wheel VOLVO 240 1990 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: VOLVO, Model Year: 1990, Model line: 240, Model: VOLVO 240 1990Pages: 143, PDF Size: 2.32 MB
Page 1 of 143

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
Page 2 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
You should be familiar with the information in the first two chapters be\
fore you operate the car.
Information contained in the balance of the manual is extremely useful a\
nd should be studied shortly
after operating the vehicle for the first time. The manual is structured\
so that it can be used for reference.
It should thus be kept in the car for ready access.
All information, illustrations and specifications contained in this manu\
al are based on the latest product
information available at the time of publication. Volvo reserves the rig\
ht to make model changes at any
time, or to change specifications or design, without notice and without \
incurring obligation.
Introduction to the manual 2
Before you drive 7
This section provides a detailed description of the vehicle's instrument\
s and controls.
Operating the car 41
This section contains items such as starting the engine, operating gear \
selector, towing trailers.
Service and maintenance 53
An investment which will pay dividends in the form of improved reliabili\
ty, durability, and resale value.
Specifications 97
All specifications are subject to change without notice. Consult your Vo\
lvo dealer for information.
Should you require more detailed information please contact your Volvo d\
ealer. pg. 2 This manual deals with the operation and care of your Volvo
Welcome to the world-wide family of Volvo owners. We trust that you will\
enjoy many years of safe
driving in your Volvo, an automobile designed with your safety and comfo\
rt in mind. To ensure your
satisfaction with this vehicle, we encourage you to familiarize yourself\
with the equipment descriptions,
operating instructions, and maintenance requirements/recommendations in \
this manual. We also urge
you and your passengers to wear seat belts at all times in this (or any\
other) automobile. And of course,
please do not operate a vehicle if you may be affected by alcohol, medic\
ation, or any impairment that
could hinder your ability to drive.
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
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_00.htm (2 of 4)12/30/2006 8:\
25:01 AM
Page 3 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
compartment. For further information regarding these regulations, please\
contact your dealer. pg. 3 Seat belts: "Something We Believe In"
Despite our strongest recommendations, and your best intentions, not wea\
ring a seat belt is like
believing "It'll never happen to me!". Volvo urges you and all adult occ\
upants of your car to wear seat
belts and ensure that children are properly restrained, using an infant,\
car or booster seat determined by
age, weight and height.
Fact: Inevery state and province, some type of child-restraint legislati\
on has been passed. Additionally,
most states and provinces have already made it mandatory for occupants o\
f a car to use seat belts.
So, urging you to "buckle up" is not just our recommendation - legislati\
on in your state or province may
mandate seat belt usage. The few seconds it takes to buckle up may one d\
ay allow you to say, "It's a
good thing I was wearing my seat belt". pg. 4 General Information
Do not export your Volvo to another country before investigating the cou\
ntry's applicable safety and
exhaust emission requirements. In some cases it may be difficult or impo\
ssible to comply with these
requirements. Modifications to the emission control system(s) may rend\
er your Volvo not certifiable for
legal operation in the U.S., Canada or other countries.
Model versions of the basic Volvo Models 240, 240 DL
USA: Canada:
240 4-door, Wagon 240 DL 4-door, Wagon
240 DL 4-door, Wagon pg. 5 Keys
Owner's Key
This key operates all locks in the vehicle
Service Key
Front doors
Starting (ignition)/steering wheel lock
The key number codes are stamped on a separate tag supplied with the key\
s. This tag should be
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_00.htm (3 of 4)12/30/2006 8:\
25:01 AM
Page 7 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
5 Instruments 10
6 Wiper/washer, tailgate window wiper/washer (wagon) 16
7 Starting (ignition) switch/steering wheel lock 14
8 Air louver 23
9 Radio location 25
10 Air louver 23
11 Glove box -
12 Air louver 23
13 Fuse box 81
14 Hood release handle 34
15 Horn -
16 Cigarette lighter 20
17 Rear window demister 18
18 Hazard warning flashers 18
19 Air conditioning (some models) 24
20 Seat belt reminder light 28
21 Heating and ventilation 22
22 Gear lever or gear selector 45, 46
23 Ash tray 20
24 Storage compartment -
25 Electrically-operated windows (certain models only) 21
26 Control for electrically operated side mirrors (certain models only)\
-
27 Parking brake 19
28 Electrically-operated window, right front door (certain models only)\
21
29 Seat belt release buttons 28
30 Seat heaters 19
31 Seat belt reminder light 28
32 Ash tray 20
The pages in this section provide a detailed description of the vehicle'\
s instruments and controls.
Note that some vehicles may be equipped differently, depending on model,\
special legal requirements,
etc. pg. 10 Instruments
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_01.htm (3 of 5)12/30/2006 8:\
25:01 AM
Page 14 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 14 Starting (ignition) switch, Turn signals
Starting (ignition) switch/steering wheel lock
O Locked position: remove the key to lock the steering wheel.
I Intermediate position: certain circuits (heater blower, cigarette lig\
hter, accessories, etc.) on.
II Drive position: key position when engine is running.
III Starting position: release the key when engine starts. The key retur\
ns automatically to
drive position.
The steering wheel lock may be under tension when the car is parked. Tur\
n the steering wheel slightly to
free the ignition key.
A chime will sound if the starting key is in the ignition lock and the f\
ront door on the driver's side is
open. The chime will also sound if the headlights or parking lights are \
on when the door is open. The
chime goes off when the front door is closed.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_03.htm (1 of 7)12/30/2006 8:\
25:02 AM
Page 15 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
Turn signals
1 Signal lever engaged for normal turns.
Note: A defective turn signal bulb will cause turn signal indicator and \
remaining signal lights to flash
more rapidly than normal.
2 Lane change position. In maneuvers such as lane changing, the driver c\
an 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.
3 High and low beam switching (Headlight switch in position
).
Move the lever towards the steering wheel and release it.
3 Headlight flasher (Headlight switch in position
or 0).
Move the lever towards the steering wheel. The headlight high beam will \
be on until the lever is
released.
pg. 15 Rear fog lights, Lighting
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_03.htm (2 of 7)12/30/2006 8:\
25:02 AM
Page 16 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
Rear fog lights
The rear fog lights are considerably brighter than the normal tail light\
s and should be used only when
atmospheric conditions, such as fog, rain, snow, smoke or dust reduce th\
e daytime or nighttime visibility
of other vehicles to less than 500 ft. (152 meters). (The headlights \
must be switched on.)
Note: Local regulations governing the use of these lights may
vary.
Headlights and position lights
0 All lights off*
Parking lights on*
Headlights and parking lights on
Switch from upper to lower beams, and vice versa, by moving the turn sig\
nal switch lever on the left
side of the steering column towards the steering wheel. The parking ligh\
ts can be used without switching
on the starting (ignition) key.
* Canadian models equipped with daytime running lights: Headlights and p\
arking lights on when
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_03.htm (3 of 7)12/30/2006 8:\
25:02 AM
Page 22 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
cleaner, otherwise damage to the printed circuit will occur.
Hazard warning flasher
The four-way flasher should be used to indicate that the vehicle has bec\
ome a traffic hazard.
Note: Regulations regarding the use of the hazard warning flasher may va\
ry from state to
state.
pg. 19 Parking brake
Parking brake (hand brake)
The lever is situated between the front seats. The brake is applied to t\
he rear wheels.
The PARKING BRAKE reminder light on the instrument panel comes on whenev\
er the parking brake
lever is not fully released and the ignition is on.
Always use the parking brake (hand brake) when parked.
In order to obtain the best possible performance of the parking brake, t\
he brake linings should be broken
in. (See section titled "Break-in period".)
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_04.htm (2 of 5)12/30/2006 8:\
25:02 AM
Page 37 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
WARNING: Never use any single seat belt for more than one occupant.
Never wear the shoulder portion of the belt under the arm or otherwise o\
ut of position. Such use could,
in event of accident, cause injury.
Volvo recommends that all occupants fasten their seat belts. Aftermarket\
devices used to induce slack
into the shoulder belt portion of Volvo's three-point belt system will h\
ave a detrimental effect on the
amount of protection available to you in the event of a collision
Note: Legislation in your state or province may mandate seat belt
usage.
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 cleaning.
As the seat belts lose much of their strength when stretched, they shoul\
d be replaced after collision, even
though they may appear to be undamaged.
Never modify or repair the belt on your own. If repair is required, have\
the work performed by an
authorized Volvo dealer.
pg. 30 Supplemental Restraint System (optional in Canada)
As an enhancement to the three-point seat belt system, your Volvo is equ\
ipped with a Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS). The Volvo SRS consists of a drivers side air b\
ag with a driver's side knee
bolster. The system is designed to supplement the protection provided by\
the three-point seat belt
system.
The interior of an SRS-equipped Volvo looks very much the same as any ot\
her. The only indications of
the system's presence are the "SRS" embossed on the steering wheel pad, \
and the knee bolster beneath
the steering column. Also, the SRS diagnostic receptacle is indicated on\
the center dash panel.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_06.htm (6 of 9)12/30/2006 8:\
25:04 AM
Page 38 of 143

Volvo 1990 240 Model
The air bag is folded and located in the center of the steering wheel. I\
t is released only during a frontal
or certain front-angular collision in which the forces sustained by the \
car are equivalent to an impact into
a rigid barrier of approximately 12 mph (19 kph).
WARNING! As its name implies, SRS is designed to be a SUPPLEMENT to - no\
t a replacement for -
the three-point belt system. The air bag is not designed to be released \
in the event of a protection, wear
seat belts at all times. Be aware that no system can prevent all possibl\
e injuries that may occur in an
accident.
The air bag system includes a gas generator (1), surrounded by the air\
bag itself (2). In the event of a
frontal or certain front-angular collision in which the forces sustained\
by the car are equivalent to an
impact into a rigid barrier of approximately 12 mph (19 kph)), the se\
nsor (3) activates the gas generator
causing the air bag to be inflated with nitrogen gas. As the movement of\
the driver compresses the air
bag, some of the gas is expelled at a controlled rate to provide better \
cushioning.
The entire process, including inflation and deflation of the air bag tak\
es approximately two-tenths of a
second.
WARNING:
When installing any accessories make sure that the SRS system is not dam\
aged. Do not attempt to
service any component of the SRS yourself. Attempting to do so may resul\
t in serious personal injury.
If a problem arises, take your car to the nearest authorized Volvo Deale\
r for inspection as soon as
possible.
pg. 31 Supplemental Restraint System
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1990/1990_240/90240_06.htm (7 of 9)12/30/2006 8:\
25:04 AM