How do I notice that a safety function has been activated?

If you feel that the car behaves in a way you had not expected, it may be because one of the car's safety features has been activated.

What happens in your car?

There are several features of your car that can actively contribute to increasing traffic safety, both for yourself and for other road users. In order that you should not be surprised if any of the functions are activated, you have the option here of seeing an overview of the different functions and how they may act in a critical situation. If the function is activated, you may also be notified of this via a text message in the instrument panel.

 Note

Functions in brief: For more detailed information and important warnings regarding functions, etc., see the Owner's Manual for your car model.

Some of the systems are fitted as standard whilst others are optional. This may vary depending on market, model year and car model.

You can be alerted by symbols, acoustic signals, light signals or vibration

The safety functions in your Volvo can alert you in different ways. For example, with vibration in the steering wheel, brake pulse warnings, with visual or acoustic signals or via symbols in the driver display or head-up display1. Below you can read about the safety functions and how they can alert you.

Blind Spot Information

16w17 - Support site - Blind spot information (Symbol)

Blind Spot Information (BLIS) is designed to provide assistance in heavy traffic with several lanes moving in the same direction by alerting the driver to the presence of rapidly approaching vehicles in the "blind spot" area behind and to the side of the vehicle.

16w17 - Support Site - Blind spot information (mirror)

BLIS gives a warning with an indicator lamp in the door mirror, with a constant glow and flashing light.

City Safety™

16w17 - Support site - City Safety (Symbol)

City Safety is a function that can help prevent or mitigate a collision with pedestrians, cyclists, larger animals or vehicles. Visual, acoustic and brake pulse warnings are given in the event of a risk of collision to help the driver act in time. If the driver does not react to the warning and the risk of collision is assessed as imminent then City Safety can automatically brake the car.

  • Brake pulse warnings, visual and acoustic signals.
  • The car brakes in certain situations if the driver does not act within a reasonable time.

Cross Traffic Alert

16e17 - Support site - Cross Traffic Alert (Symbol)

Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) is a function designed to alert the driver to crossing traffic when the vehicle is backing up2.

  • Acoustic signal from left or right-hand speaker, depending on the direction from which the object is approaching.
  • Icon in the driver display.
  • Icon in the park assist camera's top view.

Distance warning3

16w17 - Support site - Distance Alert - Head-up Display

Distance Alert4 can warn you if the time interval to the vehicle ahead is too short.

  • If the time interval to the vehicle ahead is shorter than the set time interval, a warning light and/or a symbol will be displayed in the windshield. For this function to be available, the vehicle must be equipped with a head-up display1.

Driver Alert Control

16w17 - Support Site - Driver Alert Control - (Display)

Driver Alert Control (DAC) is designed to catch the driver's attention if he/she starts driving erratically, for example, if the driver is distracted or starts to fall asleep.

  • Acoustic signal combined with a symbol in the driver display and the message Time for a break soon?.

Lane assist

16w17 - Support Site - Lane Keeping Aid (Symbol)

Lane Keeping Aid5 can help the driver reduce the risk of the vehicle inadvertently veering from its own lane. Because you can choose the settings for how the function will provide assistance, the experience of the safety function may vary.6

  • Steering assistance: If the function detects that the vehicle is approaching a lane marker line, you may feel slight pressure on the steering wheel. Remember that both hands must be on the steering wheel for the function to work.
  • Warning: If the function detects that the vehicle is approaching a lane marker line, you will be alerted by vibrations in the steering wheel.
  • Both: You will be alerted by vibrations and slight pressure on the steering wheel.

Collision avoidance assistance

The steering assistance during collision risks function can help you reduce the risk of the vehicle inadvertently veering from the lane and/or colliding with another vehicle or obstacle. The function can assist you by helping you steer the vehicle back into its own lane and/or swerving out of the way.7

When you start the function, three sub-functions will be activated that can assist the driver in various situations. How the function is experienced can therefore differ somewhat depending on which sub-function is activated.

  • Run-Off Mitigation with steering assistance: If the camera detects that the vehicle is about to cross the edge of the road, you may feel that the function is attempting to steer the vehicle back into its own lane. If the steering assistance is determined to be insufficient, the function will also attempt to brake the vehicle. No steering or braking assistance will be provided if you have the turn signals on, and the function will not be activated if it determines that the driver is actively driving the vehicle.
  • Steering assistance during collision risks from oncoming traffic: If the vehicle is beginning to veer out of the lane while an oncoming vehicle is approaching, the function can provide steering assistance to help the driver steer the vehicle back into its own lane. No steering or braking assistance will be provided if you have the turn signals on, and the function will not be activated if it determines that the driver is actively driving the vehicle.
  • Steering assistance during collision risks from behind8: If the vehicle is beginning to veer out of its own lane while another vehicle is in the "blind spot" behind and to the side of the vehicle, or is approaching rapidly from behind, the function can provide steering assistance to help the driver steer the vehicle back into its own lane. The function can provide steering assistance even if the turn signals are on and the driver is actively steering the vehicle.

Rear Collision Warning3

16w17 - Support Site - Rear Collision Warning

Rear Collision Warning (RCW) is a system that can help you avoid being hit from behind by passing vehicles. If the system detects a risk of collision from behind, it can alert the driver and provide the following assistance depending on the conditions:

  • Intensive flashing with the direction indicators.
  • At low speeds, RCW can tension the seat belts by activating the seat belt tensioners and the Whiplash Protection System.
  • If the vehicle is stationary, the brakes can be applied.

Roll Stability Control9

16w17 - Support site - Roll stability control symbol

Roll Stability Control, RSC is a stabilizer system that, in certain situations, can help to reduce the risk of overturning, for example, during sudden evasive maneuvers or if the vehicle skids. If the system registers a risk of the vehicle overturning, it can react by providing the following assistance:

  • Engine torque is reduced.
  • One or more wheels are braked.

Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)

WHIPS is a function that can protect against whiplash injuries. The system consists of energy absorbing backrests and seat cushions as well as specially designed head restraints in the front seats.

 Warning

The functions described here are supplementary aids - they cannot manage all situations in all conditions.

The driver is always responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is driven in a safe manner and in accordance with applicable traffic rules and regulations.

  1. 1 The head-up display is visible in the windshield and is an option. Does not apply to the XC40.
  2. 2 For the XC40 of model year 2018 onwards, the CTA with auto-brake option is available as driver support to complement BLIS. See your Owner's Manual for more information.
  3. 3 Does not apply to XC40.
  4. 4 Distance Alert
  5. 5 Lane Keeping Aid
  6. 6 For more information on adjusting the Lane Keeping Aid settings, function descriptions and important warnings, please refer to the Owner's Manual for your vehicle.
  7. 7 For more information on steering assistance during collision risks, a more detailed description of the function and important warnings, please see the Owner's Manual for your vehicle.
  8. 8 Option/accessory. Does not apply to the S60, V60 and XC40. See the Owner's Manual for your vehicle for more information on how steering assistance during collision risks can assist you.
  9. 9 XC40, XC60 and XC90 models only.

This article is applicable to

  • Vehicle model/model year