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Side airbags
The side airbags, on the driver's and passengersides, protect the chest and hip in a collision.
The side airbags are located in the front seats'outer backrest frames and help protect the driverand front seat passenger.
A collision of a sufficiently violent force will trig-ger the sensors and one or more side airbags willinflate. The side airbags inflate between the seatoccupant and the door panel to help cushion theinitial impact of the collision. The airbag deflateswhen compressed by the collision. The side air-bags are normally only deployed on the side ofthe vehicle impacted by the collision.
WARNING
Volvo recommends contacting an authorizedVolvo workshop for repairs. Incorrectly per-formed repairs to the side airbag systemcould impair function and lead to seriousinjury.
WARNING
Do not place any objects in the area betweenthe outer edges of the seats and the doorpanels, as this could impair the function of theside airbags.
Volvo recommends only using seat coversapproved by Volvo. Other seat covers couldprevent the side airbags from functioningproperly.
WARNING
The side airbag is a supplement to the seatbelt. Always wear your seat belt.
Related information
•Airbags (p. 52)
Inflatable curtain
The inflatable curtain, Inflatable Curtain (IC),helps to prevent the driver and passengers fromstriking their heads on the inside of the vehicleduring a collision.
The inflatable curtains are installed along bothsides of the inside of the roof and help protectoccupants in the vehicle's outer seats. ICAIRBAG is embossed on the panels.
A collision of a sufficiently violent force will trig-ger the sensors and the inflatable curtain willinflate.
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WARNING Volvo recommends contacting an authorized
Volvo workshop for repair. Incorrectly per-
formed repairs to the inflatable curtain system
could impair function and lead to serious
injury.
WARNING
Never hang or attach heavy objects in the
handle in the ceiling. The hooks are only
intended for lightweight garments (not for
hard objects such as umbrellas).
Never screw or mount anything to the vehi-
cle's headlining, door pillars or side panels.
This could impair the intended protective
properties. Volvo recommends only using
Volvo original parts that are approved for
placement in these areas.
WARNING
If objects are loaded higher than the upper
edge of the side windows, leave a 10 cm (4
in.) space between the objects and the win-
dow. Objects placed closer to this could
impede the function of the inflatable curtain
concealed inside the headlining.
WARNING
The inflatable curtain is a supplement to the
seat belt. Always wear your seat belt.
Related information
•
Airbags (p. 52) Safety mode
Safety mode is a feature that is triggered after a
collision if there is potential damage to an impor-
tant function in the vehicle, such as the fuel
lines, sensors for one of the safety systems, the
brake system, etc.
If the vehicle has been involved in a collision, the
text
Safety mode See Owner's manual may
appear in the instrument panel along with the
warning symbol if the panel is undamaged and
the vehicle's electrical system is intact. The mes-
sage indicates that one or more of the vehicle's
functions may be reduced.
WARNING Never attempt to restart the vehicle if you
smell fuel fumes when the message
Safety
mode See Owner's manual is displayed in the instrument panel. Leave the vehicle imme-
diately.
If safety mode has been set, it may be possible to
reset the system in order to start and move the
vehicle a short distance, for example, if it is block-
ing traffic.
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WARNING
Never attempt to perform repairs or reset
electrical components on your own after the
vehicle has been in safety mode. This could
result in injury or prevent the vehicle from
functioning properly. Volvo recommends hav-
ing the vehicle inspected and reset to normal
operating status by an authorized Volvo work-
shop after
Safety mode See Owner's
manual has been displayed.
WARNING When the vehicle is in safety mode, it should
not be towed behind another vehicle. It should
be towed from the site on a tow truck. Volvo
recommends towing the vehicle directly to an
authorized Volvo workshop.
Related information
•
Safety (p. 42)
• Starting and moving the vehicle when it is in
safety mode (p. 62)
• Recovery (p. 477) Starting and moving the vehicle
when it is in safety mode
If safety mode has been set, it may be possible
to reset the system in order to start and move
the vehicle a short distance, for example, if it is
blocking traffic.
Starting the vehicle when it is in safety
mode
1. Check the vehicle for damage, particularly for
fuel leakage. Make sure you do not detect
any gasoline fumes.
If the damage to the vehicle is minor and
there is no fuel leakage/fumes, you may
attempt to start the engine.
WARNING Never attempt to restart the vehicle if you
smell fuel fumes when the message
Safety
mode See Owner's manual is displayed in the instrument panel. Leave the vehicle imme-
diately.
2.
Switch off the ignition.
3. Then try to start the vehicle. >The message Vehicle start System
check, wait will appear in the instrument
panel while the electrical system performs
a system check and then attempts to
reset to normal operating mode. This may
take up to a minute. 4.
When Vehicle start System check, wait is
no longer displayed in the instrument panel,
try again to start the vehicle.
CAUTION If the message
Safety mode See Owner's
manual is still displayed, the vehicle should not be driven or towed behind another vehi-
cle. If the vehicle needs to be moved, it must
be towed on a tow truck. Even if no damage
is apparent, there may be hidden damage that
could make the vehicle impossible to control.
Moving the vehicle when it is in safety
mode
1. If the message Normal mode The vehicle
is now in normal mode is displayed after
attempting to start the engine, the vehicle
may be moved carefully from its present
position if, for example, it is blocking traffic.
2.
Do not move the vehicle farther than abso-
lutely necessary.
WARNING When the vehicle is in safety mode, it should
not be towed behind another vehicle. It should
be towed from the site on a tow truck. Volvo
recommends towing the vehicle directly to an
authorized Volvo workshop.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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* Option/accessory. 67
Related information
•Child safety (p. 63)
• Infant seats (p. 67)
• Convertible seats (p. 69)
• Booster cushions (p. 71)
• Integrated booster cushion* (p. 76)
• Top tether anchors (p. 72)
• Lower child seat attachment points (p. 74)
• ISOFIX/LATCH lower anchors (p. 74) Infant seats
Suitable child restraints should always be used
when children (depending on their age/size) are
seated in the vehicle.
Securing an infant seat with a seat belt Do not place the infant seat in the front passenger's
seat
1. Place the infant seat in the rear seat of the
vehicle.
2.
Attach the seat belt to the infant seat
according to the child restraint manufactur-
er's instructions. Route the seat belt through the infant seat.
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. 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.
3. Fasten the seat belt.
Fasten the seat belt by inserting the latch
plate into the buckle (lock) until a distinct
click is audible. Pull out the shoulder section of the seat belt.
4. Pull the shoulder section of the seat belt out
as far as possible to activate the belt's auto-
matic locking function.NOTE The locking retractor will automatically
release when the seat belt is unbuckled and
allowed to retract fully.
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. Check that the infant seat is properly secured.
6. Press and pull the infant seat along the
direction of the seat belt to check that it is
properly held in place by the seat belt.