VOLVO S80 2008 User Guide

5 Contents
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6 Introduction
Important information
Points to keep in mind
Before you operate your vehicle for the first time, please familiarize yourself with the information in chapter 3.
Information contained in the balance of the manual is extremely useful and should be read after operating the
vehicle for the first time.
The manual is structured so that it can be used for reference. For this reason, it should be kept in the vehicle for
ready access.
Do not export your Volvo to another country before investigating that country's applicable safety and emission
control requirements. In some cases it may be difficult or impossible to comply with these requirements. Modifications
to the emission control system(s) may render your Volvo not certifiable for legal operation in the U.S., Canada and
other countries.
All information, illustrations and specifications contained in this manual are based on the latest product information
available at the time of publication. This information is subject to change without prior notice. Please note that some
vehicles may be equipped differently, depending on special legal requirements. Optional equipment described in this
manual may not be available in all markets.
Volvo reserves the right to make model changes at any time, or to change specifications or design without notice
and without incurring obligation
WARNING
If your vehicle is involved in an accident, unseen damage may affect its drivability and safety.
Vehicle event data (Black box)
Your vehicle's driving and safety systems employ computers that monitor, and share with each other, information about
your vehicle's operation. One or more of these computers may store what they monitor, either during normal vehicle
operation or in a crash or near-crash event. Stored information may be read and used by:
Volvo Car Corporation
service and repair facilities
law enforcement or government agencies
others who may assert a legal right to know, or who obtain your consent to know such information.
7 Introduction
Important warnings
Driver distraction
A driver has a responsibility to do everything possible to ensure his or her own safety and the safety of passengers in
the vehicle and others sharing the roadway. Avoiding distractions is part of that responsibility.

Driver distraction results from driver activities that are not directly related to controlling the vehicle in the driving
environment. Your new Volvo is, or can be, equipped with many feature-rich entertainment and communication
systems. These include hands-free cellular telephones, navigation systems, and multipurpose audio systems. You may
also own other portable electronic devices for your own convenience. When used properly and safely, they enrich the
driving experience. Improperly used, any of these could cause a distraction.
For all of these systems, we want to provide the following warning that reflects the strong Volvo concern for your
safety:
Never use these devices or any feature of your vehicle in a way that distracts you from the task of driving safely.
Distraction can lead to a serious accident. In addition to this general warning, we offer the following guidance
regarding specific newer features that may be found in your vehicle:
Never use a hand -held cellular telephone while driving. Some jurisdictions prohibit cellular telephone use by a
driver while the vehicle is moving.
If your vehicle is equipped with a navigation system, set and make changes to your travel itinerary only with the
vehicle parked.
Never program your audio system while the vehicle is moving. Program radio presets with the vehicle parked, and
use your programmed presets to make radio use quicker and simpler.
Never use portable computers or personal digital assistants while the vehicle is moving.
Accessory installation
We strongly recommend that Volvo owners install only genuine, Volvo-approved accessories, and that accessory
installations be performed only by a trained and qualified Volvo service technician.
Genuine Volvo accessories are tested to ensure compatibility with the performance, safety, and emission systems in
your vehicle. Additionally, a trained and qualified Volvo service technician knows where accessories may and may not
be safely installed in your Volvo. In all cases, please consult a trained and qualified Volvo service technician before
installing any accessory in or on your vehicle.
Accessories that have not been approved by Volvo may or may not be specifically tested for compatibility with your
vehicle. Additionally, an inexperienced installer may not be familiar with some of your car's systems.
Any of your car's performance and safety systems could be adversely affected if you install accessories that Volvo
has not tested, or if you allow accessories to be installed by someone unfamiliar with your vehicle.
Damage caused by unapproved or improperly installed accessories may not be covered by your new vehicle
warranty. See your Warranty and Service Records
8 Introduction
Important warnings
Information booklet for more warranty information. Volvo assumes no responsibility for death, injury, or expenses that
may result from the installation of non-genuine accessories.
9 Introduction
Environment
Volvo and the environment
Volvo is committed to the well being of its customers. As a natural part of this commitment, we care about the
environment in which we all live. Caring for the environment means an everyday involvement in reducing our
environmental impact. Volvo's environmental activities are based on a holistic view, which means we consider the
overall environmental impact of a product throughout its complete life cycle. In this context, design, production,
product use, and recycling are all important considerations. In production, Volvo has partly or completely phased out
several chemicals including CFCs, lead chromates, asbestos, and cadmium; and reduced the number of chemicals used

in our plants 50% since 1991.
Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into production a three-way catalytic converter with a Lambda sond, now
called the heated oxygen sensor, in 1976. The current version of this highly efficient system reduces emissions of
harmful substances (CO, HC, NOx) from the exhaust pipe by approximately 95-99% and the search to eliminate the
remaining emissions continues. Volvo is the only automobile manufacturer to offer CFC-free retrofit kits for the air
conditioning system of all models as far back as the 1975 model 240. Advanced electronic engine controls and cleaner
fuels are bringing us closer to our goal. After Volvo vehicles and parts have fulfilled their use, recycling is the next
critical step in completing the life cycle. The metal content is about 75% of the total weight of a vehicle, which makes
the vehicle among the most recycled industrial products. In order to have efficient and well-controlled recycling,
dismantling information is available for all Volvo models. For Volvo, all homogeneous plastic parts weighing more
than 3.4 oz. (100 grams) are marked with international symbols that indicate how the component is to be sorted for
recycling. In addition to continuous environmental refinement of conventional gasoline-powered internal combustion
engines, Volvo is actively looking at advanced technology alternative-fuel vehicles.
When you drive a Volvo, you become our partner in the work to lessen the car's impact on the environment. To reduce
your vehicle's environmental impact, you can:
Maintain proper air pressure in your tires. Tests have shown decreased fuel economy with improperly inflated tires.
Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your Warranty and Service Records Information booklet.
Drive at a constant speed whenever possible.
See a trained and qualified Volvo service technician as soon as possible for inspection if the check engine (
malfunction indicator) light illuminates, or stays on after the vehicle has started.
Properly dispose of any vehicle-related waste such as used motor oil, used batteries, brake pads, etc.
When cleaning your vehicle, please use genuine Volvo car care products. All Volvo car care products are
formulated to be environmentally friendly.
WARNING
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to the
state of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained
in vehicles and certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
10 Introduction
WARNING
Certain components of this vehicle such as air bag modules, seat belt pretensioners, adaptive steering columns, and
button cell batteries may contain Perchlorate material. Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life
disposal.
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
.
11 Introduction
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Contents | Top of Page

2 0 0 8
VOLVO S80
12 01 Safety
Occupant safety 14
Reporting safety defects15
Safety in the passenger compartment16
Crash mode30
Child safety31
Child restraint systems34
Infant seats36
Convertible seats38
Booster cushions41
ISOFIX lower anchors42
Top tether anchors43
Child restraint registration and recalls44
Integrated booster cushion45
Child safety locks48
13 01 Safety
14 01 Safety
Occupant safety
Volvo's concern for safety
Safety is Volvo's 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
vehicles 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 vehicles. 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 vehicle. Call us in the U.S. at: 1-800-458-
1552 or in Canada at: 1-800-663-8255.
Occupant safety reminders
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 following suggestions are intended 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.
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.
15 01 Safety
Reporting safety defects
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, LLC. 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, LLC. To contact
NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from:
http://www.safercar.gov
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.gov
Telephone:1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Reporting safety defects in Canada

If you believe your vehicle has a defect that could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform Transport Canada in addition to notifying Volvo Cars of Canada Corp.
To contact Transport Canada, call (800) 333- 0510, or (613) 993-9851 if you are calling from the Ottawa region.
16 01 Safety
Safety in the passenger compartment
Seat belts
Using seat belts
Seat belts should always be worn by all occupants of your vehicle. Children should be 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.
Seat belt pretensioners
All seat belts are equipped with pretensioners that reduce slack in the belts. These pretensioners are triggered in
situations where the front or side impact airbags deploy, and in certain impacts from the rear. 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.
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. See page 33
for more information regarding the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR).
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.
Seat belt reminder
The seat belt reminder consists of an audible signal and a symbol in the instrument panel that alert the driver if his/her
seat belt is not fastened.
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 maintenance
Check periodically that the seat belts are in good condition. Use water and a mild detergent for cleaning. Check seat
belt mechanism
17 01 Safety
Safety in the passenger compartment
function as follows: attach the seat belt and pull rapidly on the strap.
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 the event of an accident. As seat belts lose
much of their strength when exposed to violent stretching, they should be replaced after any collision, even if they
appear to be undamaged.
WARNING
Never repair the belt yourself; have this work done by a trained and qualified 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 passenger's 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
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 ensure 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 34
for information on securing child seats with the seat belts.
18 01 Safety
Safety in the passenger compartment
Supplemental restraint system
Warning symbols in the instrument panel
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 pretensioners, front airbags, side impact airbags, a front passenger 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) illuminates when the ignition is in modes I, II, or III, and will normally go
out after approximately 6 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. See
also pages 75 and 76
for more information about indicator and warning symbols.
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 a trained and qualified 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 insert the
remote control into the ignition slot 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 remote control into the ignition slot and press the Start button (without depressing brake pedal) to go to
ignition mode II. See page 80
for more information.
Press firmly on the brake pedal.
Move the gear selector from Park ( P) to the Neutral ( N) position. See page 111 for information on manually
overriding the shiftlock system.
19 01 Safety
Safety in the passenger compartment
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 surrounded by the airbags, and deceleration sensors that activate 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 pretensioners also deploy, minimizing seat belt slack. The entire process,