Get Sitting correctly and safely -> Airbag system Guide for Volkswagen Up 4 Door First Generation (2011-2019)

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. A loose seat belt is retracted,

which can reduce the forward movement or the movement of the vehicle occupants in the direction

of the impact. The belt tensioner works together with the airbag system. If the side airbags are not

activated, the belt tensioner will not be activated if the vehicle rolls over.

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.

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 ⇒ Service and disposal of belt

tensioners.

Service and disposal of belt tensioners

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

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 yourself

⇒ Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts.

•

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.

Airbag system

Introduction

This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:

⇒ Types of front passenger front airbag system

⇒ Indicator lamps

⇒ Description and function of the airbags

⇒ Front airbags

⇒ Switching the front passenger front airbag on and off manually using the key-operated switch

⇒ Side airbags

The vehicle is equipped with a front airbag for the driver and front passenger. The front airbags can

provide front seat occupants with additional chest and head protection if the seat, seat belts, head

restraints and, in the case of the driver, steering wheel are adjusted and used correctly. Airbags are

meant only for additional protection. The airbags are not a substitute for seat belts. Seat belts must

always be worn, even when the front seats are equipped with front airbags.

Additional information and warnings:

•

Driving tips ⇒ Driving tips

Central locking system ⇒ Central locking system

Correct sitting position ⇒ Adjusting the seat position

Seat belts ⇒ Seat belts

Child seats (accessories) ⇒ Child seats (accessories)

Cleaning and caring for the interior ⇒ Cleaning and caring for the interior

Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts ⇒ Accessories, modifications, repairs

and renewal of parts

•

Consumer information ⇒ Consumer information

WARNING

Never rely solely on the airbag system for your protection.

•

Even if an airbag is triggered, it only offers auxiliary protection.

The airbag system offers the best level of protection, and reduces the risk of injury, when

seat belts are properly worn ⇒ Seat belts.

•

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.

WARNING

The risk of injury increases if there are any objects located between the vehicle occupants

and the deployment area of the airbag when it is triggered. This will alter the deployment zone

of the airbag, or the objects will be flung against the body.

•

Never hold any objects in your hand or on your lap while the vehicle is in motion.

Never transport any objects on the front passenger seat. 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.

•

Occupants of the front seats and rear seats must never carry any people, pets or objects

in the deployment space between them and the airbags. Ensure that children and

passengers keep to this rule.

WARNING

The airbag system can only be triggered once. The system will have to be replaced if the

airbags have been triggered.

•

Airbags that have been triggered, and any affected system parts, must immediately be

replaced with new parts that are approved by Volkswagen for the vehicle.

•

Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified

workshop. Qualified workshops have the necessary tools, diagnostic equipment, repair

information and qualified personnel.

•

Never use recycled airbag components or components that have been taken from end-of-

life vehicles in your vehicle.

Never alter any components of the airbag system.

WARNING

A fine dust may develop when the airbags trigger. 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.

•

Do not let the dust get into your eyes or into open wounds.

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.

Types of front passenger front airbag system

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

Volkswagen offers 2 different front airbag systems for front passengers:

A

B

Features of the front passenger front Features of the front passenger front

airbag that can only be switched off airbag that can be switched off

by a qualified workshop.

manually using the key-operated

switch ⇒ Switching the front passenger front

airbag on and off manually using the key-

operated switch.

– Indicator lamp

in the instrument cluster.

– Indicator lamp

in the instrument cluster.

– Indicator lamp in the dash panel

PASSENGER AIR BAG

– Front passenger front airbag in the dash

panel.

.

– Key-operated switch in the dash panel on the

front passenger side.

– Front passenger front airbag in the dash

panel.

Name: airbag system.

Indicator lamps

Name: airbag system with front

passenger front airbag deactivation.

Fig. 53 In the upper part of the centre console: indicator lamp for disabled front passenger front

airbag

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

Lit up Location

Possible cause

Solution

Proceed to a qualified workshop to

have the system checked

immediately.

Instrument

cluster

Fault in airbag and belt

tensioner system.

Proceed to a qualified workshop to

have the system checked

immediately.

Fault in the airbag system.

Dash panel

Front passenger front airbag Check whether the airbag should

switched off. stay switched off.

Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is

switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.

If the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG

is not continuously lit or if it lights up

together with the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster when the front passenger front airbag

is switched off, there may be a fault in the airbag system ⇒

.

WARNING

If there is a fault in the airbag system, the airbag may not trigger correctly, may not trigger at

all or may trigger unexpectedly. This can cause severe or fatal injuries.

•

The airbag system should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.

Never fit a child seat to the front passenger seat or remove a child seat that is already

fitted. The front passenger front airbag may trigger during an accident in spite of the fault.

NOTICE

To avoid damage to your vehicle, always observe the indicator lamps and associated warning

texts.

Description and function of the airbags

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

The airbags can protect vehicle occupants during frontal and side collisions by reducing their

movement in the direction of the collision.

When an airbag is triggered, it is inflated by a gas generator. This causes the airbag covers to

break, and the airbags inflate forcefully to cover their deployment zones within milliseconds. Once a

vehicle occupant wearing a seat belt starts to sink into the inflated airbag, the gas inside the airbag

starts to escape to cushion the occupant and slow down their movement. This can reduce the risk

of severe and fatal injuries. A triggered airbag will not always prevent other injuries such as

swelling, bruising and grazing. Deployment of a triggered airbag can also result in frictional heat.

Airbags provide no protection for the arms or lower body.

The most important factors for triggering the airbag are the type of accident, the angle of impact,

the vehicle speed and the type of object with which the vehicle collides. Therefore, visible damage

to the vehicle does not always mean that the airbag should have been triggered.

The triggering of the airbag system depends on the vehicle deceleration rate caused by the collision

and registered by the electronic control unit. If this rate is below the reference value programmed

into the control unit, the airbags will not be triggered, even though the vehicle may be badly

damaged as a result of the collision. Vehicle damage, repair costs or even the lack of vehicle

damage in an accident do not necessarily give an indication of whether an airbag should inflate or

not. It is not possible to define a range of vehicle speeds and reference values, since the

circumstances will vary considerably between one collision and another. It is therefore impossible to

cover every possible kind and angle of impact that would trigger the airbags. Important factors in

the triggering of the airbag include the nature (hard or soft) of the object that the vehicle hits, the

angle of impact, and the vehicle speed.

Airbags only serve as a supplement to the three-point seat belt in some accident situations when

the vehicle braking is sufficient to trigger the airbags. Airbags can only be triggered once and only

in certain situations. The seat belts are always there to provide protection in situations in which the

airbags are not triggered or have already been triggered. For example, if the vehicle collides with a

further vehicle following the initial collision, or is hit by another vehicle.

The airbag system is part of the vehicle's overall passive safety concept. The airbag system can

only work effectively when the occupants are wearing their seat belts correctly and have assumed a

proper sitting position

⇒ Adjusting the seat position.

Components of the vehicle safety concept

The following vehicle safety equipment makes up the vehicle's safety concept to reduce the risk of

severe and fatal injuries. Some of this equipment may not be fitted in your particular vehicle. It may

not be available at all in some countries.

•

Optimised seat belts for all seats.

Belt tensioners for driver and front passenger.

Belt tension limiters for driver and front passenger.

Warning lamp

.

Front airbags for driver and front passenger.

Side airbags for driver and front passenger.

Airbag indicator lamp

.

Control units and sensors.

Head restraints optimised for rear impact.

Adjustable steering column.

If fitted, ISOFIX anchor points for child seats on the rear outer seats.

If applicable, securing points for the top tether for child seats.

Situations in which the front and side airbags will not be triggered:

•

If the ignition is switched off during a collision.

•

If the level of deceleration measured by the control unit is too low during a collision at the front

of the vehicle.

•

During a minor side collision.

During rear collisions.

If the vehicle rolls over.

If the speed in a collision is lower than the reference value specified in the control unit.

Front airbags

Fig. 54 Location and deployment zone of the driver front airbag

Fig. 55 Location and deployment zone of the front passenger front airbag

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

In conjunction with the seat belts, the front airbag system gives the front occupants additional

protection for the head and chest in the event of a severe frontal collision. Always keep as far away

from the front airbag as possible ⇒ Adjusting the seat position. This allows the front airbags to

inflate fully when triggered, thus providing maximum protection.

The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel ⇒ Fig. 54 and the front airbag for the

front passenger is located in the dash panel ⇒ Fig. 55. The airbag locations are identified by the

text AIRBAG.

The areas inside the red lines ⇒ Fig. 54 and ⇒ Fig. 55 are covered by the front airbags when

triggered (deployment zone). For this reason, you must never leave or attach any objects in these

areas ⇒

. Any factory-fitted accessories will not be struck if the driver and front passenger front

airbags are deployed.

The airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel ⇒ Fig. 54 or dash panel ⇒ Fig. 55 when the driver

and front passenger front airbags trigger. The airbag covers remain connected to the steering

wheel or the dash panel.

DANGER

Once triggered, the airbag inflates at high speed.

•

Always leave the deployment zones of the front airbags clear.

Never attach any objects, such as drink or telephone holders, to the covers of the airbags

or anywhere in the airbag deployment zone.

•

Vehicle occupants sitting on the front seats must never carry any people, pets or objects in

the deployment zone between themselves and the airbags.

Do not attach any objects, e.g. mobile navigation devices, to the windscreen above the

front airbag on the front passenger side.

Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the soft plastic surface of the

airbag unit in the dash panel on the front passenger side, and do not modify them in any

way.

WARNING

The front airbags are deployed in front of the steering wheel ⇒ Fig. 54 and dash panel

⇒ Fig. 55.

•

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 between your breastbone and the hub

of the steering wheel. Contact a qualified workshop if your physical build makes this

impracticable.

•

Adjust the front passenger seat so that the distance between the passenger and the dash

panel is as large as possible.

Switching the front passenger front airbag on and off manually using

the key-operated switch

Fig. 56 On the front passenger side: key switch for disabling and enabling the front airbag on the

front passenger side

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

The front passenger front airbag must be switched off when securing a rear-facing child seat to

the front passenger seat.

Disabling the front passenger front airbag

•

Switch off the ignition.

Open the door on the front passenger side.

Fold out the key bit of the vehicle key ⇒ Vehicle key set.

Use the open key bit to turn the key switch ⇒ Fig. 56 to the OFF position.

Close the door on the front passenger side.

When the ignition is switched on, the PASSENGER AIR BAG

up permanently in the dash panel ⇒ Indicator lamps.

indicator lamp will light

Enabling the front passenger front airbag

•

Switch off the ignition.

Open the door on the front passenger side.

Fold out the key bit of the vehicle key ⇒ Vehicle key set.

Use the open key bit to turn the key switch ⇒ Fig. 56 to the ON position.

Close the door on the front passenger side.

Check that the PASSENGER AIR BAG

indicator lamp in the dash panel does not

light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ Indicator lamps.

Identifying characteristics for a disabled front passenger front airbag

A disabled front passenger front airbag is identified only when the PASSENGER AIR BAG

indicator lamp is displayed in the dash panel (

lights up yellow continuously)

⇒ Indicator lamps.

If the indicator lamp

in the dash panel is not lit up steadily, or if it lights up at the same

in the instrument cluster, do not attach any child restraint system to the

time as indicator lamp

front passenger seat for safety reasons. The front passenger front airbag may trigger during an

accident.

WARNING

The front passenger front airbag should only be switched off in exceptional circumstances.

•

To prevent damage to the airbag system, only switch the front passenger front airbag on

and off 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.

Only switch the front passenger front airbag off if, in exceptional circumstances, a child

seat has to be attached to the front passenger seat.

Switch the front passenger front airbag back on again as soon as the child seat on the

front passenger seat is no longer being used.

Side airbags

Fig. 57 On left-hand side of vehicle: deployment zone of the side airbag (variant A). On the side of

the front seat: location and deployment range of the side airbag (variant B)

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

The side airbags are located in the outer seat backrest cushions of the driver seat and front

passenger seat ⇒ Fig. 57 B. The locations of the airbags are marked with stickers with the word

AIRBAG. The areas marked in red ⇒ Fig. 57 indicate the side airbag deployment zones.

During a side collision, the side airbag will be deployed on the vehicle's side of impact, reducing the

risk of injury to the areas of the occupants' heads and bodies facing the impact.

WARNING

Once triggered, the airbag inflates at high speed.

•

Always leave the deployment zones of the side airbags clear.

No other persons, animals or objects may be located between the occupants of the front

seats and the airbag deployment zone.

•

Do not fit any accessories to the doors.

Do not fit seat covers or protective covers over the seats unless they have been expressly

approved for use in the vehicle. Otherwise the side airbag may not be able to inflate if it

has been triggered.

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 alter any components of these seats.

If too much pressure is applied to the backrest side bolster, the side airbags may not be

triggered correctly, may not trigger at all, or may trigger unexpectedly.

•

Any damage to the original seat upholstery or around the seams of the side airbag units

must be repaired immediately by a qualified workshop.

Child seats (accessories)

Introduction

This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:

⇒ General information on transporting children in the vehicle

⇒ Various securing systems

⇒ Using a child seat on the front passenger seat

⇒ Using a child seat on the rear seats

⇒ Securing child seats with a seat belt

⇒ Securing child seats using lower anchoring points (ISOFIX, LATCH)

⇒ Securing child seats with the top tether

It is imperative that you read all of the information concerning the airbag system before transporting

babies or children in a child seat on the front passenger seat.

This information is very important for the safety of the driver and the safety of all passengers,

babies and small children in particular.

Volkswagen recommends using child seats from Volkswagen's range of accessories. These child

seats were developed and approved for use in Volkswagen vehicles. Child seats for the various

different securing systems are available from a Volkswagen dealership.

Additional information and warnings:

•

Seat belts ⇒ Seat belts

•

Airbag system ⇒ Airbag system

Sitting correctly and safely -> Airbag system for Your Volkswagen Up 4 Door First Generation (2011-2019)

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