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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.
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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.
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
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
42 01 Safety
ISOFIX lower anchors
Using the ISOFIX lower child seat anchors
Lower anchors for ISOFIX-equipped child seats are located in the rear, outboard seats, hidden below the backrest
cushions. Symbols on the seat back upholstery mark the anchor positions as shown. To access the anchors, kneel on the
seat cushion and locate the anchors by feel. Always follow your child seat manufacturer's installation instructions, and
use both ISOFIX lower anchors and top tethers whenever possible.
To access the anchors
1. Put the child restraint in position.
2. Kneel on the child restraint to press down the seat cushion and locate the anchors by feel.
3. Fasten the attachment on the child restraint's lower straps to the ISOFIX lower anchors.
4. Firmly tension the lower child seat straps according to the manufacturer's instructions.
NOTE
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The rear seat's center position is not equipped with ISOFIX lower anchors. When installing a child restraint in this
position, attach the restraint's top tether strap (if it is so equipped) to the top tether anchorage point (see the
information on page 43
) and secure the restraint with the vehicle's center seat belt (see the information beginning on
page 34
).
Always follow your child seat manufacturer's installation instructions, and use both ISOFIX lower anchors and top
tethers whenever possible.
WARNING
Be sure to fasten the attachment correctly to the anchor (see the illustration). If the attachment is not correctly
fastened, the child restraint may not be properly secured in the event of a collision.
The ISOFIX lower child restraint anchors are only intended for use with child seats positioned in the outboard
seating positions. These anchors are not certified for use with any child restraint that is positioned in the center
seating position. When securing a child restraint in the center seating position, use only the vehicle's center seat belt.
43 01 Safety
Top tether anchors
Child restraint anchorages
Your Volvo is equipped with child restraint top tether anchorages in the rear seat. They are located on the rear side of
the backrests.
Securing a child seat
1. Place the child restraint on the rear seat.
2. Route the top tether strap under the head restraint and attach it to the anchor.
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