VOLVO 850 1996 Owners Manual

1996 Volvo 850
can cause three-way catalytic converter or exhaust system overheating.
l Remember that tampering or unauthorized modification to the engine or th\
e vehicle may be illegal
and can cause three-way catalytic converter or exhaust system overheatin\
g. This includes:
- Altering fuel injection settings or components.
- Adjusting distributor ignition timing beyond specified limits.
- Altering emission system components or location or removing components\

- Repeated use of leaded fuel.

NOTE: Unleaded fuel is required for cars with three-way catalytic conver\
ters. A label on the instrument
panel and inside fuel tank filler door will remind owners and filling st\
ation attendants of this
requirement.

Important! It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel into any vehicle label\
ed "unleaded gasoline only".
pg. 4:16 Brake system


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) and the vehicle should be driven to a Volvo retailer \
for inspection. The Anti-lock
Braking System (ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stopping and s\
teering) during severe braking
conditions by limiting brake lock-up. When the system "senses" impending\
lock-up, braking pressure is
automatically modulated in order to help prevent lockup, which could lea\
d to a skid.
The system performs a self-diagnostic test when the vehicle first reache\
s a speed of approximately 12
mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and a sound \
may be audible from the ABS
control module. This is normal.
To obtain optimal effect from the ABS system, constant pressure should b\
e kept on the brake pedal
while the system is modulating the brakes. Do not pump the brake pedal. \

The switching of the ABS modulator will be audible and the brake pedal w\
ill pulsate at this time. Please
be aware that ABS does not increase the absolute braking potential of th\
e vehicle. While control will be
enhanced, ABS will not shorten stopping distances on slippery surfaces. \

file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_412.htm (5 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:35 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850


Brake circuit malfunction

If one of the brake circuits should malfunction, the red warning light w\
ill come on, the pedal stroke
increases slightly, the pedal feels softer and extra pressure is require\
d for normal braking. If the light
comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately and check the brake \
fluid level in the reservoir.
WARNING! If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in either section of t\
he reservoir: DO NOT
DRIVE. Tow the car to a Volvo retailer and have the brake system checked\
and repaired.

Moisture on brake discs and brake pads affects braking.

Driving in rain and slush or passing through an automatic car wash can c\
ause water to collect on the
brake discs and pads. This will cause a delay in braking effect when the\
pedal is depressed. To avoid
such a delay when the brakes are needed, depress the pedal occasionally \
when driving through rain,
slush etc. This will remove the water from the brakes. Check that brake \
application feels normal! This
should also be done after washing or starting in very damp weather.

Severe strain on the brake system

The brakes will be subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or\
hilly areas or towing. The speed
is usually low which means that the cooling of the brakes is less effici\
ent than when 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, position 3 or in some cases, L(automatic transmissio\
n) and let the engine help with the
braking. Do not forget that, if you are towing a trailer, the brakes wil\
l be subjected to greater load than is
normal.

If the brake power-assist does function

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 th\
e car is increased by 3-4 times
and the brake pedal feels stiff.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_412.htm (6 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:35 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
pg. 4:17 Trailer towing
When preparing for trailer towing, observe the following:

l Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches which are specially de\
signed for the car. For
trailer weights exceeding 2000 lbs. (908 kg), use only a trailer hitch\
offered as a Genuine Volvo
accessory.

NOTE: Models with automatic transmission are equipped with a transmissio\
n oil cooler as standard
equipment. This cooler helps prevent overheating of the transmission dur\
ing times of increased load, as
when towing a trailer.

l Maximum trailer weight recommended by Volvo is:
Trailers without brakes : 1100 lbs (500kg)
Trailers with brakes: 2" (50 mm) ball - 3300 lbs (1500 kg), 1 7/8" (\
47 mm) ball - 2000 lbs (908 kg).

Observe the legal requirements of the state/province in which the vehicl\
es are registered. All Volvo
models are equipped with energy-absorbing shock-mounted bumpers. Trailer\
hitch installation should
not interfere with the proper operation of this bumper system.

Trailer towing does not normally present any particular problems, but ta\
ke into consideration:
l Increase tire pressure to recommended full. See section "Wheels and tire\
s".
l Recommended hitch tongue load is 110 (50 kgs) for trailer weights belo\
w 2,650 lbs (1,200 kgs) and
165 lbs (75 kgs) for trailer weights above 2,650 lbs (1,200 kgs). Fo\
r trailer weights between 2,650-3,300
lbs (1,200-1,500 kgs) a top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) should never b\
e exceeded.
l Engine and transmission are subject to increased loads. Therefore, engin\
e coolant temperature should
be closely watched when driving in hot climates or hilly terrain. Use lo\
wer 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.
l It is necessary to balance trailer brakes with the towing vehicle brakes\
to provide a safe stop (check
and observe State/Local regulations).
l Do not connect the trailer's brake system directly to the vehicle's brak\
e system.
l More frequent vehicle maintenance is required.
l Remove the ball and drawbar assembly when the hitch is not being used.
l Volvo recommends the use of synthetic engine oil when towing a trailer o\
ver long distances or in
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_412.htm (7 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:35 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
mountainous areas.

NOTE: Refer to section "Automatic transmission" for additional trailer h\
auling tips.
WARNING!
l Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor should s\
afety chains be attached to
the bumper.
l Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle rear axle must not be used.
l Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to the vehicle\
brake system, nor a trailer's
lighting system directly to the vehicle lighting system. Consult your ne\
arest authorized Volvo retailer
for correct installation.
pg. 4:18 Winter driving
Cold weather precautions

l If you wish to check your car before the approach of cold weather, the f\
ollowing advice is worth
noting:
l Make sure that the engine coolant contains at least 50 percent antifreez\
e: that is, 3.7 qts. (3.5 liters)
Volvo Genuine Coolant/Antifreeze. This gives protection against freezing\
down to -31°F (-35°C). See
section "Coolant". The use of "recycled" antifreeze is not approved by V\
olvo. Different types of
antifreeze may not be mixed.
l Try to keep the fuel tank well filled - this prevents the formation of c\
ondensation in the tank. In
addition in extremely cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to add fu\
el line de-icer before refueling.
l The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity (t\
hinner oil) improves cold-
weather starting as well as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine\
is warming up. For winter use,
5W-30 oil, particularly the synthetic type, is recommended. Be sure to u\
se good quality oil but do not
use this cold-weather oil for hard driving or in warm weather. See secti\
on "Engine oil" for more
information.
l The load placed on the battery is greater during the winter since the he\
ater, windshield wipers,
lighting etc. are used more often. Moreover, the capacity of the battery\
decreases as the temperature
drops. In very cold weather, a poorly charged battery can freeze and be \
damaged. It is therefore
advisable to check the state of charge more frequently and spray an anti\
-rust oil on the battery posts.
l Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter dri\
ving - see section "Wheels
and tires".
l To prevent the washer reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents conta\
ining antifreeze (see page
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_412.htm (8 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:35 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
8:15 for the location of the washer fluid reservoir). This is important sin\
ce the dirt is often splashed on
the windshield during winter driving, thus requiring frequent use of the\
washers and wipers. The Volvo
Washer Solvent should be diluted as follows:
Down to 14°F (-10°C): 1 part anti-freeze and 4 parts water
Down to 5°F (-15°C): 1 part anti-freeze and 3 parts water
Down to 0°F (-18°C): 1 part anti-freeze and 2 parts water
Down to -18°F (-28°): 1 part anti-freeze and 1 part water
l When driving in temperatures below 15 F (-10 C), we recommend the use \
of Volvo's radiator guard to
help the engine reach normal operating temperature as quickly as possibl\
e. This guard should not be
used when towing a trailer.
l Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.

NOTE: Avoid the use of de-icing spray as they can cause damage to the lo\
cks.

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, first gear is locked.
* These positions always offer the kick-down feature.
pg. 4:19 Long distance trips, City driving
Before a long distance trip

It is always worthwhile to have your car checked at a Volvo retailer bef\
ore driving long distances. Your
retailer will also be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark plugs \
and wiper blades for your use in the
event that problems occur.
If you prefer to check the car yourself, please note the following:
l Check that the engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.\

l Check engine oil, coolant levels, and for possible fuel leakage.
l Check transmission oil level.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_412.htm (9 of 10)12/30/2006 \
9:59:35 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
l Check condition of drive belts.
l Check state of charge of battery.
l Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and replace those th\
at are worn. Check tire pressures.
l The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be checked b\
y your Volvo retailer only.
l Check all lights, including high beams.
l Reflective warning triangles are legal requirement in some countries.
l Have a word with your Volvo retailer concerning engine adjustments if yo\
u intend to drive in
countries where it may be difficult to obtain correct fuel.
l Consider your destination. If you will be driving through an area where \
snow or ice are likely to
occur, consider snow tires.




Contents | Top of Page
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_412.htm (10 of 10)12/30/2006\
9:59:35 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
Wheels and tires
pg. 5:1 Wheels and tires
Wheels and tires

The handling and riding comfort of the vehicle is dependent on the infla\
tion pressure and the type of
tires fitted. Read the following pages carefully.

5:2 General information, Wear indicator, Tire economy, Flat spots
5:3Snow chains, Winter tires
5:4Inflation pressure
pg. 5:2 Wheels and tires
General information

Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the tire information la\
bel located on the rear facing side
of the right front door.

The following is an example of a tire designation code:
195 = tire width in mm.
60 = tire profile. This is the relationship (in percent) between the s\
ection height and the width of the tire.
R = radial tires.
15 = diameter in inches on all four wheels.

The tires have good road holding characteristics and offer good handling\
on dry and wet surfaces. It
should be noted however that the tires have been developed to give these\
features on snow/ice-free
surfaces. Certain models are equipped with "all-season" tires, which pro\
vide a somewhat higher degree
of winter roadholding on slippery surfaces than tires without the "all-s\
eason" rating. However, for
optimum road holding on icy or snow covered roads - we recommend suitabl\
e winter tires on all four
wheels. When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires are the same si\
ze designation, type (radial) and
preferably from the same manufacturer, on all four wheels. Otherwise the\
re is a risk of altering the car's
road-holding and handling characteristics.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_501.htm (1 of 5)12/30/2006 9\
:59:37 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850

NOTE: When storing wheel/tire assemblies (e.g. winter tires and wheels)\
, either stand the assemblies
upright or suspend them off the ground. Laying wheel/tire assemblies on \
their sides for prolonged
periods can cause wheel and/or tire damage.

Wear indicator

The tires have a so-called "wear indicator" in the form of a number of n\
arrow strips running across or
parallel to the tread. When approx. 1/16" (1.6 mm) is left on the trea\
d, these strips show up and indicate
that the tire should be replaced.
Tires with less than 1/16" (1.6 mm) tread have a very poor grip in rai\
n or snow.
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 alteration of the driving
characteristics of the vehicle.

To improve tire economy:

l Maintain correct tire pressure.
l Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard braking and tire screeching.
l Tire wear increases with speed.
l Do not change wheel location unless necessary.
l Correct front wheel alignment is very important.
l Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy and driving comfort.
l If the wheels are rotated, they should be kept on the same side of the c\
ar so that they revolve in the
same direction as prior to rotation.
l Hitting curbs or potholes can damage the tires and/or wheels permanently\
.

Flat spots

All tires become warm during use. After cooling, when the vehicle is par\
ked, the tires have a tendency to
distort slightly, forming flat spots. These flat spots can cause vibrati\
ons similar to the vibrations caused
by imbalanced wheels. They do, however, disappear when the tire warms up\
. The degree to which the
flat spots form depends on the type of cord used in the tire. Remember t\
hat, in cold weather, it takes
longer for the tire to warm up and consequently longer for the flat spot\
to disappear.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_501.htm (2 of 5)12/30/2006 9\
:59:37 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
pg. 5:3 Wheels and tires
Snow chains

Snow tire chains can be used on your Volvo with the following restrictio\
ns:
l Snow chains should be installed on your front wheels only.
l Snow chains may be mounted on tire dimension 185/65R15 and 195/60R15. Ti\
re dimension
205/55R15 and 205/50R16 require a special type of snow chain. Consult yo\
ur Volvo retailer. Snow
chains may not be used on 205/55R16
If accessory, aftermarket or "custom" tires and wheels are installed and\
are of a size different than the
original tires and wheels, chains in some cases CANNOT be used. Snow cha\
ins cannot be used on those
turbo models fitted with all-season tires 205/55 R16 or 205/45 R17. Mode\
ls equipped with 205/55 R15
or 205/50 R16 need specially designed snow chains. Sufficient clearances\
between chains and brakes,
suspension and body components must be maintained.
l Some strap-on type chains will interfere with brake components and there\
fore CANNOT be used.
CAUTION:
l Check local regulations regarding the use of snow chains before installi\
ng.
l Always follow the chains manufacturer's installation instructions carefu\
lly. Install chains as tightly
as possible and re-tighten periodically.
l Never exceed the chain manufacture's specified maximum speed limit. (Un\
der no circumstances
should that limit be higher than 30 mph (45 km/h).
l Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns when driving with snow chains.
l The handling of the vehicle can be adversely affected when driving with \
chains. Avoid fast or sharp
turns as well as locked wheel braking.

Snow tires, studded tires *

Tires for winter use:
Owners who live in or regularly commute through areas with sustained per\
iods of snow or icy driving
conditions are strongly advised to fit suitable winter tires to help ret\
ain the highest degree of traction.
It is important to install winter tires on all four wheels to help retai\
n traction during cornering, braking
and accelerating. Failure to do so could reduce traction to an unsafe le\
vel or adversely affect handling.
Do not mix tires of different design as this could also negatively affec\
t overall tire road grip. Volvo
recommends 185/65 R15 winter tires on 15" wheels on all 850 models inclu\
ding models equipped with
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_501.htm (3 of 5)12/30/2006 9\
:59:37 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org

1996 Volvo 850
16" or 17" wheels.

Winter tires wear more quickly on dry roads in warm weather. They should\
be removed when the winter
driving season has ended.

Studded tires should be run-in 300-600 miles (500-1000 km) during whic\
h the car should be driven as
smoothly as possible to give the studs the opportunity to seat properly \
in the tires. The car tires should
have the same rotational direction throughout their entire lifetime. In \
other words, if you wish to rotate
the wheels, make sure that the same wheels are always on the same side o\
f the car.

NOTE: Please consult state or local regulations restricting the use of s\
tudded winter tires before
installing such tires.

*Where permitted pg. 5:4 Wheels and tires
Checking and correcting tire pressure

l Check the tire pressure when refueling.
l The tire pressure should be corrected only when the tires are cold.
l With warm tires, correct only when the pressure is too low. The tire tem\
perature rises after driving
just a few miles.

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 inside of the \
fuel filler flap. This label lists
both the tire and vehicle design limits.
Do not load your car beyond the load limits indicated.

* Please note that the tire information label indicates pressures for bo\
th comfort and fuel economy.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_501.htm (4 of 5)12/30/2006 9\
:59:37 AMClassic Cars & Cycles www.ClassicCycles.org