Volvo 850 User manual

Instruments, switches and controls
Description on page
I Air vents
1:20
2 Windscreen wash/wipe and headlight wipers
1:9, 1:11
3 Rear foglight
1:11
Instrument lighting
1:11
4 Headlights and parking lights
1 : 6
5 Combined instruments
1:2-1:5
6
Direction indicators, main/dipped beam, headlight flash 1 : 6
Cruise control (extra equipment)
1:19
7 Hazard warning flashers
1:10
8 Air mix
1:20
9 Air vents
1:20
1 0
Heating and ventilation controls 1:20-1:28
1 1 Audio
1 0:1-10:36
1 2 Ashtray
1:17
13
Heated passenger and driver's seats 1:16
1 4 Parking brake
1:16
1 5
Electrically operated windows
1:29
and rear-view mirrors 2:2
1
6
Cigar lighter
1:17
1
7
Bonnet release
2:22
1 8 Front foglights (extra equipment)
1 : 1 1
1
9Space for extra equipment
-
20 Adjustable steering wheel
1:18
21 Ignition and steering wheel lock
1:7
22 Space for extra equipment
23 TRACS (extra equipment)
1:10
24 Electrically operated sun roof (extra equipment)
2:4
25 Trip computer controls (extra equipment)
1:13
26 Electrically heated rear window and rear-view mirrors
1 : 1 0
27 Horn/SRS (Airbag)
2:16-2:21
28 SRS (Airbag)
2:16-2:21

1:1
Instruments and controls

Instruments
1 Fuel gauge
The fuel tank holds approximately 73 litres.
If the warning light on the instrument panel
comes on, approx. 8 litres of fuel remain in
the tank.
2 Boost pressure gauge
(850 turbo only)
The boost pressure gauge is divided into two
sections - one black and one white. With the
needle in the black section the engine acts
as a naturally aspirated engine - without
the turbocharger. To make driving more
economical, keep the needle in this section
as much as possible. With the needle in the
white section the turbocharger is engaged.
3 Temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the coolant in
the engine. If the pointer repeatedly enters
the red sector, or if it remains there, you
should immediately check the coolant level.
Also check the coolant level if the warning
light comes on; see 7:10. Refer to 3:9 for
additional information about the cooling
system.
4 Resetting the tripmeter
Press the button to reset the meter.
5 Clock, ambient temperature gauge
(Trip computer - extra equipment)
6 Speedometer
7 Odometer
8 Tripmeter
The tripmeter is used to measure short driving
stretches. The digit on the right indicates
1/10 mile/km. If the digit on the tripmeter is
red, this is an indication that the speedometer
and tripmeter have been replaced. The date
and mileage at the time of replacement are
recorded in the Service Record booklet.
9 Tachometer
Indicates engine speed in thousands of revo-
lutions per minute. The needle should never
be in the solid red section.
For information on the highest permitted
constant engine speed, refer to page 8:9.
1:2

Instruments
1: 3
1
Direction indicator, left
2 Direction indicator, right
3
Not connected
4 Low washer fluid level
If the lamp comes on, there is only
1/2 litre fluid in the reservoir.
5
Low fuel level
When the lamp comes on, only
about 8 litres of fuel remain
6 Rear fog lamp on
7
Main beam
8 Not connected
9 Bulb failure warning light
1
0 Bulb failure warning light,
11
trailer (Germany)
Not connected
1 2 Fault in SRS (Airbag) system
1 3
(extra equipment)
Battery charge failure
14 Low oil pressure
1 5 Brake circuit failure
1 6 Parking brake applied
1 7 ABS (anti-lock brakes)
1
8
malfunction
Automatic transmission
19
Position W, 3 or L engaged
Low coolant level
20 TRACS failure
21
(extra equipment)
Fault in the engine electronic
22
system
Service reminder
(certain models)

Brake circuit failure
If this light comes on while driving or braking,
the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir is
too low. Stop immediately and check the level
i n the reservoir (see the back cover of the manual
for its location).
If the fluid level is under MIN in any part of
the reservoir, do not drive any further; have
the car towed to a workshop to be checked and
repaired!
1:4
Fault in the engine
electronic system
If this light stays on after the engine has started,
a fault has been detected in the engine's fuel
or ignition system. This could mean that the
engine does not meet exhaust regulations.
Have your car checked by a Volvo workshop.
Low oil pressure
If this light comes on when the engine is
running, the oil pressure is too low. Switch off
the engine immediately and check the oil level;
see 7:6.
After hard driving, the light will come on
occasionally when the engine is idling. This is
normal provided it goes off again when the
engine speed increases.
Battery charge failure
The warning light comes on when the
alternator is not charging the battery. If the
lamp comes on while driving, there is either a
fault in the electrical system or the drive belt
is slack.
Note! If the drive belt snaps, or if the belt
tensioner is broken so that the alternator
cannot charge the battery, this light and war-
ning lights 4, 9. 15, 16 and 19 will come on.
Bulb failure warning
light
Lights up if any of the following bulbs fail:
Dipped beam
Tail lights
Rear parking lights
Brake lights (if the light glows when the brake
pedal is depressed).
Check the fuse and the bulb.
Parking brake
engaged
The parking brake, which is separate from the
service or foot-operated brake, is not applied
during normal braking. For this reason, it is
not cleaned automatically. We therefore
recommend that you use the parking brake
regularly to keep it clean.
Control and warning lights 
The warning lights described here should never be on while driving
However, all the warning lights should light up when the ignition key is turned on and before the engine actually
starts. This allows you to check that the bulbs are in working order. Once the engine starts, all the bulbs except
for the parking brake reminder light, should turn off. The parking brake light will turn off once the parking brake
is disengaged.

The warning lights described here should never be on while
driving (cont'd).
Low coolant level
If this light comes on while driving, the
coolant level is too low. Stop the engine
and check the coolant level in the expansion
tank; see 7:10.
Automatic transmission
If the warning light starts flashing, this
i
ndicates a fault in the automatic transmission.
Contact your Volvo dealer.
This light comes on when position W is
engaged or gear 3 or L is selected.
ABS - Anti-Lock
Braking system
ABS prevents the wheels from locking
during severe braking. If the warning light
comes on this is an indication that the ABS
system is not functioning, although the
standard braking system will continue to
operate as normal. Drive to a Volvo
dealer to have the system checked.
See 3:12 for more information about ABS
brakes.
Fault in SRS (Airbag)
system (extra equipment)
If this light remains lit or if it lights up
while driving, this indicates that the Air
bag's diagnostic system has discovered a
fault. Drive immediately to a Volvo
workshop to have it checked.
See 2:16-2:21 for more information about the
Airbag.
Control and warning lights
Control lights
Direction indicators,
trailer (Germany)
If a trailer is being towed, this light will
flash at the same time as the direction
i ndicator light flashes. If it does not flash
then a bulb has failed in either the trailer
or the car.
Service reminder
(certain models)
If this light comes on, it is time to have your car
serviced. Three factors determine when the light
is activated: mileage, total hours of engine
operation or time in months. The actual values
are pre-programmed at the factory. The light is
reset by your Volvo dealer when the car is
serviced. The light always remains lit for two
minutes whenever the ignition is turned on.
TRACS failure
(extra equipment)
If the TRACS (TRAction Control System)
malfunctions the warning light will come on.
It also comes on when the brakes overheat,
and goes out again when normal temperature
level is reached.
Contact your Volvo dealer.
Read more about TRACS on page 1:10.
1: 5

Headlights

Ignition and steering wheel lock
If it is difficult to turn the key, this is because the front wheels are
positioned so that they exert pressure on the lock. To release the
pressure, turn the steering wheel a little from left to right at the same
ti me as you turn the ignition key. Lock the steering wheel before
leaving the car as anti-theft precaution.
WARNING!
The ignition key should never be removed from the lock while
driving or while the car is being towed.
Ignition lock steering wheel lock
Lock position
The steering wheel is locked when the ignition
key is withdrawn from the lock.
Intermediate position "Radio"
Certain electrical components (e.g. heater fan,
cigar lighter, radio) can now be operated.
The ignition system is switched off.
Drive
Key position during driving. The entire electrical
system is switched on.
Start position
The starter motor is engaged. Release the key as
soon as the engine starts. The key automatically
springs back to the engine-running position.
1: 7

Direction indicators
Direction indicators, main beam/dipped beam
and headlight "flasher"
1 "Lane changing"
Light pressure upwards or downwards to indicate slight directional
changes (lane change, overtaking). The lever will return to the neutral
position when released.
2 Normal turns
3 Headlight flasher (headlights off)
Pull the lever towards the steering wheel. The main beam remains on
until the lever is released.
3 Main beam/dipped beam switch (headlights on)
Pull the lever towards the steering wheel, past the headlight flasher
position, and release it. The headlight will switch between main and
dipped beam.
A blown direction indicator bulb will cause the indicator light
to flash more rapidly than usual.
1: 8

Windscreen wipers
Windscreen wash/wipe, headlight wash/wipe
1 Intermittent wiping
Useful when driving in mist or light rain. The wipers make one sweep
every six seconds.
2 Slightly depress the lever
The wipers return to the park position when the lever is released.
Especially useful in light rain.
3
Windscreen wipers, normal speed
4 Windscreen wipers, high speed
5 Windscreen wash/wipe + headlight wash/wipe
The washers are operated in this position and the windscreen wipers
make 2 or 3 sweeps after the lever is released. The headlight washers
operate together with the windscreen washers.
1: 9

Trip computer, sun roof, hazard warning flashers, heated rear window/mirrors
Hazard warning flashers
All four exterior direction indicators flash
when the switch is activated. Use it to
i nform other road users of an obstruction or
hazard caused by your own vehicle.
Note: Regulations concerning the use
of hazard warning flashers vary from
country to country.
Heated rear window
Heated rear-view mirrors
(extra equipment)
Use the heated rear window and heated
rear-view mirrors for demisting
and
defrosting. Press once on the switch to start
heating of the rear window and rear-view
mirrors simultaneously. The orange indicator
l amp in the switch lights up when it is
activated. A built-in timer automatically
switches off heating of the rear window and
rear-view mirrors after about 12 minutes.
The indicator light switches off at the same
ti me. Press the switch once more while the
i
ndicator light is on to switch off all heating.
Press the switch again after the indicator
light goes off to restart the heating process.
Trip computer control
(extra equipment)
Rotate the control to obtain the desired trip
computer function. See 1: 13.
Electrically operated sun
roof (extra equipment)
See 2:4 for instructions about opening and
closing.
TRACS (extra equipment)
Your car can be equipped with TRACS
( TRAction Control System) as an optional extra,
this is an automatic aid to starting on slippery
road surfaces and operates via the ABS system.
The TRAMS function is engaged manually using
a switch on the dashboard. When switched on
TRACS engages automatically at speeds below
25 mph (40 km/h) when one of the drive wheels
has no grip. It disengages automatically when
speed exceeds 25 mph (40 km/h). The sound
which can be heard when the system is oper-
ating comes from the ABS system, see 3:12.
1: 1 0

Foglights, instrument illumination, rear window wash/wipe
Instrument illumination
Slide the control to the right - stronger illumination
Slide the control to the left - weaker illumination.
Instrument illumination is switched on in positions
Rear foglight
The rear foglight shines far more intensively than the standard rear
light; it is used when driving in extremely poor visibility. The rear
foglight operates in combination with the main/dipped beam.
Front foglights (extra equipment)
The front foglights operate in combination with the parking light,
dipped and main beam.
Note: The rules governing the use of
front and rear foglights vary from
country to country.
Beam height adjustment
(Certain markets)
The system consists of a motor on each head-
light and one switch on the dashboard.
This switch makes it possible to adapt the
height of the headlight beam to different loads.
The height of the beam can only be adjusted
when the headlights are turned on. The correct
levels for different loads are shown in the table
on the right.
Rear window wash/wipe
The rear window wash/wipe is operated using
the switches on the windscreen wiper lever.
1
Rear window wiper, normal speed
2 Intermittent wiping
The rear wiper makes one sweep every ten
seconds.
3 Rear window wash
The wiper operates together with the washer
spray when you press this button.
After the button is released the wiper makes
2 or 3 more sweeps.
1: 1 1
Note: Check that the setting is 0 for normal
load conditions.
Settings
Load
sedan estate
Driver
0 0
Driver and I passenger 0 0
Driver and 4 passengers 2(0)
1(0)
5 people + load (95 kg) 3(0) 2(0)
Driver + Max load (270 kg)
4(2) 4(2)
( ) Cars with Nivomat.

Clock, ambient temperature gauge
Clock
Clock and ambient temperature gauge (certain models)
Resetting the clock
The digital clock can be reset by pressing one
of the two buttons (A and B) with a sharp object
such as the tip of a pen.
h=hours
m=minutes
Maintain the pressure on the buttons for
more than four seconds to change the time
more quickly. This does not apply to models
which only have a clock.
Ambient temperature gauge
(certain models)
Indicates the temperature slightly above the road
surface while driving. A red warning light (C)
comes on when the temperature is in the +2
°
C
to -5'C range.
Note! At low speeds or when the vehicle is
stationary the ambient temperature displayed
may be too high because of the heat from the
engine.
Choice of presentation
If buttons A and B are pressed in simultaneously,
it is possible to shift between four different pres-
entation methods, as follows:
Press 1st time: 12 hour display and T
Press 2nd time: 24 hour display and
°
F
Press 3rd time: 12 hour display and
°
C
Press 4th time: 24 hour display and
°
C
1: 1 2

Trip computer
Trip computer
Volvo's trip computer receives a considerable
amount of information which is processed on
a continuous basis by a microprocessor. The
trip computer offers six functions which are
presented in one single display.
The cursor indicates the selected function. The
trip computer's clock is shown permanently in
the left-hand field. Refer to 1: 1 2 for more de-
tailed information.
The following data is displayed by the computer:
•

Average speed
•
Current fuel consumption
•
Average fuel consumption
•

Ambient temperature
•

Driving distance on current fuel reserve
•

Tripmeter
Warning function
The trip computer is equipped with two warn-
ing functions: low fuel level and low ambient
temperature. In either of these cases, the cursor
lights up and, in the case of low ambient temp-
erature, lamp A also lights up.
The relevant value is shown in the display,
irrespective of the function selected. In order
to return to the selected function, the control
should be rotated one step and then back again.
Note that the low ambient temperature warning
always has the highest priority in the display
panel.
Trip computer controls
Select one of the trip computer's six functions
by using control B. The Reset button (C) is
used to reset the following functions: average
speed, average fuel consumption and the trip
meter. Rotate the control to the required posi-
tion and press the button for at least two sec-
onds to reset the selected function.
NOTE: If pressure is maintained on the button
for another three seconds, the three resettable
functions are reset.
1:13

Average fuel consumption
Average fuel consumption since the function was last reset. When
the ignition is switched off, the average fuel consumption figure is
stored in memory and remains in memory until it is reset using the
reset button on the switch.
Current fuel consumption mpg
Continuous information on current fuel consumption. Calculation of
fuel consumption once per second. When the car is at a standstill,
the display shows "----".
Average speed
Average speed since the function was last reset. When the ignition
is switched off, the average speed is stored in memory and is used
as the basis for the new figure when the engine is started once
again. Can be set to zero by pressing the reset button on the switch.
Trip computer
1: 1 4

Trip computer
Ambient temperature
Shows the outside temperature just above the road surface while
driving.
When the temperature is in the +2
°
C to -5
°
C range, the
ambient temperature gauge activates a red lamp.
Note! At low speeds the ambient temperature displayed may be
too high because of the heat from the engine.
Tripmeter miles
The distance driven since the function was last reset. This value is
stored in memory until it is reset using the reset button on the
switch. The trip meter indicates 10 yard intervals for a distance of
up to 1 mile.
Driving distance on current fuel reserve miles--> 0
Shows the distance which can be driven on the fuel which remains in
the fuel tank, calculated on the basis of the average fuel consumption
and the remaining fuel in the tank.
When the quantity of fuel drops to below 8 litres, a warning lamp lights
up in the combined instrument and the cursor beside the "Driving Dis-
tance on Current Fuel Reserve" symbol is activated.
This takes place irrespective of the function currently selected. When
the driving distance on the current fuel reserve is less than 5 miles, the
display shows the "----" sign.
1: 1 5

Heated seats front/rear, parking brake
Switches for the heated front seats and heated rear seat
Heated front seats
The seat heating function can be switched
on or off using the two switches. The heat
is thermostat-controlled and it cuts out
automatically. Switch off the passenger seat
heater if the seat is empty.
Heated rear seat
(extra equipment)
The seat heating function can be switched on
or off with this switch. Press the switch once
to start heating the seat. When you press the
switch again, heating is switched off.
The built-in timer will switch off heating
automatically after 10 minutes. Switch off the
rear seat heater if the seat is empty.
Note! Remember to disconnect the electrical
connector when removing the rear seat cushion
Parking brake lever
Parking brake
The parking brake lever is located between
the front seats. The parking brake operates on
the rear wheels. A warning light in the com-
bined instrument panel lights up when the
parking brake is engaged. To release the brake,
pull the lever upwards slightly, press the button
and ease the lever down. Then release the lever.
Always use the parking brake when parking
the car to ensure optimal function.
1: 1
6

Ashtrays and cigar lighter
Ashtray Cigar lighter Rear seat ashtray
Ashtray
To open ashtray: press lightly on the panel.
To empty the ashtray, grip it on the short
sides, push in and then pull straight
upwards.
Cigar lighter
Press in the lighter. When it has become
sufficiently hot, after about 6-8 seconds,
it will spring back ready for use.
The cigar lighter socket has a 120 W
output.
Rear seat ashtray
To empty the ashtray, pull it out complete-
l y, lift up the rear edge and remove.
1: 1 7

Steering wheel adjustment
Depress...
... to adjust height
Steering wheel adjustment
The steering wheel can be variably adjusted both vertically and lengthways.
Press down the lever to the left of the steering column.
Adjust the steering wheel to the position that suits you. Press the lever up
again to lock the wheel.
... to adjust reach
WARNING!
Check that the steering wheel is locked in position. Do not adjust the
steering wheel while driving.
1: 1
8

Cruise control
WARNING!
The cruise control should not be used in
heavy traffic or when driving on wet or
slippery roads. Note: When driving on
hills, the actual vehicle speed may vary
slightly from the set cruise control speed.
Engagement
The cruise control switches are located on
the direction indicator stalk.
To engage and set the desired speed:
1 Set switch B in the ON position.
2 Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Note: The cruise control cannot be
engaged at speeds below 22 mph (35 km/h).
3 Press the + or - area of the SET button (A)
to engage the desired speed.
Reducing speed
The cruise control is automatically disenga-
ged if the brake or clutch pedal is pressed. The
previously selected cruise speed is retained in
the memory; by momentarily pushing switch B
towards the RESUME setting, that speed
will be re-engaged.
Acceleration
Momentary acceleration such as for overtaking
does not interrupt cruise control operation. The
previous set speed will be maintained without
having to set the switch to RESUME.
If the cruise control is already engaged, the
cruising speed can be increased or decreased
by pressing the SET button (A) towards either
+ or -. One short activation of the SET button
corresponds to a speed change of +/-1 mph (1.6
km/h). The current speed of the vehicle when
the button is released will now be programmed.
Disengagement
Set switch (B) to the OFF position or depress
the brake or clutch pedal. If the ignition is
switched off or the gear selector lever is in
position N, the cruise control system will
automatically disengage. If the speed decre-
ases to 70% of the set speed the cruise con-
trol will automatically disengage. This also
occurs if the wheels spin or lock.
Automatic transmission
When the car is driven in hilly terrain, there
may be a tendency for the gearbox to hunt
between different gears. You can avoid this
by manually selecting a lower gear or chang-
ing driving mode.
1:19