Volvo 240 User manual

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 standards, 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
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
You should be familiar with the information in the first two chapters before you operate the car.
Information contained in the balance of the manual is extremely useful and 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 manual are based on the latest product
information available at the time of publication. Volvo reserves the right 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 instruments 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 reliability, durability, and resale value.
Specifications 97
All specifications are subject to change without notice. Consult your Volvo dealer for information.
Should you require more detailed information please contact your Volvo dealer.
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 comfort 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, medication, or any impairment that
could hinder your ability to drive.
Your Volvo is designed to meet all applicable safety and emission standards, as evidenced by the
certification labels attached to the door opening sheet metal and on the left wheel housing in the engine
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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 wearing a seat belt is like
believing "It'll never happen to me!". Volvo 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: Inevery 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".
pg. 4 General Information
Do not export your Volvo to another country before investigating the country's applicable safety and
exhaust emission requirements. In some cases it may be difficult or impossible to comply with these
requirements. Modifications to the emission control system(s) may render 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 keys. This tag should be
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
separated from the key ring and kept in a safe place.
The double-sided tape on the back of the tag can be used to secure it safely.
In the event the original keys are lost, duplicates may be ordered from your Volvo dealer.
Number tag
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pg. 6 240 DL Sedan
pg. 7 Before you drive
pg. 8 Instruments and controls
pg. 10 Instruments
pg. 11 Warning lights
pg. 12 Clock, ambient temperature gauge
pg. 13 Oil pressure gauge, voltmeter
pg. 14 Ignition switch, turn signals
pg. 15 Lighting
pg. 16 Windshield wipers, washer nozzles
pg. 18 Washer fluid reservoir
pg. 18 Rear window demister, heated seat, hazard warning flasher
pg. 19 Parking brake
pg. 20 Cigarette lighter, ash trays
pg. 21 Electrically operated windows
pg. 22 Heating and ventilation
pg. 24 Air conditioning
pg. 25 Audio systems
pg. 26 Child safety
pg. 28 Seat belts
pg. 30 SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
pg. 32 Doors and locks
pg. 33 Trunk lid
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
pg. 34 Hood release, long load storage
pg. 35 Rear/side view mirrors
pg. 36 Interior light, sun roof, fuel tank cap
pg. 37 Rear seat (wagon)
pg. 38 Tailgate (wagon)
pg. 39 Cargo compartment (wagon)
pg. 40 Front seats
pg. 8 Instruments and Controls
pg. 9 Instruments and Controls
1 Air louver 23
2 Turn signals, cruise control 17, 24
3 Headlights, parking lights 15
4 Instruments, lights 15
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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
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A Clock
B Direction indicator (green)
C Speedometer
In kilometers and miles per hour (U.S. models)
In kilometers per hour (Canadian models)
D Odometer
Total reading in miles (U.S. models)
Total reading in kilometers (Canadian models)
E Temperature gauge
The gauge pointer should remain inside the black range during normal operation.
If the pointer enters the red range repeatedly, check coolant level and fan belt tension. (See sections
titled "Cooling system and coolant")
Warning: allow engine to cool before adding
fluid.
Do not continue to drive the car with the pointer in the red zone.
F Fuel gauge
The fuel tank capacity is approx 60 liters = 15.8 US gals. See "Fuel requirements".
G Clock reset knob
H Service reminder light
I Check engine (red)
J Alternator warning light (red)
K Oil pressure warning light (red)
Do not drive the car with this light on.
L SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
M Trip odometer reset knob Push in to reset
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N Trip odometer
O High beam indicator (blue)
P Parking brake reminder light (red)
Q Brake failure warning light (red)
R Bulb failure warning light (yellow)
S Overdrive OFF indicator light (yellow)
(automatic transmission models)
Shift indicator light (yellow)
(manual transmission models)
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pg. 11 Warning lights
The warning lights described on this page should never be on when driving
When the ignition is turned on, and before the engine starts, all of the warning lights should be on to test
the function of the bulbs. Should a light not go off after the engine has started, the system indicated
should be inspected. (However, the parking brake reminder light will not go off until the parking brake
is fully released.)
Alternator warning light (red)
If the light comes on while the engine is running,
check the tension of the alternator drive belt as soon
as possible. (See section titled "Cooling system".)
NOTE: This warning light is illuminated if the
alternator is not charging. However, alternator,
parking brake, brake failure, and bulb failure will
be illuminated at the same time due to the design
of the system
Parking brake reminder light (red)
This light will be on when the parking brake
(hand brake) is applied. The parking brake lever
is situated between the front seats. Canadian
models are equipped with this warning light:
Bulb failure warning light (yellow)
The light will come on if any of the following bulbs
are defective:
one of the lower beams
one of the tail lights
one of the brake lights (when the brake pedal is
depressed).
See section on "Replacing Bulbs."
Oil pressure warning light (red)
If the light comes on during driving, the oil
pressure is too low. Stop the engine immediately
and check the engine oil level. See section titled
"Engine Oil". Do not continue to drive the car
with this light on.
After hard driving, the light will come on
occasionally when the engine is idling. This is
normal, provided it goes off when the engine
speed is increased.
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Brake failure warning light (red)
If the light comes on while driving and the brake
pedal can be depressed further than normal, it is an
indication that one of the brake circuits is not
functioning. Stop immediately, open engine hood
and check brake fluid level (see section "Brake fluid,
power steering").
Reservoir empty: do NOT drive. Tow car to shop for
check/repair of brake system. Reservoir not empty:
proceed immediately and with caution to a Volvo
dealer for an inspection of the brake system.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning
light:
pg. 12 Service reminder light, Clock, Ambient temperature gauge
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
If the light comes on (or stays on after the vehicle has started), the SRS diagnostic system has detected a
fault. Take the car to an authorized Volvo dealer for an inspection of the system. See the SRS section for
more information.
Service reminder light
This light will come on at 5,000 mile (8,000 km) intervals. It is a reminder to the driver that the 5,000
mile (8,000 km) service interval has been exceeded. The light will stay on 2 minutes after start until
reset by the servicing dealer.
Check Engine warning light
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Volvo 1990 240 Model
If the light comes on (or stays on after the vehicle has started), the Engine Check diagnostic system has
detected a fault. Drive to an authorized Volvo dealer for inspection.
Quartz crystal clock
To reset the hands, push in the reset knob and
turn.
Ambient temp. gauge (accessory)
An electronic thermometer that indicates ambient
temperature just above the road surface. Warns you
of icy road conditions.
pg. 13 Oil pressure gauge, Voltmeter.
Oil pressure gauge (accessory)
The oil pressure gauge indicates the pressure of the
oil in the lubricating system of the engine. The
pressure is dependent on the speed of the engine,
the oil temperature and the viscosity of the oil.
Voltmeter (accessory)
The voltmeter indicates the voltage in the
electrical system and thereby also the state of the
battery. While the car is being driven the pointer
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The gauge pointer must not go down to the red
field while driving.
Do not continue to drive the car with the pointer in
the red zone.
Note: While idling with a hot engine the pointer
may go into the red field. This is not a cause for
concern providing the pointer rises to the normal
driving range again when you increase the engine
speed.
should be within the black field.
Should the pointer point to the upper or lower red
field when driving, this may indicate some fault in
the electrical system.
Note: While idling with a hot engine (especially
with air conditioning ON), the pointer may
indicate low voltage. This is not a cause for
concern provided that the indicated voltage
increases when you increase engine speed.
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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 lighter, accessories, etc.) on.
II Drive position: key position when engine is running.
III Starting position: release the key when engine starts. The key returns automatically to
drive position.
The steering wheel lock may be under tension when the car is parked. Turn the steering wheel slightly to
free the ignition key.
A chime will sound if the starting key is in the ignition lock and the front 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.
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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 can 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
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Rear fog lights
The rear fog lights are considerably brighter than the normal tail lights and should be used only when
atmospheric conditions, such as fog, rain, snow, smoke or dust reduce the 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 signal switch lever on the left
side of the steering column towards the steering wheel. The parking lights can be used without switching
on the starting (ignition) key.
* Canadian models equipped with daytime running lights: Headlights and parking lights on when
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starting (ignition) switch is switched on.
A chime will sound if the starting (ignition) key is in the switch lock when the door is open. The chime
goes off when the driver's door is closed. If the headlight switch is in position , all lights will go out
when starting (ignition) switch is switched off.
Instrument panel lamps rheostat
Clockwise - brighter
Counterclockwise - dimmer
pg. 16 Windshield wipers, Tailgate window wiper, Washer nozzles
Wiper/washer
1 Intermittent wiper
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With switch in this position, the wipers will make a stroke approx. every seventh second.
2 "Single stroke" position
Switch returns automatically when released.
3 Wipers, low speed
4 Wipers, high speed
5 Windshield wiper/washer
The wiper will make 2-3 complete stroking cycles after the lever is released
Tailgate window wiper/washer, wagon
Operated by the switch at the end of the windshield wiper/washer operating lever.
1 Tailgate wiper ON
2 Interval position
With the switch in this position, there is one stroking cycle approx. every fifteen seconds.
3 Tailgate washer
Depress the button to start the wiper/washer. The wiper will complete 2-3 stroking cycles after the
button is released.
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Adjusting washer nozzles
The fluid spray may be adjusted by carefully inserting a needle into the metal nozzle an rotating nozzle
to desired position.
4-8" = 10-20 cm.
12" = 30cm.
pg. 17 Cruise Control
Cruise Control
(optional on certain models)
The cruise control switches are located on the turn signal switch lever.
To engage and set desired speed:
1. Set switch (1) to ON.
2. Accelerate to desired cruise speed.
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NOTE: the cruise control cannot be engaged at speeds below 22 mph (35
km).
3. Depress SET SPEED switch (2).
Operating brake pedal or clutch pedal (where applicable)
This will automatically disengage the cruise control. Previously selected cruise 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 by depressing the SET
SPEED button (2). The vehicle will then maintain the current speed.
WARNING!
The cruise control should not be used in heavy traffic or when driving on wet or slippery roads.
If the gear shift is moved to Neutral while the cruise control is engaged, then depress the brake pedal
momentarily, or set the cruise control switch (1) to OFF. This will disengage the cruise control and
prevent overreving the engine.
NOTE: When driving on a grade, actual vehicle speed may vary slightly from the set cruise control
speed.
Acceleration
Momentary acceleration, such as for passing, does not interrupt cruise control operation. The previously
selected speed will be maintained without having to set switch to RESUME.
To disengage the cruise control system:
Set switch (1) to position OFF, or depress brake pedal, or depress clutch pedal (where applicable).
Switching off the starting (ignition) switch will automatically disengage the cruise control system.
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