WARNING■Always assume the correct seated position before setting off and do not
change this position while driving. Also advise your passengers to adopt
the correct seated position and not to change this position while the car is
moving.■
Maintain a distance of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel, and a dis-
tance of at least 10 cm between the legs and the dash panel at the height
of the knee airbag. Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that
the airbag system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!
■
When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the out-
er edge in the “9 o'clock” and “3 o'clock” position. Never hold the steering
wheel in the “12 o'clock” position or in any other way (e.g. in the middle or
inner edge of the steering wheel). In such cases, you could severely injure
your arms, hands and head when the driver airbag is deployed.
■
Ensure that there are no objects in the driver's footwell, as these may get
caught in the pedal apparatus when driving or braking. You would then no
longer be able to operate the clutch, brake or acceleration pedals.
Adjusting the steering wheel position
Fig. 2
Adjustable steering wheel: Lever
underneath the steering wheel
Read and observe on page 9 first.
The height and forward/back position of the steering wheel can be adjusted.
›
Swivel the lever underneath the steering wheel downwards » Fig. 2.
›
Adjust the steering wheel to the desired position (with regard to the height
and forward/back position).
›
Push the lever upwards to the stop.
WARNING■ The lever for adjusting the steering wheel must be locked while you are
driving so that the position of the steering wheel cannot accidentally
change during the journey – there is the risk of an accident!■
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving only when
the vehicle is stationary!
Correct seated position for the front passenger
Read and observe
on page 9 first.
For passenger safety and to reduce the risk of injury in an accident, the follow-ing instructions must be observed.
Position the front passenger seat back as far as possible. The front pas-
senger must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the dash panel so
that the airbag offers the greatest possible safety if it is deployed.
Adjust the head restraint so that the top edge of the head restraint is at
the same level as the upper part of your head
C
» Fig. 1 on page 9 .
Correctly fasten the seat belt » page 12.
Adjust the seats and head restraints » page 81.
In exceptional cases the front passenger airbag can be deactiva-
ted » page 20 , Deactivating airbags .
WARNING■
Maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the dash panel. Not maintaining
this minimum distance will mean that the airbag system will not be able to
properly protect you - hazard!■
Always keep your feet in the footwell when the car is being driven – nev-
er place your feet on the instrument panel, out of the window or on the
surfaces of the seats. You will be exposed to increased risk of injury if it be-
comes necessary to apply the brake or in the event of an accident. If an air-
bag is deployed, you could suffer fatal injuries by adopting an incorrect
seated position!
10Safety
Airbag system
Description of the airbag system
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
System description
16
Airbag deployment
16
The airbag system provides, as a supplement to the seat belts, additional oc-
cupant protection during severe frontal and side collisions.
WARNING■ An airbag can only offer you optimal protection in combination with a
fastened seat belt .■
The airbag is not a substitute for the seat belt, but instead forms part of
the complete passive vehicle safety concept.
■
To ensure passengers are protected with the greatest possible effect
when the airbag is deployed, the front seats must be correctly adjusted to
match the body size » page 9, Correct and safe seated position .
■
If you do not fasten the seat belts when driving, lean too far forward or
adopt an incorrect seated position, you are exposing yourself to increased
risk of injury in the event of an accident.
WARNINGInformation on the use of the airbag system■If there is a fault, the airbag system must be checked by a specialist ga-
rage immediately. Otherwise, there is a risk of the airbag not being activa-
ted in the event of an accident.■
No modifications of any kind must be made to parts of the airbag system.
■
Any work on the airbag system including the installation and removal of
system components due to other repair work (e.g. removal of the steering
wheel) must only be carried out by a specialist garage.
■
Never make any changes to the front bumper or the bodywork.
■
It is prohibited to manipulate individual parts of the airbag system, as this
might result in the airbag being deployed.
■
The protective function of the airbag system is sufficient for only one ac-
cident. The airbag system must then be replaced if the airbag has been de-
ployed.
System description
Read and observe
on page 16 first.
The functional status of the airbag system is indicated by the warning light
in the instrument cluster » page 40.
When the airbags are deployed, they fill with gas and inflate.
A grey white or red, non-harmful gas is released when the airbag is inflated.
This is perfectly normal and is not an indication of a fire in the vehicle.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the airbag system consists of the
following modules.
› Electronic control unit.
› Front airbag for the driver and the front passenger
» page 17.
› Driver’s knee airbag
» page 18.
› Side airbags
» page 19.
› Head airbags
» page 20.
› Airbag warning light in the instrument cluster
» page 40.
› Key switch for the front passenger airbag
» page 21.
› Warning light for the front passenger airbag deactivation/activation in the
middle of the dash panel » page 21.
Note
■
The airbag system needs no maintenance during its working life.■If you sell your vehicle, provide the complete vehicle documentation to the
new owner. Please note that the information relating to the possibility of de-
activating the front passenger airbag must be included!■
When disposing of vehicle or parts of the airbag system, it is important to
comply with the national legal requirements.
Airbag deployment
Read and observe
on page 16 first.
The airbags inflate in fractions of a second and at a high-speed in order to beable to offer additional protection in the event of an accident.
The airbag system is only functional when the ignition is switched on.
In certain accident situations, the several airbags may be deployed simultane-
ously.
16Safety
Operation
Cockpit
OverviewElectrical power windows
61
Door opening lever
52
Central locking button
55
Air outlet vent
110
Parking ticket holder
Operating lever: › Turn signal light, headlight and parking light, headlight
flasher
69
› Speed regulating system
161
Steering wheel:
› with horn
› with driver’s front airbag
17
› with pushbuttons for radio, navigation system phone and in-
formation system
122, 134
Instrument cluster: Instruments, warning lights and display
30
Operating lever:
› Information system
42
›Windscreen wiper and wash system
77
Air outlets in the central part of the dash panel
110
Regulator for left seat heating
85
Button for hazard warning light system
72
Regulator for right seat heating
85
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Radio
› Navigation system
Storage compartment on the front passenger side
94
Front passenger airbag
17
Air outlet vent
110
Key switch for switching off the front passenger airbag (in front
passenger storage compartment)
21
Door opening lever
52
Electric exterior mirror adjustment
801234567891011121314151617181920Light switch68
Bonnet release lever
187
Regulator for the instrument lighting and regulator for the head-
light beam range adjustment
68, 68
Storage compartment on the driver's side
89
Lever for adjusting the steering wheel
10
Driver’s knee airbag
18
Ignition lock
139
Pedals
145
Handbrake
144
Bars with buttons depending on the equipment fitted:
›
START STOP
162
›
Tyre pressure loss indicator
165
›
Traction control ASR
155
›
Electronic Stability Control ESC
154
›
Park Assist
157
›
Parking aid
156
›
Tailgate operation (Superb Combi)
59
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Gearshift lever (manual gearbox)
144
›Selector lever (automatic gearbox)
145
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Ashtrays
91
›Stowage compartment
90
Warning light for the deactivated front seat passenger airbag
21
Depending on equipment fitted:
› Operating controls for the air conditioning system
112
›
Operating controls for Climatronic
115
Note
The arrangement of the controls right-hand drive models may differ from the
layout shown in » Fig. 20. The symbols on the controls and switches are the
same as for left-hand drive models.212223242526272829303132333429Cockpit
Airbag systemRead and observe
on page 35 first.
If the warning light
illuminates , there is a fault in the airbag system.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Fault: Airbag
The operational capability of the airbag system is monitored electronically,
even if one of the airbags is switched off.
If a front, side or head airbag or belt tensioner has been switched off using
the vehicle system tester:
› The warning light
illuminates for approximately 4 seconds after the igni-
tion is switched on and then flashes again for approximately 12 seconds.
The following message is shown in the MAXI DOT display. Airbag/belt tensioner deactivated.
If the front passenger's front airbag was switched off using the key-operat-
ed switch on the side of the dash panel on the passenger side:
› The warning light
illuminates for approximately 4 seconds after the igni-
tion is switched on;
› The deactivated air bag is indicated by the illumination of the warning light
in the middle of the dash panel
» page 21.
WARNINGWhen a fault in the airbag system occurs, there is a risk of the system not
being triggered in the event of an accident. Therefore, this must be
checked immediately by a specialized company.
Tyre inflation pressure
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
The warning light is illuminated
If while driving, the warning light illuminates, a tyre pressure change has oc-
curred.
An audible signal sounds as a warning signal.
›
Immediately reduce speed and avoid sudden steering and braking manoeu-
vres.
› Stop the vehicle, turn the ignition off and check the tyres and their inflation
pressure » page 198 .›
Correct the tyre pressure, if necessary or replace the wheel » page 205 or
use the repair kit » page 209.
›
Store the tyre pressure values in the system » page 166.
The warning light
flashes for about 1 min. and remains lit
If the warning light
flashes for approximately 1 minute and stays on, there
may be a fault in the tyre pressure monitoring system.
›
Stop the vehicle, turn the ignition off and start the engine again.
If the warning light
flashes again after the engine has started, there is a
system error.
Seek help from a specialist garage.
The following reasons can explain the warning light being illuminated.
› The vehicle is loaded on one side. Distribute loads as evenly as possible.
› The wheels of one axle are loaded more heavily (e.g. when towing a trailer or
when driving uphill or downhill).
› Snow chains are mounted.
› A wheel has been changed.
Store the tyre pressure values in the system » page 166.
CAUTION
Under certain circumstances (e.g. sporty style of driving, wintry or unpaved
roads) the warning light in the instrument cluster can be delayed or does
not light up at all.
Note
The warning light illuminates after the ignition is switched on if the vehi-
cle's battery has been disconnected and reconnected. If the warning light does
not go out after moving a short distance, this means that there is an error in
the system. Seek help from a specialist garage.
Windscreen washer fluid level
Read and observe
on page 35 first.
If the windscreen washer fluid level is too low, the warning light
illumi-
nates .
40Operation
Fuse assignment in the dash panelNo.Consumer1Diagnostic socket, engine control unit, fuel pump relay, fuel pump
control unit2ABS control unit, ESC switch for tyre pressure warning, brake sen-
sor, for START STOP coil of the starter relay only3Switch and airbag control unit4WIV, tail lights, dimming mirrors, pressure sensor, telephone prein-
stallation5Control unit for headlight beam adjustment and headlight swivel,
control unit for parking aid, control unit for park assist6Instrument cluster, control unit for electromechanical power steer-
ing, selector lever lock, power supply for data bus7Heated opening of the crankcase ventilation, air flow meter8Control unit for trailer detection9Relay for auxiliary heating and ventilation10Adaptive left main headlight11Adaptive right main headlight12Not assigned13Diagnostic socket, light switch, rain sensor, clock14Central locking system and bonnet lid15Central control unit - interior lights16The air conditioning system17Not assigned18Telephone19Instrument cluster, operating lever under the steering wheel, relay
coil for heated windscreen20KESSY21KESSY ELV22Air blower for Climatronic23Front power window, central locking of the front doors24Selector lever lock25Rear window heater, relay for auxiliary heating and ventilation26Power socket in the bootNo.Consumer27Fuel pump relay, control unit for fuel pump, injection valves28Electric boot lid29Haldex30Climate controlled front seats31DVD preinstallation32Front power window, central locking system of the rear doors33Electric sliding/tilting roof34Alarm, spare horn35front and rear lighter36Headlight cleaning system37Heated front seats38Heated rear seats39Rear window wiper40Fan air conditioning system, relay for auxiliary heating and ventila-
tion41Not assigned42Light switch43Control unit for trailer detection44Control unit for trailer detection45Control unit for trailer detection46Switch for seat heating47Telephone preinstallation48Preparation for the aftermarket radio49Only for START STOP: Central control unit, DC-DC converter, the en-
gine control unit221Fuses and light bulbs