Fig. 50 On the driver side: location of the knee airbag
Fig. 51 On the driver side: deployment zone of the knee airbag.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The knee airbag on the driver side is located in the lower part of the dash panel.
The location of the knee airbag is indicated by the AIRBAG label ⇒ Fig. 50.
The area in the red frame ⇒ Fig. 51 is covered by the knee airbag when triggered (deployment
zone). For this reason, you must never leave or attach any items in this area ⇒.
Safe transport of children
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Types of child seat
⇒ Installing and using child seats
⇒ Securing systems
⇒ Securing child seats with ISOFIX
⇒ Securing child seats with top tether upper strap
⇒ Securing child seats with a seat belt
Using child seats can reduce the risk of injury to the child if there is an accident. Always use child
seats when driving with children.
Note the following:
•Child seats are classified into groups depending on the size, age and weight of child for which
they are designed.
•Various securing systems are used to secure child seats in the vehicle.
For safety reasons, child seats should always be fitted to the rear seats ⇒ Installing and using child
seats.
Volkswagen recommends child seats from the Volkswagen range of accessories. These child seats
have been developed and approved for use in Volkswagen vehicles.
Once triggered, the airbag inflates at high speed.
•Do not use any objects, e.g. key rings, that could interfere with the deployment zone of
the knee airbag.
•Never secure any items on the cover or in the deployment zone of the knee airbag.
•The knee airbag is deployed in the area in front of the driver's knees. Adjust the driver
seat so there is at least a 10 cm gap between the knees and the location of the knee
airbag. Contact a qualified workshop if your physical build makes this impracticable.
WARNING
•Weight class 0/0+: group 0/0+ or 0/1 rear-facing infant carriers ⇒ Fig. 52 are the best option
for the period from birth to about 18 months.
•Weight class 1: group 1 (up to about four years old) or group 1/2 (up to about seven years old)
with an integral belt system are best for children over the relevant weight limit.
•Weight classes 2/3: groups 2 and 3 include child seats with a backrest, and booster seats with
no backrest. Child seats with a backrest have integrated seat routing and side cushions, and so
provide better protection than booster seats with no backrest. Volkswagen therefore
recommends the use of child seats with a backrest. Group 2 child seats are for children up to
the age of about seven, group 3 child seats for those older than seven.
Not every child will fit in the child seat specified for their weight group. Likewise, not every seat will
fit in every vehicle. Therefore it is vital to check that the child fits properly in their child seat and that
the child seat can be securely fastened in the vehicle.
Child seat approval categories
Child seats can be classified as universal, semi-universal or vehicle-specific (all in accordance with
regulation ECE-R 44), or as i-Size (in accordance with regulation ECE-R 129).
•Universal: child seats with universal approval are approved for use in all vehicles. No type list
is required. ISOFIX child seats with universal approval must also be securing using a strap over
the top of the vehicle seat (top tether).
•Semi-universal: semi-universal approval requires other safety devices for attaching the seat
(that require additional testing) in addition to the standard requirements for universal approval.
Child seats with semi-universal approval come with a type list. The seats should only be used in
vehicles that are included on this list.
•Vehicle-specific: child seats with vehicle specific approval must have undergone dynamic
testing in each model of vehicle for which it is approved. These child seats also come with a
type list.
•i-Size: child seats classified as i-Size must conform to the installation and safety requirements
prescribed in regulation ECE-R 129. Contact the child seat manufacturer to find out which child
seats are approved for this vehicle in accordance with i-Size.
Regulation ECE-R 129 has not yet been implemented by the state authorities in all countries.
Installing and using child seats
Fig. 53 A typical airbag label on the sun visor.
Fig. 54 A typical airbag label on the B-pillar.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Country-specific regulations
The standards and regulations governing the use of child seats and child seat securing
mechanisms differ from country to country. Not all countries allow you to transport children on the
front passenger seat. Legislation and legal requirements take precedence over the information
given in this owner's manual.
Information on fitting a child seat
Observe the following general information when fitting a child seat. This information is relevant
whatever child seat securing system is being used.
•Read and follow the instructions provided by the child seat manufacturer ⇒.
•Whenever possible, fit all child seats to the rear seat behind the front passenger seat so that
children can exit the vehicle on the kerb side.
•Move the seat belt height adjuster to the highest position.
1)
Securing systems
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Different countries use different securing systems for safely fitting child seats in the vehicle.
Key terms for securing systems
•ISOFIX: ISOFIX is a standardised securing system for fitting child seats in the vehicle quickly
and safely. The ISOFIX attachment system creates a rigid connection between the child seat
and the car body.
Compatible child seats have two rigid attachment arms that click into ISOFIX attachment points at
the bottom of the backrest (on the outer rear seats). The ISOFIX securing system as described
here is specific to Europe ⇒ Securing child seats with ISOFIX. An upper strap (top tether) and/or
support foot may sometimes have to be used in addition to the ISOFIX anchor points described
above.
•Three-point automatic seat belt. It is better to secure child seats using the ISOFIX system, if
available, rather than with a three-point automatic seat belt ⇒ Securing child seats with a seat
belt.
Additional securing points:
•Top tether: the strap at the top of the child seat is routed over the vehicle seat backrest and
hooked to an anchor ring on the back of the rear seats ⇒ Securing child seats with top tether
upper strap. Top tether anchor points are marked with an anchor symbol.
•Support foot: some child seats are propped up with a support foot resting on the floor of the
vehicle. This support foot helps prevent the child seat tipping forward in a crash. Child seats
with a support foot can be used only on the front passenger seat and the outer rear seats ⇒.
Recommended child seat securing systems
Volkswagen recommends that child seats are secured as follows:
•Infant carrier or rear-facing child seat: ISOFIX and support foot.
•Front-facing child seat: ISOFIX and top tether and possibly support foot also.
Securing child seats with ISOFIX
Fig. 55 On vehicle seat: markings identifying the ISOFIX anchoring points for child seats.
Using a front-facing child seat on the front passenger seat presents a risk of injury.
•Move the front passenger seat as far back and as high as it can be set, to create the
largest possible distance between the child seat and the front passenger front airbag.
•Move the backrest to the upright position.
•Set the belt height adjuster of the seat belt to the highest position.
•Use only child seats that have been approved by the child seat manufacturer for use on
a front passenger seat with front and side airbags.
WARNING
To help avoid injuries caused by inflation of a head airbag or side airbag:
•Ensure that no children are seated within the airbag deployment zone ⇒ Airbag
system.
•Do not place any objects in the side airbag deployment zones.
WARNING
Incorrect use of the support foot can cause severe or fatal injuries.
•Ensure that the support foot is always correctly and safely installed.
WARNING
Fig. 56 Fitting a typical ISOFIX child seat with the attachment arms.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Quick guide to ISOFIX and i-Size installation
The table below shows the options for securing ISOFIX or i-Size child seats to ISOFIX anchor
points at the various possible seats in the vehicle.
GroupSize classFront
passenger
seat
Outer rear
seats
Centre rear
seat
Group 0: up to 10
kgEXIL-SUX
Group 0+: up to
13 kg
EX
IL-SU
X
DXX
CXX
Group 1: 9 to 18
kg
DX
IL-SU, IUF
X
CXX
BXX
B1XX
AXX
Group 2: 15 to 25
kg–XIL-SUX
Group 3: 22 to 36
kg–XIL-SUX
i-Size child
restraint system–Xi-UX
•Size class: the size class shown corresponds to the permissible weight range of the child using
the seat. The size class is indicated on the ECE test certificate for child seats with universal or
semi-universal approval. A size class indication is affixed to the child seat.
•X: seat not suitable for securing an ISOFIX or i-Size child seat in this group.
•IL-SU: seat suitable for installing an ISOFIX child seat with "semi-universal" approval. Refer to
the vehicle list supplied by the child seat manufacturer.
•IUF: seat suitable for installing an ISOFIX child seat with "universal" approval.
•i-U: seat suitable for installing a front-facing or rear-facing i-Size child seat with "universal"
approval.
•i-UF: seat suitable for installing a front-facing i-Size child seat with "universal" approval.
Installing child seats with ISOFIX ISOFIX/i-Size
The location of the ISOFIX anchor points is shown by a symbol ⇒ Fig. 55.
•Observe the instructions ⇒ Installing and using child seats.
•Pull off any protective caps that may be fitted on the ISOFIX anchoring points.
•Push the attachment arms on the child seat into the ISOFIX anchor points ⇒ Fig. 55 as shown
by the arrows. The child seat must click and audibly securely into place.
•Pull on both sides of the child seat to check whether the seat has clicked properly into place.
•If the child seat is fitted with a support foot, the foot must sit firmly on the floor of the vehicle.
Securing child seats with top tether upper strap
Fig. 57 On the back of the rear bench seat: anchor rings for the top tether.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
ISOFIX child seats with universal approval must be secured with an upper strap (top tether) in
addition to the ISOFIX anchor points.
Only secure the strap to the top tether anchor rings. Retaining rings for use with the top tether are
marked by a symbol and sometimes also with TOP TETHER.
•Observe the instructions ⇒ Installing and using child seats.
•Remove the net partition if necessary ⇒ Net partition.
•Push the head restraint on the vehicle seat all the way down or remove it.
•Position the child seat in the centre of the seat cushion.
•Push the attachment arms on the child seat into the ISOFIX anchor points ⇒ Securing child
seats with ISOFIX as shown by the arrows. The child seat must click and audibly securely into
place.
•Adjust the rear seat backrest of the vehicle seat to the backrest of the child seat.
•Remove the luggage compartment cover, if necessary ⇒ Luggage compartment cover.
•Guide the upper strap of the child seat backwards into the luggage compartment and hook it
into the corresponding top tether anchor ring ⇒ Fig. 57.
•Tighten the top tether so that the top of the child seat rests against the rear seat backrest.
Securing child seats with a seat belt
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
If you want to fit a child seat from the "universal" (u) approval category in your vehicle, you must
first ensure that it is approved for the seat position in question. Important information is given on the
orange ECE approval label on the child seat. Installation options are shown in the table below.
GroupChild's
weight
Front passenger seatSeats on
the rear
bench
seat
Front
passenger
front airbag is
activated.
Front
passenger
front airbag is
deactivated.
Group 0up to 10 kgxuu
Group 0+up to 13 kgxuu
Group
1
Rear facing9 to 18 kgxuu
Forward
facing9 to 18 kguxu
Group 215 to 25 kguxu
Group 322 to 36 kguxu
Securing a child seat using the seat belt
•Observe the instructions ⇒ Installing and using child seats.
•The seat belt height adjuster must be at the highest setting.
•Fasten the seat belt or guide it through the child seat as described in the child seat
manufacturer's instructions.
•Ensure that the seat belt is not twisted.
•Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push it down until it locks
securely with a click.
In an emergency
Only secure the strap to the top tether anchor rings. Failure to do this could lead to severe
injuries.
•Each anchor ring can hold only one child seat restraining strap.
•Never fasten the strap on a child seat to any other fastening rings.
WARNING