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
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
•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
Switch off the seat heating when the seat is not occupied.
FunctionAction ⇒ Fig. 41
Switching onPress the button. The seat heating is switched on at the
highest setting. All indicator lamps light up in the button.
Adjusting the heating
outputPress the button again until the required heating level is set.
Switching offPress the button until the indicator lamps in the button go out.
If the second temperature level has been switched on for more than 15 minutes, it will automatically
switch to the first temperature level. Only one indicator lamp will be lit up.
The seat heating should be switched off as soon as it is no longer needed. Fuel is otherwise
wasted.
Seat belts
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Warning lamp
⇒ Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
⇒ What happens to vehicle occupants who have not fastened their seat belts
⇒ Seat belt protection
⇒ Using seat belts
⇒ Fastening and unfastening seat belts
⇒ Seat belt routing
⇒ Automatic belt retractor, belt tensioner, belt tension limiter
⇒ Service and disposal of belt tensioners
Check the condition of all seat belts regularly. If the belt webbing, belt connections, belt retractor or
seat belt buckle become damaged, the seat belt in question should be replaced immediately by a
qualified workshop ⇒. The qualified workshop must use correct spare parts that are compatible
with the vehicle, equipment level and model year. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen
dealership for this purpose.
Additional information and warnings:
•Adjusting the seat position ⇒ Adjusting the seat position
•Airbag system ⇒ Airbag system
•Child seats (accessories) ⇒ Child seats (accessories)
•Stowage ⇒ Stowage area
•Cleaning and caring for the interior ⇒ Cleaning and caring for the interior
•Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts ⇒ Accessories, modifications, repairs
and renewal of parts
Anyone experiencing reduced sensitivity to pain or temperature due to medication, paralysis
or chronic illness (e.g. diabetes) could sustain burns on the back, buttocks and legs when
using the seat heating. These burns may take a long time to heal or may never heal fully.
Please consult a doctor to determine your own level of health.
•Anyone experiencing reduced sensitivity to pain or temperature should never use the seat
heating.
WARNING
Wet upholstery can cause a fault in the seat heating and increase the risk of burns.
•Ensure that the seat cushion is dry before the seat heating is used.
•Do not sit on the seat when wearing damp or wet clothing.
•Do not set any damp or wet objects or items of clothing on the seat.
•Do not spill any liquids on the seat.
WARNING
•To avoid damaging the heating elements, do not kneel on the seat or apply sharp pressure
at a single point on the seat cushion and backrest.
•Liquids, sharp objects and insulating materials (such as a protective cover or child seat) on
the seat could damage the seat heating.
•If the system starts to emit a smell, switch the seat heating off immediately and have it
checked by a qualified workshop.
NOTICE
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