2003 VOLVO S40 seats

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 or her seat belt. The rear
seats are provided with self -retracting inertial 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 buckle 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:
if the belt is pulled out rapidly
during braking and acceleration
if the vehicle is leaning excessively
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:
The belt should not be twisted or turned.
The lap belt must be positioned low on the hips (not pressing against the abdomen).
The shoulder section of the front seat belts adjusts automatically to the driver's height. Adjusting the shoulder belt
Lap portion of the seat belt should sit low
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.
ProCarManuals.com

During pregnancy
Pregnant women should always wear seat belts. Remember that the belt should always be positioned in such a way as
to avoid any possible pressure on the abdomen. The lap portion of the belt should be located low, as shown in the
above illustration.
pg. 3 Seat belts, Head restraints
WARNING!
Never use a seat belt for more than one occupant.
Never wear the shoulder portion of the belt under the arm, behind the back or otherwise out of position. Such use
could cause injury in the event of an accident.
As the seat belts lose much of their strength when exposed to violent stretching, they should be replaced after any
collision, even if they appear to be undamaged.
Never repair the belt on your own; have this work done by an authorized Volvo retailer only.
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.
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.
Rear head restraints
ProCarManuals.com

The rear head restraints can be adjusted according to the passenger's height. The restraint should be carefully adjusted
to support the occupant's head.
The head restraint can be raised by pulling straight up or lowered by pressing the catch (1) at the base of the left head
restraint support and pushing down.
Removing/replacing the head restraints
When folding the rear seats flat for carrying cargo ( see page 55), head restraints should be fully removed by pulling all
the way up, pressing the catch at base of the left support and pulling the head restraint all the way out. Be sure to
reinstall and adjust head restraints to their proper position before allowing passengers to occupy the seats.
pg. 4 Volvo SRS
Passenger side SRS hatch
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 (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, and
by decals on both sun visors and on the far right side of the dash.
The airbags are folded and located in the steering wheel hub 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. The airbags may also deploy in certain non-frontal collisions where rapid
deceleration occurs.
The airbag system includes inflators (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.
ProCarManuals.com

SRS decal on door pillar driver's side
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 seatbelt
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: In Canada:
Volvo Cars of North America Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd.
Customer Relations 175 Gordon Baker Road
P.O. Box 914 Willowdale, Ontario M2H 2N7
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647-0914 1-800-663-8255
800-458-1552
pg. 6 Volvo SRS
SRS texts on outside of both
sun visorsSRS texts on inside of both sun
visorsSRS texts on the
passenger's dashSRS text at far right of
dash
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.
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.
NOTE: Volvo's dual-threshold 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.
ProCarManuals.com

2 0 0 3
VOLVO
S40 & V40
Chapter 2 - Instruments, switches and controls
pg. 17 Instruments, switches and controls
Instruments, switches and controls
Instruments, switches, controls etc. are described on the following pages. Instruments
18
Indicator and warning lights21
Headlights, Parking lights, Instrument illumination, Fog lights24
Turn signals, Home Safe lighting, Wipers/washers25
Ignition switch/steering wheel lock, Flashers, Heated rear window/mirrors26
Trip Computer27
Dynamic Stability Assistance30
Cruise control31
Heated seats, Parking brake32
Auxiliary socket, Cupholder33
Steering wheel adjustment34
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning35
Electrically operated windows38
pg. 18 Instruments, switches and controls
ProCarManuals.com

20Hood latch 53
21Steering wheel height adjustment 34
2212-volt electrical outlet 33
23AC on and off 36
24Trip Computer 27
25Coin holder 33
26Recirculation 36-37
27Cupholder 33
28Defroster - door mirrors/rear window 26
29Not in use -
30 Dynamic Stability Assistance (DSA) 30
31Controls for heated front seats 32
32Switch for selecting door mirror left and right 50
33Control for adjusting door mirrors 50
34Door lock switch 42
35Window left and right front 38
36Window left and right rear 38
37Cut -out switch windows rear 38
Some of the items listed on this page are available on certain models only.
pg. 20 Instruments
1 Coolant temperature gauge
Do not drive the car with the pointer in the red range. The pointer should be approximately midway on the gauge
face when driving. If the pointer approaches the red range repeatedly, check coolant level. See page 117
.
2 Coolant temperature warning light
ProCarManuals.com

10 High beams on
11 Fault in SRS system
12 Brake circuit not working (brake fluid level too low) and EBD
13 Battery charge failure
14 Parking brake applied
15 Low oil pressure
16 ABS (anti-lock brakes) malfunction
17 Automatic transmission: position W, 4 or 3 or L
18 Malfunction indicator light
19 Immobilizer on
20 Service Reminder Indicator
21 DSA (option)
22 High coolant temperature warning light
23 Low fuel warning light
Starting check
After a few seconds, all lights except 16 and 19 will go out. Once the engine starts, these lights will also go out.
* Indicates failure of a brake light, not failure of the braking system (see item 12).
pg. 22 Warning lights
The warning lights described on pages 22 and 23 should never stay on when driving
When the ignition key is turned on and before the engine starts, all of the warning lights should go on to test the
function of the bulbs. Should a light not go off after the engine has started, the system indicated should be inspected.
However, the parking brake reminder light will not go off until the parking brake has been fully released.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
If the light comes on (or stays on after the vehicle has started), the SRS diagnostic system has detected a fault. Drive to
an authorized Volvo retailer for an inspection of the system. See the SRS section for more information.
Oil pressure warning light
If the light comes on while driving, stop the car and then stop the engine immediately and check the engine oil
level . See page 114.
If the light stays on after restart, have the car towed to the nearest authorized Volvo retailer. After
hard driving, the light may come on occasionally when the engine is idling. This is normal, provided it goes off when
the engine speed is increased.
Parking brake reminder light
This light will be on when the parking brake (hand brake) is applied. The parking brake lever is situated between the
front seats.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light:
WARNING!
If the fluid level is below the lowest MIN mark in the brake fluid reservoir: DO NOT DRIVE. Tow the car to a
Volvo retailer and have the brake system checked and any leakage repaired.
Brake failure warning light
ProCarManuals.com

2 0 0 3
VOLVO
S40 & V40
Chapter 3 - Body and interior
pg. 39 Body and interior
Body and interior
The seats, sun roof, mirrors, etc. are described on the following pages. Keys
40
Remote keyless entry system41
Doors and locks42
Alarm43
Trunk/Tailgate/Glove compartment45
Opening the trunk from the inside (S40)46
Front seats47
Child safety locks49
Rear/side view mirrors/Vanity mirrors50
Interior lights, Sunroof51
Sunroof52
Hood/Luggage cover53
Storage compartments54
Folding rear seat55
Securing cargo56
Cargo space/Trunk light, Spare tire, Jack57
Side cargo net, Cargo net58
Weight distribution, Handling, Roadholding, Roof racks59
pg. 40 Keys
ProCarManuals.com