Camera limitations

The camera used by several of the driver support functions has certain limitations, which also affect the functions using the camera.

Reduced visibility

The camera has the same limitations as the human eye. In other words, its “vision" is impaired by adverse weather conditions such as heavy snowfall/rain, dense fog, swirling dust/snow, etc. These conditions may reduce the function of systems that depend on the camera or cause these systems to temporarily stop functioning.

Strong sunlight, reflections from the road surface, ice or snow covering the road, a dirty road surface, or unclear lane marker lines may drastically reduce the camera’s ability to detect the side of a lane, a pedestrian, a cyclist, a large animal or another vehicle.

Obstructed camera

P5-1507-CitySafety Vindrutans kamera
The area marked in the illustration must be kept free of decals, objects, solar film, etc.1

The camera is located on the upper interior section of the windshield along with the radar sensor.

 Important

Do not place, affix or mount anything on the inside or outside of the windshield, or in front of or around the camera and radar unit – this could disrupt camera and radar-based functions.

It could cause functions to be reduced, deactivated completely or produce an incorrect function response.

P5-1507-TabellSymbol "Se i-bok" 10x10

If this symbol and the message “Windscreen sensor Sensor blocked, see Owner's manual” is displayed in the instrument panel, it means that the camera and radar sensor are unable to detect other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and large animals in front of the vehicle and that the vehicle's camera and radar-based functions may be obstructed, reduced, completely disabled or providing inaccurate responses.

The following table shows some of the situations that can cause the message to be displayed, and suggested actions:

CauseAction
The area of the windshield in front of the camera/radar sensor is dirty or covered by ice or snow.Clean the windshield in front of the camera/radar sensor and remove dirt, ice and snow.
Thick fog, heavy rain or snow is blocking the radar signals or the camera's range of visibility.No action. Heavy precipitation may sometimes prevent the camera/radar sensor from functioning.
Water or snow is spraying/swirling up and blocking the radar signals or the camera's range of visibility.No action. Very wet or snow-covered roads may sometimes prevent the camera/radar sensor from functioning.
There is dirt between the inside of the windshield and the camera/radar sensor.Consult a workshop to have the area of the windshield on the inside of the camera's casing cleaned. An authorized Volvo workshop is recommended.
Bright sunlight.No action. The camera/radar sensor will reset automatically when lighting conditions improve.

 Note

Keep the windshield in front of the camera and radar unit clean.

High temperatures

If the temperature in the passenger compartment is very high, the camera/radar sensor will switch off temporarily for approx. 15 minutes after the engine is started to protect its electronic components. When the temperature has cooled sufficiently, the camera/radar sensor will automatically restart.

Damaged windshield

 Important

If there are cracks, scratches or stone chips on the windshield in front of any of the camera and radar unit "windows" and this covers an area of about 0.5 × 3.0 mm (0.02 × 0.12 in.) or more, contact a workshop to have the windshield replaced – an authorized Volvo workshop is recommended.

Failure to take action could result in reduced performance for the driver support systems that use the camera and radar unit.

It could cause functions to be reduced, deactivated completely or produce an incorrect function response.

To avoid the risk of loss of function, malfunction or reduced function of the driver support systems that use the radar unit, the following also apply:
  • Volvo advises against repairing cracks, scratches or stone chips in the area in front of the camera and radar unit – the entire windshield should instead be replaced.
  • Before replacing the windshield, contact an authorized Volvo workshop to verify that the right windshield has been ordered and installed.
  • The same type of windshield wipers or wipers approved by Volvo should be used for replacement.

 Important

If the windshield is replaced, the camera and radar unit must be recalibrated by a workshop to help ensure proper functioning of all of the vehicle's camera and radar-based systems – an authorized Volvo workshop is recommended.
  1. 1 Note: This illustration is general and details may vary depending on model.

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