Seats and head restraints for Your Volkswagen Atlas SUV First Generation (2018-2023)

Seats and head restraints  
Front seats  
Introduction  
The following information describes the various options for adjusting the front seats. Always make sure the seats are adjusted to the correct position  
Introduction.  
WARNING  
Driving in an incorrect seating position due to seats being adjusted incorrectly may cause serious injuries.  
Adjust the front seats according to the correct seating position each time before driving and make sure all passengers have their safety belts fastened  
correctly.  
Move the front passenger seat all the way back.  
WARNING  
Adjusting the seats incorrectly can cause accidents and serious injuries.  
Only adjust the seats when the vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, the position of the seats could change unexpectedly while driving and you could lose  
control of the vehicle. You could also put yourself in an incorrect seating position.  
Only adjust the height, angle, and forward/back position of the front seats when there is no one within the seat’s range of movement.  
Do not restrict the movement of the seats by placing objects within their range of movement.  
The adjusting and locking areas of the seats must not be dirty.  
WARNING  
Using seat covers or protective covers incorrectly can result in unintentionally operating the seat adjusters, and the front seats could move unexpectedly while  
driving. This could cause you to lose control of the vehicle. This can cause accidents and injuries. The electrical components in the front seats could also be  
damaged.  
Never install or secure seat covers and protective covers on the electrical controls.  
Only use seat covers or protective covers that are specifically approved for use in your vehicle.  
WARNING  
Lighters in the vehicle can become damaged or ignite unintentionally. This can cause severe burns and vehicle damage.  
Before adjusting any seat, always make sure that there are no cigarette lighters near the moving parts of the seat.  
NOTICE  
Objects with sharp edges can damage the seats.  
Never touch the seats with sharp-edged objects. Sharp-edged objects, such as zippers, rivets on clothing, or belts, can cause surface damage. Open  
hook and loop fasteners can also cause damage.  
Manually adjusting front seats  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice   
and Introduction.  
The information that follows describes all possible controls. Depending on the seat version, the number of controls may vary.  
The controls on the front passenger seat are a mirror image of those for the driver seat.  
A seat may have both manual and power controls.  
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Fig. 74 On the driver seat: Controls.  
Pull the lever to slide the front seat forward or backward. The front seat must lock into place after the lever is released.  
Press and hold the lever to adjust the tilt of the backrest, and release it once the seat backrest is in the preferred position. Release the lever to secure the  
backrest. The seat backrest must lock into place after the lever is released.  
If necessary, move the lever upward or downward multiple times to adjust the height of the seat.  
Adjusting power front seats  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
and Introduction.  
The controls on the front passenger seat are a mirror image of those for the driver seat.  
A seat may have both manual and power controls.  
Fig. 75 Switch on the driver seat: Adjusting the front seat forward/back, the height and angle of the seat surface, and the front seat backrest.  
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow:  
Slide the seat forward or backward.  
Adjust the angle of the seat surface.  
Adjust the height of the seat.  
Adjust the angle of the backrest.  
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Fig. 76 Switch on the driver seat: Adjusting the lumbar support.  
Press the switch in the direction you would like the lumbar support to move.  
Move the curvature of the lumbar support forward.  
Move the curvature of the lumbar support backward.  
WARNING  
Careless or unintended use of the power front seats can cause serious injuries.  
The power front seats can also be adjusted when the ignition is switched off. Never leave children or people requiring assistance in the vehicle.  
In case of an emergency, interrupt the power adjustment by pressing another switch.  
NOTICE  
To reduce the risk of damage to the electrical components in the front seats, never kneel on the front seats or seat cushions. Do not exert pressure on the  
backrest with sharp or pointed objects.  
If the 12 V vehicle battery charge level is too low, the seat may not be able to be adjusted with the power controls.  
A seat adjustment may be canceled while the engine is starting.  
Rear seats  
Introduction  
The following information describes the various options for adjusting the rear seats. Always make sure the seats are adjusted to the correct position Correct  
seating position.  
WARNING  
Adjust the rear seats correctly before each journey and make sure all passengers have their own safety belts fastened correctly.  
Only adjust the rear seats when the vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, the rear seats could move unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion. You could also  
put yourself in an incorrect seating position.  
For passengers in the rear seats, the risk of serious injuries increases if they do not sit upright, because the safety belts will not be positioned correctly.  
Only adjust the rear seat when there is no one within the seat’s range of movement.  
WARNING  
Lighters in the vehicle can become damaged or ignite unintentionally. This can cause severe burns and vehicle damage.  
Before adjusting any seat, always make sure that there are no cigarette lighters near the moving parts of the seat.  
WARNING  
To reduce the risk of injuries while driving, the rear center armrest must always be folded up.  
If the center armrest is folded down, the center rear bench seat must never be used by either adults or children. Doing so would create an incorrect  
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seating position that could result in serious injuries.  
Never allow an adult or child to ride on the center armrest.  
NOTICE  
Objects in the luggage compartment can cause damage when adjusting the rear seat forward or backward.  
If the rear seat is positioned forward, objects can become caught between the seat and the luggage compartment floor. Remove any objects from this  
area before sliding the rear seat back.  
NOTICE  
Objects with sharp edges can damage the seats.  
Never touch the seats with sharp-edged objects. Sharp-edged objects, such as zippers, rivets on clothing, or belts, can cause surface damage. Open  
hook and loop fasteners can also cause damage.  
Adjusting the rear bench seat  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
and Introduction.  
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the rear bench seat is split into two sections that are different sizes. Each section can be adjusted separately.  
Adjusting the rear bench seat forward or backward  
Fig. 77 Under the seat cushion in the rear bench seat: Adjusting lever.  
1. Pull the right or left lever upward in the direction of the arrow fig. 77 and slide the corresponding section of the rear bench seat forward or backward.  
2. Release the lever and allow the section of the rear bench seat to engage by sliding slightly forward or backward.  
Adjusting the rear seat backrest  
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Fig. 78 Left side area in the rear bench seat: adjusting lever.  
The rear seat backrest can only be adjusted if the seat in question is occupied.  
1. Pull the adjusting lever upward in the direction of the arrow fig. 78.  
2. Allow the rear seat backrest to fold forward slightly.  
3. Press the rear seat backrest back into the desired position.  
4. Release the adjusting lever and allow the rear seat backrest to lock into place by pushing it slightly forward or back.  
Adjusting the rear seat  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
and Introduction.  
Fig. 79 Adjusting the rear seat.  
Only in the second row of seats: Pull the lever to move the backrest into the required position. The seat backrest must lock into place after the lever is  
released. In the center seating position, instead of a lever, there is a loop (depending on the vehicle equipment). It works just like the lever.  
Only in the second row of seats in six-seaters: Press the button under the armrest to adjust the armrest.  
Only in the second row of seats: Pull the lever to move the seat into the required position. The seat must lock into place after the lever is released.  
NOTICE  
If the backrest in the second row of seats is tilted back as far as it will go, this could damage a trunk cover that has been installed behind it. Remove the luggage  
compartment cover before adjusting the backrest.  
Folding the second row seats into the cargo floor position  
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Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
and Introduction.  
Each rear seat can be folded forward individually to increase the size of the luggage compartment.  
A rear seat can only be folded over if the seat is not occupied.  
Fig. 80 Second row seats: folding the outer rear seats forward into the cargo floor position.  
Folding the second row seats into the cargo floor position  
1. Open the belt loops and guide the safety belt back by hand.  
2. Fold up the armrests.  
3. Slide the front seats forward.  
4. Remove any objects from the footwell in front of and behind the rear seat  
5. Move the rear seat all the way back.  
.
6. Move the head restraints all the way down.  
7. Pull the lever fig. 80 up and fold the rear seat backrest forward.  
The entire rear seat will fold forward ⇒  
.
8. Press down on the folded rear seat backrest until the backrest locks into the cargo floor position fig. 80.  
Adults or children should not ride in the rear seat when it is folded forward  
.
Folding the second row seats back  
1. Pull the fig. 80 lever and fold the rear seat backrest back into the upright position.  
The entire rear seat will fold back.  
2. Pull on the rear seat and on the rear seat backrest to make sure the rear seat and the rear seat backrest are securely locked into place.  
The red mark on the seat rail must not be visible ⇒  
.
WARNING  
Uncontrolled or unintentional folding of the rear seat backrests can cause serious injuries.  
Never fold the rear seat backrest forward or back while driving.  
Make sure the safety belt is not pinched or damaged when folding the rear seat backrest back.  
Keep hands, fingers, feet, and other parts of the body out of the range of operation of the seat hinges and seat locking mechanism when folding the  
backrest forward and back.  
Floor mats or other objects can become caught in the hinges on the rear seat backrest or seat. This can prevent the rear seat backrest or rear seat from  
locking when folded into the upright position.  
Each rear seat backrest must always be locked in the upright position to ensure that the safety belts in the rear seats can provide the maximum  
protection. If a seat is used without the backrest being locked in place, the passenger will move forward with the backrest in the event of sudden braking  
and driving maneuvers or a collision.  
Never allow people to sit in a rear seat if that rear seat backrest or the rear seat is folded forward or is not engaged.  
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NOTICE  
Objects in the footwell in front of and behind the rear seats can be damaged when the rear seats are folded forward or back. Remove any objects before folding  
the seat forward or back.  
NOTICE  
Before folding the rear seat backrest down, adjust the front seats so that the head restraint or padding on the rear seat backrest does not press against the front  
seats.  
Folding the third row seat into the cargo floor position  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
and Introduction.  
Each rear seat can be folded forward individually to increase the size of the luggage compartment.  
Folding the third row seats into the cargo floor position  
Fig. 81 Third row seat: folding the rear seat into the cargo floor position.  
1. Open the trunk lid.  
2. Remove the luggage compartment cover if necessary.  
3. Move the head restraints all the way down.  
4. Release the safety belts from both belt buckles to reduce the risk of damage to the seat and safety belt.  
5. Push the seats in the second row forward.  
6. Remove any objects from the footwell in front of and behind the rear seat  
7. Remove any objects from the seat well behind the rear seat.  
.
8. To release the rear seat backrest, pull the release lever fig. 81 all the way up.  
9. Guide the rear seat backrest down by hand until it lies flat on the seat frame  
.
Adults or children should not ride in the rear seat when it is folded forward  
10. Close the trunk lid.  
.
Folding the third row seats back  
You can fold back the third row seats manually from the vehicle interior or with the loop from the trunk area.  
1. Open the trunk lid.  
2. Remove the luggage compartment cover if necessary.  
3. Fold the rear seat backrest back from the passenger compartment by hand.  
Or: To fold back the rear seat backrest from the trunk area, pull on the loop on the rear seat backrest fig. 81.  
The red marking on the release lever fig. 81 must no longer be visible.  
4. Pull and press on the folded-back rear seat backrest to make sure that it is latched in place  
5. Install the luggage compartment cover again if necessary.  
.
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6. Close the trunk lid.  
WARNING  
Uncontrolled or unintentional folding of the rear seat backrests can cause serious injuries.  
Never fold the rear seat backrest forward or back while driving.  
Make sure the safety belt is not pinched or damaged when folding the rear seat backrest back.  
Keep hands, fingers, feet, and other parts of the body out of the range of operation of the seat hinges and seat locking mechanism when folding the  
backrest forward and back.  
Floor mats or other objects can become caught in the hinges on the rear seat backrest or seat. This can prevent the rear seat backrest or rear seat from  
locking when folded into the upright position.  
Each rear seat backrest must always be locked in the upright position to ensure that the safety belts in the rear seats can provide the maximum  
protection. If a seat is used without the backrest being locked in place, the passenger will move forward with the backrest in the event of sudden braking  
and driving maneuvers or a collision.  
A red marking on the release lever fig. 81 indicates that the rear seat backrest is not latched. The red marking must not be visible when the backrest is  
latched.  
Never allow people to sit in a rear seat if that rear seat backrest or the rear seat is folded forward or is not engaged.  
NOTICE  
Objects in the footwell in front of and behind the rear seats can be damaged when the rear seats are folded forward or back. Remove any objects before folding  
the seat forward or back.  
Objects in the seat well behind the third row seats can be damaged when the third row seats are folded forward or back. Remove any objects before  
folding the seat forward or back.  
Securing elements and cover mounts that are secured on the rail system can be damaged when the third row seats are folded forward or back, which  
can cause damage to the rear seats. Remove the securing elements and cover net mounts from the rail system before folding the seats forward or back.  
Depending on the vehicle equipment, there may be a symbol on the release lever.  
Head restraints  
Introduction  
The information that follows describes how the head restraints can be adjusted and removed. Always make sure the seats are adjusted to the correct position  
Correct seating position.  
All seats are equipped with head restraints. The head restraints are specially approved for the relevant seat and should not be installed in another seat in the  
vehicle.  
The center rear head restraint (depending on the vehicle equipment) is only intended for the center seat on the rear bench seat. Therefore do not install this head  
restraint in any other position.  
There are notches in the head restraint supports so that they can be locked in different positions. Only head restraints which are correctly mounted can lock into the  
notches within the adjustable range. To prevent the head restraints from being removed unintentionally after mounting, there are stops at the top and bottom of the  
adjustable range.  
Correct head restraint adjustment  
Adjust the head restraint so that the upper edge of the head restraint is in line with the upper portion of the head as much as possible, but not lower than eye level.  
Position the back of the head as close as possible to the head restraint.  
Head restraint adjustment for shorter persons  
Slide the head restraint all the way down, even if the head is then below the upper edge of the head restraint. When the head restraint is in the lowest position, ther  
may be a small gap between the head restraint and the backrest.  
Head restraint adjustment for taller persons  
Move the head restraint up all the way.  
WARNING  
Driving with head restraint that have been removed or adjusted incorrectly increases the risk of serious or fatal injuries in the event of an accident or sudden  
driving and braking maneuvers.  
If a person is sitting in a seat, always drive with the head restraint correctly installed and adjusted on that seat.  
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If a person is sitting in a seat, adjust the head restraint according to their height.  
Never adjust the head restraint while driving.  
NOTICE  
When removing and installing the head restraint, make sure the head restraint does not hit the headliner, the front seat backrest, or other vehicle components.  
Otherwise, damage could result.  
Adjusting the head restraints  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
and Introduction.  
Adjusting the height of the front head restraint  
Fig. 82 General example: adjusting the front head restraint.  
1. If necessary, slide the head restraint upward or downward in the direction of the arrow and when pressing the fig. 82 button.  
The head restraint must lock securely into place.  
Adjusting the height of the head restraints of the second row seats  
Fig. 83 General example: adjusting the head restraint on the second-row seats.  
1. Push the head restraint upward in the direction of the arrow or slide it downward while pressing the fig. 83 button.  
The head restraint must lock securely into place. There are two possible positions in the second row seats.  
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Adjusting the height of the head restraints of the third row seats  
Fig. 84 General example: adjusting the head restraint on the third-row seats.  
1. Push the head restraint upward in the direction of the arrow or slide it downward while pressing the fig. 84 button.  
The head restraint must lock securely into place. There is one possible position in the third-row seats.  
Removing and installing the head restraints  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
and Introduction.  
Removing the front head restraints  
Fig. 85 General example: removing the front head restraint.  
1. Lower the head restraint if necessary.  
2. To release, find the notch on the rear side in the marked area, push inwards in the direction of the arrow and hold fig. 85.  
3. Pull out the head restraint in the direction of the arrow fig. 85.  
Installing the front head restraints  
1. Position the head restraint correctly above the head restraint guides and insert into the guides on the seat backrest.  
2. Slide the head restraint downward until it engages into the guide rods.  
3. Adjust the head restraint to the correct position.  
Removing the head restraints on the second row seats  
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Fig. 86 General example: removing the head restraint on the second-row seats.  
1. If necessary, adjust the seat backrest so that the head restraint can be removed.  
2. Slide the head restraint all the way upward.  
3. Pull the head restraint all the way out while pressing the fig. 86 button.  
4. Fold the rear seat backrest toward the rear and lock it securely into place.  
Installing the head restraints on the second row seats  
1. If necessary, adjust the seat backrest so that the head restraint can be installed.  
2. Position the head restraint correctly above the head restraint guides and insert into the guides on the seat backrest.  
3. Push the head restraint downward while pressing the fig. 86 button.  
4. Fold the rear seat backrest toward the rear and lock it securely into place.  
5. Adjust the head restraint and the backrest to the correct seating position and let them lock into place.  
Removing the head restraints on the third row seats  
Fig. 87 General example: removing head restraints on the third-row seats.  
1. If necessary, adjust the seat backrest so that the head restraint can be removed.  
2. Slide the head restraint all the way upward.  
3. Pull the head restraint all the way out while pressing the fig. 87 button.  
4. Fold the rear seat backrest toward the rear and lock it securely into place.  
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NOTICE  
Only fold the third row rear seat backrests forward if the second row seats have been pushed far enough forward so that the head restraints on the third row  
seats do not bump against the rear seat backrests of the second row seats. Otherwise, the head restraints could be damaged.  
Installing the head restraints on the third row seats  
1. If necessary, adjust the seat backrest so that the head restraint can be installed.  
2. Position the head restraint correctly above the head restraint guides and insert into the guides on the seat backrest.  
3. Push the head restraint downward while pressing the fig. 87 button.  
4. Fold the rear seat backrest toward the rear and lock it securely into place.  
5. Adjust the head restraint and the backrest to the correct seating position and let them lock into place.  
Seat functions  
Center armrest  
Front center armrest  
Fig. 88 Front center armrest (general example).  
There is a storage compartment under the center armrest.  
WARNING  
If the front center armrest is opened all the way or not completely closed, it can limit the driver’s ability to move his or her arms, which can cause accidents and  
serious injuries.  
Always keep the storage compartments closed while driving.  
Never allow an adult or child to ride on the center armrest. This incorrect seating position can cause serious injuries.  
Rear center armrest  
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Fig. 89 Folding center armrest in the rear.  
For six-seaters: The armrest can be adjusted separately Adjusting the rear seat.  
There may be a folding armrest in the backrest of the rear center seat.  
To fold forward: pull the center armrest in the direction of the arrow using the loop fig. 89.  
To fold back: fold the center armrest upward in the opposite direction of the arrow fig. 89 and press it all the way toward the seat backrest.  
Passengers must not sit in the center rear seat when the center armrest is folded down.  
WARNING  
To reduce the risk of injuries while driving, the rear center armrest must always be folded up.  
If the center armrest is folded down, the center rear bench seat must never be used by either adults or children. Doing so would create an incorrect  
seating position that could result in serious injuries.  
Third row seat entry assistance  
To make it easier to enter and exit the third row seats in vehicles with seven seats, the outer seats in the second row can be folded forward.  
Folding second row seats forward  
Fig. 90 Second row seats: entry assistance controls.  
1. Remove any objects from the footwell in the second row of seats ⇒  
.
2. Move the head restraints all the way down.  
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3. Push the release lever fig. 90 forward in the direction of the arrow until the red marking is fully visible.  
4. Fold the rear seat backrest forward.  
The entire rear seat will fold forward and can be moved forward more ⇒  
5. Enter and exit carefully ⇒  
.
.
Folding the second row seats back  
1. Move the rear seat all the way back.  
2. Pull the release lever fig. 90 and fold the rear seat backrest back into the upright position.  
The entire rear seat will fold back ⇒  
.
The rear seat must be latched securely. If the red marking on the lever fig. 90 is still visible, the rear seat is not securely engaged.  
Third row seat emergency exit function  
Fig. 91 Second row seats: loop for third row seat emergency exit function.  
If the release lever fig. 90 is not working, for example after a collision, the seats in the second row can be folded forward by someone in the third row to make it  
easier to exit the third row ⇒  
.
1. Pull the loop fig. 91 back and fold the rear seat backrest forward.  
The entire rear seat will fold forward .  
WARNING  
Careless or unintended use of the entry assistance and the loop for the emergency exit function can cause crashes and serious injuries.  
Never use the entry assistance or the loop for the emergency exit function while driving.  
Ensure that the safety belt is not pinched or damaged when folding the rear seats back.  
Keep hands, fingers, feet, and other parts of the body out of the range of operation of the seat hinges and seat locking mechanism when folding the  
backrest forward and back.  
Floor mats or other objects can become caught in the hinges on the rear seat backrest or seat. This can prevent the rear seat backrest or rear seat from  
latching when folded into the upright position.  
Each rear seat backrest must always be locked in the upright position to ensure that the safety belts in the rear seats can provide the maximum  
protection. If a seat is used without the backrest being locked in place, the passenger will move forward with the backrest in the event of sudden braking  
and driving maneuvers or a collision.  
A red marking on the release lever fig. 90 indicates that the rear seat backrest is not latched. The red marking must not be visible when the backrest is  
latched.  
Never allow people to sit in a rear seat if that rear seat backrest or the rear seat is folded forward or is not securely engaged.  
Never support yourself on or hold onto a seat in the second row that is folded forward when entering and exiting.  
WARNING  
If child restraints are installed in all of the second row seats, it may not be possible for someone in the third row to fold the second row seats forward in the event  
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of an accident. Passengers sitting in the third row seats will not be able to exit the vehicle by themselves or help themselves in an emergency.  
Never install child restraints on all seats in the second row if any passengers will be riding in the third row.  
NOTICE  
Before folding the rear seat backrests forward or back, adjust the front seats so that the head restraints or cushions on the rear seat backrests do not bump  
against the front seats.  
NOTICE  
Objects in the footwell in the second row can be damaged when the rear seat is folded forward. Remove any objects before folding the seat forward.  
Depending on the vehicle equipment, there may be a symbol on the release lever.  
Memory function  
Memory buttons  
Fig. 92 On the outer side of the driver’s seat: memory buttons.  
Driver seat and outside mirror settings can be saved and called up using the memory buttons.  
Storing the driver's seat and outside mirror settings for driving forward  
1. Set the electronic parking brake.  
2. Shift the transmission to neutral.  
3. Switch the ignition on.  
4. Adjust the driver's seat and outside mirror.  
5. Press the  
fig. 92 button for longer than ten seconds.  
6. Press the desired memory button within approximately ten seconds.  
A chime will confirm that the settings were saved.  
Storing the front passenger's outside mirror settings for driving in reverse  
1. Set the electronic parking brake.  
2. Shift the transmission to neutral.  
3. Switch the ignition on.  
4. Press the desired memory button fig. 92.  
5. Select the reverse gear.  
6. Adjust the front passenger's outside mirror so that the edge of the curb can be seen clearly, for example.  
The selected mirror position will be stored automatically and assigned to the vehicle key that was used to unlock the vehicle.  
Recalling driver's seat and outside mirror settings  
1. When the vehicle is stationary, the ignition is switched off, and a door is open, press the respective memory button briefly.  
After approximately ten minutes, the stored positions can no longer be adjusted automatically. The adjustment process will be canceled if one of the memory  
buttons is pressed again.  
Or: When the ignition is switched on or the door is closed, press and hold the respective memory button until the saved positions are reached.  
The front passenger's outside mirror automatically leaves the position stored for driving in reverse once you begin driving forward at speeds of at least approx.  
15 km/h (approx. 10 mph) or when you turn the knob for the outside mirrors from the R position to another position.  
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