Alcohol lock* - to bear in mind

The function of the alcohol lock is to prevent the car from being driven by individuals under the influence of alcohol.

In order to obtain correct function and as accurate a measurement result as possible:

  • Avoid eating or drinking approx. 5 minutes before the breath test.
  • Avoid excess windscreen washing - the alcohol in the washer fluid may result in an incorrect measurement result.

Change of driver

P3-0946 Alkolås
  1. Ikon röd cirkel 1Nozzle for breath test.
  2. Ikon röd cirkel 2Switch.
  3. Ikon röd cirkel 3Transmission button.
  4. Ikon röd cirkel 4Lamp for battery status.
  5. Ikon röd cirkel 5Lamp for result of breath test.
  6. Ikon röd cirkel 6Lamp indicates ready for breath test.

In order to ensure that a new breath test is carried out in the event of a change of driver - depress the switch (2) and the send button (3) simultaneously for approx. 3 seconds. At which point the car returns to start inhibition mode and a new approved breath test is required before starting the engine.

Calibration and service

The alcohol lock must be checked and calibrated at a workshop1 every 12 months.

30 days before recalibration is necessary the combined instrument panel shows the message Alcoguard Calibration required See manual. If calibration is not carried out within these 30 days then normal engine starting will be blocked - only starting with the Bypass function will then be possible, see the following heading "Emergency situation".

The message can be cleared by pressing the send button (3) once. Otherwise it extinguishes on its own after approx. 2 minutes but then reappears each time the engine is started - only recalibration at a workshop1 can clear the message permanently.

Cold or hot weather

The colder the weather the longer it takes before the alcohol lock is ready for use:

Temperature (ºC)Maximum heating time (seconds)
+10 to +85 10
-5 to +1060
-40 to -5180

At temperatures below -20 ºC or above +60 ºC the alcohol lock requires additional power supply. The combined instrument panel shows Alcoguard Please insert power cable. In which case, connect the power supply cable from the glovebox and wait until indicator lamp (6) is green.

In extremely cold weather the heating time can be reduced by taking the alcohol lock indoors.

Emergency situation

In the event of an emergency situation or the alcohol lock is out of order, it is possible to bypass the alcohol lock in order to drive the car.

 Note

All Bypass activation is logged and saved in memory, see Recording data.

After the Bypass function has been activated the combined instrument panel shows Alcoguard Bypass enabled the whole time while driving and can only be reset by a workshop1.

The Bypass function can be tested without the error message being logged - in which case, carry out all the steps without starting the car. The error message is cleared when the car is locked.

When the alcohol lock is installed, either the Bypass or Emergency function is selected as the bypassing option. This setting can be changed afterwards at a workshop1.

Activating the Bypass function

  • Depress and hold the left-hand stalk switch OK button and the button for hazard warning flashers simultaneously for approx. 5 seconds - the combined instrument panel first shows Bypass activated Please wait for 1 minute and then Alcoguard Bypass enabled - after which the engine can be started.

This function can be activated more than once. The error message shown during driving can only be cleared at a workshop1.

Activating the Emergency function

  • Depress and hold the left-hand stalk switch OK button and the button for hazard warning flashers simultaneously for approx. 5 seconds - the combined instrument panel shows Alcoguard Bypass enabled and the engine can be started.

This function can be used once, after which a reset must be made at a workshop1.

  1. * Option/accessory.
  2. 1 An authorised Volvo workshop is recommended.