pg. 3:4 Volvo SRS


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:

  • Sensor unit
  • Cable harness
  • Gas generator ignitors


    WARNING!
    Never drive an SRS equipped car with your hands on the steering wheel pad/airbag housing.
    No objects, accessory equipment or stickers may be placed on, attached to or installed near the SRS cover in the center of the steering wheel, the SRS cover above the glove compartment or the area affected by the airbag deployment.
    If the SRS warning light stays on after the engine has started or if it comes on while you are driving, drive the car to the nearest authorized Volvo retailer for inspection as soon as possible.



    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 retailer. Should you have any questions about the SRS system, please contact your authorized Volvo Retailer or Volvo Customer Support.


    pg. 3:6 Volvo SRS

    WARNING
    This car is equipped with a full frontal Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) with AIRBAG in front of the driver and front passenger.
    *ALL OCCUPANTS MUST BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, ADULTS USING SEAT-BELTS AND CHILDREN USING CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.


    *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
    TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY:
    FOR MAXIMUM SAFETY PROTECTION IN ALL TYPES OF CRASHES, YOU MUST ALWAYS WEAR YOU SAFETY BELT.
    DO NOT INSTALL REARWARD-FACING CHILD SEATS IN ANY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT POSITION.
    DO NOT SIT OR LEAN UNNECESSARILY CLOSE TO THE AIR BAG.
    DO NOT PLACE ANY OBJECTS OVER THE AIR BAG OR BETWEEN THE AIR BAG AND YOURSELF.
    SEE THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND EXPLANATIONS.
    VOLVO


    SRS texts on inside of both sun visors



    SRS texts on outside 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!

  • Occupants in the front passenger's seat must never sit on the edge of the seat, sit leaning toward the instrument panel or otherwise sit out of position. The occupant's back must be as upright as comfort allows and be against the seat back with the seat properly fastened.
  • Feet must be on the floor, e.g. not on the dash, seat or out of the window.
  • Children must never be allowed to stand in front of the passenger seat.
  • No objects or accessory equipment, e.g. dash covers, may be placed on, attached to or installed near the SRS hatch (the area above the glove compartment) or the area affected by air bag deployment (see illustration).
  • There should be no loose articles, e.g. coffee cups, on the floor, seat or dash area.
  • Never try to open the SRS cover on the steering wheel or the passenger side SRS hatch. This should only be done by an authorized Volvo service technician.
  • Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury to the vehicle occupants in an accident.

    • pg. 3:7 Volvo SRS

    NOTE: The information on this page does not pertain to the Side Impact protection System airbags.


    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:
    Have the car towed to an authorized Volvo retailer. Even if it can be driven after an accident we do not recommend driving the car with deployed airbags.
    Have an authorized Volvo retailer replace the SRS system components.
    Use only new, Genuine Volvo Parts when replacing SRS components (airbags, seat belts, tensioners, etc.)


    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.
    Automatic transmission only:
    Before attempting to tow the car, use the following procedure to override the shiftlock system to move the gear selector to the neutral position.

  • Disconnect the battery
  • Wait at least one minute
  • Insert the key in the ignition and turn it to position 1
  • Press firmly on the shiftlock override button (located near the base of the gear selector).
  • While holding the override button down, move the gear selector from the park position.

    • pg. 3:8 Volvo Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) airbag


    SIPS airbag decal*


    SIPS airbag (front seats only)


    As an enhancement to the structural Side Impact Protection System built into your car, your car is also equipped with Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) airbags. The SIPS airbag system consists of airbag modules built into the sides of both front seat backrests (1), cables (2) from these modules to the mechanical sensor units (3) and gas generators (4).
    The SIPS airbag system is designed to help increase occupant protection in the event of certain side impact collisions. The SIPS airbags are designed to deploy only during certain side-impact collisions, depending on the severity, angle, speed, and point of impact. The airbags are not designed to deploy in all side impact situations.


    NOTE: SIPS airbag deployment (one airbag) occurs only on the side of the vehicle affected by the impact.


    * A SIPS airbag warning decal is located at the end of the instrument panel on the driver's side of the car.


    WARNING!

  • The SIPS airbag system is a supplement to the Side Impact Protection System and the three-point seat belt system. It is not designed to deploy during collisions from the front or rear of the car or in rollover situations.
  • Only Volvo approved seat covers may be used. The use of non-approved aftermarket seat covers may impede SIPS airbag deployment.
  • No objects, accessory equipment or stickers may be placed on, attached to or installed near the SIPS airbag system or in the area affected by SIPS airbag deployment (see illustration to the right above).
  • Never try to open or repair any components of the SIPS airbag system. This should only be done by an authorized Volvo service technician.
  • For best protection from the SIPS airbag system, both front seat occupants should sit in an upright position with the seat belt properly fastened.



    • WARNING! Never drive with the airbags deployed. The fact that they hang out can impair the steering of your car. Other safety systems can also be damaged. The smoke and dust formed when the airbags are deployed can cause skin and irritation in the event of prolonged exposure.



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