Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
The Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS) System (Only USA/CDN)
Occupant weight sensor (OWS) is designed to meet the legal requirements in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208 as well as to deactivate (make inflation impossible) the airbag on the passenger side front under certain conditions.
The occupant weight sensor (OWS) works with sensors that are part of the front passenger's seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly seated occupant and determine if the passenger's side front airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or disabled (will not inflate).
The occupant weight sensor (OWS) will disable (will not inflate) the passenger's side front airbag when:
- the front passenger seat is unoccupied, or there are small/medium objects in the front passenger seat,
- the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant seat that is installed according to the manufacturer's instructions,
- the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing child restraint that is installed according to the manufacturer's instructions,
- the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat,
- a front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of time,
- a child or a small person occupies the front passenger seat.
The occupant weight sensor (OWS) uses a passenger airbag warning lamp (PAD) which will illuminate and stay lit to remind you that the passenger's side front airbag is disabled. The passenger airbag warning lamp (PAD) is located in the overhead console.
Warning light airbag passenger (PAD) will be lit for a short time when the ignition is turned on to confirm that it also works for adult passengers.
When nobody is in the front passenger seat (empty seat) the airbag on the passenger side front will be deactivated. Then warning light airbag passenger (PAD) will be lit.
In case the airbag on the passenger side front is activated (inflation possible), then warning light airbag passenger (PAD) will not be lit.
The occupant weight sensor (OWS) is designed to disable (will not inflate) the passenger's side front airbag when a rear facing infant seat, a forward-facing child restraint, or a booster seat is detected. The passenger airbag warning lamp (PAD) will illuminate and stay lit to remind you that the passenger's side front airbag is disabled.
Volvo recommends that children always be properly restrained in appropriate child restraints in the rear seats.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.