2015 VOLKSWAGEN POLO Owner´s Manual

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Belt tension limiter
The belt tension limiter reduces the pressure exerted by the seat belt on the body during an accident.
All safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or components of the system are scrapped. Qualified workshops are familiar
with these requirements  → Service and disposal of belt tensioners   .
Service and disposal of belt tensioners
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings →Introduction 
Seat belts may become damaged during any work on the belt tensioners or while removing or refitting any vehicle parts in conjunction with any
other repair work. This damage will not always be noticeable. The consequence may be that the belt tensioners could function incorrectly, or not
function at all, in the event of an accident.
Regulations must be observed to ensure that the effectiveness of the belt tensioner is not reduced and that removed parts do not cause any
injuries or environmental pollution. Qualified workshops are familiar with these requirements.
 The airbag modules and belt tensioners may contain perchlorate. Please comply with legislation regarding disposal.
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
 → Types of front passenger front airbag system  
 → Indicator lamps  
 → Description and function of the airbags  
 → Front airbags  
 → Switching the front passenger front airbag on and off manually using the key-operated switch  
 → Side airbags  
 → Combined curtain and side airbags  
 → Curtain airbags  
The vehicle is equipped with a front airbag for the driver and front passenger. The front airbags can provide front seat occupants with additional
chest and head protection if the seat, seat belts, head restraints and, in the case of the driver, steering wheel are adjusted and used correctly.
Airbags are meant only for additional protection. The airbags are not a substitute for seat belts. Seat belts must always be worn, even when the
front seats are equipped with front airbags.
Additional information and warnings:
Driving tips  → Driving tips  
The risk of severe or fatal injuries may be increased if the seat belts, automatic belt retractors and belt tensioners are not used correctly, or if
they are repaired by a non-professional. As a result, the belt tensioners may not be triggered when they should, or they may be triggered
unexpectedly.
Any repairs, adjustments or removal and refitting of parts in the belt tensioners or seat belts should always be carried out by a qualified
workshop and never by yourself  → Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts   .
Belt tensioners and automatic belt retractors cannot be repaired. They must be replaced.
WARNING
Airbag system

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Central locking system  → Central locking system  
Correct sitting position  → Adjusting the seat position  
Seat belts  → Seat belts  
Child seats  → Child seats  
Cleaning and caring for the interior  → Cleaning and caring for the interior  
Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts  → Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts  
Consumer information  → Consumer information  
Never rely solely on the airbag system for your protection.
Even if an airbag is triggered, it only offers auxiliary protection.
The airbag system offers the best level of protection, and reduces the risk of injury, when seat belts are properly worn  → Seat belts   .
Before every trip, each vehicle occupant must adopt the correct sitting position, correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to their seat and
keep it fastened properly throughout the trip. This applies to all vehicle occupants and also in urban traffic.
WARNING
The risk of injury increases if there are any objects between the vehicle occupants and the deployment area of the airbag when it is triggered.
This will alter the deployment zone of the airbag, or the objects will be flung against the body.
Never hold any objects in your hand or on your lap while the vehicle is in motion.
Never transport any objects on the front passenger seat. The objects could enter the deployment zone of the airbag during sudden braking
or driving manoeuvres and then be flung dangerously through the vehicle interior if the airbag is activated.
Vehicle occupants sitting on the front seats and rear outer seats must never carry any people, pets or objects in the deployment zone
between themselves and the airbags. Make sure that children and passengers also keep to this rule.
WARNING
The airbag system can only be triggered once. The system will have to be replaced if the airbags have been triggered.
Airbags that have been triggered, and any affected system parts, must immediately be replaced with new parts that are approved by
Volkswagen for the vehicle.
Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified workshop. Qualified workshops have the necessary tools,
diagnostic equipment, repair information and qualified personnel.
Never use recycled airbag components or components that have been taken from end-of-life vehicles in your vehicle.
Never alter any components of the airbag system.
WARNING

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Types of front passenger front airbag system
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings →Introduction 
Volkswagen offers two different front airbag systems for front passengers:
AB
Features of the front passenger front airbag that can only
be switched off by a qualified workshop.
Features of the front passenger front airbag that can be
switched off manually using the key-operated switch
 → Switching the front passenger front airbag on and off manually using
the key-operated switch   .
Name: airbag system.Name: airbag system with front passenger front airbag
deactivation.
– Indicator lamp  in the instrument cluster.– Indicator lamp  in the instrument cluster.
– Front passenger front airbag in the dash panel.– Indicator lamp in top area of the centre console  
.PASSENGER AIR BAG.
 – Key-operated switch in the stowage compartment in the dash panel
on the front passenger side.
 – Front passenger front airbag in the dash panel.
Indicator lamps
Fine dust or steam may be released when the airbags trigger. This is normal and does not mean that there is a fire in the vehicle.
The fine dust can cause irritation to the skin and eye membranes and cause breathing difficulties, particularly for people suffering from
asthma or people who have (had) other respiratory problems. To help reduce breathing difficulties, get out of the vehicle or open the
windows or doors for more fresh air.
If you come into contact with the dust, you should wash your hands and face with a mild soap and water before eating.
Do not let the dust get into your eyes or into open wounds.
If dust has entered your eyes, rinse them with water.
WARNING
Cleaning agents that contain solvents cause the surface of the airbag modules to become porous. In an accident that triggers the airbag, loose
plastic parts can cause serious injury.
Never clean the dash panel or the airbag covers with cleansers that contain solvents.
WARNING

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Fig. 59 In the upper section of the centre console: indicator lamp for disabled front passenger front airbag
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings →Introduction 
Lit upLocationPossible causeAction
Instrument clusterFault in airbag and belt tensioner system.Go to a qualified workshop to have the system
checked immediately.
Upper section of the centre
console
Fault in the airbag system.Go to a qualified workshop to have the system
checked immediately.
Front passenger front airbag switched off.Check whether the airbag should stay switched
off.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is switched on. They will go out after a few
seconds.
If the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIRBAG in the upper part centre console is not continuously lit or if it lights up together with the
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster when the front passenger front airbag is switched off, there may be a fault in the airbag system  →
 .
Description and function of the airbags
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings →Introduction 
The airbags can protect vehicle occupants during frontal and side collisions by reducing their movement in the direction of the collision.
When an airbag is triggered, it is inflated by a gas generator. This causes the airbag covers to break, and the airbags inflate forcefully to cover
If there is a fault in the airbag system, the airbag may not trigger correctly, may not trigger at all or may trigger unexpectedly. This can cause
severe or fatal injuries.
The airbag system should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
Never fit a child seat to the front passenger seat or remove a child seat that is already fitted. The front passenger front airbag may trigger
during an accident in spite of the fault.
WARNING
To avoid damage to your vehicle, always observe the indicator lamps and associated warning texts.
NOTICE

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their deployment zones within milliseconds. Once a vehicle occupant wearing a seat belt starts to sink into the inflated airbag, the gas inside the
airbag starts to escape to cushion the occupant and slow down their movement. This can reduce the risk of severe and fatal injuries. A triggered
airbag will not always prevent other injuries from occurring, such as swelling, bruising, burning and grazing.
Airbags provide no protection for the arms or lower body.
The most important factors for triggering the airbag are the type of accident, the angle of impact, the vehicle speed and the type of object with
which the vehicle collides. Therefore, visible damage to the vehicle does not always mean that the airbag should have been triggered.
Whether or not the airbag triggers is determined by the vehicle deceleration rate caused by the collision and registered by the electronic control
unit. If this rate is below the reference value programmed into the control unit, the airbags will not be triggered, even though the vehicle may be
badly damaged as a result of the collision. Vehicle damage, repair costs or even the lack of vehicle damage in an accident do not necessarily
give an indication of whether an airbag should inflate or not. It is not possible to define a range of vehicle speeds and reference values, since the
circumstances will vary considerably between one collision and another. It is therefore impossible to cover every possible kind and angle of
impact that would trigger the airbags. Important factors in the triggering of the airbag include the nature (hard or soft) of the object that the vehicle
hits, the angle of impact, and the vehicle speed.
Airbags only serve as a supplement to the three-point seat belt in some accident situations when the vehicle braking is sufficient to trigger the
airbags. Airbags can only be triggered once and only in certain situations. The seat belts are always there to provide protection in situations in
which the airbags are not triggered or have already been triggered. For example, if the vehicle collides with a further vehicle following the initial
collision, or is hit by another vehicle.
The airbag system is part of the vehicle's overall passive safety concept. The airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are
wearing their seat belts correctly and have assumed a proper sitting position  → Adjusting the seat position   .
Components of the vehicle safety concept
The following vehicle safety equipment makes up the vehicle's safety concept to reduce the risk of severe and fatal injuries. Some of this
equipment may not be fitted in your particular vehicle. It may not be available at all in some countries.
Optimised seat belts for all seats.
Belt tensioners for driver and front passenger.
Belt tension limiter for the driver, front passenger and, if applicable, for the rear outer seats.
Belt height adjuster for the front seats.
Warning lamp .
Front airbags for driver and front passenger.
Combined curtain and side airbags for the driver and front passenger.
Curtain airbags on the right and left.
Airbag indicator lamp .
PASSENGER AIR BAG    Indicator lamp in top area of the centre console.
Control units and sensors.
Height-adjustable head restraints optimised for rear impact.
Adjustable steering column.
If fitted, ISOFIX anchor points for child seats on the rear outer seats.
If applicable, securing points for the top tether for child seats.
Situations when the front, side, head or combined curtain and side airbags will not be triggered:
If the ignition is switched off during a collision.

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If the level of deceleration measured by the control unit is too low during a collision at the front of the vehicle.
During a minor side collision.
During rear collisions.
If the vehicle rolls over.
If the impact speed in a collision is lower than the reference value specified in the control unit.
Front airbags
Fig. 60 Location and deployment zone of the driver front airbag
Fig. 61 Location and deployment zone of the front passenger front airbag
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings →Introduction 
In conjunction with the seat belts, the front airbag system gives the front occupants additional protection for the head and chest in the event of a
severe frontal collision. Always keep as far away from the front airbag as possible  → Adjusting the seat position   . This allows the front airbags to
inflate fully when triggered, thus providing maximum protection.
The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel  → Fig. 60  A and the front airbag for the front passenger is located in the dash panel
 → Fig. 61  A. The airbag locations are identified by the text AIRBAG.
The areas inside the red lines  → Fig. 60  B and  → Fig. 61  B are covered by the front airbags when triggered (deployment zone). You must never
leave or attach any objects in these areas  → . The factory-fitted accessories, such as the base plate for the mobile telephone holder, will not
be struck when the driver and front passenger front airbags are triggered.
The airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel  → Fig. 60  B or dash panel  → Fig. 61  B when the driver and front passenger airbags deploy.

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Switching the front passenger front airbag on and off manually using the key-operated switch
Fig. 62 In the stowage compartment on the front passenger side: key switch for disabling and enabling the front airbag on the front passenger
side
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings →Introduction 
The front passenger front airbag must be switched off when securing a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat.
Disabling the front passenger front airbag
Switch off the ignition.
Open the stowage compartment on the front passenger side.
Once triggered, the airbag inflates at high speed.
Always leave the deployment zones of the front airbags clear.
Never attach any objects, such as drink or telephone holders, to the covers of the airbags or anywhere in the airbag deployment zone.
No other people, animals or objects may be carried between the occupants of the front seats and the airbag deployment zone. Make sure
that children and passengers also keep to this rule.
Do not attach any objects, e.g. mobile navigation devices, to the windscreen above the front airbag on the front passenger side.
Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the soft plastic surface of the airbag unit in the dash panel on the front
passenger side, and do not modify them in any way.
DANGER
The front airbags are deployed in front of the steering wheel  → Fig. 60  and dash panel  → Fig. 61 .
When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions.
Adjust the driver seat so that there is at least 25 cm between your breastbone and the hub of the steering wheel. Contact a qualified
workshop if your physical build makes this impracticable.
Adjust the front passenger seat so that the distance between the passenger and the dash panel is as large as possible.
WARNING

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Fold the key bit of the vehicle key all the way out  → Vehicle key set   .
Insert the open key bit into the key switch in the stowage compartment  → Fig. 62  to the second point of resistance. Around three quarters of
the key bit should be inserted in the key switch at this point  → .
Turn the vehicle key, without applying force, to the position.
Remove the vehicle key from the key switch  →  and fold the key bit away.
Close the stowage compartment on the front passenger side.
When the ignition is switched on, the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIRBAG will light up steadily in the upper section of the centre
console  → Indicator lamps   .
Enabling the front passenger front airbag
Switch off the ignition.
Open the stowage compartment on the front passenger side.
Fold the key bit of the vehicle key all the way out  → Vehicle key set   .
Insert the open key bit into the key switch in the stowage compartment  → Fig. 62  to the second point of resistance. Around three quarters of
the key bit should be inserted in the key switch at this point  → .
Turn the vehicle key, without applying force, to the position.
Remove the vehicle key from the key switch  →  and fold the key bit away.
Close the stowage compartment on the front passenger side.
Check that the PASSENGER AIRBAG    indicator lamp in the upper section of the centre console does not light up when the
ignition is switched on  → Indicator lamps   .
Ensuring that the front passenger front airbag has been deactivated
The only sure sign that the front passenger front airbag has been deactivated is when the PASSENGER AIRBAG indicator lamp is
displayed in the upper section of the centre console (   lights up yellow steadily)  → Indicator lamps   .
If the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG  in the upper section of the centre console is not lit up steadily, or if it lights up at the
same time as indicator lamp in the instrument cluster, do not attach any child restraint system to the front passenger seat for safety reasons.
The front passenger front airbag may trigger during an accident.
Do not leave the vehicle key in the key switch while driving.
Strong vibration may cause the vehicle key to turn in the key switch, which could cause the front passenger front airbag to be activated.
Untimely inflation of the front passenger front airbag could lead to serious or fatal injuries.
WARNING