2008 Volvo S40 Owner's Manual - Page 14

overriding the shiftlock system. 18 01 Safety Front airbags The front airbag system The front airbags supplement the three-point seat belts. For these airbags to provide the protection intended, seat belts must be worn at all times. 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. Both seat belt pretensioners also deploy, minimizing seat belt slack. The entire process, including inflation and deflation of the airbags, takes approximately one fifth 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 passenger's side front airbag is folded behind a panel located above the glove compartment. WARNING The airbags in the vehicle are designed to be a SUPPLEMENT to-not a replacement for-the three-point seat belts.