2021 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN steering

Description and function of the airbags
First read and observe the introductoryinformation 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 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. The deployment of the airbag can also produce
frictional heat.
Airbags provide no protection for the arms or lower body. Exception: in vehicles with a knee airbag,
the knee area of the driver will be protected.
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 softyfRIWKHREMHFWWKDWWKHYHKLFOHKLWVWKH
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 ⇒ Sitting 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 the driver and front passenger and also on the rear outer seats if in
conjunction with side airbags.
•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 and belt status display.
•Front airbags for driver and front passenger.
•Side airbags for the driver, front passenger and, if applicable, for the rear outer seats.
•Curtain airbags on the left and right.
•If applicable, knee airbag for the driver.
•Airbag indicator lamp .
•Indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG in the upper section of the centre console.
•Indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG in the upper section of the centre console.
•Control units and sensors.
•Whiplash-optimised and height-adjustable head restraints.
•Adjustable steering column.
•If applicable, anchor points for child seats on the rear outer seats and on the front passenger
seat.
•If applicable, securing points for the top tether for child seats.
Situations when the front, knee, side and curtain airbags will not be
triggered:
•If the ignition is switched off during a collision.
•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 speed in a collision is lower than the reference value specified in the control unit.
Front airbags
Fig. 44 Location and deployment zone of the driver front airbag.
Fig. 45 Location and deployment zone of the front passenger front airbag.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation 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 ⇒ Sitting 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. 44 and the front airbag for the
front passenger is located in the dash panel ⇒ Fig. 45. The airbag locations are identified by the
text AIRBAG.
The areas inside the red lines are covered by the front airbags when deployed (deployment zoneyf
You must never leave or attach any objects in these areas ⇒. Any factory-fitted accessories will
not be struck if the driver and front passenger front airbags are deployed.
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
airbag modules or anywhere in the airbag module deployment zone.
•No other people, animals or objects may be carried between the occupants of the front
seats and the airbag deployment zone. Ensure that children and passengers 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. 44 and dash panel
⇒ Fig. 45.
•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

Vehicle key
Fig. 61 Vehicle key.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Key to ⇒ Fig. 61:
Central locking button: unlock the vehicle.
Unlock only the boot lid.
Central locking button: lock the vehicle.
Fold the key bit in and out.
Indicator lamp.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the vehicle key flashes when you press a button.
Press the buttons on the key only if the corresponding function is actually needed. Pressing
a button when the function is not required could lead to the vehicle being unlocked unintentionally
or the alarm going off. This also applies even when you are not within the effective range.
Changing the button cell
Swallowing batteries with a diameter of 20 mm, or other button cells, can result in severe
or even fatal injuries within a very short period of time.
•Always keep the vehicle key, key ring with batteries, spare batteries, round cells and
other batteries that are larger than 20 mm out of the reach of children.
•Call for medical help immediately you suspect that someone has swallowed a battery.
DANGER
Careless or unsupervised use of the vehicle key can lead to accidents or injuries.
•Always take all vehicle keys with you every time you leave the vehicle. Children or
unauthorised persons could lock the doors and the boot lid, start the engine or switch
on the ignition and operate electrical equipment such as the electric windows.
•Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone in the vehicle. They could
become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency and may not be able to get themselves
to safety. For example, locked vehicles may be subjected to very high or very low
temperatures depending on the season. This can cause serious injuries and illness or
fatalities, especially among small children.
•Never switch off the ignition while the vehicle is in motion. The steering column lock or
steering lock mechanism may be activated and you will no longer be able to steer the
vehicle.
WARNING
Every electric vehicle key contains electronic components. Protect the key from damage,
moisture and excessive vibration.
NOTICE

Closing the glass roof without the roll-back function
•Press the button to the 2nd position Ⓓ until the glass roof has fully closed.
•The glass roof will now close without the roll-back function.
•Please go to a qualified workshop if the glass roof still cannot be closed.
If you let go of the switch during the closing procedure, the glass roof will open automatically.
Troubleshooting
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Glass roof will not close
•The glass roof only works when the ignition is switched on. The glass roof can still be opened or
closed for a short time after the ignition has been switched off, provided the driver door or front
passenger door are not opened.
Steering wheel
Adjusting the steering wheel position
Fig. 77 Below the steering wheel in the steering column trim: lever for mechanical adjustment of the
steering wheel position.
Fig. 78 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. 77①.
•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. 78.
•Push the lever up firmly until it is flush with the steering column trim ⇒.
Closing the glass roof without the roll-back function can cause serious injuries.
•Always close the glass roof carefully.
•Ensure that nobody obstructs the path of the glass roof, especially if the roll-back
function is not active.
•The roll-back function does not prevent fingers or other body parts from being pressed
against the roof frame and sustaining injury.
WARNING

Seats and head restraints
Front seats
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Mechanically adjusting the front seat
⇒ Electrically 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 the
correct sitting position is adjusted ⇒ Sitting position.
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. 77① 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, 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. 78. 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. on
the hub of the steering wheel. If the driver front airbag is triggered, you could receive
severe injuries to the arms, hands and head.
WARNING

Mechanically adjusting the front seat
Always adjust the front seats to their correct position before any journey and ensure that
any passenger has fastened their seat belt.
•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 bent
and so that the distance from the dash panel to your knees is at least 10 cm. If your
build makes it impossible to fulfil this requirement then 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 back
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 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.
•Only adjust the seats when the vehicle is stationary. The seats could change position
unexpectedly if you attempt to reposition them 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.
•Only adjust the height and tilt of the seat or move it forwards and backwards when the
area around the seat is clear.
•To be able to make adjustments to the seats, the area around them must not be
restricted by any items.
•Only adjust the height of the rear seat or move it forwards and backwards when the
area around the seat is clear.
•The areas for adjusting and locking the seats must not be soiled.
WARNING
Improper use of seat covers or protective covers may lead to the electrical seat controls
being operated accidentally and the front seats moving unexpectedly while the vehicle is
moving. You could lose control over the vehicle. This could result in serious injury and
accidents. Furthermore, this may result in damage to the electrical components in the
front seats.
•Never attach or secure seat covers or protective covers to the electrical controls.
•Do not fit seat covers or protective covers over the seats unless they have been
expressly approved for use in the vehicle.
WARNING
Cigarette lighters in the vehicle could be damaged or accidentally lit. This could lead to
serious burns and other injuries.
•Before adjusting the seats always ensure that there is no lighter on or near the
moveable parts of the seat.
•Before closing stowage areas or compartments always ensure that there is no lighter
in the way.
•Never stow lighters in stowage areas, compartments or on other surfaces in the
vehicle. High surface temperatures, especially in summer, may cause cigarette lighters
to self-ignite.
WARNING

Massage function
Fig. 95 In the lower area of the driver seat: button for massage function.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
When the massage function is switched on, the lumbar support moves and massages the lumbar
region.
The in/out position of the lumbar support can be adjusted using the appropriate switch during a
massage ⇒ Sitting position.
Switching the massage function on or off
To switch on, press the button in the seat control panel. To switch off, press the
button again.
The massage function is switched off automatically after approximately ten minutes.
Lights
Turn signals
Switching turn signals on and off
Fig. 96 On left of the steering column: turn signal and main beam lever.
•Switch on the ignition.
•Move the turn signal and main beam lever from the centre position to the following position:
Right turn signal.
Left turn signal.
•Return the turn signal and main beam lever to the basic position in order to switch off the turn
signal.
Go to a qualified workshop and have the vehicle checked if the acoustic signal does not sound
when a turn signal is switched on.
The front centre armrest can obstruct the driver's arm movements. This can cause
accidents and severe injuries.
•Always keep the stowage compartments in the centre armrest closed while the vehicle
is in motion.
•Never transport an adult or child on the centre armrest. An incorrect seating position
can cause serious injury.
WARNING
The rear centre armrest must always be folded up while the vehicle is in motion in order to
reduce the risk of injury.
•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
severe injuries.
WARNING

Convenience turn signal
To operate the convenience turn signal, push the turn signal and main beam lever up or down to
the point where you meet resistance and then release the lever. The turn signal flashes 3 times.
To cancel the convenience turn signal, immediately move the lever in the opposite direction up to
the pressure point and then release it.
The convenience turn signal can be activated and deactivated in the Infotainment system in
the Vehicle settings menu ⇒ Operation and display in the Infotainment system:
The hazard warning lights also work when the ignition is switched off ⇒ In an emergency.
Some settings can be stored in the user accounts of the personalisation function and
therefore change automatically when the user account changes ⇒ Personalisation.
Vehicle lighting
Switching lights on and off
Fig. 97 Next to the steering wheel: light switch (one variantyf.
Switching lights on
•Switch on the ignition.
•Turn the light switch to the appropriate position.
Automatic headlights: the dipped beams are switched on or off automatically depending on
the brightness level and the weather ⇒, ⇒ Automatic headlights .The side lights
and daytime running lights are switched on. The symbol in the light switch lights up green.The
dipped beam headlights are switched on.
Switching off the lights
•Switch off the ignition.
•Turn the light switch to the appropriate position.
The lights are switched off.Leaving Home function (orientation lightingyfPD\EHVZLWFKHG
on ⇒ Coming Home and Leaving Home function (orientation lightingyf.Side lights or
continuous parking light on both sides of the vehicle switched on ⇒ Switching the parking lights on 
and off. The symbol in the light switch lights up green.Dipped beam switched off – the side
lights remain on while the vehicle key is in the ignition lock and while the driver door is closed in
vehicles with Keyless Access.
Daytime running lights
The daytime running lights (dependent on equipment levelyfFDQLQFUHDVHWKHYLVLELOLW\RI\RXU
vehicle in traffic during the day.
The daytime running lights are switched on every time the ignition is switched on when the light
switch is in position , or (when brightness is detectedyf.
The daytime running lights cannot be switched on or off manually.
Incorrect use of turn signals, a failure to use turn signals, or forgetting to switch off a turn
signal can confuse other road users. This can lead to accidents and serious injuries.
•Always activate the turn signal in good time when changing lanes and performing
overtaking or turning manoeuvres.
•Always switch off the turn signal once the lane change or overtaking or turning
manoeuvre has been completed.
WARNING