seats VOLVO V50 2011 Owner´s Manual

01 Safety
Inflatable Curtain (IC)01
33 The Inflatable Curtain system
G019985
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 posi-
tions in certain side impact collisions.
In certain side impacts, both the Inflatable Cur-
tain (IC) and the Side Impact Airbag System
(SIPS airbag) will deploy. The IC and the SIPS
airbag deploy simultaneously.
NOTE
If the inflatable curtain deploys, it remains
inflated for approximately 3 seconds.
WARNING
•The IC 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 roll-
over situations.
•Never try to open or repair any compo-
nents of the IC 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.
WARNING
In order for the VIC to provide its best pro-
tection, both front seat occupants and both
outboard rear seat occupants should sit in
an upright position with the seat belt prop-
erly fastened; adults using the seat belt and
children using the proper child restraint sys-
tem. Only adults should sit in the front seats.
Children must never be allowed in the front
passenger's seat, see page 38 for guide-
lines. Failure to follow these instructions can
result in injury to the vehicle occupants in an
accident.

01 Safety
Whiplash Protection System 01
34
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) – front seats only
G020347
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 rear-
ward. This movement helps absorb some of
the forces that could result in whiplash.WARNING
•The WHIPS system is designed to sup-
plement 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 sys-
tem can prevent all possible injuries that
may occur in an accident.
•The WHIPS system is designed to func-
tion in certain collisions from the rear,
depending on the crash severity, angle
and speed.
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.
•If your car has been involved in a rear-
end collision, the front seat backrests
must be inspected by a trained and
qualified Volvo service technician, even
if the seats appear to be undamaged.

01 Safety
Whiplash Protection System01
35
Certain components in the WHIPS sys-
tem may need to be replaced.
•Do not attempt to service any compo-
nent in the WHIPS system yourself.
G020126
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.
•If the rear seat backrests are folded
down, cargo must be secured to pre-
vent it from sliding forward against the
front seat backrests in the event of a
collision from the rear. This could inter-
fere with the action of the WHIPS sys-
tem.
G020125
WARNING
Boxes, suitcases, etc. wedged behind the
front seats could impede the function of the
WHIPS system.

01 Safety
Child safety01

37 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 vehi-
cle. 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 ejec-
ted 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 properlyrestrained to help reduce the chance of injuring
or increasing the injury of a child.
All states and provinces have legislation gov-
erning how and where children should be car-
ried in a car. Find out the regulations existing
in your state or province. Recent accident sta-
tistics have shown that children are safer in rear
seating positions than front seating positions
when properly restrained. A child restraint sys-
tem 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 Can-
ada, 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 infor-
mation.
•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
45). 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 cush-
ion and backrest can be obtained from your
Volvo retailer.
USA: for children weighing 33–80 lbs. (15–
36 kg) and 38–54 inches (97–137 cm) in height
Canada: for children weighing 40–80 lbs. (18–
36 kg) and 40–54 inches (102–137 cm) in height
WARNING
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.

01 Safety
Child safety 01
38
Automatic Locking Retractor/
Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/
ELR)
To make child seat installation easier, each
seat belt (except for the driver's belt) is equip-
ped with a locking mechanism to help keep the
seat belt taut.
When attaching the seat belt to a child
seat:
1. Attach the seat belt to the child seat
according to the child seat manufacturer's
instructions.
2. Pull the seat belt out as far as possible.
3. Insert the seat belt latch plate into the
buckle (lock) in the usual way.
4. 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 auto-
matically 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 recommendationsWhy 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 bel-
ted or strapped into a child safety seat. Volvo
has been an innovator in safety for over sev-
enty-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 dis-
connect 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!

01 Safety
Child restraint systems01

39 Child restraints
G026491
Infant seat
There are three main types of child restraint
systems: infant seats, convertible seats, and
booster cushions. They are classified accord-
ing to the child's age and size.
The following section provides general infor-
mation on securing a child restraint using a
three-point seat belt. Refer to pages pages
46–48 for information on securing a child
restraint using ISOFIX/LATCH lower anchors
and/or top tether anchorages.
G026503
Convertible seat
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 equip-
ped 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 posi-
tion.
G026489
WARNING
Always refer to the child restraint manufac-
turer's instructions for detailed information
on securing the restraint.

01 Safety
Infant seats01

41 Securing an infant seat with a seat belt
G026417
Do not place the infant seat in the front passeng-
er's seat
NOTE
Refer to pages 46–48 for information on
securing a child restraint using ISOFIX/
LATCH lower anchors and/or top tether
anchorages.
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.
1. Place the infant seat in the rear seat of the
vehicle.
G026493
Positioning the seat belt through the infant seat
2. Attach the seat belt to the infant seat
according to the manufacturer's instruc-
tions.
G026492
Fasten the seat belt
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 equip-
ped 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 posi-
tion.
3. Fasten the seat belt by inserting the latch
plate into the buckle (lock) until a distinct
click is audible.

01 Safety
Infant seats 01
42
G026494
Pull out the shoulder section of the seat belt
4. Pull the shoulder section of the seat belt
out as far as possible to activate the belt's
automatic locking function.
NOTE
The locking retractor will automatically
release when the seat belt is unbuckled and
allowed to retract fully.
5. Press the infant seat firmly in place, let the
seat belt retract and pull it taut. A sound
from the seat belt retractor's automatic
locking function will be audible at this timeand is normal. The seat belt should now be
locked in place.
Ensure that the seat is securely in place
WARNING
It should not be possible to move the child
restraint (child seat) more than 1 in. (2.5 cm)
in any direction along the seat belt path.
6. Push and pull the infant seat along the seat
belt path to ensure that it is held securely
in place by the seat belt.
7. The infant seat can be removed by unbuck-
ling the seat belt and letting it retract com-
pletely.

01 Safety
Convertible seats01

43 Securing a convertible seat with a seat
belt
G026420
Do not place the convertible seat in the front pas-
senger's seat
NOTE
Refer to pages 46–48 for information on
securing a child restraint using ISOFIX/
LATCH lower anchors and/or top tether
anchorages.
Convertible seats can be used in either a for-
ward or rearward-facing position, depending
on the age and size of the child.
WARNING
Always use a convertible seat that is suita-
ble for the child's age and size. See the con-
vertible seat manufacturer's recommenda-
tions.
G026503
Route the seat belt through the convertible seat
WARNING
A small child's head represents a consider-
able part of its total weight and its neck is
still very weak. Volvo recommends that chil-
dren up to age 4 travel, properly restrained,
facing rearward. In addition, Volvo recom-
mends that children should ride rearward
facing, properly restrained, as long as pos-
sible.
WARNING
•Convertible child seats should be instal-
led in the rear seat only.
•A rear-facing convertible seat should not
be positioned behind the driver's seat
unless there is adequate space for safe
installation.
1. Place the convertible seat in the rear seat
of the vehicle.

01 Safety
Convertible seats 01
44
G026500
Fasten the seat belt
2. Attach the seat belt to the convertible seat
according to the manufacturer's instruc-
tions.
3. Fasten the seat belt by inserting the latch
plate into the buckle (lock) until a distinct
click is audible.
4. Pull the shoulder section of the seat belt
out as far as possible to activate the belt's
automatic locking function.
NOTE
The locking retractor will automatically
release when the seat belt is unbuckled and
allowed to retract fully.
5. Press the convertible seat firmly in place,
let the seat belt retract and pull it taut. A
sound from the seat belt retractor's auto-
matic locking function will be audible at this
time and is normal. The seat belt should
now be locked in place.
G026501
Pull out the shoulder section of the seat belt
6. Push and pull the convertible seat along
the seat belt path to ensure that it is held
securely in place by the seat belt.
WARNING
It should not be possible to move the child
restraint (child seat) more than 1 in. (2.5 cm)
in any direction along the seat belt path.
The convertible seat can be removed by
unbuckling the seat belt and letting it retract
completely.
Ensure that the seat is securely in place