1996 Volvo 850
pg. 3:7 Volvo SRS
NOTE: The information on this page does not pertain to the Side Impact protection System airbags.
When are the airbags deployed?
The SRS system is designed to deploy during certain frontal or front-angular collisions, impacts, or
decelerations, depending in the crash severity, angle, speed, and object impacted. The SRS sensor is
designed to react to both the impact of the collision and the inertial forces generated by it and to
determine if the intensity of the collision is sufficient for the airbags to be deployed.
NOTE: The SRS system activates only once in a collision.
If the airbags have been deployed, we recommend the following:
Have the car towed to an authorized Volvo retailer. Even if it can be driven after an accident we do not
recommend driving the car with deployed airbags.
Have an authorized Volvo retailer replace the SRS system components.
Use only new, Genuine Volvo Parts when replacing SRS components (airbags, seat belts, tensioners,
etc.)
When are the airbags NOT deployed?
Not all frontal collisions activate the SRS system. If the collision involves a non-rigid object (e.g., a
snow drift or bush), or a rigid, fixed object at a low speed, the SRS system will not necessarily deploy.
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.
Can the airbags deploy accidentally?
The SRS system is designed to deploy during certain frontal or front-angular collisions, impacts, or
decelerations, depending on the crash severity, angle, speed and object impacted. The SRS system has
its own diagnostic unit which continuously monitors and inspects the system. Make a habit of checking
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