Volvo 240 User manual

1987 Volvo 240
1 9 8 7
VOLVO
240
Important
It is most important that you read the first two chapters in order to become familiar with your
vehicle's instruments and features. The other chapters are intended to provide you with
information, and also serve as a source of reference.
Contents
Introduction to the manual
Before you drive
This section provides a detailed description of the vehicle's instruments and controls.
Operating the car
This section contains items such as starting the engine, operating gear selector, towing trailers.
Service and maintenance
An investment which will pay dividends in the form of improved reliability, durability, and resale
value.
Specifications
All specifications are subject to change without notice. Consult your Volvo dealer for information.
Index
Should you require more detailed information please contact your Volvo dealer.
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.
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
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1987 Volvo 240
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
compartment. For further information regarding these regulations, please contact your dealer.
pg. 3 Seatbelts: "Something We Believe In"
Despite our strongest recommendation, and your best intentions, not wearing a seatbelt is like believing
"it'll never happen to me!", Volvo urges you and all adult occupants of your car to wear seatbelts and
ensure that children are properly restrained, using an infant, car or booster seat determined by age,
weight and height.
Fact: In every state, some type of child-restraint legislation has been passed. Additionally, some states
are seriously considering, or have already made it mandatory for occupants of a car to use seatbelts.
So, urging you to 'buckle up' is not just our recommendation — its becoming the law! The few seconds
it takes to buckle up may one day allow you to say, "Its a good thing I was wearing my seatbelt."
pg. 4 General Information
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pg. 5 Keys
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The key number codes are stamped on a separate tag supplied with the keys. This tag should be
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.
Top of Page
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1987 Volvo 240
1 9 8 7
VOLVO
240
Before you drive
pg. 6 240 DL Sedan
pg. 7 Before you drive
Instruments and controls 8
Instruments 10
Warning lights 11
Clock, ambient temperature gauge 12
Oil pressure gauge, voltmeter 13
Ignition switch, turn signals 14
Lighting 15
Windshield wipers, washer nozzles 16
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Washer fluid reservoir 17
Rear window demister, heated seat, hazard warning
flasher 18
Parking brake 19
Cigarette lighter, ash trays 20
Electrically operated windows 21
Heating and ventilation 22
Air conditioning 24
Radios, AM-FM-FM stereo/tape players 25
Front seats 26
Seat belts 28
Doors and locks 30
Trunk lid 31
Hood release, long load storage 32
Rear/side view mirrors 33
Interior light, sun roof, fuel tank cap 34
Rear seat (wagon) 35
Tailgate (wagon) 36
Cargo compartment (wagon) 37
pg. 8 Instruments and controls
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pg. 9 Instruments and controls
See page
1 Air louver23
2 Turn signals14
3 Headlights, parking lights15
4 Instruments, lights15
5 Instruments10
6 Wiper/washer, tailgate window wiper/ washer (wagon)16, 17
7 Starting (ignition) switch/steering wheel lock14
8 Air louver23
9 Storage compartment (extra instrument or radio location)25
10 Air louver23
11 Glove box-
12 Air louver23
13 Fuse box79
14 Hood release handle32
15 Horn-
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16 Cigarette lighter20
17 Rear window demister18
18 Hazard warning flashers18
19 Air conditioning(some models)24
20 Seat belt reminder light28
21 Heating and ventilation22
22 Gear lever or gear selector43, 44
23 Ash tray20
24 Fresh air louver(except models with air conditioning)23
25 Radio receptacle25
26 Fresh air louver23
27 Electrically-operated windows (240 GL)21
28 Control for electrically operated side mirrors (certain models only)-
29 Parking brake19
30 Electrically-operated window, right front door (240 GL)21
31 Seat belt release buttons28
32 Seat heaters19
33 Seat belt reminder light24
34 Ash tray20
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
A Clock or Tachometer (depending on model)
Tachometer reads thousands of engine rpm. Engine should not be operated in red range.
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)
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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.
F Fuel gauge
The fuel tank capacity is approx. 60 liters 15.8 US gals. See "Fuel requirements".
G Alternator warning light (red)
H Oil pressure warning light (red)
I Trip odometer reset knob
Push in to reset
J Trip odometer
K High beam indicator (blue)
L Parking brake reminder light (red)
M Brake failure warning light (red)
N Bulb failure warning light (yellow)
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O Overdrive OFF indicator light (yellow)
(automatic transmission models)
Shift indicator light (yellow)
(manual transmission models)
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.)
G 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.
H 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".
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.
M Parking brake reminder light (red)
This tight will be on when the parking brake (hand brake) is applied. The parking brake lever is situated
between the front seats.
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N 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.
O 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 tights
one of the brake lights (when the brake pedal is depressed).
See section on "Replacing Bulbs".
pg. 12 Clock, ambient temperature gauge
Quartz crystal clock
To reset the hands, push in the reset knob and turn.
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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.
The gauge pointer must not go down to the red field while driving.
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.
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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 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.
pg. 14 Starting (ignition) switch, Turn signals
Starting (ignition) switch/steering wheel lock
The steering wheel lock may be under tension when the car is parked. Turn the steering wheel slightly to
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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.
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 (headlights on).
Move the lever towards the steering wheel and release it.
3 Headlight flasher (headlights off).
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Move the lever towards the steering wheel. The headlight high beam will be on until the lever is
released.
pg. 15 Lighting
Headlights and position lights
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.
A chime will sound if the parking lights are on and the front door on the driver's side is open. The chime
will also sound if the starting (ignition) key is in the switch lock when the door is open. The chime goes
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off when the driver's door is closed.
If the headlight 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.
With switch in this position, the wipers will make a stroke approx. every seventh second.
2 "Single stroke" position.
Switch returns automatically when released.
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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
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 and rotating nozzle
to desired position.
4-8" = 10-20 cm.
12" = 30 cm.
pg. 17 Washer fluid reservoir, Rear fog lights
Washer fluid reservoir
The washer fluid reservoir for the windshield and tailgate washer (wagon) is located in the engine
compartment and holds approx. 0.8 US gals = 3.2 liters.
During wintertime, the reservoir should be filled with anti-freeze washer Fluid specified in section titled
"Cold weather".
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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 night time
visibility of other vehicles to less than 500 ft. (152 meters). (The headlights must be switched on.)
Note that local regulations governing the use of these lights may vary.
pg. 18 Rear window demister, hazard warning flasher
Rear window demister
To operate depress the switch. The indicator lamp in the switch will come on. The system will be
switched off automatically after 10-15 minutes or when the starting (ignition) key is switched off.
Do not place items against the inner surface of the rear window that may damage the printed circuit. Do
not scrape the inner surface of the rear window glass with a hard object or use an abrasive window
cleaner, otherwise damage to the printed circuit will occur.
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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.
pg. 19 Parking brake
Parking brake (hand brake)
The lever is situated between the front seats. The brake is applied to the rear wheels.
The PARKING BRAKE reminder light on the instrument panel comes on whenever the parking brake
lever is not fully released and the ignition is on.
Always use the parking brake (hand brake) when parked.
In order to obtain the best possible performance of the parking brake, the brake linings should be broken
in. (See section titled "Break-in period".)
Seat heaters
The front seats are equipped with electrically-heated backrests and seat cushions. The switches engage
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