1998 VOLVO S90 seats

1998 Volvo S90

Seat Belts

Always fasten the seat belts before you
drive or ride.
Two lights above the rear view mirror
will be illuminated for 4-8 seconds after
the starting (ignition) key is turned to the
driving position. A chime will sound at
the same time if the driver has not
fastened his seat belt. The rear seats are
provided with self-retracting inertia reel
belts. The front seats are provided with
single roller belts with tensioners.

To buckle:
Pull the belt out far enough to insert the
latch plate into the receptacle (buckle for
rear seats) until a distinct snapping
sound is heard. The seat belt retractor is
normally "unlocked" and you can move
freely, provided that the shoulder belt is
not pulled out too far. The retractor will
lock up as follows:
l if the belt is pulled out rapidly
l during braking and acceleration
l if the vehicle is leaning excessively
l when driving in turns
For the seat belt to provide maximum
protection in the event of an accident, it
must be worn correctly. When wearing
the seat belt remember:
l The belt should not be twisted or
turned.
l The lap belt must be positioned low
on the hips (not pressing against the
abdomen).

Make sure that the shoulder belt is rolled up
into its retractor and that the shoulder and
lap belts are taut.
Before exiting the car, check that the seat
belt retracts fully after being unbuckled. If
necessary, guide the belt back into the
retractor slot.
NOTE: Legislation in your state or
province may mandate seat belt usage.
WARNING!
Any device
used to
induce slack
into the
shoulder belt
portion of
the three-
point belt
system will
have a
detrimental
effect on the
amount of
protection
available to
you in the
event of a
collision.
The seat
back should
not be tilted
too far back.
The shoulder
belt must be
taut in order
to function
properly.

Spool-out

To make child
seat installation
easier, each seat
belt buckle
(except for the
driver's belt) is
equipped with a
locking
mechanism to
help keep the
lap section of
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1998 Volvo S90
the seat belt
taut. Please
refer to page 11
for more
information on
this function.
WARNING!
Do not use
child safety
seats or child
booster
cushions/
backrests in
the front
passenger's
seat. We
also
recommend
that children
who have
outgrown
these
devices sit in
the rear seat
with the seat
belt properly
fastened.
Seat belts (cont.) pg. 3
WARNING!
Never use a
seat belt for
more than
one
occupant.
Never wear
the shoulder
portion of
the belt
under the
arm, behind
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1998 Volvo S90

Chapter 1 - Occupant safety
VOLVO SRS
pg. 4
VOLVO SRS
As an enhancement to the three-point seat belt
system, your Volvo is equipped with a
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). The Volvo
SRS consists of airbags (2) and knee bolsters (5)
on both the driver's and passenger's sides and seat
belt tensioners in both front door pillars (4). The
system is designed to supplement the protection
provided by the three-point seat belt system.

The SRS system is indicated by the "SRS"
embossed on the steering wheel pad and above
the glove compartment, the knee bolsters beneath
the steering column and the glove compartment
and decals on both sun visors and on the far right
side of the dash.

The airbags are folded and located in the center of
the steering wheel and above the glove
compartment. They are designed to deploy during
certain frontal or front-angular collisions,
impacts, or decelerations, depending on the crash
severity, angle, speed and object impacted. Both
airbags and seat belt tensioners will deploy, even
if the passenger seat is not occupied.
The airbag system includes gas generators (1)
surrounded by the airbags (2) and front seat belt
tensioners for both of the front seats (4). To deploy the
system, the sensor (3) activates the gas generators
causing the airbags to be inflated with nitrogen gas. As
the movement of the seats' occupants compresses the
airbags, some of the gas is expelled at a controlled rate
to provide better cushioning. Both seat belt tensioners
also deploy, minimizing any seat belt slack.

The entire process, including inflation and deflation of
the airbags, takes approximately two-tenths of a second.
WARNING!
When installing any optional equipment make sure
that the SRS system is not damaged. Do not attempt
to service any component of the SRS yourself.
Attempting to do so may result in serious personal
injury. If a problem arises, take your car to the
nearest authorized Volvo Retailer for inspection as
soon as possible.
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1998 Volvo S90
l Gas generator ignitors

WARNING! Never drive an SRS equipped car
with your hands on the steering wheel pad/
airbag housing. No objects, accessory
equipment or stickers may be placed on,
attached to or installed near the SRS cover in the
center of the steering wheel, the SRS cover
above the glove compartment or the area
affected by the airbag deployment.
If the SRS warning light stays on after the
engine has started or if it comes on while you
are driving, drive the car to the nearest
authorized Volvo retailer for inspection as soon
as possible.
VOLVO SRS (cont.) pg. 6


WARNING!Do not use child
safety seats or child boosters
cushions/backrests in the front
passenger's seat. We also
recommend that children who
have outgrown these devices
sit in the rear seat with the seat
belt properly fastened.


NOTE: Deployment of SRS
components occurs only one time
during an accident. In a collision
where deployment occurs, the air
bags and seat belt tensioners
activate. Some noise occurs and a
small amount of powder is
released. The release of the
powder may appear as smoke-like
matter. This is a normal
WARNING!
l Children must never be
allowed to stand in front
of the passenger seat.
l Occupants in the front
passenger's seat must
never sit on the edge of
the seat, sit leaning
toward the instrument
panel or otherwise sit out
of position. The
occupant's back must be
as upright as comfort
allows and be against the
seat back with the seat
properly fastened.
l Feet must be on the floor,
e.g. not on the dash, seat
or out of the window.
l No objects or accessory
equipment, e.g. dash
covers, may be placed on,
attached to or installed
near the SRS hatch (the
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1998 Volvo S90

SIPS airbag decal*
SIPS airbag (front seats only)
As an enhancement to the structural Side
Impact Protection System built into your
car, your car is also equipped with Side
Impact Protection System (SIPS) airbags.
The SIPS airbag system consists of airbag
modules built into the sides of both front
seat backrests (1), cables (2) from these
modules to the mechanical sensor units (3)
and gas generators (4).
The SIPS airbag system is designed to help
increase occupant protection in the event of
certain side impact collisions. The SIPS
airbags are designed to deploy only during
certain side-impact collisions, depending on
the crash severity, angle, speed, and point of
impact. The airbags are not designed to
deploy in all side impact situations.
covers may be
used. The use of
non-approved
aftermarket seat
covers may impede
SIPS airbag
deployment.
l No objects,
accessory
equipment or
stickers may be
placed on, attached
to or installed near
the SIPS airbag
system or in the
area affected by
SIPS airbag
deployment (see
illustration to the
right above).
l Never try to open
or repair any
components of the
SIPS airbag system.
This should only be
done by an
authorized Volvo
service technician.
l For best protection
from the SIPS
airbag system, both
front seat occupants
should sit in an
upright position
with the seat belt
properly fastened.
NOTE: SIPS airbag
deployment (one airbag)
occurs only on the side of
the vehicle affected by the
impact.

WARNING!
l Never drive with the
airbags deployed. The
fact that they hang out
can impair the steering
of your car. Other
safety systems can
also be damaged. The
smoke and dust
formed when the
airbags are deployed
can cause skin and eye
irritation in the event
of prolonged
exposure.
l If your car has been
subjected to flood
conditions (e.g.
soaked carpeting/
standing water on the
floor of the vehicle) or
if your car has become
flood-damaged in any
way, do not attempt to
start the vehicle or put
the key in the ignition
before disconnecting
the battery. This may
cause airbag
deployment which
could result in
personal injury. Have
the car towed to an
authorized Volvo
retailer for repairs.
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1998 Volvo S90
shoulder (see illustration). The
shoulder belt must never be placed
behind the child's back or under the
arm. To fold down the booster
cushion:
l Pull the upper edge of the
cushion down
l Fold up the backrest

To fold up the booster
cushion:
l Fold down the booster
cushion backrest
l Fold up the entire booster
cushion unit
Integrated booster cushion (optional)

Volvo's own integrated booster cushion has
been specially designed to help safeguard a
child seated in the center position of the rear
seat. When using the integrated booster
cushion, the child must be secured with the
vehicle's three-point seat belt. The booster
cushion is approved for children weighing
between 22.7 and 36 kg (50 and 80 lbs) and
between 117 and 137 cm (46 and 54 in ) in
height. It is not intended for children under
3 years of age. WARNING! Failure to follow
the instructions on this page will
increase the risk of your child
being injured during a sudden
stop or collision.
In the event of a collision while
the integrated booster cushion
was occupied, the entire booster
cushion and center seat belt must
be replaced. The booster cushion
should also be replaced if it is
badly worn or damaged in any
way. This work should be
performed by an authorized
Volvo retailer only. The booster
cushion should be cleaned while
in place in the vehicle if
possible. If not, please consult
your Volvo retailer. Auxiliary seat (optional)

If all the seats are occupied, a rear-facing
auxiliary seat in the cargo area of the
wagon models can be used. This seat is
designed for two children, each weighing
between 23 - 40 kg (50 - 88 lbs.) and up
to 150 cm (59 inches) in height.


WARNING! Both rear seat backrests
must be up when the auxiliary seat is
being used.
Do not use a booster cushion or child
seat in conjunction with the auxiliary
seat.
Child Safety (cont.) pg. 11
The lap section of the seat belt cannot
be loosened as long as the red lock
button is in the right position.
The lap section of the seat belt can be
adjusted when the lock button is in the
left position (see illustration B).
NOTE: Before exiting the car, check
that the seat belt retracts fully after
being unbuckled. If necessary, guide
the belt back into the retractor slot.
When not in use, the child restraint Important!
Why Volvo believes no child should
sit in the front seat of a car.
It's quite simple really. A front air bag
is a very powerful device designed, by
law, to help protect an adult. Because of
the size of the air bag and its speed of
inflation, a child should never be placed
in the front seat, even if he or she is
properly belted or strapped into a child
safety seat. Volvo has been an
innovator in safety for over fifty years,
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1998 Volvo S90


Keeping child seats in place (spool-
out)

To make child restraint installation easier,
each seat belt buckle (except for the driver's
belt) is equipped with a locking mechanism
to help keep the lap section of the seat belt
taut.
When attaching the seat belt to a child
restraint:
l Make sure the red lock button is
moved to the right (see illustration
A). A coin, etc. can be used to move
the button.
l Attach the seat belt to the child
restraint according to the child
restraint manufacturer's instructions.
l Pull the lap section of the seat belt
taut.
should be secured with the seat belt to
help prevent movement during a
sudden stop.
WARNING! Do not use child
safety seats or child booster
cushions/backrests in the front
passenger's seat. We also
recommend that children who have
outgrown these devices sit in the
rear seat with the seat belt properly
fastened. and we'll continue to do our part. But
we need your help. Please remember to
put your children in the back seat, and
buckle them up.
Volvo has some very specific
recommendations:
l Always wear your seat belt.
l Air bags are a
SUPPLEMENTAL safety device
which when used in conjunction
with a three-point seat belt can
help reduce serious injuries
during certain types of severe
accidents. Please do not
disconnect the air bag system in
your vehicle.
l Volvo strongly recommends that
ALL children sit in the rear seat
of any vehicle and that they be
properly restrained.
l A child should NEVER sit in the
front passenger sit of any vehicle
equipped with a front passenger
side air bag.
l Volvo recommends that ALL
occupants (adults and children)
shorter than four feet seven
inches (140 cm) be seated in the
back seat of any vehicle with a
front passenger side air bag.

Drive safely!
Child Safety (cont.) pg. 12
Child safety

Volvo recommends the proper use of
restraint systems for all occupants
including children. Remember that,
regardless of age and size, a child should
always be properly restrained in a car.
Restraint systems for children are
designed to be secured in the vehicle by
lap belts or the lap portion of a lap-
shoulder belt. Such child restraint
systems can help protect children in cars
in the event of an accident only if they
Recent accident statistics have shown
that children are safer in rear seating
positions than front seating positions
when properly restrained. A child
restraint system can help protect a child
in a vehicle. Here's what to look for
when selecting a child restraint system:
l It should have a label certifying
that it meets applicable Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(FMVSS 213-80) - or in Canada,
CMVSS 213.
When a child has outgrown the child
safety seat, you should use the rear seat
with the standard seat belt fastened. The
best way to help protect the child here is
to place the child on a cushion (not
available in Canada) so that the seat belt
is properly located on the hips (see page
10).
A specially designed and tested booster
cushion for children between 22.7 - 36 kg
(50 - 80 lbs) and 117 - 137 cm (46 - 54")
can be obtained from your Volvo retailer.
If necessary, an auxiliary seat for children
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1998 Volvo S90

This means that when you switch off the ignition,
the gear selector must be in the (P)ark position
before the starting (ignition) key can be removed
from the ignition switch.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)

The ABS system in your car performs a self-
diagnostic test when the vehicle is started and at
4 mph (6km/h). The driver may detect one
pulsation of the brake pedal and a sound will be
audible from the ABS control module. This is
normal.


The pages in this section provide detailed
descriptions of the vehicle's instruments and
controls.
Note that vehicles may be equipped differently,
depending on special legal requirements. 16 Controls for electrically operated windows...
pg. 29
and side-view mirrors...pg. 35
17
Instrument illumination...pg. 22
18
Hood-release handle...pg. 39
19
Turn signals, high/low beams...pg. 20
cruise control...pg. 24
20
Adjustable steering wheel...pg. 22
21
SRS (air bag)/Horn...pg. 4
22
Starting (ignition) switch/steering wheel
lock...pg. 21
23
Windshield wiper/washer...pg. 21
Tailgate wiper/washer (wagons)...pg. 23
24
Cigarette lighter...pg. 30
25
Transmission mode selector buttons...pg. 59
26
Gear selector...pg. 58
27
Ash tray...pg. 30
28
Shiftlock release (override) button...pg. 61
29
Parking brake...pg. 30
30
Electrically-heated front seats (certain
models)...pg. 28
Instruments pg. 16
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