engine VOLVO 850 1996 Owner's Guide
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1996 Volvo 850
mountainous areas.
NOTE: Refer to section "Automatic transmission" for additional trailer h\
auling tips.
WARNING!
l Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor should s\
afety chains be attached to
the bumper.
l Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle rear axle must not be used.
l Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to the vehicle\
brake system, nor a trailer's
lighting system directly to the vehicle lighting system. Consult your ne\
arest authorized Volvo retailer
for correct installation.
pg. 4:18 Winter driving
Cold weather precautions
l If you wish to check your car before the approach of cold weather, the f\
ollowing advice is worth
noting:
l Make sure that the engine coolant contains at least 50 percent antifreez\
e: that is, 3.7 qts. (3.5 liters)
Volvo Genuine Coolant/Antifreeze. This gives protection against freezing\
down to -31°F (-35°C). See
section "Coolant". The use of "recycled" antifreeze is not approved by V\
olvo. Different types of
antifreeze may not be mixed.
l Try to keep the fuel tank well filled - this prevents the formation of c\
ondensation in the tank. In
addition in extremely cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to add fu\
el line de-icer before refueling.
l The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity (t\
hinner oil) improves cold-
weather starting as well as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine\
is warming up. For winter use,
5W-30 oil, particularly the synthetic type, is recommended. Be sure to u\
se good quality oil but do not
use this cold-weather oil for hard driving or in warm weather. See secti\
on "Engine oil" for more
information.
l The load placed on the battery is greater during the winter since the he\
ater, windshield wipers,
lighting etc. are used more often. Moreover, the capacity of the battery\
decreases as the temperature
drops. In very cold weather, a poorly charged battery can freeze and be \
damaged. It is therefore
advisable to check the state of charge more frequently and spray an anti\
-rust oil on the battery posts.
l Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter dri\
ving - see section "Wheels
and tires".
l To prevent the washer reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents conta\
ining antifreeze (see page
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1996 Volvo 850
8:15 for the location of the washer fluid reservoir). This is important sin\
ce the dirt is often splashed on
the windshield during winter driving, thus requiring frequent use of the\
washers and wipers. The Volvo
Washer Solvent should be diluted as follows:
Down to 14°F (-10°C): 1 part anti-freeze and 4 parts water
Down to 5°F (-15°C): 1 part anti-freeze and 3 parts water
Down to 0°F (-18°C): 1 part anti-freeze and 2 parts water
Down to -18°F (-28°): 1 part anti-freeze and 1 part water
l When driving in temperatures below 15 F (-10 C), we recommend the use \
of Volvo's radiator guard to
help the engine reach normal operating temperature as quickly as possibl\
e. This guard should not be
used when towing a trailer.
l Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
NOTE: Avoid the use of de-icing spray as they can cause damage to the lo\
cks.
Winter/Wet mode
Enhanced Vehicle Traction
This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads. In \
this mode:
* In position D, the gearbox starts in 3rd gear and changes up to 4th ge\
ar.
* In position 3, 2nd gear is locked and there is no change up to 3rd gea\
r.
In position L, first gear is locked.
* These positions always offer the kick-down feature.
pg. 4:19 Long distance trips, City driving
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your car checked at a Volvo retailer bef\
ore driving long distances. Your
retailer will also be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark plugs \
and wiper blades for your use in the
event that problems occur.
If you prefer to check the car yourself, please note the following:
l Check that the engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.\
l Check engine oil, coolant levels, and for possible fuel leakage.
l Check transmission oil level.
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1996 Volvo 850
l Check condition of drive belts.
l Check state of charge of battery.
l Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and replace those th\
at are worn. Check tire pressures.
l The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be checked b\
y your Volvo retailer only.
l Check all lights, including high beams.
l Reflective warning triangles are legal requirement in some countries.
l Have a word with your Volvo retailer concerning engine adjustments if yo\
u intend to drive in
countries where it may be difficult to obtain correct fuel.
l Consider your destination. If you will be driving through an area where \
snow or ice are likely to
occur, consider snow tires.
Contents | Top of Page
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1996 Volvo 850
pg. 6:13 Replacing Fuses
Fuse removal tool Defective fuse Intact fuse
Replacing fuses
If an electrical component fails to function, it is likely that a fuse h\
as blown due to a temporary circuit
overload.
The fuse box is located in the engine compartment (see illustration) a\
nd can be opened by lifting the
cover.
A label on the inside of the cover indicates the amperage and the electr\
ical components that are
connected to each fuse.
The easiest way to see if a fuse is blown is to remove it. Pull the fuse\
straight out. From the side,
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1996 Volvo 850
l Wash off the dirt from the underside (wheel housings fenders, etc.).
l In areas of high industrial fallout, more frequent washing is recommende\
d.
CAUTION: During high pressure washing the spray mouth piece must never b\
e closer to the vehicle
than 13" (30 cm). Do not spray into the locks.
l When washing or steam cleaning the engine, avoid spraying water or steam\
directly on the electrical
components or toward the rear side of the engine.
l After cleaning the engine, the spark plug wells should be inspected for \
water and blown dry if
necessary.
Suitable detergents
Special car washing detergents or liquid dishwashing detergent can be us\
ed. A suitable mixture is about
2.5 fl. oz. (8.5 cl) of detergent to 2.6 US gal. (10 liters) of warm\
water. After washing with a detergent
the car should be well rinsed with clean water.
Bird droppings
Remove from paintwork as soon as possible. Otherwise the finish may be p\
ermanently damaged.
WARNING!
l When the car is driven immediately after being washed, apply the brake s\
everal times in order to
remove any moisture from the brake linings.
l Engine cleaning agents should not be used when the engine is warm. This \
constitutes a fire risk.
NOTE: When washing the car, remember to remove dirt from the drain holes\
in the doors and sills.
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1996 Volvo 850
Volvo service
pg. 8:1 Volvo Service
Service - an investment!
An investment which will pay dividends in the form of improved reliabili\
ty, durability, and resale value.
8:2 Label Information
8:3Maintenance service, Warranty
8:4Maintenance schedule
8:6Servicing
8:9Lubrication
8:10Engine oil
8:12Power steering fluid, Brake/clutch system fluid reservoir
8:13Automatic transmission fluid
8:14Drive belt, Air pump system
8:15Windshield washer nozzle, Washer fluid reservoir
8:16Coolant
8:17Engine compartment
pg. 8:2 Label information
1 Vehicle Emission Control Information
Your Volvo is designed to meet all applicable emission standards, as evi\
denced by the certification label
on the underside of the hood. For further information regarding these re\
gulations, please consult your
Volvo retailer.
2 Vacuum hose routing
(underside of hood)
3 Loads and Tire Pressures
(on inside of fuel tank cover)
4 Model plate
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Codes for color and upholstery et\
c. This plate is located on panel
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1996 Volvo 850
EMISSION SYSTEM
MAINTENANCE
Engine oil and filter
1 R
3 R R 3 R R 3 R R 3 R R 3 R R 3 R
Engine drive belt accessory belt) R
Air cleaner filter R R
Spark plugs R R
Automatic transmission fluid
I
I I I I I
Timing belt - B 5254 S, B 5234 T
4
1) See section "Engine oil" for detailed information.
NOTE: The oil should be changed at these intervals or after 750 hours of\
driving or after 12 months
which ever occurs first. See "Service Reminder indicator",
page 1:5.
2) For services beyond 60,000 miles (96,000 km), consult your "Mainte\
nance records booklet".
3) These intervals may apply, depending on actual driving conditions (\
see page 8:11 for details)
4) For proper functioning of the vehicle and its emission control syste\
m, Volvo recommends that the
timing belt be replaced every 70,000 (112,000 km).
pg. 8:5 Servicing (cont.)
Maintenance schedule
A = Adjust (Correct if necessary) I = Inspect (Correct or Replace if \
necessary)
R = Replace L = Lubricate
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1996 Volvo 850
Maintenance Operation thousand miles
(thousand km) 10
(16) 20
(32) 30
(48) 40
(64) 50
(80) 60
(96)
ENGINE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
ENGINE
Fuel (Line) Filter¹
PCV Nipple (orifice)/hoses,clean I
Battery I I I I I I
BRAKES
Inspect brakes, replace components as necessary I I I I I I
Brake Fluid²
STEERING/SUSPENSION
Rotate tires/check wear (align front end if
needed.) I
I I I I I
Check power steering fluid level. I I I I I I
Grease front link arm stops L L L L L L
BODY
Power antenna (clean) I I I I I I
Trunk/hood, hinges and latches L L L L L L
1) Replace at 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
2) Brake fluid should be changed at owner request every second year (o\
nce a year if the car is driven in
mountainous areas or in areas with high humidity).
The following items should be checked weekly by the driver (it takes on\
ly a few minutes).
Engine oil level Horns
Brake fluid level Windshield wipers
Radiator coolant level Tire pressure (all five tires)
Operation of all lights Level of windshield washer fluid
The following should also be carried out at regular intervals:
Washing
Polishing
Cleaning
Rust protection
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1996 Volvo 850
pg. 8:6 Servicing (cont.)
The following precautions must be observed when carrying out repairs to \
the vehicle
WARNING! The distributor ignition system operates at very high voltages.\
Special safety precautions
must be followed to prevent injury. Always turn the ignition off when:
l Connecting engine test and diagnostic equipment to the vehicle (timing \
light, tach-dwell tester,
ignition oscilloscope, etc.).
l Replacing distributor ignition components e.g. plugs, coil, etc.
l Do not touch any part of the distributor ignition system while the engin\
e is running. This may result
in unintended movements and body injury.
Battery
l Check that the battery cables are correctly connected and properly tight\
ened.
l Never disconnect the battery when the engine is running, for example whe\
n changing the battery.
l The battery should be disconnected when a boost charger is used.
l Switch off the radio before disconnecting the battery. If your radio has\
an anti-theft code and the
battery is disconnected, the radio code has to be re-entered in order fo\
r the radio to function.
Replacing spark plugs
The spark plugs should be changed every 30,000 miles (48,000 km). Howe\
ver, city driving or fast
highway driving may necessitate changing after 15,000 miles (24,000 km)\
of driving. When installing
new plugs, be sure to fit the right type and use correct torque, see "Sp\
ecifications". When changing the
plugs, check that the suppressor connectors are in good condition. Crack\
ed or damaged connectors
should be replaced. When changing the spark plugs, clean the terminals a\
nd the rubber seals.
Hoisting the car
If a garage jack is used to lift the car, the two jack attachments point\
s should be used. They are specially
reinforced to bear the weight of the car. A garage jack can also be plac\
ed under the front of the engine
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1996 Volvo 850
support frame and under the reinforced plate in the spare wheel well. Ta\
ke care not to damage the splash
guard under the engine. Ensure that the jack is positioned so that the c\
ar cannot slide off it. Always use
axle stands or similar structures.
If a two-post hoist is used to lift the car, the front and rear lift arm\
pads should be centered under the
reinforced lift plates on the inboard edge of the sill rail. The positio\
n of these plates is marked with
arrows molded into the bottom of the sill rail.
CAUTION: 850 R turbo models have reduced ground clearance due to the des\
ign of the front spoiler.
Please observe caution when driving the car onto a garage hoist.
pg. 8:7 Servicing (cont.)
Torque exhaust and intake manifold nuts
A loose manifold could alter air/fuel ratio and cause an increase in emi\
ssion and/or poor driveability.
Air cleaner
Replace the air cleaner cartridge with a new one every 30,000 miles (48\
,000 km). The cartridge should
be replaced more often when driving under dirty and dusty conditions. Th\
e filter cannot be cleaned and
therefore should always be replaced with a new one.
Vacuum fittings, hoses and connections
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