2022 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN warning

Warning lamp
Fig. 31 On the instrument cluster display: warning lamp.
Fig. 32 On the instrument cluster display: seat belt status for the rear seats.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
A signal tone will be emitted for a few seconds if the seat belts are not fastened as the vehicle pulls
off and reaches a speed of more than approximately 25 km/h (15 mphyfRULIWKHVHDWEHOWVDUH
unfastened while the vehicle is in motion. This is accompanied by the flashing warning lamp
⇒ Fig. 31.
The warning lamp does not go out until the driver and front passenger fasten their seat belts
while the ignition is switched on.
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 ⇒ Safe transport of children.
•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.
•Avoid allowing foreign bodies or liquids to 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 jacketyf7KLV
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.
•Have damaged seat belts immediately replaced by new seat belts that have been
approved by Volkswagen for the vehicle. 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

Belt status display for the rear seats
After the ignition has been switched on, the belt status display ⇒ Fig. 32 on 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 their seat belt. The symbol
indicates that the seatbelt has not been fastened.
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 mphyfDVLJQDOWRQHZLOODOVRVRXQG.
Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
Fig. 33 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a brick wall.
Fig. 34 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. 33, 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. For example, if the speed doubles
from 25 km/h to 50 km/h (15 mph to 31 mphyfWKHNLQHWLFHQHUJ\LQFUHDVHVE\DIDFWRURIIRXU.
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.
Passengers not wearing seat belts are not connected to the vehicle. In the event of a frontal
collision they will continue to move forwards at the same speed at which the vehicle was travelling
before impact, until something stops them. Because the passengers in our example are not
restrained by seat belts, the entire amount of kinetic energy will be released only at the point of
impact against the wall ⇒ Fig. 34.
Even at speeds of approximately 30 km/h (19 mphyfWRDSSUR[LPDWHO\NPKPSK\f, the forces
acting on bodies in a collision can easily exceed one tonne (1,000 kgyf7KHVHIRUFHVDUHHYHQ
greater at higher speeds.
This example applies not only to frontal collisions, but to all accidents and collisions.
What happens to vehicle occupants who have not fastened their
seat belts
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.
WARNING

Fig. 35 An unbelted driver is thrown forwards.
Fig. 36 The unbelted rear passenger is thrown forwards, hitting the belted driver.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Many people believe that they can brace their weight with their hands in a minor collision. This is
not true.
Even at low speeds, the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great that it is not possible to
brace oneself with arms and hands. In a frontal collision, vehicle occupants who have not fastened
their seat belts will be thrown forward and will make unchecked contact with parts of the vehicle
interior, e.g. the steering wheel, dash panel, or windscreen ⇒ Fig. 35.
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts. When triggered, the airbags only provide
additional protection. Airbags are not triggered in all kinds of accidents. Even if the vehicle is
equipped with an airbag system, all vehicle occupants, including the driver, must fasten their seat
belt and wear it correctly while the vehicle is in motion. This reduces the risk of severe or fatal
injuries in the event of an accident – regardless of whether an airbag is fitted for the seat.
Each airbag can only be triggered once. To achieve best possible protection, seat belts must
always be worn properly. This also ensures that protection is provided in accidents in which the
airbag is not triggered. Any vehicle occupants not wearing a seat belt can be thrown out of the
vehicle and sustain more severe or even fatal injuries as a result.
It is also important for the rear seat occupants to wear seat belts properly, as they could otherwise
be thrown forwards violently in an accident. Rear passengers who are not wearing seat belts
endanger not only themselves and the driver, but also other people in the vehicle ⇒ Fig. 36.
Seat belt protection
Fig. 37 Driver restrained by a properly positioned seat belt during a sudden braking manoeuvre.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Correctly fastened seat belts can make a major difference. When fastened properly, seat belts hold
the vehicle occupants in the correct sitting positions and considerably reduce the kinetic energy in
the event of an accident. Seat belts also help to prevent uncontrolled movements that could lead to
severe injuries. In addition, wearing seat belts properly reduces the risk of being thrown from the
vehicle ⇒ Fig. 37.
Passengers wearing seat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability of the belts to reduce the
kinetic energy. The front crumple zones and other passive safety features (such as the airbag
systemyfDUHDOVRGHVLJQHGWRUHGXFHNLQHWLFHQHUJ\7KHDPRXQWRIHQHUJ\JHQHUDWHGZLOOWKXV
decrease, thereby reducing the risk of injury.
The examples describe frontal collisions. Of course, properly worn seat belts substantially reduce
the risk of injury in all other types of accidents. This is why seat belts must be fastened before every

Check the condition of all seat belts regularly.
Keep the seat belts clean.
Avoid allowing any foreign substances or liquids to get on to the seat belt or latch plate or
into the slot in the seat belt buckle.
Do not trap or damage the seat belt and latch plate, for example when closing the door.
Never remove, modify or repair the seat belt or any part of the belt fixture system.
Always fasten the seat belt correctly before every journey and keep it fastened while the
vehicle is in motion.
trip – even if you are only planning to drive a very short distance. Ensure that all passengers also
wear their seat belts properly.
Accident statistics have shown properly worn seat belts to be an effective means of substantially
reducing the risk of injury and improving the chances of survival in a serious accident. Furthermore,
properly worn seat belts improve the protection provided by airbags in the event of an accident.
This is why wearing a seat belt is a legal requirement in most countries.
Although the vehicle is equipped with airbags, the seat belts must be fastened and worn. For
example, the front airbags will be triggered only in certain types of frontal collision. The front airbags
will not be triggered during minor frontal collisions, minor side collisions, rear collisions, rolls or
accidents in which the airbag trigger threshold in the control unit is not exceeded.
Therefore, always wear your seat belt and ensure that your passengers have fastened their seat
belts properly before you drive off.
Using seat belts
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Checklist
Using seat belts ⇒:
Twisted seat belt
If it is difficult to remove the seat belt from the belt guide, the seat belt may have become twisted if
it was returned too quickly into the side trim:
•Take hold of the latch plate then slowly and carefully pull out the seat belt.
•Untwist the seat belt and guide it back slowly by hand.
Fasten the seat belt even if you are unable to undo the twist. However, the twist should not be in
part of the seat belt that comes into direct contact with the body. The twist should be corrected
immediately by a qualified workshop.
Fastening and unfastening seat belts
Fig. 38 Inserting the seat belt latch plate into the buckle.
Using seat belts incorrectly increases the risk of severe or fatal injuries.
•Regularly check to see if the seat belt and its related parts are in perfect condition.
•Always keep the seat belt clean.
•Do not allow the belt webbing to become jammed, damaged or to rub on any sharp
edges.
•Always keep the latch plate and slot in the buckle free from foreign bodies and liquids.
WARNING

Fig. 39 Removing the latch plate from the buckle.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
If worn properly, seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the correct sitting position during an
accident or braking manoeuvre, providing maximum protection ⇒.
Fastening the seat belts
Fasten seat belts before every trip.
•Always adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly ⇒ Sitting position.
•Engage the rear seat backrest in an upright position ⇒.
•Take hold of the belt 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. 38.
•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. 39. 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.
Lockable seat belt
When the belt webbing has been completely retracted and a clicking sound can be heard as the
seat belt is being rolled up, the vehicle is equipped with lockable seat belts. The seat belt locking
function should be used only for fitting certain child restraint systems ⇒ Safe transport of children.
A locked seat belt must be released when a vehicle occupant uses the seat belt.
Seat belt routing
Fig. 40 Correct seat belt routing and head restraint adjustment.
Fig. 41 Correct seat belt routing during pregnancy.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Seat belts only provide an optimum level of protection during an accident 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 an inflating airbag can offer the
maximum level of protection. Therefore you must always fasten your seat belt and ensure that the
seat belt routing is correct ⇒ Fig. 40.
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

Assuming an incorrect sitting position can cause severe or fatal injuries ⇒ Sitting position.
Correct seat belt routing
•The shoulder part of the seat belt must always lie on the centre of the shoulder, never across
the neck, over or under the arm or behind the back.
•The lap part of the seat belt must always lie across the pelvis, never across the stomach.
•The seat belt must always lie flat and snugly on the body. Tighten the belt if necessary.
For pregnant women the seat belt must be positioned evenly over the chest and as low as
possible over the pelvis. It must lie flat so that no pressure is exerted on the lower body – this
applies in every stage of pregnancy ⇒ Fig. 41.
Correct seat belt routing according to height
The following equipment can be used to adjust the seat belt routing:
•Seat belt height adjuster for the front seats ⇒ Seat belt height adjuster.
•Height-adjustable front seats ⇒ Sitting position.
If a person's physical build prevents them from routing the seat belt properly, contact a
qualified workshop to find out about any special modifications so that the seat belts and airbags can
provide the optimum level of protection. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership
for this purpose.
Seat belt height adjuster
Fig. 42 Next to the front seats: belt height adjuster.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The seat belt height adjusters for the front seats can be used to adjust the position of the seat belt
on the shoulder so that it can be fastened properly:
•Push the shoulder belt guide together in the direction of the arrows and hold ⇒ Fig. 42.
•Push the shoulder belt guide up or down so that the seat belt lies over the middle of the
shoulder ⇒ Seat belt routing.
•Let go of the shoulder belt guide.
•Pull sharply on the seat belt to check whether the shoulder belt guide is engaged securely.
Incorrect seat belt routing can cause severe injuries in the event of an accident or a
sudden braking or driving manoeuvre.
•The seat belts only offer best protection when the backrests are in an upright position
and the seat belts have been fastened properly.
•The seat belt itself or a loose seat belt can cause serious injuries if the seat belt shifts
from harder body parts in the direction of softer body parts (e.g. stomachyf.
•The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoulder and never
under the arm or across the neck.
•The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the chest.
•The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis and never across the stomach.
The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the pelvis. Tighten the belt if necessary.
•For pregnant women, the lap part of the seat belt must be as low as possible over the
pelvis and lie flat around the bulge of the belly.
•Do not twist the belt webbing while the seat belt is being worn.
•Never hold the seat belt away from the body by hand.
•The belt webbing should not lie over hard or fragile objects, such as glasses, pens or
keys.
•Never use seat belt clips, retaining rings or similar items to alter the seat belt routing.
WARNING

Belt retractor, belt tensioner, belt tension limiter
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The seat belts in the vehicle are part of the vehicle safety concept ⇒ Airbag system and include the
following important functions:
Automatic belt retractor
Every seat belt is equipped with an automatic belt retractor on the shoulder part of the belt. Full
freedom of movement is made possible when the shoulder belt is pulled slowly or when the vehicle
is travelling at normal speeds. However, if the belt is pulled out quickly or during sudden braking,
during travel in mountains or bends and during acceleration, the automatic belt retractor is locked.
Fastened seat belts on the front seats may be tensioned automatically by the proactive occupant
protection system in critical situations, for example during emergency braking or as a result of
oversteering or understeering. Both seat belts are slackened if the accident does not happen, or
when the critical situation has passed. The proactive occupant protection system is ready to be
triggered again ⇒ Proactive occupant protection system.
Belt tensioners
The seat belts for the front seat vehicle occupants, and in some cases those on the outer rear
seats, are equipped with belt tensioners.
The belt tensioners are activated by sensors during severe frontal, side and rear collisions. 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 passenger's movement forwards or 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.
A fine dust may be produced when the airbags are triggered. This is quite normal and does not
mean that there is a fire in the vehicle.
Reversible belt tensioning (proactive occupant protection systemyf
Reversible belt tensioning may trigger in certain driving situations. For example:
•Heavy braking,
•Oversteer or understeer,
•Minor collisions.
⇒ Proactive occupant protection system
Belt tension limiter
The belt tension limiter reduces the pressure exerted by the seat belt on the body during an
accident.
All safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or components of the system are
scrapped. Qualified workshops are familiar with these requirements ⇒ Service and disposal of belt 
tensioners.
Service and disposal of belt tensioners
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
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 requirements.
Never adjust the seat belt height when the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING

The airbag modules and belt tensioners may contain perchlorate. Please comply with
legislation regarding disposal.
Proactive occupant protection system
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The proactive occupant protection system is an assistance system that initiates action to protect
vehicle occupants in dangerous situations. However, the system cannot prevent a collision.
The full range of functions of the proactive occupant protection system will be available only if the
function has been activated in the Infotainment system, no special driving profile has been selected
and there are no malfunctions ⇒ Driving profile selection and 4MOTION Active Control, ⇒ Function 
limitations.
Basic functions
Depending on country-specific legal requirements and also on the vehicle equipment, the following
functions may be initiated, either individually or jointly, in critical situations (e.g. emergency braking
or in the case of oversteering or understeeringyfDVRIDVSHHGRIDSSUR[LPDWHO\NPKPSK\f:
•Temporary tensioning of the fastened front seat belts.
•Automatic closing of the glass roof and side windows down to a gap, depending on the vehicle
equipment.
The belts may be tensioned individually or together depending on the respective critical driving
situations.
Additional information for vehicles with an area monitoring system (Front
Assistyf
In vehicles fitted with the area monitoring system (Front Assistyf ⇒ Area monitoring system (Front 
Assistyf, the probability of a collision with the vehicle ahead is also calculated within the system
limits. The system can trigger the proactive occupant protection system if it detects a probable
collision or initiates strong braking.
Settings in the Infotainment system
The full range of functions of the proactive occupant protection system can be activated and
deactivated in the Infotainment system ⇒ Operation and display in the Infotainment system.
The proactive occupant protection system will be reactivated every time the ignition is switched on.
It may not be possible to operate the setting function if the proactive occupant protection system
has already been adapted to the specific vehicle setup.
Setting in driving profile selection
In vehicles with driving profile selection, the proactive occupant protection system is adapted to the
special vehicle setup of the respective driving profile ⇒ Driving profile selection and 4MOTION 
Active Control.
Function limitations
The proactive occupant protection system will not be available, or will only be available to a limited
extent, in the following situations:
•If there is a fault in the ESC, belt tensioner or in the airbag control unit ⇒ Seat belts or ⇒ Airbag 
system.
•When the TCS or ESC are switched off, and when the vehicle is reversing ⇒ Brake support 
systems.
•The temporary tensioning for the front passenger seat is switched off if the front passenger front
airbag is deactivated.
•If there is a system fault in the area monitoring system (Front Assistyf ⇒ Area monitoring system 
(Front Assistyf.
The risk of severe or fatal injuries may be increased if the seat belts, automatic 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, 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, repairs and renewal of parts.
•Belt tensioners and automatic belt retractors cannot be repaired. They must be
replaced.
WARNING