pg. 3:1 Occupant safety |
Occupant safety
| 3:2 | Seat belts |
| 3:4 | Volvo SRS |
| 3:8 | Child safety |
| 3:11 | Occupant safety |
| 3:11 | Reporting Safety Defects |
Despite our strongest recommendations, and your best intentions, not wearing a seat belt is like believing "It'll never happen to me!". Volvo urges you and all adult occupants of your car to wear seat belts and ensure that children are properly restrained, using an infant, car or booster seat determined by age, weight and height.
Fact:
In
every state and province, some type of child-restraint legislation has been passed. Additionally, most states and provinces have already made it mandatory for occupants of a car to use seat belts.
So, urging you to "buckle up" is not just our recommendation - legislation in your state or province may mandate seat belt usage. The few seconds it takes to buckle up may one day allow you to say, "It's a good thing I was wearing my seat belt".
Seat belts
Always fasten the seat belts before you drive or ride.
Two lights above the rear view mirror will be illuminated for 4-8 seconds after the starting (ignition) key is turned to the driving position. A chime will sound at the same time if the driver has not fastened his seat belt. The rear seats are provided with self-retracting inertia reel belts. The front seats are provided with single roller belts with tensioners.
To buckle:
Pull the belt out far enough to insert the latch plate into the receptacle (buckle for rear seats) until a distinct snapping sound is heard. The seat belt retractor is normally "unlocked" and you can move freely, provided that the shoulder belt is not pulled out too far. The retractor will lock up as follows:
For the seat belt to provide maximum protection in the event of an accident, it must be worn correctly. When wearing the seat belt remember:
NOTE: Legislation in your state or province may mandate seat belt usage.
WARNING!
Any device used to induce slack into the shoulder belt portion of the three-point belt system will have a detrimental effect on the amount of protection available to you in the event of a collision.
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During pregnancy
Pregnant women should always wear seat belts. Remember that the belt should always be positioned in such a way as to avoid any possible pressure on the abdomen. The lap portion of the belt should be located low, as shown in the above illustration.
WARNING! Never use a seat belt for more than one occupant. Never wear the shoulder portion of the belt under the arm, behind the back or otherwise out of position. Such use could cause injury in event of accident. As the seat belts lose much of their strength when exposed to violent stretching, they should be replaced after any collision, even though they may appear to be undamaged. Never repair the belt on your own; have this done by an authorized Volvo retailer only. |
Center head restraint
The center head restraint can be adjusted according to the passenger's height. The restraint should be carefully adjusted to support the occupant's head.
To raise:
Pull straight up
To lower:
Pull forward and push down
As an enhancement to the three-point seat belt system, your Volvo is equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). The Volvo SRS consists of airbags (2) and knee bolsters (5) on both the driver's and passenger's sides and seat belt tensioners in both front door pillars (4). The system is designed to supplement the protection provided by the three-point seat belt system.
The SRS system is indicated by the "SRS" embossed on the steering wheel pad and above the glove compartment, the knee bolsters beneath the steering column and the glove compartment and decals on both sun visors and on the far right side of the dash.
The airbags are folded and located in the center of the steering wheel and above the glove compartment. They are designed to deploy during certain frontal-angular collisions, impacts, or decelerations, depending on the crash severity, angle, speed and object impacted. Both air bags and seat belt tensioners will deploy, even if the passenger seat is not occupied.
WARNING! As its name implies, SRS is designed to be a SUPPLEMENT to - not a replacement for - the three-point belt system. The airbag is designed not to be released in the event of a side or rear-end collision, or during a rollover situation. For maximum protection, wear seat belts at all times. Be aware that no system can prevent all possible injuries that may occur in an accident. |
The airbag system includes gas generators (1) surrounded by the airbags (2) and front seat belt tensioners for both of the front seats (4). To deploy the system, the sensor (3) activates the gas generators causing the airbags to be inflated with nitrogen gas. As the movement of the seat's occupants compresses the airbags, some of the gas is expelled at a controlled rate to provide better cushioning. Both seat belt tensioners also deploy, minimizing any seat belt slack.
The entire process, including inflation and deflation of the airbags, takes approximately two-tenths of a second.
WARNING! When installing any optional equipment make sure that the SRS system is not damaged. Do not attempt to service any component of the SRS yourself. Attempting to do so may result in serious personal injury. If a problem arises, take your car to the nearest authorized Volvo Retailer for inspection as soon as possible. |
pg. 3:5 Volvo SRS |
A self-diagnostic system incorporated in the sensor monitors the SRS. This system does not, however, monitor the SIPS airbags. If a fault is detected, the "SRS" warning light will illuminate. The light is included in the warning/indicator light cluster in the instrument panel. Normally, the SRS warning lamp should light up when the ignition is switched on and should go out after 10 seconds or when the engine is started. Check that this light is functioning properly every time the car is started.
The following items are monitored by all the self-diagnostic system:
WARNING!
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There is no maintenance to perform on the SRS yourself. The only periodic maintenance recommended on the SRS is that the air bag modules and front seat belts (including tensioners) should be replaced approximately every ten years and that the other components in the system (wiring, connectors, etc.) should also be inspected at this time. The SRS decal on your car shows the month and year servicing is due. This service must be performed by an authorized Volvo dealer.
Should you have any questions about the SRS system, please contact your authorized Volvo Dealer or the Consumer Affairs Department:
WARNING
 *DO NOT INSTALL AND USE ANY CHILD RESTRAINTS IN THE FRONT SEAT. We also recommend that children who have outgrown child restraint systems in the rear seat with the seat-belt properly fastened. The safest place in the car for children is in the rear seat. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAN RESULT IN INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN AN ACCIDENT. For further information, see owner's manual. VOLVO |
SRS texts at far right on instrument panel
CAUTION
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SRS texts on inside of both sun visors
WARNING! Do not use child safety seats or child boosters 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. |
NOTE: Deployment of SRS components occurs only one time during an accident. In a collision where deployment occurs, the air bags and seat belt tensioners activate. Some noise occurs and a small amount of powder is released. The release of the powder may appear as smoke-like matter. This is a normal characteristic and does not indicate fire.
WARNING! (Passenger side air bag) |
pg. 3:7 Volvo SRS |
When are the airbags deployed?
The SRS system is designed to deploy during certain frontal or front-angular collisions, impacts, or decelerations, depending in the crash severity, angle, speed, and object impacted. The SRS sensor is designed to react to both the impact of the collision and the inertial forces generated by it and to determine if the intensity of the collision is sufficient for the airbags to be deployed.
NOTE: The SRS system activates only once in a collision.
If the airbags have been deployed, we recommend the following:
When are the airbags NOT deployed?
Not all frontal collisions activate the SRS system. If the collision involves a non-rigid object (e.g., a snow drift or bush), or a rigid, fixed object at a low speed, the SRS system will not necessarily deploy. Airbags do not normally deploy in a side impact collision, in a collision from the rear or in a rollover situation. The amount of damage to the bodywork does not reliably indicate if the airbags should have deployed or not.
Can the airbags deploy accidentally?
The SRS system is designed to deploy during certain frontal or front-angular collisions, impacts, or decelerations, depending on the crash severity, angle, speed and object impacted. The SRS system has its own diagnostic unit which continuously monitors and inspects the system. Make a habit of checking the SRS system warning light when starting and driving the car. Normally, this light will come on when the ignition is switched on and should go out after approximately 10 seconds or when the engine is started. If this light should stay on or come on while you are driving, drive the car to an authorized Volvo retailer for inspection as soon as possible.
Seat belts - the heart of the Volvo safety system
The heart of the Volvo safety system is the three-point seat belt! In order for the SRS system to provide the protection intended, seat belts must be worn at all times by everyone in the car. The SRS system is a supplement to the seat belts.
WARNING!
If your car has been subjected to flood conditions (e.g. soaked carpeting/standing water on the floor of the vehicle) or if your car has become flood-damaged in any way, do not attempt to start the vehicle or put the key in the ignition before disconnecting the battery (see below). This may cause airbag deployment which could result in personal injury. Have the car towed to an authorized Volvo retailer for repairs.
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