2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI Owners Manual

Folding the rear seat backrest forward and back into place

Fig. 88 A: Rear seat bench: release button 1, red mark 2. B: Seat backrest folded forward.

WARNING
Improper folding and improper latching of the rear seat backrest can cause serious personal injury.
x Always make sure there are no people or animals in the area around the rear seat backrest when folding it forward.
x Never fold the rear seat backrest forward or back while the vehicle is moving.
x When folding the rear seat backrest back up, make sure that the safety belt does not get caught or damaged.
x Keep hands, fingers, feet and other body parts out of the way when folding the rear seat backrest forward or back.
x Each rear seat backrest must be securely latched in the upright position so that the safety belts on the rear seats can provide protection. This is particularly the case for the middle seat on the rear seat bench.
x If a seat is used with an unsecured backrest, the passenger will move forward together with the rear seat backrest during sudden braking, driving maneuvers, or in a collision.
x If the red marking on the button (2) is visible, this indicates that the backrest is not latched into place. Always check to make sure that the red marking is not visible whenever the rear seat backrest is in the upright position.
x No one, including children, may ride on the rear seats if the rear seat backrest is folded down or not correctly latched.
NOTICE
Before folding the rear seat backrest forward, adjust the front seats so that the rear seat's head restraint or backrest cushion will not touch the front seats.
Luggage compartment cover

Fig. 89 In the luggage compartment: Installing and removing the luggage compartment cover.

Removing the luggage compartment cover
x Unhook the supporting cords from each side of the rear hatch ⇒ fig. 89 (top arrows).
x Pull the luggage compartment cover upward (bottom arrows) until it releases from the side brack-ets.
x If necessary, stow the luggage compartment cover under the variable luggage compartment floor
⇒ Variable luggage compartment floor.
Installing the luggage compartment cover
x Press the luggage compartment cover into the side brackets from above (bottom arrows).
x Hook the supporting cords onto the rear hatch (top arrows).
WARNING
In a sudden braking or other maneuver, or in a collision, unsecured or improperly secured objects or animals on the luggage compartment cover can cause serious personal injury.
x Never leave hard, heavy or sharp objects in bags or loose on the luggage compartment cover.
x Never let animals ride on the luggage compartment cover.
NOTICE
To help prevent damage to the luggage compartment cover, the luggage compartment may only be loaded to a height at which the luggage compartment cover will not press on the cargo when the rear hatch is closed.
NOTICE
Things on the luggage compartment cover can damage it.
x The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that rub against them.
Luggage compartment pass-through

Fig. 90 In the rear seat backrest: Opening the luggage compartment pass-through.

Fig. 91 In the luggage compartment: Opening the pass-through.

Tie-downs

Fig. 92 In the luggage compartment: Tie-downs.

WARNING
Elastic straps have to be stretched when being attached to the tie-downs in the luggage compartment. Hooks on these straps can cause serious personal injury if not handled properly and attached securely.
x Always protect eyes and face from injury from the hooks when attaching them to the tie-downs in the luggage compartment.
x Always hold the hooks on elastic straps firmly when attaching to the vehicle and do not let them snap back and hit you.
x First attach the hooks on the straps to the tie-downs at the rear seat backrest in the lug-gage compartment and then to the tie-downs near the loading edge of the luggage compart-ment. This way, if one of the hooks on the elastic straps snaps back, it will move away from you, decreasing the risk of personal injury.
The maximum load for the tie-downs is about 380 lbs. (172 kg).
For suitable straps and luggage stowage systems, please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Shopping bag hooks

Fig. 93 In the luggage compartment: Shopping bag hooks.

NOTICE
The maximum load for each shopping bag hook is 5 lbs. (2.5 kg).
Variable luggage compartment floor

Fig. 94 In the luggage compartment: Opening the variable luggage compartment floor.

Fig. 95 In the luggage compartment: Variable luggage compartment floor folded up.

x Insert the luggage compartment floor into the guides at the required height and push it forward as far as it will go.
WARNING
During hard braking or an accident, loose objects can fly through the passenger compart-ment and cause serious or even fatal injuries.
x Even if the luggage compartment floor panel is properly raised, it is still necessary to secure all objects.
x The maximum weight rating of the variable luggage compartment floor is 330 lbs (150 kg) in the upper position
NOTICE
Do not let the luggage compartment floor fall freely when closing it. Always guide it down into place. The trim or the luggage compartment floor could be damaged.
If you store the luggage compartment cover under the variable luggage compartment floor, insert the luggage compartment floor into the upper guides.