sition before setting off and maintain this position while driving. This also
applies to all passengers Sitting position.
Fasten your seat belt correctly before setting off and keep it properly fastened throughout the
journey. This also applies to all passengers Seat belts.
Each vehicle occupant must sit in a seat of their own and must have their own seat belt.
Never drive if your driving ability is impaired, e.g. by medication, alcohol or drugs.
Do not allow yourself to be distracted from the traffic, e.g. by passengers, telephone calls, opening
menus and making adjustments to settings.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
Observe traffic regulations and speed limits.
Take regular breaks when travelling long distances at least every two hours.
Secure animals in the vehicle using a system that is suitable for their weight and size.
Checklist
In some countries, special safety standards and emissions-related legislation apply that may differ
from the build status of the vehicle. Volkswagen recommends that you visit your Volkswagen
dealership before travelling abroad to find out about any legal requirements and the following issues
at your destination:
Does the vehicle need any technical modifications for driving abroad, e.g. masking or switching the
headlights over?
Are the necessary tools, diagnosis equipment and spare parts available for service and repair work?
Fig. 26 Illustration: correct distance between the driver and the steering wheel, correct seat belt
routing and correct head restraint adjustment.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
The correct sitting positions for the driver and passengers are described below.
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 sitting positions for your own safety and to reduce the level
of injury in the event of a sudden braking manoeuvre or an accident:
The following applies to all vehicle occupants:
Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same height as the top of the head, but not
lower than eye level. Position the back of your head as close to the head restraint as possible at all
times Fig. 26
For small people, push the head restraint all the way down, even if the head is then located
underneath the top edge of the head restraint.
For taller people, push the head restraint up as far as it will go.
Keep both feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
Adjust and fasten seat belts properly Seat belts
Additional points for the driver:
Move the backrest into an upright position so that your back rests fully against it.
Adjust the steering wheel so that the distance between the steering wheel and your breastbone is at
least 25 cm Fig. 26
both hands and your arms slightly bent Steering wheel
The steering wheel must always point towards the breastbone and not towards the face.
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 bent and so that the distance from the dash panel to your
knees is at least 10 cm Fig. 26
Adjust the height of the driver seat so that you can reach the highest point of the steering wheel.
damaging the trim.
WARNING
Incorrect seat belt routing can cause severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident.
The seat belts offer best protection only when the backrests are in an upright position and the seat
belts have been fastened properly according to the occupant's size.
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.
Seat belt routing
Fig. 36 Correct seat belt routing and head restraint adjustment.
Fig. 37 Correct seat belt routing for pregnant women.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Seat belts will offer an optimum level of protection during an accident only when they are routed
correctly. Correct seat belt routing reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Correct seat belt
routing also holds the vehicle occupants in position so that a deployed airbag can offer the
maximum level of protection. This is why you must always fasten your seat belt and ensure that the
seat belt routing is correct Fig. 36
An incorrect sitting position can cause severe or fatal injuries
Correct seat belt routing
They tighten the seat belts against the direction in which they are pulled. Any slack in the seat belt is
retracted, which can reduce the forward movement of the vehicle occupants and their movement in
the direction of the impact. The belt tensioner works together with the airbag system. If the vehicle
rolls over, the belt tensioners will not be activated if the side airbags are not triggered.
Fine dust may be produced when belt tensioners are triggered. This is quite normal and does not
mean there is a fire in the vehicle.
Belt tension limiter
The belt tension limiter reduces the pressure exerted by the seat belt on the body in an accident.
All safety regulations must be observed when the vehicle or components of the system are
scrapped. Qualified workshops are familiar with these regulations Service and disposal of belt
tensioners
Service and disposal of belt tensioners
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings
Seat belts may become damaged during any work on the belt tensioners or while removing or
refitting any vehicle parts in conjunction with any other repair work. This damage will not always be
noticeable. The consequence may be that the belt tensioners could function incorrectly, or not
function at all, in the event of an accident.
Regulations must be observed to ensure that the effectiveness of the belt tensioner is not reduced
and that removed parts do not cause any injuries or environmental pollution. Qualified workshops
are familiar with these regulations.
WARNING
The risk of severe or fatal injuries may be increased if the seat belts, belt retractors and belt
tensioners are not used correctly or if they are repaired by a non-professional. As a result, the belt
tensioners may not be triggered when they should be, or they may be triggered unexpectedly.
Any repairs, adjustments or removal and refitting of parts in the belt tensioners or seat belts should
always be carried out by a qualified workshop and never by yourself Accessories, modifications,
Belt tensioners and belt retractors cannot be repaired. They must be replaced.
The airbag modules and belt tensioners may contain perchlorate. Observe the applicable legislation
regarding disposal.
Proactive occupant protection system
Fig. 68 On the steering wheel: 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position.
Adjust the steering wheel position before setting off and only when the vehicle is stationary
Push down the lever Fig.
0
Adjust the steering wheel so that you can hold it with both hands at its circumference at the 9
o'clock and 3 o'clock positions with your arms slightly bent Fig. 68
Push the lever up firmly until it is flush with the steering column trim
WARNING
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.
0up 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 when driving, 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 positionsFig. 68
Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or in any other manner, e.g. at the hub of
the steering wheel. If the driver front airbag is triggered, you could sustain serious injuries to the
arms, hands and head.
Seats and head restraints
Front seats
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
Mechanically adjusting the front seat
Folding the front passenger seat backrest forwards
The following section describes the options for adjusting the front seats. Always ensure that you
adjust the correct sitting position Sitting position
WARNING
Always adjust the front seats to their correct position before any journey and ensure that all
passengers have fastened their seat belts.
Push the front passenger seat as far back as possible.
Adjust the driver seat so 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 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 a front airbag is triggered, it could force the
seat backrest backwards and injure vehicle occupants on the rear seats.
Adopt and maintain the greatest possible distance from 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 to 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 must be adjusted only when the vehicle is stationary, or else the seat could 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.
Adjust the height and tilt of the seat or move it forwards and backwards only when the area around
the seat is clear.
The adjustment range of the seats must not be restricted by any items.
Adjust the tilt angle of the rear seats or move them forwards and backwards only when the area
around the seats is clear.
The adjustment and locking areas of the seats must not be soiled.
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
Folding the backrests on the rear bench seat forwards and backwards
The following section describes the options for adjusting the rear seats. Always ensure that you
adjust the correct sitting position Sitting position
WARNING
Incorrect adjustment of the rear seat can cause accidents and serious injuries.
The rear seat should be adjusted only when the vehicle is stationary as the rear seat could otherwise
move unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion. Furthermore, an incorrect seating position is
adopted while adjusting the seat.
Adjust the rear seat only when there is no one in the adjustment area of the rear seats.
WARNING
Cigarette lighters left in the vehicle can become damaged or may ignite unnoticed. This can cause
serious burns and vehicle damage.
Before adjusting the seats, always make sure that there is no lighter on or near the moveable parts
of the seat.
Before closing stowage areas or compartments, always make sure that there is no lighter in the way.
Never stow lighters in stowage areas, compartments or on other surfaces in the vehicle. Cigarette
lighters may self-ignite as a result of high surface temperatures, particularly in summer.
WARNING
In order to reduce the risk of injury while the vehicle is in motion, the centre armrest must always be
folded up and the stowage compartment must be closed.
The middle seat on the rear bench seat must never be used when the centre armrest is folded down
neither by adults nor children. An incorrect sitting position can cause serious injuries.
Never transport an adult or child on the centre armrest.
Close the stowage compartment only when there is no one in its closing path.
NOTICE
Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same height as the top of the head, but not
lower than eye level. Position the back of your head as close to the head restraint as possible.
Head restraint adjustment for small people
Push the head restraint all the way down, even if the head is then located underneath the top edge
of the head restraint. There may be a small gap between the head restraint and backrest in the
lowest position.
Head restraint adjustment for tall people
Push the head restraint up as far as it will go.
WARNING
Driving without head restraints or with incorrectly adjusted head restraints increases the risk of
serious 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.
Each vehicle occupant must adjust the head restraint to suit their body size in order to reduce the
risk of neck injuries in an accident. The upper edge of the head restraint must, as far as possible, be
level with the top of the head, but no lower than eye level. Position the back of your head in the
middle and as close to the head restraint as possible.
Never adjust the head restraint when the vehicle is in motion.
NOTICE
When removing or fitting head restraints, make sure that they do not hit the roof, the front seat
backrest or other vehicle parts. This will prevent damage from occurring.
Adjusting the head restraints
Fig. 72 Front head restraint: adjusting.