If the front passenger seat is unoccupied and the passenger's safety belt is fastened, the yellow PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator light
permanently.
also comes on
Troubleshooting
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒
Introduction.
Airbag system or safety belt pretensioners malfunction
The yellow indicator light stays on. There may also be a message in the instrument cluster display.
A malfunction has been detected in at least one of the airbags or safety belt pretensioners.
1. Visit an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility and have the airbag system and safety belt pretensioners checked.
Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Airbag or safety belt pretensioner system deactivated with diagnostic equipment
After the ignition is switched on, the yellow indicator light turns on for about four seconds and then blinks for about twelve seconds. There may also be a message i
the instrument cluster display.
At least one airbag or safety belt pretensioner has been switched off by a diagnostic device.
1. Have a suitably qualified professional check whether the airbag system or safety belt pretensioners need to remain switched off. Volkswagen recommends
contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Front passenger's front airbag switched off
The yellow indicator light stays on.
The front passenger's front airbag is switched off.
1. Check whether the front passenger's front airbag has to be switched off.
2. If the front passenger's front airbag is incorrectly switched off, there may be a malfunction in the airbag system. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Airbag description and function
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒
Introduction.
The airbag can protect vehicle occupants in a collision by reducing the movement of vehicle occupants in the direction of the impact during frontal and side
collisions.
The airbag is filled by a gas generator when it deploys. When this occurs, the airbag covers open and the airbags unfold with great force into their deployment
zones within milliseconds. When vehicle occupants who are wearing safety belts sink into the airbags, the gas contained in the airbags is released in order to
cushion the individuals and slow their movement. This can reduce the risk of serious and fatal injuries. The airbag cannot always prevent other injuries, such as
swelling, bruises, burns, and abrasions. Heat from friction can develop when the airbag deploys.
Airbags do not provide any protection for arms and the lower part of the body.
The most important factors for triggering airbag deployment are the type of collision, the angle of impact, the vehicle speed, and the characteristics of the object wit
which the vehicle is colliding. Therefore, the airbags will not deploy in all situations where there is visible vehicle damage.
The deployment of the airbag system depends on the vehicle deceleration rate resulting from the impact, which is detected by an electronic control module. If the
deceleration rate is below the minimum value programmed into the control module, then the airbags will not be deployed even though there may be significant
vehicle damage. The extent of vehicle damage, the repair costs, or even the absence of vehicle damage in a collision are not indicators of whether the airbag shoul
have deployed or not. Because situations can vary greatly among different collisions, it is not possible to define a range of vehicle speeds and reference values.
Therefore, it is not possible to cover every conceivable type of impact and impact angle that could trigger airbag deployment. Among other things, important factors
for airbag deployment include the characteristics of the object with which the vehicle collides (hard or soft), the angle of impact, and the vehicle speed.
Airbags are only a supplement to the three-point safety belts in some collisions when the deceleration of the vehicle is great enough to trigger airbag deployment.
Airbags can only deploy once, and only under certain conditions. The safety belts are always there to provide protection in situations where the airbags do not
deploy or if they have already deployed — for example, this may be the case if the vehicle collides with another vehicle or is hit by another vehicle after the initial
impact.
The airbag system is part of the entire passive vehicle safety concept. The airbag system can only provide the best possible protection when it works in conjunction
with safety belts that are fastened correctly and a correct seating position
⇒ Seating position, ⇒ Safety belts.
Components of the vehicle safety concept
The vehicle safety concept is comprised of the following safety features in the vehicle that reduces the risk of serious and fatal injuries. Depending on vehicle
equipment, some equipment may not be installed in the vehicle or may not be available in some countries.
Optimized safety belts in all seating positions.
Safety belt pretensioners for the driver and front passenger.
Safety belt load limiters for the driver and front passenger.
Belt height adjusters for the front seats.
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