
2 0 0 7
VOLVO S60
Safety
pg. 9 Safety
Occupant safety, Reporting safety defects 10
Seat belts12
Supplemental Restraint System  (SRS)15
Front airbags16
Occupant Weight  Sensor (OWS)20
Side impact protection (SIPS) airbags24
Volvo Inflatable Curtain (VIC)25
Whiplash Protection System  (WHIPS)26
Child safety28
Child restraint systems31
Infant seats33
Convertible seats35
Booster cushions37
ISOFIX lower anchors38
Top tether anchors39
pg. 10 Safety
Occupant safety, Reporting safety defects
Volvo concern for safety
Safety is the Volvo cornerstone. Our concern dates back to 1927 when the first Volvo rolled off the production line.
Three-point seat belts (a Volvo invention), safety cages, and  energy-absorbing  impact zones were  designed into Volvo
vehicles long before it was fashionable or required by government regulation. We will not compromise  our
commitment to safety. We continue  to seek out new safety features and  to refine those already  in our vehicles. You
can help. We would appreciate hearing your suggestions about improving automobile safety. We also want  to know if
you ever have a  safety concern with your vehicle. Call us in the U.S. at: 800-458-1552 or in Canada at: 800-663-8255.
Occupant safety
How  safely you drive doesn't depend on how old you are but rather on:
 How  well you see.
 Your ability to concentrate.
 How  quickly you make decisions under stress to avoid an  accident.
The tips  listed below  are suggestions to help you cope with the ever changing traffic  environment.
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 Seat belts lose much of their strength when exposed to violent stretching  and  should be  replaced  after any
collision,  even if they appear to be  undamaged.
 Never  repair the belt yourself; have this  work done  by an  authorized Volvo service technician 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.
 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.
pg. 15 Safety
Supplemental Restraint System  (SRS)
Supplemental Restraint System
As an  enhancement to the three-point seat belts, your Volvo is equipped with a  Supplemental Restraint System  (SRS).
Volvo's  SRS consists of seat belt tensioners, front  airbags, side impact airbags, the occupant weight sensor, and
inflatable curtains. All of these systems are monitored by the SRS control module. An SRS warning light in the
instrument panel (see the illustration above) illuminates  when the ignition key  is turned to position I, II, or III, and  will
normally go out after approximately 7 seconds if no faults are detected in the system.
Where applicable, a  text message will also be  displayed when the SRS warning light illuminates.  If this  warning
symbol  is not functioning properly, the general  warning symbol  
illuminates  and  a  text message will be  displayed.
WARNING!
 If the SRS warning light stays on after the engine has started or if it illuminates  while you are driving, have the
vehicle inspected by a  trained and  qualified Volvo service technician as soon as possible.
 Never  try to repair any  component  or part of the SRS yourself. Any interference in the system could cause
malfunction and  serious injury. All work on these systems should be  performed by an  authorized Volvo service
technician.
WARNING!
If your vehicle has been subjected to flood conditions (e.g. soaked carpeting/standing water on the floor  of the
vehicle) or if your vehicle 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 injury. Have the vehicle towed  to a  trained and  qualified Volvo service technician for repairs.
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Disabling the passenger's side front airbag
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
31.
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 light which  will illuminate and  stay on to remind you that the
passenger's  side front  airbag is disabled. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator light 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 PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator light will stay on.
 The SRS warning light (see page 15) will come on and  stay on. The message PASS. AIRBAG OFF SERVICE
URGENT will be  displayed in the information display.
pg. 21 Safety
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Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS)
WARNING!
If a  fault in the system is detected and  indicated as explained on the previous  page, be  aware  that the passenger's
side front  airbag will not deploy in the event of a  collision.
In this  case, the safety systems and  Occupant Weight  Sensor should be  inspected by an  authorized Volvo retailer as
soon as possible.
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  authorized Volvo service technician.
 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).
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.
1. Volvo 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.
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WARNING!
In order for the VIC to provide its  best protection, both front  seat occupants and  both outboard rear seat occupants
should sit  in an  upright position with the seat belt properly fastened; adults using the seat belt and  children using the
proper child restraint system. Only adults should sit  in the front  seats.  Children must  never be  allowed in the front
passenger  seat. See  page 30
 for guidelines. Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury to the vehicle
occupants in an  accident.
pg. 26 Safety
Whiplash Protection System  (WHIPS)
Whiplash Protection  System (WHIPS) - front seats only
The WHIPS system consists of specially designed hinges and  brackets on the front  seat backrests designed to help
absorb some of the energy generated  in a  collision  from  the rear (when the vehicle is "rear-ended").
In the event of a  collision  of this  type, the hinges and  brackets of the front  seat backrests are designed to change
position slightly  to allow the backrest/head restraint to help support the occupant's head before moving slightly
rearward. This movement helps absorb some of the forces  that could result in whiplash.
WARNING!
 The WHIPS system is designed to supplement the other safety systems in your vehicle. 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.
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.
pg. 27 Safety
Whiplash Protection System  (WHIPS)
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WARNING!
 Boxes, suitcases, etc. wedged behind the front  seats  could impede  the function of the WHIPS system.
 If the rear seat backrests are folded down, cargo must  be  secured to prevent it from  sliding forward against the
front  seat backrests in the event of a  collision  from  the rear. This could interfere  with the action  of the WHIPS
system.
 If your vehicle has been involved in a  rear-end  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.
 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.
pg. 28 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  vehicle.
Your vehicle 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 vehicles 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  vehicle. Find out
the regulations  existing in your state or province. Recent accident statistics  have shown that children are safer  in rear
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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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WARNING!
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.
Volvo's recommendations
Why  does Volvo believe that no child should sit  in the front  seat of a  vehicle?  It's quite simple really. A front  airbag is
a  very powerful device designed, by law,  to help protect an  adult.
Because of the size of the airbag and  its  speed of inflation, a  child should never be  placed in the front  seat, even if he
or she is properly belted  or strapped into a  child safety seat. Volvo has been an  innovator in safety for over seventy-
five years, and  we'll continue  to do our part. But  we need your help. Please remember to put your children in the back
seat, and  buckle them up.
Volvo has  some very specific recommendations:
 Always wear  your seat belt.
 Airbags are a  SUPPLEMENTAL safety device which,  when used with a  three-point seat belt can help reduce
serious injuries during certain types of accidents. Volvo recommends that you do not disconnect the airbag system in
your vehicle.
 Volvo strongly recommends that everyone in the vehicle be  properly restrained.
 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.
Drive safely!
pg. 31 Safety
Child restraint systems
Child restraints
There are three main types of child restraint systems:  infant seats,  convertible seats,  and  booster  cushions. They are
classified according  to the child's  age and  size. The following section provides  general information  on securing a
child restraint using a  three-point seat belt. Refer to pages 39-40
 for information on securing a  child restraint using
ISOFIX lower anchors and/or top tether anchorages.
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