Volvo V50 (2012 year). Instruction

01 Safety

Seatbelts

General information

G020104

Tensioning the hip strap. The belt must be posi-
tioned low down.

Heavy braking can have serious consequences
if the seatbelts are not used. Ensure that all
passengers use their seatbelts. It is important
that the seatbelt lies against the body so it can
provide maximum protection. Do not lean the
backrest too far back. The seatbelt is designed
to protect in a normal seating position.

Putting on a seatbelt

–

Pull the seatbelt out slowly and secure it by
pressing the buckle into the lock. A loud
"click" indicates that the seatbelt has
locked.

Releasing the seatbelt

–

Press the red lock button and then let the
seatbelt retract. If the seatbelt does not
retract fully, feed the seatbelt in by hand so
that it does not hang loose.

The seatbelt locks and cannot be with-
drawn:

•

if it is pulled out too quickly

•

during braking and acceleration

•

if the car leans heavily.

Keep in mind the following

•

do not use clips or anything else that can
prevent the seatbelt from fitting properly

•

ensure that the seatbelt is not twisted or
caught on anything

•

the hip strap must be positioned low down
(not over the abdomen)

•

tension the hip strap over the lap by pulling
the diagonal shoulder belt as illustrated.

WARNING

The seatbelts and airbags interact. If a seat-
belt is not used or is used incorrectly, this
may diminish the protection provided by the
airbag in the event of a collision.

WARNING

Each seatbelt is designed for only one per-
son.

WARNING

Never modify or repair the seatbelt yourself.
Volvo recommends that you contact an
authorised Volvo workshop. If the seatbelt
has been subjected to a major load, such as
in conjunction with a collision, the entire
seatbelt must be replaced. Some of the
seatbelt's protective properties may have
been lost even if the seatbelt does not
appear damaged. The seatbelt must also be
replaced if it shows signs of wear or dam-
age. The new seatbelt must be type-
approved and designed for installation at
the same location as the replaced seatbelt.

01 Safety

Seatbelts

Seatbelts and pregnancy

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The seatbelt should always be worn during
pregnancy. But it is crucial that it be worn in the
correct way. The diagonal section of the seat-
belt should wrap over the shoulder then be
routed between the breasts and to the side of
the abdomen.

The lap section of the seatbelt should lay flat
over the thighs and as low as possible under
the abdomen. – It must never be allowed to ride
upward. Remove the slack from the seatbelt
and ensure that it fits as close to the body as
possible. In addition, check that there are no
twists in the seatbelt.

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 that they
must be able to easily operate the foot pedals
and steering wheel). They should strive to posi-
tion the seat with as large a distance as possi-
ble between their abdomen and the steering
wheel.

Seatbelt reminder

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Unbelted occupants will be reminded to fasten
their seatbelts by means of an audio and visual
reminder. The audio reminder is speed
dependent, and in some cases time depend-
ent. The visual reminder is located in the roof
console and the combined instrument panel.

Child seats are not covered by the seatbelt
reminder system.

Rear seat

The seatbelt reminder in the rear seat has two
subfunctions:

•

Provides information on which seatbelts
are being used in the rear seat. A message
appears in the information display when
the seatbelts are in use, or if one of the rear
doors has been opened. The message is
cleared automatically after driving for
approximately 30 seconds or after press-
ing the indicator stalk's READ button.

•

Provides a warning if one of the rear seat-
belts is unfastened during a journey. This
warning takes the form of a message on
the information display along with the
audio/visual signal. The warning ceases
when the seatbelt is re-fastened or when
acknowledged manually by pressing the
READ button.

The message on the information display show-
ing which seatbelts are in use is always avail-
able. Press the READ button to see stored
messages.

Certain markets

An audio signal and indicator lamp remind the
driver if not wearing a seatbelt to use one. At
low speed, the audio reminder will sound for
the first 6 seconds.

01 Safety

Seatbelts

Seatbelt tensioner

The front seatbelts and the two for the outer
rear seats are equipped with seatbelt tension-
ers. A mechanism in the seatbelt tensioner
tightens the seatbelt in the event of a suffi-
ciently violent collision. The seatbelt then pro-
vides more effective restraint for occupants.

WARNING

Never insert the tongue of the passenger's
seatbelt into the buckle on the driver's side.
Always insert the tongue of the seatbelt into
the buckle on the correct side. Do not make
any damages on seatbelts nor insert any
foreign objects into a buckle. The seatbelts
and buckles would then possibly not func-
tion as intended in the event of a collision.
There is a risk of serous injury.

01 Safety

Airbag system

Warning symbol on the combined
instrument panel

The warning symbol in the combined instru-
ment panel illuminates when the remote con-
trol key is turned to key position I, II or III. The
symbol goes out after approx. 6 seconds pro-
vided the airbag system is fault-free.

As well as the warning symbol, a
message may appear on the dis-
play in appropriate cases. If the
warning symbol malfunctions, the
warning triangle illuminates and
the message

SRS AIRBAG

SERVICE REQUIRED

SRS

AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT

appears in the display. Volvo rec-

ommends that you contact an authorised
Volvo workshop immediately.

WARNING

If the warning symbol for the airbag system
remains illuminated or illuminates while driv-
ing, it means that the airbag system does
not have full functionality. The symbol indi-
cates a fault in the seatbelt tensioner sys-
tem, SIPS, SRS or the IC system. Volvo rec-
ommends that you contact an authorised
Volvo workshop immediately.

01 Safety

Airbags

Airbag system

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SRS system, left-hand drive

The system consists of airbags and sensors. A
sufficiently violent collision trips the sensors
and the airbag(s) are inflated with hot gas. To
cushion the impact, the airbag deflates when
compressed. When this occurs, smoke
escapes into the car. This is completely nor-
mal. The entire process, including inflation and
deflation of the airbag, takes place within
tenths of a second.

WARNING

Volvo recommends that you contact an
authorised Volvo workshop for repair.
Defective work in the airbag system could
cause malfunction and result in serious per-
sonal injury.

G0201

SRS system, right-hand drive

NOTE

The sensors react differently depending on
the course of the collision and whether or
not the seatbelts on the driver's side and
passenger side are used.

It is therefore possible that only one (or
none) of the airbags may inflate in a colli-
sion. The airbag system senses the force of
the collision on the car and adapts accord-
ingly so that one or more airbags is
deployed.

The capacities of the airbags are also adap-
ted to the collision force to which they are
subjected.

01 Safety

Airbags

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Location of the passenger airbag in left-hand drive
and right-hand drive cars.

WARNING

Do not put objects in front of or above the
instrument panel where the passenger air-
bag is located.

Airbag on the driver's side

The car has an airbag to supplement the pro-
tection afforded by the seatbelt on the driver's
side. It is folded up into the centre of the steer-
ing wheel. The steering wheel is marked SRS
AIRBAG.

WARNING

The seatbelts and airbags interact. If a seat-
belt is not used or is used incorrectly, this
may diminish the protection provided by the
airbag in the event of a collision.

Passenger airbag

The car has an airbag to supplement the pro-
tection afforded by the seatbelt on the passen-
ger side. It is folded up into a compartment
above the glovebox. The cover panel is marked
SRS AIRBAG.

WARNING

To minimise the risk of injury if the airbag
deploys, passengers must sit as upright as
possible with their feet on the floor and back
against the backrest. Seatbelts must be
secured.

WARNING

Never place a child in a child seat or on a
booster cushion in the front seat if the airbag
is activated.

Never allow anybody to stand or sit in front
of the front passenger seat. Children under
140 cm must never sit in the front passenger
seat if the airbag is activated.

Failure to follow the advice given above can
endanger life.

For information on activated/deactivated airbag, see page 22.

01 Safety

Activating/deactivating the airbag*

Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

Key switch off - PACOS*

General information

The airbag for the front passenger seat can be
deactivated if the car is equipped with a switch,
PACOS (Passenger Airbag Cut Off Switch). For
information on how to activate/deactivate, see
under the heading Activating/deactivating.

Key switch off/switch

The switch for the passenger airbag (PACOS)
is located on the passenger end of the instru-
ment panel and is accessible when the pas-
senger door is open, (see under the heading
below, Activating/deactivating).

Check that the switch is in the required posi-
tion. Volvo recommends that the key blade is
used to change position.

For information on the key blade, see
page 127.

WARNING

Failure to follow the advice given above can
endanger life.

WARNING

If the car is equipped with a front passenger
airbag, but does not have a switch (PACOS),
then the airbag will always be activated.

WARNING

Never place a child in a child seat or on a
booster cushion in the front seat if the airbag
is activated and the symbol

in the roof

console is illuminated. Failure to follow this
advice could endanger the life of the child.

WARNING

Do not allow anyone to sit in the front pas-
senger seat if the text message in the roof
console indicates that the airbag is deacti-
vated, and if the warning symbol for the air-
bag system is also displayed on the com-
bined instrument panel. This indicates that
there has been a severe malfunction. Volvo
recommends that you visit an authorised
Volvo workshop as soon as possible.

Activating/deactivating

Switch location

The airbag is activated. With the switch in
this position, children taller than 140 cm
can sit in the front passenger seat, but
never children in a child seat or on a
booster cushion.

The airbag is deactivated. With the switch
in this position, children in a child seat or
on a booster cushion can sit in the front
passenger seat, but never persons taller
than 140 cm.

01 Safety

Activating/deactivating the airbag*

Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.

WARNING

Activated airbag (passenger seat):

Never place a child in a child seat or on a
booster cushion on the front passenger seat
when the airbag is activated. This applies to
everyone shorter than 140 cm.

Deactivated airbag (passenger seat):

No one taller than 140 cm should ever sit in
the front passenger seat when the airbag is
deactivated.

Failure to follow the advice given above can
endanger life.

Messages

G018082

Indicator showing that the passenger airbag is
deactivated.

A text message and a symbol in the roof con-
sole indicate that the airbag for the front pas-
senger seat is deactivated (see preceding illus-
tration).

G018083

Indicator showing that the passenger airbag is
activated.

A warning symbol in the roof console indicates
that the airbag for the front passenger seat is
activated (see preceding illustration).

NOTE

When the remote control key is turned to
key position II or III the warning symbol for
the airbag is displayed on the combined
instrument panel for approx. 6 seconds, see
page 19.

Following which, the indicator in the roof
console is illuminated showing the correct
status for the front passenger seat airbag.
For more information about the different key
positions, see page 154.

01 Safety

Side airbags (SIPS bags)

Side airbag

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Side airbag locations.

In a side impact collision a large proportion of
the collision force is transferred by the SIPS
(Side Impact Protection System) to beams, pil-
lars, the floor, the roof and other structural
parts of the body. The side airbags at the driv-
er's and front passenger seats protect the
chest area and are an important part of the
SIPS. The side airbags are located in the front
seat backrests.

WARNING

•

Volvo recommends that repairs are only
carried out by an authorised Volvo
workshop. Defective work in the SIPS-
bag system could cause malfunction
and result in serious personal injury.

•

Do not place any objects in the area
between the outside of the seat and the
door panel, since this area is required
by the side airbag.

•

Volvo recommends the use only of car
seat covers approved by Volvo. Other
seat covers may impede the operation
of the side airbags.

•

Side airbags are a supplement the seat-
belts. Always use a seatbelt.

Child seats and side airbags

The protection provided by the car to children
seated in a child seat or on a booster cushion
is not diminished by the side airbag.

A child seat or booster cushion can be placed
on the front passenger seat provided that the
car does not have an activated

passenger air-

bag.

Location

Driver's seat, left-hand drive.

For information on activated/deactivated airbag (SRS), see page 22.

01 Safety

Inflatable Curtain (IC)

Properties

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The inflatable curtain IC (Inflatable Curtain) is a
part of SIPS and the airbags. It is fitted in the
headlining along both sides of the roof and
protects the car's occupants sitting in the outer
seats. A sufficiently violent collision trips the
sensors and the inflatable curtain is inflated.
The inflatable curtain helps to prevent the
driver and passengers from striking their heads
on the inside of the car during a collision.

WARNING

Never hang or attach heavy items onto the
handles in the roof. The hook is only
designed for light clothing (not for solid
objects such as umbrellas for example).

Do not screw or install anything onto the
car's headlining, door pillars or side panels.
This could compromise the intended pro-
tection. Volvo recommends that you only
ever use Volvo genuine parts that are
approved for placement in these areas.

WARNING

Do not load the car higher than 50 mm under

the top edge of the side windows. Other-
wise, the intended protection of the inflat-
able curtain, which is concealed in the head-
lining, may be compromised.

WARNING

The inflatable curtain is a supplement to the
seatbelts.

Always use a seatbelt.

01 Safety

WHIPS

Protection against whiplash injury – WHIPS

G020347

The whiplash protection system (WHIPS) con-
sists of energy absorbing backrests and spe-
cially designed head restraints for the front
seats. The system is actuated by a rear-end
collision, where the angle and speed of the col-
lision, and the nature of the colliding vehicle all
have an influence.

WARNING

The WHIPS system is a supplement to the
seatbelts. Always use a seatbelt.

Properties of the seat

When the WHIPS system is deployed, the front
seat backrests are lowered backward to alter
the seating position of the driver and front seat
passenger. This reduces the risk of whiplash
injury.

WARNING

Never modify or repair the seat or WHIPS
system yourself. Volvo recommends that
you contact an authorised Volvo workshop.

WHIPS system and child seats/booster
cushions

The protection provided by the car to children
seated in a child seat or on a booster cushion
is not diminished by the WHIPS system.

Correct seating position

For the best possible protection, the driver and
front seat passenger should sit in the centre of
the seat with as little space as possible
between the head and the head restraint.

01 Safety

WHIPS

Do not obstruct the WHIPS system

G020125

Do not leave any objects on the floor behind the
driver's seat/passenger seat that may prevent the
WHIPS system from functioning.

WARNING

Do not squeeze rigid objects between the
rear seat cushion and the front seat back-
rest. Make sure you do not to obstruct the
function of the WHIPS system.

G020126

Do not place objects in the rear seat that may pre-
vent the WHIPS system from functioning.

WARNING

If a rear seat backrest is folded down, the
corresponding front seat must be moved
forward so that it does not touch the folded
backrest.

WARNING

If a seat has been subjected to extreme
forces, such as due to a rear-end collision,
the WHIPS system must be checked. Volvo
recommends that it is checked by an
authorised Volvo workshop.

Part of the WHIPS system's protective
capacity may have been lost even if the
seats appear to be undamaged.

Volvo recommends that you contact an
authorised Volvo workshop to have the sys-
tem checked even after a minor rear-end
collision.

01 Safety

When the systems deploy

Activating the systems

System

Triggered

Seatbelt tensioner, front seat

In a frontal collision and/or side-impact accident and/or rear-end collision

Seatbelt tensioner, outside rear seat

In a frontal collision

Airbags

In a frontal collision

Side airbags (SIPS)

In a side-impact accident

Inflatable Curtain IC

In a side-impact accident

Whiplash protection WHIPS

In a rear-end collision

The bodywork of the car could be greatly deformed in a collision without airbag deployment. A number of factors such as the rigidity and weight of the object hit, the speed of the car, the angle of
the collision etc. affects how the different safety systems of the car are activated.

If the airbags have been deployed, the follow-
ing is recommended:

•

Recovering the car. Volvo recommends
that you have it conveyed to an authorised
Volvo workshop. Do not drive with
deployed airbags.

•

Volvo recommends that you engage an
authorised Volvo workshop to handle the
replacement of components in the car's
safety systems.

•

Always contact a doctor.

NOTE

The airbag, SIPS, IC and belt tensioner sys-
tems are deployed only once during a colli-
sion

WARNING

The airbag system's control module is
located in the centre console. If the centre
console is drenched with water or other liq-
uid, disconnect the battery cables. Do not
attempt to start the car since the airbags
may deploy. Recovering the car. Volvo rec-
ommends that you have it conveyed to an
authorised Volvo workshop.

WARNING

Never drive with deployed airbags. They
can make steering difficult. Other safety
systems may also be damaged. The smoke
and dust created when the airbags are
deployed can cause skin and eye irritation/
injury after intensive exposure. In case of
irritation, wash with cold water. The rapid
deployment sequence and airbag fabric
may cause friction and skin burns.

01 Safety

Crash mode

Driving after a collision

G029042

If the car is involved in a collision, the text

CRASH MODE SEE MANUAL

may appear on

the information display. This means that the car
has reduced functionality. Crash mode is a
protective state that is enforced when the col-
lision may have damaged any of the car's vital
functions, such as the fuel lines, sensors for
one of the safety systems, or the brake system.

Attempting to start the car

First, check that no fuel is leaking from the car.
There must be no smell of fuel either.

If everything seems normal and you have
checked for indications of fuel leakage, you
may attempt to start the car.

Firstly, remove the remote control key and then
reinsert it. The car's electronics will then try to
reset themselves to normal mode. Then try to
start the car. If

CRASH MODE SEE

MANUAL

is still shown on the display then the

car must not be driven or towed. Even if the car
appears to be driveable, hidden damage may
make the car impossible to control once mov-
ing.

Moving the car

NORMAL MODE

is shown after

CRASH

MODE SEE MANUAL

has been reset, the car

can be moved carefully out of a dangerous
position. Do not move the car further than nec-
essary.

WARNING

Never attempt to repair your car or reset the
electronics yourself if the car has been in
crash mode. This could result in personal
injury or the car not functioning as normal.
Volvo recommends that you always engage
an authorised Volvo workshop to check and
restore the car to

NORMAL MODE

after

CRASH MODE SEE MANUAL

has been

displayed.

WARNING

Never, under any circumstances, attempt to
restart the car if it smells of fuel when the

CRASH MODE SEE MANUAL

message is

displayed. Leave the car at once.

WARNING

If the car is in crash mode it must not be
towed. It must be transported from its loca-
tion. Volvo recommends that you have it
conveyed to an authorised Volvo workshop.

01 Safety

Child safety

Children should sit comfortably and
safely

Volvo recommends that children travel in rear-
facing child seats until as late an age as pos-
sible, at least until 3-4 years of age, and then
front-facing booster cushions/child seats until
up to 10 years of age.

The position of a child in the car and the choice
of equipment are dictated by the child's weight
and size, for more information, see page 33.

NOTE

Regulations regarding the placement of
children in cars vary from country to coun-
try. Check what does apply.

Children of all ages and sizes must always sit
correctly secured in the car. Never allow a child
to sit on the knee of a passenger.

Volvo has child safety equipment (child seats,
booster cushions & attachment devices) which
is designed for your particular car. Using Vol-
vo's child safety equipment provides you with
optimum conditions for your child to travel
safely in the car. Furthermore, the child safety
equipment fits and is easy to use.

NOTE

In the event of questions when fitting child
safety products, contact the manufacturer
for clearer instructions.

Child seats

G020128

Child seats and airbags are not compatible.

NOTE

When using child safety products it is
important to read the installation instruc-
tions included with the product.

Do not attach the straps for the child seat to
the horizontal adjustment bar, springs, rails or
beams under the seat. Sharp edges can dam-
age the straps.

Look in the installation instructions for the child
seat for the correct fitting.

Location of child seats

You may place:

•

a child seat/booster cushion on the front
passenger seat, provided the passenger
airbag is not activated

•

one or more child seats/booster cushions
in the rear seat.

Always fit child seats/booster cushions in the
rear seat if the passenger airbag is activated. A
child in the front passenger seat could suffer
serious injury if the airbag deploys.

For information on activated/deactivated airbag, see page 22.

Volvo V50 (2012 year). Instruction - part 1