Safety -> Transporting children safely for Your Volkswagen Atlas SUV Second Generation (2024-2025)

Never remove the front seats from the vehicle or modify parts of them.  
Do not apply excessive force to the backrest bolsters.  
Only use seat covers or protective covers that are specifically approved for use in your vehicle.  
Have any damage to the seat covers or the seam in the airbag areas repaired immediately by suitably qualified  
professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen  
Service Facility.  
WARNING  
An incorrect seating position may prevent the knee airbag from functioning properly and cause serious injuries.  
Push the driver and front passenger seats far enough back such that there is at least 10 cm (approximately  
4 inches) of space between the knees and the installation location of the knee airbag. If body characteristics mean  
that this is not possible, you must contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service  
Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service  
Facility.  
Transporting children safely  
Introduction  
The physical principles in the event of an accident also apply to children. However, due to their size and other factors, children  
face a greater risk of injury.  
Children and babies must therefore always be transported in child restraint systems that are designed for their age, size,  
weight and body structure. In the USA and Canada, the use of tested and certified child restraint systems is required by law.  
In the case of head-on collisions at speeds of between 30 and 55 km/h (approx. 20 to 35 mph), a small child weighing 6 kg  
(13 lbs) will be subjected to forces of more than 20 times their body weight. This means that the child's effective weight will  
suddenly increase to up to 120 kg (260 lbs). Under such conditions, only a child restraint used in accordance with regulations  
can reduce the risk of injury. However, a child restraint which is not used in accordance with regulations may further increase  
the risk of injury!  
All children (particularly children under 12 years of age) should always be transported on the rear seats in appropriate child  
restraint systems. However, if you must use a child restraint on the front passenger seat in exceptional circumstances, always  
follow all the information and warnings available at ⇒  
Introduction.  
You can find more information on this subject at:  
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (USA):  
 
Transport Canada Information Centre (Kanada):  
 
Read and follow the instructions from the child seat manufacturer to ensure that the seat is appropriate for your child. Also be  
sure to read and follow all the information and warnings on child restraint systems in this manual!  
WARNING  
Even though the Advanced Airbag System is designed to detect child restraint systems on the front passenger seat and to  
switch off the front passenger's front airbag, it is not possible to guarantee that the system will perform correctly under all  
circumstances and over the vehicle's service life. In the event of an accident, people sitting on the front passenger seat  
(particularly children and small children) may suffer serious injuries or death if there is insufficient distance between them  
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and the airbag when it is deployed (even with the Advanced Airbag System)!  
Always place children on the rear seats. This is the safest place for a child. A suitable child restraint that is installed  
on the rear seat in accordance with regulations provides the highest level of protection for children and small  
children in most accidents.  
In compliance with the “low risk” option for children of 3 to 6 years of age according to the U.S. Federal Standard,  
the Advanced Airbag System may be deployed if the electrical capacity of a typical one-year-old child combined  
with a child restraint system on the front passenger seat is exceeded and the criteria for deployment of the  
Advanced Airbag System are met.  
WARNING  
Accident statistics have shown that the rear seats offer greater safety than the front seats for children in general.  
Always transport children under 12 years of age on the rear seats.  
A child who is not secured or is not secured properly can be injured through sliding around in the vehicle interior or  
through being ejected from the vehicle during a sudden maneuver or collision. Secure children in the vehicle with a  
child restraint that is appropriate for their weight and height and with the safety belt used correctly ⇒ Transporting  
children safely.  
A child who is not secured or not properly secured is exposed to an increased risk of injury or death through  
collision with an airbag. Make sure that children are not within the deployment zone of the airbag.  
A child restraint system corresponding to body weight and body size that is installed and used on the rear seats  
offers maximum protection for infants and small children in most accident situations.  
Child restraints – overview  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
All children (particularly small children and infants) must be transported in child restraints suitable for them. These child  
restraints must always be installed correctly. The information in the following table will help you to find the suitable child  
restraint for your child.  
Child restraint type  
Use  
Birth to 12 months: A child up to 12 months old must always be transported in  
a rearward-facing child restraint. There are different types of these:  
– Rear-facing child restraints only for infants.  
Rear-facing child restraint  
– Convertible and multi-purpose child restraints with higher weight and size  
restrictions to be able to transport your child for longer in the rear-facing  
position.  
1–3 years: Transport your child in a rear-facing child restraint for as long as  
possible until they have reached the weight and size restrictions. After your  
child has reached the weight and size restrictions, you can transport them in a  
forward-facing child restraint with the appropriate safety belts.  
Rear-facing child restraint before the  
transition to a forward-facing child  
restraint  
4–7 years: Transport your child in a forward-facing child restraint for as long as  
possible until they have reached the weight and size restrictions. After your  
child has reached the weight and size restrictions, you can transport them in a  
booster seat but only on the rear seats.  
Forward-facing child restraint  
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Child restraint type  
Use  
7–12 years: Transport your child in a booster seat until they are large enough  
to sit on the seat with the seat belt without a booster seat. The safety belt must  
be routed correctly ⇒ Safety belt positioning. You should continue to transport  
your child on the rear seats.  
Booster seat  
Child restraints can be fastened either with a three-point safety belt or with an ISOFIX/lower LATCH fastening system. Many  
child restraints also require the use of top tether systems. Depending on countries and federal states, the use of Top Tether  
may even be required by law.  
How to determine whether a child restraint is installed correctly  
The child restraint sits flush with the seat cushion and the backrest, unless the manufacturer of the child restraint permits  
a gap between the seat and the child restraint.  
The overhang of the child restraint on the seat cushion is not longer than 20% of the child restraint. Always follow the  
instructions for the permitted child restraint overhangs.  
You should always position the child restraint centrally on the seat.  
The clearance of the child restraint forward and sideways is no greater than approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch).  
The child restraint must not rest on the belt buckles of the seats. These could be damaged as a result.  
When installing multiple child restraints, they must not block each other and must be free-standing and remain  
accessible.  
The child restraint has been secured correctly using the three-point safety belt or ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage point.  
The top tether system of the child restraint has also been used correctly as specified by the manufacturer.  
DANGER  
Children sitting on the front seats may suffer severe or fatal injuries in the event of airbag deployment (even if advanced  
airbags are used). Not using the child restraint, using it incorrectly or using the wrong child restraint increases the risk of  
severe injury or death in the event of an accident.  
Always install child restraints on the rear seats.  
If, in exceptional circumstances, you nevertheless install a child restraint on the front passenger seat and the  
yellow  
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator light does not come on and stay on, remove the seat immediately  
and have the airbag system checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service  
Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service  
Facility.  
WARNING  
If the airbag is deployed, a child restraint on the front passenger seat may collide with the airbag and the child in the child  
restraint may suffer severe or even fatal injuries (even if advanced airbags are used).  
If you nevertheless install a child restraint on the front passenger seat in exceptional circumstances, always ensure  
that the child restraint in use has been approved by the manufacturer for use on the front passenger seat.  
Read and always follow the child seat manufacturer's instructions.  
Never install a child restraint without the top tether safety belt if the use of a top tether safety belt is prescribed by  
the child restraint manufacturer or legally required for the child restraint.  
Never position a forward-facing child restraint directly against the instrument panel.  
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Adjust the seat belt adjuster so that the seat can be installed correctly.  
Position the front passenger seat as high as possible and move it as far back as possible in order to obtain the  
largest possible distance to the instrument panel.  
Make sure that the upper anchorage of the safety belt is behind the child restraint to ensure that the safety belt is  
routed correctly.  
Make sue that the backrest is in the upright position.  
WARNING  
A child that is in a child restraint that has been secured with the anchor points or with a safety belt may play with any  
unused safety belts on the rear seat and get tangled up, which could result in serious or even fatal injuries.  
Always secure unused safety belts to the rear seat. You can do this by putting them around the head restraints  
which are furthest away from the installed child restraint and properly securing the safety belt.  
NOTICE  
Improper use of the lockable safety belt can cause damage to the safety belt.  
Make sure that you do not activate the lockable belt system when you secure the safety belts that are not being  
used.  
Always ensure that you correctly and carefully install a child restraint with the safety belt.  
Safety notes on using child restraints  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Fig. 24 Danger to infants not wearing safety belts.  
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The correct use of child restraints significantly reduces the risk of injury in the event of an accident or collision!  
All children, in particular children under the age of 12, must always travel in suitable child restraints on the rear seat.  
Only use child restraints that are suitable for the height and weight of the child.  
ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points can be used to secure child restraints on the seats without using the vehicle's safety  
belts. If, despite this, you want to install a child restraint with the safety belts instead of ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage  
points, follow all the instructions given by the child restraint manufacturer for the belt guide and for securing the child in the  
child restraint. Ensure that the child restraint cannot move forward or sideways by more than 2.5 cm (1 inch) after installation.  
When installing a child restraint with the safety belt, you must activate the lockable belt system.  
Never activate the lockable belt system when installing a booster seat or if a child is traveling without a child restraint.  
Once the child restraint is correctly installed, the settings for that seat must no longer be changed. If the seat settings have  
been changed, the installation of the child restraint must be checked and, if necessary, adjusted.  
If a child restraint is installed on a seat, functions such as the massage function ⇒ Massage feature or seat heating ⇒ Using  
Seat Heating and Seat Ventilation must not be used on that seat.  
Important additional information for installing child restraints on the front passenger seat  
If, under exceptional circumstances, you need to install a child restraint on the front passenger seat, read and follow all  
warnings and instructions here ⇒  
Introduction.  
You can find additional information on the selection and use of child restraints here:  
Transport Canada Information CentreTel.: 1-800-333-0371Tel.: 1-613-998-8616 (Ottawa)  
National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationTel.: 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-  
9153)  
National SAFE KIDS CampaignTel.: 1-202-662-0600  
SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A.Tel.: 1-800-745-SAFE or 1-800-745-7233 (English)Tel.: 1-800-747-SANO or 1-800-747-7266  
(Spanish)  
Volkswagen Customer CARETel.: 1-800-822-8987  
Advanced Airbag System, small children, child restraints and children on the front passenger seat  
The Advanced Airbag System in your vehicle has been certified and complies with the regulations of the United States Federa  
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208 and the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 208 at the time of  
vehicle manufacture. In accordance with the requirements, the system on the passenger's side has been designed to “inhibit”  
deployment for small children of up to 12 months of age and “low-risk deployment” for children of between three and six years  
of age.  
The airbag on the passenger's side is a potential danger for children when it is deployed. The front passenger seat is not the  
safest place for a child in a forward-facing child restraint and a very dangerous place for an infant or a child in a rear-facing  
child restraint.  
The Advanced Airbag System has a capacitive detection system in the seat cushion of the front passenger seat which detects  
whether a baby, small child or child is in a child restraint on the front passenger seat.  
The capacitive detection system measures the electrical capacity of a child, the child restraint and a child's blanket on the fron  
passenger seat.  
The electrical capacity of a child restraint depends on the child restraint type. Together with the average capacity values of  
small children and one-year-old children, the capacity values of all child restraints specified in accordance with FMVSS 213  
and CMVSS 213 are stored in the Advanced Airbag System control module. These are compared with the values detected.  
Only use child restraints that are certified according to these standards and have been approved by the child restraint  
manufacturer for use with airbag systems. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a  
list of certified child restraint models for use with the Advanced Airbag System in accordance with FMVSS 208.  
Only install child restraints on the front passenger seat under exceptional circumstances. Carefully read all of the information  
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about child restraints and the Advanced Airbag System beforehand and follow all instructions and warnings. Make sure that  
the system has correctly detected the child restraint on the front passenger seat and the front passenger's front air bag has  
been switched off. The yellow  
PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator light will come on.  
DANGER  
The use of rear-facing child restraints or infant carriers on the front passenger seat can cause serious or fatal injury.  
Rear-facing child restraints or infant carriers must always be installed on the rear seats.  
WARNING  
Transporting children without a child restraint or with an unsuitable child restraint, or incorrectly installing a child restraint,  
increases the risk of severe injury or death in the event of an accident.  
Only use child restraints that are suitable for the child and that comply with the regulations set out by FMVSS 213  
(CMVSS 213 in Canada).  
Only use child restraints that sit on the seat cushion of the vehicle.  
When installing the child restraint, follow the instructions given by the manufacturer of the child restraint.  
Always observe all legal requirements regarding the installation and use of child restraints.  
Children under 145 cm (around 4 ft, 9 inches) in size may only be secured and transported in the vehicle with an  
appropriate child restraint.  
Only one child must be allowed to travel in a child restraint.  
Never drive with children, toddlers or babies on your own lap or another passenger's lap.  
WARNING  
Forward-facing child restraints on the front passenger seat may collide with the airbag if it is triggered, which can lead to  
severe injury or death.  
Always install child restraints on the rear seat.  
Securing systems  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Different securing systems are used for safe installation of child restraints depending on the country.  
Only use the securing systems described here to secure child restraints in the vehicle.  
Overview of securing systems  
ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points: ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points are attachment systems for quick and  
secure attachment of child restraints in the vehicle. Attachment using ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points creates a  
fixed connection between the child restraint and the vehicle.  
The child restraint can have two fixed or flexible attachment arms. The attachment arms snap into the ISOFIX/lower LATCH  
anchorage points that are located between the seat cushion and the rear seat backrest ⇒ Fastening a Child Restraint with  
ISOFIX or Lower LATCH Anchorage Point. Reinforce the attachment using the ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points by  
attaching with a top tether safety belt or a support bracket, if necessary.  
Three-point safety belt: Child restraints can be fastened with a three-point safety belt ⇒ Securing a child restraint with  
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safety belt.  
Additional fasteners:  
Top Tether: the upper belt is guided over the rear seat backrest and secured to the anchorage point on the rear side of  
the rear seats using a hook ⇒ Securing the child restraint with the upper strap (top tether) . Top tether anchorages are  
labeled with an anchor symbol.  
Support base: some child restraints are supported with a support base on the vehicle floor. The support base reduces  
the risk of the child restraint tipping forward in the event of a collision. Use child restraints with a support foot only on the  
front passenger seat and the outer rear seats in the second row of seats ⇒  
.
WARNING  
Incorrect use of the support base can cause serious or fatal injuries.  
Make sure the support base is installed correctly and securely.  
Always refer to and follow the installation instructions and warnings from the child restraint manufacturer.  
Fastening a Child Restraint with ISOFIX or Lower LATCH Anchorage Point  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Installing child restraints with ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage point  
Fig. 25 On the second-row rear seats: designation and symbol showing the ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points for child  
restraints.  
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Fig. 26 Fitting a child restraint with arms (general example).  
The installation location of the ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points is indicated by a symbol fig. 25.  
1. Pay attention to and follow the information → page , Safety notes on using child restraints.  
2. If necessary, fold down the protective caps of the ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points.  
3. Push the attachment arms of the child restraint in the direction of the arrow onto the ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage  
points fig. 26. The child restraint must engage securely and audibly.  
4. Pull on both sides of the child restraint to check that the child restraint is securely locked in place.  
If the child restraint is equipped with a support foot, this support foot must be positioned securely on the vehicle floor.  
Using insertion guides  
If ISOFIX or lower LATCH anchorage points for child restraints are not directly accessible, the installation and removal of child  
restraints can made be easier through the use of guidance fixtures. For this, first attach the guidance fixtures to the ISOFIX or  
lower LATCH anchorage points. Then fasten the child restraint according to the installation instructions.  
NOTICE  
Guidance fixtures can cause permanent marks or damage to seat covers and cushions.  
Always remove the guidance fixtures from the ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points before you fold the rear  
seats forward or remove the child restraint.  
Securing the child restraint with the upper strap (top tether)  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
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Fig. 27 On the back of the rear seats of the second-row seats: top tether anchorages for the top tether safety belt.  
Fig. 28 On the back of the rear seats of the third-row seats: top tether anchorages for the top tether safety belt.  
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Fig. 29 On the back of the rear seats of the second or third-row seats: attached top tether safety belt.  
Top tether safety belts reduce the forward movement of the child restraint during an accident. This reduces the risk of a head  
injury to the child.  
The anchorages suitable for top tether are labeled with a symbol and may have the label “TOP TETHER” fig. 27, fig. 28.  
Fasten the top tether safety belt only to the top tether anchorages designed for this purpose.  
Fastening the top tether safety belt  
1. Pay attention to and follow the information → page , Safety notes on using child restraints.  
2. Prepare the top tether safety belt on the child restraint according to the child restraint manufacturer instructions  
3. If necessary, remove the luggage compartment cover and screen separator.  
⇒
.
4. Place the child restraint in the center of the vehicle seat cushion and fasten it securely according to the child restraint  
manufacturer instructions.  
5. If necessary, move the rear seat backrest of the vehicle seat to an upright position and adjust to the backrest of the child  
restraint.  
6. Locate the top tether anchorage for the respective seat fig. 27, fig. 28.  
7. If necessary, push the head restraint upwards and guide the top tether safety belt of the child restraint to the rear under th  
head restraint.  
Applies to child restraints with a V-shaped top tether safety belt: Check that the top tether safety belt is taut on the seat  
and is not redirected by the bars of the head restraint.  
8. Guide the top tether safety belt of the child restraint back over the seat.  
9. Hook the top tether safety belt into the appropriate anchorage marked with “top tether” fig. 29.  
10. Pull on the top tether safety belt.  
11. Check that the hook of the top tether safety belt is closed.  
12. Tighten the top tether safety belt according to the child restraint manufacturer instructions ⇒  
.
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13. If necessary, guide the head restraint back into the starting position.  
WARNING  
Fastening the child restraint incorrectly increases the risk of serious and fatal injuries during an accident.  
Always follow the child restraint manufacturer instructions for fastening the child restraint in the vehicle.  
Never fasten a child restraint without the top tether safety belt if the use of a top tether safety belt is prescribed by  
the child restraint manufacturer or legally required for the child restraint.  
For example, the use of a top tether safety belt in conjunction with a forward-facing child restraint is legally required  
in Canada.  
Improper fastening of the top tether safety belt can lead to serious injuries during an accident. The top tether  
anchorages are only approved for correctly installed child restraints.  
Always only fasten a top tether safety belt of a child restraint to a top tether anchorage.  
Never fasten a child restraint top tether safety belt to a tie-down.  
Never fasten a safety belt or another belt of the child restraint to a top tether anchorage.  
Never fasten luggage or other objects to a top tether anchorage.  
Releasing the top tether safety belt  
1. Release the top tether safety belt according to the child restraint manufacturer instructions.  
2. Release the catch on the hook and release the top tether safety belt from the top tether anchorage.  
Securing a child restraint with a safety belt  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Locking the safety belt  
If a child restraint is fastened with a safety belt, the safety belt must be locked. Note the instructions provided by the child  
restraint manufacturer.  
If a safety belt is locked, the belt cannot unwind. A locked safety belt prevents the safety belt being released during the journe  
which can mean that the child restraint is no longer sufficiently secured.  
1. Pay attention to and follow the information → page , Safety notes on using child restraints.  
2. If available, adjust the height of the safety belt so that the belt webbing runs naturally along the child restraint without any  
sharp bends in the webbing.  
3. Install the child restraint according to the guide from the child restraint manufacturer and ensure that the safety belt mean  
for the seat is used.  
4. Insert the buckle tongue into the belt buckle belonging to the corresponding seat, until the buckle tongue latches into  
place.  
5. Check that the safety belt is not twisted.  
6. Check that the lap section of the safety belt is taut.  
7. Completely pull out the shoulder belt section of the safety belt and then let it gently roll up.  
While the safety belt is being rolled up, a clicking sound can be heard. Once the safety belt is locked, it cannot be further  
pulled out.  
8. Press the child restraint into the seat and let the safety belt roll up further. If necessary, return the shoulder belt section of  
the safety belt to the automatic safety belt retractor by hand.  
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9. Pull the belt guide of the child restraint.  
Check that the child restraint cannot move further than 2.5 cm (approx. 1 inch).  
Releasing the locked safety belt  
The lockable safety belt may only be used to fasten certain child restraint systems in the vehicle. An activated locking  
mechanism must be released when a vehicle occupant fastens their safety belt.  
1. Release the safety belt from the belt buckle.  
2. Remove the child restraint according to the instructions from the child restraint manufacturer.  
3. Press the red button in the belt buckle and guide the safety belt back fully by hand.  
The safety belt is no longer locked.  
Keep any safety belts that are not being used out of the reach of children  
Fig. 30 Securing unused safety belts (general example).  
Secure any safety belts not being used to prevent a child from playing with the safety belt and getting caught in it. The  
procedure for securing a safety belt that is not being used depends on the seating position.  
To secure a safety belt that is not being used for one of the outer seats:  
1. Position the safety belt around the head restraint of the center seating position fig. 30.  
2. Make sure that the safety belt is out of range of any children so that children cannot touch it or play with it.  
3. Make sure that the safety belt is not blocking the lower anchors.  
If the anchor points are blocked, this may mean that you cannot install the child restraint properly in the anchor points.  
4. Do not activate the lockable safety belt.  
Otherwise, it is very difficult to retract the safety belt into its normal position. You should not hear any clicking noises when  
the safety belt is retracted.  
To secure a safety belt that is not being used for the center seating position or a third row seat:  
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1. Insert the buckle tongue of the safety belt in the belt buckle belonging to the seat fig. 30.  
2. Pull the shoulder strap on the safety belt out fully to activate the lockable safety belt. You should hear a clicking noise  
when the safety belt is rolled up again.  
3. Let the safety belt roll up fully. Pull the safety belt to make sure that the lockable safety belt is activated and the safety bel  
is properly fastened and tightened so that the child cannot get hold of the belt or play with it.  
If a child is secured on a seat in the second or third row, adapt the position in front of the child restraint to give the child enoug  
space. For example, adjust the front passenger seat to the size of the child and the child directly behind them. Always pay  
attention to the correct seating position ⇒ Seating position.  
if no child restraints are needed, move all the safety belts back into their normal storage positions so that the safety belts are  
available for normal use.  
WARNING  
A child that is in a child restraint that has been secured with the anchor points or with a safety belt may play with any  
unused safety belts on the rear seat and get tangled up, which could result in serious or even fatal injuries.  
Always keep any safety belts for the rear seats that are not being used out of the reach of children in child  
restraints.  
Installing three child restraints on the second-row seats  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
With the right combination of child restraints, three child restraints can be installed side by side on the second-row seats.  
Because there are different types of child restraints with different measurements, all child restraints must be installed correctly  
during this type of installation. It is not possible to install three very wide child restraints next to each other.  
Installing on the center seating position  
When installing a child restraint on the center seating position, it is especially important to install correctly because this seating  
position is narrower than both of the outer seats. If the child restraint is wider than the seat surface, the belt buckle of the  
adjacent seating position may be covered and could then be damaged. When installing child seats, always ensure that all belt  
buckles are easily accessible.  
If nothing else is specified by the child restraint manufacturer, the child restraint must rest close against the backrest and  
seat surface and must not overlap seat surfaces.  
The child restraint must be installed straight and centered on the seating position, and it must not be able to move more  
than 2.5 cm (approx. 1 inch).  
The child restraint must not rest on the belt buckles.  
When installing multiple child restraints, the child restraints must not become caught on one another.  
In some cases, even if a child restraint is installed correctly on the center seating position, it may cover the belt buckles and  
could then damage them and make the belt buckles unusable. This can occur if the child restraint slides on the seat surface  
while driving. Therefore, check the position of the child restraint regularly to ensure that the belt buckles are neither covered  
nor damaged.  
Cap for belt buckles  
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Fig. 31 In the second-row seats: fitted protective cap for belt buckles (general example).  
Fig. 32 In the second-row seats: removing the protective cap for belt buckles (general example).  
In addition to using buckles correctly and checking them regularly for damage, a protective cap can also be installed on  
unused belt buckles to help protect them from damage. This cap can be obtained as a Volkswagen accessory at an  
authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
This cap should always be used when child restraints are installed on the center position.  
1. Install the protective cap on the belt buckle before the child restraint is installed.  
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2. Position the protective cap on the belt buckle and press it down until you hear it click into place fig. 31.  
3. Pull on the protective cap to check that it is secure. The cap must not be able to loosen.  
The belt buckle is now out of action.  
4. To remove the protective cap, push the belt buckle tongue into the oblong slot of the cap.  
5. Press the button underneath with the buckle tongue fig. 32.  
The cap will pop out.  
Securing a booster seat with a safety belt  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Fig. 33 Correctly fastened child on a booster seat (general example).  
Children between the ages of around 8 and 12 are best protected when they travel on a booster seat that is suitable for their  
age and height.  
The safety belts of the vehicle generally only fit children 145 cm (approx. 4 ft, 9 in) tall or taller. Booster seats ensure that  
children under this height can be correctly fastened using the safety belt.  
Never activate the lockable belt system when securing children on a booster seat with a belt.  
The upper area of the belt must always be positioned on the child's shoulder. Ensure that the belt does not rest on the  
child's face or neck.  
The lap belt must always run across the child's lap. It must never run across the child's stomach.  
Children above 145 cm (approx. 4 ft, 9 inches) in size can generally be secured with the safety belt. Pay attention to the  
information at ⇒ Safety belt positioning.  
Your child no longer needs a booster seat if they are taller than 145 cm (approx. 4 ft, 9 in) and the following conditions are  
met:  
The child is seated with their back fully against the backrest.  
The child's knees bend over the edge of the seat.  
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The child's feet sit fully flat on the vehicle floor.  
The child can comfortably stay in this position for the entire journey.  
Children aged 12 or under must always travel on a rear seat.  
WARNING  
Not using or incorrectly using a booster seat or incorrectly fastening a safety belt can result in severe injury or death in the  
event of an accident.  
Always observe all instructions regarding the installation and use of child restraints and booster seats.  
If, under exceptional circumstances, you need to install a booster seat on the front passenger seat, ensure that the  
PASSENGER AIR BAG  
indicator light turns on and remains on.  
In case of an emergency  
Securing yourself and the vehicle  
Follow all legal regulations regarding securing a vehicle during a breakdown. For example, in many countries you must switch  
on the emergency flashers and wear a reflective vest ⇒ Emergency equipment.  
Checklist of what to do in the event of a breakdown  
For your own safety and the safety of your passengers, follow the points below in the order they are given:  
1. Park your vehicle a safe distance from traffic and on suitable ground. Observe all important information on parking when  
doing so ⇒  
, ⇒ Parking.  
2. Switch on the emergency flashers  
⇒ Center console.  
3. Have all vehicle occupants exit the vehicle on the side facing away from traffic and move to a safe area, such as behind a  
guard rail. Follow the local regulations regarding wearing a reflective vest.  
4. Set up the warning triangle to warn others on the road about the vehicle.  
5. Observe the safety instructions → page , Safety precautions for working in the hood space .  
6. If necessary, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.  
Volkswagen recommends contacting the Volkswagen emergency assistance service.  
When the emergency flashers are switched on, for example while towing the vehicle, you can indicate any turns or lane  
changes using the turn signal lever. The emergency flashers will stop temporarily.  
Read and observe the important information about towing ⇒  
Introduction.  
WARNING  
A stalled vehicle increases the risk of a crash that could cause injury to you, your vehicle occupants, or others on the road.  
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.  
Park the vehicle a safe distance from moving traffic.  
Switch on the emergency flashers.  
Never leave any persons, particularly children or people requiring assistance, in the vehicle. This is especially true  
when the doors are locked. Individuals locked in the vehicle could be exposed to very high or very low  
temperatures.  
75  

Related Topics

Safety

General information
Seating position
Safety belts
Airbag system
In case of an emergency
Emergency equipment
Information Call, Roadside Assistance Call and Emergency Call Service

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