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).
ProCarManuals.com
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
ProCarManuals.com
pg. 23 Instrument panel
1 Turn signals
2 Text window
3 Temperature gauge
The pointer should be approximately midway on the gauge when driving.
Do not drive the car if the warning light is on. The text window will provide you with additional information.
If the engine temperature remains high, check coolant level - see page 106
.
4 Trip odometer/reset button
The trip odometer is used for measuring shorter distances. The last digit indicates 1/10 mile/kilometer. Press the button
quickly to toggle between trip odometers 1 and 2. Hold in the button for more than 2 seconds to reset.
5 Odometer
6 Speedometer
7 General warning light (see page 24
).
8 High beam indicator light
9 Tachometer
Reads thousands of engine rpm. The engine should not be operated with the needle in the red range on the gauge.
10 Gear and driving mode indicator
The currently selected driving mode is displayed here. If you use the geartronic function on the automatic transmission,
the currently selected gear will be displayed.
11 Ambient temperature indicator
This sensor indicates the air temperature outside your car. A "snowflake" symbol in the text window is displayed when
the temperature is in the range of 23 - 36° F (-5 - +2° C).
Please note that this symbol does not indicate a fault with your car.
At low speeds or when the car is not moving, the temperature readings may be slightly higher than the actual ambient
temperature.
12 Clock/reset button
ProCarManuals.com
WARNING!
Never use this net to secure sharp or heavy objects. In such cases, tie down the object using the cargo eyelets
provided. Both rear seat backrests should be secured in the upright position when the cargo net is in use.
pg. 52 Folding rear seat backrests, Carrying long loads
Backrest controls (on opposite sides of trunk)
Folding rear seat backrest The rear seat backrest is split into two sections. Each section can be folded independently
to allow you to transport long objects.
To fold down the backrest(s):
· Pull the release control handle(s) in the trunk to release the backrest(s) (see illustration above). If the outboard rear
head restraints are folded down, they should be returned to the upright position before folding the backrest down. It
may be necessary to manually adjust the center head restraint.
· Fold the backrest down.
WARNING!
· When the backrest is returned to the upright position, check that it is properly locked in place. Return the head
restraints to the upright position.
· Long loads should always be securely anchored to help avoid injury in the event of a sudden stop.
· Always turn the engine off and apply the parking brake when loading/unloading the vehicle.
· Place the transmission in the P (PARK) position to help prevent inadvertent movement of the gear selector.
ProCarManuals.com
1 9 9 9
VOLVO S80
Chapter 6 - Starting and driving
pg. 61 Starting and driving
Break-in period, Fuel requirements62
Refueling63
Starting the engine64
Automatic transmission65
Driving economy69
Points to remember70
Emergency towing72
Vehicle towing information73
Towing a trailer74
Jump starting75
Winter driving76
Long distance trips77
Three-way catalytic converter78
pg. 62 Fuel requirements
Break-in Period
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 (2000 km) including the "kickdown" function (automatic transmission).
NOTE ENGINE OIL:
Although some oil consumption occurs during normal engine operation, more oil is consumed when the engine is new
as the internal parts generate higher friction while wearingin 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
ProCarManuals.com
Starting the engine
1. Fasten the seat belt.WARNING!
Before starting, check that the seat, steering wheel and mirrors are adjusted properly. Make sure the brake pedal can
be depressed completely. Adjust the seat if necessary. See page 46
.
2. Apply the parking brake, if not already set. The gear selector is locked in the (P)ark position (SHIFTLOCK).
3. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key* to the starting position. Allow the starter to operate
for up to 5 seconds (turbo: 10 seconds). Release the key as soon as the engine starts. If the engine fails to start, repeat
this step.
For cold starts at altitudes above 6000 ft (1800 meters), depress the accelerator pedal halfway and turn the key to the
starting position. Release the pedal slowly when the engine starts.
4. To release the gear selector from the (P)ark position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in
position II) and the brake pedal must be depressed.
5. Select the desired gear. The gear engages after a very slight delay which is especially noticeable when selecting R.
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.
· When starting in cold weather, the transmission may shift up at slightly higher engine speeds than normal until the
automatic transmission fluid reaches normal operating temperature.
CAUTION :
· The engine should be idling when you move the gear selector. Never accelerate until after you feel the gear engage!
Accelerating immediately after selecting a gear will cause harsh gear engagement and premature transmission wear.
· Selecting P or N when idling at a standstill for prolonged periods of time will help prevent overheating of the
automatic transmission fluid.
· Do not race a cold engine immediately after starting. Oil flow may not reach some lubrication points fast enough to
prevent engine damage.
WARNING!
· Always place the gear selector in Park and apply the parking brake before leaving the vehicle. Never leave the car
unattended with the engine running.
· Always open the garage doors fully before starting the engine inside a garage to ensure adequate ventilation. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which is invisible and odorless but very
poisonous.
* Your car is equipped with an electronic start inhibitor (immobilizer). The keys you received with your car are
specially coded. The code in the key is transmitted to an antenna in the ignition switch where it is compared to the
code stored in the start inhibitor module. The car can only be started if a properly coded key is used.
If two of the keys to your car are close together, e.g., on the same key ring, when you try to start the car, this could
cause interference in the immobilizer system and result in the car not starting. If this should occur, remove one of the
keys from the key ring before trying to start the car again.
ProCarManuals.com
pg. 65 Automatic transmission AW5
P (Park)
Use this position when starting the engine or parking the car.
Never use P while the car is in motion.
The parking brake should also be used when parking on grades.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the gear selector from this
position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in position II) and the brake pedal must be
depressed.WARNING!
Never leave the car unattended 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 the car is moving forward.
N (Neutral)
Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. The car should
not be moving when shifting from R to the D position.
3 (Intermediate gear)
The transmission will shift automatically between gears 3, 2 or 1 from this position. The transmission cannot shift up
to 4 (D) from position 3.
2 (Intermediate gear)
The transmission will shift automatically between gears 2 and 1 from this position. The transmission cannot shift up
to 3 from position 2.
ProCarManuals.com
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.
ProCarManuals.com