Airbag system viewed from above, right-hand-drive car.
The system consists of airbags and sensors. A
sufficiently violent collision trips the sensors and
the airbag(s) are inflated and become hot. The
airbag cushions the initial collision impact for the
occupant. The airbag deflates when compressed
by the collision. When this occurs, smoke
escapes into the car. This is completely normal.
The entire process, including inflation and defla-
tion of the airbag, occurs within tenths of a sec-
ond.
If the airbags have deployed, the following is rec-
ommended:
•Recovering the car. Volvo recommends that
you have it conveyed to an authorised Volvo
workshop. Do not drive with deployed air-
bags.
•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.
WARNING
The airbag system's control module is located
in the centre console. If the centre console is
drenched with water or other liquid, discon-
nect the battery cables. Do not attempt to
start the car since the airbags may deploy.
Recovering the car. Volvo recommends 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 inten-
sive exposure. In case of irritation, wash with
cold water. The rapid deployment sequence
and airbag fabric may cause friction and skin
burns.
WARNING
Volvo recommends that you contact an
authorised Volvo workshop for repair. Defec-
tive work in the airbag system could cause
malfunction and result in serious personal
injury.
NOTE
The detectors react differently depending on
the nature of the collision and whether or not
the seatbelts are fastened. Applies to all belt
positions.
It is therefore possible that only one (or none)
of the airbags may inflate in a collision. The
detectors sense the force of the collision on
the vehicle and the action is adapted accord-
ingly so that one or more airbags are
deployed.
