1999 VOLVO S80 traction control

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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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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:
Oil pressure warning light
If the light comes on while driving, stop the car and then stop the engine immediately and check the engine oil
level . See page 111
. 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.
Generator warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running, have the charging system checked.
pg. 25 Indicator and warning lights
Rear fog light
This light indicates that the rear fog light is on.
CHECK
ENGINE
Malfunction indicator lamp
If the light 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. However, your vehicle's performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo
original or approved fuel filler caps.

Anti-lock Brake System ABS
If the warning light comes on, there is a malfunction of the ABS system (the standard braking system pwill however
function). The vehicle should be driven to a Volvo retailer for inspection. See page 17 for additional information.
Stability Traction Control (STC) system (option)
An LED in the STC switch in the center console will light up to indicate that the system is activated. See page 18 for
further information.
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1 (Low gear)
The transmission is locked in the lowest gear when the selector is in this position. If you are driving above 31 mph (50
km/h) when the position 1 is selected, the transmission will automatically first shift to intermediate gear 2 until the
speed has dropped to under 31 mph (50 km/h).
NOTE:
· Gears 3, 2, or 1 can be used if you are driving in a mountainous area, towing a trailer or to increase engine braking
capacity.
· The transmission has a built-in function which is designed to help prevent excessive engine speeds (high rpm) when
gears 3, 2 or 1 are selected.
Automatic transmission - adaptive system
The automatic transmission is controlled by an adaptive guidance system that constantly monitors the way in which the
transmission functions. It senses and adapts each gear shift for optimal performance. The system also monitors your
particular driving style and adapts gear shifting accordingly.
pg. 66 Automatic transmission AW5
Automatic transmission - shift gate positions
The gear selector can be moved freely between N and D.
Depressing the selector knob enables you to move the gear selector to positions P, R, N, D, 3, 2 and 1.
W Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction
· Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D)rive position.
· Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage this driving mode (see illustration).
· An LED in the button will light up to indicate that W is engaged and this will also be displayed in the instrument
panel (see page 23
).
· This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.
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Checking and correcting tire pressure
· Check the tire pressure when refuelling.
· The tire pressure should be corrected only when the tires are cold.
· With warm tires, correct only when the pressure is too low. The tire temperature rises after driving just a few miles.
Vehicle loading
The tires on your Volvo will perform to specifications at all normal loads when inflated as recommended on the tire
information label located on the inside of the fuel tankcover. This label lists both tire and vehicle design limits.
Do not load your car beyond the load limits indicated.
Temporary Spare (certain models)
The spare tire in your car is called a "Temporary Spare". It has the following designation: T125/80 R17.
Recommended tire pressure (see decal on fuel tank cover) should be maintained irrespective of which position on the
car the Temporary Spare tire is used on.
In the event of damage to this tire, a new one can be purchased from your Volvo retailer.WARNING!
Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Temporary Spare" tire other than as a temporary replacement for a
punctured tire. In other words, it must be replaced as soon as possible by a standard tire. Roadholding, etc., may be
affected with the "Temporary Spare" in use. Do not, therefore, exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
CAUTION:
The car must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a spare tire other than the one that came with
the car. The use of different size wheels can seriously damage your car's transmission.
NOTE: Certain models may be equipped with a full-size spare wheel.
pg. 83 Wheels and tires
Uniform tire quality grading
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one half (1 1/2) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and many depart significantly from the norm due to variation in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
TRACTION
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The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C, as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature grades are AA (the highest), A, B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law. WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.
pg. 84 Changing wheels
Insert flat end of lug wrench and turn/pull straight out
Changing wheels
The spare wheel is located under the carpet on the trunk floor. The jack and crank are secured in the wheel recess.
There are two jack attachment points on each side of the car.
To change a wheel:
· Engage the parking brake.
· Put the gear selector in (P)ark.
· Remove the wheel cap (where applicable) using the lug wrench in the tool kit.
· With the car still on the ground, use the lug wrench to loosen the wheel bolts 1/2 1 turn. Turn the bolts
counterclockwise to loosen.
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SRS diagnostic system24
Stability Traction Control (STC)18, 27
Start inhibitor (immobilizer)54, 64
Starting the engine64
Steering wheel adjustment32
Steering wheel lock32
Storage compartment in center console50
Storage compartments49
Studded tires81
Sun roof37
Supplemental Restraint System4, 24
Suspension122
Switches in center console27
T
Tachometer23
Tail light bulbs - replacing94
Temperature gauge23
Temporary spare tire82
Text window26
Three-way catalytic converters78
Tire pressure82
Tires70, 80-83
Tires - changing84-85
Tool bag51
Towing a trailer74
Towing eyelet72
Towing the car72,73
Trailer towing74
Trailer weight - maximum119
Transmission - automatic65-68
Transmission - specifications120
Transmission fluid (automatic)113, 121
Trip computer28
Trip odometer23
Trunk - unlocking with master key55
Trunk lights - replacing97
Trunk lock switch27, 55
Turn signals31
U
Uniform tire quality grading83
Unlocking the trunk with key55
Upholstery - cleaning101
V
Vanity mirror lights - replacing95
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