2021 VOLKSWAGEN UP! airbag

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. 54 Location and deployment zone of the driver front airbag
Fig. 55 Location and deployment zone of the front passenger front airbag
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
In conjunction with the seat belts, the front airbag system gives the front occupants additional
protection for the head and chest in the event of a severe frontal collision. Always keep as far away
from the front airbag as possible ⇒ Adjusting the seat position. This allows the front airbags to
inflate fully when triggered, thus providing maximum protection.
The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel ⇒ Fig. 54 and the front airbag for the
front passenger is located in the dash panel ⇒ Fig. 55. The airbag locations are identified by the
text AIRBAG.
The areas inside the red lines ⇒ Fig. 54 and ⇒ Fig. 55 are covered by the front airbags when
triggered (deployment zone). For this reason, you must never leave or attach any objects in these
areas ⇒. Any factory-fitted accessories will not be struck if the driver and front passenger front
airbags are deployed.
The airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel ⇒ Fig. 54 or dash panel ⇒ Fig. 55 when the driver
and front passenger front airbags trigger. The airbag covers remain connected to the steering
wheel or the dash panel.
Switching the front passenger front airbag on and off manually using
the key-operated switch
Once triggered, the airbag inflates at high speed.
•Always leave the deployment zones of the front airbags clear.
•Never attach any objects, such as drink or telephone holders, to the covers of the airbags
or anywhere in the airbag deployment zone.
•Vehicle occupants sitting on the front seats must never carry any people, pets or objects in
the deployment zone between themselves and the airbags.
•Do not attach any objects, e.g. mobile navigation devices, to the windscreen above the
front airbag on the front passenger side.
•Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the soft plastic surface of the
airbag unit in the dash panel on the front passenger side, and do not modify them in any
way.
DANGER
The front airbags are deployed in front of the steering wheel ⇒ Fig. 54 and dash panel
⇒ Fig. 55.
•When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the outside of the ring at
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions.
•Adjust the driver seat so that there is at least 25 cm between your breastbone and the hub
of the steering wheel. Contact a qualified workshop if your physical build makes this
impracticable.
•Adjust the front passenger seat so that the distance between the passenger and the dash
panel is as large as possible.
WARNING

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

LATCH/UCRA universal anchorage attachment points and top tether, including in North
America⇒ Securing child seats using lower anchoring points (ISOFIX, LATCH).
Three-point automatic seat belt and top tether⇒ Securing child seats with a seat belt.
The systems consist of attachments for child restraint systems with a top tether and lower
anchoring points in the seat.
Using a child seat on the front passenger seat
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Not all countries allow you to transport children on the front passenger seat. Not every child seat is
suitable for use on the front passenger seat. Volkswagen dealerships keep an up-to-date list of all
authorised child seats. Only use child seats that have been authorised for your vehicle.
The active front airbag on the front passenger side presents a major danger to a child. Transporting
a child in a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat can pose a danger to the child's life.
If a rear-facing child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, an inflating front passenger front
airbag can strike it with such force that critical or fatal injuries may occur ⇒. Therefore, never
use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat when the front passenger front airbag is
activated.
Only use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat when you have ascertained that the
front passenger front airbag has been switched off. This is confirmed when the yellow indicator
lamp in the dash panel PASSENGER AIR BAG  lights up ⇒ Airbag system. If the front
passenger front airbag cannot be switched off and stays active, do not transport any children on
the front passenger seat⇒.
What to be aware of when using a child seat on the front passenger seat:
•The front passenger front airbag must be deactivated when a rear-facing child seat is being
used ⇒ Switching the front passenger front airbag on and off manually using the key-
operated switch.
•The front passenger seat backrest must be in an upright position.
•The front passenger seat must be pushed as far back as it will go.
•In vehicles with height-adjustable seats, the front passenger seat must be as high as possible.
Suitable child seats
The child seat must be specially authorised by the manufacturer for use on the front passenger seat
in vehicles with front and side airbags.
Universal child seats in groups 0, 0+, 1, 2, or 3, as specified in ECE-R 44, can be fitted to the front
passenger seat.
Using a child seat on the rear seats
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
When fitting a child seat to a rear seat, the position of the front seat must be adjusted to ensure that
the child has sufficient space. Adjust the front seat according to the size of the child seat and child.
If a child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, the risk to the child of sustaining critical
or fatal injuries in the event of an accident increases. Never use a rear-facing child seat on
the front passenger seat if the front passenger front airbag is enabled. The child could suffer
fatal injuries when the front airbag is activated as the child seat will be hit by the airbag with
full force and thrown against the seat backrest.
DANGER
If, in exceptional circumstances, a child is being transported in a rear-facing child seat on the
front passenger seat, the following rules apply:
•The front passenger front airbag must be switched off and remain switched off.
•The child seat must be approved by the child seat manufacturer for use on a front
passenger seat with front or side airbags.
•Follow the fitting instructions from the child seat manufacturer and observe all warnings.
•Push the front passenger seat back as far as possible and adjust it to the highest position,
to keep as far away as possible from the front airbag.
•Adjust the backrest to an upright position.
•Always secure children in the vehicle in an authorised restraint system suitable for their
height and weight.
DANGER

Ensure that the front passenger can still maintain a correct sitting position ⇒ Adjusting the seat
position.
Suitable child seats
The child seat must have been approved by the manufacturer for use on the rear bench seat with
side airbag.
Universal child seats in groups 0, 0+, 1, 2, or 3 as specified in ECE-R 44 can be fitted to the rear
seats.
The seats are suitable for child seats with the ISOFIX system that are specially approved for this
vehicle type by ECE-R 44.
ISOFIX child seats approved for use on rear seats
There are different categories of ISOFIX child seats: universal, semi-universal and vehicle-specific.
•If the ISOFIX child seat has universal approval, the child seat must be fastened with the lower
anchoring points and the top tether.
•If ISOFIX child seats have semi-universal or vehicle-specific approval, a check must be made
prior to use in order to find out whether the child seat has been approved for the vehicle. For
this purpose, the child-seat manufacturer supplies the ISOFIX child seat with a list of vehicles
for which the respective ISOFIX child seat has been approved. If necessary, contact the child
seat manufacturer for an up-to-date list of vehicles.
Securing child seats with a seat belt
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
It is permissible to fasten child seats with universal written on the orange label to the seats using
the seat belt, but only on the seats marked in the table with a u.
Weight classFront passenger seatSeats on the rear bench
seat
Group 0
up to 10 kguu
Group 0+
up to 13 kguu
Group 1
9 to 18 kguu
Group 2
15 to 25 kguu
Group 3
22 to 36 kguu
Securing a child seat using the seat belt
•Read and follow the child seat manufacturer's instructions.
•When placing the child seat on the front passenger seat, push the seat back as far as possible
and adjust the backrest to an upright position ⇒ Adjusting the seat position.
•Position the child seat on the seat according to the instructions given by the child seat
manufacturer.
•Fasten the seat belt or guide it through the child seat as described in the child seat
manufacturer's instructions.
•Ensure that the seat belt is not twisted.
•Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push it down until it locks
securely with a click.
•In vehicles with lockable seat belts: pull the shoulder part of the belt all the way out and let the
belt web roll up on the automatic belt retractor. The belt makes a clicking sound as it rolls up.
•The upper part of the belt must lie snugly and fully over the child seat.
•Pull the seat belt to check that the lower belt strap is locked and can no longer be pulled out.
•In vehicles with lockable seat belts: secure any seat belts that are not being used out of the
reach of the child in the child seat, by guiding the belt behind the head restraint on the
neighbouring seat. When doing this, ensure that the locking mechanism of the seat belt is not
triggered! The belt should not make a clicking sound as it rolls up. Let the belt web roll up on the
automatic belt retractor.
A child in a child seat on the rear bench seat can sustain fatal injuries if they play with
lockable seat belts that are not in use.
•Always secure any lockable seat belts on the rear bench seat that are not in use.
WARNING

•Luggage compartment ⇒ Luggage compartment
•Roof carrier ⇒ Roof carrier
•Wheels and tyres ⇒ Wheels and tyres
Stowing items of luggage
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Always stow all items of luggage in the vehicle securely.
•Always distribute any loads in the vehicle and on the roof as evenly as possible.
•Place heavy objects as far forward in the luggage compartment as possible. Position the rear
seat backrests securely in the upright position.
•Secure luggage in the luggage compartment to the fastening rings with suitable straps
⇒ Luggage compartment.
•Adjust the headlight range ⇒ Lights.
•Adjust the tyre pressure according to the vehicle load. Please read the tyre pressure sticker
⇒ Wheels and tyres.
Observe any information concerning the loading of a roof carrier ⇒ Roof carrier.
Driving with an open tailgate
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Driving with an open tailgate is particularly dangerous. Ensure that the open tailgate and any
objects are secured properly, and take appropriate measures to reduce the quantity of toxic
exhaust fumes entering the vehicle.
Objects that are not secured, or are secured incorrectly, can cause serious injuries in the
event of a sudden driving or braking manoeuvre or accident. This applies particularly if
objects are struck by the airbag when activated and then flung through the vehicle interior.
Please apply the following rules to reduce the risk of accidents:
•Always stow all objects in the vehicle securely. Always stow luggage and heavy objects in
the luggage compartment.
•Always use suitable straps to prevent luggage from entering the deployment zones of the
side airbag or the front airbag in the event of a sudden driving or braking manoeuvre or an
accident.
•Objects should be stowed in the vehicle interior in such a way that they can never enter
the airbag deployment zones while the vehicle is in motion.
•Always keep stowage compartments closed while the vehicle is in motion.
•All objects must be removed from the seat cushion of the front passenger seat if the front
passenger backrest is folded forward. Even light and small objects could be pressed into
the weight detection mat underneath the seat cushion by the backrest when it is folded
forwards and thus send incorrect information to the airbag control units.
•The front airbag must be switched off and the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF 
must light up for as long as the front passenger seat backrest is folded forwards.
•Stowed objects must never cause passengers to assume an incorrect sitting position.
•Any seat blocked by stowed objects must not be used by any passengers.
WARNING
The vehicle handling and braking effect may alter significantly if large or heavy objects are
being transported.
•Adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
•Accelerate carefully and gently.
•Avoid sudden braking and driving manoeuvres.
•Brake earlier than in normal driving.
WARNING
Hard objects on the shelf can chafe against the wires of the heating element in the rear
window and cause damage.
NOTICE