Occupant safety
| 3:2 | Seat belts |
| 3:4 | Volvo SRS |
| 3:7 | Child safety |
| 3:10 | Occupant safety |
| 3:10 | 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. One light is located in the instrument panel and one in the console between the front seats.
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:
if the belt is pulled out rapidly
during braking and acceleration
if the vehicle is leaning excessively
when driving in turns
In order for the seat belt to provide maximum protection in the event of an accident, it must be worn correctly. When wearing remember:
The belt should not be twisted or turned.
The lap belt must be positioned low on the hips (not pressing against the abdomen). Make sure that the shoulder belt is rolled up into its retractor and that the shoulder and lap belts are taut.
Before exiting the car, check that the seat belt retracts fully after being unbuckled. If necessary, guide the belt back into the retractor slot.
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.
The seat back should not be tilted too far back. The shoulder belt must be taut in order to function properly.
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Rear head restraint
The center head restraint can be adjusted according to the passenger's height. The restraints should be carefully adjusted to support the occupant's head.
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.
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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 dealer only.
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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 a driver's side airbag with a driver's side knee bolster (5) 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 interior of an SRS-equipped Volvo looks very much the same as any other. The only indications of the system's presence are the "SRS" embossed on the steering wheel pad, and the knee bolster beneath the steering column.
The airbag is forlded and located in the center of the steering wheel. It is released only during certain frontal or front-angular collisions, depending upon the crash severity, angle, speed and object impacted.
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.
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The airbag system includes a gas generator (1) surrounded by the airbag itself (2) and two front seat belt tensioners (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 Dealer for inspection as soon as possible.
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A self-diagnostic system incorporated in the sensor monitors the SRS. 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. 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 ignitor
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WARNING! Never drive an SRS equipped car with your hands on the steering wheel pad/airbag housing.
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WARNING! 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 dealer for inspection as soon as possible.
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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 Consumer Affairs Department.
General SRS information
In a collision where deployment occurs, the air bag and seat belt tensioners activate. Some noise occurs and a small amount of powder is released. This powder is not harmful and does no indicate fire.
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NOTE: Deployment of SRS components occurs only one time during an accident.
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If you are involved in an accident which has resulted in air bag deployment, we recommend the following:
- Have the car towed to an authorized Volvo dealer or collision repair shop. Even if the car is driveable after an accident, we do NOT recommend driving the car with a deployed air bag.
- Have the SRS replacement performed by an authorized Volvo dealer OR ask the body shop performing the collision repairs to have the SRS replacement done at a Volvo dealer.
- Have all deployed/damaged SRS components (air bag and front seat belt assemblies) replaced with new, genuine Volvo-brand components.
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