2009 VOLVO V50 lights

01 SafetyOccupant safety
0116
Volvo's concern for safetySafety is Volvo's 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 cars 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 cars.
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 car. Call us in the
U.S. at: 1-800-458-1552 or in Canada at:
1-800-663-8255.Occupant safety remindersHow 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 following suggestions are intended to help
you cope with the ever changing trafficenvir-
onment.
•
Never drink and drive.
•
If you are taking any medication, consult
your physician about its potential effects
on your driving abilities.
•
Take a driver-retraining course.
•
Have your eyes checked regularly.
•
Keep your windshield and headlights
clean.
•
Replace wiper blades when they start to
leave streaks.
•
Take into account the traffic, road, and
weather conditions, particularly with
regard to stopping distance.
Reporting safety defects in the U.S.If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to
notifying Volvo Cars of North Amer-
ica, LLC. If NHTSA receives similar
complaints, it may open an investiga-
tion, and if it finds that a safety defect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may
order a recall and remedy campaign.However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems
between you, your retailer, or Volvo
Cars of North America, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Trans-
portation, Washington D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from:
http://www.safercar.gov
Volvo strongly recommends that if your vehicle
is covered under a service campaign, safety or
emission recall or similar action, it should be
completed as soon as possible. Please check
with your local retailer or Volvo Cars of North
America, LLC if your vehicle is covered under
these conditions.
NHTSA can be reached at:
Internet:
http://www.nhtsa.gov
Telephone:

01 Safety
Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS)
01``27
WARNING
If a fault in the system is detected and indi-
cated as explained on the preceding page,
be aware that the passenger's side front air-
bag will not deploy in the event of a collision.
In this case, the SRS system and Occupant
Weight Sensor should be inspected by a
trained and qualified Volvo service techni-
cian 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 a trained and qualified
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 sys-
tem'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 thepassenger's side front airbag is disabled (see
the following table).
Passenger's
seat occu-
pancy status
OWS indica-
tor light sta-
tus
Passenger's
side front
airbag sta-
tus
Seat unoc-
cupied
OWS indica-
tor lightlights up
Passenger's
side front
airbag disa-
bled
Seat occu-
pied by low
weight
occupant/
object
A
OWS indica-
tor lightlights up
Passenger's
side front
airbag disa-
bled
Seat occu-
pied by
heavy occu-
pant/object
OWS indica-
tor light
is
not lit
Passenger's
side front
airbag ena-
bled
AVolvo recommends that children always be properly
restrained in appropriate child restraints in the rear seats. 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. If there is
any doubt as to the status of the passenger's side front air-
bag, move the child restraint to the rear seat.The OWS is designed to enable (may inflate)
the passenger's side front airbag anytime thesystem senses that a person of adult size is
sitting properly in the front passenger's seat.
ThePASSENGER 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:
1. Turn the vehicle off and ask the person to
place the seatback in an upright position.
2. Have the person sit upright in the seat,
centered on the seat cushion, with the per-
son's legs comfortably extended.
3. Restart the vehicle and have the person
remain in this position for about two
minutes. This will allow the system to
detect that person and enable the pas-
senger's frontal airbag.
4.
If the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator
lamp remains on even after this, the person
should be advised to ride in the rear seat.
This condition reflects limitations of the OWS
classification capability. It does not indicate
OWS malfunction.
ModificationsIf you are considering modifying your vehicle in
any way to accommodate a disability, for

02 Instruments and controls
Instrument overview
02``49
Steering wheel adjustmentHood openerControls in front doors (see
page 50)Left steering wheel leverLighting panel, fuel filler door
openerDoor open handle and locking but-
tonClimate system air ventSide window air ventCruise controlHorn, airbagMain instrument panelAudio controls (option)Right steering wheel leverIgnition switchMoonroof control (option)
Not in useNot is useCourtesy lighting switchDriver's side reading lightPassenger's side reading lightSeat belt reminder and Occupant
Weight Sensor indicatorRear-view mirrorDisplay for climate control, personal
settings, and audio systemAudio systemControls for personal settings and
audio systemControls for climate systemGear selectorHazard warning flashersDoor open handle, and locking but-
tonGlove compartment
Parking brake12-volt socketPosition for optional equipmentPosition for optional equipment

02 Instruments and controls
Indicator and warning symbols
02``53 Function check
The indicator and warning symbols
1 light up
when you turn the ignition key or the optional
keyless drive start control to the driving posi-
tion (position II) before starting. This shows that
the symbols are functioning.
When the engine starts, all sym-
bols go out. If the engine is not
started within 5 seconds, all of the
symbols except the malfunction
indicator light (CHECK ENGINE)
and the oil pressure warning light
will go out. Certain symbols may
not have their functions illustrated, depending
on the car's equipment.
CHECK
ENGINEThePARK BRAKE symbol will not go out until
the parking brake has been released.
Symbols in the center of the instrument
panel
G026365
Warning symbol
The red warning symbol lights up
to indicate a fault that could affect
the car's drivability.This symbol
illuminates when the vehicle is
traveling at speeds above 5 mph
(7 km/h). A text explaining the nature of the fault
will also be shown in the information display.
The symbol and accompanying text will remain
on until the fault has been corrected. This sym-
bol may also light up in combination with other
indicator or warning symbols.
If the red warning symbol lights up:
1. Stop the car as soon as possible in a suit-
able location.
2. Read the message in the information dis-
play.
3. Follow the instructions provided, or con-
tact a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician. Erase the message by pressing
READ, see page 58.Information symbol
The yellow information symbol
lights up to alert the driver to a
message in the information dis-
play. This symbol illuminates when
the vehicle is traveling at speeds
below 5 mph (7 km/h).
The message can be erased by pressing the
READ button, see page 58, or will disappear
automatically (the length of time required for
the message to disappear varies, depending
on the function indicated).
When the message "
TIME FOR REGULAR
SERVICE
" is displayed, the text can be erased
and the information symbol light can be turned
off by pressing the READ button. The text will
disappear and the symbol light will go out auto-
matically after two minutes.
1On certain engines, the symbol for low oilpressure is not used. Instead, a text warningis provided in the information display, see page 216.

02 Instruments and controls
Symbols – instrument panel
0257
7. Brake failure warning light
If this light comes on while driving
or braking, stop the car as quickly
as possible in a safe place, open
the hood, and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir, see
page 215 for the location of the reservoir.
NOTE
Canadian models are equipped with the
second symbol.
WARNING
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the
reservoir or if a
Brake failure – Service
urgent
message is displayed in the infor-
mation display: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the
car towed to a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician and have the brake sys-
tem inspected.
If the BRAKES and ABS warning lights come
on at the same time, this could indicate a fault
in the brake system.In this case:
1. Stop the car in a suitable place and switch
off the engine.
2. Restart the engine.
3. If both warning lights go off, no further
action is required and the car can be
driven.
4. If both lights remain on after the engine has
been restarted, switch off the engine again
and check the brake fluid level, see
page 215 for the location of the reservoir.
Door open warningThe driver will be alerted if one of the doors, the
hood or the tailgate are open or ajar.At low speeds
If the car is moving at a speed of
less than approximately 3 mph
(5 km/h), the Information symbol in
the instrument panel will light up
and a message will be shown in the
information display indicating which door(s),
etc is not completely closed.
At higher speeds
If the car is moving at a speed
above approximately 6 mph
(10 km/h), the Warning symbol in
the instrument panel will light up
and a message will be shown in the
information display indicating which door(s),
etc is not completely closed.
Hood and tailgate
If the hood and/or tailgate is not
completely closed, the Information
symbol in the instrument panel will
light up and a message will be dis-
played, regardless of the vehicle's
speed.

02 Instruments and controls
Lighting panel
02``61
G026415
Pos.
LightingDaytime running lights off. High
beam flash only.Parking lightsDaytime running lights. High
beams and high beam flash can
be used in this position.
Parking lightsThe front and rear parking lights can be turned
on even when the ignition is switched off.
±
Turn switch (1) to the parking light position.
The license plate lights also illuminate when the
parking lights are switched on.Headlights1.
Turn the ignition key to position II.
2. The low beam headlights (daytime running
lights) illuminate automatically, except
when the light switch (1) is in the parking
light position
1.
NOTE
See page 64 for information on switching
between high and low beams.
Active Bi-Xenon Lights (ABL)–option
G026507
Lighting panel, vehicles with Active Bi-Xenon
Ÿ
headlightsWhen the ABL function is activated, the head-
light beams adjust laterally to help light up a
curve according to movements of the steering
wheel.
This function can be activated by turning the
lighting switch to the ABL position (indicated
by the arrow in the illustration). The indicator
light
in the ABL symbol will illuminate.
The function can be deactivated by turning the
lighting switch counterclockwise to one of the
other lighting positions.
1On Canadian models, the daytime running lights will remain on with the light switch in this position.

02 Instruments and controlsLighting panel
0262
G020789
Headlight pattern with ABL deactivated (left) and
activated (right)
NOTE
•
This function can only be activated in
twilight or dark conditions, and only
when the vehicle is in motion.
•
If the indicator light flashes, this indi-
cates a fault in the ABL system. A text
message will also be displayed.
Brake lightsThe brake lights come on automatically when
the brakes are applied.Fog lightsFront fog lights (option)The front fog lights can be used in combination
with either the headlights or the parking lights.
1.
Turn the ignition key to position II.
2. Press button (3) to turn on the front fog
lights.
An indicator light in the button illuminates when
the front fog lights are on.Rear fog lightThe single rear fog light is located in the driver's
side taillight cluster.
The rear fog light will only function in combi-
nation with the high/low beam headlights or the
optional front fog lights.
1.
Turn the ignition key to position II.
2. Press button (5) to turn on the rear fog light.
An indicator light in the button illuminates when
the rear fog light is on.
NOTE
The rear fog light is considerably brighter
than the normal taillights and should be
used only when conditions such as fog, rain,
snow, smoke or dust reduce visibility for
other vehicles to less than 500 ft.
(150 meters).Instrument panel lightingThe instrument panel lighting illuminates when
the ignition is in position II and the light switch
(1) is in either position
or
.
NOTE
To make it easier to read the odometer, trip
odometer, clock, and ambient temperature,
these gauges illuminate when the vehicle is
unlocked and when the key has been
removed from the ignition switch. The light-
ing will go out when the vehicle is locked.Move the thumb wheel (2) up to increase
brightness or down to decrease brightness.

02 Instruments and controlsLeft-side steering wheel lever
0264
Lever positions
G026954
Turn signals, lane change positionTurn signals, position for normal turnsHigh beam flashToggle between high and low beams,
Home Safe lighting
Turn signalsWhen turning±
Move the lever as far up or down as pos-
sible (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 lanesThe driver can automatically flash the turn sig-
nals 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 posi-
tion.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 headlightsContinuous high beams1.
Turn the ignition key to position II.
2.
With the light switch (1) in position
,
see page 61, pull the turn signal lever
toward the steering wheel (position 4) to
toggle between high and low beams.
High beam flash1.
Turn the ignition key to position II.
2. Pull the turn signal lever to position 3. The
high beams will remain on until the lever is
released.Home safe lightingWhen you leave your car at night, you can
make use of the home safe lighting function to
illuminate the area in front of the car.
1. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
2. Pull the direction indicator lever as far as
possible towards the steering wheel (to
position 4) and release it.
3. Exit the car 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 according to your
1Factory setting