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I just purchased my first Volvo ('91 240 SE wagon, 5-speed manual, 120,000 miles) and of course I have some questions that probably have been answered here before, but I can't find them.
First, this car has a shift indicator light, which tells the driver when to shift, presumably to get better gas mileage. What is the real world recommendation for following this light? It seems that I'm shifting up at really low speeds and may be lugging the engine. So tell me if you use the light or not.
Second, what does SE mean? The guy I bought it from didn't know.
Third, towing. I understand I can acquirea tow hitch for the vehicle. Is this really recommended. The engine doesn't seem to have that much oomph as it is and I can't see towing a 3,000 pound trailer with it. I may get a utility trailer, however, and get rid of my F150 truck.
As a newbie, I'm sure I will have many more questions, but I'm loving the comfort of this car and it seems to be getting pretty decent mileage (of course, compared to a big truck). Any help will be appreciated.
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Forget the shift indicator and instead shift up at 3,000rpm and down into the next lowest gear when you dip below 2,000. Absent a tach, you'll be shifting 1-2 at approximately 15mph, 2-3 at about 30mph, and 3-4 at 45mph. 5th will lug below about 50mph and even above 50 you may find yourself downshifting into 4th on grades to maintain speed.
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Thanks for the advice, which as expected was somewhat diverse. I don't have a tach and actually like the analog clock. After about 35 years of driving stick shifts, I have a pretty good ear for 3500-4000 rpm. I decided to compromise between the shift indicator light and the point where I would normally shift (which in speed is often about a 10 mph difference). Doing this, I was getting into 5th gear at around 45 mph, which seemed slow. But I have to say I like the gas mileage. I went 298 miles on 12 gallons of gas, in about a 60-40 mix of in-town and freeway driving, which works out to about 25 mpg.
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Welcome. Shift light: It's a reminder to me that I probably ought to shift, especially to 5th when I forget what gear I am in. When running through the gears, I ignore the light. The light is only for CAFE standards and fuel milage, assuming you are driving on level ground or going down hill.
SE means special edition. You should have a numbered plaque just to the right of the instrument cluster and a wood strip running across the dash.
Towing? Don't pull more than 1,500 pounds, usually a light 4X8 utility trailor for short distances. Your 240 is more durable than an F150, but it is not a truck.
--
95 850, 88 245
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The instrument cluster left side is either a large diameter clock or a tachometer. IMHO the tach is far preferable, and all in the car can live with the small (52mm) clock.
There is/was a conversion kit available on eBay. Around $40, more now??
The conversion requires removal of the instrument cluster - an easy job requiring some knowledge and lots of care.
The clock comes out and the tack drops right in. There is a red/white (may be gray) wire with an insulated female connector in there somewhere, it goes to the single spade connector on the tach.
The conversion kit MUST have a 3-wire harness. It connects to the tach and the back of the clock. It provides power and dimmable light to the clock.
The clock mounts in the upper of the 2-inch square panels to the right of the instrument cluster.
Pop out the panel, thread the wire though the big hole. Connect to the clock. Mount the three rubber "feet" to the clock and insert it in. The pop on the kit-provided bezel.
Once I started driving with a tach I added one to every Volvo I ever owned, beginning with the 1979. Shift up 1-2 and 2-3 maybe 3-4 at 3500 to 4000, you will be flying.
Trailering is OK. Right hitch, wired up with the right connector - one that doesn't compromise the bulb failure warning system, and you're good to go.
Enjoy the ride.
Bob
:>)
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I don't wind the heck out of my car but yes I run it past the shift light. If you've driven a Standard in other cars, just go by your ear.
The older OEM hitches should bolt right up. I wouldn't be towing 3500lbs but an occasional Utility trailer with a load of wood every once in a while would be fine.
Enjoy the new car.
--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me
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I tried the SIL recommendations once ... that was it. Yes, the engine lugs and on my '91, it gets into boost, negating any fuel savings.
The SE is special edition. More features.
You can actually tow up to 3,500lbs on these vehicles. Yeah, they're not that powerful, but it'll do it. Just take your time.
The beefiest hitches are the older OEM ones - 3" tube and 2" receiver. The second choice would be the aftermarket Draw-Tite's, with a 1-1/4" receiver. The later OEM's had a really odd metric receiver - hard to get any draw bars for.
-- Kane
--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40
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