically be unlocked if the airbags deploy.
pg. 5 Front airbags - SRS
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deploy. Front airbags do not normally deploy in a side impact collision, in a collision from the rear or in a rollover
situation. The amount of damage to the bodywork does not reliably indicate if the airbags should have deployed or not.
Seat belts the heart of the Volvo safety system The heart of the Volvo safety system is the threepoint 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 flooddamaged 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:
Before attempting to tow the car, use the following procedure to override the shiftlock system to move the gear
selector to the neutral position.
· Switch off the ignition for at least 10 minutes and disconnect the battery
· Wait at least one minute
· Insert the key in the ignition and turn it to position II
· Press firmly on the brake pedal.
· Move the gear selector from (P)ark to the (N)eutral position.
WARNING!
Never drive with the airbags deployed. The fact that they hang out can impair the steering of your car. Other safety
systems can also be damaged. The smoke and dust formed when the airbags are deployed can cause skin and eye
irritation in the event of prolonged exposure.
pg. 8 Side impact airbags (SIPS)
SIPS airbag decal*
SIPS airbag (front seats only)
As an enhancement to the structural Side Impact Protection System built into your car, the car is also equipped with
Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) airbags. The SIPS airbag system consists of airbag modules built into the sides
of both front seat backrests (1), wires (2) and gas generators/sensor units (3).
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VOLVO S80
Chapter 2 - Instruments, switches and controls
pg. 19 Instruments, switches and controls
Interior20
Exterior21
Instruments22
Instrument panel23
Indicator and warning lights24
Indicator and warning lights24
Text information window26
Switches in center console27
Trip computer28
Cruise control29
Headlights, parking lights, fog lights, instrument illumination30
Turn signals, windshield wipers/washers31
Steering wheel adjustment/lock, ignition switch32
Warning flashers, heated mirrors/rear window/front seats33
Parking brake, auxiliary socket34
Electrically operated windows35
Rearview/sideview/vanity mirrors36
Sun roof37
pg. 20 Interior
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A
Locking and unlocking the car54
Alarm58
Power windows35
Sideview mirror controls36
B
Glove compartment54
C
Automatic transmission65
Geartronic67
Parking brake34
Center console switches27
D
Power seat adjustment46
Heated seats (option)33
Cleaning upholstery101
D
Folding rear seat52
Panel for long loads52
Folding down head restraint27
Adjusting head restraint3
Child safety locks57
Integrated booster cushion13
pg. 21 Exterior
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