Volvo 2007 S80 Owner's Manual page 22

Protection against whiplash injury –
WHIPS
The whiplash protection system (WHIPS)
consists of energy absorbing backrests and
specially designed head restraints for the
front seats. The system is actuated by a rear-
end collision, where the angle and speed of
the collision, and the nature of the colliding
vehicle all have an influence.
WARNING
The WHIPS system is a supplement to the
seatbelts. Always use a seatbelt.
Properties of the seat
When the WHIPS system is deployed, the
front seat backrests are lowered backward to
alter the seating position of the driver and
front seat passenger. This reduces the risk of
whiplash injury.
WARNING
Never modify or repair the seat or WHIPS
system yourself. Contact an authorised
Volvo workshop.
WHIPS system and child seats/booster
cushions
The WHIPS system does not diminish the
protection provided by the car to children
seated in a child seat or on a booster cush-
ion.
Safety in the passenger compartment
Correct seating position
For the best possible protection, the driver
and front seat passenger should sit in the
centre of the seat with as little space as pos-
sible between the head and the head re-
straint.
WARNING
If a seat has been subjected to extreme
forces, such as due to a rear-end collision,
the WHIPS system must be checked by an
authorised Volvo workshop.
Part of the WHIPS system's protective ca-
pacity may have been lost even if the seats
appear to be undamaged. Contact an au-
thorised Volvo workshop to have the sys-
tem checked even after a minor rear-end
collision.
01 Safety
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