Get Airbag system Guide for Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

Introduction

The airbags are not a substitute for seat belts, which must always be worn.

The airbags can provide additional protection for the vehicle occupants only if the seats, seat belts, head restraints

and, for the driver, the steering wheel are adjusted and used correctly.

The airbags are not triggered as a result of all visible vehicle damage.

Situations in which the airbags are not always triggered:

—If the ignition is switched off during a collision.

—In minor frontal collisions.

—During a minor side collision.

—During rear collisions.

—If the rotational speed measured by the control unit is too low in the event of a vehicle rollover.

—In collisions at low speed.

Injuries such as swelling, bruising, burns and grazes cannot be excluded when an airbag is triggered.

WARNING

If there are any objects located between the vehicle occupants and the deployment zone of the airbag, these objects

change the airbag’s deployment zone and increase the risk of injury when the airbag triggered. 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.

● Never carry any objects in your hands or on your lap while the vehicle is in motion.

● Never transport any objects on the front passenger seat.

WARNING

The airbag system can only be triggered once. After the airbags have triggered, they lose their protective effect and

must be replaced. If the airbags do not have their protective effect, this increases the risk of injury in the event of

sudden braking or driving manoeuvres.

● 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.

● 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

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.

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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.

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Indicator lamp

Functional check

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.

Fault in airbag or 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 suitably qualified workshop and have the airbag system and belt tensioner system checked.

Airbag or belt tensioner system deactivated with diagnostic tool

The yellow indicator lamp lights up for around 4 seconds when the ignition is switched on and then flashes for

around 12 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 suitably qualified workshop and ask them to check whether the airbag or belt tensioner system must

remain switched off.

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Fitting locations and deployment zones

The airbag fitting locations are identified by the text “AIRBAG”.

The areas inside the red lines in the airbag figures are covered by the airbags when the airbags are triggered

(deployment zone). You must never leave or attach any objects in these areas→

WARNING

.

Once triggered, the airbag inflates at very high speed in milliseconds. This could cause objects to be flung through

the interior. This can cause serious injuries.

● Always keep the deployment zones of the airbags clear.

● Never secure any items on the covers or in the deployment zones of the airbags.

● Do not affix stickers or cover the fitting locations of the airbags and the surfaces in the airbag deployment zones

or modify these components in any way.

● No other people, animals or objects may be carried between the vehicle occupants and the airbag deployment

zones. 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.

● Only push the sun visors over to the side windows if no items are attached to them(e.g. pens or the remote

control for a garage door).

● Do not install any sun blinds on the side windows unless they have been expressly approved for use in your

vehicle.

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

in the pockets.

● Do not fit any accessories to the doors.

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Front airbags

Fig. 1 Fitting location and deployment zone of the driver

front airbag (illustration).

Fig. 2 Fitting location and deployment zone of the front

passenger front airbag (illustration).

WARNING

An incorrect sitting position can prevent the front airbags from functioning correctly and cause serious injuries.

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

3 o’clock positions.

● Adjust the driver seat so that there is at least 25 cm(around 10 in) 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.

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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.

Observe the country-specific specifications for use of child seats on the front passenger seat.

Deactivation of the front passenger front airbag is not available in all countries. If there is no key-operated switch in

the vehicle, the front passenger airbag can only be switched off by a suitably qualified workshop.

Front passenger front airbag switched on

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

passenger front airbag enabled.

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 → Fig. 2 and then goes out automatically. The front passenger front airbag has been switched on.

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

Front passenger front airbag deactivated

Fig. 3 In the roof console: indicator lamp showing front

passenger front airbag disabled.

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The yellow indicator lamp lights up continuously→ Fig. 3. 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.

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.

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).

Deactivating 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

Recognising a deactivated 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

indicator lamp in the upper part of the centre consoledoes not light up continuouslyor lights up together

with the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster display, do not fit a child restraint system on 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

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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-operated switch could be damaged when the key is turned.

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.

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.

● Do not apply excessive force to the seat backrest bolsters.

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

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vehicle.

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

a correspondingly 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.

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Airbag system for Your Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

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