SAFETY
38
Side airbag (SIPS)
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 driver's and
front passenger seats protect the chest area and
the hip and are an important part of the SIPS.
The SIPS bag system consists of two main com-
ponents, side airbag and sensors. The side air-
bags are located in the front seat's backrests.
A sufficiently violent collision trips the sensors
and the side airbags are inflated. The airbag
inflates between the occupant and the door
panel and thereby cushions the initial impact. The
airbag deflates when compressed by the collision.
The side airbag is normally only deployed on the
side of the collision.
Driver's seat, left-hand drive.
Front passenger seat, left-hand drive.
WARNING
•Volvo recommends that repairs are only
carried out by an authorised Volvo work-
shop. Defective work in the SIPS-bag
system could cause malfunction and
result in serious personal injury.
•Do not put 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.
SIPS and child seats
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.
Related information
•Driver airbag (p. 34)
•Passenger airbag (p. 34)
•Inflatable Curtain (IC) (p. 39)
