IMPORTANT INFORMATION
}}
51
Related information
•Buckling and unbuckling seat belts (p. 54)
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).
FunctionIn the event of certain rear-end collisions, the hinges 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 never sit 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 the front 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.
||
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
52
Do not place any objects behind the front seats that could impede the WHIPS function
WARNING
Any contact between the front seat backrests and 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. 48)
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 for occupants of a vehicle to use seat belts.
Reversible seat belt pretensionersReversible 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 maintenanceCheck 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 this work 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. 54)
• Door and seat belt reminders (p. 56)
• Seat belt pretensioners (p. 53)
||
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
84
NOTE
One of the alarm sensors, which is sensitive to metallic objects, is located under the tunnelconsole cup holders. Avoid leaving coins,keys, etc., in the cup holders because theymay inadvertently trigger the alarm.
Related information
•Passenger compartment storage spaces (p. 80)
• Electrical sockets (p. 115)
Sun visors There are vanity mirrors with card holders on the upper sides of the sun visors.
Lighted vanity mirror and card holder
The vanity mirror lighting comes on when the mir- ror is opened. The vanity mirror's frame has a holder for e.g., a card or ticket.
Related information
• Passenger compartment storage spaces(p. 80)
Loading
The load carrying capacity of your vehicle is determined by factors such as the number ofpassengers, the amount of cargo, the weight ofany accessories that may be installed, etc.
Loading recommendations
• Load objects in the cargo compartment against the backrest whenever possible.
• If the backrests of the second row seats arefolded down, they should not be in contactwith the front seat backrests. This couldimpede the function of the WhiplashProtection System (WHIPS).
• Unstable loads can be secured to the loadanchoring eyelets with straps or web lash-ings to help keep them from shifting.
• Stop the engine and apply the parking brakewhen loading or unloading long objects. Thegear selector can be knocked out of positionby long loads, which could set the vehicle inmotion.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
}}
* Option/accessory.85
WARNING
•Stop the engine, put the gear selector in P
, and apply the parking brake when
loading or unloading long objects.
• The vehicle's driving characteristics may change depending on the weight and dis-tribution of the load.
• A 44-pound (20 kg) object produces aforce of 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) in ahead-on collision at 30 mph (50 km/h).
• The cargo compartment and rear seatshould not be loaded to a level higherthan 2 in. (5 cm) below the upper edge ofthe rear side windows. Objects placedhigher than this level could impede thefunction of the Inflatable Curtain.
WARNING
• Cover sharp edges on long loads to help prevent injury to occupants. Secure theload to help prevent shifting during sud-den stops.
• Always secure large and heavy objectswith a seat belt or cargo retaining straps.
• Always secure the load to help prevent itfrom moving in the event of sudden stops.
• Switch off the engine, apply the parking brake and put the gear selector in
P
when loading and unloading the vehicle.
Extra loading spaceThe vehicle has flexible cargo capacity that makes it possible to load and secure largeobjects and loading capacity can be increasedwhen needed. By folding down the rear seat backrests, the cargo capacity of the vehicle increases consider-ably. Use the load anchoring eyelets or the gro-cery bag holder to secure objects. The hatch in the center section of the rear seat backrest * can be opened without folding the
backrest down to transport long objects such as skis, etc. The jack *, tire sealing system and tools can be
found under the floor of the trunk.
WARNING
• Boxes, suitcases, etc. wedged behind the front 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.
WARNING
• Cover sharp edges on long loads to help prevent injury to occupants. Secure theload to help prevent shifting during sud-den stops.
• Always secure large and heavy objectswith a seat belt or cargo retaining straps.
• Always secure the load to help prevent itfrom moving in the event of sudden stops.
• Switch off the engine, apply the parking brake and put the gear selector in
P
when loading and unloading the vehicle.
Roof loadsLoad carriers are available as Volvo accessories. Observe the following points when in use:
• To avoid damaging your vehicle and toachieve maximum safety when driving, werecommend using the load carriers that Volvohas developed especially for your vehicle.
• Volvo-approved removable roof racks aredesigned to carry the maximum allowableroof load for this vehicle (see the article"Weights" for specific information).
• Never exceed the rack manufacturer's weighlimits.
• Avoid single-point loads. Distribute loadsevenly.