2021 VOLKSWAGEN UP! height adjustment

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

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