Deploying airbags / seat belt tensioners

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 2006 Volvo S80, 2005 Volvo S80, 2004 Volvo S80, 2003 Volvo S80, and 2002 Volvo S80. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The collision safety system is extremely advanced. It is able to adapt airbag deployment and the activation of the seat belt tensioners to suit the specific circumstances of a collision. In general it is extremely unlikely that all airbags and seat belt tensioners will be deployed in the same accident. It is possible that only one airbag or seat belt tensioners is deployed. This is determined by the supplemental restraint system module (SRS) based on the forces that occur during the collision.

1 stage deployment

On model year 1999-2000 cars, the front airbags had 1 stage deployment.

When the supplemental restraint system (SRS) module deploys the airbags, they are deployed at the same rate.

2 stage deployment

From model year 2001, the front airbags have 2 stage deployment.

If the supplemental restraint system (SRS) module deploys the front airbags, both stages will always be activated. By varying the time between the two deployment phases, the deployment of the airbag is more gentle for a low speed collision.