7
Front airbags
Front airbag deployment
• The front airbags are designed to deploy
during certain frontal or front-angular
collisions, impacts, or decelerations,
depending on the crash severity, angle,
speed and object impacted. The airbags may
also deploy in certain non-frontal collisions
where rapid deceleration occurs.
• The SRS sensors, which trigger the front
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 tensioners and/or airbags to be
deployed.
However, not all frontal collisions activate the
front airbags.
• 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.
• Front airbags do not normally deploy in a
side impact collision, in a collision from the
rear or in a rollover situation.
• The amount of damage to the bodywork
does not reliably indicate if the airbags
should have deployed or not.
NOTE:
• Deployment of front airbags occurs only
one time during an accident. In a collision
where deployment occurs, the airbags and
seat belt tensioners activate. 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.
• Volvo's dual-threshold, dual-stage airbags
use special sensors to control deployment.
The point at which the airbag deploys is
determined by whether or not the seat belt is
being used, as well as the severity of the
collision.
• 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 dual-stage airbags are triggered at
70-80% of their total capacity. If the impact
is more severe, the dual-stage airbags are
triggered at full capacity.
Should you have questions about any
component in the SRS system, please contact
a trained and qualified Volvo service
technician or Volvo Customer Support:
In the USA
Volvo Cars of North America
Customer Care Center
P.O. Box 914 Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647-
0914
1-800-458-1552
www.volvocars.us
In Canada
Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd.
National Customer Service
175 Gordon Baker Road
North York, Ontario M2H 2N7
1-800-663-8255
www.volvocanada.com
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 fastened
1
.
• 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 prolonged
exposure.
1
See also the Occupant Weight Sensor
information on page 9.