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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.
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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)
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60
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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62
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. 489) 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 vehicle's electrical system will per-form a system check and then attempt to
reset to normal operating mode. The mes-
sage Vehicle start System check, wait
will be displayed on the instrument panel
during the check. 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.
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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.
Related information
Safety mode (p. 61)
Starting the vehicle (p. 434)
Recovery (p. 489) 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.
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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!
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Related information
Safety (p. 42)
Child restraints (p. 65)
Activating and deactivating child safety locks
(p. 264) 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.