2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Airbags
Airbags
The car is equipped with a number of different airbags in order to assist in protecting driver and passengers.
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 accordingly so that none, one or more airbags are deployed.
The airbag system’s control module is located in the centre console. If the centre console is drenched with water or other liquid, disconnect the cables to the starter battery. Do not attempt to start the car since the airbags may deploy. Recovering the car. Volvo recommends that it is transported to an authorised Volvo workshop.
Deployed airbags
If any of the airbags have deployed, the following is recommended:
- Recovering the car. Volvo recommends that it is transported to an authorised Volvo workshop. Do not drive with deployed airbags.
- Volvo recommends engaging an authorised Volvo workshop to handle the replacement of components in the car’s safety systems.
- Seek medical attention if necessary.
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 intensive exposure. In case of irritation, wash with cold water. The rapid deployment sequence and airbag fabric may cause friction and skin burns.
Driver airbags
As a supplement to the seatbelts, the car is equipped with steering wheel airbag 
The car is only equipped with knee airbag in certain markets. and knee airbag on the driver’s side.
Steering wheel airbag and knee airbag The car is only equipped with knee airbag in certain markets. on the driver’s side in the front seat.
In the event of a frontal collision, the airbags help to protect the head, neck, face and chest of the driver as well as the knees and legs.
A sufficiently violent collision trips the sensors and the airbag/airbags is inflated. 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 deflation of the airbag, occurs within tenths of a second.
The seatbelts and airbags interact. If the belt is not used or is used incorrectly, this may diminish the protection provided by the airbag in the event of a collision.
To minimise the risk of injury if the airbag deploys, passengers must sit as upright as possible with their feet on the floor and backs against the backrest.
Volvo recommends that an authorised Volvo workshop should be contacted for repair. Defective work in the airbag system could cause malfunction and result in serious personal injury.
Steering wheel airbag location
This airbag is fitted into the centre of the steering wheel. The steering wheel is marked AIRBAG.
Knee airbag location
The airbag is folded up in the lower part of the instrument panel on the driver’s side. Its cover panel is marked AIRBAG.
Do not place or attach any object on the top or front of the panel where the knee airbag is stowed.
Passenger airbag
As a supplement to the seatbelts, the vehicle is equipped with an airbag on the passenger side in the front seat.
Passenger side front airbag.
In the event of a frontal collision, the airbag helps to protect the head, neck, face and chest of the passenger as well as the knees and legs.
A sufficiently violent collision trips the sensors and the airbag is inflated. 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 deflation of the airbag, occurs within tenths of a second.
The seatbelts and airbags interact. If the belt is not used or is used incorrectly, this may diminish the protection provided by the airbag in the event of a collision.
To minimise the risk of injury if the airbag deploys, passengers must sit as upright as possible with their feet on the floor and backs against the backrest.
Volvo recommends that an authorised Volvo workshop should be contacted for repair. Defective work in the airbag system could cause malfunction and result in serious personal injury.
Passenger airbag location
The airbag is folded up into a compartment above the glovebox. Its cover panel is marked AIRBAG.
Label for passenger airbag
Label on the passenger side’s sun visor.
The warning label for the passenger airbag is positioned as shown above.
If the car is not equipped with a switch to activate/deactivate the passenger airbag, the airbag will always be activated.
Never use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat if the airbag is activated.
Front-facing passengers (children and adults) must never sit on the front passenger seat if the passenger airbag is deactivated.
Failure to follow the advice given above can endanger life or lead to serious personal injury.
NEVER use a rearward facing child restraint on a seat protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front of it, DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILD can occur.
Activating and deactivating passenger airbag
The passenger airbag can be deactivated if the car is equipped with a switch, Passenger Airbag Cut Off Switch (PACOS).
The switch for the passenger airbag is located on the passenger end of the instrument panel and is accessible when the passenger door is open.
Check that the switch is in the required position.
ON – the airbag is activated and all front-facing passengers (children and adults) can sit safely on the passenger seat.
OFF – the airbag is deactivated and children in rear-facing child seats can sit safely on the passenger seat.
Warning
If the car is not equipped with a switch to activate/deactivate the passenger airbag, the airbag will always be activated.
Activating passenger airbag
- Pull the switch outward and turn from OFF to ON.
- The driver display shows the message Passenger airbag on.
Note
If the passenger airbag has been activated/deactivated before the car has been started, the message in the driver display is shown and the following indication is given in the roof console approx. 6 seconds after the car has been started.
- The driver display shows the message Passenger airbag on.
- Confirm the message by pressing the right-hand steering wheel keypad’s O button.
- A text message and a warning symbol in the roof console indicate that the airbag for the front passenger seat is activated.
WarningNever use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat when the airbag is activated.
The passenger airbag must always be activated when front-facing passengers (children and adults) are sitting in the front passenger seat.
Failure to follow the advice given above can endanger life or lead to serious personal injury.
Deactivating passenger airbag
- Pull the switch outward and turn from ON to OFF.
- The driver display shows the message Passenger airbag off.
Note
If the passenger airbag has been activated/deactivated before the car has been started, the message in the driver display is shown and the following indication is given in the roof console approx. 6 seconds after the car has been started.
- The driver display shows the message Passenger airbag off.
- Confirm the message by pressing the right-hand steering wheel keypad’s O button.
- A text message and a symbol in the roof console indicate that the airbag for the front passenger seat is deactivated.
Failure to follow the advice given above can endanger life or lead to serious personal injury.
If the passenger airbag is deactivated, the electric seatbelt tensioner on the passenger side will also be deactivated.
Inflatable curtains
The inflatable curtain, Inflatable Curtain (IC), helps to prevent the driver and passengers from striking their heads on the inside of the car during a collision.
The inflatable curtain is mounted along both sides of the headlining and helps protect the driver and outer seat passengers of the car. The panels are labelled with IC AIRBAG.
A sufficiently violent collision trips the sensors and the inflatable curtain is inflated.
Volvo recommends that an authorised Volvo workshop should be contacted for repair. Defective work in the inflatable curtain system can cause malfunction and result in serious personal injury.
Do not screw or install anything onto the car’s headlining, door pillars or side panels. This could compromise the intended protection. Volvo recommends only using Volvo genuine parts that are approved for fitting within these areas.
Leave 10 cm (4 inches) space between the load and the side windows if the car is loaded to above the top edge of the door windows. Otherwise, the intended protection of the inflatable curtain, which is concealed in the headlining, may be compromised.
The inflatable curtain is a supplement to the seatbelts. Always use a seatbelt.
Far-side airbags
The far-side airbags on the driver’s and passenger seats act to protect the head, the chest, and hips in the event of a collision.
The far-side airbags are fitted in the inner backrest frames of the front seats and help to protect the driver and passengers in the front seat. The seat is marked AIRBAG.
A sufficiently violent collision trips the sensors and the far-side airbag is inflated. The airbag inflates between the occupant and the tunnel console and thereby cushions the initial impact. The far-side airbag is normally only deployed for the seat on the opposite side to the collision.
Volvo recommends that an authorised Volvo workshop should be contacted for repair. Defective work in the side airbag system could cause malfunction and result in serious personal injury.
Do not put objects in the area between the inside of the seat and the tunnel console, 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 seatbelts. Always use a seatbelt.
Side airbags 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.
Near-side airbags
The near-side airbags on the driver’s and passenger seats act to protect the chest and hips in the event of a collision.
The near-side airbags are fitted in the outer backrest frames of the front seats and help to protect the driver and passengers in the front seat.
A sufficiently violent collision trips the sensors and the near-side airbag is 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 near-side airbag is normally only deployed on the side of the collision.
Volvo recommends that an authorised Volvo workshop should be contacted for repair. Defective work in the side airbag system could cause malfunction and result in serious personal injury.
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 seatbelts. Always use a seatbelt.
Side airbags 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.