ESP VOLVO V90 1998 Owners Manual

1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 1 - Occupant safety
Occupant safety pg. 1

Despite our strongest recommendations,
and your best intentions, not wearing a
seat belt is like believing "It'll never
happen to me!". Volvo, the inventor of
the three-point seat belt, urges you and
all adult occupants 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: In every state and province, some
type of child-restraint legislation has
been passed. Additionally, most states
and provinces have already made it
mandatory for occupants of a car to use
seat belts.
So, urging you to "buckle up" is not just
our recommendation - legislation in your
state or province may mandate seat belt
usage. The few seconds it takes to
buckle up may one day allow you to say,
"It's a good thing I was wearing my seat
belt".
Occupant
safety

Seat
belts pg. 2
Volvo
SRS pg. 4
SIPS air
bag pg. 8
Child
safety pg. 9
Occupant
safety pg. 13
Reporting
Safety
Defects pg. 13
Seat belts
pg. 2
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1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 2 - (cont.)
Sun roof, Hazard warning flasher, Tailgate wiper/washer, heated rear window
pg. 23
C- Heated rear window,
heated side-door mirrors
(certain models)

Depress the switch to start
heating of rear window and side
mirrors. Both orange control
lights in the switch will
illuminate. A timer switches off
the side mirror heating after
approx. 6 minutes and the rear
window demister after 12
minutes. The control lights go
out correspondingly.

D- Hazard warning flasher

The four-way flasher should be
used to indicate that the vehicle
has become a traffic hazard.

NOTE:Regulations regarding the
use of the hazard warning flasher
may vary from state to state.

E-Central lock switch

Press the switch to lock/unlock
the doors and trunk/tailgate.
Lock: press the lower section of
the switch
Unlock: press the upper section
of the switch.

NOTE: The lock function only
operates if the doors are closed.
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1998 Volvo S90
control system:
set switch (B) to OFF,
depress the brake pedal or
move the gear selector to
position N. Switching off the
starting (ignition) switch will
automatically disengage the
cruise control system.
WARNING! The cruise
control should not be used
in heavy traffic or when
driving on wet or slippery
roads. Do not use or
resume cruise control in
reverse gear. When the
ignition is switched off,
any information stored in
the cruise control memory
will be erased.

Cruise control

The cruise control switches are
located on the turn signal switch
lever.
To engage and set desired
speed:
1. Set switch (B) to ON.
2. Accelerate to desired cruise
speed.

NOTE:The cruise control cannot
be engaged at speeds below 22
mph (35 km).

3. Press the + or - area of the SET
button (A) to set the desired
speed. Braking
This will automatically disengage
the cruise control. Previously
selected cruise control speed is
retained in the memory and by
momentarily setting the switch to
RESUME position, that speed will
be re-engaged.

If the cruise control is already
engaged, the cruising speed can be
increased or decreased by
depressing the SET button (A)
towards either + or -. One short
press on the button corresponds to
a speed change of approx. 1 mph
(1.6 km/h). When the button is
released, the vehicle will maintain
the current speed.

If actual speed falls below 70% of
set speed or if the wheels spin or
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1998 Volvo S90
heating positions.
Water under the vehicle in hot weather
can be the result of condensation from
the air conditioning system.

Optimum defrosting



Set the function dial to
.
The air conditioning light will NOT go
on.
When the windows have cleared, set the
blower control to position 2.
conditions, heavy rain, sleet,
etc., it may be better to use
the manual rather than the
automatic setting to defrost
the windows. Set the mode
selector to "Defrost" or
"Defrost/floor" and the fan
speed to 3 or higher. Also
shut the middle air vents. NOTE:
l Do not place any
objects over the
sensor in the
passenger side
speaker grille as
this will cause the
ECC system to
respond incorrectly
to ambient
conditions.
l To help maintain
stable passenger
compartment
temperature when
driving with the sun
roof or windows
open, place the
blower control in
position "0" and
adjust the desired
temperature
manually.
l The air
conditioning
compressor only
engages at
temperatures above
41°F (5°C).
l Always keep the air
intake grille at the
base of the
windshield free of
snow.




Contents | Top of Page
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1998 Volvo S90
the above illustration.
The starting (ignition) switches must be ON
(position II) for the electrically operated windows
to function. The window is lowered if the rear part
of the switch is pressed and raised if the front part
of the switch is pressed.
NOTE: Driver's window only (AUTO): The
window can be opened completely by pressing the
rear part of the switch lightly and releasing it
immediately. The window can be stopped by
pressing the button again. If the button is held
down, the window will be lowered until the button
is released.
WARNING!Remove the starting (ignition)
key when children are left unattended in the
vehicle.
Make sure that children's hands are clear
before raising the windows. is positioned 90° in relation to the other switches.
ON The rear door windows can be raised or
lowered with the respective door switch as well as
the switch on the driver's door.
OFF The rear door windows cannot be raised or
lowered with the respective door switch but
instead only with the corresponding switch on the
driver's door.

NOTE: The power window motors have an
overload protecting circuit breaker which is
activated when an object blocks a window.
Should this occur, remove the object and wait 20
seconds for the circuit breaker to reset. The power
windows should then function.
Parking brake, Cigarette lighter, Ashtrays pg. 30


Parking brake (hand brake)

The lever is situated between
the front seats. The brake is
applied to the rear wheels.


Cigarette lighter/ashtrays

To operate, depress the knob
fully. When the knob
automatically releases, the
cigarette lighter is ready for use.
The starting (ignition) switch
must be switched on (to position
I or II) for the cigarette lighter
to function.

"OBD II"

A connector for on-board
diagnostics ("OBD II") is located
to the right of the parking brake.
This connector is intended for
use by authorized service
technicians only.
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1998 Volvo S90


Loading in cargo space

Seat belts and airbags help give driver and passengers good
protection, especially in head-on collisions. However, there is
also a risk of injury from behind. When loading the car,
remember that objects not properly loaded and secured may
move forward in collisions or when braking suddenly, causing
injury.
Remember that a 44 lbs object weighs the equivalent of
2,200 lbs in a head-on collision at 30 mph.
Remember the following when loading the car:

l Load the cargo against the backrest.
l Load heavy cargo as low down as possible.
l Load wide cargo on either side of the rear seat split.
l Secure the cargo with cargo straps through the eyelets in the
cargo space.
l If nobody is sitting in the rear seat reinforce the backrest by
fastening the rear seat belts.
l Never load cargo above the backrest without a cargo barrier.
Cargo barrier (Wagon) pg. 47


Cargo barrier

Your car can be fitted with a cargo barrier as an optional extra.
The cargo barrier helps prevent cargo and animals from being
thrown forward if the vehicle stops suddenly, or is involved in
an accident. The cargo barrier can be folded up when not in
use.

Cargo barrier and the auxiliary child seat

WARNING! If your car is equipped with an auxiliary child
seat in the luggage compartment, the cargo barrier must be
removed before using the child seat. Otherwise, in the event
of a sudden stop or accident, the child could be injured and
the net could hinder rapid access to the luggage
compartment.


When removing the cargo barrier:
l Fold forward the rear seat backrest
l Lean the cargo barrier forwards
l Disconnect the two knobs on the cargo barrier and push
them towards the center
l Remove the cargo barrier
l When installing the cargo barrier, reverse this procedure




Contents | Top of Page
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1998 Volvo S90
A new car should be broken-in!

Refrain from utilizing your car's full driving
potential, e.g. full-throttle acceleration, during the
first 1,200 miles (2,000 km).

Automatic transmission

Do not use "kick-down" during the first 1,200
miles (2,000 km).

NOTE - ENGINE OIL:

Although some oil consumption during normal
engine operation, more oil is consumed when the
engine is new as the internal parts generate higher
friction while wearing-in to each other. From the
time the engine is new until the first service is
performed, the oil consumption could be
higher than normal. For this reason, it is
especially important to check the oil every time
you refuel your car during this period. See
page 108.
In general, the rate of oil consumption depends on
such factors as: engine temperature, length of trip,
driving conditions, oil viscosity and quality,
engine speed and acceleration/deceleration.
Checking your engine oil level each time the car
is refuelled is one of the most important items
you can perform to help keep your car in good
running order.

Deposit control gasoline (detergent
additives)

Volvo recommends the use of gasoline containing
deposit control additives. These additives have
shown to be efficient in keeping injectors and
intake valves clean. Consistent use of deposit
control gasolines will help ensure good
driveability and fuel economy. If you are not sure
whether the gasoline contains deposit control
additives, check with the service station operator.
Unleaded Fuel

Each Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter
and must use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. and
Canadian regulations require that pumps
delivering unleaded gasoline be labeled
"UNLEADED". Only these pumps have nozzles
which fit your car's filler inlet. It is unlawful to
dispense leaded fuel into a vehicle labeled
"unleaded gasoline only". Leaded gasoline
damages the three-way catalytic converter and the
heated oxygen sensor system. Repeated use of
leaded gasoline will lessen the effectiveness of
the emission control system and could result in
loss of emission warranty coverage. State and
local vehicle inspection programs will make
detection of misfueling easier, possibly resulting
in emission test failure for misfueled vehicles.

NOTE: Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines
contain an octane enhancing additive called
methyl-cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). If such fuels are used, your Emission
Control System performance may be affected,
and the Malfunction Indicator Lamp located on
your instrument panel may light. If this occurs,
please return your vehicle to an authorized Volvo
retailer for service.
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1998 Volvo S90
(check when tires are cold). items and others are checked at
the standard Maintenance
Service intervals.

NOTE: Since using (D)rive
improves fuel economy, it
should be used as often as
possible.
Starting the engine pg. 57
Starting and stopping a
car equipped with
automatic transmission

1 Fasten the seat belt.
WARNING! Before
starting, check that the seat
is adjusted properly. Make
sure the brake pedal can be
depressed completely. Move
the seat closer if necessary.
Refer to section "Front
seats".

2 Apply the parking brake, if
not already set. The gear
selector is locked in the (P)ark
position (SHIFTLOCK).

3Without touching the
accelerator pedal ,turn the
ignition key to the starting
position. Allow the starter to
operate for 5-10 seconds.
Release the key as soon as the
engine starts. If the engine fails
to start, repeat step 3.

5 Select desired gear. The gear
engages after a slight delay,
especially noticeable when
selecting R.
CAUTION: Engine should
be idling; never accelerate
until after you feel the gear
engage! Too rapid
acceleration immediately
after selecting a gear will
cause harsh engagement and
premature transmission
wear.

NOTE:Your car is equipped
with a KEYLOCK system.
When the engine is switched
off, the gear selector must be in
the (P)ark position before the
key can be removed from the
ignition switch.

Engine warm-up - initial
driving procedure

Engines in vehicles driven short
distances are subject to
abnormally rapid wear because
the engine never reaches normal
operating temperature. It is
therefore beneficial to reach
normal operating temperature as
soon as possible. This is best
achieved by driving with a light
foot on the accelerator pedal for
a few minutes after starting,
rather than prolonged idling.

B6304 S Engine


This engine features hydraulic
valve lifters which means that
valve clearance is adjusted
automatically. It is possible that
the valve lifters will produce a
ticking sound for the first few
seconds after the engine is
started, while the oil pressure is
increasing.
If the car has not been used for a
long period of time, this ticking
sound may last for up to 15
minutes. This is entirely normal.
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1998 Volvo S90
Chapter 4 (cont)
Automatic transmission
pg. 58

P(Park)

Use this position when
starting the engine or parking
the car.
Never use P while car is in
motion.
The transmission is
mechanically locked when in
position P. Also use the
parking brake when parking
on grades.
The gear selector is locked in
the P position (Shift lock). To
release the selector, start the
engine and depress the brake
pedal. See page 61 for
instructions on manually
releasing the gear selector. WARNING!
Never leave the car when
the engine is running. If, by
mistake, the gear selector is
moved from P the car may
start moving.


R(Reverse)

Never engage R while car is
moving forward.

N(Neutral)

Neutral position = no gear is
engaged.
Use parking brake. The
engine can be started with
the gear selector in this
position.

D(Drive)

D is the normal driving
position and should be used
as often as possible to help
improve fuel economy.
When modes E or S are
selected, upshift and
downshift of the forward
gears occur automatically
and are governed by
accelerator pedal position
and vehicle speed.

3 (Intermediate position)

Automatically shifts up and
down between first second

L (Low gear)

The gearbox does not upshift in
position L! Select position L if you
wish to drive in first or second gear
and you do not wish to shift up (when
driving in hilly terrain, for example, as
position L provides the best engine
braking power). The transmission will
conspicuously shift down from second
to first if road speed drops to below 25
or 20 mph (40 km/h or 30 km/h)
(engines B6304 and B6254
respectively) when driving in
Economy mode. When driving in
Sport mode, the same very noticeable
shift takes place if the speed drops to
below 6 mph (10 km/h).
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1998 Volvo S90
Special Tips - automatic transmission
l For driving down steep hills and when driving
for prolonged periods at low speeds, position L
should be selected. Avoid, however, repeated
changes since this can cause overheating of the
transmission oil. For driving on long continuous
uphill gradients, select position 3.
l Do not hold the car stationary on an incline by
using the accelerator pedal. Instead, apply the
hand brake (parking brake). This prevents the
transmission oil from becoming overheated.
l When towing a trailer, select shift position 3.
l The (E)conomy mode should be selected when
the cruise control is engaged.
l Never select P or R while the car is in motion.
l When initially selecting positions D, 3, L or R,
your right foot should press firmly on the brake
pedal to ensure that the car is standing still with
the engine idling.
l The gear selector should not be downshifted to
L at speeds above 75 mph (125 km/h). Always
observe posted speed limits. Cooling system

The risk for overheating is greatest, especially in
hot weather, when:
l towing a trailer up steep inclines for prolonged
periods at wide open throttle and low engine rpm.
l stopping the engine suddenly after high speed
driving (so-called "after-boiling" can occur).
To avoid overheating, the following rules should
be followed:
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 following precautions should be
taken:
l Switch off the air conditioning system.
l Pull off the road, away from traffic, 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 speed to approx. 2000 rpm
(twice idling speed) until the temperature begins
to drop.
See "Coolant" to check and top-up the coolant
level if necessary.

WARNING! Do not remove coolant expansion
tank cap. The coolant will be extremely hot.
Points to remember pg. 61
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