
FunctionAction
Locking the vehicle and activating the 
SAFELOCK mechanism.
Locking the vehicle without activating the 
SAFELOCK mechanism.
Press the  button on the vehicle key twice.
Press the central locking button  in the driver 
door once.
The SAFELOCK mechanism deactivates the door opening levers if the vehicle has been locked. 
This makes it more difficult to break into the vehicle. The doors can no longer be opened from the 
inside ⇒.
In some vehicles, when the ignition is switched off, the instrument cluster display may inform you 
that the SAFELOCK mechanism is activated.
The following applies when the SAFELOCK mechanism is deactivated:
•The vehicle can be unlocked and opened from the inside using the door release lever.
Indicator lamp in the driver door
After locking the vehicle:Meaning
A red LED flashes for approximately 2 seconds, firstly 
at short intervals and then more slowly.The SAFELOCK mechanism is activated.
A red LED flashes for approximately 2 seconds and 
then switches off. The light starts to flash again after 
approximately 30 seconds.
The SAFELOCK mechanism is 
deactivated.
A red LED flashes for approximately 2 seconds in 
short intervals. The lamp will then light up without 
interruption for approximately 30 seconds.
Fault in the locking system. Proceed to a 
qualified workshop.
Doors
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Childproof lock
Additional information and warnings:
•Vehicle key set ⇒ Vehicle key set
•Central locking system ⇒ Central locking system
•Manual opening and closing ⇒ Manual opening and closing
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 at 
least one vehicle door is open or not properly closed.
Always take care when using the SAFELOCK mechanism otherwise you could cause 
accidents or injuries.
•Never leave anybody in the vehicle if the vehicle has been locked using the vehicle key. 
The doors can no longer be opened from the inside once the SAFELOCK mechanism is 
activated.
•Locked doors make it more difficult for emergency service personnel to gain access to the 
vehicle and provide assistance when needed. In an emergency, people locked inside the 
vehicle would not be able to leave the vehicle by unlocking the doors.
WARNING
Any door that is not properly closed could open suddenly while the vehicle is in motion. This 
could lead to severe injuries.
•Stop as soon as possible and close the door.
•Ensure that the door is properly closed and that the lock has engaged. The closed door 
must be flush with the surrounding body panels.
•Doors should only be opened or closed when you are sure that nobody is in their path.
WARNING
Any door being held open by the door arrester could close unexpectedly in strong winds or if 
the vehicle is on a slope. This could lead to injuries.
•Always keep a good grip on the handle when opening and closing doors.
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 

Lights 
up or 
flashes
Possible causeSolution
Seat belt not fastened for a rear seat 
passenger.Fasten the seat belt.
Seat belt fastened for a rear seat 
passenger.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is 
switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.
An acoustic signal will sound for a few seconds if the seat belts are not fastened as the car pulls off 
and reaches a speed of more than approximately 25 km/h (15 mph), or if the seat belts are 
unfastened while the vehicle is in motion. The warning lamp  will also flash.
When the ignition is switched on, the  warning lamp will not go out until the driver and front 
passenger fasten their seat belts.
Belt status display for the rear seats
After the ignition has been switched on, the belt status display ⇒ Fig. 43 in the instrument cluster 
display shows the driver whether the rear seat passengers have fastened their seat belts. The 
 symbol indicates that the passenger on this seat has fastened his or her seat belt.
The belt status display will be shown for approximately 30 seconds if a seat belt is fastened or 
unfastened on the rear seats. The display can be hidden by pressing the  button in 
the instrument cluster.
If a seat belt for one of the rear seats is unfastened while the vehicle is in motion, the belt status 
display will flash for a maximum of 30 seconds. If the vehicle is travelling faster than approximately 
25 km/h (15 mph) an acoustic signal will also sound.
Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
Fig. 44 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a brick wall
Fig. 45 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle striking a brick wall
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The physical principles involved in a frontal collision are relatively simple. As soon as the vehicle is 
in motion ⇒ Fig. 44, both the moving vehicle and its passengers gain kinetic energy.
The higher the vehicle speed and the heavier the weight of the vehicle, the greater the amount of 
energy that will have to be released in the event of an accident.
However, the most significant factor is the speed of the vehicle. If the speed doubles from 
approximately 25 km/h (15 mph) to approximately 50 km/h (30 mph), for example, the kinetic 
energy increases by a factor of four.
The amount of kinetic energy depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight of the vehicle 
and passengers. The higher the speed and the heavier the weight, the greater the amount of 
energy that will be released in the event of an accident.
Incorrectly fastened or unfastened seat belts increase the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Seat 
belts only offer the optimum level of protection when they are used properly.
WARNING 

Volkswagen offers 2 different front airbag systems for front passengers:
AB
Features of the front passenger front 
airbag that can only be switched off 
by a qualified workshop.
Features of the front passenger front 
airbag that can be switched off 
manually using the key-operated 
switch ⇒ Switching the front passenger front 
airbag on and off manually using the key-
operated switch.
– Indicator lamp  in the instrument cluster.– Indicator lamp  in the instrument cluster.
– Front passenger front airbag in the dash 
panel.
– Indicator lamp in the dash panel 
PASSENGER AIR BAG .
– Key-operated switch in the dash panel on the 
front passenger side.
– Front passenger front airbag in the dash 
panel.
Name: airbag system.Name: airbag system with front 
passenger front airbag deactivation.
Indicator lamps
Fig. 53 In the upper part of the centre console: indicator lamp for disabled front passenger front 
airbag
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Lit upLocationPossible causeSolution
Instrument 
cluster
Fault in airbag and belt 
tensioner system.
Proceed to a qualified workshop to 
have the system checked 
immediately.
Dash panel
Fault in the airbag system.
Proceed to a qualified workshop to 
have the system checked 
immediately.
Front passenger front airbag 
switched off.
Check whether the airbag should 
stay switched off.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is 
switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.
If the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG  is not continuously lit or if it lights up 
together with the indicator lamp  in the instrument cluster when the front passenger front airbag 
is switched off, there may be a fault in the airbag system ⇒.
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.
If there is a fault in the airbag system, the airbag may not trigger correctly, may not trigger at 
all or may trigger unexpectedly. This can cause severe or fatal injuries.
•The airbag system should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
•Never fit a child seat to the front passenger seat or remove a child seat that is already 
fitted. The front passenger front airbag may trigger during an accident in spite of the fault.
WARNING
To avoid damage to your vehicle, always observe the indicator lamps and associated warning 
texts.
NOTICE 

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 

Fig. 61 Turn signal and main beam lever in the basic position
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Move the lever into the required position:
Right turn signal ⇒.
Left turn signal ⇒.
Switch on the main beam ⇒. When the main beam is switched on, an indicator lamp 
 in the instrument cluster lights up.
Operate the headlight flasher or switch off the main beam. The headlight flasher comes on 
for as long as the lever is pulled. The indicator lamp  lights up.
Return the lever to the basic position to switch off the current function.
Lane change flash
To operate the lane change flash, push the lever up or down to the point where you incur resistance 
and then release the lever. The turn signal flashes three times.
This lane change flash function can be deactivated at a qualified workshop.
The turn signal will only work when the ignition is switched on. The hazard warning lights 
also work when the ignition is switched off ⇒ In an emergency.
If one turn signal fails, the indicator lamp will start flashing twice as fast.
The main beam headlights can only be switched on if the dipped beam headlights are 
already on.
Switching lights on and off
Fig. 62 Next to the steering wheel: examples of the various light switches
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Observe any country-specific regulations when using vehicle lighting.
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
Incorrect use of the main beam headlights can lead to accidents and serious injuries as the 
main beam headlights can distract and dazzle other road users.
WARNING 

Turn the light switch to the required position ⇒ Fig. 62:
ItemWhen the ignition is switched 
off
When the ignition is switched on
The fog lights, dipped beam headlights 
and side lights are switched off.
Lights switched off, daytime headlights are 
switched on.
The side lights are switched on.The side lights are switched on.
The dipped beam headlights are 
switched off. The side lights may still 
light up for a short time.
The dipped beam headlights are switched 
on.
Fog lights:
The indicator lamps  or  in the light switch or instrument cluster indicate that the fog lights 
are switched on.
•To switch the fog light  on, pull the light switch out of the position  or  to the first 
stop.
•To switch the rear fog light  on, pull the light switch out of position  or  as far as it 
will go.
•To switch the fog lights off, press the light switch or move it to position .
Acoustic warnings if lights are not switched off
If the key is removed from the ignition lock and the driver door is opened, an acoustic warning will 
sound in any of the following situations. This will remind you to switch off the lights as necessary.
•Permanent parking light on both sides of the vehicle ⇒ Lights and vision – functions.
•If the light switch is in position  or .
•If the light switch is in position .
Lights and vision – functions
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Permanent parking light on both sides of the vehicle
When the light switch is in position  with the ignition switched off and the vehicle has been 
locked from the outside, both headlights and the rear lights light up.
Daytime running lights
There are separate lights in the headlights for the daytime running lights.
Only the separate lights light up when the daytime running lights are switched on ⇒.
When the light switch is in position , the daytime running lights are switched on every time the 
ignition is switched on.
In cool or damp weather, the interior of the headlights, rear lights and turn signals may mist 
up briefly. This is normal and does not affect the service life of the lights on your vehicle.
Attaching adhesive strips to headlights
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The side lights or daytime running lights are not bright enough to illuminate the road ahead 
and to ensure that other road users are able to see you.
•Always switch the dipped beam headlights on if it is dark, raining or visibility is poor.
WARNING
Accidents can occur if roads are not sufficiently illuminated and other road users have 
difficulty seeing the vehicle, or cannot see it at all.
•Never drive with daytime running lights if the street is not sufficiently lit due to weather and 
lighting conditions. The daytime running lights are not bright enough to illuminate the road 
ahead and to ensure that other road users are able to see you.
•The rear lights will not be switched on with the daytime running lights. If the rear lights are 
not switched on, the vehicle may not be visible to other road users if it is dark, raining, or if 
visibility is poor.
WARNING 

Starting the engine, changing gear and 
parking
Starting and stopping the engine
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Ignition lock
⇒ Starting the engine
⇒ Stopping the engine
⇒ Electronic immobilizer
Immobilizer display
If the vehicle key is not valid or there is a fault in the system, then  may be displayed in the 
instrument cluster. The engine cannot be started ⇒ Electronic immobilizer.
Push-starting or towing
For technical reasons, your vehicle must not be push-started or tow-started. Use jump leads to 
start the engine instead.
Additional information and warnings:
•Vehicle key set ⇒ Vehicle key set
•Changing gear ⇒ Changing gear
•Braking, stopping and parking ⇒ Braking, stopping and parking
•Steering ⇒ Steering
•Pull-away assist systems ⇒ Pull-away assist systems
•Filling the tank ⇒ Filling the tank
•Fuel ⇒ Fuel
•Manual opening and closing ⇒ Manual opening and closing
•Starting the engine with jump leads ⇒ Starting the engine with jump leads
•Tow starting and towing ⇒ Tow-starting and towing
•Observe the operating instructions for any device that you plug into the socket.
•Never exceed the maximum power rating as this could damage the whole vehicle electrical 
system.
•12-volt socket:
- Only use accessories that have been approved in accordance with the relevant 
guidelines on electromagnetic compatibility.
- Never feed electricity into the socket.
NOTICE
While driving