
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.
There is no maintenance to perform on the SRS yourself. The month and year shown on the decal on the door pillar
ProCarManuals.com

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.
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:
ProCarManuals.com

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.
NOTE: IC system deployment occurs only on the side of the vehicle affected by the impact.
In certain side impacts, BOTH the Inflatable Curtain (IC) and the Side Impact Airbag System (SIPS-bag) will deploy,
whereas, in some cases, ONLY the Inflatable Curtain (IC) will deploy. In cases where BOTH the IC and the SIPS -bag
deploy, deployment will occur simultaneously.
If the inflatable curtain deploys, it remains inflated for approximately 3 seconds.
WARNING!
The IC system is a supplement to the Side Impact Protection System. It is not designed to deploy during collisions
from the front or rear of the car or in rollover situations.
Never try to open or repair any components of the IC system. This should only be done by an authorized Volvo
service technician.
The inflatable curtains are designed to deploy only during certain side-impact collisions, depending on the crash
ProCarManuals.com

2 0 0 4
VOLVO S80
Chapter 2 - Instruments, switches and controls
pg. 19 Instruments, switches and controls
Interior22
Exterior23
Instruments24
Instrument panel25
Indicator and warning lights26
Text information window28
Switches in center console29
Trip computer30
Cruise control31
Light switch panel32
Manually unlocking the fuel filler door33
Turn signals, windshield wipers/washers34
Steering wheel adjustment/lock, ignition switch36
Warning flashers, heated mirrors/rear window/heated front seats37
Parking brake, auxiliary socket, ashtrays38
Electrically operated windows39
Rearview/sideview/vanity mirrors40
Power moonroof41
Sun blinds42
pg. 22 Interior
ProCarManuals.com

Instrument panel lighting32
Button to unlock fuel filler door32
pg. 25 Instrument panel
1 Turn signals
2 Text window
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 coolant level - see page 118
.
4 Trip odometer/reset button
The trip odometer is used for measuring shorter distances. The last digit indicates 1/10 mile/kilometer. Press the button
quickly to toggle between trip odometers 1 and 2. Hold in the button for more than 2 seconds to reset.
5 Odometer
6 Speedometer
7 General warning light (see page 26
).
8 High beam indicator light
9 Tachometer
Indicates engine speed in thousands of rpm. Do not drive for long with the needle in the red section. The engine has an
built-in function preventing too high an engine speed. When this function operates, you may discern some pulsation,
which is normal.
10 Gear and driving mode indicator
The currently selected driving mode is displayed here. If you use the Geartronic function on the automatic
transmission, the currently selected gear will be displayed.
11 Ambient temperature indicator
This sensor indicates the air temperature outside your car. A "snowflake" symbol in the text window is displayed when
the temperature is in the range of 23 - 36° F (-5 - +2° C).
Please note that this symbol does not indicate a fault with your car.
At low speeds or when the car is not moving, the temperature readings may be slightly higher than the actual ambient
temperature.
12 Clock/reset button
Turn the button to adjust the clock.
ProCarManuals.com

13 Fuel gauge
The fuel tank holds approximately 21.1 US gal. (80 liters).
When the warning light comes on there is approximately 1.8 US gal. (8 liters) of fuel remaining.
14 Indicator and warning lights
pg. 26 Indicator and warning lights
The indicator and warning lights described on pages 26 and 27 should never stay on when driving*
When the ignition key is turned, all of the warning lights in the lower right-hand side of the instrument panel should
go on to test the function of the bulbs. If a light does not go off after the engine has started, the system indicated
should be inspected.
NOTE: The parking brake reminder light will not go off until the parking brake has been fully released.
Warning lamp in the center of the instrument panel
This lamp lights up red or yellow depending on the severity of the fault that has been detected.
Yellow light: Follow the instructions shown in the text window.
Red light: Stop the car as soon as possible in a suitable location and read the message shown in the text window.
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.
BRAKE
Brake failure warning light
If the light comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately, open the hood and check the brake fluid level
in the reservoir. See page 124
for reservoir position and instructions.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light:
Park
Brake
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:
ProCarManuals.com

or above. AKI (ANTI KNOCK INDEX) is an average of the Research Octane Number, RON, and the Motor Octane
Number, MON. (RON + MON/2).
The minimum octane requirement is AKI 87 (RON 91).
Deposit control gasoline (detergent additives)
Volvo recommends the use of gasoline containing deposit control additives. These additives have shown to be
effective in keeping injectors and intake valves clean. Consistent use of deposit control gasolines will help ensure good
driveability and fuel economy. If you are not sure whether the gasoline contains deposit control additives, check with
the service station operator.
Unleaded fuel
Each Volvo has a three-way catalytic converter and must use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. and Canadian regulations
require that pumps delivering unleaded gasoline be labelled "UNLEADED". Only these pumps have nozzles which fit
your car's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel into a vehicle labelled "unleaded gasoline only". Leaded
gasoline damages the three-way catalytic converter and the heated oxygen sensor system. Repeated use of leaded
gasoline will lessen the effectiveness of the emission control system and could result in loss of emission warranty
coverage. State and local vehicle inspection programs will make detection of misfueling easier, possibly resulting in
emission test failure for misfueled vehicles.
NOTE: Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines contain an octane enhancing additive called methyl-cyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). If such fuels are used, your Emission Control System performance may be affected,
and the Check Engine light (malfunction indicator lamp) located on your instrument panel may light. If this occurs,
please return your vehicle to an authorized Volvo retailer for service.
Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers
"Oxygenated fuels"
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing "oxygenates" which are usually alcohols or ethers. In some areas, state or
local laws require that the service pump be marked indicating use of alcohols or ethers. However, there are areas in
which the pumps are unmarked. If you are not sure whether there is alcohol or ethers in the gasoline you buy, check
with the service station operator. To meet seasonal air quality standards, some areas require the use of "oxygenated"
fuel.
Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygenated" fuels; however, the octane ratings listed on this page must still be
met.
Alcohol - Ethanol: Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may be used. Ethanol may also be referred to as
Ethyl alcohol, or "Gasohol".
Ethers - MTBE: Fuels containing up to 15% MTBE may be used.
CAUTION!
Do not use gasolines containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). This practice can result in vehicle
performance deterioration and can damage critical parts in the fuel system. Such damage may not be covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
pg. 71 Fuel requirements
Carbon Monoxide - Important Warning
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. It is present in all exhaust gases. If you ever smell
exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, make sure the passenger compartment is ventilated, and immediately return the
vehicle to your retailer for correction.
Fuel Formulations
Do not use gasoline that contains lead as a knock inhibitor, and do not use lead additives. Besides damaging the
exhaust emission control systems on your car, lead has been strongly linked to certain forms of cancer.
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic transmission - shift gate positions
The gear selector can be moved freely between N and D.
Depressing the selector knob enables you to move the gear selector to positions P, R, N, D, 3, 2 and 1.
W Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction
Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D)rive position.
Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage this driving mode (see illustration).
An LED in the button will light up to indicate that W is engaged and this will also be displayed in the instrument
panel (see page 25
).
This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.
Cold starts
When driving before the engine has reached its normal operating temperature, the transmission will shift up at slightly
higher engine speeds to heat the three-way catalytic converter as quickly as possible.
pg. 76 Automatic transmission (Geartronic)
P (Park)
ProCarManuals.com