
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 123
. 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.
* Rear fog light, if used, and trailer turn signal, if towing a trailer, will go on while driving.
pg. 27 Indicator and warning lights
Rear fog light
This light indicates that the rear fog light is on.
CHECK
ENGINE
Malfunction indicator lamp
On-Board Diagnostic II (OBDII): As you drive, a computer called "OBDII" monitors your car's engine, transmission,
electrical and emission systems. The CHECK ENGINE light will light up if the computer senses a condition that
potentially may need correcting. When this happens, please have your car checked by a Volvo retailer as soon as
possible.
A CHECK ENGINE light may have many causes. Sometimes, you may not notice a change in your car's behavior.
Even so, an uncorrected condition could hurt fuel economy, emission cleanliness, and driveability. Extended driving
without correcting the cause could even damage other components in your car.
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
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), or Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system
(option)
This indicator light will flash with STC or DSTC is actively working to stabilize the car. See pages 18-19
for more
detailed information.
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Turn signal indicator - trailer (certain models)
If you are towing a trailer, this light will flash simultaneously with the turn signals on the trailer. If the light does not
flash when signaling, neither the trailer's turn signals nor the car's turn signals are functioning.
Seat belt reminder
This symbol lights up to indicate that the driver has not fastened his/her seat belt.
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2 0 0 4
VOLVO S80
Chapter 6 - Starting and driving
pg. 69 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements70
Refueling72
Starting the engine73
Automatic transmission74
Four-C active chassis system78
Rear Parking assistance79
Driving economy80
Points to remember81
Roof racks/load carriers82
Emergency towing83
Vehicle towing information84
Towing a trailer85
Jump starting88
Winter driving89
Long distance trips90
Three-way catalytic converter91
pg. 70 Fuel requirements
Fuel requirements
Octane rating
Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium gasoline with an octane rating AKI of 91,
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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 (D)rive from third gear.
2 (Intermediate gear)
The transmission will shift automatically between gears 2 and 1 from this position. The transmission cannot shift up
to third gear from second gear.
1 (Low gear)
If you select this gear at speeds above 30 mph (50 km/h), the transmission will first shift to second gear and then to
first gear at lower speeds.
NOTE: The intermediate and low gears can be used for:
Driving in a mountainous area
Towing a trailer
Increasing the braking effect of the engine.
The transmission has a built-in limiter designed to help prevent excessive engine speeds (high rpm) when gears 3, 2
or 1 are selected.
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.
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.
pg. 75 Automatic transmission
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The button in the center console (see the illustration on page 29) can be used at any time to switch between the two
driving modes: Comfort or Sport.
The system then adjusts the stiffness of the shock absorbers accordingly, for example when the type of road changes,
or if the driver wishes to change driving style. This adjustment takes place instantaneously.
Comfort
The Comfort mode chassis setting offers the greatest amount of shock absorption and the softest ride. This mode is
recommended for long-distance driving, or when driving in slippery conditions.
If Comfort mode was selected when the engine was switched off, this mode will be active when the engine is restarted.
Sport
An indicator lamp in the button will come on when this mode has been activated.
In Sport mode, shock absorption is stiffer to reduce the car's body sway during cornering and to provide more
immediate steering response.
If this setting was selected when the engine was switched off, Sport mode will be active when the engine is restarted.
pg. 79 Rear parking assistance (option)
Rear Parking Assistance
This system is used to assist you when backing into parking spaces, etc by providing an audible tone as you back up.
The system is automatically activated when you select reverse gear.
It utilizes ultrasound sensors located in the rear bumper to measure the distance to a vehicle or other object, or a
person who may be behind the vehicle.
When the system is active:
1. The audio system's volume will be reduced.
2. An intermittent signal will be audible from the audio system's speakers to indicate that as you back up, you are
approaching a person, object, parked vehicle, etc. The signals begin when the vehicle is at a distance of approximately
5 feet (1.5 meters) from an object/person, etc.
3. At a distance of approximately 1 foot (30 cm), the signal will become constant.
Switching off the system
Towing a trailer, carrying bicycles in a tailgate -mounted carrier, etc, could trigger the reverse warning system.
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"kickdown" to help improve fuel economy.
Cooling system
The risk for engine overheating is greatest, especially in hot weather, when:
Towing a trailer up steep inclines for prolonged periods at wide open throttle and low engine rpm.
Stopping the engine suddenly after high speed driving (so-called "after-boiling" can occur).
To avoid overheating, the following rules should be followed:
Do not drive for prolonged periods at engine speeds above 4500 rpm if you are towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
Reduce speed when towing a trailer up long, steep inclines. The risk of overheating can be reduced by switching off
the air conditioning system for a short time.
Do not let the engine idle unnecessarily for prolonged periods.
Do not mount auxiliary lamps in front of the grill.
When the risk of overheating is imminent, or in the event of overheating (the temperature gauge goes repeatedly into,
or stays continually in, the red section), the following precautions should be taken:
Switch off the air conditioning system.
Pull off the road, away from traffic, stop the car and put the gear selector into Park. Do not stop the engine!
Switch the heater to full (maximum) position. Increase the engine speed to approx. 2000 rpm (twice idling speed)
until the temperature begins to drop.
If the warning light in the center of the instrument panel is red, and the message "Coolant level lo stop engine" is
displayed, switch off the engine as soon as possible.
WARNING!
Do not remove coolant expansion tank cap. The coolant will be extremely hot.
If necessary, see page 118
for information on checking and topping-up the coolant level.
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Installing a new bulb
Installing a new bulb:
Insert the new bulb, without touching the glass, with the guide lug upward (1). The bulb will only seat properly in
this position.
Move the retaining spring up and push it slightly to the left until it seats properly (2).
Press the connector into place on the bulb (3).
Reinstall the plastic cover and turn it clockwise until it is correctly in place (4). "TOP" must be upward.
NOTE: If the vertical aim of your headlights needs to be adjusted for any reason (e.g., towing a trailer for extended
periods), this should be done by an authorized Volvo retailer.
pg. 107 Replacing bulbs
Front parking light
Front parking lights
Switch off the ignition.
Remove the plastic cover over the high beam bulb by turning it counterclockwise.
Pull out the bulb and its socket. Replace the bulb.
Press the bulb and its socket back into place.
Switch on the ignition to test the bulb.
Reinstall the plastic cover and turn it clockwise until it is correctly in place. "TOP" must be upward (see illustration
on previous page).
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6 cyl. turbo3630-3665 Ibs1650-1665 kg
Permissible axle weight, front
6 cyl. 2491 Ibs1130 kg
Permissible axle weight, rear
6 cyl. 2293 lbs1040 kg
Max roof load 220 lbs100 kg
Max trailer weight
(w/o brakes) 1650 lbs750 kg
Max trailer weight
(with brakes)
2" ball 3300 lbs **1500 kg
1 7/8" ball 2000 lbs900 kg
Max tongue weight ***165 lbs 75 kg
WARNING!
When adding accessories, equipment, luggage and other cargo to your vehicle, the total loaded weight capacity of
the vehicle must not be exceeded.
* The max permissible axle loads or the gross vehicle weight must not be exceeded.
** When driving for prolonged periods at temperatures above 86° F (30° C), the maximum recommended weight is
2000 lbs (900 kg).
*** See also section "Trailer towing"
All specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
pg. 132 Engine/transmission specifications
Engine specifications Designation: Volvo B 6294 T
Output 268 hp at 5200 rpm (200 KW/87 rps)
Max torque 280 ft. lbs. at 1800-5000 rpm (380 Nm at 35-83 rps)
Number of cylinders 6
Bore 3.27" (83 mm)
Stroke 3.54" (90 mm)
Displacement 2.92 liters (115 cu. in.)
Compression ratio 8.5:1
Number of valves 24
Charge air cooler (Intercooler)
Turbocharged engines employ a turbo-compressor to force air into the engine inlet manifold and a charge air cooler to
cool the compressed inlet air. The resulting increase in air flow raises pressure in the intake manifold and increases
engine power over that developed by the normally-aspirated engine. The charge air cooler (which resembles a radiator)
is located between the turbo-compressor and inlet manifold. Designation: Volvo B 6294 S
Output 194 hp at 5200 rpm (144 KW/87 rps)
Max. torque 207 ft. lbs. at 3900 rpm (280 Nm at 65 rps)
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