Get Restraint systems and airbags Guide for Volkswagen Virtus 4 Door First Generation (2018-2023)

NOTICE

Restraint systems and air-

bags

Risk of mirror damage!

If the electrically foldable mirror is accidentally

·

knocked out by external influences, e.g. due to an

impact during manoeuvring, fold the mirror in us-

ing the rotary knob and wait for an audible click.

Seat belts

Use

Seat belts that are fastened correctly offer very

good protection in the event of an accident. They re-

duce the risk of an injury and increase the chance of

survival in the event of a major accident.

Settings

Automatic folding of electrically foldable mirrors is

activated or deactivated in the following Infotain-

ment menu:

10" Infotainment system:

Car Mirrors and wipers

What you should be mindful of

WARNING

Troubleshooting

The seat belts must not be removed or altered

in any way.

·

Fault in the electric mirror glass control

If the driver's seat belt is damaged, stop driving.

·

— Press lightly on the edge of the mirror surface

with your fingers to adjust it.

If another seat belt is damaged, the seat must

not be occupied.

Do not repair damaged seat belts yourself.

·

Have a damaged seat belt replaced immediately

by a specialist garage.

Functionality

Automatic belt retractor

The automatic retractor locks the belt if it is pulled

suddenly. The belts lock, for example, during sudden

braking, when the car accelerates, when driving

downhill and when cornering.

WARNING

If the seat belt does not lock when pulled sud-

denly, have the retractor checked by a specialist

garage.

·

Belt tensioners

The safety of the driver and front passenger wearing

their seat belts is enhanced by belt tensioners.

During a collision of certain force, the seat belt is

tightened by the belt tensioner to prevent unwanted

body movement.

The belt tensioner can also be deployed when the

seat belt is not fastened.

Seat belts

35

Belt tensioners are not activated in the event of

light collisions or accidents in which no major forces

are produced.

Unfastening the seat belt

Smoke is released when the belt tensioner is

deployed. This does not indicate a vehicle fire.

Status display on the instrument cluster screen

The screen may vary, depending on its type:

illuminates or flashes – unfastened seat belt

at the front or rear

Illuminated – unoccupied rear seat

flashes – rear seat belt not fastened

1. Hold the buckle latch and release it by pressing

the red button.

2. Hold the belt so it does not twist when rolling

up.

illuminates or flashes – a rear seat belt not

fastened

Troubleshooting

illuminated – a rear seat belt not fastened

illuminated – a rear seat belt fastened

Blocked belt retractor

1. Hold the strap in the middle and pull smoothly.

2. Hold the strap and let it roll up slowly.

Operation

3. Pull on the strap to check if the retractor is

working properly.

Fastening the seat belt

4. If the strap is still blocked, repeat the unlocking

procedure once or twice.

5. If the strap is still blocked, seek help from a spe-

cialist garage.

Child seat

What you should be mindful of

1. Hold the lock tongue and slowly pull the belt

over the chest and pelvis towards the buckle.

When installing and using the child car seat, follow

the national legislation and follow the instructions in

this Owner's Manual and the child car seat manufac-

turer's instructions.

2. Insert the lock tongue into the buckle until

there is an audible click.

3. Pull on the belt to ensure that the lock tongue is

securely fastened.

For safety reasons, we always recommend that chil-

dren are transported in the back seats. Only trans-

36

Restraint systems and airbags

port children in the front passenger seat in excep-

tional cases.

— When using a rear-facing child seat in the front

passenger seat, deactivate the front passenger

airbag » page 45, Operation.

Only use child seats that comply with the regula-

tions ECE-R 44 and ECE-R 129 of the European Eco-

nomic Commission and regulations AIS072 and GSO

1709/2005.

— If possible, adjust the front passenger seat back-

rest so that it is vertical, to ensure that there is

secure contact between the backrest and the

child seat.

Child seats in accordance with the standards ECE-R

44 and ECE-R 129 are marked with: a large E in

a circle, with the test number below.

— If possible, move the front passenger seat back-

wards so that there is no contact between the

front passenger seat and the child seat behind it.

NOTICE

— Adjust the height-adjustable passenger seat as

high as possible.

Incorrectly attaching the child seat or installing

a non-approved type of child seat can cause irrever-

sible damage to the ISOFIX system, the retaining

rings and other vehicle parts.

— Position the front passenger seat belt as high as

possible.

WARNING

Risk of the seat belt causing a neck injury to the

child being transported!

Before installing a forward-facing child seat, ad-

·

For child seats in groups 2 and 3, ensure that

just the headrest so that it is as high as possible.

·

the guide fitting attached to the child seat

headrest is positioned in front of or at the same

height as the seat belt height adjuster on the

central body pillar.

If the headrest even in the highest position pre-

·

vents the installation of the child seat, it is nec-

essary to remove the headrest, see the Owner's

Manual. After removing the child seat, refit the

headrest.

Adjust the height of the front passenger seat

·

belt so that the belt passes through the guide

fitting without kinking and is not bent over the

edge of the guide fitting.

Using a child seat in the front pas-

senger seat

WARNING

Activate the front passenger airbag when you

are no longer using a rear-facing child seat in

the passenger seat.

·

When using a child seat in the passenger seat, all

country-specific regulations must be observed.

WARNING

Risk of death or serious injury to the child!

Recommended child seats

Never use a rear-facing child seat in the front

·

passenger seat, which is protected by an active

airbag in front of the child.

Child seats are divided into groups in accordance

with the ECE-R 44 and AIS072 regulations.

This is also indicated by the following sticker on the

front passenger’s sun visor:

Category

Weight of the child

0

0+

1

up to 10 kg

up to 13 kg

9–18 kg

2

3

15–25 kg

22–36 kg

Child seats are divided into groups in accordance

with the GSO 1709/2005 regulation.

Category

Weight of the child

The following instructions must be followed when

using a child seat in the front passenger seat:

0

1

2

up to 10 kg

9–18 kg

15–25 kg

Child seat

37

range. These child seats have been tested for use in

Volkswagen vehicles.

Category

Weight of the child

3

22–36 kg

Volkswagen recommends using child seats

from the Volkswagen Genuine Accessories

Fasteners for child seats

Use of child seats

Child seats that use the ISOFIXsystem

Overview of applicability of child seats in accordance with the ECE-R 16 and AIS072 regulations.

Passenger seat

Size category of child

Category

Without activated front

With activated front air-

bag

seat^a)

airbag^b)

0

E

X

(up to 10 kg)

E

D

C

D

C

B

B1

A

0+

X

(up to 13 kg)

1

X

(9–18 kg)

2

–

X

(15–25 kg)

3

(22–36 kg)

a)

b)

The size category of the child seat is indicated on the child seat plate.

If the passenger seat is equipped with the ISOFIX system retaining rings, it is suitable for fitting an ISOFIX child

seat with “Semi-Universal” approval.

Rear seats

Size category of child

Category

seat^a)

Outer seats

Centre seat

0

E

IL

X

(up to 10 kg)

E

D

C

D

C

B

B1

A

0+

IL

X

(up to 13 kg)

1

IL

IUF

(9–18 kg)

2

–

IL

X

(15–25 kg)

3

(22–36 kg)

38

Restraint systems and airbags

Rear seats

Size category of child

seat^a)

Category

Outer seats

Centre seat

a)

The size category of the child seat is indicated on the child seat plate.

“IL” The seat is suitable for ISOFIX child seats with “Semi-Universal” approval.

“IUF” The seat is suitable for forward-facing child seats permitted for use in this weight category.

“X” The seat is not equipped with ISOFIX system retaining rings.

Child seats that use the ISOFIX system

Overview of applicability of child seats in accordance with the GSO 1709/2005 regulation.

Passenger seat

Category

Without activated front airbag^a)

With activated front airbag

0

X

(up to 10 kg)

1

(9–18 kg)

2

(15–25 kg)

3

X

(22–36 kg)

a)

If the passenger seat is equipped with the ISOFIX system retaining rings, it is suitable for fitting an ISOFIX child

seat with “Semi-Universal” approval.

Rear seats

Category

Outer seats

Centre seat

0

IL

X

(up to 10 kg)

1

(9–18 kg)

2

(15–25 kg)

3

IL

IUF

X

IL

(22–36 kg)

“IL” The seat is suitable for ISOFIX child seats with “Semi-Universal” approval.

“IUF” The seat is suitable for forward-facing child seats permitted for use in this weight category.

“X” The seat is not equipped with ISOFIX system retaining rings.

Child seat fastened with a safety belt

Overview of applicability of child seats in accordance with the ECE-R 16 and AIS072 regulations.

Passenger seat

Category

With activated front airbag^a)

Without activated front airbag

0

U^b)

X

(up to 10 kg)

0+

(up to 13 kg)

X

Fasteners for child seats

39

Passenger seat

Category

With activated front airbag^a)

Without activated front airbag

1

(9–18 kg)

2

(15–25 kg)

3

U^b)

UF

X

(22–36 kg)

a)

b)

Adjust the height-adjustable front seat as high as possible.

Applies to rear-facing child seats.

Rear seats

Category

Outer seats

Centre seat

0

U

X

(up to 10 kg)

0+

X

(up to 13 kg)

1

(9–18 kg)

2

(15–25 kg)

3

(22–36 kg)

“U” The seat is suitable for child seats in the “Universal” category permitted for use in this weight group.

“UF” The seat is suitable for forward-facing child seats in the “Universal” category and is permitted for use in

this weight group.

“X” The seat is not suitable for children in this weight group.

Child seat fastened with a safety belt

Overview of applicability of child seats in accordance with the GSO 1709/2005 regulation.

Passenger seat

Category

With activated front airbag^a)

Without activated front airbag

0

U^b)

X

(up to 10 kg)

1

(9–18 kg)

2

(15–25 kg)

3

U^b)

X

UF

X

(22–36 kg)

a)

b)

Adjust the height-adjustable front seat as high as possible.

Applies to rear-facing child seats.

Rear seats

Category

Outer seats

Centre seat

0

U

X

(up to 10 kg)

40

Restraint systems and airbags

Rear seats

Category

Outer seats

Centre seat

1

(9–18 kg)

2

(15–25 kg)

3

U

X

U

X

(22–36 kg)

“U” The seat is suitable for child seats in the “Universal” category permitted for use in this weight group.

“UF” The seat is suitable for forward-facing child seats in the “Universal” category and is permitted for use in

this weight group.

“X” The seat is not suitable for children in this weight group.

i-Size

Passenger seat

Rear seats

With activated front air- Without activated front

Outer seats

Centre seat

bag

airbag

X

i-U

X

“i-U”The seat is suitable for forward-facing and rear-facing i-Size child seats in the “Universal” category.

“X” The seat is not suitable for i-Size child seats in the “Universal” category.

Overview

Follow the instructions and notes at the beginning

of this chapter » page 36, What you should be mind-

ful of.

ISOFIX

The ISOFIX system allows the child seat to be instal-

led quickly and securely. The retaining rings for in-

stalling the child seat using the ISOFIX system are

located on the outer rear seats.

Mounting retaining rings for installing the child seat

using the ISOFIX system.

WARNING

TOP TETHER

Do not attach any other child seats, belts or ob-

jects to the mounting eyelets used to install the

·

WARNING

child seat with the ISOFIX System provided.

Child seats with the TOP TETHER system can

only be used on seats equipped with mounting

retaining rings with the TOP TETHER symbol.

A child seat that uses the ISOFIX can only be instal-

led in the vehicle if it is approved for this vehicle

type. Further information can be obtained from

a Volkswagen Partner or from a list of vehicles inclu-

ded with the child seat.

·

To mount the TOP TETHER system, only rings

with the TOP TETHER symbol can be used.

·

Only attach 1 belt of the child seat to the TOP

TETHER mounting retaining ring.

Fasteners for child seats

41

When attaching the child seat with the TOP

TETHER system, no other object can be attach-

ed to the same TOP TETHER retaining ring.

·

WARNING

Risk of impairing the front airbags!

Do not cover or stick anything over the steering

wheel or the dash panel. This can prevent the

front airbags from deploying.

·

The attached TOP TETHER system strap restricts the

movement of the upper part of the child seat.

WARNING

Risk of impairing the side airbags!

Do not exert excessive force, e.g. impacts, on

the backrests.

·

Do not use seat covers that have not been ap-

proved by Volkswagen.

·

Any damage to seat covers at the side airbag lo-

cation must be repaired by a specialist garage.

·

Mounting retaining rings on the luggage compartment

cover

Volkswagen recommends using seat covers

from the Volkswagen Genuine Accessories

range.

1.

2.

Remove the A cap.

In some situations it is necessary to deactivate the

front passenger airbag, if the car is equipped with

a front passenger front airbag deactivation

switch » page 45.

Attach the belt to the B mounting retaining

ring.

WARNING

Airbags

Cleaning agents containing solvents cause the sur-

face of the airbag units to become porous. In an

airbag deployment accident, the porous materials

can become loose and cause serious injury.

Use

The airbag system offers additional occupant pro-

tection to the seat belts during severe frontal and

side collisions.

Never clean the dashboard or airbag covers with

·

solvent-based cleaning agents.

The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat

belts.

Functionality

Airbags are designed to protect the occupants of

a vehicle in frontal and side impacts of a certain in-

tensity by reducing their movement in the direction

of impact.

What you should be mindful of

The airbag system can only perform its protective

function if all occupants are belted and properly

seated.

When activated, the airbag is inflated within milli-

seconds by a gas generator. This causes the airbag

covers to break and the airbags to inflate forcefully

to cover their areas of deployment.

WARNING

Danger of serious or fatal injuries!

As the occupant wearing a seat belt begins to sink

into the inflated airbag, the gas inside the airbag be-

gins to escape to trap the occupant and slow his or

her movement. This can reduce the risk of serious

and fatal injuries.

Maintain the correct seating position.

·

Do not place your limbs in the airbag deploy-

ment area.

·

No persons, animals or objects such

·

as » page 43 cup holders or hangers for

clothes may be in the deployment area of the

airbags.

Important factors for airbag activation include the

type of accident, the angle of impact, the speed of

the vehicle and the type of object the vehicle col-

lides with (hard or soft). Therefore, even visible ex-

42

Restraint systems and airbags

tensive damage to the vehicle does not always mean

that the airbag should have been activated.

— After contact with the dust, wash your hands and

face with mild soap and water before eating.

— Do not allow the dust to get into your eyes or

open wounds.

The deceleration of the vehicle in the event of an

impact registered by the control unit is decisive for

the activation of the airbag system. If the measured

impact deceleration does not reach the specified

reference values, the airbags are not activated, even

though the accident may cause very extensive de-

formation of the vehicle.

— Flush your eyes with water if any dust gets into

them.

Situations when the airbags do not activate

— The ignition is switched off during the accident.

Damage to the vehicle, the cost of repairs or even

the absence of damage to the vehicle in an accident

may not be an indicator of whether or not an airbag

should be deployed.

— The deceleration value measured by the control

unit during the impact is too low.

— The speed at impact is lower than the reference

value set in the control unit.

As the circumstances of individual impacts can vary

considerably, it is not possible to define a range of

vehicle speeds and reference values. Therefore, it is

not possible to cover all possible types and angles of

impact that would lead to airbag activation.

— In case of a light side or oblique impact.

— In the event of a rear-end collision.

— When the vehicle is overturned.

— When hitting objects such as a tree, power line

pole, etc.

Airbags can only be activated once and only in cer-

tain situations.

— When the car ends up under a vehicle with a high-

er ground clearance, e.g. a truck.

Seat belts are always available to provide protection

in situations where the airbags do not deploy or

have already deployed.

For example, if the vehicle collides with another ve-

hicle or is hit by another one after the initial colli-

sion.

Airbag overview

The location of airbags is marked

.

The airbag system is part of the overall passive safe-

ty concept of the vehicle. The airbag system can on-

ly work effectively if the occupants are wearing their

seat belts correctly and are in the correct seating

position.

WARNING

When the airbag is activated, other injuries such as

swelling, bruising, burns and abrasions are not

ruled out. Airbag activation can also cause friction-

al heat.

WARNING

A

B

C

Front airbags

Side airbags – front

Head airbags

Airbags do not provide protection for the arms and

lower body.

WARNING

Airbag activation releases dust or vapour. This is

normal and not a sign of a fire in the vehicle.

Operating conditions

Fine dust can irritate the skin and mucous mem-

branes of the eyes. It can also lead to respiratory

problems, especially in people who suffer or have

suffered from asthma or other respiratory disorders.

✓

The ignition must be switched on to activate the

airbags.

— In order to reduce breathing difficulties, leave the

vehicle or open the doors or windows to breathe

fresh air.

Airbags

43

Operation

Key switch for the front pas-

senger airbag

Deactivating the airbags

We recommend that you ask a Volkswagen Service

Partner to deactivate the airbags.

Use

Deactivation of the airbags should be considered in

the following cases:

The passenger front airbag can be deactivated e.g. in

the following situations:

— With the driver's seat correctly adjusted, a dis-

tance of at least 25 cm between the centre of the

steering wheel and the breastbone cannot be

maintained.

— A child seat is fitted on the front passenger seat

and the child is transported rear-facing.

— The vehicle has special seats, e.g. orthopaedic

seats without side airbags.

— Additional operating controls for disabled drivers

are installed in the vehicle.

— The minimum distance from the dashboard can-

not be maintained.

— The vehicle has special seats, e.g. orthopaedic

seats without side airbags.

illuminates for 4 seconds after the ignition is

switched on, and then flashes for 12 seconds

– airbag or belt tensioner deactivated by the

diagnostic device

Message regarding the deactivated airbag or

belt tensioner

What you should be mindful of

WARNING

Danger of malfunction in the passenger airbag de-

activation system!

WARNING

Only switch off the airbag when the ignition is

switched off.

·

If an airbag is deactivated when the vehicle is sold,

inform the buyer!

WARNING

Risk of unexpected activation of the front passen-

ger airbag in the event of an accident!

Troubleshooting

After deactivating the passenger airbag with the

·

key part, do not leave the key part inserted in

the switch while driving. Shocks may cause the

key part to rotate in the notch and trigger the

airbag.

Airbag system fault

illuminated

Message indicating an airbag fault

— Seek assistance from a specialist garage.

WARNING

Functionality

Danger of serious or fatal injuries!

Passenger front airbag status indication

If there is a fault in the airbag system, the airbags

may activate incorrectly, not activate at all or de-

ploy unexpectedly.

Have the airbag system checked immediately by

a specialist garage.

·

If the airbag system is defective, never install

a child car seat in the front passenger seat. Re-

move the fitted child car seat!

·

Indicator light in the overhead panel

— When the ignition is switched on, both indicator

lights will illuminate briefly.

— If the system is OK, they will both go out.

— One of the following indicator lights will then

come on depending on the position of the switch:

44

Restraint systems and airbags

illuminated – passenger front airbag is

deactivated

illuminates 65 seconds after the ignition

is switched on – passenger front airbag is

activated

Operation

Before switching the passenger airbag off/on

— Tip the key part completely out.

Switching passenger front airbag on/off

1. Switch off the ignition.

2. Open the passenger door.

3. Insert the key part upwards into the notch in

the switch.

4. To switch off, carefully turn the switch to the

position.

To switch on, carefully turn the switch to the

position.

5. Remove the key part from the notch.

6. Close the passenger door.

7. Switch on the ignition and check that the pas-

senger's front airbag indicator lights are illumi-

nated.

Troubleshooting

Airbag system fault

flashes together with

The passenger front airbag does not de-

ploy in the event of an accident!

— Have the airbag system checked immediately by

a specialist garage.

Key switch for the front passenger airbag

45

Restraint systems and airbags for Your Volkswagen Virtus 4 Door First Generation (2018-2023)

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