Get Transporting children safely Guide for Volkswagen Taos SUV First Generation (2022-2025)

The area outlined in red deﬁnes where the Side Curtain Protection® airbags will deploy (deployment zone) ﬁg. 34. Therefore

never place or attach objects in this area ⇒

.

In side collisions and certain head-on collisions, the Side Curtain Protection® airbags will also deploy on both sides.

Side Curtain Protection® airbags offer the “ejection mitigation” function, which protects the vehicle occupants and body parts

from being completely or partially ejected from the vehicle in the event of a side impact collision or if the vehicle rolls over.

The Side Curtain Protection® airbags reduce the risk of injury to vehicle occupants in the front and outer rear seats during a

side collision and certain head-on collisions.

Side Curtain Protection® airbags are composed of the following components:

Control module and sensors.

Side Curtain Protection airbags.

Airbag indicator light ⇒ Indicator light for front passenger’s front airbag .

The Side Curtain Protection® airbags do not deploy in the following situations:

In case of crashes when the ignition is switched off.

In certain side collisions with a low force that does not trigger the sensor.

In case of a rear-end collision.

In the case of certain head-on collisions.

In certain rollovers with a low momentum that do not trigger the sensor.

If the impact speed is too low.

WARNING

An airbag deploys within a few milliseconds and at a very high speed. This could result in objects being thrown through the

vehicle interior. This may cause serious injuries.

Always keep the deployment zones of the airbags clear.

Never attach objects to the covers or in the deployment zones of airbags.

There should be no people, animals, or objects between the vehicle occupants and the airbag deployment zone.

Make sure that children and other passengers also follow this instruction.

Only hang lightweight clothing from the garment hooks in the vehicle. Never store heavy or sharp-edged objects in

pockets.

Do not attach any accessories to the doors.

Do not attach any sunshades to the side windows that are not speciﬁcally approved for use in the vehicle.

Only pivot sunshades toward the side windows if no objects such as pens or garage door openers are attached to

the visor.

Transporting children safely

Introduction

The physical principles in the event of an accident also apply to children. However, due to their size and other factors, they

face a greater risk of injury.

Children and babies must therefore always be transported in child restraint systems that are designed for their age, size,

weight and body structure. In the USA and Canada, the use of tested and certiﬁed child restraint systems is required by law.

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In the case of head-on collisions at speeds of between 30 and 55 km/h (approx. 20–35 mph), a small child weighing 6 kg (13

lbs) will be subjected to forces of more than 20 times their body weight. This means that the child's effective weight will

suddenly increase to up to 120 kg (260 lbs). Under such conditions, only a child restraint used in accordance with regulations

can reduce the risk of injury. However, a child restraint which is not used in accordance with regulations may further increase

the risk of injury!

All children (particularly children under 12 years of age) should always be transported on the rear seats in appropriate child

restraint systems. However, if you must use a child restraint on the front passenger seat in exceptional circumstances, always

follow all the information and warnings available at ⇒

Introduction.

You can ﬁnd more information on this subject at:

National Highway Trafﬁc Safety Administration (NHTSA) (USA):

http://www.safercar.gov

Transport Canada Information Centre (Kanada):

http://www.tc.gc.ca

Read and follow the instructions from the child seat manufacturer to ensure that the seat is appropriate for your child. Also be

sure to read and follow all the information and warnings on child restraint systems in this manual!

WARNING

Even though the Advanced Airbag System is designed to detect child restraint systems on the front passenger seat and to

switch off the front passenger's front airbag, it is not possible to guarantee that the system will perform correctly under all

circumstances and over the vehicle's service life. In the event of an accident, people sitting on the front passenger seat

(particularly children and small children) may suffer serious injuries or death if there is insufﬁcient distance between them

and the airbag when it is deployed (even with the Advanced Airbag System)!

Always place children on the rear seats. This is the safest place for a child. A suitable child restraint that is installed

on the rear seat in accordance with regulations provides the highest level of protection for children and small

children in most accidents.

In compliance with the “low risk” option for children of 3–6 years of age according to the U.S. Federal Standard, the

Advanced Airbag System may be deployed if the electrical capacity of a typical one-year-old child combined with a

child restraint system on the front passenger seat is exceeded and the criteria for deployment of the Advanced

Airbag System are met.

WARNING

Accident statistics have shown that the rear seats offer greater safety than the front seats for children in general.

Always transport children under 12 years of age on the rear seats.

A child who is not secured or is not secured properly can be injured through sliding around in the vehicle interior or

through being ejected from the vehicle during a sudden maneuver or collision. Secure children in the vehicle with a

child restraint that is appropriate for their weight and height and with the safety belt used correctly ⇒ Transporting

children safely.

A child who is not secured or not properly secured is exposed to an increased risk of injury or death through

collision with an airbag. Make sure that children are not within the deployment zone of the airbag.

A child restraint system corresponding to body weight and body size that is installed and used on the rear seats

offers maximum protection for infants and small children in most accident situations.

Child restraints – overview

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Introduction.

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All children (particularly small children and infants) must be transported in child restraints suitable for them. These child

restraints must always be installed correctly. The information in the following table will help you to ﬁnd the suitable child

restraint for your child.

Child restraint type

Use

Birth to 12 months: A child up to 12 months old must always be transported in

a rearward-facing child restraint. There are different types of these:

– Rear-facing child restraints only for infants.

Rear-facing child restraint

– Convertible and multi-purpose child restraints with higher weight and size

restrictions to be able to transport your child for longer in the rear-facing

position.

1–3 years: Transport your child in a rear-facing child restraint for as long as

possible until they have reached the weight and size restrictions. After your

child has reached the weight and size restrictions, you can transport them in a

forward-facing child restraint with the appropriate safety belts.

Rear-facing child restraint before the

transition to a forward-facing child

restraint

4 – 7 years old: Transport your child in a forward-facing child restraint for as

long as possible until they have reached the weight and size restrictions. After

your child has reached the weight and size restrictions, you can transport them

in a booster seat but only on the rear seats.

Forward-facing child restraint

7–12 years: Transport your child in a booster seat until they are large enough

to sit on the seat with the seat belt without a booster seat. The safety belt must

be routed correctly ⇒ Safety belt positioning. You should continue to transport

your child on the rear seats.

Booster seat

Child restraints can be fastened either with a three-point safety belt or with an ISOFIX/lower LATCH fastening system. Many

child restraints also require the use of top tether systems. Depending on countries and federal states, the use of Top Tether

may even be required by law.

How to determine whether a child restraint is installed correctly

The child restraint sits ﬂush with the seat cushion and the backrest, unless the manufacturer of the child restraint permits

a gap between the seat and the child restraint.

The overhang of the child restraint on the seat cushion is not longer than 20% of the child restraint. Always follow the

instructions for the permitted child restraint overhangs.

You should always position the child restraint centrally on the seat.

The clearance of the child restraint forward and sideways is no greater than approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch).

The child restraint must not rest on the belt buckles of the seats. These could be damaged as a result.

When installing multiple child restraints, they must not block each other and must be free-standing and remain

accessible.

The child restraint has been secured correctly using the three-point safety belt or ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage point.

The top tether system of the child restraint has also been used correctly as speciﬁed by the manufacturer.

DANGER

Children sitting on the front seats may suffer severe or fatal injuries in the event of airbag deployment (even if advanced

airbags are used). Not using the child restraint, using it incorrectly or using the wrong child restraint increases the risk of

severe injury or death in the event of an accident.

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Always install child restraints on the rear seats.

If, in exceptional circumstances, you nevertheless install a child restraint on the front passenger seat and the

yellow

PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator light does not come on and stay on, remove the seat immediately

and have the airbag system checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility.

WARNING

If the airbag is deployed, a child restraint on the front passenger seat may collide with the airbag and the child in the child

restraint may suffer severe or even fatal injuries (even if advanced airbags are used).

If you nevertheless install a child restraint on the front passenger seat in exceptional circumstances, always ensure

that the child restraint in use has been approved by the manufacturer for use on the front passenger seat.

Read and always follow the child seat manufacturer's instructions.

Never install a child restraint without the top tether safety belt if the use of a top tether safety belt is prescribed by

the child restraint manufacturer or legally required for the child restraint.

Never position a forward-facing child restraint directly against the instrument panel.

Adjust the seat belt adjuster so that the seat can be installed correctly.

Position the front passenger seat as high as possible and move it as far back as possible in order to obtain the

largest possible distance to the instrument panel.

Make sure that the upper anchorage of the safety belt is behind the child restraint to ensure that the safety belt is

routed correctly.

Make sue that the backrest is in the upright position.

WARNING

A child that is in a child restraint that has been secured with the anchor points or with a safety belt may play with any

unused safety belts on the rear seat and get tangled up, which could result in serious or even fatal injuries.

Always secure unused safety belts to the rear seat. You can do this by putting them around the head restraints

which are furthest away from the installed child restraint and properly securing the safety belt.

NOTICE

Improper use of the lockable safety belt can cause damage to the safety belt.

Make sure that you do not activate the lockable belt system when you secure the safety belts that are not being

used.

Always ensure that you correctly and carefully install a child restraint with the safety belt.

Safety notes on using child restraints

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Introduction.

75

Fig. 35 Danger to infants not wearing safety belts.

The correct use of child restraints signiﬁcantly reduces the risk of injury in the event of an accident or collision!

All children, in particular children under the age of 12, must always travel in suitable child restraints on the rear seat.

Only use child restraints that are suitable for the height and weight of the child.

ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points can be used to secure child restraints on the seats without using the vehicle's safety

belts. If, despite this, you want to install a child restraint with the safety belts instead of ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage

points, follow all the instructions given by the child restraint manufacturer for the belt guide and for securing the child in the

child restraint. Ensure that the child restraint cannot move forward or sideways by more than 2.5 cm (1 inch) after installation.

When installing a child restraint with the safety belt, you must activate the lockable belt system.

Never activate the lockable belt system when installing a booster seat or if a child is traveling without a child restraint.

Once the child restraint is correctly installed, the settings for that seat must no longer be changed. If the seat settings have

been changed, the installation of the child restraint must be checked and, if necessary, adjusted.

If a child restraint is installed on a seat, functions such as the massage function or seat heating ⇒ Using Seat Heating and

Seat Ventilation must not be used on that seat.

Important additional information for installing child restraints on the front passenger seat

If, under exceptional circumstances, you need to install a child restraint on the front passenger seat, read and follow all

warnings and instructions here ⇒

Introduction.

You can ﬁnd additional information on the selection and use of child restraints here:

Transport Canada Information CentreTel.: 1-800-333-0371Tel.: 1-613-998-8616 (Ottawa)http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety

National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationTel.: 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-

9153)http://www.nhtsa.govhttp://www.safercar.gov

National SAFE KIDS CampaignTel.: 1-202-662-0600http://www.safekids.org

SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A.Tel.: 1-800-745-SAFE or 1-800-745-7233 (English)Tel.: 1-800-747-SANO or 1-800-747-7266

(Spanish)http://www.carseat.org

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Volkswagen Customer CARETel.: 1-800-822-8987

DANGER

The use of rear-facing child restraints or infant carriers on the front passenger seat can cause serious or fatal injury.

Rear-facing child restraints or infant carriers must always be installed on the rear seats.

WARNING

Transporting children without a child restraint or with an unsuitable child restraint, or incorrectly installing a child restraint,

increases the risk of severe injury or death in the event of an accident.

Only use child restraints that are suitable for the child and that comply with the regulations set out by FMVSS 213

(CMVSS 213 in Canada).

Only use child restraints that sit on the seat cushion of the vehicle.

When installing the child restraint, follow the instructions given by the manufacturer of the child restraint.

Always observe all legal requirements regarding the installation and use of child restraints.

Children under 145 cm (around 4 ft, 9 in) may only be secured and transported in the vehicle with an appropriate

child restraint.

Only one child must be allowed to travel in a child restraint.

Never drive with children, toddlers or babies on your own lap or another passenger's lap.

WARNING

Forward-facing child restraints on the front passenger seat may collide with the airbag if it is triggered, which can lead to

severe injury or death.

Always install child restraints on the rear seat.

Securing systems

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Introduction.

Different securing systems are used for safe installation of child restraints depending on the country.

Only use the securing systems described here to secure child restraints in the vehicle.

Overview of securing systems

ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points: ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points are attachment systems for quick and

secure attachment of child restraints in the vehicle. Attachment using ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points creates a

ﬁxed connection between the child restraint and the vehicle.

The child restraint can have two ﬁxed or ﬂexible attachment arms. The attachment arms snap into the ISOFIX/lower LATCH

anchorage points that are located between the seat cushion and the rear seat backrest ⇒ Fastening a Child Restraint with

ISOFIX or Lower LATCH Anchorage Point. Reinforce the attachment using the ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points by

attaching with a top tether safety belt or a support bracket, if necessary.

Three-point safety belt: Child restraints can be fastened with a three-point safety belt ⇒ Securing a child restraint with

safety belt.

Additional fasteners:

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Top Tether: the upper belt is guided over the rear seat backrest and secured to the anchorage point on the rear side of

the rear seats using a hook ⇒ Securing the child restraint with the upper strap (top tether) . Top tether anchorages are

labeled with an anchor symbol.

Support base: some child restraints are supported with a support base on the vehicle ﬂoor. The support base reduces

the risk of the child restraint tipping forward in the event of a collision. Only use child restraints with a support foot on the

front passenger seat and the outer seats in the second row of seats ⇒

.

WARNING

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

Make sure the support base is installed correctly and securely.

Always refer to and follow the installation instructions and warnings from the child restraint manufacturer.

Fastening a Child Restraint with ISOFIX or Lower LATCH Anchorage Point

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Introduction.

Installing child restraints with ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage point

Fig. 36 On the outer seats in the rear bench seat: Designation of the ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points for child

restraints.

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Fig. 37 Fitting a child restraint with arms (general example).

The installation location of the ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points is indicated by a symbol ﬁg. 36.

1. Pay attention to and follow the information → page , Safety notes on using child restraints.

2. If necessary, fold down the protective caps of the ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage points.

3. Push the attachment arms of the child restraint in the direction of the arrow onto the ISOFIX/lower LATCH anchorage

points ﬁg. 37. The child restraint must engage securely and audibly.

4. Pull on both sides of the child restraint to check that the child restraint is securely locked in place.

If the child restraint is equipped with a support foot, this support foot must be positioned securely on the vehicle ﬂoor.

Securing the child restraint with the upper strap (top tether)

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Introduction.

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Fig. 38 On the rear side of the rear bench seat: Top tether anchorages for the top tether safety belt.

Fig. 39 On the rear side of the rear bench seat: attached top tether safety belt.

Top tether safety belts reduce the forward movement of the child restraint during an accident. This reduces the risk of a head

injury to the child.

The anchorages suitable for top tether are labeled with a symbol and may have the label “TOP TETHER” ﬁg. 38. Fasten the

top tether safety belt only to the top tether anchorages designed for this purpose.

Fastening the top tether safety belt

1. Pay attention to and follow the information → page , Safety notes on using child restraints.

2. Prepare the top tether safety belt on the child restraint according to the child restraint manufacturer instructions

3. If necessary, remove the luggage compartment cover and screen separator.

⇒

.

4. Place the child restraint in the center of the vehicle seat cushion and fasten it securely according to the child restraint

manufacturer instructions.

5. If necessary, move the rear seat backrest of the vehicle seat to an upright position and adjust to the backrest of the child

restraint.

6. Locate the top tether anchorage for the respective seat ﬁg. 38.

7. If necessary, push the head restraint upwards and guide the top tether safety belt of the child restraint to the rear under th

head restraint.

Applies to child restraints with a V-shaped top tether safety belt: Check that the top tether safety belt is taut on the seat

and is not redirected by the bars of the head restraint.

8. Guide the top tether safety belt of the child restraint back over the seat.

9. Hook the top tether safety belt into the appropriate anchorage marked with “top tether” ﬁg. 39.

10. Pull on the top tether safety belt.

11. Check that the hook of the top tether safety belt is closed.

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12. Tighten the top tether safety belt according to the child restraint manufacturer instructions ⇒

.

13. If necessary, guide the head restraint back into the starting position.

WARNING

Fastening the child restraint incorrectly increases the risk of serious and fatal injuries during an accident.

Always follow the child restraint manufacturer instructions for fastening the child restraint in the vehicle.

Never fasten a child restraint without the top tether safety belt if the use of a top tether safety belt is prescribed by

the child restraint manufacturer or legally required for the child restraint.

For example, the use of a top tether safety belt in conjunction with a forward-facing child restraint is legally required

in Canada.

Improper fastening of the top tether safety belt can lead to serious injuries during an accident. The top tether

anchorages are only approved for correctly installed child restraints.

Always only fasten a top tether safety belt of a child restraint to a top tether anchorage.

Never fasten a child restraint top tether safety belt to a tie-down.

Never fasten a safety belt or another belt of the child restraint to a top tether anchorage.

Never fasten luggage or other objects to a top tether anchorage.

Releasing the top tether safety belt

1. Release the top tether safety belt according to the child restraint manufacturer instructions.

2. Release the catch on the hook and release the top tether safety belt from the top tether anchorage.

Securing a child restraint with a safety belt

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Introduction.

Locking the safety belt

If a child restraint is fastened with a safety belt, the safety belt must be locked. Note the instructions provided by the child

restraint manufacturer.

If a safety belt is locked, the belt cannot unwind. A locked safety belt prevents the safety belt being released during the journe

which can mean that the child restraint is no longer sufﬁciently secured.

1. Pay attention to and follow the information → page , Safety notes on using child restraints.

2. If available, adjust the height of the safety belt so that the belt webbing runs naturally along the child restraint without any

sharp bends in the webbing.

3. Install the child restraint according to the guide from the child restraint manufacturer and ensure that the safety belt mean

for the seat is used.

4. Insert the buckle tongue into the belt buckle belonging to the corresponding seat, until the buckle tongue latches into

place.

5. Check that the safety belt is not twisted.

6. Check that the lap section of the safety belt is taut.

7. Completely pull out the shoulder belt section of the safety belt and then let it gently roll up.

While the safety belt is being rolled up, a clicking sound can be heard. Once the safety belt is locked, it cannot be further

pulled out.

8. Press the child restraint into the seat and let the safety belt roll up further. If necessary, return the shoulder belt section of

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the safety belt to the automatic safety belt retractor by hand.

9. Pull the belt guide of the child restraint.

Check that the child restraint cannot move further than 2.5 cm (approx. 1 inch).

Releasing the locked safety belt

The lockable safety belt may only be used to fasten certain child restraint systems in the vehicle. An activated locking

mechanism must be released when a vehicle occupant fastens their safety belt.

1. Release the safety belt from the belt buckle.

2. Remove the child restraint according to the instructions from the child restraint manufacturer.

3. Press the red button in the belt buckle and guide the safety belt back fully by hand.

The safety belt is no longer locked.

Keep any safety belts that are not being used out of the reach of children

Fig. 40 Securing unused safety belts (general example).

Secure any safety belts not being used to prevent a child from playing with the safety belt and getting caught in it. The

procedure for securing a safety belt that is not being used depends on the seating position.

To secure a safety belt that is not being used for one of the outer seats:

1. Position the safety belt around the head restraint of the center seating position ﬁg. 40.

2. Make sure that the safety belt is out of range of any children so that children cannot touch it or play with it.

3. Make sure that the safety belt is not blocking the lower anchors.

If the anchor points are blocked, this may mean that you cannot install the child restraint properly in the anchor points.

4. Do not activate the lockable safety belt.

Otherwise, it is very difﬁcult to retract the safety belt into its normal position. You should not hear any clicking noises when

the safety belt is retracted.

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To secure a safety belt that is not being used for the middle seat:

1. Insert the buckle tongue of the safety belt in the belt buckle belonging to the seat ﬁg. 40.

2. Pull the shoulder strap on the safety belt out fully to activate the lockable safety belt. You should hear a clicking noise

when the safety belt is rolled up again.

3. Let the safety belt roll up fully. Pull the safety belt to make sure that the lockable safety belt is activated and the safety bel

is properly fastened and tightened so that the child cannot get hold of the belt or play with it.

If a child is secured on a seat in the second row, adjust the position in front of the child restraint to ensure that the child has

enough space. For example, adjust the front passenger seat to the size of the child and the child directly behind them. Always

pay attention to the correct seating position ⇒ Seating position.

if no child restraints are needed, move all the safety belts back into their normal storage positions so that the safety belts are

available for normal use.

Installing on the center seating position

When installing a child restraint on the center seating position, it is especially important to install correctly because this seating

position is narrower than both of the outer seats. If the child restraint is wider than the seat surface, the belt buckle of the

adjacent seating position may be covered and could then be damaged. When installing child seats, always ensure that all belt

buckles are easily accessible.

If nothing else is speciﬁed by the child restraint manufacturer, the child restraint must rest close against the backrest and

seat surface and must not overlap seat surfaces.

The child restraint must be installed straight and centered on the seating position, and it must not be able to move more

than 2.5 cm (approx. 1 inch).

The child restraint must not rest on the belt buckles.

When installing multiple child restraints, the child restraints must not become caught on one another.

In some cases, even if a child restraint is installed correctly on the center seating position, it may cover the belt buckles and

could then damage them and make the belt buckles unusable. This can occur if the child restraint slides on the seat surface

while driving. Therefore, check the position of the child restraint regularly to ensure that the belt buckles are neither covered

nor damaged.

WARNING

A child that is in a child restraint that has been secured with the anchor points or with a safety belt may play with any

unused safety belts on the rear seat and get tangled up, which could result in serious or even fatal injuries.

Always keep any safety belts for the rear seats that are not being used out of the reach of children.

Securing a booster seat with a safety belt

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Introduction.

83

Fig. 41 Correctly fastened child on a booster seat (general example).

Children between the ages of around 8 and 12 are best protected when they travel on a booster seat that is suitable for their

age and height.

The safety belts of the vehicle generally only ﬁt children 145 cm (approx. 4 ft, 9 in) tall or taller. Booster seats ensure that

children under this height can be correctly fastened using the safety belt.

Never activate the lockable belt system when securing children on a booster seat with a belt.

The upper area of the belt must always be positioned on the child's shoulder. Ensure that the belt does not rest on the

child's face or neck.

The lap belt must always run across the child's lap. It must never run across the child's stomach.

Children above 145 cm (approx. 4 ft, 9 in) can generally always be secured with the safety belt. Pay attention to the

information at ⇒ Safety belt positioning.

Your child no longer needs a booster seat if they are taller than 145 cm (approx. 4 ft, 9 in) and the following conditions are

met:

The child is seated with their back fully against the backrest.

The child's knees bend over the edge of the seat.

The child's feet sit fully ﬂat on the vehicle ﬂoor.

The child can comfortably stay in this position for the entire journey.

Children aged 12 or under must always travel on a rear seat.

WARNING

Not using or incorrectly using a booster seat or incorrectly fastening a safety belt can result in severe injury or death in the

event of an accident.

Always observe all instructions regarding the installation and use of child restraints and booster seats.

If, under exceptional circumstances, you need to install a booster seat on the front passenger seat, ensure that the

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Transporting children safely for Your Volkswagen Taos SUV First Generation (2022-2025)

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