2002 VOLVO S60 airbag

2 0 0 2
VOLVO S60
Safety
pg. 9 Safety
Seat belts 10
Airbags (Supplemental Restraint System)12
Side airbags (SIPS airbags)18
Inflatable Curtain (IC)20
Inspection of airbags, inflatable curtains and seat belt tensioners21
WHIPS22
Child safety24
Occupant safety, Reporting safety defects28
pg. 10 Seat belts
Seat belts
Not wearing a seat belt is like believing "It'll never happen to me!" Volvo, the inventor of the three-point seat belt,
urges you and all occupants of your car to wear seat belts and ensure that children are properly restrained, using an
infant, car or booster seat determined by age, weight and height. Volvo also believes no child should sit in the front
seat of a car.
NOTE: Legislation in your state or province may mandate seat belt usage. Additionally, most states and provinces
have already made it mandatory for occupants of a car to use seat belts.
So, urging you to "buckle up" is not just our recommendation - legislation in your state or province may mandate seat
belt usage. The few seconds it takes to buckle up may one day allow you to say, "It's a good thing I was wearing my
seat belt."
NOTE: A chime will sound several times if the driver has not fastened his/her seat belt.
To buckle a seat belt:
ProCarManuals.com

pg. 12 Airbags (Supplemental Restraint System)
Driver's side airbag
As an enhancement to the three-point seat belt system, your Volvo is equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) to complement the three-point seat belt system. The inflatable airbag is installed folded up in the center of the
steering wheel. The wheel is embossed with SRS.
WARNING!
Never drive an SRS equipped car with your hands on the steering wheel pad / airbag housing.
Passenger side airbag
The airbag on the front passenger side is folded up in a compartment above the glove compartment. The panel is
embossed SRS.
WARNING!
ProCarManuals.com

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 airbag deployment.
WARNING!
As its name implies, SRS is designed to be a SUPPLEMENT to - not a replacement for - the three-point belt system.
For maximum protection, wear seat belts at all times. Be aware that no system can prevent all possible injuries that
may occur in an accident.
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.
pg. 13 Airbags (Supplemental Restraint System)
NOTE: Deployment of SRS components occurs only one time during an accident. In a collision where deployment
occurs, the airbags 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 characteristic and does not indicate fire.
ProCarManuals.com

NOTE: Volvo's dual-threshold, dual-stage airbags use special sensors that are integrated with the front seat buckles.
The point at which the airbag deploys is determined by whether or not the seat belt is being used, as well as the
severity of the collision. Collisions can occur where only one of the airbags deploys.
If the impact is less severe, but severe enough to present a clear injury risk, the dual-stage airbags are triggered at just
70% of their total capacity. If the impact is more severe, the dual-stage airbags are triggered at full capacity.
WARNING!
Do not use child safety seats or child booster cushions/backrests in the front passenger's seat. We also recommend
that occupants under 4 feet 7 inches (140 cm) in height who have outgrown these devices sit in the rear seat with the
seat belt fastened. 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.
pg. 14 Airbags (Supplemental Restraint System)
WARNING!
Children must never be allowed in the front passenger's seat. Volvo recommends that ALL occupants (adults and
children) shorter than 4 feet 7 inches (140 cm) be seated in the back seat of any vehicle with a front passenger -side
airbag. See page 27
for guidelines.
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 belt properly fastened.
Feet must be on the floor, e. g. not on the dash, seat or out of the window. No objects or accessory equipment, e. g.
dash covers, may be placed on, attached to, or installed near the SRS hatch (the area above the glove compartment)
or the area affected by airbag deployment (see illustration on page 12
).
There should be no loose articles, e. g. coffee cups, on the floor, seat or dash area. Never try to open the SRS cover
on the steering wheel or the passenger side dash. This should only be done by an authorized Volvo service
technician.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury to the vehicle occupants
Warning light in the instrument panel
A self -diagnostic system incorporated in the sensor monitors the SRS. This system does not, however, monitor the
Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) airbags. If a fault is detected, the warning light will illuminate. The light is
included in the warning/indicator light cluster in the instrument panel. Normally, the SRS warning lamp should light
up when the ignition key is turned to positions I, II or III and should go out after 7 seconds or when the engine is
started. Check that this light is functioning properly every time the car is started.
ProCarManuals.com

The following items are monitored by the self -diagnostic system:
Sensor unit
Cable harness
Gas generator
WARNING!
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.
pg. 15 Airbags (Supplemental Restraint System)
NOTE: The information on this page does not pertain to the Side Impact Protection System airbags.
When are the airbags deployed?
The SRS system is designed to deploy during certain frontal or front -angular collisions, impacts, or decelerations,
depending on the crash severity, angle, speed and object impacted. The SRS sensor is designed to react to both the
impact of the collision and the inertial forces generated by it and to determine if the intensity of the collision is
sufficient for the seat belt tensioners or airbags to be deployed. If the airbags have been deployed, we recommend the
following:
Have the car towed to an authorized Volvo retailer. Never drive with the airbags deployed.
Have an authorized Volvo retailer replace the SRS system components.
Use only new, Genuine Volvo Parts when replacing SRS components (airbags, seat belts, tensioners, etc.).
When are the airbags NOT deployed?
Not all frontal collisions activate the SRS system. If the collision involves a nonrigid object (e. g., a snow drift or
bush), or a rigid, fixed object at a low speed, the SRS system will not necessarily deploy. Front airbags do not
normally deploy in a side impact collision, in a collision from the rear or in a rollover situation. The amount of
damage to the bodywork does not reliably indicate if the airbags should have deployed or not.
Seat belts - the heart of the Volvo safety system
The heart of the Volvo safety system is the three-point seat belt (a Volvo invention)! In order for the SRS system to
provide the protection intended, seat belts must be worn at all times by everyone in the car. The SRS system is a
supplement to the seat belts.
WARNING!
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.
pg. 16 Airbags (Supplemental Restraint System)
WARNING!
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 (see below). This may cause airbag deployment which could result in personal
ProCarManuals.com

injury. Have the car towed to an authorized Volvo retailer for repairs.
Automatic transmission:
Before attempting to tow the car, use the following procedure to override the shiftlock system to move the gear
selector to the neutral position.
Switch off the ignition for at least 10 minutes and disconnect the battery
Wait at least one minute
Insert the key in the ignition and turn it to position II
Press firmly on the brake pedal.
Move the gear selector from (P) ark to the (N) eutral position.
There is no maintenance to perform on the SRS yourself. The month and year shown on the decal on the door pillar
indicate when you should contact your Volvo retailer for specific servicing or replacement of airbags and seat belt
tensioners. This service must be performed by an authorized Volvo retailer.
Should you have any questions about the SRS system, please contact your authorized Volvo retailer or Volvo
Customer Support.:
In the USA:
Volvo Cars of North America
Customer Relations
P.O. Box 914
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647-0914
800-458-1552
In Canada:
Volvo Canada Ltd.
175 Gordon Baker Road
Willowdale, Ontario M2H 2N7
800-663-8255
pg. 17 Airbags (Supplemental Restraint System)
Front airbag (SRS) system
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 an airbag (2) on both the driver's and passenger's sides and seat belt tensioners in
both front door pillars. The system is designed to supplement the protection provided by the three-point seat belt
system. All three rear seat belts are also equipped with tensioners.
The SRS system is indicated by the "SRS" embossed on the steering wheel pad and above the glove compartment, and
by decals on both sun visors and on the front and far right side of the dash.
The airbags are folded and located in the steering wheel hub and above the glove compartment.
ProCarManuals.com

Deployment: The SRS airbags are designed to deploy during certain frontal or front -angular collisions, impacts, or
decelerations, depending on the crash severity, angle, speed and object impacted. The airbags may also deploy in
certain non-frontal collisions where rapid deceleration occurs.
The airbag system includes gas generators (1) surrounded by the airbags (2) and front seat belt tensioners for both of
the front seats. 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!
injury. Deployment occurs very quickly and with considerable force. During normal deployment and depending on
variables such as seating position, one may experience abrasions, bruises, swellings, or other injuries as a result of
airbag( s) deployment.
Never try to repair any part of the SRS or SIPS bag systems yourself. Any interference in the system could cause
malfunction and serious injury. All work on these systems should be performed by an authorized Volvo retailer.
pg. 18 Side airbags (SIPS airbags)
SIPS airbag (front seats only)
As an enhancement to the structural Side Impact Protection System built into your car, the 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, wires and gas generators/sensor units (see illustration on next page).
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.
NOTE: SIPS airbag deployment (one airbag) occurs only on the side of the vehicle affected by the impact. The airbags
are not designed to deploy in all side impact situations.
ProCarManuals.com

*A SIPS airbag warning decal is also located at the end of the instrument panel on the driver's side of the car.
WARNING!
the Side Impact Protection System and the three-point seat belt system. It is not designed to deploy during collisions
from the front or rear of the car or in rollover situations.
The use of seat covers on the front seats may impede SIPS airbag deployment.
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 in the center column above). Never try to open or
repair any components of the SIPS airbag system. This should be done only by an authorized Volvo service
technician.
In order for the SIPS airbag to provide its best protection, both front seat occupants should sit in an upright position
with the seat belt properly fastened.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury to the occupants of the vehicle in the event of an accident.
pg. 19 Side airbags (SIPS airbags)
The SIPS airbag system
This system consists of a gas generator (1), the side airbags (2), and electronic sensors/cables (3).
Contents | Top of Page
ProCarManuals.com