VOLVO S40 2008 Owner's Manual

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 crash severity,
angle, speed and point of impact.
NOTE
SIPS airbag deployment (one airbag) occurs only on the side of the vehicle affected by the impact. The airbags are
not designed to deploy in all side impact situations.
Components in the SIPS airbag system
This SIPS airbag system consists of gas generators and side airbag modules built into the outboard sides of both front
seat backrests.
WARNING
The SIPS airbag system is a supplement to the structural 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.
The use of seat covers on the front seats 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.
Never try to open or repair any components of the SIPS airbag system. This should be done only by a trained and
qualified Volvo service technician.
In order for the SIPS airbag to provide its best protection, both front seat occupants should sit in an upright
position with the seat belt properly fastened.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury to the occupants of the vehicle in the event of an accident.
25 01 Safety
Volvo Inflatable Curtain (VIC)
The Volvo Inflatable Curtain system
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This system consists of inflatable curtains located along the sides of the roof liners, stretching from the center of both
front side windows to the rear edge of the rear side door windows. It is designed to help protect the heads of the
occupants of the front seats and the occupant of the outboard rear seating positions in certain side impact collisions.
In certain side impacts, both the Inflatable Curtain (VIC) and the Side Impact Airbag System (SIPS airbag) will
deploy. The VIC and the SIPS airbag deploy simultaneously.
NOTE
If the inflatable curtain deploys, it remains inflated for approximately 3 seconds.
WARNING
The VIC system is a supplement to the Side Impact Protection System. It is not designed to deploy during
collisions from the front or rear of the car or in rollover situations.
Never try to open or repair any components of the VIC system. This should be done only by a trained and
qualified Volvo service technician.
Never hang heavy items from the ceiling handles. This could impede deployment of the Inflatable curtain.
26 01 Safety
Volvo Inflatable Curtain (VIC)
WARNING
In order for the VIC to provide its best protection, both front seat occupants and both outboard rear seat occupants
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should sit in an upright position with the seat belt properly fastened; adults using the seat belt and children using the
proper child restraint system. Only adults should sit in the front seats. Children must never be allowed in the front
passenger's seat. See page 32
for guidelines. Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury to the vehicle
occupants in an accident.
27 01 Safety
Whiplash Protection System
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) - front seats only
The WHIPS system consists of specially designed hinges and brackets on the front seat backrests designed to help
absorb some of the energy generated in a collision from the rear (when the vehicle is "rear-ended").
In the event of a collision of this type, the hinges and brackets of the front seat backrests are designed to change
position slightly to allow the backrest/head restraint to help support the occupant's head before moving slightly
rearward. This movement helps absorb some of the forces that could result in whiplash.
WARNING
The WHIPS system is designed to supplement the other safety systems in your car. For this system to function
properly, the three-point seat belt must be worn. Please be aware that no system can prevent all possible injuries that
may occur in an accident.
The WHIPS system is designed to function in certain collisions from the rear, depending on the crash severity,
angle and speed.
28 01 Safety
Whiplash Protection System
WARNING
Occupants in the front seats must never sit out of position. The occupant's back must be as upright as comfort allows
and be against the seat back with the seat belt properly fastened.
WARNING
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If your car has been involved in a rearend collision, the front seat backrests must be inspected by a trained and
qualified Volvo service technician, even if the seats appear to be undamaged. Certain components in the WHIPS
system may need to be replaced.
Do not attempt to service any component in the WHIPS system yourself.
WARNING
Any contact between the front seat backrests and the folded rear seat could impede the function of the WHIPS
system. If the rear seat is folded down, the occupied front seats must be adjusted forward so that they do not touch
the folded rear seat.
WARNING
Boxes, suitcases, etc. wedged behind the front seats could impede the function of the WHIPS system.
If the rear seat backrests are folded down, cargo must be secured to prevent it from sliding forward against the
front seat backrests in the event of a collision from the rear. This could interfere with the action of the WHIPS
system.
29 01 Safety
Crash mode
Driving after a collision
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If the vehicle has been involved in a collision, the text CRASH MODE SEE MANUAL may appear in the information
display. This indicates that the vehicle's functionality has been reduced.
NOTE
This text can only be shown if the display is undamaged and the vehicle's electrical system is intact.
CRASH MODE is a feature that is triggered if one or more of the safety systems (for example, front or side airbags,
an inflatable curtain, or one or more of the seat belt pretensioners) has deployed. The collision may have damaged an
important function in the vehicle, such as the fuel lines, sensors for one of the safety systems, the brake system, etc.
WARNING
Never attempt to repair the vehicle yourself or to reset the electrical system after the vehicle has displayed
CRASH MODE SEE MANUAL. This could result in injury or improper system function.
Restoring the vehicle to normal operating mode should only be done by a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician.
After CRASH MODE SEE MANUAL has been displayed, if you detect the odor of fuel vapor, or see any signs of
fuel leakage, do not attempt to start the vehicle. Leave the vehicle immediately.
Attempting to start the vehicle
If damage to the vehicle is minor and there is no fuel leakage, you may attempt to start the vehicle. To do so:
1. Remove the ignition key or optional keyless drive start control (see page 138
).
2. Reinsert the key or start control in the ignition switch. The vehicle will then attempt to reset CRASH MODE to
normal mode.
3. Try to start the vehicle.
Moving the vehicle
If the electrical system is able to reset system status to normal (CRASH MODE SEE MANUAL will no longer be
displayed), the vehicle may be moved carefully from its present position, if for example, it is blocking traffic. It
should, however, not be moved farther than is absolutely necessary.
WARNING
Even if the vehicle appears to be drivable after CRASH MODE has been set, it should not be driven or towed
(pulled by another vehicle). There may be concealed damage that could make it difficult or impossible to control.
The vehicle should be transported on a flatbed tow truck to a trained and qualified Volvo service technician for
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inspection/ repairs.
30 01 Safety
Child safety
Children should be seated safely
Volvo 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 car.
Your car is also equipped with ISOFIX/LATCH attachments, which make it more convenient 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 cars 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 follow the installation instructions for your child restraint can result in your child striking the
vehicle's interior in a sudden stop.
Holding a child in your arms is NOT a suitable substitute for a child restraint system. In an accident, 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 occupants 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 governing how and where children should be carried in a car. 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 properly 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 Standards (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 provide 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 understand 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.
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 (see the illustration on page 40
). 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 regulations.
A specially designed and tested booster cushion (not available in Canada) can be obtained from your Volvo retailer for
children weighing 33 - 80 lb. (15 - 36 kg) and 38-54 inches (97 - 137 cm) in height.
31 01 Safety
Child safety
WARNING
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Do not use child safety seats or child booster cushions/backrests in the front passenger's seat. We also recommend
that children under 4 feet 7 inches (140 cm) in height who have outgrown these devices sit in the rear seat with the
seat belt fastened.
Keep vehicle doors and trunk locked and keep keys out of a child's reach. Unsupervised children could lock
themselves in an open trunk and risk injury. Children should be taught not to play in vehicles.
On hot days, the temperature in the trunk or vehicle interior can rise very quickly. Exposure to these high
temperatures for even a short period of time can cause heat-related injury or death. Small children are particularly at
risk.
32 01 Safety
Child safety
Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR)
To make child seat installation easier, each seat belt (except for the driver's belt) is equipped with a locking mechanism
to help keep the seat belt taut.
When attaching the seat belt to a child seat:
Attach the seat belt to the child seat according to the child seat manufacturer's instructions.
Pull the seat belt out as far as possible.
Insert the seat belt latch plate into the buckle (lock) in the usual way.
Release the seat belt and pull it taut around the child seat.
A sound from the seat belt retractor will be audible at this time and is normal. The belt will now be locked in place.
This function is automatically disabled when the seat belt is unlocked and the belt is fully retracted.
WARNING
Do not use child safety seats or child booster 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.
Volvo's recommendations
Why does Volvo believe that no child should sit in the front seat of a car? 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 safety for over seventy-
five years, and we'll continue to do our part. But we need your help. Please remember to put your children in the back
seat, and buckle them up.
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 recommends that you do not disconnect the airbag 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 4 feet 7 inches (140 cm) be seated in the
back seat of any vehicle with a front passenger side airbag.
Drive safely!
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33 01 Safety
Child restraint systems
Child restraints
There are three main types of child restraint systems: infant seats, convertible seats, and booster cushions. They are
classified according to the child's age and size.
The following section provides general information on securing a child restraint using a three-point seat belt. Refer to
pages 41-42
for information on securing a child restraint using ISOFIX lower anchors and/or top tether anchorages.
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 (on vehicles equipped with Occupant
Weight Sensor). 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.
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WARNING
Always refer to the child restraint manufacturer's instructions for detailed information on securing the restraint.
34 01 Safety
Child restraint systems
WARNING
When not in use, keep the child restraint system secured or remove it from the passenger compartment to help
prevent it from injuring passengers in the event of a sudden stop or collision.
A small child's head represents a considerable part of its total weight and its neck is still very weak. Volvo
recommends that children up to age 4 travel, properly restrained, facing rearward. In addition, Volvo recommends
that children should ride rearward facing, properly restrained, as long as possible.
35 01 Safety
Infant seats
Securing an infant seat with a seat belt
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NOTE
Refer to pages 41-42 for information on securing a child restraint using ISOFIX lower anchors and/or top tether
anchorages.
1. Place the infant seat in the rear seat of the vehicle.
WARNING
An infant seat must be in the rear-facing position only.
The infant seat should not be positioned behind the driver's seat unless there is adequate space for safe installation.
2. Attach the seat belt to the infant seat according to the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Fasten the seat belt by inserting the latch plate into the buckle (lock) until a distinct click is audible.
36 01 Safety
Infant seats
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 (on vehicles equipped with Occupant
Weight Sensor). If the severity of an accident were to cause the airbag to inflate, this could lead to serious injury or
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