||
SAFETY
56
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 bagcover (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's occupants.
Related information
•Airbags (p. 52)
•Occupant weight sensor (p. 56)
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 140 cm (4 feet7 inches) 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
SAFETY
}}
57
seated occupant and determine if the passeng-er's side front airbag should be enabled (mayinflate) or disabled (will not inflate).
The OWS will disable (will not inflate) the pas-senger's side front airbag when:
•the front passenger's seat is unoccupied, orhas small/medium objects in the front seat,
•the system determines that an infant is pres-ent in a rear-facing infant seat that is instal-led according to the manufacturer's instruc-tions,
•the system determines that a small child ispresent in a forward-facing child restraintthat is installed according to the manufactur-er's instructions,
•the system determines that a small child ispresent in a booster seat,
•a front passenger takes his/her weight off ofthe seat for a period of time,
•a child or a small person occupies the frontpassenger's seat.
The OWS uses a PASSENGER AIRBAG OFFindicator lamp which will illuminate and stay on toremind you that the passenger's side front airbagis disabled. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indi-cator lamp is located in the overhead console,near the base of the rearview mirror.
NOTE
When the ignition is switched on, the OWSindicator light will illuminate for several sec-onds while the system performs a self-diag-nostic test.
However, if a fault is detected in the system:
•The OWS indicator light will stay on
•The SRS warning light will come on and stayon and a text message will be displayed.
WARNING
If a fault in the system is detected and indi-cated as described, be aware that the pas-senger's side front airbag will not deploy inthe event of a collision. In this case, the SRSsystem and Occupant Weight Sensor shouldbe inspected by a trained and qualified Volvoservice technician as soon as possible.
WARNING
•Never try to open, remove or repair anycomponents in the OWS system. Thiscould cause the system to malfunction.Maintenance or repairs should only becarried out by an a trained and qualifiedVolvo service technician.
•The front passenger's seat should not bemodified in any way. This could reducepressure on the seat cushion, whichmight interfere with the OWS system'sfunction.
||
SAFETY
58
Passenger'sseat occu-pancy status
OWS indi-cator lightstatus
Passenger'sside front air-bag status
Seat unoccu-piedOWS indi-cator lightlights up.
Passenger'sside front air-bag disabled
Seat occu-pied by lowweight occu-
pant/objectA
OWS indi-cator lightlights up
Passenger'sside front air-bag disabled
Seat occu-pied by heavyoccupant/object
OWS indi-cator light isnot lit
Passenger'sside front air-bag enabled
AVolvo recommends that children always be properly restrainedin appropriate child restraints in the rear seats. Do not assumethat the passenger's side front airbag is disabled unless thePASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is lit. Make sure thechild restraint is properly installed. If there is any doubt as to thestatus of the passenger's side front airbag, move the childrestraint to the rear seat.
The OWS is designed to enable (may inflate) thepassenger's side front airbag in the event of acollision anytime the system senses that a per-son of adult size is sitting properly in the frontpassenger's seat. The PASSENGER AIRBAGOFF indicator lamp will be off and remain off.
If a person of adult size is sitting in the front pas-senger's seat, but the PASSENGER AIRBAGOFF indicator lamp is on, it is possible that the
person isn't sitting properly in the seat. If thishappens:
•Turn the vehicle off and ask the person toplace the backrest in an upright position.
•Have the person sit upright in the seat, cen-tered on the seat cushion, with the person'slegs comfortably extended.
•Restart the vehicle and have the personremain in this position for about two minutes.This will allow the system to detect that per-son and enable the passenger's frontal air-bag.
•If the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicatorlamp remains on even after this, the personshould be advised to ride in the rear seat.
This indicates limitations in OWS classificationcapability. It does not indicate OWS malfunction.
Modifications
If you are considering modifying your vehicle inany way to accommodate a disability, for exampleby altering or adapting the driver's or front pas-senger's seat(s) and/or airbag systems, pleasecontact Volvo at:
In the United States
Volvo Car USA, LLC
Customer Care Center
1 Volvo Drive
P.O. Box 914
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647
1-800-458-1552
In Canada
Volvo Car Canada Ltd.
Customer Care Centre
9130 Leslie Street, Suite 101
Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 0B9
1-800-663-8255
SAFETY
59
WARNING
•No objects that add to the total weight onthe seat should be placed on the frontpassenger's seat. If a child is seated inthe front passenger's seat with any addi-tional weight, this extra weight couldcause the OWS system to enable the air-bag, which might cause it to deploy in theevent of a collision, thereby injuring thechild.
•The seat belt should never be wrappedaround an object on the front passeng-er's seat. This could interfere with theOWS system's function.
•The front passenger's seat belt shouldnever be used in a way that exerts morepressure on the passenger than normal.This could increase the pressure exertedon the weight sensor by a child, andcould result in the airbag being enabled,which might cause it to deploy in theevent of a collision, thereby injuring thechild.
WARNING
•Keep the following points in mind withrespect to the OWS system. Failure tofollow these instructions could adverselyaffect the system's function and result inserious injury to the occupant of the frontpassenger's seat:
•The full weight of the front seat passen-ger should always be on the seat cushion.The passenger should never lift him/herself off the seat cushion using thearmrest in the door or the center console,by pressing the feet on the floor, by sit-ting on the edge of the seat cushion, orby pressing against the backrest in a waythat reduces pressure on the seat cush-ion. This could cause OWS to disable thefront, passenger's side airbag.
WARNING
•Do not place any type of object on thefront passenger's seat in such a way thatjamming, pressing, or squeezing occursbetween the object and the front seat,other than as a direct result of the correctuse of the Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR)seat belt.
•No objects should be placed under thefront passenger's seat. This could inter-fere with the OWS system's function.
Related information
•Driver/passenger-side airbags (p. 53)
SAFETY
}}63
Related information
• Safety mode (p. 61)
• Starting the vehicle (p. 424)
• Recovery (p. 477) Child safety
Children should always be seated safely when
traveling in the vehicle.
General informationVolvo recommends the proper use of restraint
systems for all occupants including children.
Remember that, regardless of age and size, a
child should always be properly restrained in a
vehicle.
Your vehicle is also equipped with ISOFIX/
LATCH attachments, which make it more conven-
ient to install child seats.
Some restraint systems for children are designed
to be secured in the vehicle by lap belts or the
lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt. Such child
restraint systems can help protect children in
vehicles in the event of an accident only if they
are used properly. However, children could be
endangered in a crash if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle. Failure to fol-
low the installation instructions for your child
restraint can result in your child striking the vehi-
cle's interior in a sudden stop.
Holding a child in your arms is NOT a suitable
substitute for a child restraint system. In an acci-
dent, a child held in a person's arms can be
crushed between the vehicle's interior and an
unrestrained person. The child could also be
injured by striking the interior, or by being ejected
from the vehicle during a sudden maneuver or impact. The same can also happen if the infant or
child rides unrestrained on the seat. Other occu-
pants should also be properly restrained to help
reduce the chance of injuring or increasing the
injury of a child.
All states and provinces have legislation govern-
ing how and where children should be carried in
a vehicle. Find out the regulations existing in your
state or province. Recent accident statistics have
shown that children are safer in rear seating
positions than front seating positions when prop-
erly restrained. A child restraint system can help
protect a child in a vehicle. Here's what to look
for when selecting a child restraint system:
It should have a label certifying that it meets
applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand-
ards (FMVSS 213) - or in Canada, CMVSS 213.
Make sure the child restraint system is approved
for the child's height, weight and development -
the label required by the standard or regulation,
or instructions for infant restraints, typically pro-
vide 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 under-
stand 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.
||SAFETY
64
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. 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 regu-
lations.
A specially designed and tested booster cushion
and backrest can be obtained from your Volvo
retailer. See also the article "Integrated booster
cushion."
WARNING •
Do not use child safety seats or child
booster cushions/backrests in the front
passenger's seat. We also recommend
that children under 140 cm (4 feet
7 inches) in height who have outgrown
these devices sit in the rear seat with the
seat belt fastened.
• On hot days, the temperature in the vehi-
cle interior can rise very quickly. Exposure
to these high temperatures for even a
short period of time can cause heat-rela-
ted injury or death. Small children are par-
ticularly at risk. Never leave children unat-
tended in a vehicle.
Child seats should always be registered.
Volvo's recommendationsWhy 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 the field of safety since it was
founded. And we have no intention of resting on
our laurels. But we need your help. Please remember to put your children in the back seat,
and buckle them up.
WARNING A child restraint should never be reused if:
• The vehicle has been involved in a colli-
sion, no matter how minor
• Its history is unknown
• It is older than the manufacturer's expira-
tion date
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 rec-
ommends that you do not disconnect the air-
bag 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 140 cm
(4 feet 7 inches) be seated in the rear seat
of any vehicle with a front passenger side air-
bag.
• Drive safely!
SAFETY
}}65
Related information
• Safety (p. 42)
• Child restraints (p. 65)
• Activating and deactivating child safety locks
(p. 259) Child restraints
Suitable child restraints should always be used
when children travel in the vehicle.
Child restraint systems Infant seat
There are three main types of child restraint sys-
tems: infant seats, convertible seats and booster
cushions. They are classified according to the
child's age and size.
The child restraint should be secured using a
three-point seat belt, ISOFIX/LATCH anchors or
top tether anchors. Convertible seat
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. 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.
||SAFETY
66
Booster cushion
WARNING
Always refer to the child restraint manufactur-
er's instructions for detailed information on
securing the restraint.
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 consid-
erable 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.
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 accord-
ing to the child seat manufacturer's instruc-
tions.
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 audi-
ble 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.
Child restraint registration and recallsChild restraints could be recalled for safety rea-
sons. You must register your child restraint to be
reached in a recall. To stay informed about child
safety seat recalls, be sure to fill out and return
the registration card that comes with new child
restraints.
Child restraint recall information is readily availa-
ble in both the U.S. and Canada. For recall infor-
mation in the U.S., call the U.S. Government's
Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393 or go to
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/
recalls/register/childseat/index.cfm. In Canada,
visit Transport Canada's Child Safety website at
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/
menu.htm.