Using seat belts
Volvo, the inventor of the three-point seat belt, urges you and all occupants of your vehicle 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 vehicle.
Most states and provinces make it mandatory for occupants of a vehicle to use seat belts.
Seat belt tensioners
The seat belts are equipped with tensioners that reduce slack in the belts. These tensioners are triggered in situations
where the airbags deploy. The front seat belts also include a tension reducing device which, in the event of a collision,
limits the peak forces exerted by the seat belt on the occupant.
Buckling 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
When wearing the seat belt remember:
The belt should not be twisted or turned.
The lap section of the 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.
Unbuckling the seat belt
To remove the seat belt, press the red section on the seat belt receptacle. Before exiting the vehicle, check that the seat
belt retracts fully after being unbuckled. If necessary, guide the belt back into the retractor slot.
Seat belt reminder
The seat belt reminder consists of an audible signal, an indicator light above the rearview mirror, and a symbol in the
instrument panel that alert the driver and front seat passenger if their seat belts are not fastened.
pg. 13 Safety
Seat belts
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seating positions than front seating positions when properly restrained. A child restraint system can help protect a child
in a vehicle. Here's what to look for when selecting a child restraint system:
It should have a label certifying that it meets applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213) - or
in Canada, CMVSS 213.
Make sure the child restraint system is approved for the child's height, weight and development - the label required
by the standard or regulation, or instructions for infant restraints, typically provide this information.
In using any child restraint system, we urge you to carefully look over the instructions that are provided with the
restraint. Be sure you understand them and can use the device properly and safely in this vehicle. A misused child
restraint system can result in increased injuries for both the infant or child and other occupants in the vehicle.
When a child has outgrown the child safety seat, you should use the rear seat with the standard seat belt fastened. The
best way to help protect the child here is to place the child on a cushion so that the seat belt is properly located on the
hips (see the illustrations on page 31
). Legislation in your state or province may mandate the use of a child seat or
cushion in combination with the seat belt, depending on the child's age and/or size. Please check local regulations.
A specially designed and tested booster cushion (not available in Canada) can be obtained from your Volvo retailer for
children weighing 33 - 80 lb. (15 - 36 kg) and 38-54 inches (97 - 137 cm) in height.
pg. 29 Safety
Child safety
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.
Keep vehicle doors and trunk locked and keep keys out of a child's reach. Unsupervised children could lock
themselves in an open trunk and risk injury. Children should be taught not to play in vehicles.
On hot days, the temperature in the vehicle interior can rise very quickly. Exposure to these high temperatures for
even a short period of time can cause heat-related injury or death. Small children are particularly at risk.
pg. 30 Safety
Child safety
Automatic Locking Retractor/ Emergency Locking Retractor
To make child seat installation easier, each seat belt (except for the driver's belt) is equipped with a locking mechanism
to help keep the seat belt taut.
When attaching the seat belt to a child seat:
- Attach the seat belt to the child seat according to the child seat manufacturer's instructions.
- Pull the seat belt out as far as possible. - Insert the seat belt latch plate into the buckle (lock) in the usual way.
- Release the seat belt and pull it taut around the child seat.
A sound from the seat belt retractor will be audible at this time and is normal.
The belt will now be locked in place.
This function is automatically disabled when the seat belt is unlocked and the belt is fully retracted.
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pg. 33 Safety
Infant seats
Securing an infant seat with a seat belt
NOTE: Refer to pages 38-39
for information on securing a child restraint using ISOFIX lower anchors and/or top
tether anchorages.
1. Place the infant seat in the rear seat of the vehicle.
2. Attach the seat belt to the infant seat according to the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Fasten the seat belt by inserting the latch plate into the buckle (lock) until a distinct click is audible.
WARNING!
An infant seat must be in the rear-facing position only.
The infant seat should not be positioned behind the driver's seat unless there is adequate space for safe installation.
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WARNING!
A child seat should never be used in the front passenger seat of any vehicle with a front passenger airbag - not even
if the "Passenger airbag off" symbol near the rear-view mirror is illuminated (on vehicles equipped with Occupant
Weight Sensor). If the severity of an accident were to cause the airbag to inflate, this could lead to serious injury or
death to a child seated in this position.
pg. 34 Safety
Infant seats
4. Pull the shoulder section of the seat belt out as far as possible to activate the belt's automatic locking function.
5. Press the infant seat firmly in place, let the seat belt retract and pull it taut. A sound from the seat belt retractor's
automatic locking function will be audible at this time and is normal. The seat belt should now be locked in place.
NOTE: The locking retractor will automatically release when the seat belt is unbuckled and allowed to retract fully.
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WARNING!
Always use a convertible seat that is suitable for the child's age and size. See the convertible seat manufacturer's
recommendations.
1. Place the convertible seat in the rear seat of the vehicle.
2. Attach the seat belt to the convertible seat according to the manufacturer's instructions.
WARNING!
A small child's head represents a considerable part of its total weight and its neck is still very weak. Volvo
recommends that children up to age 4 travel, properly restrained, facing rearward. In addition, Volvo recommends
that children should ride rearward facing, properly restrained, as long as possible.
Convertible child seats should be installed in the rear seat only.
A rear-facing convertible seat should not be positioned behind the driver's seat unless there is adequate space for
safe installation.
pg. 36 Safety
Convertible seats
3. Fasten the seat belt by inserting the latch plate into the buckle (lock) until a distinct click is audible.
4. Pull the shoulder section of the seat belt out as far as possible to activate the belt's automatic locking function.
5. Press the convertible seat firmly in place, let the seat belt retract and pull it taut. A sound from the seat belt
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retractor's automatic locking function will be audible at this time and is normal. The seat belt should now be locked in
place.
NOTE: The locking retractor will automatically release when the seat belt is unbuckled and allowed to retract fully.
6. Push and pull the convertible seat to ensure that it is held securely in place by the seat belt.
WARNING!
It should not be possible to move the child restraint more than 1 in. (2.5 cm) in any direction.
The convertible seat can be removed by unbuckling the seat belt and letting it retract completely.
WARNING!
A child seat should never be used in the front passenger seat of any vehicle with a front passenger airbag - not even
if the "Passenger airbag off" symbol near the rear-view mirror is illuminated (on vehicles equipped with Occupant
Weight Sensor). If the severity of an accident were to cause the airbag to inflate, this could lead to serious injury or
death to a child seated in this position.
pg. 37 Safety
Booster cushions
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Securing a booster cushion
1. Booster cushions are recommended for children who have outgrown convertible seats.
2. Place the booster cushion in the rear seat of the vehicle.
3. With the child properly seated on the booster cushion, attach the seat belt to or around the cushion according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
Fasten the seat belt by inserting the latch plate into the buckle (lock) until a distinct click is audible.
4. Ensure that the seat belt is pulled taut and fits snugly around the child.
WARNING!
The hip section of the three-point seat belt must fit snugly across the child's hips, not across the stomach.
The shoulder section of the three-point seat belt should be positioned across the chest and shoulder.
The shoulder belt must never be placed behind the child's back or under the arm.
pg. 38 Safety
ISOFIX lower anchors
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WARNING!
Keep vehicle doors and the luggage compartment locked and keep keys out of a child's reach. Unsupervised
children could lock themselves in an open trunk and risk injury. Children should be taught not to play in vehicles.
On hot days, the temperature in the trunk or vehicle interior can rise very quickly. Exposure of people to these
high temperatures for even a short period of time can cause heat-related injury or death. Small children are
particularly at risk.
WARNING!
When the backrest is returned to the upright position, check that it is properly locked in place. Return the head
restraints to the upright position.
Long loads should always be securely anchored to help avoid injury in the event of a sudden stop.
Always turn the engine off and apply the parking brake when loading/ unloading the vehicle.
Place the transmission in the (P)ark position (automatic transmission) to help prevent inadvertent movement of the
gear selector.
The vehicle features a 60/40 split fold-downs rear seat. This function is performed by handles inside the trunk,
and also provides a means for children and adults to enter the passenger compartment in the event they become
locked inside the trunk.
Adults are advised to familiarize themselves with the operation and location of the release handles.
To fold down the rear seats from inside the trunk, pull the release control handles located on either side of the
trunk.
pg. 91 Interior
Rear seat and trunk
Carrying long loads (ski hatch)
The center backrest cushion folds forward, allowing you to transport long, light cargo such as skis in the trunk of your
vehicle. To lower the backrest:
- Pull the right release control handle in the trunk to release the backrest (see page 90
).
- From the rear seat, fold down the right section of the backrest slightly.
- Release the flap by pushing the catch (located on the rear side of the backrest) upward and pulling the flap forward.
- Return the backrest to the upright position.
The cover on the rear seat armrest does not have hinges and should be removed before the ski hatch is used.
To remove:
- Open the cover approximately 30°.
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