Get Seat belts Guide for Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

Seat belts

Introduction to the topic

Check the condition of all seat belts regularly. If the belt webbing, belt connections, belt

retractor or seat belt buckle become damaged, the seat belt in question should be replaced

immediately by a qualified workshop → . The qualified workshop must use correct spare parts

that are compatible with the vehicle, equipment level and model year. Volkswagen recommends

using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.

WARNING

Incorrectly fastened or unfastened seat belts increase the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Seat

belts will only offer the optimum level of protection when they are fastened and used properly.

●

Seat belts are the most effective means of reducing the risk of serious and fatal injuries in

the event of an accident. Seat belts must always be fastened properly when the vehicle is in

motion to protect the driver and all vehicle occupants.

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.

While the vehicle is in motion, secure all children travelling in the vehicle in a restraint

system suitable for their weight and height. They must also wear correctly fastened seat

belts (→ Child seats, Description).

●

Only start driving when all passengers have correctly fastened their seat belts.

Always insert the latch plate only into the buckle of the associated seat, and ensure that it

engages properly. Using a buckle that does not belong to the seat that you are occupying

reduces the level of protection and can lead to severe injuries.

●

Avoid allowing foreign bodies or liquids to enter the slot for the seat belt buckle. This could

prevent the belt buckle and seat belt from working properly.

●

Never unfasten the seat belt while the vehicle is in motion.

Never allow more than one person to share the same seat belt.

Never travel when children or babies are being carried on somebody's lap and fastened with

the same belt.

●

Never travel wearing loose, bulky clothing (such as an overcoat over a jacket). This could

prevent the seat belts from fitting and functioning properly.

WARNING

Damaged seat belts are very dangerous and can cause severe or fatal injuries.

●

Never damage the belt by trapping it in the door or in the seat mechanism.

If the belt webbing or any other part of the seat belt becomes damaged, the seat belt may

tear during an accident or sudden braking manoeuvre.

●

Have damaged seat belts immediately replaced by new seat belts that have been approved

by Volkswagen for the vehicle. Seat belts subjected to stress and stretched during an

accident must be replaced by a qualified workshop. Renewal may be necessary even if there

is no apparent damage. The belt anchorages should also be checked.

●

Never try to repair, modify or remove the seat belts yourself. All repairs to the seat belts,

belt retractors and buckles must be carried out by a qualified workshop.

Warning lamp

Fig. 1 On the instrument cluster display: warning lamp.

A acoustic signal will be given for a few seconds if the seat belts are not fastened as the car pulls

off and reaches a speed of more than approximately 25 km/h (15 mph), or if the seat belts are

unfastened while the vehicle is in motion. The warning lamp → Fig. 1 also flashes.

The warning lamp does not go out until the driver and front passenger fasten their seat belts

while the ignition is switched on.

WARNING

Incorrectly fastened or unfastened seat belts increase the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Seat

belts will only offer the optimum level of protection when they are fastened and used properly.

Frontal collisions and the laws of physics

Fig. 1 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a brick wall.

Fig. 2 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a brick wall.

The physical principles involved in a frontal collision are relatively simple. As soon as the vehicle

is in motion, both the moving vehicle and its occupants gain “kinetic energy” → Fig. 1 .

The higher the vehicle speed and the heavier the weight of the vehicle, the greater the amount

of energy that will be released in the event of an accident.

However, the most significant factor is the speed of the vehicle. For example, if the speed

doubles from around 25 km/h to around 50 km/h (15 mph to 31 mph), the kinetic energy

increases by a factor of four.

The amount of “kinetic energy” depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight of the

vehicle and passengers. The higher the speed and the heavier the weight, the greater the amount

of energy that will be released in the event of an accident.

Passengers not wearing seat belts are not “connected” to the vehicle. In the event of a frontal

collision, they will continue to move forwards at the same speed at which the vehicle was

travelling before impact, until something stops them. Because the passengers in our example are

not restrained by seat belts, the entire amount of kinetic energy will only be released at the point

of impact against the wall → Fig. 2 .

At speeds of approximately 30 km/h (19 mph) to approximately 50 km/h (31 mph), the forces

acting on bodies in a collision can easily exceed one tonne (1,000 kg). These forces are even

greater at higher speeds.

This example applies not only to frontal collisions, but to all accidents and collisions.

What happens to vehicle occupants who have not fastened

their seat belts

Fig. 1 An unbelted driver is thrown forwards.

Fig. 2 The unbelted rear passenger is thrown forwards, hitting the belted driver.

Many people believe that they can brace their weight with their hands in a minor collision. This is

not true.

Even at low speeds, the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great that it is not possible

to brace oneself with arms and hands. In a frontal collision, vehicle occupants who have not

fastened their seat belts will be thrown forward and will make unchecked contact with parts of

the vehicle interior, e.g. the steering wheel, dash panel, or windscreen → Fig. 1 .

The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts. When triggered, the airbags only provide

additional protection. Airbags are not triggered in all kinds of accidents. Even if the vehicle is

equipped with an airbag system, all vehicle occupants, including the driver, must fasten their

seat belt and wear it correctly while the vehicle is in motion. This reduces the risk of severe or

fatal injuries in the event of an accident – regardless of whether an airbag is fitted for the seat.

Each airbag can only be triggered once. To achieve best possible protection, seat belts must

always be worn properly. This also ensures that protection is provided in accidents in which the

airbag is not triggered. Any vehicle occupants not wearing a seat belt can be thrown out of the

vehicle and sustain more severe or even fatal injuries as a result.

It is also important for the rear seat occupants to wear seat belts properly, as they could

otherwise be thrown forwards violently in an accident. Rear passengers who are not wearing

seat belts endanger not only themselves and the driver, but also other people in the vehicle

→ Fig. 2 .

Seat belt protection

Fig. 1 Driver restrained by a properly positioned seat belt during a sudden braking manoeuvre.

Correctly fastened seat belts can make a major difference. When fastened properly, seat belts

hold the vehicle occupants in the correct sitting positions and considerably reduce the kinetic

energy in the event of an accident. Seat belts also help to prevent uncontrolled movements that

could lead to severe injuries. In addition, wearing seat belts properly reduces the risk of being

thrown from the vehicle → Fig. 1 .

Passengers wearing seat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability of the belts to reduce the

kinetic energy. The front crumple zones and other passive safety features (such as the airbag

system) are also designed to reduce kinetic energy. The amount of energy generated will thus

decrease, thereby reducing the risk of injury.

The examples describe frontal collisions. Of course, properly worn seat belts substantially reduce

the risk of injury in all other types of accidents. This is why seat belts must be fastened before

every trip – even if you are only planning to drive “a very short distance”. Ensure that all

passengers also wear their seat belts properly.

Accident statistics have shown properly worn seat belts to be an effective means of substantially

reducing the risk of injury and improving the chances of survival in a serious accident.

Furthermore, properly worn seat belts improve the protection provided by airbags in the event of

an accident. This is why wearing a seat belt is a legal requirement in most countries.

Although the vehicle is equipped with airbags, the seat belts must be fastened and worn. For

example, the front airbags will be triggered only in certain types of frontal collision. The front

airbags will not be triggered during minor frontal collisions, minor side collisions, rear collisions,

rolls or accidents in which the airbag trigger threshold in the control unit is not exceeded.

Therefore, always wear your seat belt and ensure that your passengers have fastened their seat

belts properly before you drive off.

Using seat belts

Checklist

Using the seat belts →

:

✓ Check the condition of all seat belts regularly.

✓ Keep the seat belts clean.

✓ Avoid allowing any foreign bodies or fluids to get on to the seat belt or latch plate or into the

slot for the seat belt buckle.

✓ Do not trap or damage the seat belt and latch plate, for example when closing the door.

✓ Never remove, modify or repair the seat belt or any part of the belt fixture system.

✓ Always fasten the seat belt correctly before every journey and keep it fastened while the

vehicle is in motion.

Twisted seat belt

If it is difficult to remove the seat belt from the belt guide, the seat belt may have become

twisted if it was returned too quickly into the side trim:

—Take hold of the latch plate then slowly and carefully pull out the seat belt.

—Untwist the seat belt and guide it back slowly by hand.

Fasten the seat belt even if you are unable to undo the twist. However, the twist should not be in

part of the seat belt that comes into direct contact with the body. The twist should be corrected

immediately by a qualified workshop.

WARNING

Using seat belts incorrectly increases the risk of severe or fatal injuries.

●

Regularly check to see if the seat belt and its related parts are in perfect condition.

Always keep the seat belt clean.

Do not allow the belt webbing to become jammed, damaged or to rub on any sharp edges.

Always keep the latch plate and slot in the buckle free from foreign bodies and liquids.

Fastening and unfastening seat belts

Fig. 1 Inserting the seat belt latch plate into the buckle.

Fig. 2 Removing the latch plate from the buckle.

If worn properly, seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the correct sitting position during an

accident or braking manoeuvre, providing maximum protection →

.

In vehicles with a proactive occupant protection system, the driver and front passenger seat

belts are automatically tensioned in certain situations (→ Proactive occupant protection system,

Description). In addition, belt slack may be minimised.

Fastening the seat belts

Fasten seat belts before every trip.

—Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly (→ Sitting position, Description).

—Engage the seat backrest in an upright position →

—Take hold of the belt and pull it evenly across your chest and pelvis. Do not twist the belt in

the process →

.

—Insert the latch plate securely into the buckle belonging to the occupied seat → Fig. 1 .

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

Unfastening the seat belts

Unfasten seat belts only when the vehicle is stationary →

.

—Press the red button in the buckle → Fig. 2 . The latch plate is released and springs out.

—Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up easily, without twisting the seat belt and

without damaging the trim.

WARNING

Incorrect seat belt routing can cause severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident.

●

The seat belts only offer best protection when the backrests are in an upright position and

the seat belts have been fastened properly according to the occupant's height.

●

Unfastening seat belts while the vehicle is in motion can lead to severe or fatal injuries in

the event of an accident or sudden braking manoeuvre.

Seat belt routing

Fig. 1 Correct seat belt routing and head restraint adjustment.

Fig. 2 Correct seat belt routing during pregnancy.

Seat belts only provide an optimum level of protection during an accident when they are routed

correctly. Correct seat belt routing reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Correct seat belt

routing also holds the vehicle occupants in position so that an inflating airbag can offer the

maximum level of protection. Therefore you must always fasten your seat belt and ensure that

the seat belt routing is correct → Fig. 1 .

Assuming an incorrect sitting position can cause severe or fatal injuries (→ Sitting position,

Description).

Correct seat belt routing

—The shoulder part of the seat belt must always lie on the centre of the shoulder, never across

the neck, over or under the arm or behind the back.

—The lap part of the seat belt must always lie across the pelvis, never across the stomach.

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

For pregnant women the seat belt must be positioned evenly over the chest and as low as

possible over the pelvis. It must lie flat so that no pressure is exerted on the lower body – this

applies in every stage of pregnancy → Fig. 2 .

Correct seat belt routing according to height

The following equipment can be used to adjust the seat belt routing:

—Seat belt height adjuster for the front seats (→ Seat belt height adjuster, Operation).

—Height-adjustable front seats (→ Sitting position, Description).

WARNING

Incorrect seat belt routing can cause severe injuries in the event of an accident or a sudden

braking or driving manoeuvre.

●

The seat belts only offer best protection when the backrests are in an upright position and

the seat belts have been fastened properly.

The seat belt itself or a loose seat belt can cause serious injuries if the seat belt shifts from

harder body parts in the direction of softer body parts (e.g. stomach).

The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoulder and never under the

arm or across the neck.

●

The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the chest.

The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis and never across the stomach. The

seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the pelvis. Tighten the belt if necessary.

●

For pregnant women, the lap part of the seat belt must be as low as possible over the pelvis

and lie flat around the “bulge” of the belly.

●

Do not twist the belt webbing while the seat belt is being worn.

Never hold the seat belt away from the body by hand.

The belt webbing should not lie over hard or fragile objects, such as glasses, pens or keys.

Never use seat belt clips, retaining rings or similar items to alter the seat belt routing.

If a person's physical build prevents them from routing the seat belt properly, contact a

qualified workshop to find out about any special modifications so that the seat belts and

airbags can provide the optimum level of protection. Volkswagen recommends using a

Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.

Seat belt height adjuster

Fig. 1 Next to the front seats: belt height adjuster.

The seat belt height adjusters for the front seats can be used to adjust the position of the seat

belt on the shoulder so that it can be fastened properly:

—Push the shoulder belt guide together in the direction of the arrows and hold → Fig. 1 .

—Push the shoulder belt guide up or down so that the seat belt is routed over the middle of the

shoulder (→ Seat belt routing, Description).

—Let go of the shoulder belt guide.

—Pull sharply on the seat belt to check whether the shoulder belt guide is engaged securely.

WARNING

Never adjust the seat belt height when the vehicle is in motion.

Belt retractor, belt tensioner, belt tension limiter

The seat belts in the vehicle are part of the vehicle safety concept (→ Airbag system, Description)

(→ Advanced airbag system, Description) and include the following important functions:

Belt retractor

Every seat belt is equipped with an automatic belt retractor on the shoulder part of the belt. Full

freedom of movement is ensured when the shoulder belt is pulled slowly or when the vehicle is

travelling at normal speeds. However, if the belt is pulled out quickly or during sudden braking,

during travel in mountains or bends and during acceleration, the belt retractor blocks the seat

belt.

Fastened seat belts on the front seats may be tensioned automatically by the proactive occupant

protection system in critical situations, for example during an emergency stop or in the event of

oversteering or understeering. Both seat belts are slackened again if the accident does not

happen, or when the critical situation has passed. The proactive occupant protection system is

ready to be triggered again (→ Proactive occupant protection system, Description).

Belt tensioners

The seat belts for the front seat occupants are equipped with belt tensioners.

The belt tensioners are activated by sensors during severe frontal, side and rear collisions. They

tighten the seat belts against the direction in which they are pulled. Any slack in the seat belt is

retracted, which can reduce the forward movement of the vehicle occupants and their

movement in the direction of the impact. The belt tensioner works together with the airbag

system. If the vehicle rolls over, the belt tensioners will not be activated if the side airbags are

not triggered.

A fine dust may be produced when the airbags are triggered. This is quite normal and does not

mean that there is a fire in the vehicle.

Reversible belt tensioning (proactive occupant protection system)

Reversible belt tensioning may trigger in certain driving situations (→ Proactive occupant

protection system, Description). Examples include:

—Strong braking.

—Oversteer or understeer.

—Minor collisions.

Belt tension limiter

The belt tension limiter reduces the pressure exerted by the seat belt on the body during an

accident.

All safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or components of the

system are scrapped. Qualified workshops are familiar with these requirements (→ Belt

tensioner, General safety).

Service and disposal of belt tensioners

Seat belts may become damaged during any work on the belt tensioners or while removing or

refitting any vehicle parts in conjunction with any other repair work. This damage will not always

be noticeable. The consequence may be that the belt tensioners could function incorrectly, or not

function at all, in the event of an accident.

Regulations must be observed to ensure that the effectiveness of the belt tensioner is not

reduced and that removed parts do not cause any injuries or environmental pollution. Qualified

workshops are familiar with these requirements.

WARNING

The risk of severe or fatal injuries may be increased if the seat belts, automatic belt retractors

and belt tensioners are not used correctly, or if they are repaired by a non-professional. As a

result, the belt tensioners may not be triggered when they should, or they may be triggered

unexpectedly.

●

Any repairs, adjustments or removal and refitting of parts in the belt tensioners or seat belts

should always be carried out by a qualified workshop and never by you yourself (→

Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts, Description).

●

Belt tensioners and automatic belt retractors cannot be repaired. They must be replaced.

The airbag modules and belt tensioners may contain perchlorate. Please comply with

legislation regarding disposal.

Seat belts for Your Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals