Volvo V 90 Cross Country, Owner'S Manual, Page: 59 / 594

SAFETY
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* Option/accessory. 57
cle as they drive (which means that they must be
able to easily operate the foot pedals and steer-
ing wheel). The aim should be to position the
seat with as large a distance as possible between
abdomen and steering wheel.
Related information
•
Safety (p. 56)
•
Seatbelt (p. 59)
•
Manual front seat (p. 121)
•
Power front seat * (p. 121)
Whiplash Protection System
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) is a pro-
tection against whiplash injuries. The system
consists of energy-absorbing backrests and seat
cushions, and specially designed head restraints
in the front seats.
WHIPS is deployed in the event of a rear-end
collision, where the angle and speed of the colli-
sion and the nature of the colliding vehicle all
have an influence.
When WHIPS is deployed, the front seat back-
rests are lowered backward and the seat cush-
ions move downward to change the seating posi-
tion of the driver and front seat passenger. This
reduces the risk of whiplash injury.
WARNING
WHIPS is a supplement to the seatbelts.
Always use a seatbelt.
WARNING
Never modify or repair the seat or WHIPS
yourself. Volvo recommends that an author-
ised Volvo workshop should be contacted.
If the front seats have been subjected to a
major load, such as in conjunction with a colli-
sion, the seats must be replaced. Some of the
seats' protective properties may have been
lost even if they do not appear damaged.
Do not leave any objects on the floor behind or under
the front seats or in the rear seat that may prevent
WHIPS from functioning.
WARNING
Do not squeeze rigid objects between the
rear seat cushion and the front seat's back-
rest.
WARNING
If a rear seat backrest is folded down, the cor-
responding front seat must be moved forward
so that it does not make contact with the
folded backrest.
Seating position
For optimum protection from WHIPS the driver
and passenger must have the correct seating
position and make sure that the system's func-
tion is not obstructed.