Positioning:
The Volvo 240 was positioned as a durable, safe, and practical family car, known for its robust build quality and distinctive Scandinavian design.
Competitors:
Competed with other mid-size sedans and wagons such as the Audi 4000, BMW 3 Series (E30), Mercedes-Benz 190E, and various American sedans.
Design:
Iconic 'brick' design, emphasizing safety and durability.
Safety Focus:
Reinforced body structure, advanced safety features for its time.
Powertrain Reliability:
Reputation for long-term reliability and ease of maintenance.
Primary Coverage:
Operation, maintenance, and safety of the 1986 Volvo 240
Secondary Coverage:
Basic troubleshooting, features explanation, instrument cluster information
Estimated Pages:
Approx. 150-200 pages (typical for this era and model)
Engine:
Basic operation and checks, fluid levels
Transmission:
Operation, fluid checks
Brakes:
Operation, warning lights
Electrical:
Fuse box locations, basic indicator lights
Climate Control:
Operation of heating and ventilation
Safety Features:
Seat belts, child safety, general driving safety
Instrument Panel:
Gauges, warning lights, indicators
Maintenance Checks:
Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid checks
Tire Maintenance:
Tire pressure checks, basic care advice
Lighting:
Operation of headlights, turn signals, interior lights
Emergency Procedures:
Starting assistance (jump starting), changing a flat tire
Troubleshooting Basic:
Interpreting warning lights and basic operational anomalies
Depth:
Owner-level, focusing on operation, user-level maintenance, and safety. Does not cover in-depth mechanical repair or diagnostics.
Engine Type:
Inline-4 Cylinder, Overhead Valve (OHV) or Overhead Cam (OHC) depending on specific variant
Engine Code Common:
B230F (2.3L Fuel Injection)
Displacement:
2.3 Liters (2316 cc)
Bore X Stroke:
96.0 mm x 80.0 mm (typical for B230 series)
Compression Ratio:
Approx. 9.2:1 (for B230F)
Horsepower:
Approx. 114 hp @ 5000 rpm (for B230F)
Torque:
Approx. 135 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm (for B230F)
Fuel Delivery:
Bosch K-Jetronic (CIS) or Bosch LH-Jetronic (EFI) depending on specific market and model year variant.
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline
Fuel Octane Rating:
87 AKI (Octane Rating) recommended
Transmission Type:
4-speed Manual Transmission (M46, often with Overdrive)
Transmission Type:
AW71 3-speed Automatic Transmission
Overdrive Manual:
Yes, in the M46 manual transmission (often electrically engaged)
Manual Transmission Fluid:
API GL-4, SAE 75W-90 or 80W-90 gear oil
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Dexron II (or equivalent)
Length:
Approx. 189.2 inches (4805 mm)
Width:
Approx. 67.7 inches (1720 mm)
Height:
Approx. 56.7 inches (1440 mm)
Wheelbase:
Approx. 104.3 inches (2650 mm)
Curb Weight:
Approx. 2,900 - 3,100 lbs (1315 - 1406 kg) depending on body style and equipment
Cargo Volume Sedan:
Approx. 16.0 cu ft (sedan)
Cargo Volume Wagon:
Approx. 45.0 cu ft (wagon, seats up) / 78.0 cu ft (wagon, seats down)
NHTSA Front Impact:
4-star (driver) / 5-star (passenger) for 1986 model year (typical, exact ratings can vary by test)
IIHS Ratings:
Generally rated as 'Good' for frontal impact protection by IIHS in contemporary testing for its design era.
ABS:
Optional on some models, standard on certain higher trims/markets
Airbags:
Driver-side airbag standard, passenger airbag optional/not available depending on market and trim.
Seat Belts:
3-point inertia reel seat belts front and rear (three-point front belts often integrated into the seat)
Rollover Protection:
Reinforced roof structure and A-pillars
Oil Change Interval:
Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months, whichever comes first.
Air Filter Replacement:
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) (for standard ignition) or 60,000 miles (96,000 km) (for electronic ignition, depending on plug type).
Timing Belt Replacement:
Timing belt is typically a chain drive for the B230 engine, requiring no regular replacement. Older variants might have belts with intervals around 60,000 miles.
Engine Oil Type:
API SG, SF, or SE, SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 recommended for most conditions.
Coolant Type:
Volvo Approved Antifreeze/Coolant (ethylene glycol-based), typically a 50/50 mix with distilled water.
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4 Hydraulic Brake Fluid
Common Issues Electrical:
Dashboard warning lights, failing intermittent wipers, worn headlight switch contacts, aging wiring harnesses, fuel pump relays. Ignition module (EZK/EZ116k) can fail.
Common Issues Engine:
Oil leaks (especially rear main seal and valve cover gasket), fuel injector issues (on EFI models), idle control valve problems, vacuum leaks, distributor cap and rotor wear.
Common Issues Suspension:
Worn front control arm bushings, worn ball joints, sagging rear springs (especially on wagons), worn shock absorbers.
Common Issues Cooling System:
Radiator leaks, heater core leaks, thermostat issues, aging coolant hoses.
Common Issues Body:
Rust, particularly around wheel arches, rocker panels, and the tailgate on wagons. Door seals and window seals degrade.
Volvo Heritage:
Volvo has a long-standing reputation for safety, durability, and innovation in automotive engineering since its founding in 1927.
240 Series Origin:
The Volvo 240 series evolved from the Volvo 140 series, debuting in 1974. It was significantly redesigned for 1975 with a new front end, inspired by the Volvo VCC safety concept car.
240 Series Longevity:
The 240 series was produced for an exceptionally long time, with minimal major changes to its core design, making it one of Volvo's most enduring models.
Production Years:
1974-1993
Manufacturing Locations:
Primarily Sweden (Torslanda, Kalmar) and also Belgium (Ghent) and Australia.
Safety Awards:
The 240 series was widely recognized for its safety performance, consistently receiving high marks in crash tests and being praised for its structural integrity by automotive journalists and safety organizations throughout its production run.
Long Term Reliability Reputation:
Consistently ranked high for durability and longevity in various automotive consumer surveys and publications.
