
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
HomeLink® Universal Transceiver (option)
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.
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
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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
Sun blinds38
pg. 20 Interior
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A
Sun roof (option)37
B
Fuel tank cover65
Refuelling65
Economical driving71
C
Replacing a back-up light98
Replacing a brake light98
Replacing a tail light98
Replacing a direction indicator98
Replacing a fog light98
Replacing license plate lights100
D
Tires84
Wheels84
Brake system16
Spare wheel86
Changing wheels88
E
Replacing a high beam96
Replacing a low beam96
Replacing a parking light97
Replacing a direction indicator97
Replacing a fog light99
Replacing a headlight wiper119
F
Washing the car104
Paint touch-up103
pg. 22 Instruments
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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
Turn the button to adjust the clock.
13 Fuel gauge
The fuel tank holds approximately 21.1 US gal. (80 liters).
When the warning light comes on there is approximately 1.8 US gal. (8 liters) of fuel remaining.
14 Indicator and warning lights
pg. 24 Indicator and warning lights
The indicator and warning lights described on pages 24 and 25 should never stay on when driving
When the ignition key is turned, all of the warning lights in the lower right-hand side of the instrument panel should
go on to test the function of the bulbs. If a light does not go off after the engine has started, the
system indicated should be inspected.
NOTE: The parking brake reminder light will not go off until the parking brake has been fully released.
Warning lamp in the center of the instrument panel This lamp lights up red or orange depending on the
severity of the fault that has been detected.
Orange light: Follow the instructions shown in the text window.
Red light: Stop the car as soon as possible in a suitable location and read the message shown in the text window.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
If the light comes on (or stays on after the vehicle has started), the SRS diagnostic system has detected a fault. Drive to
an authorized Volvo retailer for an inspection of the system. See the SRS section for more information.
BRAKE
Brake failure warning light
If the light comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately, open the hood and check the brake fluid level
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in the reservoir. See page 113 for reservoir position and page 116 for instructions.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light:
Park
Brake
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 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.
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. Canadian models are equipped with this warning light:
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
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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 48
.
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 transmission
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.
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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.
pg. 69 Automatic transmission (Geartronic)
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.
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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.
Kickdown
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An
upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway speeds. Kickdown does not function
when the transmission is in the manual shift (geartronic) mode (see next page).
Shift gate positions
Automatic transmission - adaptive system
The automatic transmission is controlled by an adaptive control 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.
Automatic transmission - shift gate positions
You can move the gear selector freely between the (MAN)ual and (D)rive positions while driving.
Depress the selector knob on the front side of the gear selector to move between the R, N, D and P positions.
Please see the following page for information on using the Geartronic manual shift mode.
pg. 70 Automatic transmission (Geartronic)
Manual shifting - Geartronic
You can move the gear selector freely between the (MAN) ual and (D)rive positions while driving. Gears 2, 3, and 4
have a "lock -up" function which reduces engine speed and helps save fuel.
The currently selected gear will be displayed in the instrument panel (see page 23
).
· To access the (MAN)ual shifting position from (D)rive, pull the gear selector back slightly from D and move it to the
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