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VOLVO C70
This manual deals with the operation and care of your Volvo.
Welcome to the world-wide family of Volvo owners. We trust that you will enjoy many years of safe driving in your
Volvo, an automobile designed with your safety and comfort in mind. To help ensure your satisfaction with this
vehicle, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the equipment descriptions, operating instructions and
maintenance requirements/recommendations in this manual. We also urge you and your passengers to wear seat belts
at all times in this (or any other) automobile. And, of course, please do not operate a vehicle if you may be affected by
alcohol, medication or any impairment that could hinder your ability to drive.
Your Volvo is designed to meet all applicable safety and emission standards, as evidenced by the certification labels
attached to the driver's door opening and on the left wheel housing in the engine compartment. For further information please contact your retailer, or:
In the USA: In Canada:
Volvo Cars of North America Volvo Canada Ltd.
Customer Relations 175 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
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when parking near curbs.
© 1998 Volvo Cars of North America Inc.
Shiftlock (automatic transmission only)
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:
· Turn the starting (ignition) key to position I
· Press firmly on the "SHIFTLOCK OVERRIDE" button located to the right of the base of the gear selector
· While holding the override button down, press the button on the front of the gear selector
· Move the selector from the (P)ark position.
Keylock (automatic transmission only)
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.
Clutch interlock (manual transmission only)
The clutch must be fully depressed before you can start you car. If the clutch is not depressed, it will not be possible to
start the engine.
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 is locked and must be popped open using the control on the driver's door (see illustration on page
14).
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
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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
remaining emissions continues. Volvo is the only automobile manufacturer to offer CFC-free retrofit kits for the air
conditioning system for all models as far back as the M/Y 1975 240. Advanced electronic engine controls, refined
purification systems and cleaner fuels are bringing us closer to our goal.
After Volvo cars and parts have fulfilled their use, recycling is the next critical step in completing the life cycle. The
metal content is about 75% of the total weight of a car, which makes the car among the most recycled industrial
products. In order to have efficient and well controlled recycling, many Volvo variants have printed dismantling
manuals, indicating the weight and material of individual components. For Volvo, all homogeneous plastic parts
weighing more than 1.7 oz. (50 grams) are marked with international symbols that indicate how the component is to be
sorted for recycling.
In addition to continuous environmental refinement of conventional gasoline-powered internal combustion engines,
Volvo is actively looking at advanced technology alternative-fuel vehicles.
When you drive a Volvo, you become our partner in the work to lessen the car's impact on the environment.
To reduce your vehicle's environmental impact, you can:
· Maintain proper air pressure in your tires. Tests have shown decreased fuel economy with improperly inflated tires
· Follow the recommended maintenance schedule
· Drive at a constant speed
· See an authorized Volvo retailer as soon as possible for inspection if the check engine (malfunction indicator) lamp
illuminates, or stays on after the vehicle has started
· Properly dispose of any vehicle related waste such as used motor oil, used batteries, brake pads, etc.
· When cleaning your car, use Volvo's own car care products, all of which have systematically been adapted to the
environment
For additional information regarding the environmental activities in
which Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. and Volvo Car Corporation are involved, visit our Internet Home Page at:
http://www.volvocars.com
Three-way catalytic converter
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Three-way catalytic converter cautions
· Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain engine malfunctions, particularly involving the electrical, fuel or distributor
ignition systems, may cause unusually high three-way catalytic converter temperatures. Do not continue to operate
your vehicle if you detect engine misfire, noticeable loss of power or other unusual operating conditions, such as
engine overheating or backfiring. A properly tuned engine will help avoid malfunctions that could damage the three-
way catalytic converter.
· Do not park your car over combustible materials, such as grass or leaves, which can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system and cause such materials to ignite under certain wind and weather conditions.
· Excessive starter cranking (in excess of one minute), with an intermittently firing or flooded engine, can cause three-
way catalytic converter or exhaust system overheating.
· Remember that tampering or unauthorized modifications to the engine or the vehicle may be illegal and can cause
three-way catalytic converter or exhaust system
overheating. This includes:
- Altering fuel injection setting or components.
- Altering emission system components or location or removing components.
- Repeated use of leaded fuel.
NOTE: Unleaded fuel is required for cars with three-way catalytic converters.
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pg. 5 Volvo SRS
A self -diagnostic system incorporated in the sensor monitors the SRS. The system, however, does not monitor the
SIPS airbags. If a fault is detected, the "SRS" warning light will illuminate. The light is included in the
warning/indicator light cluster in the instrument panel. Normally, the SRS warning lamp should light up when the
ignition is switched on and should go out after 5 seconds or when the engine is started. Check that this light is
functioning properly every time the car is started.
The following items are monitored by the self -diagnostic system:
· Sensor unit
· Cable harness
· Gas generator igniters WARNING!
Never drive an SRS equipped car with your hands on the steering wheel pad / airbag housing.
No objects, accessory equipment or stickers may be placed on, attached to or installed near the SRS cover in the
center of the steering wheel, the SRS cover above the glove compartment or the area affected by airbag deployment.
If the SRS warning light stays on after the engine has started or if it comes on while you are driving, drive the car to
the nearest authorized Volvo retailer for inspection as soon as possible.
The above is a sample of the label found on all seat belts equipped with tensioners, located on the front seat belts near the lower anchorage point.
The above is a sample of the decal which can be found on the driver's door pillar.
There is no maintenance to perform on the SRS yourself. The month and year shown on the decal on the door pillar
indicate when you should contact your Volvo retailer for specific servicing or replacement of airbags and seatbelt
tensioners. This service must be performed by an authorized Volvo retailer.
Should you have any questions about the SRS system, please contact
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Reads thousands of engine rpm. Do not drive for long with the needle in the red section. The engine has an inbuilt
function preventing too high a rotation speed. When this function operates, you may discern some pulsation, which in
that case is quite normal.
pg. 17 Indicator and warning lights
1 Turn signal, left
2 Turn signal, right
3 Cruise control
4 Low washer fluid level
If the lamp glows continuously when the engine is running, there is only about 1/2 - 1 US qt. remaining in the washer
fluid reservoir.
5 Low fuel level
When the lamp glows, only about 1.8 US gals. (8 liters) of fuel remain. If the ignition is switched on while refuelling,
the gauge may read inaccurately for up to 25 minutes.
6 Rear fog light
7 High beams
8 Trunk/tailgate open
9 Bulb failure warning sensor
10 (Not in use)
11 Electronic Throttle System (ETS)
12 SRS
13 Generator not charging
14 Low engine oil pressure
15 Brake warning light
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16 Parking brake applied
17 ABS -system
18 Transmission mode: Indicates "W" if winter/wet driving mode is active, or indicates currently selected low gear.
19 Low coolant level
20 Stability and Traction Control (STC) System (option)
21 Malfunction indicator lamp
(See page 18 for more information)
22 Service reminder indicator
pg. 18 Warning lights
The warning lights described on pages 18 and 19 should never stay on when driving
When the ignition key is turned on and before the engine starts, all of the warning lights should go on to test the
function of the bulbs. Should a light not go off after the engine has started, the system indicated should be inspected.
However, the parking brake reminder light will not go off until the parking brake has been 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. However, your vehicle's performance will not be affected. 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 stop the engine immediately and check the engine oil
level . See page 114. 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.
Fault in ETC (Electronic Throttle Control system)
If this lamp comes on, there is a fault in the engine control system and driveability will be affected. Switch the ignition
off and then on again. If the light remains on, the system should be inspected by an authorized Volvo retailer.
Cruise Control
This light will be on when cruise control is engaged. Cruise control will automatically disengage when the ignition is
switched off.
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VOLVO C70
Chapter 4 - Starting and driving
pg. 55 Starting and driving
This section on starting and driving contains items such as starting the engine, operating the gear selector, towing,
trailers, etc. Fuel requirements, Refueling
56-57
Driving economy58
Starting the engine59
Manual transmission60
Automatic transmission61
Points to remember65
Emergency towing68
Vehicle towing information69
Jump starting70
Brake system71-72
Trailer towing73
Winter driving74
pg. 56 Fuel requirements
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
important to check the oil every time you refuel your car during this period. See page 114.
In general, the rate of oil consumption depends on such factors as: engine temperature, length of trip, driving
conditions, oil viscosity and quality, engine speed and acceleration/deceleration.
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