2021 VOLKSWAGEN UP! ESP

In some vehicles it is possible to set the screen of the portable navigation device (delivered
by Volkswagen) ⇒ Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts to display whether the
tailgate is open or not properly closed.
Opening the tailgate
Fig. 27 In the vehicle key: tailgate release button
Fig. 28 Opening the tailgate from the outside
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
It will not be possible to open the tailgate if, for example, bicycles are mounted on a carrier attached
to it ⇒. Remove the load from the carrier and support the open tailgate.
Opening with the central locking system
•Press the button in the vehicle key ⇒ Fig. 27 for approximately one second to unlock
the tailgate.
•Press the button ⇒ Fig. 28① and lift the tailgate using the grip ②.
Opening with the mechanical vehicle key
Incorrect and unsupervised unlocking, opening or closing of the tailgate can cause accidents
and serious injuries.
•Therefore the tailgate should only be opened or closed when you are sure that nobody is
in its path.
•Never close the tailgate by pushing it down with your hand on the window. The rear
window could shatter and cause injuries.
•After closing the tailgate, check to ensure that it is closed and locked correctly so that it
does not open while the vehicle is in motion. The closed tailgate must be flush with the
surrounding body panels.
•Always keep the tailgate closed while the vehicle is in motion so that no toxic exhaust
fumes can enter the vehicle interior.
•Never open the tailgate if a load is attached to it, e.g. a rack or luggage carrier. It may also
not possible to open the tailgate if there are objects attached to it, e.g. bicycles. The
additional load might cause the open tailgate to close by itself. Support the tailgate as
necessary or remove the load from the surface.
•Close and lock the tailgate and all vehicle doors when the vehicle is not in use. Ensure
that no one remains in the vehicle.
•Never leave children playing unattended in or around the vehicle, especially when the
tailgate is open. Children could climb into the luggage compartment and shut the tailgate,
thereby trapping themselves inside. Temperatures inside a locked vehicle may reach
extremes of heat or cold, according to season. This can cause serious injuries and illness
or fatalities, especially for small children.
•Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone in the vehicle. They could use
the vehicle key or central locking button to lock the vehicle and thereby trap themselves
inside.
WARNING
Before opening the tailgate, please check that there is enough space to open and close the
tailgate, e.g. when in a garage.
NOTICE

•Unlock the vehicle or the driver door ⇒ Central locking system.
•Press the button ⇒ Fig. 28① and lift the tailgate using the grip ②.
At outside temperatures of less than 0°C (+32°F), the gas-filled struts cannot always lift the
opened tailgate automatically. The tailgate then has to be guided up by hand.
Closing the tailgate
Fig. 29 Open tailgate: handle recess for closing the tailgate
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Closing the tailgate
•Grip the handle in the interior trim of the tailgate ⇒ Fig. 29 (arrow).
•Pull the tailgate down with some force until it engages in the lock. Please ensure that no one
has their hands in the direct path of the tailgate as it moves ⇒.
•Pull the tailgate to ensure that it is engaged securely.
Locking the tailgate using the central locking system
The vehicle will be locked again automatically if you do not open one of the doors or the tailgate
approximately 30 seconds after unlocking the car. This function prevents the vehicle from remaining
unlocked if the unlocking button is pressed by mistake.
The tailgate can only be locked when it is properly closed and engaged.
•The tailgate is also locked by the central locking system.
•If the tailgate of the locked vehicle is unlocked using the  button in the vehicle key, it
will lock again as soon as it is closed.
•If the tailgate is closed but not locked, it will lock automatically once the vehicle reaches a
speed of approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
Locking the tailgate using the mechanical vehicle key
The tailgate can only be locked when it is properly closed and engaged.
•Insert the vehicle key in the driver door lock cylinder and turn clockwise⇒ Central locking
system.
Before closing the tailgate, check that the vehicle key is not in the luggage compartment.
Serious injuries can occur if the tailgate is unlocked or opened incorrectly or without due care
and attention.
•It may not always be apparent that the tailgate is unlocked, for example when a loaded
luggage carrier is attached to it. If unlocked, the tailgate may open suddenly while the
vehicle is in motion.
WARNING
Serious injuries can occur if the tailgate is closed incorrectly or without due care and
attention.
•Never leave children playing unattended in or around the vehicle, especially when the
tailgate is open. Children could climb into the luggage compartment and shut the tailgate,
thereby trapping themselves inside. Temperatures inside a locked vehicle may reach
extremes of heat or cold, according to season. This could cause serious injuries or illness,
or even have fatal consequences.
•When closing the tailgate, please ensure that no one has their hands in the direct path of
the tailgate as it moves.
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

•Never sit sideways.
•Never lean out of a window.
•Never put your feet out of a window.
•Never put your feet on the dash panel.
•Never place your feet on the seat cushion or seat backrest.
•Never travel in a footwell.
•Never travel on a seat without wearing the seat belt.
•Never travel in the luggage compartment.
Correct sitting position
Fig. 35 There must be a distance Ⓐ of at least 25 cm between the driver and the steering wheel
Fig. 36 Correct seat belt routing and head restraint adjustment
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The following details the correct sitting positions for the driver and passengers.
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 seating position for your own safety and to reduce the level
of injury in the event of a sudden braking manoeuvre or an accident:
Notes for the driver:
•Move the backrest into an upright position so that your back rests fully against it.
•Adjust the seat so that the distance between the steering wheel and your breastbone is at least
25 cm ⇒ Fig. 35Ⓐ and the circumference of the steering wheel can be held at the sides with the
arms slightly bent.
•The steering wheel must always point towards the breastbone and not towards the face.
•Adjust the driver seat so that you are able to press the pedals with your knees still slightly bent
⇒ Fig. 35.
•Adjust the height so that you can reach the highest point of the steering wheel.
•Always leave both feet in the footwell, to help ensure you maintain control of the vehicle at all
times.
Every incorrect sitting position in the vehicle increases the risk of severe or fatal injuries in the
event of an accident or sudden driving or braking manoeuvre.
•All vehicle occupants must maintain a correct sitting position and wear their seat belt
properly while the vehicle is in motion.
•Sitting in an incorrect position, not fastening the seat belt or too short a distance to the
airbag exposes the occupants to critical or fatal injuries, especially if the airbags trigger
and strike an occupant who has assumed an incorrect sitting position.
WARNING

Removing and installing the rear head restraint
Fig. 39 Removing the rear head restraint
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The rear seats are fitted with an adjustable head restraint.
Removing the rear head restraints
•Release the rear seat backrest and fold the backrest forwards slightly ⇒ Luggage compartment.
•Push the head restraint all the way up ⇒.
•Pull the head restraint out fully while pressing the button ⇒ Fig. 39①.
•Push back the rear seat backrest and allow it to engage securely. Please ensure that the seat
belts are not trapped.
•Stow the head restraint in a safe place once removed.
Fitting the rear head restraints
•Release the rear seat backrest and fold the backrest forwards slightly ⇒ Luggage compartment.
•Position the head restraint correctly over the head restraint guides and then insert into the
guides of the corresponding seat backrest.
•Press and hold the button ⇒ Fig. 39① and push the head restraint downwards.
•Push back the rear seat backrest and allow it to engage securely.
•Adjust the head restraint so that a correct sitting position can be assumed ⇒ Adjusting the rear
head restraint.
Adjusting the steering wheel position
Fig. 40 Adjusting the steering wheel position mechanically
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Adjust the steering wheel position only before setting off and only when the vehicle is stationary.
•Push down the lever ⇒ Fig. 40①.
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.
•Head restraints that have been removed should be reinstalled as soon as possible to
ensure that passengers are properly protected.
WARNING
When removing or fitting head restraints, ensure that they do not hit the roof or the front seat
backrest. The interior roof and other parts of the vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
NOTICE

Types of front passenger front airbag system
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Never rely solely on the airbag system for your protection.
•Even if an airbag is triggered, it only offers auxiliary protection.
•The airbag system offers the best level of protection, and reduces the risk of injury, when
seat belts are properly worn ⇒ Seat belts.
•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.
WARNING
The risk of injury increases if there are any objects located between the vehicle occupants
and the deployment area of the airbag when it is triggered. This will alter the deployment zone
of the airbag, or the objects will be flung against the body.
•Never hold any objects in your hand or on your lap while the vehicle is in motion.
•Never transport any objects on the front passenger seat. The objects could enter the
deployment zone of the airbag during sudden braking or driving manoeuvres and then be
flung dangerously through the vehicle interior if the airbag is activated.
•Occupants of the front seats and rear seats must never carry any people, pets or objects
in the deployment space between them and the airbags. Ensure that children and
passengers keep to this rule.
WARNING
The airbag system can only be triggered once. The system will have to be replaced if the
airbags have been triggered.
•Airbags that have been triggered, and any affected system parts, must immediately be
replaced with new parts that are approved by Volkswagen for the vehicle.
•Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified
workshop. Qualified workshops have the necessary tools, diagnostic equipment, repair
information and qualified personnel.
•Never use recycled airbag components or components that have been taken from end-of-
life vehicles in your vehicle.
•Never alter any components of the airbag system.
WARNING
A fine dust may develop when the airbags trigger. This is normal and does not mean that
there is a fire in the vehicle.
•The fine dust can cause irritation to the skin and eye membranes and cause breathing
difficulties, particularly for people suffering from asthma or people who have (had) other
respiratory problems. To help reduce breathing difficulties, get out of the vehicle or open
the windows or doors for more fresh air.
•If you come into contact with the dust, you should wash your hands and face with a mild
soap and water before eating.
•Do not let the dust get into your eyes or into open wounds.
•If dust has entered your eyes, rinse them with water.
WARNING
Cleaning agents that contain solvents cause the surface of the airbag modules to become
porous. In an accident that triggers the airbag, loose plastic parts can cause serious injury.
•Never clean the dash panel or the airbag covers with cleansers that contain solvents.
WARNING

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