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VOLVO
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Machine washing
Hand washing of a car is superior to machine washing. We recommend that you do not wash your car in an automatic wash during the first six months(because the paint will not have hardened sufficiently).
If automatic car washing is essential use only reputable establishments with non-synthetic brushes. Synthetic brushes may cause the paints top surface to be scratched.
Bird droppings
Remove from paintwork as soon as possible.
Otherwise the finish may be permanently damaged.
Chromed parts
Chromium-plated and anodized parts should be
washed with clean water as soon as they become
dirty. This is particularly important if you drive on
gravel roads or on roads where salt is used during
the winter. After the car has been washed, apply
wax or an anti-rust preparation.
Stains on chrome trim can be removed with commercially available chrome cleaner. Do not use
Abrasive compounds or steel wool.
Polishing (waxing)
Normally, polishing is not required during the first
year after delivery. Waxing may be beneficial.
Before applying polish or wax, the car must be
washed and dried. Tar spots can be removed with
kerosene or tar remover. Difficult spots may require a fine rubbing compound.
After polishing use liquid or paste wax.
Several commercially available products contain
both polish and wax. Waxing alone does not substitute for polishing of a dull surface.
A wide range of polymer based car waxes can be
purchased today. The waxes are easy to use and
produce a long lasting high gloss finish which
protects the bodywork against oxidation, road dirt
and fading.
Cleaning the upholstery
Generally the fabric can be cleaned with soapy
water or a detergent. For more difficult spots
caused by oil, ice cream, shoe polish, grease, etc.,
use a stain remover.
The plastic in the upholstery can be washed.
To clean leather upholstery, use soft cloth and
mild soap solution, for instance common bath
soap.
For more difficult spots, consult an expert for the
choice of cleaning agent.
On no account must gasoline, naphtha or similar
cleaning agents be used on the plastic or the
leather since these can cause damage.
When aging, leather changes appearance, but the
typical texture remains. To preserve smoothness
and appearance, it is recommended to treat the
leather with a special leather preservative after
one or two years of use.
Cleaning the seat belts
Clean only with luke warm water and mild soap solution.
Cleaning floor mats
The floor mats should be vacuumed or brushed
clean regularly, especially during the winter when
they should be taken out for drying.
Spots on textile mats can be removed with a mild detergent.
Anti-rust treatment
Your Volvo has been rust protected at the factory.
On external surfaces a heavy coat of wear resistant material has been used, while on the internal
surfaces a lighter rust inhibitor is used.
The exterior rust protection should be inspected regularly (at least once per year).
If the rust protection has been damaged a repair should be made as soon as possible to prevent moisture from entering between the metal and coating. Carefully clean and remove any rust prior to repair of the rust protective coating.
The interior rust protection should normally be renewed by your authorized Volvo dealer first time after 36 months and then at least every 24th month, thereafter.
For further information, see section titled "What
causes rust" or see your Volvo dealer.
Paint touch-up
Paint damage requires immediate attention to
avoid rusting. Make it a habit to check the finish
regularly, for instance when washing the car.
Touch-up if necessary.
Paint repairs require special equipment and skill.
Contact your Volvo dealer for any extensive damages.
Minor scratches can be repaired by using Volvo
touch-up paint.
Note: When ordering touch-up paint from your
Volvo dealer, use the paint code indicated on
the service label. The label is located on the
wheel housing in the engine compartment.
Minor stone chips and scratches
Material:
Rust remover
Primer-brush-on type
Surface finish - brush-on type
Penknife or similar
Brush
Note: When touching-up the car, it should be clean and dry. The surface temperature should be above 60°F(+15°C).
Scars on the surface
(where the paint has not been completely penetrated). Repairs can be made directly after light scraping to remove dirt.
Deep scars (down to the bare metal)
If the stone chip has penetrated down to the metal,
proceed as follows:
1 Scrape or sand the damaged surface lightly and break the edges of the scar.
Apply the rust remover. (avoid contact with eyes and skin!). Wait a few minutes and then rinse carefully with water and wipe dry.
2 Thoroughly mix the primer and apply it with
small brush.
When the primer surface is dry, the paint can be
applied using a brush.
Mix the paint thoroughly, apply several thin
paint coats and let dry after each application.
3 if there is a longer scratch, you may want to mask to protect surrounding paint.
Touching-up damaged paint on
fender edges and sills
Material:
Rust remover
Primer-spray
Surface finish - spray
Sand paper (H 150 - 300 grit)
Thinner
Note: When touching-up the car, it should be well cleaned and dry and have a temperature exceeding 60° F (+15° C).
Mask with tape and paper prior to painting larger surfaces. Remove the masking immediately after application of the last paint coat, before the paint starts to dry.
Touch-up is as follows:
1 Remove paint flakes.
2 Sand the damaged surface and wash it clean with thinner.
Apply the rust remover. (Avoid contact with skin!) Wait a few minutes and then rinse carefully with water and wipe dry.
3 Shake the spray can for at least 1 minute. Spray on the primer. Move the can slowly and regularly from back and forth, about 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) from the surface. Protect the surrounding surfaces with suitable paper.
NOTE!
Spray painting should be done in a
well ventilated and dust-free area.
4 When the primer has dried, apply the surface
enamel in the same way. Spray on several times
and allow the paint to dry a minute or so between each application.
What causes rust
The two most common causes of rust to your car are:
1. The accumulation of road dirt and moisture in hard-to-get-at cavities and
other areas under the car.
2. The removal of paint and protective coatings on the outside of the car and
underneath through damage by stones, gravel or minor accidents.
Several factors influence the speed at which corrosion will occur:
1. The length of time various parts of a car stay wet. Parts of the car filled
with road dirt and water remain damp for long periods of time even after
other parts have dried.
Particular attention should be paid to the underside of the car and floor
sections inside. The floor sections stay wet because moisture collects
and remains under the floor matting.
Drain holes located at the bottom of the doors can get clogged with dirt,
trapping water inside the door and causing the door to rust through at the
bottom.
2. Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of higher relative humidity, especially where temperatures often stay above the freezing point and where
the atmosphere is affected by industrial pollution, or where salt is used for
de-icing the roads.
Where parts of the car are covered with road dirt containing road salt,
corrosion will be accelerated at a lower relative humidity than if the
surface were clean.
3. Increased temperature will cause an accelerated rate of corrosion of
those parts of the car which are not well ventilated to permit quick drying.
4. Industrial pollution and the presence of salt will also accelerate the
deterioration of paint finishes.
The foregoing underscores the need for every car owner to keep his or her
car, particularly the underside, as clean and dry as possible. Repair any
minor damage to paint work and protective coating as soon as possible.
The need is more important in those localities where road salt is used for
de-icing, the relative humidity is higher, air pollution is present and temperatures regularly stay above freezing.
Prior to a long distance trip
Have your car checked at a Volvo dealer. Preventive maintenance will help to ensure a trouble free
trip. Remember to take along a Volvo dealer
directory.
The main items to check are listed below:
1. Brakes, front wheel alignment and steering
gear.
2. Engine running condition.
3. Fuel system operation.
4. Oil leaks: engine, transmission, rear axle.
5. Cooling system for leaks or worn hoses.
6. Examine tires carefully, replace worn tires.
7. Battery and terminals.
8. Tool equipment.
9. Lighting.
10. Drive belts, for tightness and wear.
11. All fluid levels.
Cold weather Engine fuel system
During the winter, large variations in temperature
cause condensation to form in the fuel tank and
can impair the running of the engine. This can be
reduced by adding dry gas to the fuel. There is
less risk of condensation forming in the fuel tank if
it is kept full or nearly full.
Engine cooling system
Volvo type C (blue-green) coolant should be used
all the year round. The cooling system should
always contain water plus anti-freeze and rust
inhibitor, even during the summer. Experience
has also shown that extremely weak anti-freeze
solutions (10-25 percent) are ineffective for rust
protection. For this reason, the quantity of anti-freeze/summer coolant should amount to about
50 percent of the solution. This lowers the freezing
point to-30° F (-35° C).
Engine lubricating system
During the winter, multigrade oil 10W-30 should
be used in the engine. At very low temperatures, below 0° F (-20° C), multigrade oil SAE 5W-30 is recommended. These oils reach the lubricating points in the engine more easily at low temperature and also facilitate cold starting.
See section "Engine oil" for more information.
Electrical system
The electrical system is subject to great stresses
during the winter. Lighting and starter motor are
used more often. The battery capacity is impaired
at low air temperature. The state of charge must
be checked more frequently, and if necessary the
battery should be recharged. The battery may
freeze if the state of charge is low.
Windshield washers
Anti-freeze washer fluid should also be added to
the washer fluid container for the windshield and
rear window (tailgate, wagon model) washer.
This is particularly important during the winter
because the windshield frequently becomes dirty
and is often splashed with water which freezes
rapidly. This may necessitate the frequent use of
the windshield washer and wipers. Your Volvo
dealer can supply you with suitable anti-freeze for
this purpose. Suitable mixtures of anti-freeze and
water are:
Down to +14° F (-10° C) 1 part anti-freeze 4
parts water.
Down to +7°F(-14° C) 1 part anti-freeze 3 parts
water.
Down to 0° F(-18° C) 1 part anti-freeze 2 parts
water.
Down to -18°F(-28° C) 1 part anti-freeze 1 part
water.
The diagnoses outlined below are intended to serve only as a guide to locate and temporarily correct minor faults. Causes of unsatisfactory performance should be investigated and corrected by your Volvo dealer.
Condition: Starter fails to operate (or operates very slowly)
| Possible cause | Correction |
| Weak battery or dead cell. | With the starting (ignition) switch in the "Driving" or "On" position, check to see if the warning lights
on the dashboard come on and if they stay on when the starter is engaged. If the lights do not come on or if they go off when the starter is engaged, the battery is discharged or see below. |
| Loose or corroded battery cable terminals. | Check battery terminals and clamps. Clean or replace if necessary. Check that the starter cable is secure at its terminals. The ground strap, which connects the battery negative (-) terminal to the engine, should also be checked for corrosion or looseness. |
| Open circuit between starting (ignition) switch and starting (ignition) switch terminal on starter. | The circuit is closed if a clicking sound is heard from the starter when it is engaged. If no clicking sound is heard, check that the blue wire at the starter is secure. If still no clicking sound is heard, the starting (ignition) switch or the wire is defective. |
| Starter motor defective. | If the above checks have been performed, and no fault is evident, the starter may be defective.
NOTE: In this case the headlight intensity will not dim when the starter is engaged. |
Condition: Starter motor operates but engine does not start
| Possible cause | Correction |
| Intake system leaking. | Check vacuum hose connections at manifold and auxiliary air valve. |
| No fuel reaching engine. | Check for fuel in the tank. Check fuses No 4, 6 and 13 |
| No spark | Check that the high tension lead from the coil to the distributor cap is connected and that the wires to the distributor and coil are connected. Check the fuse for the engine control system. The fuse is located in the engine compartment on the left wheel housing by the ignition coil. |
| Spark plugs, high tension leads or distributor cap wet or defective. | Clean the parts with a dry cloth or spray with a moisture remover. Replace defective or worn parts.
If no fault is found following the above steps, contact your Volvo dealer. |
Condition: Erratic idle (misfiring)
| Possible cause | Correction |
| intake system leaking. | Check hose connections. |
| Spark plugs, high tension leads or distributor cap worn (detective) | Clean distributor cap and leads, check the cap for cracks. Replace defective or worn parts. |
| Worn spark plugs. | Remove. Clean or replace spark plugs. |
Condition: Engine stalls at irregular intervals
| Possible cause | Correction |
| Defective wires. | Check wire terminals at: fuel pump, fuse No. 5 and 7, coil, distributor, ignition switch and relays. |
| Intake system leaking. | Check vacuum hose connections at manifold and auxiliary air valve. |
| Fuel filter clogged. | Clean fuel tank filter and replace line fuel filter. |
Condition: Excessive fuel consumption
| Possible cause | Correction |
| Fuel lines leaking. | Check tightness. |
| Spark plugs worn | Replace plugs. |
Condition: Misfiring at highway driving speeed
| Possible cause | Correction |
| Spark plugs fouled. | Drive the vehicle in a lower gear and keep the engine rpm higher for a few miles in order to remove carbon deposit on the spark plugs. If this procedure is not effective, clean or replace the spark plug; |
The Vehicle Identification Number should always be quoted in all correspondence concerning your vehicle with the dealer and when ordering parts.
1 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
VIN plate is located on top left surface of dash.
The VIN is also stamped on the right hand door
pillar.
2 Vehicle Emission Control Information
Your Volvo is designed to meet all applicable safety and emissions standards. Evidence of this can
be verified from the certification label on the left
wheel valance. For further information regarding
these regulations, please consult your Volvo dealer.
3 Model Plate
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Codes for
color and upholstery etc. This plate is located on
right wheel valance.
4 Loads, Capacities, and Tire Pressures
5 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(FMVSS) specifications (USA) and Ministry of
Transport (CMVSS) Standards (Canada)
This label is located on rear facing side of the
driver's front door.
6 Service Label
Label under rear window under trunk lid on right
hand side (Sedan) or on right hand side of the
large storage space (Wagon).
Information on certain components.
