warning VOLVO 240 1990 Owner's Manual

Volvo 1990 240 Model

1. Enter the car and check that the seat is adjusted properly. Make sure\
that the brake pedal can be
depressed completely. Move the seat closer if necessary.
2. Fasten the seat belt.
3. Apply the parking brake if not already set. Depress the brake pedal w\
ith your right foot.
4. Place the gear selector in Park (or neutral).
5. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to the \
starting position. Release the key
as soon as the engine starts.
6. Select the desired gear. There is a slight delay before the gear enga\
ges which is most notable when
selecting Reverse. Do not accelerate until you have felt the gear engage\
!
Note: Too-rapid acceleration immediately after selecting a gear will cau\
se harsh engagement and
premature transmission wear.

7. Release parking brake, then foot brake, and accelerate. To stop the c\
ar release the accelerator and
apply the brakes with your right foot.

It is not necessary to move the gear selector as the transmission will d\
ownshift automatically.
When idling for extended periods of time, select position N to prevent u\
nnecessary heating of the
transmission.
WARNING! Always place gear selector in Park and apply parking brake befo\
re leaving vehicle. Never
leave car unattended with engine running.
pg. 48 Emergency towing (pulling)

Front eyelet Rear eyelet
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 50 Trailer hauling
When preparing for trailer hauling, observe the following:

l Use a trailer hitch which meets Federal Safety Standards for rear end co\
llisions (FMVSS 301 -75).
For trailer weights exceeding 2,000 lbs (908 kgs) use only a trailer h\
itch offered as a Genuine Volvo
Accessory.
l Maximum trailer weight recommended by Volvo is 3,300 lbs (1,500 kg). \
However, for cars with automatic transmission, an optional Volvo automat\
ic transmission oil cooler
must be installed when trailer weight exceeds 2,000 lbs (908 kgs). Wit\
h manual transmission, 5th gear
should not be used while towing. Observe legal requirements of the state\
in which the vehicles are
registered.

All Volvo models are equipped with energy absorbing shock mounted bumper\
s. Trailer hitch installation
should not interfere with the proper operation of the bumper system.

WARNING! Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvo's, no\
r should safety chains be
attached to the bumper.
Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle rear axle must not be used.
WARNING! Never connect a trailer's hydraulic-brake system directly to th\
e vehicle brake system, nor
a trailer's lighting system directly to the vehicle lighting system. Con\
sult your nearest authorized
Volvo dealer for correct installation.

Trailer hauling does not normally present any particular problems, but t\
ake into consideration:
l Recommended hitch tongue load is 110 lbs (50 kgs) for trailer weights \
below 2,650 lbs (1,200 kgs)
and 143-154 lbs (65-70 kgs) for trailer weights above 2,650 lbs (1,20\
0 kgs). However, it must not
exceed 200 lbs (90 kgs).
l For trailer weights between 2,650-3,300 lbs (1,200-1,500 kgs) a top sp\
eed of 50 mph (80 km/h)
should never be exceeded.
l Engine and transmission are subject to increased loads. Therefore, engin\
e coolant temperature should
be closely watched when driving in hot climate or hilly terrain. Use low\
er gear and turn off air
conditioner if temperature gauge pointer enters the red range.
l Avoid overload and other abusive operation.
l Hauling a trailer affects handling, durability and economy.
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
l It is necessary to balance trailer brakes with the towing vehicle brakes\
to provide a safe stop (check
and observe State regulations).
l More frequent vehicle maintenance is required.
l Remove the ball and drawbar assembly when the hitch is not being used.
l Increase tire pressure to recommended full-load pressure. See section 'W\
heels and Tires."
Note: Refer to section entitled "Automatic transmission" for additional \
trailer hauling
tips.
Warning: Do not drive with trunk lid or tailgate
open!

Poisonous exhaust gases may enter via the open trunk lid or tailgate. (\
This is especially true for wagon
models.)
If the trunk lid or tailgate for any reason must be open, proceed as fol\
lows:
l Close the windows.
l Set the heating system controls for floor and defroster to max. and the \
blower to full speed (4). See
section titled "Heating and Ventilation".

Handling, roadholding

Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure are important for prope\
r handling. Therefore check that
the tires are inflated to the recommended pressure according to the vehi\
cle load.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity weight or maximum permissib\
le axle loads are not
exceeded.
It is recommended to use tires of the same make and dimensions on all fo\
ur wheels.

Warning: Do not mix radial ply and bias ply tires as this will adversely\
alter the vehicle handling
characteristics.

Roof rack

Permanent and removable roof racks are available from Volvo Accessories.\

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Volvo 1990 240 Model

The power assist to the brakes functions only when the engine is running\
. When the car is moving
without the engine running the brake pedal pressure required to stop the\
car is increased 3- 4 times.
The brake pedal feels stiff and hard.
Disc brake noise: A slight-to-moderate amount of disc brake "squeal" is \
considered normal.

Air dam (front spoiler)

A non-factory air dam can negatively influence the normal flow of coolin\
g air to the front wheel brakes.
(See section titled "Wheels and Tires").

If one of the brake circuits should malfunction the red warning light wi\
ll come on



(See section titled "Warning Lights".)
The pedal stroke increases slightly and the pedal feels softer but the p\
edal pressure required does not
increase noticeably.
If the light comes on while driving and the brake pedal can be depressed\
further than normal, it is an
indication that one of the brake circuits is not functioning. Stop immed\
iately, open engine hood and
check brake fluid level.
Reservoir empty: do NOT drive. Tow car to shop for check/repair of brake\
system. Reservoir not empty:
proceed immediately and with caution to a Volvo dealer for an inspection\
of the brake system.

Severe strain on the brake system

The brakes will be subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or\
hilly areas. The speed is usually
low which means that the cooling of the brake is less efficient than whe\
n driving on level roads.
To reduce the strain on the brakes it is advisable not to use the brakes\
excessively.
Instead, shift into a lower gear and let the engine help with the brakin\
g. A good rule is to use the same
gear downhill as would be used ascending the same grade. For vehicles wi\
th automatic transmission use
position 2, or in some cases, 1.
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 52 Catalytic Converter
Catalytic Converter Cautions


l Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain engine malfunctions, particular\
ly involving the electrical,
fuel or ignition systems, may cause unusually high converter temperature\
s. Do not continue to operate
your vehicle it you detect engine misfire, noticeable loss of power or o\
ther unusual operating conditions,
such as engine overheating or backfiring. A properly-tuned engine will h\
elp in avoiding malfunctions
that could damage the Catalytic Converter.

l Remember that tampering with or unauthorized modifications to the engine\
or the vehicle may be
illegal and can cause catalyst or exhaust system overheating. This inclu\
des:
-- Altering fuel injection settings or components.
-- Adjusting ignition timing beyond specified limits.
-- Altering emission system components or location or removing component\
s.
-- Use of leaded fuel.

WARNING: Do not park your car over combustible materials, such as grass \
or leaves, which can
come into contact with the hot exhaust system and cause such materials t\
o ignite under certain wind
and weather conditions.

l Excessive starter cranking (in excess of one continuous minute) with a\
n intermittently firing or
flooded engine, can cause catalyst or exhaust system overheating. This a\
lso applies to lengthy pushing or
towing of vehicle to start (manual transmissions only). Do not attempt\
to start a car with automatic
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Volvo 1990 240 Model

Brake fluid

Without removing the cap, check that the level is above the MIN mark. Br\
ake fluid DOT 4. See "Brake
fluid" section.

Battery

Check level in conjunction with normal service or once a year. Electroly\
te level 1/4" - 3/8"(5-10 mm)
above plates. Use distilled water. Never add acid.
Warning:
Battery gases are explosive if brought in contact with open flame or
sparks.


Washer fluid Coolant reservoir

Washer fluid

Washer fluid reservoir. Water and solvent (in wintertime, use windshiel\
d washer anti-freeze). See
"Washer fluid reservoir" section.
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
WARNING!
The ignition system operates at very high voltages. Special safety preca\
utions 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 ignition components e.g. plugs, coil, distributor, high-tensio\
n leads, etc.




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Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 70 Manual transmission


Manual transmission with overdrive, M47 II

Capacity: 1.6 US qts 1.5 liters.
Fluid type: Automatic Transmission Fluid Type F
Replace: at 600-1,200 mile (1,000-2,000 km) service only.

The oil level should be up to the level/filler plug.
When replacing transmission oil, drain the oil immediately after driving\
, while it is still hot, by
removing the drain plug.
Warning: Use care to prevent possible burning from hot transmission
oil.
pg. 71 Automatic transmission
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
WARNING! The oil may be very
hot!

Do not use rags which can leave lint on the dipstick.
The transmission is topped up via the dipstick tube.
The space between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick corresponds to 0\
.5 US qts (0.5 liter). Do
not fill the transmission with too much oil, since this can result in oi\
l being ejected from the
transmission.
Too little oil, on the other hand, can negatively affect transmission op\
eration, particularly in very cold
weather.
pg. 72 Rear axle oil, Power steering fluid, Brake fluid


Rear axle oil

Capacity: 1030 1.4 US qts 1.3 liters
1031 1.7 US qts 1.6 1iters
Oil type: API GL-5 (MIL-L-2105 B or C) or Volvo Rear Axle Oil 1161329 \

Viscosity: SAE 90 or 80W / 90
Replace: at 600 - 1,200 mile (1,000 - 2,000 km) service only

The oil level should be up to the filler plug (A).
Drain rear axle oil through drain plug (B).
When the temperature is consistently below 15°F (-10°C), use API\
GL-5 SAE 80/90W oil.
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
WARNING!
To prevent possible explosion, never expose battery to open flame or ele\
ctric spark. Do not smoke
near battery. Batteries generate hydrogen gas which is flammable and exp\
losive.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid which can cause serious injury.
Do not allow battery acid to contact eyes, skin, fabrics or painted surf\
aces. If contact occurs,
thoroughly flush affected area immediately with water.
Obtain medical attention immediately if eyes are affected.

After engine has started first remove negative (-) jumper cable, then \
positive (+) terminal jumper cable.




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