2003 VOLVO S80 airbag

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VOLVO S80
Chapter 1 - Safety
pg. 1 Safety
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 adult 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.
Fact: In every state and province, some type of child-restraint legislation has been passed. 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."
Seat belts
2
Center head restraint3
Front airbags (SRS)4
Side impact airbags (SIPS)8
Volvo Inflatable Curtain (VIC)9
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)10
Occupant safety11
Child safety12
Brake system16
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)17
Stability Traction Control (STC)18
Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC)18
pg. 2 Seat belts
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The center head restraint 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 at the base of the left head
restraint support and pushing down.
WARNING!
Please note that the lowest head restraint position is only intended for use when the backrest is to be folded down,
or when the seat is not occupied.
The head restraint is intended to help protect the head/neck in a collision. Ensure that it is properly adjusted for the
occupant of the seat.
pg. 4 Front airbags - 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 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. 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 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 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.
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The entire process, including inflation and deflation of the airbags, takes approximately two-tenths of a second.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. 5 Front airbags - SRS
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.
The following items are monitored by the self -diagnostic system:
Sensor unit
Cable harness
Gas generator igniters
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 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.
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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 North York, Ontario M2H 2N7
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647-0914 1-800-663-8255
800-458-1552
pg. 6 Front airbags - SRS
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WARNING!
Do not use child safety seats or child booster cushions/backrests in the front passenger's seat. We also recommend
that children under 4 feet 7 inches (140 cm) in height who have outgrown these devices sit in the rear seat with the
seat belt 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 air bag 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.
NOTE: Volvo's dual-stage airbags: 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 its total capacity. If the impact is more severe, the dual-stage airbags are
triggered with full capacity.
WARNING!
Children must never be allowed in the front passenger 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
front airbag. See page 14
for guidelines.
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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.
pg. 7 Front airbags - SRS
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 airbags to be deployed.
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.
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!
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
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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.
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. 8 Side impact airbags (SIPS)
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 (1), wires (2) and gas generators/sensor units (3).
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.
WARNING!
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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 below).
Never try to open or repair any components of the SIPS airbag system. This should only be done 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.

1 - Airbag, 2 - wire, 3 - gas generator/sensor unit
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.
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.
*A SIPS airbag warning decal is also located at the end of the instrument panel on the driver's side of the car.
pg. 9 Volvo Inflatable curtain (VIC)
Volvo Inflatable curtain (VIC)
This system consists of inflatable curtains located along the sides of the roof liners, stretching from the center of both
front side windows to the rear edge of the rear side windows. It is designed to help protect the heads of the occupant of
the front seat and the occupant of the outboard rear seat position in certain side impact collisions.
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