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 passenger -side front
airbag. See page 32
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.
WARNING
No objects or accessory equipment, e.g. dashboard covers, may be placed on, attached to, or installed near the air
bag hatch (the area above the glove compartment) or the area affected by airbag deployment (see the illustration on
page 18
).
There should be no loose articles, e.g. coffee cups, on the floor, seat, or dashboard area.
Never try to open the airbag cover on the steering wheel or the passenger's side dashboard. This should only be
done by a trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury to the vehicle occupants.
21 01 Safety
Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS)
Disabling the passenger's side front airbag
ProCarManuals.com
Volvo recommends that ALL occupants (adults and children) shorter than 4 feet 7 inches (140 cm) be seated in the rear
seat of any vehicle with a passenger's side front airbag, and be properly restrained. Children should always be seated
in child restraints appropriate for their size and weight. See also the child safety recommendations beginning on page
30.
The Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS) is designed to meet the regulatory requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard (FMVSS) 208 and is designed to disable (will not inflate) the passenger's side front airbag under certain
conditions.
The OWS works with sensors that are part of the front passenger's seat and seat belt. The sensors are designed to
detect the presence of a properly seated occupant and determine if the passenger's side front airbag should be enabled
(may inflate) or disabled (will not inflate).
The OWS will disable (will not inflate) the passenger's side front airbag when:
the front passenger's seat is unoccupied, or has small/medium objects in the front seat,
the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant seat that is installed according to the
manufacturer's instructions,
the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing child restraint that is installed according to
the manufacturer's instructions,
the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat,
a front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of time,
a child or a small person occupies the front passenger's seat.
The OWS uses a PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp which will illuminate and stay on to remind you that the
passenger's side front airbag is disabled. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is located in the overhead
console, near the base of the rearview mirror.
NOTE
The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp will illuminate for a short period of time when the ignition is turned
on to confirm it is functional. When the front passenger's seat is not occupied (empty seat) or in the event that the
passenger's side front airbag is enabled (may inflate), the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp will be off.
However, if a fault is detected in the system:
The OWS indicator light will stay on
The SRS warning light (see page 17) will come on and stay on
The message PASS. AIRBAG OFF SERVICE URGENT will be displayed in the information display.
ProCarManuals.com
22 01 Safety
Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS)
WARNING
Never try to open, remove, or repair any components in the OWS system. This could result in system malfunction.
Maintenance or repairs should only be carried out by an a trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
If a fault in the system is detected and indicated as explained on the preceding page, be aware that the passenger's
side front airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. In this case, the SRS system and Occupant Weight
Sensor should be inspected by a trained and qualified Volvo service technician as soon as possible.
The front passenger's seat should not be modified in any way. This could reduce pressure on the seat cushion,
which might interfere with the OWS system's function.
The OWS is designed to disable (will not inflate) the passenger's side front airbag when a rear facing infant seat, a
forward-facing child restraint, or a booster seat is detected. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp will
illuminate and stay on to remind you that the passenger's side front airbag is disabled (see the following table).
1Volvo recommends that children always be properly restrained in appropriate child restraints in the rear seats.
In rare situations when the seat belt is not properly fastened, some child restraints may not be detected by the OWS because there is very little
weight on the vehicle seat cushion. In these cases the passenger's side front airbag may be disabled, but the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp will not be lit. Do not assume that the passenger's side front airbag is disabled unless the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is lit.
Make sure the child restraint is properly installed (turn the vehicle off, remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the restraint
following the child restraint manufacturer's instructions) and that the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is on, or move the child restraint
to the rear seat.
The OWS is designed to enable (may inflate) the passenger's side front airbag anytime the system senses that a person
of adult size is sitting properly in the front passenger's seat. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp will be
off and remain off.
If a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger's seat, but the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is
on, it is possible that the person isn't sitting properly in the seat. If this happens:
Turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the seatback in an upright position.
Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person's legs comfortably extended.
ProCarManuals.com
Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the system to
detect that person and enable the passenger's frontal airbag.
If the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp remains on even after this, the person should be advised to ride
in the rear seat.
This condition reflects limitations of the OWS classification capability. It does not indicate OWS malfunction.
23 01 Safety
Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS)
Modifications
If you are considering modifying your vehicle in any way to accommodate a disability, for example by altering or
adapting the driver's or front passenger's seat(s) and/or airbag systems, please contact Volvo at:
In the USA
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC
Customer Care Center
P.O. Box 914 Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647-0914
1-800-458-1552
In Canada
Volvo Cars of Canada Corp.
National Customer Service
175 Gordon Baker Road North York, Ontario M2H 2N7
1-800-663-8255
WARNING
No objects that add to the total weight on the seat should be placed on the front passenger's seat. If a child is
seated in the front passenger's seat with any additional weight, this extra weight could cause the OWS system to
enable the airbag, which might cause it to deploy in the event of a collision, thereby injuring the child.
The seat belt should never be wrapped around an object on the front passenger's seat. This could interfere with the
OWS system's function.
The front passenger's seat belt should never be used in a way that exerts more pressure on the passenger than
normal. This could increase the pressure exerted on the weight sensor by a child, and could result in the airbag being
enabled, which might cause it to deploy in the event of a collision, thereby injuring the child.
WARNING
Keep the following points in mind with respect to the OWS system. Failure to follow these instructions could
adversely affect the system's function and result in serious injury to the occupant of the front passenger's seat:
The full weight of the front seat passenger should always be on the seat cushion. The passenger should never lift
him/herself off the seat cushion using the armrest in the door or the center console, by pressing the feet on the floor,
by sitting on the edge of the seat cushion, or by pressing against the backrest in a way that reduces pressure on the
seat cushion. This could cause OWS to disable the passenger's side front airbag.
Do not place any type of object on the front passenger's seat in such a way that jamming, pressing, or squeezing
occurs between the object and the front seat, other than as a direct result of the correct use of the ALR/ELR seat belt
(see page 32
).
No objects should be placed under the front passenger's seat. This could interfere with the OWS system's function.
ProCarManuals.com
The SIPS airbag system is a supplement to the structural 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.
Never try to open or repair any components of the SIPS airbag system. This should be done only by a trained and
qualified 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.
25 01 Safety
Volvo Inflatable Curtain (VIC)
The Volvo Inflatable Curtain system
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 door windows. It is designed to help protect the heads of the
occupants of the front seats and the occupant of the outboard rear seating positions in certain side impact collisions.
In certain side impacts, both the Inflatable Curtain (VIC) and the Side Impact Airbag System (SIPS-bag) will deploy,
whereas, in some cases, only the Inflatable Curtain (VIC) will deploy. In cases where both the VIC and the SIPS -bag
deploy, this will occur simultaneously.
NOTE
If the inflatable curtain deploys, it remains inflated for approximately 3 seconds.
WARNING
The VIC 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 VIC system. This should be done only by a trained and
qualified Volvo service technician.
Never hang heavy items from the ceiling handles. This could impede deployment of the Inflatable curtain.
26 01 Safety
ProCarManuals.com
The WHIPS system is designed to supplement the other safety systems in your car. For this system to function
properly, the three-point seat belt must be worn. Please be aware that no system can prevent all possible injuries that
may occur in an accident.
The WHIPS system is designed to function in certain collisions from the rear, depending on the crash severity,
angle and speed.
28 01 Safety
Whiplash Protection System
WARNING
Occupants in the front seats must never 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.
WARNING
If your car has been involved in a rearend collision, the front seat backrests must be inspected by a trained and
qualified Volvo service technician, even if the seats appear to be undamaged. Certain components in the WHIPS
system may need to be replaced.
Do not attempt to service any component in the WHIPS system yourself.
WARNING
Any contact between the front seat backrests and the folded rear seat could impede the function of the WHIPS
system. If the rear seat is folded down, the occupied front seats must be adjusted forward so that they do not touch
the folded rear seat.
ProCarManuals.com
Never attempt to repair the vehicle yourself or to reset the electrical system after the vehicle has displayed
CRASH MODE SEE MANUAL. This could result in injury or improper system function.
Restoring the vehicle to normal operating mode should only be done by a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician.
After CRASH MODE SEE MANUAL has been displayed, if you detect the odor of fuel vapor, or see any signs of
fuel leakage, do not attempt to start the vehicle. Leave the vehicle immediately.
Attempting to start the vehicle
If damage to the vehicle is minor and there is no fuel leakage, you may attempt to start the vehicle. To do so:
1. Remove the ignition key or optional keyless drive start control (see page 131
).
2. Reinsert the key or start control in the ignition switch. The vehicle will then attempt to reset CRASH MODE to
normal mode.
3. Try to start the vehicle.
Moving the vehicle
If the electrical system is able to reset system status to normal (CRASH MODE SEE MANUAL will no longer be
displayed), the vehicle may be moved carefully from its present position, if for example, it is blocking traffic. It
should, however, not be moved farther than is absolutely necessary.
WARNING
Even if the vehicle appears to be drivable after CRASH MODE has been set, it should not be driven or towed
(pulled by another vehicle). There may be concealed damage that could make it difficult or impossible to control.
The vehicle should be transported on a flatbed tow truck to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician for
inspection/ repairs.
30 01 Safety
Child safety
Children should be seated safely
Volvo recommends the proper use of restraint systems for all occupants including children. Remember that, regardless
of age and size, a child should always be properly restrained in a car.
Your car is also equipped with ISOFIX/LATCH attachments, which make it more convenient to install child seats.
Some restraint systems for children are designed to be secured in the vehicle by lap belts or the lap portion of a lap-
shoulder belt. Such child restraint systems can help protect children in cars in the event of an accident only if they are
used properly. However, children could be endangered in a crash if the child restraints are not properly secured in the
vehicle. Failure to follow the installation instructions for your child restraint can result in your child striking the
vehicle's interior in a sudden stop.
Holding a child in your arms is NOT a suitable substitute for a child restraint system. In an accident, a child held in a
person's arms can be crushed between the vehicle's interior and an unrestrained person. The child could also be injured
by striking the interior, or by being ejected from the vehicle during a sudden maneuver or impact. The same can also
happen if the infant or child rides unrestrained on the seat. Other occupants should also be properly restrained to help
reduce the chance of injuring or increasing the injury of a child.
All states and provinces have legislation governing how and where children should be carried in a car. Find out the
ProCarManuals.com
1. Stop the car as soon as possible in a suitable location.
2. Read the message in the information display.
3. Follow the instructions provided, or contact a trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
Information symbol
The yellow information symbol lights up to alert the driver to a message in the information display.
The message can be erased by pressing the READ button (see page 55
), or will disappear automatically after two
minutes.
When the message "TIME FOR REGULAR SERVICE" is displayed, the text can be erased and the information
symbol light can be turned off by pressing the READ button. The text will disappear and the symbol light will go out
automatically after two minutes.
This symbol may also light up in combination with other indicator or warning symbols.
52 02 Instruments and controls
Symbols - instrument panel
Symbols - left side
1. Malfunction indicator light
As you drive, a computer called On-Board Diagnostics II (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 trained and qualified Volvo service technician as soon as
possible.
A CHECK ENGINE light may have many causes. Sometimes, you may not notice a change in your car's behavior.
ProCarManuals.com