Get Child seats Guide for Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

Introduction

Using child seats can reduce the risk of injury to the child if there is an accident. Always use child seats when driving

with children.

Note the following:

—Child seats are classified into groups depending on the size, age and weight of child for which they are designed.

—Various securing systems are used to secure child seats in the vehicle.

For safety reasons, child seats must always be fitted to the rear seats (→ Child seats).

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends using child seats from Volkswagen’s range of accessories. These child

seats were developed and approved for use in vehicles from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. For further

information on the child seats from the range of accessories, contact a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership

or visit the Volkswagen website.

WARNING

If children are not secured or are inadequately secured, they are at greater risk of serious or even fatal injury. Please

note the following:

● Children who are either under 12 years of age or less than 150 cm tall must not be carried in the vehicle if they

are not secured in a suitable child seat while the vehicle is in motion. Regulations in some countries may differ,

and must be complied with.

● Always secure children in the vehicle in a suitable child seat. The child seat used must be appropriate to the

child’s height, weight and age.

● Observe the child seat manufacturer’s instructions for securing the child seat in the vehicle and for securing the

child in the child seat.

● Never fasten more than one child into one child seat.

● Under no circumstances should children or babies be held on a vehicle occupant’s lap while driving.

● Never leave a child unsupervised in a child seat.

● Never allow a child to be carried in a vehicle without being properly secured, and never allow a child to stand up

or to kneel on a seat, or to sit incorrectly while the vehicle is in motion. This is particularly important for children

carried on the front passenger seat. In an accident, children may sustain serious injuries to themselves and

others.

● The child seat can only provide maximum protection if the seat belt is routed correctly around it. Always ensure

that the seat belt is routed as specified in the instructions provided by the child seat manufacturer. If the seat belt

is routed incorrectly it may cause injuries even in a minor accident.

● After an accident, it is vital to replace any child seats that were in use during the accident, as they could have

sustained non-visible damage.

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Types of child seat

Only use child seats that have been officially approved and are suitable for the child.

Standards for child seats

Regulations ECE-R 44 or ECE-R 129 apply to child seats within the European Union. Both regulations apply

simultaneously. Child seats which have been tested in accordance with these standards carry an orange ECE approval

label. This ECE approval label may include the following information on the child seat:

—Weight class.

—Size class.

—Approval category(universal, semi-universal, vehicle-specific or i-Size).

—Approval number.

On child seats that are approved under regulation ECE-R 44, the eight-digit approval number on the ECE approval

label must begin with 03 or 04. This shows that the seat is admissible for use. Older child seats with an approval

number beginning with 01 or 02 are not admissible.

Child seat weight classes

Fig. 1 Example illustrations of child seats.

Class

Child's weight

up to 10 kg

up to 13 kg

9 to 18 kg

Group 0

Group 0+

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

15 to 25 kg

22 to 36 kg

—Weight class 0/0+: group 0/0+ or 0/1 rear-facing infant carriers→ Fig. 1 are the best option for the period from

birth to around 18 months.

—Weight class 1: group 1 (up to about 4 years old) and group 1/2 (up to about 7 years old)with an integral belt

system are the best option for children over the relevant weight limit.

—Weight classes 2/3: groups 2 and 3 include child seats with a backrest, and booster seats with no backrest. Child

seats with a backrest have integrated seat belt routing and side padding, and so provide better protection than

booster seats with no backrest. The use of child seats with backrests is recommended. Group 2 child seats are for

children up to the age of about 7, group 3 child seats for those older than 7.

When using a Group 2 child seat, use the fourth anchorage point of the child seat, if available, for the seat belt.

Please observe the instructions for use of the child seat.

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Not every child will fit in the child seat specified for their weight group. Likewise, not every seat will fit in every

vehicle. Therefore it is vital to check that the child fits properly in their child seat and that the child seat can be

securely fastened in the vehicle.

Child seat approval categories

Child seats can be classified as “universal”, “semi-universal” “or vehicle-specific”(all in accordance with regulation

ECE-R 44) or “i-Size” (in accordance with regulation ECE-R 129).

—Universal: child seats with “universal” approval are approved for use in all vehicles. No type list is required. ISOFIX

child seats with universal approval must also be secured using a top tether.

—Semi-universal: “semi-universal” approval requires other safety devices for attaching the seat(that require

additional testing) in addition to the standard requirements for universal approval. Child seats with “semi-

universal” approval come with a type list. The seats should only be used in vehicles that are included on this list.

Please refer to the child seat manufacturer's vehicle type list to find out whether the child seat may be fitted in the

vehicle.

—Vehicle-specific: a child seat with vehicle specific approval must have undergone dynamic testing in each model of

vehicle for which it is approved. Child seats with “vehicle-specific” approval also come with a type list. Please refer

to the child seat manufacturer's vehicle type list to find out whether the child seat may be fitted in the vehicle.

—i-Size: child seats classified as i-Size must conform to the installation and safety requirements prescribed in

regulation ECE-R 129. Contact the child seat manufacturer to find out which child seats are approved for this

vehicle in accordance with i-Size.

Installing and using child seats

Country-specific regulations

The standards and regulations governing the use of child seats and child seat securing mechanisms differ from

country to country. Not all countries allow you to transport children on the front passenger seat. Legislation and legal

requirements take precedence over the information given in this owner’s manual.

Information on fitting a child seat

Observe the following general information when fitting a child seat. This information is relevant whatever child seat

securing system is being used.

—Read and follow the instructions provided by the child seat manufacturer→

.

—Whenever possible, fit the child seat on the rear bench seat behind the front passenger seat so that children can

exit the vehicle on the kerb side.

—Set the seat belt height so that the seat belt routing follows a natural line and is adjusted to the child seat without

turning back on itself. For rear-facing child seats, use the lowest position of the belt height adjuster.

—Deactivate the front passenger front airbag if fitting a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat.

—When fitting on the front passenger seat: if possible, push the front passenger seat back fully and adjust the seat

to the highest position. Adjust the backrest to an upright position (→ Sitting position).

—Always ensure that there is enough space around the child seat. If necessary, adjust the position of the seat in

front. When doing so, ensure that the driver or front passenger can still maintain a correct sitting position

(→ Sitting position).

—The backrest of the child seat must lay as flat as possible against the vehicle seat backrest. If required, adjust the

seat backrest angle so that the child seat lies flush against the backrest. Once it has been installed, if the child seat

is touching the head restraint and therefore cannot be positioned flush against the backrest, push the head

restraint all the way up, or remove and stow safely in the vehicle (→ Sitting position).

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Airbag sticker

Fig. 1 Illustration: airbag label on the sun visor.

Fig. 2 Illustration: airbag label on the B-pillar.

The vehicle may be provided with stickers giving key information about the front passenger front airbag. The

information on these stickers may vary from country to country. The stickers may be found:

—On the driver sun visor and, in some cases, on the front passenger sun visor .

—On the B-pillar on the front passenger side .

It is essential to observe the warning information shown on these stickers before installing a rear-facing child seat→

.

Risks involved in carrying children on the front passenger seat

If you are using arear-facing child seat, the front passenger front airbag can cause critical or potentially fatal injuries

when it inflates →

.

Rear-facing child seat may only be used on the front passenger seat if the front passenger front airbag has been

deactivated. The front passenger front airbag has been deactivated when the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator

lamp is displayed continuously in the roof console. Deactivating the front passenger front airbag (→ Indicator lamp

for standard airbag system).

If using a front-facing child seat, do not deactivate the front passenger front airbag. When fitting the child seat,

ensure that it is as far away as possible from the front passenger front airbag. The front passenger front airbag can

cause severe injuries when it inflates →

.

Some child seats are not suitable for use on the front passenger seat. The child seat must be specially authorised by

the manufacturer for use on the front passenger seat in vehicles with front and side airbags.

Using a child seat on the individual seats

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Please refer to the operating instructions for the child seat to find out whether the child seat should be used to carry

a child facing in the direction of travel or facing the rear →

.

Risks presented by side airbags

If the side airbag is triggered, the airbag could hit the child in the head, causing serious injury→

.

DANGER

Please observe important safety information about the front passenger front airbag (→ Standard airbag system).

DANGER

If you use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, the child in it is at increased risk of sustaining serious

or life-threatening injuries or being killed in the event of an accident.

● Never secure a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat if the front passenger front airbag is activated.

● Deactivate the front passenger front airbag. If the front passenger front airbag cannot be deactivated no rear-

facing child seat may be used.

● Move the front passenger seat as far back and as high as it can be adjusted to create the largest possible distance

between the child seat and the front passenger front airbag.

● Move the backrest to the upright position.

● Set the seat belt height so that the seat belt routing follows a natural line and is adjusted to the child seat

without turning back on itself. For rear-facing child seats, use the lowest position of the belt height adjuster.

● Only use child seats that have been approved by the child seat manufacturer for use on a front passenger seat

with front and side airbags.

WARNING

Child seats present a risk of injury if incorrectly installed.

● Always read and follow the installation instructions and warning information provided by the child seat

manufacturer.

WARNING

Using a front-facing child seat on the front passenger seat presents a risk of injury.

● If possible, move the front passenger seat as far back and as high as it can be set to create the largest possible

distance between the child seat and the front passenger front airbag.

● If possible, move the backrest to the upright position.

● Set the seat belt height so that the seat belt routing follows a natural line and is adjusted to the child seat

without turning back on itself. For rear-facing child seats, use the lowest position of the seat belt height adjuster.

● Only use child seats that have been approved by the child seat manufacturer for use on a front passenger seat

with front and side airbags.

WARNING

To avoid injuries caused by inflation of a head airbag or side airbag:

● Make sure that children are not in the airbag deployment zone.

● Do not place any objects in the side airbag deployment zones.

If a child seat is used on a single seat with Easy Entry function, the seats located behind that seat are difficult

to access. Therefore, a child seat should be used on another rear seat, if possible.

Securing systems

Different countries use different securing systems for safely fitting child seats in the vehicle.

Overview of securing systems

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—ISOFIX: ISOFIX is a standardised securing system for fitting child seats in the vehicle quickly and safely. The ISOFIX

attachment system creates a rigid connection between the child seat and the vehicle body.

The child seat has two rigid attachment arms. The attachment arms click into ISOFIX attachment points which can be

located between the seat and the rear seat backrest. The ISOFIX securing system as described here is specific to

Europe (→ Child seat with ISOFIX). An upper strap(top tether) or a support foot may sometimes have to be used in

addition to the ISOFIX anchor points described above.

—Three-point automatic seat belt: it is better to secure child seats using the ISOFIX system, if available, rather than

with a three-point automatic seat belt.

Additional securing points:

—Top tether: this strap at the top of the child seat is routed over the vehicle seat backrest and hooked into an anchor

ring in the luggage compartment. Top tether anchor points are marked with an anchor symbol (→ Child seats).

—Support foot: some child seats are supported by with a support leg resting on the floor of the vehicle. This support

foot helps prevent the child seat tipping forward in a crash.

Recommended child seat securing systems

Child seats should be secured as follows:

—Infant carrier or rear-facing child seat: ISOFIX and support foot.

—Front-facing child seat: ISOFIX and top tether and possibly additional support foot.

WARNING

Child restraint anchorages are designed to withstand only those loads imposed by correctly fitted child restraints.

Under no circumstances are they to be used for adult seatbelts, harnesses, or for attaching other items or

equipment to the vehicle.

WARNING

Incorrect use of the support foot can cause severe or fatal injuries.

● Ensure that the support foot is always correctly and safely installed.

Securing a child seat with ISOFIX

Installation overview with ISOFIX and i-Size

The identification marking of the ISOFIX or i-Size anchorage points is equipment and country dependent.

The table below shows the options for securing ISOFIX or i-Size child seats to ISOFIX anchor points at the various

possible seats in the vehicle.

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Group

0+:

Group 0:

Group 1:

Group 2: Group 3:

i-Size child restraint

system

up to 10

kg

up to

13 kg

15 to

25 kg

22 to

36 kg

9 to 18 kg

Size class

E

X

E

D

X

C D C B1 B A

-

–

X

Front passenger seat

X

Multivan:

IL-

SU

IUF

Rear individual seats or

3-seat bench

IL-SU

X

IL-SU

California:

Rear individual seats, 2-

seat bench or 3-seat

bench

IL-

SU

IUF

IL-SU

X

IL-SU

—Size class: the size class shown corresponds to the permissible weight range of the child using the seat. The size

class is indicated on the ECE test certificate for child seats with “universal” or “semi-universal” approval. A size

class indication is affixed to the child seat.

—X: seat not suitable for securing an ISOFIX or i-Size child seat in this group.

—IL-SU: seat suitable for installing an ISOFIX child seat with “semi-universal” approval. Refer to the vehicle list

supplied by the child seat manufacturer.

—IUF: seat suitable for installing an ISOFIX child seat with “universal” approval.

—i-U: seat suitable for installing a front-facing or rear-facing i-Size child seat with “universal” approval.

—i-UF: seat suitable for installing a front-facing i-Size child seat with “universal” approval.

Installing child seats with ISOFIX

The location of the ISOFIX anchor points is shown by a symbol or by a label marked ISOFIX.

Markings identifying the ISOFIX anchorage points for child seats on the rear seats.

Fig. 1 On the vehicle seat: Marking variant identifying the

ISOFIX anchor points for child seats.

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Fig. 2 On the vehicle seat: Marking variant identifying the

ISOFIX anchor points for child seats.

Fig. 3 Diagram: Fitting an ISOFIX child seat with

attachment arms.

—Observe the instructions (→ Child seats).

—Push the attachment arms on the child seat into the ISOFIX anchor points as shown by the arrows→ Fig. 3. The

child seat must click and audibly securely into place.

—Pull on both sides of the child seat to check whether the seat has clicked properly into place.

—If the child seat is fitted with a support foot, the foot must stand firmly on the floor of the vehicle.

Using insert guides

If the child seat anchor points are not directly accessible, insert guides make fitting and removing the child seat

easier. First attach the insert guides to the anchor points. Then secure the child seat as per the installation guide.

NOTICE

Avoid damage to the upholstery and seat cushions caused by the insert guides.

● Always pull the insert guides off the anchor points before folding the rear seat forward, or when removing the

child seat.

Securing child seats with the top tether

77

Fig. 1 Diagram: Identification for top tether attachment

point.

ISOFIX child seats with “universal” approval must be secured with an upper strap(top tether) in addition to the ISOFIX

anchor points.

Fasten the top tether only to the intended attachment points that are suitable for the top tether. These are marked

with a symbol and, where applicable, the “TOP TETHER” label → Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 3-seat bench: top tether secured to the back of a

rear backrest.

Fig. 3 2-seat bench: top tether secured to the back of a

rear backrest.

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Fig. 4 Individual seat: top tether secured to the back of the

rear seat backrest.

1. Observe the instructions (→ Child seats).

2. Fold down or remove the head restraint located behind the child seat, and stow it securely in the vehicle.

3. Guide the upper strap(top tether) of the child seat back behind the backrest.

4. Push the attachment arms on the child seat into the ISOFIX anchor points as shown by the arrows (→ Child seat

with ISOFIX). The child seat must click and audibly securely into place.

5. Secure the top tether to the corresponding retaining ring→ Fig. 2, → Fig. 3 or → Fig. 4.

6. Tighten the belt so that the child seat is positioned at the top of the rear seat backrest.

7. After the child seat has been removed, fold up the head restraint or install it.

WARNING

Secure the strap only to the top tether anchor rings. Failure to do so could lead to severe injuries.

● Always secure only one top tether of a child seat to one retaining ring.

● Never fasten the top tether on a child seat to any other fastening rings.

WARNING

Objects in the rear pockets of the seats can damage the top tether in the event of an accident. This can result in

serious injuries.

● Do not keep any objects in the rear pockets of the seats when using the top tether.

Securing a child seat using the seat belt

If you want to fit a child seat from the “universal”(u) approval category in your vehicle, you must first ensure that it is

approved for the seat position in question. Important information is given on the orange ECE approval label on the

child seat. Installation options are shown in the table below.

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Front passenger seat

Child’s

weight

Seats at

the rear

Group

Front passenger front

airbag is activated

Front passenger front

airbag is deactivated

up to 10

kg

Group 0

x

u

x

u

up to 13

kg

Group 0+

x

Rear

9 to 18

kg

facing

Group 1

Forward 9 to 18

u

facing

kg

15 to 25

kg

Group 2

Group 3

22 to 36

kg

u: Universal; x: Seat not suitable for attaching a child seat in this group.

Securing a child seat using the seat belt

1. Observe the instructions (→ Child seats).

2. When fitting on the front passenger seat, push the front passenger seat back fully and adjust the seat to the

highest position. Set the backrest to the upright position.

3. Set the seat belt height so that the seat belt routing follows a natural line and is adjusted to the child seat

without turning back on itself. For rear-facing child seats, use the lowest position of the belt height adjuster.

4. Put on the seat belt according to the instructions of the child seat manufacturer and guide it through the child

seat.

5. Ensure that the seat belt is not twisted.

6. Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push it down until it audibly engages.

Folding the integrated child seat in and out

Fig. 1 Integrated child seat: Folding out the seat cushion.

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Fig. 2 Integrated child seat: installing side head restraints.

The integrated child seat is suitable only for children belonging to group 2(15–25 kg) and group 3 (22–36 kg), as

specified in the standard ECE-R 44.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that the integrated child seat be used on the individual seat facing

against the direction of travel for children in group 2.

For safety reasons, if the integrated child seat is used on the individual seat for children ingroup 3, it must face the

direction of travel.

Folding out the seat cushion

1

1. Pull the seat padding forwards using the release lever→ Fig. 1

2. Push the seat padding back in the direction of arrow→ Fig. 1

.

A

until it engages.

Fitting the side head restraint

The supplied side head restraintmust be used for children in group 2.

The side head restraint mustnot be used when group 3 children use the integrated child seat.

1. Push the head restraint up.

2. Hold the side head restraint ready with the angled part pointing downwards.

3. Push the lever for the side head restraint from the inner to the outer position→ Fig. 2 (close-up).

4. Push the side head restraint with the slots onto the head restraint rods.

The side head restraints must click into place. The red marking must no longer be visible and the lever must be

in the initial position (inside) again → Fig. 2.

5. Push the head restraint as far down as possible (→ Sitting position).

Folding the seat cushion back

1

A

1. Use the release lever→ Fig. 1

to pull the seat cushion against the direction of arrow

.

2. Press the centre of the seat cushion down so that it engages securely.

NOTICE

81

When folding back the integrated child seat, press only in the middle of the seat cushion. The seat cushion could

otherwise become jammed and will not engage securely.

Removing the side head restraint

1. Push the head restraint up.

2. Push the lever for the side head restraint from the inner to the outer position→ Fig. 2 (close-up).

3. Pull out the side head restraint.

4. Lower the head restraint again.

Seat belt routing for an integrated child seat

Fig. 1 Seat belt routing on the integrated child seat.

Ensure that the shoulder section of the seat belt lies on the centre of the child’s shoulder and that the lap part of the

seat belt always lies on or below their pelvic ridge and not across their stomach → Fig. 1

Correct seat belt routing

1. Guide the seat belt under the side head restraint.

2. Take hold of the latch plate and pull it slowly across the chest and pelvis.

The shoulder part of the seat belt must always lie on the centre of the child's shoulder, never across their neck,

face, over or under their arm or behind their back.

The lap part of the seat belt must always lie on or below the child's pelvic ridge, never across their stomach.

3. Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push it down until it is securely locked with an

audible click.

4. Pull on the seat belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely locked in the buckle.

5. The seat belt must always lie flat and snugly on the body. Tighten the belt if necessary.

WARNING

The seat belt will offer the optimum level of protection from severe and fatal injuries only when the seat belt

routing is correct.

● The seat belt must always lie flat and securely against the child's body.

● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie approximately on the centre of the child's shoulder and never across

their neck or upper arm and must always lie securely against the child's upper body.

● The lap part of the seat belt must always lie on or below the child's pelvic ridge, never across their stomach, and

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Child seats for Your Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

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