VOLVO 850 1996 Owners Manual

1996 Volvo 850
WARNING!
l The SIPS airbag system is a supplement to the Side Impact Protection Sys\
tem and the three-point
seat belt system. It is not designed to deploy during collisions from th\
e front or rear of the car or in
rollover situations.
l Only Volvo approved seat covers may be used. The use of non-approved aft\
ermarket seat covers
may impede SIPS airbag deployment.
l No objects, accessory equipment or stickers may be placed on, attached t\
o or installed near the SIPS
airbag system or in the area affected by SIPS airbag deployment (see il\
lustration to the right above).
l Never try to open or repair any components of the SIPS airbag system. Th\
is should only be done by
an authorized Volvo service technician.
l For best protection from the SIPS airbag system, both front seat occupan\
ts should sit in an upright
position with the seat belt properly fastened.

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 smok\
e and dust formed when the
airbags are deployed can cause skin and irritation in the event of prolo\
nged exposure.




Contents | Top of Page
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1996 Volvo 850
pg. 3:9 Child safety

Child Restraint Anchorages

Volvo cars can be fitted with Child Restraint Top Tether Anchorages in t\
he rear seat.
Sedans: There are three pre-drilled anchorage points under the rear wind\
ow shelf which are not visible from the passenger
compartment.
Wagons: The anchorage points are on the rear seat backrest and are hidde\
n by plastic covers. The backrest must be folded down to
access the center anchorage point.

In cars designated for Canada, one top tether anchorage set will be in t\
he glove box.

Installing the top tether

Sedans: The pre-drilled holes for the child restraint anchorages are und\
erneath the rear window shelf and can be accessed from the
trunk or by lowering the rear seat backrests.
Wagons: Remove the plastic cover on the anchorage point you intend to us\
e.

On either model, refer to the child seat manufacturer's instructions for\
securing the seat.

An additional bolt may be required. This may be obtained from your autho\
rized Volvo retailer.
WARNING! Child Restraint Anchorages are designed to withstand only those\
loads imposed by correctly fitted Child Restraints.
Under no circumstances are they to be used for adult seat belts or harne\
sses. The anchorages are not able to withstand excessive
forces on them in the event of collision if full harness seat belts or a\
dult seat belts are installed to them. An adult who uses a belt
anchored in a Child Restraint Anchorage runs a great risk of suffering s\
evere injuries should a collision occur. Do not install rear
speakers which would require the removal of the top tether anchors or in\
terfere with the proper use of the top tether strap.
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1996 Volvo 850
pg. 3:10 Child safety

Integrated booster cushion (certain models)

Volvo's own integrated booster cushion has been specially designed to he\
lp safeguard a child seated in the center position of the rear
seat. When using the integrated booster cushion, the child must be secur\
ed with the vehicle's three-point seat belt. The booster
cushion is approved for children weighing between 22.7 and 36 kg (50 an\
d 80 lbs) and between 117 and 137 cm (46 and 54 in ) in
height. It is not intended for children under 3 years of age.

With the child properly seated on the booster cushion (see illustration\
), adjust the head restraint to support the child's head (
see page
3:3). The hip section of the three-point seat belt must fit snugly across \
the child's hips, not across the stomach.
The shoulder section of the three-point seat belt should be positioned a\
cross the chest and shoulder (see illustration). The shoulder
belt must never be placed behind the child's back or under the arm.
WARNING! Failure to follow the instructions on this page will increase t\
he risk of your child being injured during a sudden stop
or collision.
In the event of a collision while the integrated booster cushion was occ\
upied, the entire booster cushion and center seat belt must
be replaced. The booster cushion should also be replaced if it is badly \
worn or damaged in any way. This work should be
performed by an authorized Volvo retailer only. The booster cushion shou\
ld be cleaned while in place if the vehicle if possible. If
not, please consult your Volvo retailer.

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1996 Volvo 850

Storing the booster cushion

To store (fold up):
l Fold down the booster cushion backrest to the seat section (A)
l Fold up the booster cushion unit (B)

NOTE: The booster cushion must be folded down as one unit. If the backre\
st is not strapped to the seat section of the cushion, the
backrest hinges may lock.
pg. 3:11 Child safety

Auxiliary seat - A-Fold up, B-Fold down

Auxiliary seat (optional)

If all the seats are occupied, a rear-facing auxiliary seat in the cargo\
area of the wagon models can be used. This seat is designed for
two children each weighing 84 lb (40 kg) and approximately 60 in (150\
cm) tall.

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1996 Volvo 850
WARNING! Both rear seat backrests must be up when the auxiliary seat is \
being
used.
Do not use a booster cushion or child seat in conjunction with the auxil\
iary seat.


Spool-out

To make child seat installation easier, each seat buckle (except for th\
e driver's belt) is equipped with a locking mechanism to help
keep the lap section of the seat belt taut.

When attaching the seat belt to a child seat:
l Make sure the red lock button is moved to the right (see illustration A\
). A coin, etc. can be used to move the button.
l Attach the seat belt to the child seat according the child seat manufact\
urer's instructions.
l Pull the lap section of the seat belt taut.

The lap section of the seat belt cannot be loosened as long as the red l\
ock button is in the right position.
The lap section of the seat belt can be adjusted when the lock button is\
in the left position (see illustration B).

NOTE: Before exiting the car, check that the seat belt retracts fully af\
ter being unbuckled. If necessary, guide the belt back into the
retractor slot. When not in use, the child restraint should be secured w\
ith the seat belt to help prevent movement during a sudden
stop.
WARNING! Do not use child safety seats or child booster cushions/backres\
ts in the front passenger's seat. We also recommend
that children who have outgrown these devices sit in the rear seat with \
the seat belt properly fastened.
pg. 3:12 Child safety
Child safety

Volvo recommends the proper use of restraint systems for all occupants i\
ncluding children. Remember that, regardless of age and
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1996 Volvo 850
size, a child should always be properly restrained in a car.

Restraint systems for children are designed to be secured in the vehicle\
by lap belts or the lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt. Such
child restraint systems can help protect children in cars in the event o\
f an accident only if they are used properly. However, children
could be endangered in a crash if the child restraints are not properly \
secured in the vehicle. Failure to follow the installation
instructions for your child restraint can result in your child striking \
the vehicle's interior in a sudden stop.

Holding a child in your arms is NOT a suitable substitute for a child re\
straint system. In an accident, a child held in a person's arms
can be crushed between the vehicle's interior and an unrestrained person\
. The child could also be injured by striking the interior, or
by being ejected from the vehicle during a sudden maneuver or impact. Th\
e same can also happen if the infant or child rides
unrestrained on the seat. Other occupants should also be properly restra\
ined to help reduce the chance of injuries or increasing the
injury of a child.

All states and provinces have legislation governing how and where childr\
en should be carried in car. Find out the regulations
existing in your state or province. Recent accident statistics have show\
n that children are safer in rear seating positions than front
seating positions when properly restrained. A child restraint system can\
help protect a child in a vehicle. Here's what to look for
when selecting a child restraint system:
l It should have a label certifying that it meets applicable Federal Motor\
Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213-80) - or in Canada,
CMVSS 213.
l Make sure the child restraint system is approved for the child's height,\
weight and development - the label required by the
standard or regulation, or instructions for infant restraints, typically\
provide this information.
l In using any child restraint system, we urge you to look carefully over \
the instructions that are provided with the restraint. Be sure
you understand them and can use the device properly and safely in this v\
ehicle. A misused child restraint system can result in
increased injuries for both the infant or child and other occupants in t\
he vehicle.
l If your child restraint requires a top tether strap, consult your author\
ized Volvo retailer for top tether anchorage and installation
information.

When a child has outgrown the child safety seat, you should use the rear\
seat with the standard seat belt fastened. The best way to
help protect the child here is to place the child on a cushion (not ava\
ilable in Canada) so that the seat belt is properly located on the
hips (
see page 3:10).
A specially designed and tested booster cushion for children between 22.\
7 - 36 kg (50 - 80 lbs) and 117 - 137 cm (46 - 54") can be
obtained from your Volvo retailer.
If necessary, an auxiliary seat for children is available for use in the\
luggage compartment of station wagon models. This seat is
designed for two children, each weighing between 23 - 40 kg (50 - 88 lb\
s.) and up to 150 cm (59 inches) in height.

WARNING!
l When using the auxiliary seat for children, both sections of the rear se\
at backrest must be secured in the upright
position
l Do not use a booster cushion or child seat in conjunction with the auxil\
iary seat.
pg. 3:13 Occupant safety
Seat belt maintenance

Check periodically that the anchor bolts are secure and that the belts a\
re in good condition. Use water and a mild detergent for
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1996 Volvo 850
cleaning. Check seat belt mechanism function as follows:
Attach the seat belt and pull rapidly on the strap.
WARNING! Check other traffic before performing the following
check.

Brake firmly from approximately 30 mph (50 km/h) or turn in a tight ci\
rcle while pulling on the belt. In the above checks you should
not be able to pull the belt out.

Volvo Concern for Safety

Safety is the cornerstone for Volvo. Our concern dates back to 1927 when\
the first Volvo rolled off the production line. Three-point
seat belts, safety cages, and energy-absorbing impact zones were designe\
d into Volvo cars long before it was fashionable or required
by government regulation. We will not compromise our commitment to safet\
y. We continue to seek out new safety features and to
refine those already in our cars. You can help. We would appreciate hear\
ing your suggestions about improving automobile safety.
We also want to know if you ever have a safety concern with your car. Ca\
ll us in the U.S. at:
800-458-1552 or in Canada at: 800-663-8255.

Occupant safety

How safely you drive doesn't depend on how old you are but rather on:
l how well you see
l your ability to concentrate
l how quickly you make decisions under stress to avoid an accident.
The tips listed below are suggestions to help you cope with the ever cha\
nging traffic environment.
l Never drink and drive.
l If you are taking any medication, consult your physician about its poten\
tial effects on your driving abilities.
l Take a driver-retraining course
l Have your eyes checked regularly
l Keep your windshield and headlamps clean.
l Replace wiper blades when they start to leave streaks.
l Take into account the traffic, road, and water conditions, particularly \
with regard to stopping distance.

Reporting Safety Defects in the U.S.

If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash \
or could cause injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in a\
ddition to notifying Volvo Cars of North America. If
NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if \
it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it
may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become inv\
olved in individual problems between you, your
retailer, or Volvo Cars of North America. To contact NHTSA, you may eith\
er call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-
9393 (or 366-0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NHSTA, U.S. D\
epartment of Transportation, Washington D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from th\
e Hotline.



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1996 Volvo 850

Contents | Top of Page
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1996 Volvo 850
Starting and driving
pg. 4:1 Starting and driving
Starting and driving

This section on starting and driving contains items such as starting the\
engine, operating gear selector,
towing, trailers.

4:2 Break-in period
4:3Fuel requirements, Octane rating
4:4Driving economy
4:5Starting the engine
4:6Manual transmission
4:7Automatic Transmission
4:10Points to remember
4:12Emergency towing
4:13Vehicle Towing Information
4:14Starting with an auxiliary battery (jump starting)
4:15Three-way catalytic converter
4:16Brake system, ABS
4:17Trailer towing
4:18Winter driving
4:19Long distance trips, City driving
pg. 4:2 Break-in period, Fuel requirements
A new car should be broken-in!

Refrain from utilizing your car's full driving potential during the firs\
t 1,200 miles (2,000 km) including
the "kick-down" function (automatic transmission).
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1996 Volvo 850

NOTE - ENGINE OIL:

Although some oil consumption during normal engine operation, more oil i\
s consumed when the engine
is new as the internal parts generate higher friction while wearing-in t\
o 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 8:10.
In general, the rate of oil consumption depends on such factors as: engi\
ne temperature, length of trip,
driving conditions, oil viscosity and quality, engine speed and accelera\
tion/deceleration.
Checking your engine oil level each time the car is refuelled is one of \
the most important items you can
perform to help keep your car in good running order.

Manual transmission

The following speeds should not be exceeded during the break-in period: \
Up to 600 miles
(1000 km) 600 - 1,200 miles
(1000 - 2000 km)
1st gear 20 mph (30 km/h) 25 mph (40 km/h)
2nd gear 30 mph (50 km/h) 40 mph (70 km/h)
3rd gear 45 mph (80 km/h) 65 mph (100 km/
h)
4th gear 70 mph (110 km/
h) 80 mph (130 km/
h)
5th gear/
overdrive 80 mph (130 km/
h) 95 mph (150 km/
h)
Posted speed limits should not be exceeded.
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