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Volkswagen offers two different front passenger front airbag systems:
A B
Features of the front passenger
front airbag that can be switched
off only 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 .
– Front passenger front airbag in the dash panel.
Indicator lamp
Fig. 39 In the roof console: indicator lamp for deactivated front passenger front airbag or indicator
lamp for activated front passenger front airbag .
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
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.
WARNING
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 could 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 deploy during an accident in spite of the fault.
NOTICE
Failure to observe the illuminated indicator lamps could lead to the vehicle being damaged.
Description and function of the airbags
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
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Switch off the ignition.
Open the door on the front passenger side.
Fold the key bit of the vehicle key all the way out ⇒ Vehicle key .
Insert the key bit into the key-operated switch on the dash panel ⇒ Fig. 42 until you feel 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 using force, to the position .
Remove the vehicle key from the key-operated switch and fold away the key bit ⇒ .
The PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp in the upper section of the centre console lights up
and goes out after approximately 60 seconds ⇒ Indicator lamp .
Close the door on the front passenger side.
Check that the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp in the upper section of the centre
console does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ Indicator lamp .
Disabling the front passenger front airbag
Switch off the ignition.
Open the door on the front passenger side.
Fold the key bit of the vehicle key all the way out ⇒ Vehicle key .
Insert the fully folded-out key bit of the vehicle key into the key-operated switch in the dash panel
⇒ Fig. 42 up 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 using force, to the position .
Remove the vehicle key from the key-operated switch and fold away the key bit ⇒ .
Close the door on the front passenger side.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp in the upper section of the centre console lights
up continuously when the ignition is switched on ⇒ Indicator lamp .
Indication that front passenger front airbag is disabled
A deactivated front passenger front airbag is indicated only by the continuously lit
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp in the upper section of the centre console (
lights up yellow continuously) ⇒ Indicator lamp .
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp in the upper section of the centre console does
not light up continuously or lights up together with the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
display, do not fit a child restraint system on the front passenger seat for safety reasons. The front
passenger front airbag could trigger during an accident.
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On the B-pillar on the front passenger side ⇒ Fig. 45 .
It is essential to note the warning information shown on these stickers before installing a rear-facing
child seat ⇒ .
Risks involved in carrying children on the front passenger seat
If you are using a rear-facing child seat, the front passenger front airbag can cause critical or
potentially fatal injuries when it inflates ⇒ .
Rear-facing child seats may be used on the front passenger seat only if the front passenger front
airbag has been deactivated. A deactivated front passenger front airbag is indicated by the
continuously lit PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp in the driver's field of vision.
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp ⇒ Indicator lamp .
If using a front-facing child seat, do not deactivate the front passenger front airbag. When fitting the
child seat, ensure that it is as far away as possible from the front passenger front airbag. The front
passenger front airbag can cause severe injuries when it inflates ⇒ .
Some child seats are not suitable for use on the front passenger seat. The child seat must be
specially approved by the manufacturer for use on the front passenger seat in vehicles with front
and side airbags. Volkswagen dealerships keep an up-to-date list of approved child seats.
DANGER
If you use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, the child in it is at increased risk of
sustaining critical or fatal injuries in the event of an accident.
Deactivate the front passenger front airbag. If the front passenger front airbag cannot be
deactivated, no rear-facing child seat may be used.
Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible and adjust to its highest position to create the
largest possible distance between the child seat and the front passenger front airbag.
Move the backrest to the upright position.
Adjust the seat belt height adjuster 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
There is a risk of injury if child seats are installed incorrectly.
Always read and follow the installation instructions and warning information provided by the child
seat manufacturer.
WARNING