2021 VOLKSWAGEN UP! ECU

•Adjust the steering wheel so that you can hold it on the outside of the ring (at the 9 o'clock and
3 o'clock positions) with both hands and slightly bent arms.
•Push the lever up firmly until it lines up with the steering column ⇒.
Adjust the correct distance between the driver and the steering wheel ⇒ Fig. 35 using the control
elements on the driver seat ⇒ Controls on the front seats.
Seat functions
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Seat heating
Additional information and warnings:
•Adjusting the seat position ⇒ Adjusting the seat position
•Seat belts ⇒ Seat belts
•Airbag system ⇒ Airbag system
•Child seats (accessories) ⇒ Child seats (accessories)
•Exterior mirrors ⇒ Mirrors
Seat heating
Fig. 41 In upper part of centre console: buttons for the front seat heating
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The front seat seat cushions and backrests can be heated electrically when the ignition is switched
on.
Do not switch on the seat heating if one of the following conditions applies:
•The seat is not in use.
•The seat is fitted with a protective cover.
•A child seat is installed on the seat.
•The seat cushion is damp or wet.
•The interior or exterior temperature is above 25 ℃ (77 °F).
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. 40① 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. 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 airbag is triggered, you could receive severe
injuries to the arms, hands and head.
WARNING
Incorrect use of the seat functions can cause serious injuries.
•Always assume a correct sitting position before you drive and maintain this position
throughout the trip. This also applies to all passengers.
•Keep hands, fingers, feet and other body parts away from the moving parts of the seats.
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

Fig. 49 Inserting the seat belt latch plate into the buckle
Fig. 50 Removing the latch plate from the buckle
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
During an accident or braking manoeuvre, correctly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in
position in such a way as to provide maximum protection ⇒.
Fastening the seat belts
Fasten seat belts before every trip.
•Always adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly ⇒ Adjusting the seat position.
•Engage the rear seat backrests in an upright position ⇒.
•Take hold of the latch plate and pull it evenly across your chest and pelvis. Do not twist the belt
in the process ⇒.
•Insert the latch plate securely into the buckle belonging to the occupied seat ⇒ Fig. 49.
•Pull on the seat belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely locked in the buckle.
Unfastening the seat belts
Unfasten seat belts only when the vehicle is stationary ⇒.
•Press the red button in the buckle ⇒ Fig. 50. The latch plate is released and springs out.
•Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up easily, without twisting the seat belt and without
damaging the trim.
Seat belt routing
Fig. 51 Correct seat belt routing and head restraint adjustment
Incorrect seat belt routing can cause severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident.
•The seat belts only offer best protection when the backrests are in an upright position and
the seat belts have been fastened properly according to the occupant's height.
•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.
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

The side airbags are located in the outer seat backrest cushions of the driver seat and front
passenger seat ⇒ Fig. 57B. The locations of the airbags are marked with stickers with the word
AIRBAG. The areas marked in red ⇒ Fig. 57 indicate the side airbag deployment zones.
During a side collision, the side airbag will be deployed on the vehicle's side of impact, reducing the
risk of injury to the areas of the occupants' heads and bodies facing the impact.
Child seats (accessories)
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ General information on transporting children in the vehicle
⇒ Various securing systems
⇒ Using a child seat on the front passenger seat
⇒ Using a child seat on the rear seats
⇒ Securing child seats with a seat belt
⇒ Securing child seats using lower anchoring points (ISOFIX, LATCH)
⇒ Securing child seats with the top tether
It is imperative that you read all of the information concerning the airbag system before transporting
babies or children in a child seat on the front passenger seat.
This information is very important for the safety of the driver and the safety of all passengers,
babies and small children in particular.
Volkswagen recommends using child seats from Volkswagen's range of accessories. These child
seats were developed and approved for use in Volkswagen vehicles. Child seats for the various
different securing systems are available from a Volkswagen dealership.
Additional information and warnings:
•Seat belts ⇒ Seat belts
•Airbag system ⇒ Airbag system
Once triggered, the airbag inflates at high speed.
•Always leave the deployment zones of the side airbags clear.
•No other persons, animals or objects may be located between the occupants of the front
seats and the airbag deployment zone.
•Do not fit any accessories to the doors.
•Do not fit seat covers or protective covers over the seats unless they have been expressly
approved for use in the vehicle. Otherwise the side airbag may not be able to inflate if it
has been triggered.
WARNING
Incorrect use of the driver and front passenger seat could hinder the proper function of the
side airbag and cause serious injury.
•Never remove the front seats from the vehicle or alter any components of these seats.
•If too much pressure is applied to the backrest side bolster, the side airbags may not be
triggered correctly, may not trigger at all, or may trigger unexpectedly.
•Any damage to the original seat upholstery or around the seams of the side airbag units
must be repaired immediately by a qualified workshop.
WARNING

Comply with any country-specific legal regulations.
Volkswagen recommends that children under 12 years of age are always transported on
the rear seats.
A child should only be transported on the front passenger seat in exceptional
circumstances Using a child seat on the front passenger seat. The safest seat in the
vehicle is on the rear seat behind the front passenger seat.
Always secure any children in the vehicle in a restraint system. The restraint system must
be suitable for the child's height, weight and build.
Transport only one child per child seat.
Observe the instructions from the manufacturer of the child seat and always keep them in
the vehicle.
When securing a child seat using the seat belt, always guide the belt through or around
the child seat as described in the instructions from the child seat manufacturer.
Always ensure that the seat belt routing is correct for children and that they are sitting in
the correct position.
Whenever possible, fit the child seat on the rear bench seat behind the front passenger
seat so that children can exit the vehicle on the kerb side.
Replace child seats that withstand any force during an accident as they could have
sustained damage that may not be visible.
General information on transporting children in the vehicle
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Legislation and legal requirements take precedence over the descriptions in this owner's manual.
Various standards and regulations govern the use of child seats and methods for securing them ().
For example, this could mean that in some countries you are not allowed to use child seats on
certain seats in the vehicle.
The laws of physics, which come into force on a vehicle during a collision or any other kind of
accident, also apply to children ⇒ Seat belts. In contrast to adults and teenagers, however,
children's muscles and bones are not yet fully developed. There is a higher risk for children than for
adults of sustaining serious injuries in an accident.
Children must be transported using child restraint systems that are specifically suited to their size,
weight and physical build, as children's bodies are not yet fully developed. In many countries there
are laws that require the use of approved child restraint systems for babies and small children.
Only use suitable, approved and authorised child seats in your vehicle. If you are unsure, always
speak to your Volkswagen dealership or a qualified workshop.
Checklist
Transporting children in the vehicle ⇒:
Children who are not strapped in or who are not strapped in properly could sustain severe or
fatal injuries while the vehicle is in motion.
•Never use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat when the front passenger
front airbag is switched on.
•Children up to 12 years of age should always be transported on the rear seat.
•Always secure children in the vehicle in an authorised restraint system suitable for their
height and weight.
•Always fasten children's seat belts correctly and ensure that they assume a correct sitting
position.
•Adjust the seat backrest to an upright position if a child seat is to be used on this seat.
•Do not allow children to sit with their heads or any other body parts in the deployment
zone of the side airbag.
•Ensure that the seat belt routing is correct.
•Never allow children or babies to be transported on someone's lap, or while being held.
•Only ever fasten one child into each child seat.
•Read and follow the instructions by the manufacturer of the child seat.
WARNING
An unsecured, unoccupied child seat can be flung through the vehicle interior in the event of a
sudden braking manoeuvre or accident and cause injuries.
•Always secure child seats safely or stow them in the luggage compartment if they are not
being used while the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING

Do not leave any toys or other objects loose in the child seat or on the seat while the
vehicle is in motion.
Country-specific standards for child seats (selection)
The child seats must correspond to the standard ECE-R 44. Further information is available from
Volkswagen dealerships or on the Internet at www.volkswagen.com.
Group classification for child seats according to ECE-R 44
Weight classChild's weightAge
Group 0up to 10 kgup to approximately 9 months
Group 0+up to 13 kgup to approximately 18 months
Group 19 to 18 kgapproximately 8 months to 3/ years
Group 215 to 25 kgapproximately 3 to 7 years
Group 322 to 36 kgapproximately 6 to 12 years
Not every child will fit in the seat specified for their weight group. Likewise, not every seat will fit in
every vehicle. Therefore, always check whether the child fits correctly in the child seat and whether
the seat is securely attached in the vehicle.
Child seats that have been tested and approved in accordance with the ECE R 44 standard bear
the test mark on the seat: a large letter E in a circle with the test number below it.
ECE R: Economic Commission for Europe Regulation.
Various securing systems
Fig. 58 On the rear seats: figures Ⓐ and Ⓑ illustrate the main securing points for the child restraint
system on the lower retaining rings and top tether. Figure Ⓒ shows how to secure the child restraint
system using the vehicle seat belt
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Always secure child seats properly, safely and in accordance with the instructions from the child
seat manufacturer.
The fitted child seat must sit close to the vehicle seat and must not be able to move or tip more than
2.5 cm.
Child seats that are intended to be secured using the top tether must be secured in the vehicle
using the top tether ⇒ Securing child seats with the top tether. Attach the top tether only to the
retaining rings fitted for this purpose. Always pull the top tether tightly so that the child seat is
secure and fits closely to the seat.
Country-specific securing systems
Variants of the attachment system⇒ Fig. 58:
ISOFIX retaining rings and top tether, including in Europe⇒ Securing child seats using
lower anchoring points (ISOFIX, LATCH) and ⇒ Securing child seats with the top tether.
1)
1
2
Ignoring any of the items on this important safety checklist can lead to accidents and injuries.
•Follow the instructions on the checklist.
WARNING
In the event of an accident, the rear seat is the safest place for children with properly fastened
seat belts.
•A suitable child seat, correctly fitted and used on one of the rear seats, will, in most
accident situations, provide the maximum level of protection for children up to 12 years
old.
WARNING
1)