belt VOLVO S80 2006 Owners Manual

2 0 0 6
VOLVO S80
This manual deals with the operation and care of your Volvo.
Welcome to the world-wide family of Volvo owners. We trust that you will enjoy many years of safe driving in your
Volvo, an automobile designed with your safety and comfort in mind. To help ensure your satisfaction with this
vehicle, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the equipment descriptions, operating instructions and
maintenance requirements/recommendations in this manual. We also urge you and your passengers to wear seat belts
at all times in this or any other automobile. And, of course, please do not operate a vehicle if you may be affected by
alcohol, medication or any impairment that could hinder your ability to drive.
Your Volvo is designed to meet all applicable safety and emission standards, as evidenced by the certification labels
attached to the driver's door opening and on the left wheel housing in the engine compartment.
For further information please contact your
retailer, or:
In the USA: In Canada:
Volvo Cars of North America Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd.
Customer Care Center National Customer Service
P.O. Box 914 175 Gordon Baker Road
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647-0914 North York, Ontario M2H 2N7
1-800-458-1552 1-800-663-8255
http://www.volvocars.us
http://www.volvocanada.com
Contents
ProCarManuals.com

2 0 0 6
VOLVO S80
Chapter 1 - Safety
pg. 1 Safety
Occupant safety2
Seat belts3
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)5
Front airbags6
Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS)9
Side impact (SIPS) airbags12
Volvo Inflatable Curtain (VIC)13
Inspecting SRS system components14
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)15
Child safety17
pg. 2 Occupant safety
Volvo Concern for Safety
Safety is the Volvo cornerstone. Our concern dates back to 1927 when the first Volvo rolled off the production line.
Three-point seat belts (a Volvo invention), safety cages, and energy-absorbing impact zones were designed into Volvo
cars long before it was fashionable or required by government regulation. We will not compromise our commitment to
safety. We continue to seek out new safety features and to refine those already in our cars. You can help. We would
appreciate hearing your suggestions about improving automobile safety. We also want to know if you ever have a
safety concern with your car. Call us in the U.S. at: 800-458-1552 or in Canada at: 800-663-8255.
Occupant safety
How safely you drive doesn't depend on how old you are but rather on:
How well you see.
Your ability to concentrate.
How quickly you make decisions under stress to avoid an accident.
The tips listed below are suggestions to help you cope with the ever changing traffic environment.
Never drink and drive.
If you are taking any medication, consult your physician about its potential effects on your driving abilities.
Take a driver-retraining course.
ProCarManuals.com

Have your eyes checked regularly.
Keep your windshield and headlights clean.
Replace wiper blades when they start to leave streaks.
Take into account the traffic, road, and weather conditions, particularly with regard to stopping distance.
Reporting Safety Defects in the U.S.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to
notifying Volvo Cars of North America. If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your
retailer, or Volvo Cars of North America. To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 202-366-0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington D.C. 20590. You can also obtain other information about
motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.
Volvo strongly recommends that if your vehicle is covered under a service campaign, safety or emission
recall or similar action, it should be completed as soon as possible. Please check with your local retailer
or Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. if your vehicle is covered under these conditions.
NHTSA can be reached at:
Internet : http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov
Telephone:
1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) (toll free)
1-800-424-9393 (toll free)
1-202-366-0123 (in Washington DC area)
pg. 3 Seat belts
Adjusting the seat belt
Using seat belts
Volvo, the inventor of the three-point seat belt, urges you and all occupants of your vehicle to wear seat belts and
ensure that children are properly restrained, using an infant, car, or booster seat determined by age, weight and height.
Volvo also believes no child should sit in the front seat of a vehicle.
Most states and provinces make it mandatory for occupants of a vehicle to use seat belts.
ProCarManuals.com

Seat belt tensioners
The seat belts are equipped with tensioners that reduce slack in the belts. These tensioners are triggered in situations
where the airbags deploy. The front seat belts also include a tension reducing device which, in the event of a collision,
limits the peak forces exerted by the seat belt on the occupant.
Buckling a seat belt
Pull the belt out far enough to insert the latch plate into the receptacle until a distinct click 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
When wearing the seat belt remember:
The belt should not be twisted or turned.
The lap section of the 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.
Unbuckling the seat belt
To remove the seat belt, press the red section on the seat belt receptacle. Before exiting the vehicle, check that the seat
belt retracts fully after being unbuckled. If necessary, guide the belt back into the retractor slot.
Seat belt reminder
The seat belt reminder consists of an audible signal, an indicator light above the rearview mirror, and a symbol in the
instrument panel that alert the driver and front seat passenger if their seat belts are not fastened.
Sample label on all seat belts with tensioners
Seat belt maintenance
Check periodically that the seat belts are in good condition. Use water and a mild detergent for cleaning. Check seat
belt mechanism function as follows: attach the seat belt and pull rapidly on the strap.
pg. 4 Seat belts
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
ProCarManuals.com

could cause injury in the event of an accident.
Seat belts lose much of their strength when exposed to violent stretching and should be replaced after any
collision, even if they appear to be undamaged.
Never repair the belt yourself; have this work done by an authorized Volvo service technician only.
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.
Do not use child safety seats or child booster cushions/backrests in the front passengerÕs seat. We also
recommend that children who have outgrown these devices sit in the rear seat with the seat belt properly fastened.
Seat belt use during pregnancy
Seat belt use during pregnancy
The seat belt should always be worn during pregnancy. But it is crucial that it be worn in the correct way. The diagonal
section should wrap over the shoulder then be routed between the breasts and to the side of the belly. The lap section
should lay flat over the thighs and as low as possible under the belly. It must never be allowed to ride upward. Remove
all slack from the belt and insure that it fits close to the body without any twists.
As a pregnancy progresses, pregnant drivers should adjust their seats and steering wheel such that they can easily
maintain control of the vehicle as they drive (which means they must be able to easily operate the foot pedals and
steering wheel). Within this context, they should strive to position the seat with as large a distance as possible between
their belly and the steering wheel.
Child seats
Please refer to page 21
for information on securing child seats with the seat belts.
pg. 5 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
SRS warning light
Supplemental Restraint System
As an enhancement to the three-point seat belts, your Volvo is equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).
Volvo's SRS consists of seat belt tensioners, front airbags, side impact airbags, the occupant weight sensor, and
inflatable curtains. All of these systems are monitored by the SRS control module. An SRS warning light in the
instrument panel (see the illustration above) illuminates when the ignition key is turned to position I, II, or III, and will
ProCarManuals.com

normally go out after approximately 7 seconds if no faults are detected in the system.
Where applicable, a text message will also be displayed when the SRS warning light illuminates. If this warning
symbol is not functioning properly, the general warning symbol
illuminates and a text message will be displayed.
WARNING!
If the SRS warning light stays on after the engine has started or if it illuminates while you are driving, have the
vehicle inspected by a trained and qualified Volvo service technician as soon as possible.
Never try to repair any component or part of the SRS yourself. Any interference in the system could cause
malfunction and serious injury. All work on these systems should be performed by an authorized Volvo service
technician.
WARNING!
If your vehicle has been subjected to flood conditions (e.g. soaked carpeting/standing water on the floor of the
vehicle) or if your vehicle 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 vehicle towed to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician for repairs.
Automatic transmission:
Before attempting to tow the vehicle, use the following procedure to override the shiftlock system to move the gear
selector to the neutral position:
Switch off the ignition for at least 10 minutes and disconnect the battery
Wait at least one minute.
Insert the key in the ignition and turn it to position II.
Press firmly on the brake pedal.
Move the gear selector from (P)ark to the (N)eutral position.
pg. 6 Front airbags
The front airbag system
The front airbags supplement the three-point seat belts. For these airbags to provide the protection intended, seat belts
must be worn at all times.
The front airbag system includes gas generators (1) surrounded by the airbags (2) and a deceleration sensor (3) that
activates the gas generators, causing the airbags to be inflated with nitrogen gas.
As the movement of the seats' 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 seat belt slack. The entire process,
ProCarManuals.com

including inflation and deflation of the airbags, takes approximately one fifth of a second.
Passenger's side airbag - above glove compartment
The location of the front airbags is indicated by "SRS AIRBAG" embossed on the steering wheel pad and above the
glove compartment, and by decals on both sun visors and on the front and far right side of the dash.
The driver's side front airbag is folded and located in the steering wheel hub.
The passenger's side front airbag is folded behind a panel located above the glove compartment.
WARNING!
The airbags in the vehicle are designed to be a SUPPLEMENT to-not a replacement for-the three-point seat belts.
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.
Never drive a vehicle with a steering wheel-mounted airbag with your hands on the steering wheel pad/airbag
housing.
The front airbags are designed to help prevent serious injury. Deployment occurs very quickly and with
considerable force. During normal deployment and depending on variables such as seating position, one may
experience abrasions, bruises, swellings, or other injuries as a result from deployment of one or both of the airbags.
When installing any accessory equipment, make sure that the front airbag system is not damaged. Any interference
in the system could cause malfunction.
pg. 7 Front airbags
Front airbag deployment
The front airbags are designed to deploy during certain frontal or front -angular collisions, impacts, or decelerations,
depending on the crash severity, angle, speed and object impacted. The airbags may also deploy in certain non-frontal
collisions where rapid deceleration occurs.
The SRS sensors, which trigger the front airbags, are 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 seat belt tensioners
and/or airbags to be deployed.
However, not all frontal collisions activate the front airbags.
If the collision involves a nonrigid object (e.g., a snow drift or bush), or a rigid, fixed object at a low speed, the
front airbags will not necessarily deploy.
Front 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.
NOTE:
Deployment of front airbags occurs only one time during an accident. In a collision where deployment occurs, the
airbags 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.
ProCarManuals.com

Volvo's dual-threshold, dual-stage front airbags use special sensors that are integrated with the front seat buckles.
The point at which the airbag deploys is determined by whether or not the seat belt is being used, as well as the
severity of the collision.
Collisions can occur where only one of the airbags deploys. If the impact is less severe, but severe enough to present
a clear injury risk, the dual-stage airbags are triggered at 70% of their total capacity. If the impact is more severe, the
dual-stage airbags are triggered at full capacity.
Should you have questions about any component in the SRS system, please contact a trained and qualified Volvo
service technician or Volvo Customer Support:
In the USA:
Volvo Cars of North America
Customer Care Center
P.O. Box 914
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647-0914
1-800-458-1552
http://www.volvocars.us
In Canada:
Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd.
National Customer Service
175 Gordon Baker Road
North York, Ontario M2H 2N7
1-800-663-8255
http://www.volvocanada.com
WARNING!
Do not use child safety seats or child booster cushions/backrests in the front passenger's seat. We also recommend
that occupants under 4 feet 7 inches (140 cm) in height who have outgrown these devices sit in the rear seat with the
seat belt fastened
1.
Never drive with the airbags deployed. The fact that they hang out can impair the steering of your vehicle. Other
safety systems can also be damaged.
The smoke and dust formed when the airbags are deployed can cause skin and eye irritation in the event of
prolonged exposure.
1 See also the Occupant Weight Sensor information on page 9
.
pg. 8 Front airbags
ProCarManuals.com

Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS) indicator light
Disabling the passenger's side front airbag
Volvo recommends that ALL occupants (adults and children) shorter than four feet seven inches (140 cm) be seated in
the back seat of any vehicle with a front passenger side airbag, and be properly restrained for their size and weight.
See also the child safety recommendations on page 21
.
The passenger's side front airbag is automatically enabled/disabled by the Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS), a system
that monitors the weight of the person or object in the front passenger's seat. The system consists of a silicone-filled
bag located under the padding in the front passenger's seat cushion, a control module located under this seat, and a seat
belt tension sensor, located on the outboard side of the seat.
The OWS system continuously monitors the pressure on the front passenger's seat cushion and the tension applied to
the seat belt. Based on this data, OWS assesses the weight of the occupant or object in the front passenger's seat. This
information is transmitted to the SRS system control module, which enables or disables the passenger's side front
airbag accordingly, as indicated in the table to the right.
If the system is functioning normally, the status of the front passenger's side airbag (enabled/ disabled) will be shown
by the OWS indicator light as explained in the table to the right. The OWS indicator light is separate and in addition to
the SRS warning light in the instrument panel.
NOTE: When the ignition is switched on, the OWS indicator light will go on for up to 10 seconds while the system
performs a self -diagnostic test and then go out.
However, if a fault is detected in the system:
The OWS indicator light will stay on
The SRS warning light (see page 5) will come on and stay on
The message PASS. AIRBAG OFF SERVICE URGENT will be displayed in the information display.
ProCarManuals.com

(contd. on following page)
pg. 10 Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS)
WARNING!
If a fault in the system is detected and indicated as explained on the previous page, be aware that the passenger's
side front airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. In this case, the safety systems and Occupant Weight
Sensor should be inspected by an authorized Volvo retailer as soon as possible.
Modifications
If you are considering modifying your vehicle in any way to accommodate a disability, for example by altering or
adapting the driver's or front passenger's seat(s) and/or airbag systems, please contact Volvo at:
In the USA:
Volvo Cars of North America
Customer Care Center
P.O. Box 914
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647-0914
1-800-458-1552
In Canada:
Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd.
National Customer Service
175 Gordon Baker Road
North York, Ontario M2H 2N7
1-800-663-8255 WARNING!
'No objects that add to the total weight on the seat should be placed on the front passenger's seat. If a child is seated
in the front passenger's seat with any additional weight, this extra weight could cause the OWS system to enable the
airbag, which might cause it to deploy in the event of a collision, thereby injuring the child. The seat belt should
ProCarManuals.com