
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
ProCarManuals.com

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
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:
ProCarManuals.com

· 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 inwhich Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. and
Volvo Car Corporation are involved, visit our Internet Home Page at:
http://www.volvocars.com
Top of Page
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

A
Temperature gauge23
Speedometer23
Odometer23
Trip odometer23
Warning lights24
Text window26
Tachometer23
Clock23
Ambient temperature sensor23
Fuel gauge23
B
Hazard warning flashers33
C
Audio system125
D
Electronic climate control41
Heated seats (option)33
Heated rear window/rearview mirrors33
E
Steering wheel adjustment32
Airbag4
Cruise control29
Windshield wipers/washer31
Turn signal lever31
Trip computer28
Audio system controls133
F
High/low beam headlights30
Parking lights30
Fog lights30
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

2 0 0 1
VOLVO S80
Chapter 6 - Starting and driving
pg. 63 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements64
Refueling65
Starting the engine66
Automatic transmission67
Driving economy71
Points to remember72
Emergency towing74
Vehicle towing information75
Towing a trailer76
Jump starting79
Winter driving80
Long distance trips81
Three-way catalytic converter82
pg. 64 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 115
.
Fuel requirements
Octane rating
ProCarManuals.com