96 850R

chriskose · Post by **chriskose** » 14 Oct 2002, 11:16

Just purchased a 1996 850R and I really like it except that I don't quite understand all of the swith gear on it. What's the deal with the TRACS button, the ECON SPORT and WINTER ES buttons, and the lighting buttons? Are some of them for turning on fog lights (which it doesn't have) or is it something else? Also, tried to get the 850R emission tested today but the local DMV said they couldn't do it because the CHECK ENGINE light is on.... Any help?
Chris

Brian · Post by **Brian** » 14 Oct 2002, 18:14

i can try to help you out here. i don't know that much about cars or anything, but i do have a '96 850 Turbo. it's got some of the features that you're describing here. I don't know about the light switches, but the Econ / Winter ES / and Sport switches are different ways for the engine to work. Econ is the best for gas, winter will start in second gear or something like that, so taht it's easier to drive in snow. Sport is basically self-explanitory. I don't know what the TRACS button is, but i've heard of it. The CHECK ENGINE light is stupid. Mine always says service. Basically every 30,000 miles or so that light comes on so taht you can go back to a volvo dealer and pay them money to flip some switch and turn it of. Usually nothing is wrong w/ your car. If you look online somewhere, you can probably figure out how to turn it off. i don't know how much that helped but that's what i have to offer...

chriskose · Post by **chriskose** » 15 Oct 2002, 18:02

thanks for the help...

Post by **matthew1** » 16 Oct 2002, 15:11

TRACS: uses the ABS computer and equipment to keep wheels from spinning wildly when they have no traction, kindof the opposite of ABS when braking. It's an early-generation example of this technology, and not fully mature implementation, in my humble opninion.

Econ: will shift sooner (lower RPM) at less-than-full throttle. At full throttle, it will shift at or near redline, the same as Sport. So yes, if you floor it allways, it makes no difference what this switch is set to.

Winter: transmission starts from a dead stop in 3rd gear. Less torque = less wheelspin in snow/sand/ice.

Fog light switch is on lower left of steering wheel. In relation to this switch, the one above it that looks similar activates the single red fog warning light at the rear of the car that looks like a single brake light that is malfunctioning (you've seen other cars with this on... Audis and Volvos come to mind to me). Fog lights must be on for this to operate. Please use this only when it's truly foggy.

Check Engine: you must pull the code(s) from the engine control computer to see what's ailing your 850. Might be an O2 sensor... not too much $ or time to fix.