Safety belt retractor, pretensioner, load limiter
ꢀPlease first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
The safety belts in the vehicle are part of the vehicle's safety concept, Safety equipment, , Safety
equipment and consist of the following important features:
Automatic safety belt retractors
Every safety belt is equipped with an automatic belt retractor on the shoulder belt. As long as the
safety belt is pulled out slowly, the shoulder belt will extend to let you move freely under normal driving
conditions. The automatic safety belt retractor locks the belt when the belt is pulled out fast, during
hard braking and in a collision. The belt may also lock when you drive up or down a steep hill or
through a sharp curve.
Safety belt pretensioner
The safety belt retractors for the driver and front seat passenger have a pretensioner that helps take
the slack out of the safety belt and tighten it when the pretensioner is activated.
The pretensioners are activated by the electronic control unit for the airbag system in front, side, and
rear collisions. By tightening the safety belt, the pretensioner helps to reduce the occupant's forward
movement. The belt pretensioner works together with the airbag system; its function is monitored by
the airbag system indicator light. The belt pretensioner will not deploy in a rollover if the side airbags
are not activated.
A fine dust may be released upon activation. This is normal and is not caused by a fire in the vehicle.
Safety belt load limiter
The front safety belts also have load limiters to help reduce the forces applied to the body in a crash.
Heed all safety regulations if the vehicle or individual components of the system have to be
scrapped. Your authorized Volkswagen dealer and authorized Volkswagen Service Facility are familiar
with these regulations, Service and disposal of belt pretensioners.
Service and disposal of belt pretensioners
ꢀPlease first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
The pretensioners are part of the safety belts installed at the front seats in your vehicle. Installing,
removing, servicing, or repairing of safety belt pretensioners can damage the safety belt system and
prevent it from working correctly in a collision. The pretensioners themselves may then also not work
in the event of an accident, or not work properly.
There are some important things you have to know to make sure that the effectiveness of the system
will not be impaired and that discarded components do not cause injury or pollute the environment.
Undeployed safety belt pretensioners and airbag modules contain explosive materials that can cause
serious injuries to the general public and to people who work at dealerships and workshops, scrap
yards, and recycling facilities. For this reason, the systems must be properly handled when they or the
vehicles they are installed in are scrapped.
Undeployed safety belt pretensioners and airbag modules can also pollute the environment. Never
abandon vehicles or vehicle parts. If your vehicle must be scrapped, please make sure that it is done
safely, responsibly, and in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations. Take it to a
licensed facility that has the knowledge and experience to properly dispose of the vehicle and its
safety belt system. Your authorized Volkswagen dealer and authorized Volkswagen Service Facility
are familiar with these regulations.
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