
Assume a correct sitting position before setting off and maintain this position while driving. This also 
applies to all passengers Sitting position. 
 
Fasten your seat belt correctly before setting off and keep it properly fastened throughout the 
journey. This also applies to all passengers Seat belts. 
 
Each vehicle occupant must sit in a seat of their own and must have their own seat belt. 
 
Never drive if your driving ability is impaired, e.g. by medication, alcohol or drugs. 
 
Do not allow yourself to be distracted from the traffic, e.g. by passengers, telephone calls, opening 
menus and making adjustments to settings. 
 
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions. 
 
Observe traffic regulations and speed limits. 
 
Take regular breaks when travelling long distances – at least every two hours. 
 
Secure animals in the vehicle using a system that is suitable for their weight and size. 
Checklist 
In some countries, special safety standards and emissions-related legislation apply that may differ 
from the build status of the vehicle. Volkswagen recommends that you visit your Volkswagen 
dealership before travelling abroad to find out about any legal requirements and the following issues 
at your destination: 
 
Does the vehicle need any technical modifications for driving abroad, e.g. masking or switching the 
headlights over? 
 
Are the necessary tools, diagnosis equipment and spare parts available for service and repair work? 
  

 
Fig. 26 Illustration: correct distance between the driver and the steering wheel, correct seat belt 
routing and correct head restraint adjustment. 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
The correct sitting positions for the driver and passengers are described below. 
If any vehicle occupants cannot assume a correct sitting position due to their physical build, they 
should contact a qualified workshop to find out about possible special modifications. The seat belts 
and airbags can only provide a maximum level of protection if a correct sitting position is assumed. 
Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose. 
Volkswagen recommends the following sitting positions for your own safety and to reduce the level 
of injury in the event of a sudden braking manoeuvre or an accident: 
The following applies to all vehicle occupants: 
Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same height as the top of the head, but not 
lower than eye level. Position the back of your head as close to the head restraint as possible at all 
times ⇒ Fig. 26 . 
For small people, push the head restraint all the way down, even if the head is then located 
underneath the top edge of the head restraint. 
For taller people, push the head restraint up as far as it will go. 
Keep both feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion. 
Adjust and fasten seat belts properly ⇒ Seat belts . 
Additional points for the driver: 
Move the backrest into an upright position so that your back rests fully against it. 
Adjust the steering wheel so that the distance between the steering wheel and your breastbone is at 
least 25 cm ⇒ Fig. 26Ⓐ , and the circumference of the steering wheel can be held at the sides with 
both hands and your arms slightly bent ⇒ Steering wheel . 
The steering wheel must always point towards the breastbone and not towards the face. 
Adjust the driver seat by moving it forwards or backwards so that you are able to press the pedals to 
the floor with your knees still slightly bent and so that the distance from the dash panel to your 
knees is at least 10 cm ⇒ Fig. 26Ⓑ . 
Adjust the height of the driver seat so that you can reach the highest point of the steering wheel.  

Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up easily, without twisting the seat belt and without 
damaging the trim. 
 
WARNING 
Incorrect seat belt routing can cause severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident. 
The seat belts offer best protection only when the backrests are in an upright position and the seat 
belts have been fastened properly according to the occupant's size. 
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. 
Seat belt routing 
 
Fig. 36 Correct seat belt routing and head restraint adjustment. 
 
Fig. 37 Correct seat belt routing for pregnant women. 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction  
Seat belts will offer an optimum level of protection during an accident only when they are routed 
correctly. Correct seat belt routing reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Correct seat belt 
routing also holds the vehicle occupants in position so that a deployed airbag can offer the 
maximum level of protection. This is why you must always fasten your seat belt and ensure that the 
seat belt routing is correct ⇒ Fig. 36 . 
An incorrect sitting position can cause severe or fatal injuries ⇒ Sitting position . 
Correct seat belt routing  

The belt tensioners are activated by sensors in the event of severe frontal, side and rear collisions. 
They tighten the seat belts against the direction in which they are pulled. Any slack in the seat belt is 
retracted, which can reduce the forward movement of the vehicle occupants and their movement in 
the direction of the impact. The belt tensioner works together with the airbag system. If the vehicle 
rolls over, the belt tensioners will not be activated if the side airbags are not triggered. 
Fine dust may be produced when belt tensioners are triggered. This is quite normal and does not 
mean there is a fire in the vehicle. 
Belt tension limiter 
The belt tension limiter reduces the pressure exerted by the seat belt on the body in an accident. 
 
All safety regulations must be observed when the vehicle or components of the system are 
scrapped. Qualified workshops are familiar with these regulations ⇒ Service and disposal of belt 
tensioners . 
Service and disposal of belt tensioners 
First read and observe the introductoryinformation 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 regulations. 
 
WARNING 
The risk of severe or fatal injuries may be increased if the seat belts, 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 be, 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 belt retractors cannot be repaired. They must be replaced. 
 
The airbag modules and belt tensioners may contain perchlorate. Observe the applicable legislation 
regarding disposal. 
Proactive occupant protection system  

 
Fig. 68 On the steering wheel: 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. 
Adjust the steering wheel position before setting off and only when the vehicle is stationary ⇒ . 
Push down the lever ⇒ Fig. 67① . 
Adjust the steering wheel so that you can hold it with both hands at its circumference at the 9 
o'clock and 3 o'clock positions with your arms slightly bent ⇒ Fig. 68 . 
Push the lever up firmly until it is flush with the steering column trim ⇒ . 
 
WARNING 
Incorrect use of the steering column position adjustment and incorrect adjustment of the steering 
wheel can cause serious or fatal injuries. 
After adjusting the steering column, always move lever ⇒ Fig. 67①  up so that it engages securely. 
This prevents the steering column from moving spontaneously while the vehicle is in motion. 
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is in motion. If you determine that a readjustment 
is necessary when driving, stop the vehicle safely and adjust the steering wheel to the correct 
position. 
The steering wheel must always point towards the chest and not towards the face. This ensures that 
the driver front airbag provides maximum protection in the event of an accident. 
While driving, always keep both hands on the outside of the steering wheel at the 9 o'clock and 3 
o'clock positions⇒ Fig. 68 . This reduces the risk of injury if the driver front airbag is triggered. 
Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or in any other manner, e.g. at the hub of 
the steering wheel. If the driver front airbag is triggered, you could sustain serious injuries to the 
arms, hands and head. 
Seats and head restraints 
Front seats 
 Introduction 
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:  

⇒ Mechanically adjusting the front seat  
⇒ Folding the front passenger seat backrest forwards  
The following section describes the options for adjusting the front seats. Always ensure that you 
adjust the correct sitting position ⇒ Sitting position . 
 
WARNING 
Always adjust the front seats to their correct position before any journey and ensure that all 
passengers have fastened their seat belts. 
Push the front passenger seat as far back as possible. 
Adjust the driver seat so that there is at least 25 cm between your breastbone and the hub of the 
steering wheel. Adjust the driver seat by moving it forwards or backwards so that you are able to 
press the pedals to the floor with your knees still slightly angled and the distance to the dash panel 
in the knee area is at least 10 cm. If your build makes it impossible to fulfil this requirement, you 
must contact a qualified workshop so they can make any necessary modifications. 
Never travel with the backrest tilted far back. The further back the backrest is tilted, the greater the 
risk of injury caused by incorrect seat belt routing or an incorrect sitting position. 
Never travel with the backrest tilted far forwards. When a front airbag is triggered, it could force the 
seat backrest backwards and injure vehicle occupants on the rear seats. 
Adopt and maintain the greatest possible distance from the steering wheel and dash panel. 
You should always sit upright with your back against the seat backrest with the front seats properly 
adjusted. Do not position any body part too close to where the airbags are fitted. 
The risk of serious injury is increased for passengers on the rear seat if they are not sitting upright 
because the seat belts are incorrectly positioned. 
 
WARNING 
Incorrect adjustment of the seats can cause accidents and serious injuries. 
The seats must be adjusted only when the vehicle is stationary, or else the seat could change 
position unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion, leading to a loss of control of the vehicle. 
Furthermore, an incorrect seating position is adopted while adjusting the seat. 
Adjust the height and tilt of the seat or move it forwards and backwards only when the area around 
the seat is clear. 
The adjustment range of the seats must not be restricted by any items. 
Adjust the tilt angle of the rear seats or move them forwards and backwards only when the area 
around the seats is clear. 
The adjustment and locking areas of the seats must not be soiled.  

 Introduction 
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects: 
⇒ Folding the backrests on the rear bench seat forwards and backwards  
The following section describes the options for adjusting the rear seats. Always ensure that you 
adjust the correct sitting position ⇒ Sitting position . 
 
WARNING 
Incorrect adjustment of the rear seat can cause accidents and serious injuries. 
The rear seat should be adjusted only when the vehicle is stationary as the rear seat could otherwise 
move unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion. Furthermore, an incorrect seating position is 
adopted while adjusting the seat. 
Adjust the rear seat only when there is no one in the adjustment area of the rear seats. 
 
WARNING 
Cigarette lighters left in the vehicle can become damaged or may ignite unnoticed. This can cause 
serious burns and vehicle damage. 
Before adjusting the seats, always make sure that there is no lighter on or near the moveable parts 
of the seat. 
Before closing stowage areas or compartments, always make sure that there is no lighter in the way. 
Never stow lighters in stowage areas, compartments or on other surfaces in the vehicle. Cigarette 
lighters may self-ignite as a result of high surface temperatures, particularly in summer. 
 
WARNING 
In order to reduce the risk of injury while the vehicle is in motion, the centre armrest must always be 
folded up and the stowage compartment must be closed. 
The middle seat on the rear bench seat must never be used when the centre armrest is folded down 
– neither by adults nor children. An incorrect sitting position can cause serious injuries. 
Never transport an adult or child on the centre armrest. 
Close the stowage compartment only when there is no one in its closing path. 
 
NOTICE  

Correct head restraint adjustment 
Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same height as the top of the head, but not 
lower than eye level. Position the back of your head as close to the head restraint as possible. 
Head restraint adjustment for small people 
Push the head restraint all the way down, even if the head is then located underneath the top edge 
of the head restraint. There may be a small gap between the head restraint and backrest in the 
lowest position. 
Head restraint adjustment for tall people 
Push the head restraint up as far as it will go. 
 
WARNING 
Driving without head restraints or with incorrectly adjusted head restraints increases the risk of 
serious or fatal injuries in the event of an accident or sudden driving or braking manoeuvre. 
If a seat is occupied, the head restraint for that seat must be fitted and adjusted correctly. 
Each vehicle occupant must adjust the head restraint to suit their body size in order to reduce the 
risk of neck injuries in an accident. The upper edge of the head restraint must, as far as possible, be 
level with the top of the head, but no lower than eye level. Position the back of your head in the 
middle and as close to the head restraint as possible. 
Never adjust the head restraint when the vehicle is in motion. 
 
NOTICE 
When removing or fitting head restraints, make sure that they do not hit the roof, the front seat 
backrest or other vehicle parts. This will prevent damage from occurring. 
Adjusting the head restraints 
 
Fig. 72 Front head restraint: adjusting.