To buckle a seat belt:
Pull the belt out far enough to insert the latch plate into the receptacle until a distinct click 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).
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.
Child seats:
Please refer to page 19
for information on securing child seats with the seat belts.
pg. 3 Safety
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.
WARNING!
Seat belts:
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 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.
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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.
Sample label found on all seat belts with tensioners
pg. 4 Safety
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.
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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, 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. 6 Safety
Airbags (Supplemental Restraint System) (Contd)
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 19
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 4
).
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
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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.
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!
The SRS is designed to help prevent serious 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. 10 Safety
Side airbags (SIPS airbags)
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SIPS airbag*
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.
*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 SIPS airbag system is a supplement to 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 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. 11 Safety
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2 0 0 3
VOLVO S60
Instruments and controls
pg. 21 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel 22
Indicator and warning symbols23
Switches in the center console27
Steering wheel adjustment29
Lighting panel30
Manually unlocking the fuel filler door31
Turn signals32
Windshield wipers/washer33
Hazard warning flashers, rear window/sideview mirror defroster, heated front seats34
Trip computer (option)35
Cruise control36
Parking brake, electric socket/cigarette lighter37
Electrically operated windows38
Rearview mirror/sideview mirrors40
Electrically operated sun roof (option)41
pg. 22 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel
1. Turn signal indicators - right - left
2. Text window
The text window displays information and warning messages.
3. Temperature gauge
The pointer should be approximately midway on the gauge when driving. Do not drive the car if the warning light is
on. The text window will provide you with additional information. If the engine temperature remains high, check
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If the brake fluid level is above the MIN mark, drive carefully to an authorized Volvo retailer and have the brake
system inspected.
pg. 25 Instruments and controls
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.
Generator warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running, have the charging system checked.
Seat belt reminder
This symbol lights up to indicate that the driver has not fastened his/her seat belt.
PARK BRAKE Parking brake applied
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 symbol.
Rear fog light
This light indicates that the fog light is on.
Turn signal indicator - trailer (certain models)
If you are towing a trailer, this light will flash simultaneously with the turn signals on the trailer. If the light does not
flash when signaling, neither the trailer's turn signals nor the car's turn signals are functioning.
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 124
. 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.
CHECK ENGINE Malfunction indicator light
On-Board Diagnostic II (OBDII): As you drive, a computer called "OBDII" monitors your car's engine, transmission,
electrical and emission systems. The CHECK ENGINE light will light up if the computer senses a condition that
potentially may need correcting. When this happens, please have your car checked by a Volvo retailer as soon as
possible.
A CHECK ENGINE light may have many causes. Sometimes, you may not notice a change in your car's behavior.
Even so, an uncorrected condition could hurt fuel economy, emission cleanliness, and driveability. Extended driving
without correcting the cause could even damage other components in your car.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light.
pg. 26 Instruments and controls
Indicator and warning symbols (Contd)
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When washing the car in an automatic car wash, etc move the windshield wiper lever to position 0 or switch off the
ignition completely to deactivate the rain sensor. If the sensor function is left on, the wipers will start inadvertently in
the car wash and could be damaged.
Wipers operate at "normal" speed
Wipers operate at "high" speed
3 - Windshield washer/headlight washer (certain models)
The wipers will make 2-3 sweeps across the windshield and headlights (certain models) after the lever is released.
pg. 34 Instruments and controls
Hazard warning flashers, rear window/sideview mirror defroster, heated
front seats
Hazard warning flashers
The four-way flasher should be used to indicate that the vehicle has become a traffic hazard. To activate the flashers,
press the triangular button in the center dash. Press the button again to turn off the flashers.
NOTE: Regulations regarding the use of the hazard warning flasher may vary, depending on where you live.
Sideview mirror and rear window defroster
Press the switch to start heating the rear window and sideview mirrors to remove ice or condensation. An LED in the
switch will light up.
A timer automatically switches off the heating to the sideview mirrors after approximately 6 minutes and to the rear
window after approximately 12 minutes. The LED will go out correspondingly.
Heated front seats (option)
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