Get Safety Guide for Volvo C30 4 Door First Generation (2006-2013)

01 Safety

01

Occupant safety

Never drink and drive.

Volvo's concern for safety

•

tion, 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 con-

tact NHTSA, you may either call the

Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at

1-888-327-4236

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 cars long before it was fashionable or

required by government regulation.

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.

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: 1-800-458-1552 or in Canada at:

1-800-663-8255.

Replace wiper blades when they start to

leave streaks.

•

Take into account the traffic, road, and

weather conditions, particularly with

regard to stopping distance.

(TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or write to:

NHTSA, U.S. Department of Trans-

portation, Washington D.C. 20590.

Never send text messages while driving.

•

Refrain from using or minimize the use of a

cell phone while driving.

You can also obtain other information

about motor vehicle safety from:

http://www.safercar.gov

Occupant safety reminders

How safely you drive doesn't depend on how

old you are but rather on:

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 Amer-

ica, LLC. If NHTSA receives similar

complaints, it may open an investiga-

Volvo strongly recommends that if

your vehicle is covered under a serv-

ice 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.

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 envi-

ronment.

18

01 Safety

01

Occupant safety

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 Trans-

port Canada in addition to notifying Volvo Cars

of Canada Corp.

Transport Canada can be contacted at:

1-800-333-0510

Teletypewriter (TTY): 613 990-4500

Fax: 1-819-994-3372

Mailing Address: Transport Canada - Road

Safety, 80 rue Noël, Gatineau, (Quebec) J8Z

0A1

19

01 Safety

01

Seat belts

tain 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.

Using seat belts

NOTE

Each seat belt (except for the driver's belt)

is equipped with the ALR/ELR function,

which is designed to help keep the seat belt

taut. ALR/ELR activates if the seat belt is

pulled out as far as possible. If this is done,

a sound from the seat belt retractor will be

audible, which is normal, and the seat belt

will be pulled taut and locked in place. This

function is automatically disabled when the

seat belt is unbuckled and fully retracted.

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.

NOTE

See also page 39 for information about using

a seat belt's ALR/ELR function to anchor a

child seat.

The seat belt is easiest to reach by grasping

it near the lower seat belt guide, not over the

shoulder.

Adjusting the seat belt

When wearing the seat belt remember:

The belt should not be twisted or turned.

•

Seat belts should always be worn by all occu-

pants of your vehicle. Children should be prop-

erly restrained, using an infant, car, or booster

seat determined by age, weight and height.

The seat belt retractor will lock up in the fol-

lowing situations:

The lap section of the belt must be posi-

tioned low on the hips (not pressing against

the abdomen).

if the belt is pulled out rapidly

•

during braking and acceleration

Make sure that the shoulder belt is rolled

up into its retractor and that the shoulder

and lap belts are taut.

•

Volvo also believes no child should sit in the

front seat of a vehicle.

if the vehicle is leaning excessively

when driving in turns

Most states and provinces make it mandatory

for occupants of a vehicle to use seat belts.

Unbuckling the seat belt

if the Automatic Locking Retractor/Emer-

gency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) is acti-

vated

•

To remove the seat belt, press the red sec-

•

Seat belt pretensioners

tion on the seat belt receptacle. Before

exiting the vehicle, check that the seat belt

retracts fully after being unbuckled. If nec-

essary, guide the belt back into the retrac-

tor slot.

All seat belts are equipped with pretensioners

that reduce slack in the belts. These preten-

sioners are triggered in situations where the

front or side impact airbags deploy, and in cer-

20

01 Safety

01

Seat belts

Seat belt guides

Seat belt use during pregnancy

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.

•

Seat belt guides (on both front seats)

Any device used to induce slack into the

•

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.

shoulder belt portion of the three-point

belt system will have a detrimental

effect on the amount of protection avail-

able to you in the event of a collision.

These guides are designed to help provide

easier access to the seat belts. A belt can be

taken out of the guide and slid to the rearmost

part of the lower seat belt anchorage rod to

make it easier for passengers to enter or exit

the rear seat.

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.

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

21

01 Safety

01

Seat belts

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.

seat belts. The audible signal and warning light

will be on for a total of 6 seconds from the time

the ignition is switched on, regardless of

whether or not the seat belts are fastened.

Seat belt maintenance

Check periodically that the seat belts are in

good condition. Use water and a mild deter-

gent for cleaning. Check seat belt mechanism

function as follows: attach the seat belt and pull

rapidly on the strap.

If the front seat belts are unbuckled while the

vehicle is in motion, the audible signal and

warning light will be active for a total of 6 sec-

onds.

Child seats

Please refer to page 40 for information on

securing child seats with the seat belts.

Rear seats

The seat belt reminder in the rear seat has two

additional functions:

Seat belt reminder

It provides information about which seat

•

belts are fastened in the rear seat. A mes-

sage will appear in the information display

when a belt is being used. This message

will disappear after approximately 6 sec-

onds or can be erased by pressing the

READ button on the left steering wheel

lever.

It also provides a reminder if one of the

•

occupants of the rear seat has unbuckled

his/her seat belt while the vehicle is in

motion. A visual and audible signal will be

given. These signals will stop when the

seat belt has been re-buckled or can be

stopped by pressing the READ button.

Seat belt reminder light in ceiling console

The seat belt reminder consists of an audible

signal, an indicator light near the rearview mir-

ror and a symbol in the instrument panel that

alert all occupants of the vehicle to fasten their

The message in the information display can

always be accessed, even if it has been erased,

by pressing the READ button to display stored

messages.

22

01 Safety

01

Supplemental Restraint System

Where applicable, a text message will also be

displayed when the SRS warning light illumi-

nates. If this warning symbol is not functioning

properly, the general warning symbol illumi-

nates and either SRS AIRBAG SERVICE

URGENT or SRS AIRBAG SERVICE

REQUIREDwill be displayed.

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)

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 discon-

necting 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 tech-

nician for repairs.

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.

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:

SRS warning light

Never try to repair any component or

•

part of the SRS yourself. Any interfer-

ence in the system could cause mal-

function and serious injury. All work on

these systems should be performed by

a trained and qualified Volvo service

technician.

As an enhancement to the three-point seat

belts, your Volvo is equipped with a Supple-

mental Restraint System (SRS). Volvo's SRS

consists of seat belt pretensioners, front air-

bags, side impact airbags, the occupant

weight sensor, and inflatable curtains. All of

these systems are monitored by the SRS con-

trol module. An SRS warning light in the instru-

ment panel (see the illustration) illuminates

when the ignition key is turned to position I, II,

or III, and will normally go out after approxi-

mately 7 seconds if no faults are detected in

the system.

1. Switch off the ignition for at least

10 minutes and disconnect the battery.

2. Wait at least one minute.

3. Insert the key in the ignition and turn it

to position II.

4. Press firmly on the brake pedal.

5. Move the gear selector from Park (P) to

the Neutral (N) position, see page 158,

for information on manually overriding

the shiftlock system.

23

01 Safety

01

Supplemental Restraint System

The front airbag system

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 replace-

ment 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.

•

Location of the passenger's side front airbag

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.

Never drive a vehicle with your hands on

the steering wheel pad/airbag housing.

•

As the movement of the seats' occupants com-

presses the airbags, some of the gas is expel-

led at a controlled rate to provide better cush-

ioning. Both seat belt pretensioners also

deploy, minimizing seat belt slack. The entire

process, including inflation and deflation of the

airbags, takes approximately one fifth of a sec-

ond.

The front airbags are designed to help

prevent serious injury. Deployment

occurs very quickly and with consider-

able 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.

The front airbag system includes gas genera-

tors surrounded by the airbags, and decelera-

tion sensors that activate the gas generators,

causing the airbags to be inflated with nitrogen

gas.

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.

When installing any accessory equip-

ment, make sure that the front airbag

system is not damaged. Any interfer-

ence in the system could cause mal-

function.

•

24

01 Safety

01

Supplemental Restraint System

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC

Customer Care Center

1 Volvo Drive

Front airbag deployment

NOTE

The front airbags are designed to deploy

•

Deployment of front airbags occurs only

one time during an accident. In a colli-

sion where deployment occurs, the air-

bags and seat belt pretensioners acti-

vate. 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.

•

during certain frontal or front-angular col-

lisions, impacts, or decelerations, depend-

ing on the crash severity, angle, speed and

object impacted. The airbags may also

deploy in certain non-frontal collisions

where rapid deceleration occurs.

P.O. Box 914

Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647

1-800-458-1552

The SRS sensors, which trigger the front

•

www.volvocars.us

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 pretensioners and/or airbags

to be deployed.

In Canada

Volvo's front airbags use special sen-

sors that are integrated with the front

seat buckles. The point at which the air-

bag deploys is determined by whether

or not the seat belt is being used, as well

as the severity of the collision.

•

Volvo Cars of Canada Corp.

National Customer Service

175 Gordon Baker Road

North York, Ontario M2H 2N7

1-800-663-8255

However, not all frontal collisions activate the

front airbags.

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 airbags are trig-

gered at partial capacity. If the impact is

more severe, the airbags are triggered

at full capacity.

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.

www.volvocars.ca

Front airbags do not normally deploy in a

side impact collision, in a collision from the

rear or in a rollover situation.

•

Should you have questions about any compo-

nent in the SRS system, please contact a

trained and qualified Volvo service technician

or Volvo customer support:

The amount of damage to the bodywork

does not reliably indicate if the airbags

should have deployed or not.

•

In the USA

25

01 Safety

01

Supplemental Restraint System

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 fastened¹.

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 pro-

longed exposure.

Passenger's side airbag decal

Airbag decal on the outside of both sun visors

1

See also the Occupant Weight Sensor information on page 28.

26

01 Safety

01

Supplemental Restraint System

WARNING

Children must never be allowed in the

front passenger's seat.

No objects or accessory equipment,

e.g. dashboard covers, may be placed

on, attached to, or installed near the air

bag hatch (the area above the glove

compartment) or the area affected by

airbag deployment.

•

Occupants in the front passenger's seat

must never sit on the edge of the seat,

sit leaning toward the instrument panel

or otherwise sit out of position.

There should be no loose articles, e.g.

coffee cups, on the floor, seat, or dash-

board area.

•

The occupant's back must be as upright

as comfort allows and be against the

seat back with the seat belt properly

fastened.

•

Never try to open the airbag cover on

the steering wheel or the passenger's

side dashboard. This should only be

done by a trained and qualified Volvo

service technician.

Feet must be on the floor, e.g., not on

the dash, seat or out of the window.

Failure to follow these instructions can

result in injury to the vehicle occupants.

•

27

01 Safety

01

Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS)

not inflate) the passenger's side front airbag

under certain conditions.

The OWS uses a PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF

indicator lamp which will illuminate and stay on

to remind you that the passenger's side front

airbag is disabled. The PASSENGER AIRBAG

OFF indicator lamp is located in the overhead

console, near the base of the rearview mirror.

Disabling the passenger's side front

airbag

The OWS works with sensors that are part of

the front passenger's seat and seat belt. The

sensors are designed to detect the presence of

a properly seated occupant and determine if

the passenger's side front airbag should be

enabled (may inflate) or disabled (will not

inflate).

2

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.

The OWS will disable (will not inflate) the pas-

senger's side front airbag when:

the front passenger's seat is unoccupied,

or has small/medium objects in the front

seat,

•

However, if a fault is detected in the system:

The OWS indicator light will stay on

•

the system determines that an infant is

•

The SRS warning light (see page 23) will

come on and stay on

present in a rear-facing infant seat that is

installed according to the manufacturer's

instructions,

Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS) indicator light

Volvo recommends that ALL occupants (adults

and children) shorter than 4 feet 7 inches

(140 cm) be seated in the rear seat of any vehi-

cle with a passenger's side front airbag, and be

properly restrained. Children should always be

seated in child restraints appropriate for their

size and weight. See also the child safety rec-

ommendations on page 38.

The message PASS. AIRBAG OFF SERVICE

URGENT will be displayed in the information

display.

the system determines that a small child is

•

present in a forward-facing child restraint

that is installed according to the manufac-

turer's instructions,

the system determines that a small child is

•

present in a booster seat,

a front passenger takes his/her weight off

of the seat for a period of time,

•

The Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS) is

designed to meet the regulatory requirements

of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard

(FMVSS) 208 and is designed to disable (will

a child or a small person occupies the front

passenger's seat.

•

28

01 Safety

01

Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS)

passenger's side front airbag is disabled (see

the following table).

person of adult size is sitting properly in the

front passenger's seat. The PASSENGER

AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp will be off and

remain off.

WARNING

If a fault in the system is detected and indi-

cated as explained on the preceding page,

be aware that the passenger's side front air-

bag will not deploy in the event of a collision.

In this case, the SRS system and Occupant

Weight Sensor should be inspected by a

trained and qualified Volvo service techni-

cian as soon as possible.

Passenger's OWS indica- Passenger's

seat occu-

pancy status tus

tor light sta- side front

If a person of adult size is sitting in the front

passenger's seat, but the PASSENGER

AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is on, it is possible

that the person isn't sitting properly in the seat.

If this happens:

airbag sta-

tus

Seat unoc-

cupied

OWS indica- Passenger's

tor light

side front

airbag disa-

bled

1. Turn the vehicle off and ask the person to

place the seatback in an upright position.

lights

WARNING

up

Never try to open, remove, or repair any

•

2. Have the person sit upright in the seat,

centered on the seat cushion, with the per-

son's legs comfortably extended.

Seat occu-

pied by low

weight

OWS indica- Passenger's

components in the OWS system. This

could result in system malfunction.

Maintenance or repairs should only be

carried out by an a trained and qualified

Volvo service technician.

tor light

side front

airbag disa-

bled

lights

3. Restart the vehicle and have the person

remain in this position for about two

minutes. This will allow the system to

detect that person and enable the pas-

senger's frontal airbag.

occupant/

up

object^A

The front passenger's seat should not

•

Seat occu-

pied by

heavy occu-

pant/object

OWS indica- Passenger's

be modified in any way. This could

reduce pressure on the seat cushion,

which might interfere with the OWS sys-

tem's function.

tor light

side front

airbag ena-

bled

is not

4. If the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator

lamp remains on even after this, the person

should be advised to ride in the rear seat.

lit

A

Volvo recommends that children always be properly

restrained in appropriate child restraints in the rear seats. Do

not assume that the passenger's side front airbag is disabled

unless the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is lit.

Make sure the child restraint is properly installed. If there is

any doubt as to the status of the passenger's side front air-

bag, move the child restraint to the rear seat.

The OWS is designed to disable (will not inflate)

the passenger's side front airbag when a rear

facing infant seat, a forward-facing child

restraint, or a booster seat is detected. The

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp will

illuminate and stay on to remind you that the

This condition reflects limitations of the OWS

classification capability. It does not indicate

OWS malfunction.

Modifications

If you are considering modifying your vehicle in

any way to accommodate a disability, for

The OWS is designed to enable (may inflate)

the passenger's side front airbag in the event

of a collision anytime the system senses that a

29

01 Safety

01

Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS)

example by altering or adapting the driver's or

front passenger's seat(s) and/or airbag sys-

tems, please contact Volvo at:

WARNING

Keep the following points in mind with

respect to the OWS system. Failure to follow

these instructions could adversely affect the

system's function and result in serious injury

to the occupant of the front passenger's

seat:

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.

•

In the USA

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC

Customer Care Center

1 Volvo Drive

The full weight of the front seat passen-

•

ger should always be on the seat cush-

ion. The passenger should never lift

him/herself off the seat cushion using

the armrest in the door or the center

console, by pressing the feet on the

floor, by sitting on the edge of the seat

cushion, or by pressing against the

backrest in a way that reduces pressure

on the seat cushion. This could cause

OWS to disable the passenger's side

front airbag.

P.O. Box 914

Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647

1-800-458-1552

The seat belt should never be wrapped

around an object on the front passeng-

er's seat. This could interfere with the

OWS system's function.

•

In Canada

The front passenger's seat belt should

never be used in a way that exerts more

pressure on the passenger than normal.

This could increase the pressure exer-

ted on the weight sensor by a child, and

could result in the airbag being enabled,

which might cause it to deploy in the

event of a collision, thereby injuring the

child.

Volvo Cars of Canada Corp.

National Customer Service

175 Gordon Baker Road North York, Ontario

M2H 2N7

Do not place any type of object on the

•

front passenger's seat in such a way

that jamming, pressing, or squeezing

occurs between the object and the front

seat, other than as a direct result of the

correct use of the Automatic Locking

Retractor/Emergency Locking Retrac-

tor (ALR/ELR) seat belt, see page 39.

1-800-663-8255

No objects should be placed under the

front passenger's seat. This could inter-

fere with the OWS system's function.

•

30

01 Safety

01

Side impact protection airbags

Side impact airbags – front seats only

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 gen-

erators and side airbag modules built into the

outboard sides of both front seat backrests.

Driver's side SIPS airbag

Location of the side impact (SIPS) airbag

As an enhancement to the structural side

impact protection built into your car, the car is

also equipped with Side Impact Protection

System (SIPS) airbags.

The SIPS airbag system is designed to help

increase occupant protection in the event of

certain side impact collisions. The SIPS air-

bags are designed to deploy only during cer-

tain side-impact collisions, depending on the

crash severity, angle, speed and point of

impact.

Passenger's side SIPS airbag

31

01 Safety

01

Side impact protection airbags

WARNING

The SIPS airbag system is a supple-

•

ment to the structural Side Impact Pro-

tection 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 compo-

•

nents 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 posi-

tion 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.

•

32

01 Safety

01

Inflatable Curtain (IC)

The Inflatable Curtain system

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 and rear

seats in certain side impact collisions.

NOTE

WARNING

If the inflatable curtain deploys, it remains

inflated for approximately 3 seconds.

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.

•

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.

Never hang heavy items from the ceiling

handles. This could impede deployment

of the Inflatable curtain.

33

01 Safety

01

Inflatable Curtain (IC)

WARNING

In order for the IC to provide its best pro-

tection, all occupants of the vehicle 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 39 for

guidelines. Failure to follow these instruc-

tions can result in injury to the vehicle occu-

pants in an accident.

34

01 Safety

01

Whiplash Protection System

Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) – front seats only

The WHIPS system consists of specially

WARNING

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").

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.

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.

•

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.

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.

The WHIPS system is designed to func-

tion in certain collisions from the rear,

depending on the crash severity, angle

and speed.

ꢀꢀ

35

01 Safety

01

Whiplash Protection System

Certain components in the WHIPS sys-

tem may need to be replaced.

WARNING

Boxes, suitcases, etc. wedged behind the

front seats could impede the function of the

WHIPS system.

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.

•

Do not attempt to service any compo-

nent in the WHIPS system yourself.

•

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.

36

01 Safety

01

Crash mode

fuel lines, sensors for one of the safety sys-

tems, the brake system, etc.

3. Try to start the vehicle.

Driving after a collision

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 pres-

ent position, if for example, it is blocking traffic.

It should, however, not be moved farther than

is absolutely necessary.

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 func-

tion.

Restoring the vehicle to normal operat-

•

WARNING

ing mode should only be done by a

trained and qualified Volvo service tech-

nician.

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 quali-

fied Volvo service technician for inspection/

repairs.

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.

•

If the vehicle has been involved in a collision,

the text CRASH MODE SEE MANUAL may

appear in the information display. This indi-

cates that the vehicle's functionality has been

reduced.

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:

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

1. Remove the ignition key or optional keyless

drive start control, see page 152.

2. Reinsert the key or start control in the igni-

tion switch. The vehicle will then attempt to

reset CRASH MODE to normal mode.

37

01 Safety

01

Child safety

restrained to help reduce the chance of injuring

or increasing the injury of a child.

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

46). 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.

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.

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:

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.

A specially designed and tested booster cush-

ion and backrest can be obtained from your

Volvo retailer.

It should have a label certifying that it

•

meets applicable Federal Motor Vehicle

Safety Standards (FMVSS 213) – or in Can-

ada, CMVSS 213.

USA: for children weighing 33–80 lbs. (15–

36 kg) and 38–54 inches (97–137 cm) in height

Make sure the child restraint system is

•

Canada: for children weighing 40–80 lbs. (18–

36 kg) and 40–54 inches (102–137 cm) in height

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.

WARNING

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 properly

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.

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.

Child seat should always be registered. See

page 39 for more information.

38

01 Safety

01

Child safety

Volvo recommends that you do not dis-

connect the airbag system in your vehicle.

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.

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 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.

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.

Volvo's recommendations

Drive safely!

•

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

Child restraint registration and recalls

designed, by law, to help protect an adult.

2. Pull the seat belt out as far as possible.

Registering a child restraint

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.

Child restraints could be recalled for safety

reasons. You must register your child restraint

to be reached in a recall. To stay informed

about child safety seat recalls, be sure to fill out

and return the registration card that comes

with new child restraints.

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.

Child restraint recall information is readily avail-

able in both the U.S. and Canada. For recall

information in the U.S., call the U.S. Govern-

ment's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

In Canada, visit Transport Canada's Child

Safety website at http://www.tc.gc.ca/

roadsafety/childsafety/menu.htm.

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.

39

01 Safety

01

Child restraint systems

Child restraints

Convertible seat

Booster cushion

Infant seat

WARNING

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.

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.

Always refer to the child restraint manufac-

turer's instructions for detailed information

on securing the restraint.

The following section provides general infor-

mation on securing a child restraint using a

three-point seat belt. Refer to pages pages

47–48 for information on securing a child

restraint using ISOFIX/LATCH lower anchors

and/or top tether anchorages.

40

01 Safety

01

Child restraint systems

WARNING

When not in use, keep the child restraint

system secured or remove it from the

passenger compartment to help pre-

vent it from injuring passengers in the

event of a sudden stop or collision.

•

A small child's head represents a con-

siderable part of its total weight and its

neck is still very weak. Volvo recom-

mends that children up to age 4 travel,

properly restrained, facing rearward. In

addition, Volvo recommends that chil-

dren should ride rearward facing, prop-

erly restrained, as long as possible.

41

01 Safety

01

Infant seats

Securing an infant seat with a seat belt

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.

Fasten the seat belt

Do not place the infant seat in the front passeng-

er's 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

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 posi-

tion.

NOTE

Refer to pages 47–48 for information on

securing a child restraint using ISOFIX/

LATCH lower anchors and/or top tether

anchorages.

Positioning the seat belt through the infant seat

2. Attach the seat belt to the infant 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.

42

01 Safety

01

Infant seats

and is normal. The seat belt should now be

locked in place.

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.

Ensure that the seat is securely in place

WARNING

NOTE

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 locking retractor will automatically

release when the seat belt is unbuckled and

allowed to retract fully.

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.

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 time

7. The infant seat can be removed by unbuck-

ling the seat belt and letting it retract com-

pletely.

43

01 Safety

01

Convertible seats

Securing a convertible seat with a seat

belt

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.

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.

Do not place the convertible seat in the front pas-

senger's seat

1. Place the convertible seat in the rear seat

of the vehicle.

NOTE

Refer to pages 47–48 for information on

securing a child restraint using ISOFIX/

LATCH lower anchors and/or top tether

anchorages.

Route the seat belt through the convertible seat

Convertible seats can be used in either a for-

ward or rearward-facing position, depending

on the age and size of the child.

44

01 Safety

01

Convertible seats

NOTE

WARNING

The locking retractor will automatically

release when the seat belt is unbuckled and

allowed to retract fully.

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.

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.

The convertible seat can be removed by

unbuckling the seat belt and letting it retract

completely.

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.

Ensure that the seat is securely in place

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.

45

01 Safety

01

Booster cushions

Booster cushions are recommended for chil-

dren who have outgrown convertible seats.

Securing a booster cushion

1. Place the booster cushion in the rear seat

of the vehicle.

2. With the child properly seated on the

booster cushion, attach the seat belt to or

around the cushion according to the man-

ufacturer's instructions.

3. Fasten the seat belt by inserting the latch

plate into the buckle (lock) until a distinct

click is audible.

4. Ensure that the seat belt is pulled taut and

fits snugly around the child.

Position the child correctly on the booster cushion

and fasten the seat belt

WARNING

The hip section of the three-point seat

belt must fit snugly across the child's

hips, not across the stomach.

•

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.

The shoulder section of the three-point

seat belt should be positioned across

the chest and shoulder.

•

The shoulder belt must never be placed

behind the child's back or under the

arm.

•

46

01 Safety

01

ISOFIX/LATCH lower anchors

Using the ISOFIX/LATCH lower child

seat anchors

To access the anchors:

1. Put the child restraint in position.

WARNING

The ISOFIX/LATCH lower child restraint

anchors are only intended for use with child

seats positioned in the left or right seating

positions.

2. Kneel on the child restraint to press down

the seat cushion and locate the anchors by

feel.

3. Fasten the attachment on the child

restraint's lower straps to the ISOFIX/

LATCH lower anchors.

4. Firmly tension the lower child seat straps

according to the manufacturer's instruc-

tions.

NOTE

Always follow your child seat manufac-

•

turer's installation instructions, and use

both ISOFIX/LATCH lower anchors and

top tethers whenever possible.

Lower anchors for ISOFIX/LATCH-equipped

child seats are located in both rear seating

positions, hidden below the backrest cushions.

Symbols on the seat back upholstery mark the

anchor positions (see the illustration).

WARNING

Fasten the attachment correctly to the ISOFIX/

LATCH lower anchors

Volvo's ISOFIX/LATCH anchors conform to

FMVSS/CMVSS standards. Always refer to

the child restraint system's manual for

weight and size ratings.

WARNING

The center of the rear seat is not a seating

position. This area is not equipped with a

seat belt or ISOFIX/LATCH anchors. No one

should attempt to sit in this position and

child seats should never be placed in the

center of the rear seat.

Be sure to fasten the attachment correctly

to the anchor (see the illustration). If the

attachment is not correctly fastened, the

child restraint may not be properly secured

in the event of a collision.

47

01 Safety

01

Top tether anchors

See page 47 for information on securing the

child restraint to ISOFIX/LATCH lower anchors.

WARNING

Never route a top tether strap over the

•

top or around the head restraint. It

should always be routed under the head

restraint.

Child restraint anchorages are designed

•

to withstand only those loads imposed

by correctly fitted child restraints. Under

no circumstances are they to be used

for adult seat belts or harnesses. The

anchorages are not able to withstand

excessive forces on them in the event of

collision if full harness seat belts or adult

seat belts are installed to them. An adult

who uses a belt anchored in a child

restraint anchorage runs a great risk of

suffering severe injuries should a colli-

sion occur.

Route the strap under the head restraint

Top tether anchorage points

WARNING

Volvo vehicles are equipped with child restraint

top tether anchorages in the rear seating posi-

tions. They are located on the rear sides of the

backrests.

Be sure to fasten the child tether attachment

correctly to the anchor. If it is not correctly

fastened, the child seat may not be properly

restrained in the event of a collision.

Do not install rear speakers that require

•

Using the top tether anchorages

1. Place the child restraint on the rear seat.

the removal of the top tether anchors or

interfere with the proper use of the top

tether strap.

3. Route the top tether strap under the head

restraint and fasten its attachment to the

anchorage.

2. Attach the hook to the anchorage.

4. Firmly tension the top tether strap accord-

ing to the child restraint manufacturer's

instructions. Tension the top tether strap

only after the lower anchor straps or the

seat belt have been firmly tensioned.

48

01 Safety

01

49

Safety for Your Volvo C30 4 Door First Generation (2006-2013)

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