Weight distribution affects handling

At the specified curb weight your vehicle has a tendency to understeer, which means that the steering wheel has to be turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvature of a bend. This ensures good stability and reduces the risk of rear wheel skid. Remember that these properties can alter with the vehicle load. The heavier the load in the trunk, the less the tendency to understeer.
See also:
Safety
Volvo’s Roll Stability Control System employs a gyrosensor. If the rollover
risk reaches a specified threshold, Dynamic Stability Traction Control is
activated. Inflatable side curtain-type airbag ...
Crash event data
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The main purpose
of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as
an air bag deployment or hitting a road ...
Disabling the passenger's side front airbag
Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS) indicator light
Volvo recommends that ALL occupants (adults and children) shorter than 4 feet
7 inches (140 cm) be seated in the back seat of any vehicle with a front ...
