2021 Polestar 1 Airbags
Airbags
- If the warning light for the airbags remains illuminated after the engine is started or if it lights up while you are driving, contact Polestar Customer Support as soon as possible.
- Never attempt to alter or repair any of the vehicle’s safety systems yourself. Incorrectly performed repairs to any system could impair function and lead to serious injury. Contact Polestar Customer Support.
If your vehicle has become water-damaged in any way (e.g., soaked floor mats/standing water on the floor of the vehicle), do not attempt to start the engine. This may cause airbag deployment, which could result in serious injury. Contact Polestar Customer Support.
Before attempting to tow the vehicle:
- Switch off the ignition for at least 10 minutes and disconnect the battery.
- Follow the instructions for manually overriding the shiftlock system.
Deployed airbags
If any of the airbags have deployed:
- Do not attempt to drive the vehicle. Contact Polestar Customer Support.
- If necessary, seek medical attention.
Driver/passenger-side front airbags
Driver/passenger-side front airbags.
In a frontal collision, the airbags help protect the driver’s and passenger’s head, neck, face and chest and the driver’s knees and legs.
A collision of a sufficiently violent force will trigger the sensors and one or more airbags will inflate. The airbag helps cushion the initial impact of the collision for the passenger. The airbag deflates when compressed by the collision. A small amount of powder will also be released from the airbag. This may appear to be smoke and is normal. The entire process, from inflation to deflation of the airbag, occurs within tenths of a second.
The sensors react differently depending on the circumstances of the accident and whether or not the seat belt is used. This applies to all belt positions.
In some accident situations, only one (or none) of the airbags will be deployed. The sensors monitor the impact of the collision and react accordingly to deploy one, several or no airbags.
The seat belt and the airbag work together. If the seat belt is not used or is used incorrectly, the airbag may not provide the intended protection in a collision.
To help prevent injury in the event the airbag is deployed, passengers should sit as upright as possible, with their feet on the floor and their backs against the seat backrest.
Contact Polestar Customer Support for repairs. Incorrectly performed repairs to the airbag system could impair function and lead to serious injury.
The front airbag system
The front airbag system includes gas generators surrounded by the airbags, and deceleration sensors that activate the gas generators, causing the airbags to be inflated with nitrogen gas.
As the movement of the seats’ occupants compresses the airbags, some of the gas is expelled at a controlled rate to provide better cushioning. The belt tensioners minimize slack in the seat belts and are activated for occupants wearing their seat belts. The entire process, from inflation to deflation of the airbag, occurs within tenths of a second.
The location of the front airbags is indicated by SRS AIRBAG embossed on the steering wheel pad and above the glove compartment, and by decals on both sun visors and on the front and far right side of the dash.
The driver’s side front airbag is folded and located in the steering wheel hub.
The knee airbag is folded on the underside of the dashboard on the driver’s side. The text AIRBAG is embossed on the panel.
The passenger’s side front airbag is folded behind a panel located above the glove compartment.
- The airbags in the vehicle are designed to be a SUPPLEMENT to-not a replacement for-the three-point seat belts. For maximum protection, wear seat belts at all times. Be aware that no system can prevent all possible injuries that may occur in an accident.
- Never drive with your hands on the steering wheel pad/airbag housing.
- The front airbags are designed to help prevent serious injury. Deployment occurs very quickly and with considerable force. During normal deployment and depending on variables such as seating position, one may experience abrasions, bruises, swellings, or other injuries as a result of deployment of one or both of the airbags.
- When installing any accessory equipment, make sure that the front airbag system is not damaged. Any interference in the system could cause malfunction.
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 airbag system’s sensors, which trigger the front airbags, are designed to determine if the collision is powerful enough to activate the belt tensioners and/or the airbags.
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.
- The front airbags and seat belt tensioners may be activated in a collision. The airbags are only deployed one time during an accident. 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.
- Polestar’s front airbags use special sensors that are integrated with the front seat belt buckles. 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 airbags are triggered at partial capacity. If the impact is more severe, the airbags are triggered at full capacity.
- Do not use child safety seats or child booster cushions/backrests in the front passenger’s seat. We also recommend that occupants under 140 cm (4 feet 7 inches) in height who have outgrown these devices sit in the rear seat with the seat belt fastened. See also the Occupant Weight Sensor information.
- 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.
If you have questions about any component in the supplemental restraint system, contact Polestar Customer Support or:
In the USA:
Polestar Automotive USA Inc.|
Customer Care Center
1 Volvo Drive
P.O. Box 914
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647
1-800-806-2504
www.polestar.com/us
In Canada:
Polestar Automotive Canada Inc.
9130 Leslie Street, Suite 101
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 0B9
1-800-806-2507
www.polestar.com/ca
- Children must never be allowed in the front passenger’s seat.
- Occupants in the front passenger’s seat must never sit on the edge of the seat, sit leaning toward the instrument panel or otherwise 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.
- Feet must be on the floor, e.g., not on the dash, seat or out of the window.
- No objects or accessory equipment, e.g. dashboard covers, may be placed on, attached to, or installed near the air bag cover (the area above the glove compartment) or the area affected by airbag deployment.
- There should be no loose articles, such as coffee cups on the floor, seat, or dashboard area.
- Never try to open the airbag cover on the steering wheel or the passenger’s side dashboard. This should only be done by a trained and qualified service technician.
- Failure to follow these instructions can result in injury to the vehicle’s occupants.
Inflatable curtain
The inflatable curtains are installed along both sides of the inside of the roof and help protect the driver and passengers. IC AIRBAG is embossed on the panels.
A collision of a sufficiently violent force will trigger the sensors and the inflatable curtain will inflate.
Near-side airbags
The near-side airbags, on the driver’s and passenger sides, protect the chest and hips in a collision.
The near-side airbags are located in the front seats’ outer backrest frames and help protect the driver and front seat passenger.
A collision of a sufficiently violent force will trigger the sensors and one or more near-side airbags will inflate. The side airbags inflate between the seat occupant and the door panel to help cushion the initial impact of the collision. The airbag deflates when compressed by the collision. The near-side airbag normally only inflates for the seat on the opposite side of the impact side.
Contact Polestar Customer Support for repairs. Incorrectly performed repairs to the side airbag system could impair function and lead to serious injury.
Do not place any objects in the area between the outer edges of the seats and the door panels, as this could impair the function of the side airbags.
Polestar recommends only using Polestar-approved seat covers. Other seat covers could prevent the side airbags from functioning properly.
The side airbag is a supplement to the seat belt. Always wear your seat belt.
Occupant weight sensor
Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS) indicator light
Disabling the passenger’s side front airbag
Polestar recommends that all occupants (adults and children) shorter than 140 cm (4 feet 7 inches) be seated in the rear seat of any vehicle with a front passenger side airbag and be properly restrained for their size and weight.
The OWS works with sensors that are part of the front passenger’s seat and seat belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly seated occupant and determine if the passenger’s side front airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or disabled (will not inflate).
The OWS will disable (will not inflate) the passenger’s side front airbag when:
- the front passenger’s seat is unoccupied, or has small/medium objects in the front seat,
- the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant seat that is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions,
- the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing child restraint that is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions,
- the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat,
- a child or a small person occupies the front passenger’s seat.
The OWS uses a PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp which will illuminate and stay on to remind you that the passenger’s side front airbag is disabled. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is located in the overhead console, near the base of the rearview mirror.
When the ignition is switched on, the OWS indicator light will illuminate for several seconds while the system performs a self-diagnostic test.
However, if a fault is detected in the system:
- The OWS indicator light will stay on
- The SRS warning light will come on and stay on and a text message will be displayed.
If a fault in the system is detected and indicated as described, be aware that the passenger’s side front airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. In this case, the SRS system and Occupant Weight Sensor should be inspected by a trained and qualified service technician as soon as possible.
- Never try to open, remove or repair any components in the OWS system. This could cause the system to malfunction. Maintenance or repairs should only be carried out by a trained and qualified service technician.
- The front passenger’s seat should not be modified in any way. This could reduce pressure on the seat cushion, which might interfere with the OWS system’s function.
| Passenger’s seat occupancy status | OWS indicator light status | Passenger’s side front airbag status |
|---|---|---|
| Seat unoccupied | OWS indicator light lights up | Passenger’s side front airbag disabled |
|
Seat occupied by low weight occupant/object |
OWS indicator light lights up | Passenger’s side front airbag disabled |
| Seat occupied by heavy occupant/object | OWS indicator light is not lit | Passenger’s side front airbag enabled |
The OWS is designed to enable (may inflate) the passenger’s side front airbag in the event of a collision anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the front passenger’s seat. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp will be off and remain off.
If a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, but the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is on, it is possible that the person isn’t sitting properly in the seat. If this happens:
- Turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the backrest in an upright position.
- Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person’s legs comfortably extended.
- Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the system to detect that person and enable the passenger’s frontal airbag.
- If the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp remains on even after this, the person should be advised to ride in the rear seat.
This indicates limitations in OWS classification capability. It does not indicate OWS malfunction.
Modifications
If you are considering modifying your vehicle in any way to accommodate a disability, for example by altering or adapting the driver’s or front passenger’s seat(s) and/or airbag systems, please contact Polestar Customer Support or:
In the USA:
Polestar Automotive USA Inc.
Customer Care Center
1 Volvo Drive
P.O. Box 914
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647
1-800-806-2504
www.polestar.com/us
In Canada:
Polestar Automotive Canada Inc.
9130 Leslie Street, Suite 101
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 0B9
1-800-806-2507
www.polestar.com/ca
- No objects that add to the total weight on the seat should be placed on the front passenger’s seat. If a child is seated in the front passenger’s seat with any additional weight, this extra weight could cause the OWS system to enable the airbag, which might cause it to deploy in the event of a collision, thereby injuring the child.
- The seat belt should never be wrapped around an object on the front passenger’s seat. This could interfere with the OWS system’s function.
- The front passenger’s seat belt should never be used in a way that exerts more pressure on the passenger than normal. This could increase the pressure exerted on the weight sensor by a child, and could result in the airbag being enabled, which might cause it to deploy in the event of a collision, thereby injuring the child.
- Keep the following points in mind with respect to the OWS system. Failure to follow these instructions could adversely affect the system’s function and result in serious injury to the occupant of the front passenger’s seat:
- The full weight of the front seat passenger should always be on the seat cushion. The passenger should never lift him/herself off the seat cushion using the armrest in the door or the center console, by pressing the feet on the floor, by sitting on the edge of the seat cushion, or by pressing against the backrest in a way that reduces pressure on the seat cushion. This could cause OWS to disable the front, passenger’s side airbag.
- Do not place any type of object on the front passenger’s seat in such a way that jamming, pressing, or squeezing occurs between the object and the front seat, other than as a direct result of the correct use of the Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) seat belt.
- No objects should be placed under the front passenger’s seat. This could interfere with the OWS system’s function.
Contact Polestar Customer Support for repairs. Incorrectly performed repairs to the inflatable curtain system could impair function and lead to serious injury.
Never screw or mount anything to the vehicle’s headlining, door pillars or side panels. This could impair the intended protective properties. Polestar recommends only using original Polestar parts that are approved for placement in these areas.
If objects are loaded higher than the upper edge of the side windows, leave a 10 cm (4 in.) space between the objects and the window. Objects placed closer to this could impede the function of the inflatable curtain concealed inside the headlining.
The inflatable curtain is a supplement to the seat belt. Always wear your seat belt.
Near-side airbags
The near-side airbags are located in the front seats’ outer backrest frames and help protect the driver and front seat passenger.
A collision of a sufficiently violent force will trigger the sensors and one or more near-side airbags will inflate. The side airbags inflate between the seat occupant and the door panel to help cushion the initial impact of the collision. The airbag deflates when compressed by the collision. The near-side airbag normally only inflates for the seat on the opposite side of the impact side.
Contact Polestar Customer Support for repairs. Incorrectly performed repairs to the side airbag system could impair function and lead to serious injury.
Occupant weight sensor
Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS) indicator light
Disabling the passenger’s side front airbag
Polestar recommends that all occupants (adults and children) shorter than 140 cm (4 feet 7 inches) be seated in the rear seat of any vehicle with a front passenger side airbag and be properly restrained for their size and weight.
The OWS works with sensors that are part of the front passenger’s seat and seat belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly seated occupant and determine if the passenger’s side front airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or disabled (will not inflate).
The OWS will disable (will not inflate) the passenger’s side front airbag when:
- the front passenger’s seat is unoccupied, or has small/medium objects in the front seat,
- the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant seat that is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions,
- the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing child restraint that is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions,
- the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat,
- a child or a small person occupies the front passenger’s seat.
The OWS uses a PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp which will illuminate and stay on to remind you that the passenger’s side front airbag is disabled. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is located in the overhead console, near the base of the rearview mirror.
When the ignition is switched on, the OWS indicator light will illuminate for several seconds while the system performs a self-diagnostic test.
However, if a fault is detected in the system:
- The OWS indicator light will stay on
- The SRS warning light will come on and stay on and a text message will be displayed.
If a fault in the system is detected and indicated as described, be aware that the passenger’s side front airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. In this case, the SRS system and Occupant Weight Sensor should be inspected by a trained and qualified service technician as soon as possible.
- Never try to open, remove or repair any components in the OWS system. This could cause the system to malfunction. Maintenance or repairs should only be carried out by a trained and qualified service technician.
- The front passenger’s seat should not be modified in any way. This could reduce pressure on the seat cushion, which might interfere with the OWS system’s function.
| Passenger’s seat occupancy status | OWS indicator light status | Passenger’s side front airbag status |
|---|---|---|
| Seat unoccupied | OWS indicator light lights up | Passenger’s side front airbag disabled |
|
Seat occupied by low weight occupant/object |
OWS indicator light lights up | Passenger’s side front airbag disabled |
| Seat occupied by heavy occupant/object | OWS indicator light is not lit | Passenger’s side front airbag enabled |
The OWS is designed to enable (may inflate) the passenger’s side front airbag in the event of a collision anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the front passenger’s seat. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp will be off and remain off.
If a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, but the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is on, it is possible that the person isn’t sitting properly in the seat. If this happens:
- Turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the backrest in an upright position.
- Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person’s legs comfortably extended.
- Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the system to detect that person and enable the passenger’s frontal airbag.
- If the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp remains on even after this, the person should be advised to ride in the rear seat.
This indicates limitations in OWS classification capability. It does not indicate OWS malfunction.
Modifications
If you are considering modifying your vehicle in any way to accommodate a disability, for example by altering or adapting the driver’s or front passenger’s seat(s) and/or airbag systems, please contact Polestar Customer Support or:
In the USA:
Polestar Automotive USA Inc.
Customer Care Center
1 Volvo Drive
P.O. Box 914
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647
1-800-806-2504
www.polestar.com/us
In Canada:
Polestar Automotive Canada Inc.
9130 Leslie Street, Suite 101
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 0B9
1-800-806-2507
www.polestar.com/ca
- No objects that add to the total weight on the seat should be placed on the front passenger’s seat. If a child is seated in the front passenger’s seat with any additional weight, this extra weight could cause the OWS system to enable the airbag, which might cause it to deploy in the event of a collision, thereby injuring the child.
- The seat belt should never be wrapped around an object on the front passenger’s seat. This could interfere with the OWS system’s function.
- The front passenger’s seat belt should never be used in a way that exerts more pressure on the passenger than normal. This could increase the pressure exerted on the weight sensor by a child, and could result in the airbag being enabled, which might cause it to deploy in the event of a collision, thereby injuring the child.
- Keep the following points in mind with respect to the OWS system. Failure to follow these instructions could adversely affect the system’s function and result in serious injury to the occupant of the front passenger’s seat:
- The full weight of the front seat passenger should always be on the seat cushion. The passenger should never lift him/herself off the seat cushion using the armrest in the door or the center console, by pressing the feet on the floor, by sitting on the edge of the seat cushion, or by pressing against the backrest in a way that reduces pressure on the seat cushion. This could cause OWS to disable the front, passenger’s side airbag.
- Do not place any type of object on the front passenger’s seat in such a way that jamming, pressing, or squeezing occurs between the object and the front seat, other than as a direct result of the correct use of the Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) seat belt.
- No objects should be placed under the front passenger’s seat. This could interfere with the OWS system’s function.
Do not place any objects in the area between the outer edges of the seats and the door panels, as this could impair the function of the side airbags.
Polestar recommends only using Polestar-approved seat covers. Other seat covers could prevent the side airbags from functioning properly.
The side airbag is a supplement to the seat belt. Always wear your seat belt.
Occupant weight sensor
Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS) indicator light
Disabling the passenger’s side front airbag
Polestar recommends that all occupants (adults and children) shorter than 140 cm (4 feet 7 inches) be seated in the rear seat of any vehicle with a front passenger side airbag and be properly restrained for their size and weight.
The OWS works with sensors that are part of the front passenger’s seat and seat belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly seated occupant and determine if the passenger’s side front airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or disabled (will not inflate).
The OWS will disable (will not inflate) the passenger’s side front airbag when:
- the front passenger’s seat is unoccupied, or has small/medium objects in the front seat,
- the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant seat that is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions,
- the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing child restraint that is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions,
- the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat,
- a child or a small person occupies the front passenger’s seat.
The OWS uses a PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp which will illuminate and stay on to remind you that the passenger’s side front airbag is disabled. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is located in the overhead console, near the base of the rearview mirror.
When the ignition is switched on, the OWS indicator light will illuminate for several seconds while the system performs a self-diagnostic test.
However, if a fault is detected in the system:
- The OWS indicator light will stay on
- The SRS warning light will come on and stay on and a text message will be displayed.
If a fault in the system is detected and indicated as described, be aware that the passenger’s side front airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. In this case, the SRS system and Occupant Weight Sensor should be inspected by a trained and qualified service technician as soon as possible.
- Never try to open, remove or repair any components in the OWS system. This could cause the system to malfunction. Maintenance or repairs should only be carried out by a trained and qualified service technician.
- The front passenger’s seat should not be modified in any way. This could reduce pressure on the seat cushion, which might interfere with the OWS system’s function.
| Passenger’s seat occupancy status | OWS indicator light status | Passenger’s side front airbag status |
|---|---|---|
| Seat unoccupied | OWS indicator light lights up | Passenger’s side front airbag disabled |
|
Seat occupied by low weight occupant/object |
OWS indicator light lights up | Passenger’s side front airbag disabled |
| Seat occupied by heavy occupant/object | OWS indicator light is not lit | Passenger’s side front airbag enabled |
The OWS is designed to enable (may inflate) the passenger’s side front airbag in the event of a collision anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the front passenger’s seat. The PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp will be off and remain off.
If a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, but the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp is on, it is possible that the person isn’t sitting properly in the seat. If this happens:
- Turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the backrest in an upright position.
- Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person’s legs comfortably extended.
- Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the system to detect that person and enable the passenger’s frontal airbag.
- If the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp remains on even after this, the person should be advised to ride in the rear seat.
This indicates limitations in OWS classification capability. It does not indicate OWS malfunction.
Modifications
If you are considering modifying your vehicle in any way to accommodate a disability, for example by altering or adapting the driver’s or front passenger’s seat(s) and/or airbag systems, please contact Polestar Customer Support or:
In the USA:
Polestar Automotive USA Inc.
Customer Care Center
1 Volvo Drive
P.O. Box 914
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647
1-800-806-2504
www.polestar.com/us
In Canada:
Polestar Automotive Canada Inc.
9130 Leslie Street, Suite 101
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 0B9
1-800-806-2507
www.polestar.com/ca
- No objects that add to the total weight on the seat should be placed on the front passenger’s seat. If a child is seated in the front passenger’s seat with any additional weight, this extra weight could cause the OWS system to enable the airbag, which might cause it to deploy in the event of a collision, thereby injuring the child.
- The seat belt should never be wrapped around an object on the front passenger’s seat. This could interfere with the OWS system’s function.
- The front passenger’s seat belt should never be used in a way that exerts more pressure on the passenger than normal. This could increase the pressure exerted on the weight sensor by a child, and could result in the airbag being enabled, which might cause it to deploy in the event of a collision, thereby injuring the child.
- Keep the following points in mind with respect to the OWS system. Failure to follow these instructions could adversely affect the system’s function and result in serious injury to the occupant of the front passenger’s seat:
- The full weight of the front seat passenger should always be on the seat cushion. The passenger should never lift him/herself off the seat cushion using the armrest in the door or the center console, by pressing the feet on the floor, by sitting on the edge of the seat cushion, or by pressing against the backrest in a way that reduces pressure on the seat cushion. This could cause OWS to disable the front, passenger’s side airbag.
- Do not place any type of object on the front passenger’s seat in such a way that jamming, pressing, or squeezing occurs between the object and the front seat, other than as a direct result of the correct use of the Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) seat belt.
- No objects should be placed under the front passenger’s seat. This could interfere with the OWS system’s function.