I recently saw a Volvo TSB to the effect that replacement period of Volvo airbags prior to a time in '92 had been extended to 20 years and ones thereafter to 15 years. Since 240 was being phased out, makes little sense that '93 240 airbag would have a different lifetime than '92. Does anyone have more complete specific info on this? Thanks.
Even the last TRUE Volvo produced, the '98 S90, had air bags that need replacement after 10 years. There is a sticker on the side of the door, or door frame that gives you the month and year of replacement.
After the take over of Volvo Cars Corp. by Ford, they decided that they were good for 15 years (that was around 2000 -2001). I don't know if they now say 20 or 15, but let me tell you, the whole thing doesn't make much sense.
Which one would you believe the most, Volvo engineers working for Volvo Cars, or Ford engineers who produced the car with explosive gas tank, as well as the roll over 4X4?
Personally, safe driving will beat an air bag anytime. So I unplug mine when it was passed the 10 years. I'm not interested in spending ~$2K for a new air bag.
Moreover, ABS and air bags tend to give a flase sense of security leading many drivers to take more risks.
Btw, I could be wrong, but I believe that the 240 1993 was the only and first 240 to get an air bag (as far as the American market is concerned). One for the driver, none for the passenger...
Actually, they got drivers side airbags in 1989, IIRC. I had a 1990 and it had an airbag and I was always worrying about it going off if I hit something parking.
Here the TSB: Wouldn't all 240 airbags have been manufactured prior to '93 (can't imagine a meaningful change in middle/end of final model year run)? I think '93 began arriving around September. How to determine?
*********Interior - Extended Airbag Service Life
200/700/800/900 1987-1996Section8
Group88
No.
0001Year03
Month04
Reference: This edition replaces previous Service Bulletin 88-01 from January
2001 and Service Bulletin 8-02 from September 1997 which must be discarded.This Service Bulletin applies to three different subscriptions. The Service Bulletin must be inserted in the relevant subscription systems.
Purpose:
The Service Bulletin has been updated because of the longer service life and the increase in the number of car models. Modifications have been made to the affected models.
Extended service life for airbags (SRS)
Background:
According to the owners manual the airbag must be replaced after 10 years. Tests have shown that the service life can be extended to 15 years.
Further tests have indicated that the service life of driver's airbags, manufactured between 1987 and 1992 which are 15 years old can be increased to 20 years.
For driver's and passenger airbags manufactured between 1993 and 1996, the service life can be extended to 15 years.
The airbag system has self-diagnostics. This means that the only check required is to ensure that the warning lamp is working and no diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored. The warning lamp indicates if a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored.
A new decal which indicates the new service life must be installed.
You must be right. Memory is not what it used to be. I guess I was thinking about the '97 960/S90 versus the '98 S90. The ;97 only had a driver air bag, while the '98 got both driver and passenger air bags.
It always amazed me that in '97, Volvo felt that it was not worth it to save the life of the passenger, but was worth it in 1998...
Btw, driv>
According to Volvo, who I would trust over you, the 960 had a driver's side SRS in 1992, but driver and front-passenger side SRS from 1993 onward. They define SRS as air-bag and knee-bolster.
From 1996 on, the 960 had a side-impact airbag for both driver and passenger.
No, it's that the U.S. required them to function as primary restraints, which is silly. People were getting hurt because they had to make them to work in place of a seatbelt. The only reason Volvo included them at all was due to government regulations requiring them in order to sell the car in the U.S.
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