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62
General safety information
The vehicle is equipped with a number of safetysystems for the driver and passengers.
In the event of an accident, there are a number ofsensors in the vehicle that react and triggersafety systems such as Roll Stability Control, air-bags, seat belt pretensioners, etc., depending onthe severity of the collision. There are alsomechanical systems such as the WhiplashProtection System.
Warning symbol in the instrument panel
The warning symbol in the instrumentpanel illuminates when the ignition is inmode II or higher. It will go out afterapprox. 6 seconds if no faults aredetected in the airbag system.
WARNING
•If the SRS warning light stays on after theengine has started or if it illuminateswhile you are driving, have the vehicleinspected by a trained and qualified Volvoservice technician as soon as possible.
•Never try to repair any component or partof the SRS yourself. Any interference inthe system could cause malfunction andserious injury. All work on these systemsshould be performed by a trained andqualified Volvo service technician.
If the dedicated warning symbol is notfunctioning, the general warning sym-bol will illuminate instead and the samemessage will be displayed in the instru-ment panel.
Related information
•Safety during pregnancy (p. 64)
•Seat belts (p. 66)
•Airbag system (p. 71)
•Safety mode (p. 79)
•Whiplash protection system (p. 65)
•Child safety (p. 81)
Occupant safety
Safety is Volvo's cornerstone.
Volvo's concern for safety
Our concern for safety dates back to 1927 whenthe first Volvo rolled off the production line.Three-point seat belts (a Volvo invention), safetycages, and energy-absorbing impact zones weredesigned into Volvo vehicles long before it wasfashionable or required by government regulation.
We will not compromise our commitment tosafety. We continue to seek out new safety fea-tures and to refine those already in our vehicles.You can help. We would appreciate hearing yoursuggestions about improving automobile safety.We also want to know if you ever have a safetyconcern with your vehicle. Call us in the U.S. at:1-800-458-1552 or in Canada at:1-800-663-8255.
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Occupant safety reminders
How safely you drive doesn't depend on how oldyou are but rather on:
•How well you see.
•Your ability to concentrate.
•How quickly you make decisions understress to avoid an accident.
The following suggestions are intended to helpyou cope with the ever changing traffic environ-ment.
•Never drink and drive.
•If you are taking any medication, consult yourphysician about its potential effects on yourdriving abilities.
•Take a driver-retraining course.
•Have your eyes checked regularly.
•Keep your windshield and headlights clean.
•Replace wiper blades when they start toleave streaks.
•Take into account the traffic, road, andweather conditions, particularly with regard tostopping distance.
•Never send text messages while driving.
•Refrain from using or minimize the use of acell phone while driving.
Related information
•Recall information (p. 64)
•Reporting safety defects (p. 63)
Reporting safety defects
The following information will help you report anyperceived safety-related defects in your vehicle.
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 High-
way Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) in addition to notifying Volvo
Car USA, LLC. If NHTSA receives simi-
lar complaints, it may open an investi-
gation, and if it finds that a safety
defect exists in a group of vehicles, it
may order a recall and remedy cam-
paign. However, NHTSA cannot
become involved in individual problems
between you, your retailer, or Volvo Car
USA, 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 Transpor-
tation, Washington D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from http://
www.safercar.gov, where you can also
enter your vehicle's VIN (Vehicle Identi-
fication Number) to see if it has any
open recalls.
Volvo strongly recommends that if your
vehicle is covered under a service cam-
paign, safety or emission recall or simi-
lar action, it should be completed as
soon as possible. Please check with
your local retailer or Volvo Car USA,
LLC if your vehicle is covered under
these conditions.
NHTSA can be reached at:
Internet:
http://www.nhtsa.gov
Telephone:
1-888-DASH-2-DOT
(1-888-327-4236).
Reporting safety defects in Canada
If you believe your vehicle has a defect that couldcause a crash or could cause injury or death, youshould immediately inform Transport Canada inaddition to notifying Volvo Cars of Canada Corp.
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* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.65
Related information
•Buckling and unbuckling seat belts (p. 67)
•Adjusting power front seats* (p. 168)
•Manually operated front seats (p. 167)
Whiplash protection system
The Whiplash protection system (WHIPS) con-sists of specially designed hinges and bracketson the front seat backrests designed to helpabsorb some of the energy generated in a colli-sion from the rear (when the vehicle is rear-ended).
Function
In the event of certain rear-end collisions, thehinges and brackets of the front seat backrestsare designed to change position slightly to allowthe backrest/head restraint to help support theoccupant's head before moving slightly rearward.This movement helps absorb some of the forcesthat could result in whiplash.
WARNING
•The WHIPS system is designed to sup-plement the other safety systems in yourvehicle. For this system to function prop-erly, the three-point seat belt must beworn. Please be aware that no systemcan prevent all possible injuries that mayoccur in an accident.
•The WHIPS system is designed to func-tion in certain collisions from the rear,depending on the crash severity, angleand speed.
WARNING
•Occupants in the front seats must neversit out of position. The occupant's backmust be as upright as comfort allows andbe against the seat back with the seatbelt properly fastened.
•If your vehicle has been involved in a rear-end collision, the front seat backrestsmust be inspected by a trained and quali-fied Volvo service technician, even if theseats appear to be undamaged. Certaincomponents in the WHIPS system mayneed to be replaced.
•Do not attempt to service any componentin the WHIPS system yourself.
WARNING
•Boxes, suitcases, etc. wedged behind thefront seats could impede the function ofthe Whiplash Protection System.
•If the rear seat backrests are foldeddown, cargo must be secured to preventit from sliding forward against the frontseat backrests in the event of a collisionfrom the rear. This could interfere withthe action of the Whiplash ProtectionSystem.
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* Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.66
Do not place any objects behind the front seats thatcould impede the WHIPS function
WARNING
Any contact between the front seat backrestsand the folded rear seat or a rear-facing childseat could impede the function of the WHIPSsystem. If the rear seat is folded down, theoccupied front seats must be adjusted for-ward so that they do not touch the folded rearseat.
Related information
•General safety information (p. 62)
•Rear Collision Warning (RCW) (p. 338)
•Manually operated front seats (p. 167)
•Power front seats* (p. 168)
Seat belts
Seat belts should always be worn by all occu-pants of your vehicle. Children should be prop-erly restrained, using an infant, car, or boosterseat determined by age, weight and height.
Most states and provinces make it mandatory foroccupants of a vehicle to use seat belts.
Reversible seat belt pretensioners
Reversible seat belt pretensioners is a system inthe front seats that pulls the seat belts slightlytaut prior to a collision. This function helps posi-tion the front seat occupants to help improve theeffects of other safety systems, e.g., the airbagsystem.
Seat belt maintenance
Check periodically that the seat belts are in goodcondition. Use water and a mild detergent forcleaning. Check seat belt mechanism function asfollows: attach the seat belt and pull rapidly onthe strap.
WARNING
•Never repair the belt yourself; have thiswork done by a trained and qualifiedVolvo service technician only.
•Any device used to induce slack into theshoulder belt portion of the three-pointbelt system will have a detrimental effecton the amount of protection available toyou in the event of a collision.
•The seat back should not be tilted too farback. The shoulder belt must be taut inorder to function properly.
•Do not use child safety seats or childbooster cushions/backrests in the frontpassenger's seat. We also recommendthat children who have outgrown thesedevices sit in the rear seat with the seatbelt properly fastened.
Related information
•Buckling and unbuckling seat belts (p. 67)
•Door and seat belt reminders (p. 70)
•Seat belt pretensioners (p. 67)
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Seat belt pretensioners
The vehicle's seat belts are equipped with stand-ard and electric pretensioners that can help pullthe seat belts taut in a critical situation or a colli-sion. Some or all of the pretensioners will betriggered in certain types of collisions, depend-ing on the direction and severity of the impact.
Reversible seat belt pretensioners
Reversible seat belt pretensioners is a system inthe front seats that pulls the seat belts slightlytaut prior to a collision. This function helps posi-tion the front seat occupants to help improve theeffects of other safety systems, e.g., the airbagsystem.
Seat belt pretensioners in collisions
The seat belts are equipped with standard pre-tensioners that are triggered according to theseverity of a collision.
Seat belt pretensioners in critical
situations
In addition to the standard pretensioners, theseat belts in the front seats are also equippedwith electric pretensioners.
The pretensioners interact and can be triggeredalong with the City Safety and Rear CollisionWarning systems. In critical situations such assudden braking, evasive maneuvers, etc., the seatbelt can be pulled taut by the pretensioner'selectric motor.
The electric pretensioner positions the occupantin the seat to help reduce the risk of striking theinterior of the passenger compartment andimproves the effect of other safety systems suchas the airbags.
Resetting the electric pretensioners
When a critical situation has passed, the seat beltand the electric pretensioner are reset automati-cally.
If the seat belt should remain taut:
1. Stop the vehicle safely.
2. Unbuckle the seat belt and rebuckle it.
> The seat belt and the electric preten-sioner will be reset.
Related information
•Seat belts (p. 66)
•Door and seat belt reminders (p. 70)
•Buckling and unbuckling seat belts (p. 67)
Buckling and unbuckling seat belts
Seat belts should be used by all occupants inthe vehicle when it is in motion.
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Door and seat belt reminders
The door and seat belt reminders are intendedto alert all occupants of the vehicle that theirseat belts should be buckled before the vehiclebegins to move or if a door, the hood, tailgate orfuel filler door have not been closed properly.
Graphics in the instrument panel
Warning colors for doors/tailgate vary depending on thevehicle's speed (generic illustration)
The instrument panel graphic shows the seatswhere seat belts are not buckled.
The same graphic also indicates if a door, thehood, tailgate or fuel filler door is/are open.
This graphic disappears automatically afterapprox. 30 seconds or if the if the O button onthe steering wheel keypad is pressed.
Seat belt reminder
Seat belt reminder light in ceiling console
The seat belt reminder consists of anaudible signal, an indicator light nearthe rearview mirror and a symbol in theinstrument panel that alert all occu-pants of the vehicle to buckle their seat belts.
The audible signal is speed-dependent and willsound for several seconds.
If the driver's or a passenger's seat belt is notbuckled, this will be indicated in the instrumentpanel.
Child seats are not included in the seat beltreminder system.
Front seats
An audible signal and an indicator light willremind the driver and front seat passenger tobuckle their seat belts.
Rear seats
The rear seat belt reminder has two functions.
•It indicates which seat belts are buckled inthe rear seats. This will also be displayed inan instrument panel graphic.
•It also provides audio and visual reminders ifa rear seat belt is unbuckled while the vehi-cle is in motion. The reminders will disappearwhen the seat belt has been buckled againor can be erased by pressing the O buttonon the steering wheel keypad.
Door/hood/tailgate/fuel filler door
reminder
If a door, the hood, tailgate or fuel filler dooris/are not properly closed, this will be indicated ina graphic in the instrument panel. Stop the vehi-cle safely and close the source of the reminder.
If the vehicle is moving at a speedunder approx.6 mph (10 km/h), theinformation symbol will illuminate in theinstrument panel.
At speeds above approx. 6 mph(10 km/h), the warning symbol will illu-minate in the instrument panel.
Related information
•Seat belts (p. 66)
•Buckling and unbuckling seat belts (p. 67)
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Airbag system
As an enhancement to the three-point seat belts,your vehicle is equipped with an airbag system.
WARNING
•If the airbag warning light stays on afterthe engine has started or if it illuminateswhile you are driving, have the vehicleinspected by a trained and qualified Volvoservice technician as soon as possible.
•Never try to repair any component or partof the airbag systems yourself. Any inter-ference in the system could cause mal-function and serious injury. All work onthese systems should be performed by atrained and qualified Volvo service techni-cian.
WARNING
If your vehicle has become flood-damaged inany way (e.g., soaked carpeting/standingwater on the floor of the vehicle), do notattempt to start the vehicle. This may causeairbag deployment which could result in seri-ous injury. Have the vehicle towed to a trainedand qualified Volvo service technician forrepairs.
Before attempting to tow the vehicle:
1.Switch off the ignition for at least10 minutes and disconnect the battery.
2. Follow the instructions for manually over-riding the shiftlock system.
Deployed airbags
WARNING
If any of the airbags have deployed:
•Do not attempt to drive the vehicle. Haveit towed to a qualified repair facility.
•If necessary seek medical attentIon.
Driver/passenger side airbags
The front airbags supplement the three-pointseat belts. For these airbags to provide the pro-tection intended, seat belts must be worn at alltimes.
Driver's and passenger's side airbags
The front airbag system
The front airbag system includes gas generatorssurrounded by the airbags, and deceleration sen-sors that activate the gas generators, causing theairbags to be inflated with nitrogen gas.
As the movement of the seats' occupants com-presses the airbags, some of the gas is expelledat a controlled rate to provide better cushioning.Both seat belt pretensioners also deploy, mini-mizing seat belt slack. The entire process, includ-ing inflation and deflation of the airbags, takesapproximately one fifth of a second.
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Passenger's side airbag decal
WARNING
•Children must never be allowed in thefront passenger's seat.
•Occupants in the front passenger's seatmust never sit on the edge of the seat, sitleaning toward the instrument panel orotherwise sit out of position.
•The occupant's back must be as uprightas comfort allows and be against the seatback with the seat belt properly fastened.
•Feet must be on the floor, e.g., not on thedash, 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 baghatch (the area above the glove compart-ment) or the area affected by airbagdeployment.
•There should be no loose articles, suchas coffee cups on the floor, seat, or dash-board area.
•Never try to open the airbag cover on thesteering wheel or the passenger's sidedashboard. This should only be done by atrained and qualified Volvo service techni-cian.
•Failure to follow these instructions canresult in injury to the vehicle occupants.
Related information
•Seat belts (p. 66)
•Occupant weight sensor (p. 74)
Occupant weight sensor
The Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS) isdesigned to meet the regulatory requirements ofFederal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)208 and is designed to disable (will not inflate)the passenger's side front airbag under certainconditions.
Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS) indicator light
Disabling the passenger's side front
airbag
Volvo recommends that ALL occupants (adultsand children) shorter than 4 feet 7 inches(140 cm) be seated in the back seat of any vehi-cle with a front passenger side airbag and beproperly restrained for their size and weight.
The OWS works with sensors that are part of thefront passenger's seat and seat belt. The sensorsare designed to detect the presence of a properly