Volvo C70 1998 Owner's Manual

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 help 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 driver's door opening and on the left wheel housing in the engine compartment.

Volvo and the environment

Volvo is committed to the well being of our customers. As a natural part of this commitment, we care about the environment in which we all live. Caring for the environment means an everyday involvement in reducing our environmental impact.

Volvo's environmental activities are based on a holistic view, which means we consider the overall environmental impact of a product throughout its complete life cycle. In this context, design, production, product use, and recycling

are all important considerations.

In production, Volvo has partly or completely phased out several chemicals including freons, lead chromates, naphtanates, asbestos, mercury and cadmium; and reduced the amount of chemicals used in our plants 50% since 1991.

In use, Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into production a three-way catalytic converter with a Lambda sond, now called oxygen sensor, in 1976. The current version of this highly efficient system reduces emissions of harmful substances (CO, HC, NOx) from the exhaust pipe by approximately 95% and the search to eliminate the remaining emissions continues. Volvo is the only automobile manufacturer to offer CFC-free retrofit kits for the air conditioning system for all models back to the M/Y 1975 240. Advanced electronic engine controls, refined purification systems and cleaner fuels are bringing us closer to our goal.

After Volvo cars and parts have fulfilled their use, recycling is the next critical step in completing the life cycle. The metal content is about 75% of the total weight of the car, which makes the car among the most recycled industrial products. In order to have efficient and well controlled recycling, many Volvo variants have printed dismantling manuals indication the weight and material of individual components. For Volvo, all homogeneous plastic parts weighing more than 1.7 oz. (50 grams)are marked with international symbols that indicate how the component is to be sorted for recycling.

In addition to continuous environmental refinement of conventional gasoline-powered internal combustion engines, Volvo is actively looking at advanced technology alternative-fuel vehicles.

When you drive a Volvo, you become our partner in the work to lessen the car's impact on the environment. To reduce your vehicle's environmental impact, you can:

Maintain proper air pressure in your tires. Tests have shown decreased fuel economy with improperly inflated tires Follow the recommended maintenance schedule Drive at a constant speed See an authorized Volvo retailer as soon as possible for inspection if the check engine (malfunction indicator) lamp illuminates, or stays on after the vehicle has started Properly dispose of any vehicle related waste such as used motor oil, used batteries, brake pads, etc. When cleaning your car, use Volvo's own car care products, all of which have systematically been adapted to the environment.

Contents

Important

Before you operate your car for the first time, please familiarize yourself with the BREAK-IN information on

page 56. You should also be familiar with the information in the first three chapters of this manual.

Information contained in the balance of the manual is extremely useful and should be studied after operating the vehicle for the first time. This manual is structured so that it can be used for reference. It should thus be kept in the car for ready access. 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.

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.

CAUTION: Certain models have reduced ground clearance due to the design of the front spoiler. Please observe

caution when e.g., driving onto garage hoists, through drifted snow or when other road debris is encountered, or when parking near curbs

Contents

Chapter 1 - Occupant safety 1

Chapter 2 - Instruments, switches and controls 15

Chapter 3 - Body and interior 39

Chapter 4 - Starting and driving 55

Chapter 5 - Wheels and tires 75

Chapter 6 - In case of an emergency 81

Chapter 7 - Car care 99

Chapter 8 - Volvo Service 105

Chapter 9 - Specifications 123

Chapter 10 - Audio systems 131

Index 188

Top of Page

Chapter 1 - Occupant safety

pg. 1 Occupant safety

Occupant safety

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: 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".

Seat belts 2

Volvo SRS 4

Side Impact Protection System - (SIPS) air bag 8

Child safety 9

Occupant safety 12

Reporting Safety Defects 12

pg. 2 Seat belts

Seat belts

Always fasten the seat belts before you drive or ride.

Two lights above the rear view mirror will be illuminated for 4-8 seconds after the starting (ignition) key is turned to the driving position. A chime will sound at the same time if the driver has not fastened his seat belt. The rear seats are provided with self-retracting inertia reel belts. The front seats are provided with single roller belts with tensioners.

Adjusting the shoulder belt

Lap portion of the seat belt should sit low

To buckle: Pull the belt out far enough to insert the latch plate into the receptacle (buckle for rear seats) until a distinct snapping sound is heard. The seat belt retractor is normally "unlocked" and you can move freely, provided that the shoulder belt is not pulled out too far. The retractor will lock up as follows:

if the belt is pulled out rapidly during braking and acceleration if the vehicle is leaning excessively when driving in turns

For the seat belt to provide maximum protection in the event of an accident, it must be worn correctly. When wearing the seat belt remember:

The belt should not be twisted or turned. The lap belt must be positioned low on the hips (not pressing against the abdomen).

The shoulder section of the front seat belts adjusts automatically to the driver's height. Make sure that the shoulder belt is rolled up into its retractor and that the shoulder and lap belts are taut. Before exiting the car, check that the seat belt retracts fully after being unbuckled. If necessary, guide the belt back into the retractor slot.

NOTE: Legislation in your state or province may mandate seat belt usage.

For information on securing child seats, please refer to page 11.

WARNING!

Any device used to induce slack into the shoulder belt portion of the three-point belt system will have a detrimental effect on the amount of protection available to you in the event of a collision. The seat back should not be tilted too far back. The shoulder belt must be taut in order to function properly.

Do not use child safety seats or child booster cushions/backrests in the front passenger's seat. We also recommend that children who have outgrown these devices sit in the rear with the seat belt properly fastened.

The rear seat of the Volvo C70 is intended for two occupants only. Only two three-point seat belts are provided. The center position should never be used to seat a passenger.

pg. 3 Seat belts

During pregnancy

Pregnant women should always wear seat belts. Remember that the belt should always be positioned in such a way as to avoid any possible pressure on the abdomen. The lap portion of the belt should be located low, as shown in the above illustration.

WARNING!

The rear seat of the Volvo C70 is intended for two occupants only. Only two three-point seat belts are provided. The center position should never be used to seat a passenger.

Never use a seat belt for more than one occupant.

Never wear the shoulder portion of the belt under the arm, behind the back or otherwise out of position. Such use could cause injury in event of accident.

As the seat belts lose much of their strength when exposed to violent stretching, they should be replaced after any collision, even if they may appear to be undamaged.

Never repair the belt on your own; have this done by an authorized Volvo retailer only.

Any device used to induce slack into the shoulder belt portion of the three-point belt system will have a detrimental effect on the amount of protection available to you in the event of a collision.

The seat back should not be tilted too far back. The shoulder belt must be taut in order to function properly.

Contents | Top of Page

Chapter 2 - Instruments, switches and controls

10 Trip computer (optional) 26-28

pg. 14 Instruments, switches and controls

Click on numbered item below for more information

pg. 15 Instruments, switches and controls

Page

1 Air vents 33 2 Headlights, parking lights 20 3 Instrument illumination 22 4 Rear fog light 22 5 Front fog lights (optional) 22 6 Space for additional equipment 7 Space for additional equipment 8 Instruments 14-15 9 Traction control system (optional) 23

11 Electrically operated sun roof (optional) 41 12 Rear window demister/heated door mirrors 23 13 Air mix 33 14 Air vents 33 15 Passenger side air bag (SRS) hatch 4-6 16 Air vents 33 17 Hood release 51 18 Turn signals, high/low beams 20

Cruise control 29

19 Adjustable steering wheel 32 20 Windshield wiper/washer 21 21 Heated front seats (optional) 30 22 Auxiliary socket 31 23 Audio systems 131 24 Heating and ventilation controls 33-35 25 Hazard warning flashers 23 26 Ashtray 31 27 Coin holder 28 Shiftlock release button (automatic transmission only) 97 29 Gear selector shift positions 60-62 30 Transmission mode selectors 62 31 Parking brake 30 32 Horn/SRS 4-6 33 Trunk open control 52 34 Power window controls 36 35 Power mirror controls 48 36 Fuel tank open control 37 37 Central locking button 36

Some of the items above are available on certain models only.

Shiftlock (automatic transmission only)

When your car is parked, the gear selector is locked in the (P)ark position. To release the selector from this position, turn the ignition key to position II (or start the engine), depress the brake pedal, press the button on the front side of the gear selector and move the selector from (P)ark.

If it is necessary to manually override the shiftlock system:

Turn the starting (ignition) key to position I Press firmly on the "SHIFTLOCK OVERRIDE" button located near the base of the gear selector. While holding the override button down, press the button on the front of the gear selector. Move the gear selector from the (P)ark position.

Keylock (automatic transmission only)

This means that when you switch off the ignition, the gear selector must be in the (P)ark position before the starting (ignition) key can be removed from the ignition switch.

Anti -lock Brake System (ABS)

The ABS system in your car performs a self-diagnostic test when the vehicle first reaches the speed of approximately

12 mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and a sound may be audible from the ABS control module. This is normal.

Fuel tank cover

The fuel tank cover is locked and must be popped open using the control on the driver's door.

The pages in this section provide detailed descriptions of the vehicle's instruments and controls. Note that vehicles may be equipped differently, depending on special legal requirements.

pg. 16 Instruments

1 Fuel gauge

The fuel tank holds approximately 18.4 US gals. (70 liters). When the warning light comes on there is approximately

1.8 US gals. (8 liters) of fuel remaining. See "Refueling" for further information.

2 Temperature gauge

Do not drive the car with the pointer in the red range. The pointer should be approximately midway on the gauge

face when driving. If the pointer approaches the red range repeatedly, check coolant level. See page 130.

3 Speedometer 4 Clock, ambient temperature sensor, trip computer (certain models) 5 Odometer 6 Trip odometer

Used for measuring shorter distances. The last digit indicates 1/10 mile/kilometer.

7 Trip odometer reset button 8 Tachometer

Reads thousands of engine rpm. The engine should not be operated in red range. The highest permitted constant engine speed is 6,200 rpm.

Contents | Top of Page

Chapter 3 - Body and interior

pg. 39 Body and interior

Body and interior

The seats, sun roof, mirrors, etc. are described on the following pages.

Remote keyless entry system 43

Interior lights, Vanity mirrors 49

Storage compartments

Sun roof 41

Keys, doors and locks 42

Alarm 44

Front seats 46

Rear/side view mirrors 48

Long load storage 50

Hood 51

Opening the trunk 52

Trunk light, Spare tire, Jack 53

Securing cargo, Avoiding battery drain 54

pg. 40 Storage compartments

1 Glove compartment 2 Coin holder 3 Compartment in door 4 Pocket on rear of front seat 5 Compartment between front seats/Cup holder

WARNING! Packages on the rear window shelf can obscure vision and may become dangerous projectiles in the

event of a sudden stop or an accident.

pg. 41 Sun roof (option)

Sliding sun roof

Electrically-operated sun roof

The switch for operating the sun roof is located on the instrument panel. The starting (ignition) key must first be turned to the drive position (position II). The sun roof is also equipped with a one-touch, AUTO-open function.

AUTO-open: Press the lower section of the switch once to automatically open the sun roof. The AUTO-open

function can be stopped at any time by pressing the switch.

To close the sun roof: Depress the upper section of the switch until the sun roof has closed completely.

Sun visor

To open the rear edge of the sun roof (ventilation position): With the sun roof closed, depress the upper section

of the switch. To close, depress the lower section of the switch until the sun roof has closed completely.

To slide open the sun roof: Depress the lower section of the switch until the sun roof has opened to the position

you prefer or hold the switch until the sun roof reaches the "comfort position"*. Depress the lower section of the switch again to open the sun roof completely.

* A position where the sun roof is not quite fully open. This position helps alleviate "rumbling" wind noise.

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