VOLVO 850 1996 Owners Manual

1996 Volvo 850

Shift gate positions

The gear selector can be moved freely between N and D. Selections of oth\
er positions are obtained by
depressing the selector knob prior to moving the selector.
Slightly depressing the selector knob allows selection of positions R, N\
, D, 3 and L. Fully depressing the
selector knob allows selection of positions P. This is also necessary wh\
en initially bringing the selector
out of position P. Fully depressing the selector knob thus permits shift\
ing freely between all positions.


Mode selector
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1996 Volvo 850

The push-buttons to the left of the gear lever are for selection of mode\
s E, S and W. The desired mode
can be selected at any time, including while the car is moving.

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, 1st gear is locked.
* These positions always offer the kick-down function.
The indicator lamp in the instrument panel
lights up when this mode is selected (the lamp will also
light up if the gear selector is in position 3 or L.). Press button WIN\
TER in order to disengage this
mode.
When mode is disengaged, the gearbox automatically reverts to the previo\
usly selected S or E mode. If
the indicator lamp
begins to flash, this is an indication of a fault in the automatic gear\
box. The
Malfunction Indicator lamp will also light up if a fault is detected. Pl\
ease contact your Volvo retailer if
this occurs.

CAUTION: Driveability and fuel economy will be adversely affected by pro\
longed driving in mode
W . Volvo recommends using this mode only when starting in extremely sli\
ppery conditions.

Economy Mode

This mode is used for normal driving. The gearbox changes gears at a low\
er engine speed to achieve the
lowest possible fuel consumption.

Sport Mode

This mode is adapted to "sporty" driving characteristics. The transmissi\
on upshifts at higher engine
speeds and less accelerator pedal pressure is required to initiate a dow\
nshift.
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1996 Volvo 850
pg. 4:9 Automatic transmission
Special Tips - automatic transmission

l For driving down steep hills and when driving for prolonged periods at l\
ow speeds, position L should
be selected. Avoid, however, repeated changes since this can cause overh\
eating of the transmission oil.
For driving on long continuous uphill gradients, select position 3.
l See caution on page 4:7.
l Do not hold the car stationary on an incline by using the accelerator pe\
dal. Instead, apply the hand
brake (parking brake). This prevents the transmission oil from becomin\
g overheated.
l When towing a trailer, select shift position 3.
l The (E)conomy mode should be selected when the cruise control is engag\
ed.
l While towing a trailer in hilly terrain, do not drive continuously at en\
gine speeds above 4500 rpm to
help avoid high engine oil temperatures.
pg. 4:10 Points to remember
Cooling system

The risk for engine overheating is greatest, especially in hot weather, \
when:
l towing a trailer up steep inclines for prolonged periods at wide open th\
rottle and low engine rpm.
l stopping the engine suddenly after high speed driving (so-called "after\
-boiling" can occur).
l To avoid overheating, the following rules should be followed:
l Do not drive for prolonged periods at engine speeds above 4500 rpm if yo\
u are towing a trailer in
hilly terrain.
l Reduce speed and downshift when towing a trailer up long, steep inclines\
. The risk of overheating can
be reduced by switching off the air conditioning system for a short time\
.
l Do not let the engine idle unnecessarily for prolonged periods.
l Do not mount auxiliary lamps in front of the grill.
When the risk of overheating is imminent, or in the event of overheating\
, (the temperature gauge goes
repeatedly into, or stays continually in, the red section) the followin\
g precautions should be taken:
l Switch off the air conditioning system.
l Stop the car and put the gear lever into neutral. Do not stop the engine\
!
l Switch the heater to full (maximum) position. Increase the engine spee\
d to approx. 2000 rpm (twice
idling speed) until the temperature begins to drop.

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1996 Volvo 850
WARNING! Do not remove the coolant expansion tank
cap.

See "Coolant" to check and top-up the coolant level if necessary.
CAUTION: Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.\
e. flooded roadways, etc.).
Damage to engine could result if excess water is ingested through the ai\
r intake system.
Never drive the vehicle in water deeper than 1 foot (300 mm).
See the flood warning on page 3:7.
WARNING! Do not drive with trunk lid or tailgate open!
Poisonous exhaust gases may enter via the trunk lid or tailgate.
If the trunk lid/tailgate must be kept open for any reason, proceed as f\
ollows:
l Close the windows.
l Set the ventilation system control to air to floor, windshield and side \
windows and blower control to
its highest setting.
Electrical system

When replacing the battery or when carrying out work involving the elect\
rical system, the following
should be observed:
l A battery connection to the wrong terminal will damage the diodes. Befor\
e connections are made,
check the polarity of the battery with a voltmeter.
l If booster batteries are used for starting, they must be properly connec\
ted to minimize the risk of the
diode being damaged. For correct connection, see "Jump starting" section\
.
l Never disconnect the battery circuit (for example, to replace the batte\
ry) while the engine is running,
as this will immediately ruin the generator. Always make sure that all t\
he battery connections are
properly tightened.
l If any electrical-welding work is performed on the vehicle, the ground l\
ead and all the connecting
cables of the generator must be disconnected and the welder cables place\
d as near the welding point as
possible.
l The radio must be turned off before the battery is disconnected.
l The anti-theft code must be re-entered before the radio will function pr\
operly.
l The electrical system in your car is designed to accommodate Volvo acces\
sories. It also has an
accessory connector beneath the dashboard on the driver's side.
pg. 4:11 Points to remember
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1996 Volvo 850
Weight distribution affects handling

At the specified curb weight your car has a tendency to understeer, whic\
h means that the steering wheel
has to be turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvature of a\
bend. This ensures good
stability and reduces the risk of rear wheel skid. Remember that these p\
roperties can alter with the
vehicle load. The heavier the load in the trunk (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg)\
, the less the tendency to
understeer.

Handling, roadholding

Vehicle load, tire design, and inflation pressure, all affect vehicle ha\
ndling. Therefore, check that the
tires are inflated to the recommended pressure according to the vehicle \
load. See "Tire pressure" section.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity weight or maximum permissib\
le axle loads are not
exceeded.
WARNING! It is recommended that tire of the same make and dimensions be \
used on all four wheels
(including the use of snow tires). Do not use bias ply tires as this w\
ill adversely alter vehicle handling
characteristics.


Holes for roof rack

Roof racks
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1996 Volvo 850

Roof racks are available as Volvo accessories. Observe the following poi\
nts when is use:
l Avoid single-point loads. Distribute the load evenly.
l Place heavier cargo at bottom of load.
l Observe that center of gravity and handling are influenced by load weigh\
t.
l Increasing load size increases wind resistance and, thus, adversely affe\
cts fuel economy.
l Anchor the cargo correctly with appropriate tie-down equipment.
l Drive carefully. Avoid rapid starts, fast cornering and hard braking.
l Max. roof load is 220 lbs. (100 kg) when Volvo approved removable roof\
racks are attached to the
points indicated in the illustration. For permanent roof racks, check th\
e manufacturers weight
specifications.

WARNING! An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pe\
dal to catch. Check that the
movement of the accelerator pedal is not impeded. Not more than one prot\
ective floor covering may be
used at one time.




Contents | Top of Page
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1996 Volvo 850
pg. 4:12 Emergency towing (pulling of vehicles)

Front eyelet Rear eyelet

Precautionary steps to observe when car is in tow

l Steering must be unlocked.
l Please check with state and local authorities before attempting this typ\
e of towing, as vehicles being
towed are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length \
and type of towing device,
lighting, etc.
l Remember that power brake and power steering assists will not be availab\
le when engine is
inoperative. Brake pedal pressure required is 3 - 4 times above normal a\
nd greater steering effort must
be exerted.
Automatic transmissions only:
l Gear selector in position N. Check transmission oil level (see section \
titled "Transmission oil").
l Maximum speed: 20 mph (30 km/h).
l Maximum distance with front wheels on ground: 20 miles (30 km).
l If the battery is dead, it is not possible to release the gear selector \
by pressing the brake pedal. Release
the gear selector manually, by pressing the OVERRIDE button near the bas\
e of the gear selector.

CAUTION: The towing eyelets must not be used for pulling another vehicle\
out of a ditch or any
similar purpose involving severe strain.
Do not attempt to start the car by pushing or pulling it as damage to th\
e three-way catalytic converter
can result.
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1996 Volvo 850
pg. 4:13 Vehicle towing information
Only use flat bed equipment.

CAUTION:
l Sling-type equipment applied at the front will damage radiator and air c\
onditioning lines.
l It is equally important not to use sling-type equipment inside the rear \
wheels: serious damage to the
rear axle may result.

The car should be towed with the rear wheels on the ground, if at all po\
ssible. If it is absolutely
necessary to tow the vehicle with the front wheels on the ground, please\
refer to the towing information
on the previous page.

* If wheel lift equipment must be used, please use extreme caution to he\
lp avoid damage to the car.

WARNING!
Do not use the towing eyelets on the car to pull the car up onto a flat \
bed tow
truck.

pg. 4:14 Jump starting
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1996 Volvo 850

Jump starting

If the booster battery to be used is in another car, check that the cars\
are not touching to prevent
premature completion of negative circuit. Note the position of the batte\
ry terminals and using jumper
cables:
l First connect the booster battery positive (+) terminal (1) to car b\
attery positive (+) terminal (2).
l Then connect the booster battery negative (-) terminal (3) to a stat\
ionary solid metal part on the
engine at a point away from the battery (4).

Do not connect booster cable to any part of fuel system or any moving pa\
rts. Avoid touching hot
manifolds.
After the engine has started, first remove the negative (-) terminal j\
umper cable. Then remove the
positive (+) terminal jumper cable.

CAUTION: Improper hook-up of jumper cables or use of other than 12-volt \
batteries could result in
damage to equipment and/or battery.

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1996 Volvo 850
WARNING!
l To reduce the possibility of explosion, never expose battery to open fla\
me or electric spark.
l Do not smoke near battery.
l Batteries generate hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive.
l Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow battery fluid to cont\
act eyes, skin, fabrics or
painted surfaces. If contact occurs, flush affected area immediately wit\
h water. Obtain medical
attention immediately if eyes are affected.
Failure to follow the instructions for jump starting can lead to persona\
l injury.
pg. 4:15 Three-way catalytic converter

Three-way catalytic converter cautions

l Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain engine malfunctions, particular\
ly involving the electrical,
fuel or distributor ignition systems, may cause unusually high three-way\
catalytic converter
temperatures. Do not continue to operate your vehicle if you detect engi\
ne misfire, noticeable loss of
power or other unusual operating conditions, such as engine overheating \
or backfiring. A properly tuned
engine will help avoid malfunction that could damage the three-way catal\
ytic converter.
l 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 to ignite under cer\
tain wind and weather
conditions.
l Excessive starter cranking (in excess of one minute), with an intermit\
tently firing or flooded engine,
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