2008 VOLVO S80 warning

Safety in the passenger compartment
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 front, passenger's side 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 Automatic Locking
Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) seat belt (see page 33
).
No objects should be placed under the front passenger's seat. This could interfere with the OWS system's function.
25 01 Safety
Safety in the passenger compartment
Side impact protection (SIPS) airbags

This SIPS airbag system consists of a gas generator, the side airbag modules built into
26 01 Safety
Safety in the passenger compartment
the outboard sides of both front seat backrests, and electronic sensors/wiring.
WARNING
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 vehicle 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.
27 01 Safety
Safety in the passenger compartment
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 airbag) will
deploy. The VIC and the SIPS airbag deploy 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 vehicle 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.
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 33
for guidelines. Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury to the vehicle
occupants in an accident.
28 01 Safety
Safety in the passenger compartment
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.
WARNING
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.
29 01 Safety
Safety in the passenger compartment
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.

WARNING
Any contact between the front seat backrests and the folded rear seat or a rear-facing child 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.
30 01 Safety
Crash mode
Driving after a collision
If the vehicle has been involved in a collision, the text SAFETY MODE SEE MANUAL may appear in the
information display. This indicates that the vehicle's functionality has been reduced.
NOTE
This text can only be shown if the display is undamaged and the vehicle's electrical system is intact.
Safety mode is a feature that is triggered if one or more of the safety systems (e.g. front or side airbags, an inflatable
curtain, or one or more of the seat belt pretensioners) has deployed. The collision may have damaged an important
function in the vehicle, such as the fuel lines, sensors for one of the safety systems, the brake system, etc.
WARNING
Never attempt to repair the vehicle yourself or to reset the electrical system after the vehicle has displayed
SAFETY MODE SEE MANUAL. This could result in injury or improper system function.
Restoring the vehicle to normal operating status should only be done by a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician.
After SAFETY 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 remote control from the ignition slot.
2. Reinsert the remote in the ignition slot. The vehicle will then attempt to reset Safety mode to normal status.
3. Try to start the vehicle.
Moving the vehicle
If the electrical system is able to reset system status to normal (SAFETY MODE SEE MANUAL will no longer be
shown in the display), 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 Safety 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.
31 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 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
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 illustration on page 41
). 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.
32 01 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 remote controls 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 to these high
temperatures for even a short period of time can cause heat-related injury or death. Small children are particularly at
risk.
33 01 Safety
Child safety
Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR)
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:
1. Attach the seat belt to the child seat according to the child seat manufacturer's instructions.
2. Pull the seat belt out as far as possible.
3. Insert the seat belt latch plate into the buckle (lock) in the usual way.
4. 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.
WARNING

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.
WARNING
Always refer to the child restraint manufacturer's instructions for detailed information on securing the restraint.
35 01 Safety
Child restraint systems
WARNING
When not in use, keep the child restraint system secured or remove it from the passenger compartment to help
prevent it from injuring passengers in the event of a sudden stop or collision.
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.
36 01 Safety
Infant seats