2013 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER seat

Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
Fig. 60 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a brick wall.
r"'''"'n First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 79.
The physical principles involved in a frontal colli-sion are relatively simple. Both the moving vehicle =>Fig. 60 and the passengers possess energy, which is known as "kinetic energy".
The higher the vehicle speed and the heavier the weight of the vehicle, the greater the amount of en-ergy that will have to be released in the event of an accident.
However, the most significant factor is the speed of the vehicle. If the speed doubles from approxi-mately 25 km/h (15 m ph) to approximately 50 km/h (31 mph), for example, the kinetic energy increa-ses by a factor of four.
The amount of kinetic energy depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight of the vehicle and passengers. The higher the speed and the heavier the weight, the greater the amount of ener-gy that will be released in the event of an accident.
Fig. 61 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle striking a brick wall.
Passengers not wearing seat belts are not connec-ted to the vehicle. In the event of a frontal collision they will continue to move forwards at the same speed at which the vehicle was travelling before impact, until something stops them. Because the passengers in our example are not restrained by seat belts, the entire amount of kinetic energy will only be released at the point of impact against the wall =>Fig. 61.
Even at speeds of approximately 30 km/h (18 mph) to approximately 50 km/h (31 mph), the forces act-ing on bodies in a collision can easily exceed one tonne (1 ,000 kg). These forces are even greater at higher speeds.
This example applies not only to frontal collisions, but to all accidents and collisions. Sitting correctly and safely 81

Fig. 62 An unbelted driver is thrown forwards.
r--()1 First read and observe the introductory L-.lo:-U information and safety warnings & on page 79.
Many people believe that they can brace their weight with their hands in a minor collision. This is not true.
Even at low speeds, the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great that occupants cannot brace themselves with their arms and hands. In a frontal collision, vehicle occupants who have not fastened their seatbelts will be thrown forward and will make unchecked contact with parts of the vehi-cle interior, e.g. the steering wheel, dash panel, or windscreen =:-Fig. 62.
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts. When triggered, the airbags only provide ad-ditional protection. Airbags are not triggered in all kinds of accidents. Even if the vehicle is equipped with an airbag system, all vehicle occupants, in-
Before the Journey
Fig. 63 The unbelted rear passenger is thrown forwards, hitting the belted driver.
eluding the driver, must fasten their seat belt and wear it correctly while the vehicle is in motion. This reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident-regardless of whether an airbag is fitted for the seat.
Each airbag can only be triggered once. To ach-ieve best possible protection, seat belts must al-ways be worn properly. This also ensures that pro-tection is provided in accidents in which the airbag is not triggered. Any vehicle occupants not wearing a seat belt can be thrown out of the vehicle and sustain more severe or even fatal injuries as a re-sult.
11 is also important for the rear seat occupants to wear seat belts properly, as they could otherwise be thrown forwards violently in an accident. Rear passengers who are not wearing seat belts endan-ger not only themselves and the driver, but also other people in the vehicle =:-Fig. 63.

Seat belt protection
Fig. 64 Driver restrained by a properly positioned seat belt during a sudden braking manoeuvre.
i"111 First read and observe the introductory L..-.lo:.U information and safety warnings & on page 79.
When fastened properly, seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the correct sitting positions and con-siderably reduce the kinetic energy in the event of an accident. Seat belts also help to prevent uncon-trolled movements which could lead to severe inju-ries. In addition, wearing seat belts properly re-duces the risk of being thrown from the vehicle 64.
Passengers wearing seat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability of the belts to reduce the ki-netic energy. The front crumple zones and other
Using seat belts
i"111 First read and observe the Introductory L..-.lo:.U Information and safety warnings & on page 79.
Checklist
Using seat belts &:
../ Check the condition of all seat belts regular-ly.
../
../
Keep the seat belts clean.
Avoid allowing any foreign bodies or fluids to get on to the seat belt or latch plate or in-to the slot for the seat belt buckle.
../ Do not trap or damage the seat belt and latch plate. for example when closing the door.
passive safety features (such as the airbag sys-tem) are also designed to reduce kinetic energy. The amount of energy generated will thus de-crease, thereby reducing the risk of injury.
The examples describe frontal collisions. Of course, properly worn seat belts substantially re-duce the risk of injury in all other types of acci-dents. This is why seat belts must be fastened be-fore every trip -even if you are only planning to drive a very short distance. Ensure that all passen-gers also wear their seat belts properly.
Accident statistics have shown properly worn seat belts to be an effective means of substantially re-ducing the risk of injury and improving the chances of survival in a serious accident. Furthermore, properly worn seat belts improve the protection provided by airbags in the event of an accident. This is why wearing a seat belt is a legal require-ment in most countries.
Although the vehicle is equipped with airbags, the seat belts must be fastened and worn. For exam-ple, the front airbags will only be triggered in cer-tain types of frontal collision. The front airbags will not be triggered during minor frontal collisions, mi-nor side collisions, rear collisions. rolls or accidents in which the airbag trigger threshold in the control unit is not exceeded.
Therefore. always wear your seat belt and ensure that your passengers have fastened their seat belts properly before you drive off. ../ Never remove, modify or repair the seat belt or any part of the belt fixture system.
../ Always fasten the seat belt correctly before every journey and keep it fastened while the vehicle is in motion.
Twisted seat belt
If it is difficult to remove the seat belt from the belt guide, the seat belt may have become twisted if it was returned too quickly into the side trim panel:
• Take hold of the latch plate then slowly and carefully pull out the seat belt.
• Untwist the seat belt and guide it back slowly
Sitting correctly and safely

Fasten the seat belt even if you are unable to undo the twist. However, the twist should not be in part of the seat belt that comes into direct contact with the body. The twist should be corrected immediate-ly by a qualified workshop.
A WARNING
Using seat belts incorrectly Increases the risk of severe or fatal Injuries.
Fastening and unfastening seat belts
Fig. 65 Inserting the seat belt latch plate into lhe buckle.
f""'"'1'l1 First read and observe the Introductory L-J,:.iJ information and safety warnings & on page 79.
If worn properly, seat belts hold the vehicle occu-pants in the correct sitting position during an acci-dent or braking manoeuvre, providing maximum protection &.
When the belt webbing has been completely re-tracted and a clicking sound can be heard as the seat belt is being rolled up, the vehicle is equipped with lockable seat belts. The seat belt locking func-tion should be used only for fitting certain child re-straint systems 96, Child seals (accesso-ries). A locked seat belt must be released when a vehicle occupant uses the seat belt.
Fastening the seat belts
Fasten seat belts before every trip.
• Always adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly 61.
• Engage the rear seat backrests in an upright position &.
• Take hold of the latch plate and pull it evenly across your chest and pelvis. Do not twist the belt in the process &.
Before the journey
A WARNING (Continued)
• Regularly check to see if the seat belt and Its related parts are In perfect condition.
• Always keep the seat belt clean.
• Do not allow the belt webbing to become jammed, damaged or to rub on any sharp edges.
• Always keep the latch plate and slot In the buckle free from foreign bodies and liquids. Fig. 66 Removing the latch plate from the buckle.
• Insert the latch plate securely into the buckle belonging to the occupied seat 65.
• Pull on the seat belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely locked in the buckle.
Unfastening the seat belts
Unfasten seat belts only when the vehicle is sta-
• Press the red button in the buckle 66. The latch plate is released and springs out.
• Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up easily, without twisting the seat belt and without damaging the trim.
A WARNING
Incorrect seat belt routing can cause severe or fatal Injuries In the event of an accident.
• The seat belts only offer best protection when the backrests are In an upright position and the seat belts have been fastened proper-ly according to the occupant's height.
• Unfastening seat belts while the vehicle is In motion can lead to severe or fatal injuries In the event of an accident or sudden braking manoeuvre. <1

Seat belt routing
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Fig. 67 Correct seat belt routing and head restraint adjustment.
Fig. 68 Correct seat belt routing during pregnan-cy.
r-T'n First read and observe the introductory L-Wl infonmation and safety warnings & on page 79.
Seat belts only provide an optimum level of protec-tion during an accident when they are routed cor-rectly. Correct seat belt routing reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Correct seat belt routing al-so holds the vehicle occupants in position so that an inflating airbag can offer the maximum level of protection. Therefore you must always fasten your seat belt and ensure that the seat belt routing is correct.
Assuming an incorrect sitting position can cause severe or fatal injuries 61, Adjusting the seat position.
Correct seat belt routing
• The shoulder part of the seat belt must always lie on the centre of the shoulder, never across the neck, over or under the arm or behind the back.
• The lap part of the seat belt must always lie across the pelvis, never across the stomach.
• The seat belt must always lie flat and snugly on the body. Tighten the belt if necessary.
For pregnant women, the seat belt must be posi-tioned evenly over the chest and as low as possi-ble over the pelvis. it must lie flat so that no pres-sure is exerted on the lower body-this applies for the entire course of the pregnancy =>Fig. 68.
Correct seat belt routing according to height
The following equipment can be used to adjust the seat belt routing:
• Belt height adjuster for the front seats =>page 86.
• Height-adjustable front seats =>page 61.
A WARNING
Incorrect seat belt routing can cause severe Injuries In the event of an accident or a sud-den braking or driving manoeuvre.
• The seat belts only offer best protection when the backrests are in an upright position and the seat belts have been fastened proper-ly.
• The seat belt itself or a loose seat belt can cause serious injuries if the seat belt shifts from harder body parts In the direction of softer body parts (e.g. stomach). .,.
Sitting correctly and safely

A WARNING !Continued)
• The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoulder and never un-der the arm or across the neck.
• The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the chest.
• The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis and never across the stom-ach. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the pelvis. Tighten the belt if necessary.
• For pregnant women, the lap part of the seat belt must be as low as possible over the pelvis and lie flat around the bulge of the bel-ly.
• Do not twist the belt webbing while the seat belt is being worn.
• Never hold the seat belt away from the body by hand.
Belt height adjuster
Fig. 69 Next to the front seats: belt height adjust-er.
r--T'n First read and observe the introductory L-W.I information and safety warnings & on page 79.
A WARNING !Continued)
• The belt webbing should not lie over hard or fragile objects, such as glasses, pens or keys.
• Never use seat belt clips, retaining rings or similar items to alter the seat belt routing.
m If a person's physical build prevents them L.!:J from routing the seat belt properly, contact a qualified workshop to find out about any special modifications so that the seat bells and airbags can provide the optimum level of protection. Volks-wagen Commercial Vehicles recommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership for this purpose. The seat belt height adjusters for the front seats can be used to adjust the position of the seat belt on the shoulder so that it can be fastened properly:
• Push and hold the upper part of the shoulder belt guide 69.
• Push the shoulder belt guide up or down so that the seat belt lies over the middle of the shoul-der 85, Seat belt routing.
• Let go of the shoulder belt guide.
• Pull sharply on the seat bell to check whether the shoulder belt guide is engaged securely.
Never adjust the seat belt height when the ve-hicle is in motion. Automatic belt retractor and belt tensioner
r--f"'n First read and observe the introductory L-W.I information and safety warnings & on page 79.
The seat belts in the vehicle are part of the vehicle safety concept 91 and include the follow-ing important functions:
86 Before the journey
Automatic belt retractor
Every seat belt is equipped with an automatic belt retractor on the shoulder part of the belt. Full free-dom of movement is made possible when the shoulder belt is pulled slowly or when the vehicle is travelling at normal speeds. However, if the belt is IIJ>