Check that all lights and turn signals are working properly.
Check the tyre pressure (Wheels and tyres) and fuel level (Filling the tank).
Ensure that you have a good, clear view through all of the windows.
Secure any objects and luggage in the stowage compartments, the luggage compartment
or on the roof Driving notes.
Ensure that you are able to operate the pedals freely at all times.
Secure any children travelling in the vehicle in a restraint system suitable for their weight
and size Child seats (accessories).
Adjust the front seats, head restraints and mirrors properly in accordance with the size of
the occupants Adjusting the seat position, Mirrors.
Wear shoes that provide good grip for your feet when using the pedals.
The floor mat in the footwell on the driver side must leave the pedal area free and must be
securely fastened.
Assume a correct sitting position before setting off and maintain this position while driving.
This also applies to all passengers Adjusting the seat 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.
When travelling long distances, stop and take a break regularly – at least every 2 hours.
Secure animals in the vehicle using a system that is suitable for their weight and size.
Additional information and warnings:
•Sitting correctly and safely ⇒ Sitting correctly and safely
•Transporting ⇒ Transporting
•Starting the engine, changing gear and parking the vehicle ⇒ Starting the engine, changing gear
and parking
•Driving with respect for the environment ⇒ Driving with respect for the environment
•Consumer information ⇒ Consumer information
Preparing for a journey and driving safely
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Checklist
Observe the following information both before and during the journey to ensure your own safety
and the safety of passengers and other road users ⇒:
Servicing the vehicle is not only about vehicle maintenance – it also ensures that your
vehicle remains roadworthy and in perfect working order. Servicing work should therefore be
carried out in accordance with the service schedule. Some work may have to be carried out before
the due date of the next service if the vehicle is subjected to severe operating conditions. Severe
operating conditions are, for example, regular stop and go driving and driving in areas with high
levels of dust. Further information can be obtained from your Volkswagen dealership or qualified
workshop.
Driving abroad
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medication or narcotics can cause serious
accidents and fatal injuries.
•Alcohol, drugs, medication and narcotics can severely impair perception, reaction times
and driving safety. This could cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
WARNING
Always observe current traffic regulations and speed limits, and think ahead when driving.
Correct interpretation of a driving situation can make the difference between reaching your
destination safely and having an accident with serious injuries.
WARNING
Roll-back function of the electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The roll-back function can reduce the risk of injury when the electric panorama sliding/tilting glass
roof is being closed ⇒. If the electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof is not able to close
because it is stiff or obstructed, it will automatically open again immediately.
•Check why the electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof has not closed.
•Try to close the electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof again.
•If the electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof is still stiff or obstructed, it stops at this point.
Then close the electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof without the roll-back function
Closing the electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof without the roll-back
function
•Pull the switch ⇒ Fig. 34⑤ within approximately 5 seconds after the roll-back function has been
triggered and hold it in this position until the electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof is closed
completely.
•The electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof will then close without the roll-back function.
•If the electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof still cannot be closed, go to a qualified
workshop.
If you let go of the switch during the closing procedure, the electric panorama sliding/tilting glass
roof will open automatically.
Sitting correctly and safely
Adjusting the seat position
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ The dangers of assuming an incorrect sitting position
⇒ Correct sitting position
⇒ Controls on the front seats
⇒ Adjusting the rear head restraint
⇒ Removing and installing the rear head restraint
⇒ Adjusting the steering wheel position
Number of seats
The vehicle has a total of 4 seats: 2 at the front and 2 at the rear. Each seat is equipped with a seat
belt.
Additional information and warnings:
•Seat functions ⇒ Seat functions
•Seat belts ⇒ Seat belts
•Airbag system ⇒ Airbag system
•Child seats (accessories) ⇒ Child seats (accessories)
Closing the electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof without the roll-back function can cause
severe injuries.
•Always be careful when closing the electric panorama sliding/tilting glass roof.
•Ensure that nobody is obstructing the operating area of the electric panorama sliding/tilting
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
The dangers of assuming an incorrect sitting position
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
If the seat belts are not worn or are worn incorrectly, the risk of severe or fatal injuries increases.
Seat belts can only provide optimal protection if the seat belt routing is correct. Assuming an
incorrect sitting position considerably impairs the level of protection provided by a seat belt. This
could lead to severe or even fatal injuries. The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially increased
when a triggering airbag strikes an occupant who has assumed an incorrect sitting position. The
driver is responsible for all vehicle passengers, especially if they are children.
The following list contains examples of sitting positions that could be dangerous for all occupants.
Whenever the vehicle is in motion:
•Never stand in the vehicle.
•Never stand on the seats.
•Never kneel on the seats.
•Never tilt the backrest too far to the rear.
•Never lean against the dash panel.
•Never lie on the rear bench seat.
•Never sit on the front edge of a seat.
Assuming an incorrect sitting position in the vehicle can increase the risk of severe or fatal
injuries during a sudden driving or braking manoeuvre, in the event of a collision or accident,
or if the airbags are triggered.
•All vehicle occupants must assume a correct sitting position before setting off and
maintain this position throughout the trip. This also applies to the fastening of seat belts.
•The number of vehicle occupants must never exceed the number of seats with seat belts
in the vehicle.
•Always secure children in the vehicle in an authorised restraint system suitable for their
height and weight ⇒ Child seats (accessories)⇒ Airbag system.
•Always keep your feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion. Never place your feet
on the seat or on the dash panel and never hold your feet out the window. The airbag and
seat belt can otherwise not provide optimal protection and can actually increase the risk of
injury during an accident.
WARNING
Always adjust seats, seat belts and head restraints to their correct position before any journey
and ensure that all passengers have fastened their seat belt.
•Push the front passenger seat as far back as possible.
•Adjust the driver seat in such a way 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
physical 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 an 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 to 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.
•The seats may only be adjusted when the vehicle is stationary as the seat could otherwise
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.
•Only adjust the height and tilt of the seat or move it forwards and backwards when the
area around the seat is clear.
•There should be no objects in the adjustment area of the front seats.
WARNING
In 4-door vehicles: on the interior side of the seat only.
Adjusting the rear head restraint
Fig. 38 Adjusting rear head restraint
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Every seat is fitted with a head restraint.
The head restraints on the front seats are integrated in the backrest and cannot be adjusted.
The rear seats are fitted with an adjustable head restraint.
Adjusting the height
•Push the head restraint up in the direction of the arrow or push it down while pressing and
holding button ⇒ Fig. 38①⇒.
•The head restraint must click securely into position.
Correct head restraint setting
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 setting for shorter people
Push the head restraint to the first position, 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 setting for taller people
Push the head restraint up as far as it will go.
Injuries could be caused if the backrests are folded forwards and backwards carelessly.
•Never fold the seat backrest forwards or backwards while the vehicle is in motion.
•While folding the seat backrest forwards, always ensure that there are no people, animals
or objects in its path.
•When folding forwards and backwards, keep all hands, fingers, feet and other body parts
away from the seat hinges and seat release mechanism.
•Floor mats or other objects could get caught in the hinges on the seat backrest. The seat
backrest might then not engage securely when it is returned to the upright position.
•Passengers (adults and children) must not use seats if the backrest is folded forwards or
is not clicked securely into place.
•When being folded back, the seat backrest must be securely locked in the upright position.
If the seat backrest is not locked properly it could move suddenly and cause severe
injuries.
WARNING
a)
Driving without head restraints or with incorrectly adjusted head restraints increases the risk
of severe 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, to help reduce
the risk of neck injuries in an accident. As far as possible, the upper edge of the head
restraint must be level with the top of the head, but no lower than eye level. Position the
back of your head as close to the head restraint as possible.
•Never adjust the head restraint when the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING
Warning lamp
Fig. 42 Warning lamp in the instrument cluster
Fig. 43 Seat belt status for the rear seats in the instrument cluster display
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Lights
up or
flashes
Possible causeSolution
The driver seat belt and, if the front
passenger seat is occupied, the front
passenger seat belt are not fastened.
Fasten seat belts.
There are objects on the front
passenger seat.
Remove objects from the front passenger
seat and stow them safely.
Incorrectly fastened or unfastened seat belts increase the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Seat
belts will only offer the optimum level of protection when they are fastened and used properly.
•Seat belts are the most effective means of reducing the risk of serious and fatal injuries in
the event of an accident. Seat belts must always be fastened properly when the vehicle is
in motion to protect the driver and all vehicle occupants.
•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.
•While the vehicle is in motion, secure all children travelling in the vehicle in a restraint
system suitable for their weight and height. They must also wear correctly fastened seat
belts ⇒ Child seats (accessories).
•Only start driving when all passengers have correctly fastened their seat belts.
•Only ever insert the latch plate into the buckle of the associated seat, and always ensure
that it engages properly. Using a buckle that does not belong to the seat that you are
occupying reduces the level of protection and can lead to severe injuries.
•Never let any foreign bodies or liquids enter the slot for the seat belt buckle. This could
prevent the belt buckle and seat belt from working properly.
•Never unfasten the seat belt while the vehicle is in motion.
•Never allow more than one person to share the same seat belt.
•Never travel when children or babies are being carried on somebody's lap and fastened
with the same belt.
•Never travel wearing loose, bulky clothing (such as an overcoat over a jacket). This could
prevent the seat belts from fitting and functioning properly.
WARNING
Damaged seat belts are very dangerous and can cause severe or fatal injuries.
•Never damage the belt by trapping it in the door or in the seat mechanism.
•If the belt webbing or any other part of the seat belt becomes damaged, the seat belt may
tear during an accident or sudden braking manoeuvre.
•Damaged seat belts must be replaced immediately with new seat belts approved by
Volkswagen for your vehicle type. Seat belts subjected to stress and stretched during an
accident must be replaced by a qualified workshop. Renewal may be necessary even if
there is no apparent damage. The belt anchorage should also be checked.
•Never try to repair, modify or remove the seat belts yourself. All repairs to the seat belts,
belt retractors and buckles must be carried out by a qualified workshop.
WARNING
The belt tensioners are activated by sensors during severe frontal, side and rear collisions. They
tighten the seat belts against the direction in which they are pulled. A loose seat belt is retracted,
which can reduce the forward movement or the movement of the vehicle occupants in the direction
of the impact. The belt tensioner works together with the airbag system. If the side airbags are not
activated, the belt tensioner will not be activated if the vehicle rolls over.
A fine dust may be produced when the airbags are triggered. This is quite normal and does not
mean that 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 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 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 requirements.
The airbag modules and belt tensioners may contain perchlorate. Please comply with
legislation regarding disposal.
Airbag system
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ 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
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
•Central locking system ⇒ Central locking system
•Correct sitting position ⇒ Adjusting the seat position
•Seat belts ⇒ Seat belts
•Child seats (accessories) ⇒ Child seats (accessories)
•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
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
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 such as
swelling, bruising and grazing. Deployment of a triggered airbag can also result in frictional heat.
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.
The triggering of the airbag system depends on 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 limiters for driver and front passenger.
•Warning lamp .
•Front airbags for driver and front passenger.
•Side airbags for driver and front passenger.
•Airbag indicator lamp .
•Control units and sensors.
•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 in which the front and side 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. 56 On the front passenger side: key switch for disabling and enabling the front airbag on the
front passenger side
First read and observe the introductoryinformation 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 door on the front passenger side.
•Fold out the key bit of the vehicle key ⇒ Vehicle key set.
•Use the open key bit to turn the key switch ⇒ Fig. 56 to the OFF position.
•Close the door on the front passenger side.
•When the ignition is switched on, the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp will light
up permanently in the dash panel ⇒ Indicator lamps.
Enabling the front passenger front airbag
•Switch off the ignition.
•Open the door on the front passenger side.
•Fold out the key bit of the vehicle key ⇒ Vehicle key set.
•Use the open key bit to turn the key switch ⇒ Fig. 56 to the ON position.
•Close the door on the front passenger side.
•Check that the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp in the dash panel does not
light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ Indicator lamps.
Identifying characteristics for a disabled front passenger front airbag
A disabled front passenger front airbag is identified only when the PASSENGER AIR BAG
indicator lamp is displayed in the dash panel ( lights up yellow continuously)
⇒ Indicator lamps.
If the indicator lamp in the dash panel 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.
Side airbags
Fig. 57 On left-hand side of vehicle: deployment zone of the side airbag (variant A). On the side of
the front seat: location and deployment range of the side airbag (variant B)
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The front passenger front airbag should only be switched off in exceptional circumstances.
•To prevent damage to the airbag system, only switch the front passenger front airbag on
and off when the ignition is switched off.
•It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the key-operated switch is set to the correct
position.
•Only switch the front passenger front airbag off if, in exceptional circumstances, a child
seat has to be attached to the front passenger seat.
•Switch the front passenger front airbag back on again as soon as the child seat on the
front passenger seat is no longer being used.
WARNING