1 9 8 6
VOLVO
240 DL, 240 GL

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. 6 Instruments

A Clock or Tachometer (depending on model)
Tachometer reads thousands of engine rpm. Black range for momentary use, during acceleration. 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)

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 Oil pressure warning light (red)
Illuminated when overdrive is engaged.
(manual transmission models)

J Trip odometer reset knob
Push in to reset

K Trip odometer

L High beam indicator (blue)

M Parking brake reminder light (red)

N Brake failure warning light (red)

O Bulb failure warning light
(yellow) (automatic transmission models)

P Overdrive OFF indicator light (yellow)
(automatic transmission models)

Shift indicator light (yellow)
(manual transmission models)

pg. 7 Warning lights

The warning lights described on this page should never be on when driving

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 light will be on when the parking brake (hand brake) is applied. The parking brake lever is situated between the front seats.

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).

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 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).
Move the lever towards the steering wheel. The headlight high beam will be on until the lever is released.

pg. 9 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 lights can be used without switching on the starting (ignition) key.

A chime will sound if the headlights or 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 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. 10 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.

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.

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. 11 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".

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. 12 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.

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. 13 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 the heating which then is thermostatically controlled. It switches on automatically when the temperature drops below 60°F (15°C) and switches off at approx. 95°F(35°C).

pg. 14 Clock, Ambient temperature gauge

Quartz crystal clock
To reset the hands, push in the reset knob and turn.

Ambient temp. gauge (accessory)
An electronic thermometer that indicates ambient temperature just above the road surface. Warns you of icy road conditions

pg. 15 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.

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. 16 Cigarette lighter, Ash trays

Cigarette lighter
To operate, depress the knob fully. When the knob automatically releases, the cigarette lighter is ready for use.
The starting (ignition) switch must be ON for the cigarette lighter to function.

Ash trays
To remove the ash trays depress the center spring and remove.

pg.17 Electrically-operated windows

Electrically operated windows (standard on certain models)
The electrically-operated windows are controlled by switches set in the door arm rests. All the windows can be controlled from the driver's are rest as shown in the above illustration.
The starting (ignition) switch must be ON for the electrically-operated windows to function. The window is lowered if the rear part of the switch is pressed and raised if the front part of the switch is pressed.

WARNING! Remove the starting (ignition) key from the car when children are left alone in the car.

Cut-out switch for rear-door electrically-operated windows
If the car is equipped with rear-door power windows, this function can be disabled by a switch located on the driver's door armrest.
This switch is positioned 90° in relation to the other switches.

The rear door windows can be raised or lowered with the respective door switch as well as the switch on the driver's door.

The rear door windows cannot be raised or lowered with the respective door switch but instead only with the corresponding switch on the driver's door.

pg. 18 Heating and ventilation

Heating system

1 TEMP
Left = cool
Right = warm

2 FLOOR
Out = no air to floor
In = full flow of air to front and rear floor

3 Defrost
Out = low volume air flow to defroster
In = full flow

4 REC (recirculation)
To be used only on cars equipped with air conditioning.
Do not use for heating.
Out = full flow of outside air
In = air is recirculated for faster cooling

5 Blower motor
Has 4 speeds and is shut completely off when the knob is turned to the left.

6 Air louvers (dash)
The air flow through the louvers is decreased when the (2) and/or (3) controls are depressed.

7 Fresh air louvers (floor) (except models with air conditioning)
Lever placed forward = louver opens
Lever placed rearward = louver closes

How to . . .
. . . obtain max. heat
1 TEMP >>> WARM

2 depressed

5 FAN >>> 3(or 4)

6 All dash louvers halfway open and floor air louver closed.

. . . remove condensation
1 TEMP >>>WARM

3 DEF depressed

5 FAN >>> 3 (or 4)

6 All louvers closed as well as the floor fresh air louver.

Always keep front external inlet grille (in front of the windshield) clear of obstructions (snow, ice, etc.).

Maximum defroster action
For maximum defroster capacity at very low ambient temperatures, use the recirculation control (button depressed).
If not using air conditioning, the recirculation feature should not be used in humid climates and at temperatures about +23°F (-5°C).

Air louvers - dash
A Closed
B Open
C Directing air flow horizontally
D Directing air flow vertically

Fresh air louver (floor)
There is a floor-directed fresh air louver on the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle (driver's side only on some models). Airflow is controlled by the lever at the center of the louver.

Lever placed forward = louver opens
Lever placed rearward = louver closes

Maximum airflow is obtained with louver fully open and the fan (blower motor) shut completely off. (The fan forces the air through the dash louvers.)