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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Automatic transmission:
Before attempting to tow the vehicle, 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.
pg. 16 Safety
Front airbags
The front airbag system
The front airbags supplement the three-point seat belts. For these airbags to provide the protection intended, seat belts
must be worn at all times.
The front airbag system includes gas generators and the airbags. A deceleration sensor 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 seat belt slack. The entire process,
including inflation and deflation of the airbags, takes approximately one fifth of a second.
The location of the front airbags is indicated by "SRS AIRBAG" embossed on the steering wheel pad and above the
glove compartment, and by decals on both sun visors and on the front and far right side of the dash.
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pg. 19 Safety
Front airbags
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 30
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 16
).
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.
pg. 20 Safety
Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS)
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If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a "Brake failure - Service urgent" message is displayed
in the text window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the vehicle towed to an authorized Volvo retailer and have the brake
system inspected.
PARK BRAKE Parking brake applied This light will be on when the parking brake (hand brake) is applied. The
parking brake lever is situated between the front seats. See also page 62
for additional information.
Canadian models are equipped with this symbol.
Oil pressure warning light
If the light comes on while driving, stop the vehicle and then stop the engine immediately and check the engine
oil level. See page 49
. R-models are also equipped with an oil level warning system. If the light stays on after restart,
have the vehicle towed to the nearest authorized Volvo retailer. After hard driving, the light may come on occasionally
when the engine is idling. This is normal, provided it goes off when the engine speed is increased.
Generator warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running, have the charging system checked.
Rear fog light
This light indicates that the fog light is on.
CHECK ENGINE Malfunction indicator light
On-Board Diagnostics II (OBDII): As you drive, a computer called "OBDII" monitors your vehicle'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 vehicle checked by a Volvo
retailer as soon as possible.
A CHECK ENGINE light may have many causes. Sometimes, you may not notice a change in your vehicle's behavior.
Even so, an uncorrected condition could hurt fuel economy, emission cleanliness, and driveability. Extended driving
without correcting the cause could even damage other components in your vehicle.
Canadian models are equipped with this warning light.
pg. 47 Instruments and controls
Indicator and warning symbols
Anti-lock brake system ABS
If the warning light comes on, there is a malfunction of the ABS system (the standard braking system will still
function). The vehicle should be driven to a Volvo retailer for inspection. See page 123
for additional information.
Stability Traction Control (STC)
1 system or Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC) system2
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This indicator light will flash when STC or DSTC is actively working to stabilize the vehicle. See page 125 for more
detailed information.
Tire pressure monitoring light
See page 148
for more information on this function.
Turn signal indicator - trailer (certain models)
If you are towing a trailer, this light will flash simultaneously with the turn signals on the trailer. If the light does not
flash when signaling, neither the trailer's turn signals nor the vehicle's turn signals are functioning.
1. Standard on all models except the T5 turbo.
2. Standard on the T5 turbo, option on all other models.
pg. 48 Instruments and controls
Indicator and warning symbols
Messages in the text window
When a warning light in the instrument panel comes on, a message is also displayed in the text window. After you
have read the message, you can erase it by pressing button A (see illustration).
NOTE: Certain messages cannot be erased until the condition has been corrected. If a warning message is displayed
when e.g. you are using the trip computer, this message must be erased before you can access the function of your
choice. Press button A to erase the warning message.
You can scroll through the stored messages by pressing button A (see illustration). The text window can be cleared
(the message will be returned to memory) by pressing button A again.
pg. 49 Instruments and controls
Indicator and warning symbols
Message Meaning
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1. Turn signals, lane change position
2. Turn signals, position for normal turns
3. High beam flash
4. Toggle between high and low beams, Home Safe lighting
Turn signals
When turning
Move the lever as far up or down as possible (to position 2) to start the turn signals. The turn signals will be cancelled
automatically by the movement of the steering wheel, or the lever can be returned to its initial position by hand.
When changing lanes
The driver can automatically flash the turn signals 3 times by:
Moving the turn signal lever up or down to position 1 and releasing it.
Moving the lever up or down to position 2 and immediately back to its original position.
NOTE:
This automatic flashing sequence can be interrupted by immediately moving the lever in the opposite direction.
If the turn signal indicator flashes faster than normal, check for a burned-out turn signal bulb.
High/low beam headlights
Continuous high beams
- Turn the ignition key to position II.
- With the light switch (1) in position
, (see page 53) pull the turn signal lever toward the steering wheel (position
4) to toggle between high and low beams (this also applies on models equipped with the optional Active Bi -Xenon
headlights).
High beam flash
- Turn the ignition key to position II.
- Pull the turn signal lever to position 3. The high beams will remain on until the lever is released.
Home safe lighting
When you leave your vehicle at night, you can make use of the home safe lighting function to illuminate the area in
front of the vehicle.
- Remove the key from the ignition switch.
- Pull the direction indicator lever as far as
possible towards the steering wheel (to position 4) and release it.
- Exit the vehicle and lock the doors.
The headlights and parking lights will illuminate and remain on for 30
1, 60 or 90 seconds. The time interval can be
changed by an authorized Volvo retailer.
1. Factory setting
pg. 56 Instruments and controls
Right-side steering wheel lever
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WARNING!
Cruise control should not be used in heavy traffic or when driving on wet or slippery roads, or when driving on
unpaved or uneven road surfaces. Cruise control may not maintain set speed on steep downgrades.
pg. 62 Instruments and controls
Parking brake, auxiliary socket/cigarette lighter
Parking brake (hand brake)
The lever is located between the front seats. The brake is applied to the rear wheels.
When applying the parking brake
- Press firmly on the brake pedal.
- Pull up the parking brake lever as far as possible.
WARNING!
Always apply the parking brake fully when the vehicle is parked. The indicator light will light up even if the parking
brake has only been partially applied. Always pull up the lever as far as possible.
- Release the brake pedal and ensure that the vehicle is at a standstill.
- Put the gear selector in P (automatic transmission) or in 1st gear (manual transmission).
Parking on a hill
If the vehicle is pointing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they point away from the curb.
If the vehicle is pointing downhill, turn the front wheels so that they point toward the curb.
Releasing the parking brake
- Press firmly on the brake pedal. - Pull the lever up slightly, press the button at the end of the lever and lower the lever
completely.
Auxiliary sockets
The 12 volt sockets can be used to plug in certain accessories such as cellular telephones, etc. The key must be in
position I (or higher) for the auxiliary socket to function.
NOTE: The cover should be folded down when the auxiliary socket is not in use.
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Rearview mirror with compass (option)
The upper left-hand corner of the rearview mirror has an integrated display that shows the compass direction toward
which the car is pointing. Eight different directions can be displayed: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and NW. The display
shows your car's orientation with respect to true north.
If the compass is activated, it will be displayed automatically when the ignition is in postilion II or when the engine is
running. The compass can be switched off or on by pressing the inset button on the rear side of the mirror (see the inset
illustration). This can be done with straightened paperclip or similar object. The button is recessed approximately 1 in.
(2.5 cm) in the mirror.
pg. 66 Instruments and controls
Rearview mirror/sideview mirrors
Magnetic zones
The earth is divided into 15 magnetic zones. The compass is initially set for the zone to which the car was delivered,
and should always be adjusted if the car is driven to a new magnetic zone. To do so:
- Switch the ignition to position II.
- Press the button on the rear side of the mirror with straightened paperclip or similar object for approximately 3
seconds until ZONE is displayed. The number of the current magnetic zone will also be displayed.
- Press the button repeatedly until the number for the desired zone (1-15) is displayed.
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