VOLVO V90 1998 Owner's Manual
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1998 Volvo S90
safety. We also want to know if you ever
have a safety concern with your car. Call
us in the U.S. at: 800-458-1552 or in
Canada at: 800-663-8255. road, and water conditions,
particularly with regard to
stopping distance. (or 366-0123 in Washington, D.C.
area) or write to: NHSTA, U.S.
Department of Transportation,
Washington D.C. 20590. You can
also obtain other information about
motor vehicle safety from the
Hotline.
Contents | Top of Page
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1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 2 - Instruments, switches and controlsInstruments, switches and controls
pg. 14
Instruments, switches and controls pg. 15
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.
If it is necessary to manually override the
Shiftlock system:
l Turn the starting (ignition) key to position
I
l Press firmly on the OVERRIDE" button
located near the base of the gear selector.
l While holding the override button down,
move the gear selector from the (P)ark
position.
Keylock
Some of the items below are available on certain
models only.
1
Air vent...pg. 25
2
Headlights, parking lights...pg. 20
3
Rear fog light...pg. 22
4
Front fog lights...pg. 22
5 Space for additional equipment
6
Power antenna (sedans only)...pg. 22
7
Instruments...pg. 15-17
8
Electrically operated sun roof...pg. 23,
Electrically operated sun roof...pg. 49
9
Heated rear window/side door mirrors...pg. 23
10
Hazard warning flasher...pg. 23
11
Central lock switch...pg. 23
12
Air vents...pg. 25
13
Heating and ventilation...pg. 25-27
14
Passenger's side SRS (air bag)...pg. 6
15
Audio system...pg. 131
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1998 Volvo S90
This means that when you switch off the ignition,
the gear selector must be in the (P)ark position
before the starting (ignition) 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 is started and at
4 mph (6km/h). The driver may detect one
pulsation of the brake pedal and a sound will be
audible from the ABS control module. This is
normal.
The pages in this section provide detailed
descriptions of the vehicle's instruments and
controls.
Note that vehicles may be equipped differently,
depending on special legal requirements. 16 Controls for electrically operated windows...
pg. 29
and side-view mirrors...pg. 35
17
Instrument illumination...pg. 22
18
Hood-release handle...pg. 39
19
Turn signals, high/low beams...pg. 20
cruise control...pg. 24
20
Adjustable steering wheel...pg. 22
21
SRS (air bag)/Horn...pg. 4
22
Starting (ignition) switch/steering wheel
lock...pg. 21
23
Windshield wiper/washer...pg. 21
Tailgate wiper/washer (wagons)...pg. 23
24
Cigarette lighter...pg. 30
25
Transmission mode selector buttons...pg. 59
26
Gear selector...pg. 58
27
Ash tray...pg. 30
28
Shiftlock release (override) button...pg. 61
29
Parking brake...pg. 30
30
Electrically-heated front seats (certain
models)...pg. 28
Instruments pg. 16
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1998 Volvo S90
NOTE: Canadian model
speedometers/odometers
indicate kilometers only.
1 Ambient temperature
indicator (certain models)
Indicates the temperature
slightly above the surface of the
road. An amber warning lamp
lights up when the temperature
is in the range of 23-36° F (-5 -
+ 2° C). At low speeds or when
the car is not moving, the
temperature readings may be
slightly higher than the actual
ambient temperature due to heat
generated by the engine.
2 Fuel gauge
The total fuel tank capacity is
approx. 21.1 US gal. (80 liters).
The "usable" capacity is 20.3
US gal. (77 liters). When the
warning light comes on, there
are approximately 1.6 US gal. (6
liters) of fuel remaining in the
tank. See "Refueling" for further
information.3 Quartz crystal clock/
clock set button
Press the button and turn to set
the clock.
4 Speedometer
5 Odometer
6 Trip odometer/reset
button
Used for measuring shorter
distances. The last digit
indicates 1/10 mile/kilometer.
7 Tachometer
Reads thousands of engine rpm.
Engine should not be operated
in red range.
8 Temperature gauge
Do not drive the car with the
pointer in the red range. The
pointer should be approximately
midway on the gauge face when
driving. If the pointer approaches
the red range repeatedly, check
coolant level. See page 118.
WARNING! Allow engine to
cool before adding coolant.
Contents | Top of Page
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1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 2 - Instruments, switches and controls (cont.)Indicator and warning lights
pg. 17
1 Turn signal, left
2 Turn signal, right
3 Malfunction indicator
lamp
4 Direction indicator,
trailer
5 Service reminder
indicator
6 Low washer fluid level
If the lamp glows continuously
when the engine is running,
there is only about 1/2 - 1 US
qts. remaining in the washer
fluid reservoir.
7 Rear fog light
8 Bulb failure
9 Generator not charging
10 Low engine oil pressure
11 High beams
12 Brake failure
13 Parking brake applied
14 ABS-system
15 Low coolant level
16 (Not in use)
17 "Winter" mode engaged/
transmission fault
18 Fasten seat belts
19 SRS
20 (Not in use)
21 (Not in use)
Warning lights
pg. 18
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1998 Volvo S90
The warning lights described on pages 18 and 19 should never stay on whe\
n driving
When the ignition key is turned on, and before the engine starts, all of\
the warning lights should be on
to test the function of the bulbs. Should a light not go off after the e\
ngine has started, the system
indicated should be inspected. However, the parking brake reminder light\
will not go off until the
parking brake is fully released.
Generator warning
light
If the light comes on while the
engine is running, have the
charging system checked.
Malfunction
indicator lamp
If the lamp 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.
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. Use only Volvo original
or approved fuel filler caps.
Oil pressure warning
light
If the light comes on while
driving, stop the car and then s
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.
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:
Brake failure
warning light
If the light comes on while
driving or braking, stop
immediately, open the hood and
check the brake fluid level in the
reservoir. See page 114 for
reservoir position.
Canadian models are equipped
with this warning light:
WARNING!
If the level is below the MIN
mark in either section of the
reservoir: DO NOT DRIVE.
Tow the car to a Volvo
retailer and have the brake
system checked and any
leakage repaired.
Warning lights (cont.) pg. 19
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1998 Volvo S90
Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS)
If the warning lamp lights up
there is a malfunction of the
ABS system (the standard
braking system will however
function). The vehicle should be
driven to a Volvo retailer for
inspection.
See page 67 for additional
information.
Canadian models are equipped
with this warning light:
Mode "W" engaged
The lamp will light up when the
Winter/Wet mode is engaged.
If the warning lamp begins to
flash,this means that there is a
fault in the automatic gearbox.
Contact your Volvo retailer.
Supplemental
Restraint System
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.
Service reminder
indicator
This light will come on at
10,000 mile (16,000 km)
intervals. It is a reminder to the
driver that the 10,000 mile
(16,000 km) service interval has
been exceeded. The light will
stay on 2 minutes after start
until reset by the servicing
retailer.
Coolant level sensor
If the light comes on while
driving, the coolant level is low.
The coolant level in the
expansion tank should be
checked immediately and
topped off if necessary. The
cooling system should be
inspected by an authorized
Volvo retailer.
Turn signal indicators-
trailer (certain models)
When 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.
Bulb failure warning
light
The light will come on if any of
the following bulbs are defective:
one of the low beam headlights
one of the tail lights
one of the brake lights when the
brake pedal is depressed.
Check the fuse and bulb.
See sections titled "Replacing
bulbs" and "Fuses".
Lighting, Turn signals pg. 20
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1998 Volvo S90
Headlights and parking lights
All lights off *
Parking lights on **
Headlights and parking lights are on if
starting (ignition) switch is in position I or II. If
the headlight switch is in position
all lights
will go out when starting switch is switched off.
With the headlight switch in position
the
parking lights will stay on (headlights off) with
the daytime running light switch (A) in position
.
The high beams can only be switched on if the
headlight switch is in position
.
Switch from high to low beams, and vice versa,
by moving the turn signal switch lever on the left
side of the steering column towards the steering
wheel.
*Models equipped with daytime running lights:
The low beams, tail lights, parking lights and
license plate lights will come on automatically
when the ignition is switched on.
Automatic daytime running lights
NOTE: The daytime running light function may
only be disabled (turned off) in the U.S. -
Canadian law mandates the use of daytime
running lights.
Screw A in the illustration (available on U.S.
models only) is used to control the automatic
daytime running lights when the headlight switch
is in position 0. To adjust, press in the screw with
a small screwdriver and turn to one of the
following positions:
Automatic daytime
running lights
Automatic daytime
running lights
** The daytime running
lights will also function when
the headlight switch is in
Turn signals
1 Lane change position: In maneuvers such as
lane changing, the driver can flash the turn signals
by moving the turn signal lever to the first stop
and holding it there. The lever will return to the
neutral position when released.
2 Signal lever engaged for normal turns
3 High beam/low beam switch (headlights on)
Move the lever towards the steering wheel and
release it.
Headlight flasher (headlights off)
Move the lever towards the steering wheel.
The headlight high beam will be on until the lever
is released.
NOTE:Defective turn signal bulbs will cause turn
signal indicator and remaining signal lights to
flash more rapidly than normal.
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1998 Volvo S90
position and switch A is in this position.
All lights off (daytime running light function
disabled)
Winshield wipers/washers, Ignition switch pg. 21
Windshield wipers/washers
1 Intermittent wiper.
With switch in this position, the wipers will
sweep approximately every seventh second.
2 "Single sweep" position.
Switch returns automatically when released
3 Wipers, low speed.
4 Wipers, high speed
5 Windshield wiper/washer, headlight
wiper/washer (certain models)
The wiper will make 2-3 complete sweeps
across the windshield and headlights after
lever is released.
Starting
(ignition)
switch/
steering
wheel lock
The steering
wheel lock
might be under
tension when
the car is
parked. Turn
the steering
wheel slightly
to free the ignition key.
In order to reduce car
theft, make sure the
steering wheel lock is
engaged before leaving
the car.
Achime will sound if the
starting key is left in the
ignition lock and the
front door on the driver's
side is opened. 0 Locked position:
remove the key to lock the
steering wheel.
WARNING:
Never turn the key to
position 0 while driving or
when the car is being
towed.
I Intermediate position:
Certain accessories/radio,
etc. on, daytime running
lights off.
II Drive position:
Key position when engine is
running.
III Starting position:
Release the key when the
engine start.
The key returns
automatically to the Drive
position.
*The gear selector must be
in the (P)ark position before
the key can be removed
from the ignition switch.
Fog lights, Instruments illumination, Steering wheel adjustment, Power antenna
pg. 22
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1998 Volvo S90
A - Rear fog light*
The indicator light in the
instrument panel will light
up when the rear fog light
is on. This fog light is
considerably brighter than
the normal tail light and
should be used only when
the atmospheric
conditions, such as fog,
rain, snow, smoke or dust
reduce the daytime or
nighttime visibility of
other vehicles to less than
500 ft (150 meters).
*By design, there is one
rear fog light only, located
in the driver's side tail light
cluster.
B- Instrument
illumination
To increase the brightness,
rotate the switch upward.
To decrease the brightness,
rotate the switch
downward.
C- Front fog lights
The indicator light in the
switch will light up when
the front fog lights are on.
The front fog lights will
only function when the low
beam headlights are on.
NOTE:Local regulations
governing the use of fog
lights may vary.
D- Power antenna (sedans only)
This button can be used to lower the antenna
when, for example, you are listening to a tape or
CD, or when you are driving into a low-roof
garage or car wash. CAUTION: The antenna must be lowered
before washing the car in an automatic car wash. E- Steering
wheel adjustment
The steering wheel
can be adjusted to 3
different positions.
Move the control on
the left side of the
steering column
downward and hold
it in place. Adjust
the steering wheel
to the position
desired. Release the
control and check
that the steering
wheel is locked in
position.
WARNING!Do
not adjust the
steering wheel
while driving.
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