wheel VOLVO S90 1998 Owner's Manual

1998 Volvo S90
When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires
are the same size designation, type (radial) and
preferably from the same manufacturer, on all
four wheels. Otherwise there is a risk of altering
the car's road-holding and handling
characteristics.

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 narrow strips running across
or parallel to the tread. When approx. 1/16" (1.6
mm) is left on the tread, 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 rain or snow.
All tires become warm during use. After cooling,
when the vehicle is parked, the tires have a
tendency to distort slightly, forming flat spots.
These flat spots can cause vibrations 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 that, in cold weather, it takes longer
for the tire to warm up and consequently longer
for the flat spot to disappear.
Wheels and tires (cont.) pg. 73
Snow chains

Snow tire chains can be used on your Volvo with
the following restrictions:
l Snow chains should be installed on rear wheels
only. Use only Volvo approved snow chains.
l Snow chains can only be used on tires which
are not wider than 195 mm.
l 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 therefore CANNOT be
used.

Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow
Snow tires, studded tires*

Tires for winter use:
Owners who live in or regularly commute
through areas with sustained periods of snow
or icy driving conditions are strongly advised
to fit suitable winter tires to help retain the
highest degree of traction.

It is important to install winter tires on all four
wheels to help retain traction during cornering,
braking and accelerating. Failure to do so could
reduce traction to an unsafe level or adversely
affect handling. Do not mix tires of different
design as this could also negatively affect overall
tire road grip.
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1998 Volvo S90
chain information.
CAUTION:
l Check local regulations regarding the use of
snow chains before installing.
l Always follow the chains manufacturer's
installation instructions carefully. Install
chains as tightly as possible and re-tighten
periodically.
l Never exceed the chain manufacture's
specified maximum speed limit. (Under no
circumstances should that limit be higher than
30 mph (50 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.

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 which 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 of the
car.

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

WARNING! Special wheel rims for air dams
Only special wheel rims, tested and approved
by Volvo, are suitable for use with the air dam
installed on the S90/V90.

*Where permitted.
Wheels and tires (cont.) pg. 74
Checking and correcting tire
pressure


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



Vehicle Loading

The tires on your Volvo will perform to
specifications at all normal loads when inflated as
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1998 Volvo S90
recommended on the tire information label*
located on the rear facing side on the right front
door. This label lists both 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 both comfort and fuel
economy.
Wheels and tires (cont.) pg. 75
Uniform tire quality grading

ALL PASSENGER CAR TIRES MUST
CONFORM TO FEDERAL SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION TO THESE
GRADES

TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on the wear rate of the tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded at 150
would wear one and one half (1 1/2) times as well
on the government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon
the actual conditions of their use, however, and
many depart significantly from the norm due to
variation in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.

TRACTION
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C, as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance. TEMPERATURE
The temperature grades are AA (the highest), A,
B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.

WARNING!The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
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1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 6 - In case of an emergency
pg. 77
In case of an emergency
Even if you maintain your car in good running condition, there is always\
the possibility that something might go wrong and prevent you from
driving, such as a punctured tire, blown fuse or bulb, etc. For addition\
al information, see section "ON CALL Road Assistance".
Changing a wheel pg. 78

Temporary spare tire pg. 80
Replacing bulbs pg. 81
Replacing fuses pg. 89
Installation of accessories pg. 93
Replacing wiper blades pg. 94
Wheel changing
pg. 78

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1998 Volvo S90


Changing a wheel

On sedans the spare wheel, jack and toolbag are located in the trunk, be\
neath the carpet. The jack must be completely retracted to fit into the holder.

On wagons, the spare tire and the jack are located beneath the floor mat\
in the large storage bin. Always secure the spare tire and the jack to prevent them from rattling.

l Remove the wheel cap, using the screwdriver in the tool kit.
l With the car still on the ground, use the box wrench from the tool kit t\
o loosen the wheel nuts 1/2 - 1 turn. Turn the nuts counterclockwise to loosen.

NOTE:
To avoid excessive wear and the necessity of rebalancing, mark and reins\
tall wheels in same location and position as before removal. To lessen the chance of imbalance, each
wheel hub is equipped with a guide stud to ensure that a removed wheel c\
an be reinstalled in its original position (as when changing over to winter tires/wheels).
Wheel changing (cont.) pg. 79


WARNING!
l The jack attachment must engage the bar in the jack attachment (A). Th\
e car's weight must not rest on the jack's attachment (B).
l Be sure the jack is on a firm, level, non-slippery surface.
l Never allow any part of your body to be extended under a car supported b\
y a jack.
l Use the jack intended for the car when replacing a wheel. For any other \
job, use stands to support the end of the car being worked
on.
l Apply the parking brake, select position P (automatic transmission). \
l Block the wheels standing on the ground. Use rigid wooden blocks or larg\
e stones.
l The jack should be kept well-greased.
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1998 Volvo S90
Attaching the jack

There is a jack attachment adjacent
to each wheel location. Position the
jack on the bar in the jack
attachment as shown in the
illustration above and crank while
simultaneously guiding the base to
the ground. The base of the jack
must be flat on a level, firm, non-
slippery surface. Before raising the
car check that the jack is still
correctly positioned in the
attachment. Now raise the vehicle
until the wheel is free of the ground.
Unscrew the wheel nuts completely
and carefully remove the wheel so
as not to damage the tread of the
studs. Installing the wheel

Clean the contact surfaces on the wheel and hub. Lift the wheel and plac\
e it on the hub. Make sure that you align the wheel
with the guide stud on the wheel hub prior to installation. Install the \
wheel nuts crosswise and tighten lightly. The conical
side of the nuts should face the wheel. Lower the vehicle to the ground \
and alternately tighten the nuts to 63 ft. lbs. (85 Nm).
Install the wheel cap.

Correct tightening order for wheel nuts
Spare tire pg. 80
WARNING!
Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Temporary Spare" tire othe\
r than as a
temporary replacement for a punctured tire. In other words, it must be r\
eplaced as
soon as possible by a standard tire. Roadholding, etc., may be affected \
with the
"Temporary Spare" in use. Do not, therefore, exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). \
Temporary Spare (certain models)

The spare tire of your car is what is called a "Temporary Spare".
Recommended tire pressure (see decal) should be maintained irrespectiv\
e of which
position on the car the Temporary Spare tire is used on. In the event of\
damage to this
tire a new one can be purchased from your Volvo retailer.


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1998 Volvo S90
plenty of water, to avoid scratching.
l Bird droppings: Remove from
paintwork as soon as possible.
Otherwise the finish may be
permanently damaged.
l A detergent can be used to
facilitate the softening of dirt and
oil.
l A water-soluble grease solvent
may be used in cases of sticky dirt.
However, use a washplace equipped
with a drainage separator.
l Dry the car with a clean chamois
and remember to clean the drain
holes in the doors and rocker panels
*.
l The power radio antenna (sedans)
must be dried after washing.
l Tar spots can be removed with
kerosene or tar remover after the car
has been washed.
l A stiff-bristle brush and
lukewarm soapy water can be used
to clean the wiper blades. Frequent
cleaning improves visibility
considerably.
l Wash off the dirt from the
underside (wheel housings fenders,
etc.).
l In areas of high industrial fallout,
more frequent washing is
recommended.

CAUTION: During high pressure
washing, the spray mouth piece
must never be closer to the vehicle
than 13" (30 cm). Do not spray
into the locks.


l When washing or steam cleaning
the engine, avoid spraying water or
steam directly on the electrical
WARNING!
When the car is driven immediately after being washed,
apply the brake several times in order to remove any
moisture from the brake linings.
Engine cleaning agents should not be used when the engine
is warm. This constitutes a fire risk.




NOTE: When washing the car, remember to remove dirt from
the drain holes in the doors and sills. Bumpers: Wash the
bumpers with the same cleaning agent used on the rest of the
car. Never clean the bumpers with gasoline or paint thinner.
Difficult spots can be removed with denatured alcohol. To
avoid scratches, do not dry the bumpers with paper.

*Pay special attention to the drain holes at the base of the
windshield in the cowl under the rear edge of the hood.
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1998 Volvo S90
Control
Information
Your Volvo
is designed to
meet all
applicable
emissions
standards, as
evidenced by
the
certification
label on the
left
wheelhousing.
For further
information
regarding
these
regulations,
please
consult your
Volvo
retailer.

3 Model
Plate
Vehicle
Identification
Number
(VIN). Codes
for color and
upholstery
etc. This
plate is
located on
panel-above
right
headlight.

4 Loads and
Tire
Pressures
Located on
the rear edge

Location of Labels Illustration

*The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) should always be quoted in al\
l
correspondence concerning your vehicle with the retailer and when orderi\
ng parts.

All specifications are subject to change without notice.
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1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 9 - (cont.)
Specifications
pg. 125
Power transmission


Automatic transmission:

Reduction ratios: / AW 40
1st gear / 2.80:1
2nd gear / 1.53:1
3rd gear / 1:1
Overdrive / 0.71:1
Reverse / 2.39:1

Rear axle:
Reduction ratio / 3.73:1

All specifications are subject to change without
notice. Front suspension

McPherson-type spring and strut suspension.
Shock absorbers housed in strut casing. Rack-and-
pinion steering.

Safety-type steering column.

The alignment specifications apply to an unladen
car, but include fuel, coolant, and spare wheel.
Toe-in, measured on the wheel rim: 2.2 mm +/-
1.0 mm (15" wheels)
wheel rim: 2.3 mm +/- 1.0 mm (16" wheels)
tire sides: 2.8 +/- 1.3 mm

Rear Suspension

Multi-link rear wheel suspension consisting of
four elements per side: a trailing support arm with
load leveling shock absorber ("Nivomat" level-
regulating system on certain models), an upper L-
shaped link, a lower traverse link, and an angled
rear track rod to control wheel toe-in.
Toe-in, measured at the wheel rim: (0.4+/- 0.5
mm)
tire sides: (0.5+/- 0.8mm)
Specifications pg. 126
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1998 Volvo S90

All specifications are subject to change without
notice.
Service manuals, Road assistance pg. 128
Service Manuals
for your Volvo are
available for
purchase. These
are the same
manuals used by
competent Volvo
technicians.

Major sections
within the Service
Manual System
include: 0-General
Information; 1-
Lubrication and
Service; 2- Engine;
3- Electrical
System; 4- Power
Transmission; 5-
Brakes; 6-
Suspension and
Steering; 7-
Springs Shock
Absorbers and
Wheels; 8- Body
and Interior.

All specifications
are subject to
change without
notice.

Volvo supports Voluntary Mechanic
Certification by the A.S.E. Certified
mechanics have demonstrated a high
degree of competence in specific
areas. Besides passing exams each
mechanic must also have worked in
the field for two or more years before
a certificate is issued. These
professional mechanics are fully able
to analyze vehicle problems and
perform the necessary service
procedures to keep your Volvo at peak
operating condition.
Note that the above pertains to USA
only.


Your new Volvo comes with a four
year road assistance program named
ON-CALL. Additional information,
features, and benefits are described in a
separate information package in your
glove compartment.

If you have misplaced your package,
dial:
In the U.S.A.
1-800-63-VOLVO (1-800-638-6586)
In Canada:
1-800-263-0475
Specifications pg. 129
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