2008 VOLVO S80 Owners Manual

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

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!
34 01 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 42-43
for information on securing a child restraint using ISOFIX lower anchors and/or top tether anchorages.

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

Securing an infant seat with a seat belt
NOTE
Refer to pages 42-43
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.

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.
37 01 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.
6. Push and pull the infant 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 infant seat can be removed by unbuckling the seat belt and letting it retract completely.

38 01 Safety
Convertible seats
Securing a convertible seat with a seat belt
NOTE
Refer to pages 42-43
for information on securing a child restraint using ISOFIX lower anchors and/or top tether
anchorages.
Convertible seats can be used in either a forward or rearward-facing position, depending on the age and size of the
child.
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.
39 01 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
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.

40 01 Safety
Convertible seats
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.
41 01 Safety
Booster cushions
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.