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VOLVO
V50

pg. 25 Side impact protection (SIPS) airbags

Side impact (SIPS) airbag

Side impact airbags - front seats only
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 consists of airbag modules built into the outboard sides of both front seat backrests, wires and gas generators/sensor units.
The SIPS airbag system is designed to help increase occupant protection in the event of certain side impact collisions. The SIPS airbags are designed to deploy only during certain side-impact collisions, depending on the crash severity, angle, speed and point of impact.

Components in the SIPS airbag system

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 system consists of a gas generator (1), the side airbag (2), and electronic sensors/ cables (3)

WARNING! The SIPS airbag system is a supplement to the Side Impact Protection System and the three-point seat belt system. It is not designed to deploy during collisions from the front or rear of the car or in rollover situations. The use of seat covers on the front seats may impede SIPS airbag deployment. No objects, accessory equipment or stickers may be placed on, attached to or installed near, the SIPS airbag system or in the area affected by SIPS airbag deployment. Never try to open or repair any components of the SIPS airbag system. This should be done only by an authorized Volvo service technician. In order for the SIPS airbag to provide its best protection, both front seat occupants should sit in an upright position with the seat belt properly fastened. Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury to the occupants of the vehicle in the event of an accident.

pg. 26 Volvo Inflatable Curtain (VIC)

The Volvo 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 seats and the occupant of the outboard rear seating positions in certain side impact collisions.
In certain side impacts, both the Inflatable Curtain (VIC) and the Side Impact Airbag System (SIPS-bag) will deploy, whereas, in some cases, only the Inflatable Curtain (VIC) will deploy. In cases where both the VIC and the SIPS-bag deploy, this will occur simultaneously.

NOTE: If the inflatable curtain deploys, it remains inflated for approximately 3 seconds.

pg. 27 Volvo Inflatable Curtain (VIC)

WARNING! The VIC system is a supplement to the Side Impact Protection System. It is not designed to deploy during collisions from the front or rear of the car or in rollover situations. Never try to open or repair any components of the VIC system. This should be done only by an authorized Volvo service technician. The inflatable curtains are designed to deploy only during certain side-impact collisions, depending on the crash severity, angle, speed and impact. The inflatable curtains are not designed to deploy in all side impact situations. In order for the VIC to provide its best protection, both front seat occupants and both outboard rear seat occupants 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 seat. See page 35 for guidelines. Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury to the vehicle occupants in an accident.

pg. 28 WHIPS

Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) - front seats only
The WHIPS system consists of specially designed hinges and brackets on the front seat backrests designed to help absorb some of the energy generated in a collision from the rear (when the vehicle is "rear-ended"). In the event of a collision of this type, the hinges and brackets of the front seat backrests are designed to change position slightly to allow the backrest/head restraint to help support the occupant's head before moving slightly rearward. This movement helps absorb some of the forces that could result in the whiplash effect.

WARNING! The WHIPS system is designed to supplement the other safety systems in your car. For this system to function properly, the three-point seat belt must be worn. Please be aware that no system can prevent all possible injuries that may occur in an accident. If your car has been involved in a rear-end collision, the front seat backrests must be inspected by an authorized Volvo retailer even if the seats appear to be undamaged. Certain components in the WHIPS system may need to be replaced. Do not attempt to service any component in the WHIPS system yourself.

pg. 29 WHIPS

WARNING! If the rear seat backrests are folded down, cargo must be secured to prevent it from sliding forward against the front seat backrests in the event of a collision from the rear. This could interfere with the action of the WHIPS system. The WHIPS system is designed to function in certain collisions from the rear, depending on the crash severity, angle and speed. Occupants in the front seats must never sit out of position. The occupant's back must be as upright as comfort allows and be against the seat back with the seat belt properly fastened.

WARNING! 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. Boxes, suitcases, etc. wedged behind the front seats (see illustration below) could impede the function of the WHIPS system.

pg. 30 Collision status

Driving after a collision
If the car has been involved in a collision, the text CRASH STATUS SEE MANUAL may appear in the information display. This indicates that the car's functionality has been reduced.

NOTE: This text can only be shown if the display is undamaged and the car's electrical system is intact.
COLLISION STATUS is a feature that is triggered if one or more of the safety systems (e.g. front or side airbags, an inflatable curtain, or one or more of the seat belt tensioners) has deployed. The collision may have damaged an important function in the car, such as the fuel lines, sensors for one of the safety systems, the brake system, etc.

WARNING! Never attempt to repair the car yourself or to reset the electrical system after the car has displayed CRASH STATUS SEE MANUAL. This could result in injury or improper system function. Restoring the car to normal operating status should only be done by an authorized Volvo service technician. After CRASH STATUS 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 car. Leave the car immediately.

Attempting to start the car
If damage to the car is minor, and there is no fuel leakage, you may attempt to start the car.
To do so:
1. Remove the ignition key.
2. Reinsert the key in the ignition switch. The car will then attempt to reset COLLISION STATUS to normal status.
3. Try to start the car.

Moving the car
If the electrical system is able to reset system status to normal (CRASH STATUS SEE MANUAL will no longer be shown in the display) the car may be moved carefully from its present position, if for example, it is blocking traffic. It should, however, not be moved farther than is absolutely necessary.

WARNING! Even if the car appears to be drivable after COLLISION STATUS 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 car should be transported on a flatbed tow truck to an authorized Volvo workshop for inspection/repairs.

pg. 31 Inspecting safety system components

Inspection date
1. Driver's side airbag
2. Passenger's side airbag
3. Side airbag on the driver's side
4. Side airbag on the passenger's side
5. Driver's side inflatable curtain
6. Passenger's side inflatable curtain

This is a sample of the decal located in the left rear door opening.

pg. 32 Child safety

Children should be seated safely
Volvo recommends the proper use of restraint systems for all occupants including children. Remember that, regardless of age and size, a child should always be properly restrained in a car.

Your car is also equipped with ISOFIX/ LATCH attachments, which make it more convenient to install child seats.

Restraint systems for children are designed to be secured in the vehicle by lap belts or the lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt. Such child restraint systems can help protect children in cars in the event of an accident only if they are used properly. However, children could be endangered in a crash if the child restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle. Failure to follow the installation instructions for your child restraint can result in your child striking the vehicle's interior in a sudden stop.

Holding a child in your arms is NOT a suitable substitute for a child restraint system. In an accident, a child held in a person's arms can be crushed between the vehicle's interior and an unrestrained person. The child could also be injured by striking the interior, or by being ejected from the vehicle during a sudden maneuver or impact. The same can also happen if the infant or child rides unrestrained on the seat. Other occupants should also be properly restrained to help reduce the chance of injuring or increasing the injury of a child.

All states and provinces have legislation governing how and where children should be carried in a car. Find out the regulations existing in your state or province. Recent accident statistics have shown that children are safer in rear seating positions than front seating positions when properly restrained. A child restraint system can help protect a child in a vehicle. Here's what to look for when selecting a child restraint system:

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 33). 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.

pg. 33 Child safety

A specially designed and tested booster cushion (not available in Canada) can be obtained from your Volvo retailer for children weighing 33 - 80 lb. (15 - 36 kg) and 38-54 inches (97 - 137 cm) in height.

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.

ISOFIX/LATCH anchors
Lower anchors for ISOFIX-equipped child seats are located in the rear, outboard seats, hidden below the backrest cushions. Symbols on the seat back upholstery mark the anchor positions as shown. To access the anchors, kneel on the seat cushion and locate the anchors by feel. Always follow your child seat manufacturer's installation instructions, and use both ISOFIX lower anchors and top tethers whenever possible.

Integrated booster cushion
Volvo's optional integrated booster cushions are located in the outboard seating positions. These booster cushions have been specially designed to help safeguard a child seated in the rear seat. These seats should be stowed (folded down into the seat cushion) before installing accessory child seats. When using an integrated booster cushion, the child must be secured with the vehicle's three-point seat belt.
Use this booster cushion only with children who weigh between 33 and 80 lbs (15 and 36 kg) and whose height is between 38 and 54 in (97 and 137 cm).

pg. 34 Child safety

The child should be properly seated on the booster cushion. The hip section of the three-point seat belt must fit snugly across the child's hips, not across the stomach. The shoulder section of the three-point seat belt should be positioned across the chest and shoulder (see illustration). The shoulder belt must never be placed behind the child's back or under the arm.

Folding up an integrated booster cushion
1. Pull the handle at the front of the cushion forward.
2. With both hands push the cushion rearward.
3. Push the cushion until it locks in place.

Folding down an integrated booster cushion
1. Pull the handle at the front of the cushion forward.
2. Push the cushion forward/downward.

NOTE: Canada only: This cushion may be referred to as a built-in booster cushion.

WARNING! The booster cushion should be cleaned while in place in the vehicle if possible. If not, please consult your Volvo retailer.

WARNING! DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur Follow all instructions on the booster cushion and in the vehicle's owner's manual. MAKE SURE THE BOOSTER CUSHION IS SECURELY LOCKED BEFORE THE CHILD IS SEATED. Use this booster cushion only with children who weigh between 33 and 80 lbs (15 and 36 kg) and whose height is between 38 and 54 in (97 and 137 cm). In the event of a collision while the integrated booster cushion was occupied, the entire booster cushion and seat belt must be replaced. The booster cushion should also be replaced if it is badly worn or damaged in any way. This work should be performed by an authorized Volvo retailer only.

pg. 35 Child safety

Child restraint anchorages
Volvo cars are equipped with child restraint top tether anchorages in the rear seat. Refer to the child seat manufacturer's instructions for information on securing the child seat.

WARNING! 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 collision occur. Do not install rear speakers that require the removal of the top tether anchors or interfere with the proper use of the top tether strap.

Automatic Locking Retractor/ Emergency Locking Retractor
To make child seat installation easier, each seat belt (except for the driver's belt) is equipped with a locking mechanism to help keep the seat belt taut. When attaching the seat belt to a child seat:

Volvo recommends that ALL occupants (adults and children) shorter than four feet seven inches (140 cm) be seated in the back seat of any vehicle with a front passenger side airbag.

Drive safely!

1. If a child is to be seated in the front passenger's seat, please refer to the information in the section "Disabling the passenger's side airbag" on page 18.

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