tires VOLVO 240 1990 Owners Manual

Volvo 1990 240 Model
1990 VOLVO 240 Owner's Manual U.S.A. & Canada
Essential Information
Please take the time to fill out the forms on this page. When completed,\
these forms will provide
information essential to the proper servicing and ordering of parts for \
your Volvo.

Owner
Name_________
Address_______
City, State____Zip/Code_____
Tel. No________

Notice:
Your Volvo is designed to meet all applicable safety and emission standa\
rds, as evidenced by the
certification labels attached to the door opening sheet metal and on the\
left wheel housing in the engine
compartment. For further information regarding these regulations, please\
contact your dealer.

Vehicle Information (see "Label information" section)
Vehicle License Number_____
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)_____
Service Designation Number_____
Engine Designation_____ See "Specifications" section
Color Code_____
Upholstery_____
Tire designation_____ See "Tires" section
Vehicle Capacity_____

VOLVO NORTH AMERICA CORPORATION Contents
Important

file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_00.htm (1 of 4)12/30/2006 8:\
25:01 AM

Volvo 1990 240 Model

To obtain best parking brake performance, the brake linings should be br\
oken in.
Stop 5-7 times from 30 mph (50 km/h), transmission in neutral, applyin\
g the parking brake with the
release button pressed in during the stop. The force must not lock the r\
ear wheels. If this happens,
release the brake enough to let the wheels rotate. Drive a mile between \
each stop to cool the brakes.
Check for proper parking brake operation.
Note: The brake lights are not illuminated when applying the parking bra\
ke. To warn traffic from
behind it is therefore advisable to depress the brake pedal slightly to \
illuminate the brake lights.

600 - 1,200 mile maintenance service

To ensure proper operation the car should be taken to a Volvo dealer bet\
ween the first 600 - 1,200 miles
(1,000 - 2,000 km) for a maintenance service. The oil in the engine, m\
anual transmission and rear axle
will then be changed. This is very important since the oil rapidly colle\
cts impurities during the break-in
period.
pg. 43 Driving economy, Shift indicator light
Economical driving does not necessarily mean driving slowly

Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid\
starts and stops and
adjusting the speed of your vehicle to immediate traffic conditions. Obs\
erve the following rules:

l Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by \
driving with a light foot on
the accelerator pedal instead of allowing the engine to idle for a prolo\
nged period. A cold engine uses
more fuel and is subject to increased wear.
l When possible avoid using the car for driving short distances. This does\
not allow the engine to reach
normal operating temperature.
l Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
l Do not exceed speed limit.
l Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the car.
l Check tire pressures regularly (cold tires).
l Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
l Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc., increase air resistance and there\
by fuel consumption.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_09.htm (3 of 6)12/30/2006 8:\
25:05 AM

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.\

file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_11.htm (2 of 6)12/30/2006 8:\
25:06 AM

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.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_11.htm (4 of 6)12/30/2006 8:\
25:06 AM

Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 53 Service and maintenance
55Maintenance services
56Service requirements
59Engine B230F
60Fuel requirements
61Engine fluids
62Engine oil, Oil/oil filter change interval
63Cooling system
65Servicing
70Transmission oil
72Rear axle, power steering, brake fluid
73Lubrication
74Coolant
75Alternator, jump starting
76Replacing bulbs
81Fuses
82Wheels and tires
84Wheel changing
86Replacing wiper blades
87Washing, cleaning
87Cleaning, anti-rust treatment
88Paint touch-up
90What causes rust
91Long distance trips, cold weather
92Service diagnosis
96Label information
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_12.htm (1 of 7)12/30/2006 8:\
25:07 AM

Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 82 Wheels and tires
Checking and correcting tire pressure

Check the tire pressure when refueling. The tire pressure should only be\
corrected when the tires are
cold. With warm tires, correct only when the pressure is too low. The ti\
re temperature (and, thus,
pressure) rises after driving just a few miles.
Warning: Improperly inflated tires will reduce tire life, adversely affe\
ct vehicle handling and can
possibly lead to failure resulting in loss of vehicle control without pr\
ior warning.

Vehicle Loading

The tires on your Volvo will perform to specifications at all normal loa\
ds when inflated as
recommended on the tire information label located on the rear facing sid\
e of the right front door. This
label lists both tire and vehicle design limits.
Do not load your car beyond the load limits indicated.

Tire Pressure Label

The tire pressure label is located on the rear facing side of the right \
front door.
See section titled ''Specifications'' and Consumer Information Booklet f\
or complete tire pressure
information.

Wear indicator

The tires have a so-called "wear indicator in the form of a number of na\
rrow strips running across or
parallel to the tread. When approx 1/16 " (1.5 mm) is left on the trea\
d, these strips show up and indicate
the tire should be replaced.
Tires with less than 1/16" (1.5 mm) tread have a very poor grip in rai\
n or snow.
pg. 83 Wheels and tires
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_17.htm (1 of 2)12/30/2006 8:\
25:10 AM

Volvo 1990 240 Model
General

When replacing worn tires, it is recommended that the tire be identical \
in type (radial) and size as the
one being replaced. Using a tire of the same make (manufacturer) will \
prevent altering the driving
characteristics of the vehicle.

How to improve tire economy

l Maintain correct tire pressure
l Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard braking and tire screeching.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_17.htm (2 of 2)12/30/2006 8:\
25:10 AM

Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 91 Long distance trips, Cold weather
Prior to a long distance trip

Have your car checked at a Volvo dealer. Preventive maintenance will hel\
p to ensure a trouble free trip.
Remember to take along a Volvo dealer directory.
The main items to check are listed below:
1. Brakes, front wheel alignment and steering gear.
2. Engine running condition.
3. Fuel system operation.
4. Oil leaks: engine, transmission, rear axle.
5. Cooling system for leaks or worn hoses.
6. Examine tires carefully, replace worn tires.
7. Battery and terminals.
8. Tool equipment.
9. Lighting.
10. Drive belts, for tightness and wear.
11. All fluid levels.

Cold weather/Engine fuel system

During the winter, large variations in temperature cause condensation to\
form in the fuel tank and can
impair the running of the engine. This can be reduced by adding dry gas \
to the fuel. There is less risk of
condensation forming in the fuel tank if it is kept full or nearly full.\


Engine cooling system

Volvo type C (blue-green) coolant should be used all year round. The c\
ooling system should always
contain water plus anti-freeze and rust inhibitor, even during the summe\
r. Experience has also shown
that extremely weak anti-freeze solutions (10-25 percent) are ineffect\
ive for rust protection. For this
reason, the quantity of antifreeze/summer coolant should be about 50 per\
cent of the solution. This
lowers the freezing point to - 30 ° F (-35 ° C).

Engine lubricating system
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_19.htm (1 of 7)12/30/2006 8:\
25:13 AM

Volvo 1990 240 Model
Overdrive off (auto
trans.) 1.2 W
W2x4.6d 1
Warning flashers 1.2 W W2x4.6d 1
El. heated window 1.2 W W2x4.6d 1
Seat belts 2 W Ba 9 s 2
Bulb failure 1.2 W W2x4.6d 1
pg. 103 Specifications
Recommended max. and min. speeds†, mph (km/h)

Manual transmission M47 II
1st gear 2nd gear 3rd gear 4th gear 5th gear
-25 (-
40) 10-44 (20-
70) 20-70 (30-
110) 25-
(44-) 44-
(70-)

† always observe posted speed limits.

Vehicle Loading

The tires on your Volvo will perform to specifications at all normal loa\
ds when inflated as
recommended on the tire information label located on the rear facing sid\
e of the right front door.
This label lists both tire and vehicle design limits.
Do not load your car beyond the load limits indicated.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_20.htm (10 of 14)12/30/2006 \
8:25:15 AM