Get Safety -> Airbag system Guide for Volkswagen California Van Third Generation (2015-2024)

Introduction

Depending on the equipment level, the vehicle may be fitted with one front airbag each for the driver and front

passenger. The front airbags can provide front seat occupants with additional chest and head protection if the seat,

seat belts, head restraints and, in the case of the driver, steering wheel are adjusted and used correctly. Airbags are

meant only for additional protection. The airbags are not a substitute for seat belts. Seat belts must always be worn,

even when the front seats are equipped with front airbags.

WARNING

Never rely solely on the airbag system for your protection.

● Even if an airbag is triggered, it only offers auxiliary protection.

● The airbag system offers the best level of protection, and reduces the risk of injury, when seat belts are properly

worn.

● 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.

WARNING

The risk of injury increases if there are any objects located between the vehicle occupants and the deployment area

of the airbag when it is triggered. This will alter the deployment zone of the airbag, or the objects will be flung

against the body.

● Never hold any objects in your hand or on your lap while the vehicle is in motion.

● Never transport any objects on the front passenger seat. The objects could enter the deployment zone of the

airbag during sudden braking or driving manoeuvres and then be flung dangerously through the vehicle interior if

the airbag is activated.

● Vehicle occupants sitting on the front seats and rear outer seats must never carry any people, pets or objects in

the deployment zone between themselves and the airbags. Make sure that all children and adults travelling with

you also observe this rule.

WARNING

The airbag system can only be triggered once. The system will have to be replaced if the airbags have been

triggered.

● Airbags that have been triggered, and any affected system parts, must be replaced immediately with new parts

that the vehicle manufacturer has approved for the vehicle.

● Have repairs and modifications to your vehicle carried out only by a suitably qualified workshop. Qualified

workshops have the necessary tools, diagnostic equipment, repair information and trained personnel.

● Never install recycled airbag components or components that have been taken from end-of-life vehicles in your

vehicle.

● Never modify any components of the airbag system.

WARNING

Fine dust particles or steam may be released when the airbags are triggered. This is normal and does not mean that

there is a fire in the vehicle.

● The fine dust can cause irritation to the skin and eye membranes and cause breathing difficulties, particularly for

people suffering from asthma or people who have (had) other respiratory problems. To help reduce breathing

difficulties, get out of the vehicle or open the windows or doors for more fresh air.

● If you come into contact with the dust, you should wash your hands and face with a mild soap and water before

eating.

● Do not let the dust get into your eyes or into open wounds.

● If dust has entered your eyes, rinse them with water.

WARNING

Cleaning agents that contain solvents cause the surface of the airbag modules to become porous. In an accident

65

that triggers the airbag, loose plastic parts can cause serious injury.

● Never clean the dash panel or the airbag covers with cleansers that contain solvents.

Type of front passenger front airbag system

With some equipment levels, anairbag system or an airbag system with front passenger front airbag deactivation

may be installed.

Airbag system

The front passenger front airbag can be deactivated only by a correspondingly qualified workshop.

Characteristics of the airbag system:

—Front passenger front airbag in the dash panel.

—Indicator lamp in the instrument cluster display.

Airbag system with front passenger front airbag deactivation

The front passenger front airbag can be deactivated manually by means of a key-operated switch (→ Standard airbag

system).

Characteristics of the airbag system with front passenger front airbag deactivation:

—Front passenger front airbag in the dash panel.

—Indicator lamp in the instrument cluster display.

—PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp

in the roof console.

—Key-operated switch on the front passenger side.

66

Indicator lamp

Fig. 1 In the roof console: indicator lamp showing front

passenger front airbag enabled.

Fig. 2 In the roof console: indicator lamp showing front

passenger front airbag disabled.

The yellow indicator lamp in the instrument cluster display lights up briefly as a functional check when the

ignition is switched on and goes out after a few seconds.

Front passenger front airbag switched off. The yellow indicator lamp in the roof console lights up continuously

→ Fig. 2.

Front passenger front airbag switched on. The yellow indicator lamp in the roof console will go out

automatically approximately 60 seconds after the ignition is switched on or after the front passenger front

airbag is switched on using the key-operated switch → Fig. 1.

There may be a fault in the airbag system if the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp

light up continuously or lights up together with the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster display when the front

passenger front airbag is switched off→

in the roof consoledoes not

.

WARNING

If there is a fault in the airbag system, the airbag may not trigger correctly, may not trigger at all or may trigger

unexpectedly. This can cause severe or fatal injuries.

● Have the airbag system checked by a correspondingly qualified workshop as soon as possible.

● Never fit a child seat on the front passenger seat. Remove a fitted child seat. The front passenger front airbag

may trigger during an accident in spite of the fault.

67

Troubleshooting

Fault in airbag system and belt tensioner system

The yellow indicator lamp lights up continuously. In addition, a message may be displayed in the instrument cluster.

A malfunction has been detected in at least one airbag or belt tensioner.

1. Go to a correspondingly qualified workshop and have the airbag system and belt tensioner checked.

Airbag system or belt tensioner deactivated with diagnostic tool

The yellow indicator lamp lights up for around four seconds when the ignition is switched on and then flashes for

around twelve seconds. In addition, a message may be displayed in the instrument cluster.

At least one airbag or belt tensioner was deactivated with a diagnostic tool.

1. Go to a correspondingly qualified workshop and ask them to check whether the airbag system or belt tensioner

must remain switched off.

Front passenger front airbag switched off

The yellow indicator lamp for the deactivated front passenger front airbag lights up continuously.

The front passenger front airbag has been switched off.

1. Check whether the front passenger front airbag must remain switched off, e.g. when using a child seat on the

front passenger seat.

Front passenger front airbag switched on

The yellow indicator lamp for the activated front passenger front airbag lights up for around 60 seconds after the

ignition is switched on or after switching on the front passenger front airbag with the key-operated switch.

The front passenger front airbag has been switched on.

1. Check whether the front passenger front airbag must remain switched on.

68

Description and function of the airbags

The airbags can protect vehicle occupants during frontal and side collisions by reducing their movement in the

direction of the collision.

When an airbag is triggered, it is inflated by a gas generator. This causes the airbag covers to break, and the airbags

inflate forcefully to cover their deployment zones within milliseconds. Once a vehicle occupant wearing a seat belt

starts to sink into the inflated airbag, the gas inside the airbag starts to escape to cushion the occupant and slow

down their movement. This can reduce the risk of severe and fatal injuries. The triggering of the airbag will not

always prevent other injuries such as swelling, bruising and grazing. The deployment of the airbag can also produce

frictional heat.

Airbags provide no protection for the arms or lower body.

The most important factors for triggering the airbag are the type of accident, the angle of impact, the vehicle speed

and the type of object with which the vehicle collides. Therefore, visible damage to the vehicle does not always mean

that the airbag should have been triggered.

The triggering of the airbag system depends on the vehicle deceleration rate caused by the collision and registered by

the electronic control unit. If this rate is below the reference value programmed into the control unit, the airbags will

not be triggered, even though the vehicle may be badly damaged as a result of the collision. Vehicle damage, repair

costs or even the lack of vehicle damage in an accident do not necessarily give an indication of whether an airbag

should inflate or not. It is not possible to define a range of vehicle speeds and reference values, since the

circumstances will vary considerably between one collision and another. It is therefore impossible to cover every

possible kind and angle of impact that would trigger the airbags. Important factors in the triggering of the airbag

include the nature (hard or soft) of the object that the vehicle hits, the angle of impact, and the vehicle speed.

Airbags only serve as a supplement to the three-point seat belt in some accident situations when the vehicle braking

is sufficient to trigger the airbags. Airbags can only be triggered once and only in certain situations. The seat belts are

always there to provide protection in situations in which the airbags are not triggered or have already been triggered.

For example, if the vehicle collides with a further vehicle following the initial collision, or is hit by another vehicle.

The airbag system is part of the vehicle's overall passive safety concept. The airbag system can only work effectively

when the occupants are wearing their seat belts correctly and have assumed a proper sitting position

.

Components of the vehicle safety concept

The following vehicle safety equipment makes up the vehicle's safety concept to reduce the risk of severe and fatal

injuries. Some of this equipment may not be fitted in your particular vehicle. It may not be available at all in some

countries.

—Optimised seat belts for all seats.

—Belt tensioners for the driver and front passenger in conjunction with curtain and side airbags.

—Seat belt height adjusters for the front seats.

—Red warning lamp and, where applicable, belt status display.

—Front airbags for driver and front passenger.

—Curtain and side airbags for the driver and front passenger.

—Curtain airbags possibly also on the rear outer seats of the second and third row of seats.

—Yellow airbag indicator lamp

.

—Yellow PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp

—Control units and sensors.

in the roof console.

—Height-adjustable head restraints optimised for rear impact.

—Adjustable steering column.

69

—If fitted, anchor points for child seats on the individual seats in the passenger compartment and the outer seats of

the bench seat.

Situations in which the front, the combined curtain and side airbag and the curtain airbag

will not be triggered:

—If the ignition is switched off during a collision.

—If the level of deceleration measured by the control unit is too low during a collision at the front of the vehicle.

—During a minor side collision.

—During rear collisions.

—If the dynamics measured by the control unit are too low in the event of a vehicle rollover.

—If the impact speed in a collision is lower than the reference value specified in the control unit.

Front airbags

Fig. 1 Location and deployment zone of the driver front

airbag (illustration).

Fig. 2 Location and deployment zone of the front

passenger front airbag (illustration).

In conjunction with the seat belts, the front airbag system gives the front occupants additional protection for the

head and chest in the event of a severe frontal collision. Always keep as far away from the front airbag as possible .

This allows the front airbags to inflate fully when triggered, thus providing maximum protection.

The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel→ Fig. 1 and the front airbag for the front passenger is

70

located in the dash panel → Fig. 2. The airbag locations are identified by the text “AIRBAG”.

The areas inside the red lines are covered by the front airbags when the front airbags are triggered(deployment

zone). You must never leave or attach any objects in these areas→ . Any factory-fitted accessories will not be

struck if the driver and front passenger front airbags are deployed.

The airbag cover panels fold out when the driver and front passenger front airbags are deployed. The airbag covers

remain connected to the steering wheel and the dash panel.

DANGER

Once triggered, the airbag inflates at very high speed in a fraction of a second.

● Always leave the deployment zones of the front airbags clear.

● Never attach any objects, such as drink or telephone holders, to the covers of the airbags or anywhere in the

airbag deployment zone.

● No other people, animals or objects may be carried between the occupants of the front seats and the airbag

deployment zone. Ensure that children and passengers keep to this rule.

● Do not attach any objects, e.g. mobile navigation devices, to the windscreen above the front airbag on the front

passenger side.

● Do not affix stickers to or cover the airbag unit in the steering wheel and the surface of the dash panel in the

deployment zone of the front passenger’s airbag or modify them in any other way.

WARNING

The front airbags are deployed in front of the steering wheel→ Fig. 1 and dash panel→ Fig. 2.

● When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the outside of the ring: 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock

position.

● Adjust the driver seat so that there is at least 25 cm(approximately 10 inches) between the driver’s rib cage and

the hub of the steering wheel. If your build makes it impossible to fulfil this requirement then you must contact a

correspondingly qualified workshop for assistance.

● Adjust the front passenger seat so that the distance between the passenger and the dash panel is as large as

possible.

Switching the front passenger front airbag on and off

Fig. 1 On the front of the dash panel: key-operated switch

for switching the front passenger front airbag on and off.

The front passenger front airbag must be deactivated if you fit a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat.

Enabling the front passenger front airbag

1. Switch off the ignition.

2. Open the door on the front passenger side.

3. Fold the key bit of the vehicle key all the way out.

71

4. Insert the key bit into the key-operated switch until you feel the second point of resistance→ Fig. 1. Around

three quarters of the key bit should be inserted in the key switch at this point →

5. Turn the vehicle key, without applying force, to theON position.

6. Remove the vehicle key from the key switch and fold the key bit away.

7. Close the door on the front passenger side.

.

8. Check that the PASSENGER AIRBAG

indicator lamp in the upper section of the centre console doesnot

light up when the ignition is switched on (→ Indicator lamp for standard airbag system).

Disabling the front passenger front airbag

1. Switch off the ignition.

2. Open the door on the front passenger side.

3. Fold the key bit of the vehicle key all the way out.

4. Insert the key bit into the key-operated switch until you feel the second point of resistance→ Fig. 1. Around

three quarters of the key bit should be inserted in the key switch at this point →

5. Turn the vehicle key, without applying force, to theOFF position.

6. Remove the vehicle key from the key switch and fold the key bit away.

7. Close the front passenger door.

.

When the ignition is switched on, the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIRBAG

section of the centre console (→ Indicator lamp for standard airbag system).

will light up continuously in the upper

Identifying characteristics for a disabled front passenger front airbag

The only indication that the front passenger front airbag has been deactivated is when the PASSENGER AIR BAG

indicator lamp

airbag system).

lights up continuously in the upper section of the centre console (→ Indicator lamp for standard

If the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp

in the upper section of the centre console isnot lit up continuously,

or if it lights up simultaneously with the indicator lamp on the instrument cluster display, do not attach a child

restraint system to the front passenger seat for safety reasons. The front passenger front airbag may trigger during

an accident.

DANGER

Please observe important safety information about the front passenger front airbag (→ Child seats).

DANGER

The front passenger front airbag should only be switched off in exceptional circumstances.

● To prevent damage to the airbag system, switch the front passenger front airbag on and off only when the

ignition is switched off.

● It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the key-operated switch is set to the correct position.

● Switch the front passenger front airbag off only if, in exceptional circumstances, a rear-facing child seat is

secured on the front passenger seat.

● Switch the front passenger front airbag back on again as soon as the rear-facing child seat on the front passenger

seat is no longer being used.

NOTICE

If the key bit is not inserted far enough, the key switch could be damaged when the key is turned.

72

Side airbags

Fig. 1 On left-hand side of vehicle: deployment zone of the

side airbag.

Fig. 2 On the side of the front seat: location of the side

airbag.

Depending on the vehicle equipment, side airbags are fitted for the driver and the front passenger.

The side airbags are located in the outer seat backrest cushions of the driver seat and, in some vehicles, the front

passenger seat → Fig. 2.

The locations of the airbags are identified by labels with the lettering “AIRBAG”.

The area in the red frame is covered by the side airbag when triggered(deployment zone) → Fig. 1. For this reason,

you must never leave or attach any items in this area →

.

During a side collision, the side airbags will be deployed on the side of the vehicle which is impacted, thus reducing

the risk of injury to the areas of the occupants’ bodies facing the impact.

WARNING

Once triggered, the airbag inflates at very high speed in a fraction of a second.

● Always leave the deployment zones of the side airbags clear.

● No other people, animals or objects may be carried between the occupants of the front seats and the airbag

deployment zone. Ensure that children and passengers keep to this rule.

● The coat hooks in the vehicle should be used only for lightweight clothing. Never leave any heavy or sharp objects

in the pockets.

73

● Do not fit any accessories to the doors.

● Do not fit seat covers or protective covers over the seats unless they have been expressly approved for use in the

vehicle. Otherwise the side airbag may not be able to inflate once triggered.

WARNING

Incorrect use of the driver and front passenger seat could hinder the proper function of the side airbag and cause

serious injury.

● Never remove the front seats from the vehicle or modify any part of them.

● If too much pressure is applied to the backrest side bolsters, the side airbags may not be triggered correctly, may

not trigger at all, or may trigger unexpectedly.

● Have any damage to the original seat covers or around the seams of the side airbag units repaired immediately by

a suitably qualified workshop.

Curtain airbags

Fig. 1 On the left-hand side of the vehicle: location and deployment zone of the curtain airbag for the rear vehicle

occupants on the left side of the vehicle.

Fig. 2 On left-hand side of vehicle: deployment zone of the

curtain airbag.

Depending on the vehicle equipment, curtain airbags are fitted on the driver side and possibly on the front passenger

side.

The curtain airbags are located inside the vehicle above the doors. The airbag location is identified by the text

“AIRBAG” → Fig. 1.

The area in the red frame is covered by the curtain airbag when triggered(deployment zone). For this reason, you

must never leave or attach any items in this area →

.

74

Safety -> Airbag system for Your Volkswagen California Van Third Generation (2015-2024)

Related Topics

Safety

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals