Other factors which decrease gas mileage are:

Shift indicator light
(manual transmission models only)
The Volvo shift indicator light (S.I.L.) is a device designed to help you get even better gas mileage from your Volvo car. Studies have shown that the best fuel economy is obtained by shifting gears at low engine rpm and high relative engine load. The Volvo S.I.L. is calibrated to show you when to shift for improved mileage without sacrificing smooth acceleration.

Use of the S.I.L. is simple. Shift to next higher gear as soon as the light comes on. You may find after using the S.I.L. for some time that your natural shifting rhythm will adapt to the S.I.L.'s suggestion. Some drivers may even shift before the light comes on.
Obviously, there will be times when you need to shift later than the light would indicate (for example, when climbing hills or trailer towing). Using the light regularly, however, should result in a mileage improvement of six percent or more, depending on how you normally drive.

Programming instructions for shift indicator
If the current supply to the control unit is cut (battery disconnected), the control unit will have to be re-programmed as the control unit memory will be erased.
Drive the car in each gear (first gear not necessary) for approximately 8 seconds. The gear change indicator light will flicker once (0.5 seconds), as each gear is programmed.

Note: Remove foot completely from the clutch pedal after each gear change when programming the control unit.

pg. 36 Starting the engine

To start the engine;

1 Enter the car and fasten the seat belt.

2 Apply the parking brake if not already set.

3 Place the gear selector lever in neutral (position N or P, automatic transmission).

4 Depress the clutch pedal (manual transmission).

5 Without touching the accelerator pedal turn the ignition key to starting position. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.

If the engine does not start at once, depress the accelerator pedal halfway and keep it there until the engine starts.
Avoid repeated short attempts to start (fuel is injected every time the starter is engaged when engine is cold).
Allow the starter to operate for a longer time (but not more than 15-20 seconds).
Do not race a cold engine immediately after starting.

Engine warm-up - initial driving procedure
Experience shows that 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 by driving with a light foot on the accelerator pedal.

WARNING! Always open the garage doors fully before starting the engine inside the garage to ensure adequate ventilation. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which is invisible and odorless but very poisonous.

pg. 37 Manual transmission

4-speed manual + overdrive (5th gear) transmission
Depress the clutch pedal fully when changing gears.
Remove the foot from the clutch pedal after every gear shift.
See "Shift indicator light" section for more information on economical use of the manual transmission.

Overdrive (5th gear)
The overdrive can be engaged only in 4th gear. Depress the clutch fully when engaging and disengaging.
The green control light "5" on the dashboard illuminates when the overdrive is engaged.
The overdrive is engaged and disengaged by depressing the switch on the top of the gear shift lever.
The overdrive is automatically disengaged when downshifting from 4th gear, but make it a habit to always disengage the overdrive manually before downshifting.
To improve mileage, it is recommended to use the overdrive as much as possible at speeds above 30 mph (50 km/h).

Reverse gear (R)
The detent collar on the gear shift lever must be lifted prior to engaging reverse gear. This prevents inadvertent selection of reverse gear

pg. 38 Automatic transmission

Shift positions
P park
R reverse
N neutral
D drive
2 intermediate
1 low

The gear selector can be moved freely between D and 2. Selections of other positions are obtained by depressing the selector knob prior to moving the selector.
Depressing the selector knob slightly allows selection of positions N and 1.
Depressing the selector knob fully allows selection of positions R and P. This is also necessary when initially bringing the selector out of position P.
Depressing the selector knob fully thus permits shifting freely between all positions.

P Park
Use this position when parked with the engine running or stopped.
Never use P while car is in motion.
The transmission is mechanically locked in position P. Also use the parking brake when parking on grades for added safety.
R Reverse
Never use R while car is moving forward.
N Neutral
Neutral position = no gear is engaged. Use parking brake.
D Drive
D is the normal driving position. Upshift and downshift of the forward gears occurs automatically and is governed by acceleration and vehicle speed.
2 Intermediate position
Upshift and downshift of first two gears (low and intermediate) occurs automatically.
No upshift to 3rd (top) gear occurs.
Position 2 may be used to obtain forced downshift to 2nd gear for increased engine braking effect. Position 2 can also be used...

NOTE: No upshift once 1 is engaged.

Use position 1 to select low gear with no upshift. Use for instance, when ascending and descending steep grades.

NOTE:

Disengaging 4th gear
The transmission will engage 4th gear automatically after upshifting through first, second and third gears unless the disengagement button on the side of the gear selector knob is pushed.
When the button is pushed to disengage 4th gear, the transmission operates as a 3-speed unit. If the button is pushed while 4th gear is engaged, then a downshift to 3rd gear will occur. The transmission, then, cannot upshift to 4th gear until the button is pushed again. As a reminder, when 4th gear is disengaged, the indicator light () in the instrument panel is illuminated.
Be aware that, if 4th gear is disengaged (reminder light illuminated) when the engine is switched off, the transmission will revert automatically to 4-speed operation (reminder light not illuminated) when the engine is restarted.
Disengage 4th gear (reminder light illuminated) when:
* towing a trailer
* driving on hilly roads where precise speed control is desired.

Kick-down
Automatic shift to a lower gear is achieved by depressing the throttle pedal fully and briskly.
An up-shift will be achieved when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by releasing the throttle pedal slightly.
Kick-down can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway speeds.

Starting and stopping a car equipped with automatic transmission
1. Fasten the seat belt.
2. Apply the parking brake and the brake pedal firmly to hold the car (to prevent the car from moving when the gear selector is moved).
3. Select position P or N. (Engine cannot be started in any other position).
4. Start the engine by turning the ignition key (see Section "starting the Engine").
5. Select the desired gear.
6. Release the brakes and accelerate.
To stop the car, release the throttle pedal and apply the brakes.
It is not necessary to move the gear selector as the transmission will downshift automatically.
When idling for extended periods of time, select position N to prevent unnecessary heating of the transmission.

WARNING! Always place gear selector in Park and apply parking brake before leaving vehicle. Never leave car unattended with engine running.

pg. 40 Emergency towing (pulling)

Precautionary steps to observe when towing
Please check with state and local authorities before attempting this type of towing as vehicles being towed are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length and type of towing device, lighting, etc.

CARS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CANNOT BE STARTED BY PUSHING OR PULLING THE CAR.

Jump starting, see section titled "alternator, jump starting"

pg. 41 Tow-truck information

When preparing for trailer hauling, observe the following:

All Volvo models are equipped with energy absorbing shock mounted bumpers. Trailer hitch installation should not interfere with the proper operation of the bumper system.

WARNING: Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvos, nor should safety chains be attached to the bumper. Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle rear axle must not be used.

NOTE:
Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to the vehicle brake system, nor a trailer's lighting system directly to the vehicle lighting system. Consult your nearest authorized Volvo dealer for correct installation.

Trailer hauling does not normally present any particular problems, but take into consideration:

Note: Refer to section entitled "Automatic transmission" for additional trailer hauling tips.

WARNING! Do not drive with trunk lid or tailgate open!

Poisonous exhaust gases may enter via the open trunk lid or tailgate. (This is especially true for wagon models.)
If the trunk lid or tailgate for any reason must be open, proceed as follows:

Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure are important for proper handling. Therefore check that the tires are inflated to the recommended pressure according to the vehicle load.
It is recommended to use tires of the same make and dimensions on all four wheels.

CAUTION! Do not mix radial ply and bias ply tires as this will adversely alter the vehicle handling characteristics.

Roof rack
Permanent and removable roof racks are available from Volvo Accessories.
Observe the following points when in use.

The following "Special Tips" apply to cars with automatic transmission

Moisture on brake discs and brake pads affects braking.
Driving in rain and slush or passing through a normal car wash can cause water to collect on the brake discs and pads. This will cause a delay in braking effect when the pedal is depressed. To avoid such a delay, when the brakes are needed, depress the pedal occasionally when driving in rain or slush.
This will remove the water from the brakes.
This should also be done after washing or starting in very damp weather.

If the brake power assist does not function-
The power assist to the brakes functions only when the engine is running. When the car is moving without the engine running the brake pedal pressure required to stop the car is increased 3 - 4 times.
The brake pedal feels stiff and hard.
Disc brake noise: A slight-to-moderate amount of disc brake "squeal" is considered normal.

Air dam (front spoiler)
A non-factory air dam can negatively influence the normal flow of cooling air to the front wheel brakes. (See section titled "Wheels and Tires").

If one of the brake circuits should malfunction the red warning light will come on

(See section titled "Warning Lights".)
The pedal stroke increases slightly and the pedal feels softer but the pedal pressure required does not increase noticeably.
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.
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.

Severe strain on the brake system.
The brakes will be subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or hilly areas. The speed is usually low which means that the cooling of the brake is less efficient than when driving on level roads.
To reduce the strain on the brakes it is advisable not to use the brakes excessively.
Instead, shift into a lower gear and let the engine help with the braking. A good rule is to use the same gear downhill as would be used ascending the same grade. For vehicles with automatic transmission use position 2, or in some cases, 1.

pg. 44 Catalytic converter

Catalytic Converter Cautions
(all U.S.A. and certain Canadian models)

NOTE: Unleaded fuel is required for cars with catalytic converter. A label on the instrument panel and rear fender, near the filler inlet, will remind owners and filling station attendant of this requirement.
Important! It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel into any vehicle labeled "unleaded gasoline only".