VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI 2013 5G / 7.G Repair Manual

Proper seating position

Fig. 35 The driver should never sit closer than 10 inches (25 cm) of the steering wheel.

Fig. 36 Proper safety belt positioning and head restraint adjustment.

x Adjust the seat backrest angle to an upright position so that your back is in full contact with it when
the vehicle is moving.
x Always keep both feet on the floor and in the footwell whenever the vehicle is moving.
x Always adjust and fasten safety belts properly
Driver–seat and steering wheel adjustment:
x Adjust the steering wheel so that there are at least 10 inches (25 cm) between the steering wheel
and your breast bone ⇒ fig. 35. When adjusting the proper distance to the steering wheel, grasp the
top of the steering wheel with your elbows slightly bent.
x Always hold the steering wheel on the outside of the steering wheel rim with your hands at the
9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions to help reduce the risk of personal injury if the driver's airbag inflates.
x Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position or with your hands at other places inside
the steering wheel rim or on the steering wheel hub. Holding the steering wheel the wrong way can
cause serious injuries to the hands, arms, and head if the driver's airbag inflates.
x Adjust the steering wheel so that the steering wheel cover points at your chest and not at your
face. Pointing the steering wheel toward your face decreases the ability of the driver's airbag to help
protect you in a collision.
x Adjust the driver's seat so that you can easily push the pedals all the way to the floor while keeping
your knee(s) slightly bent. The distance to the instrument panel in the knee area must be at least
4 inches (10 cm).
x Adjust the seat height so that the top point of the steering wheel can be reached.
x Always keep both feet in the footwell so that you are in control of the vehicle at all times.
Passenger–front seat adjustment:
x Push the passenger seat as far back as possible in order to ensure optimum protection if the
airbag is deployed.
Manual controls on the driver and passenger seat

Fig. 37 Controls on the left front seat.

fig. 37 Function Action
(1) Move the front seat backward or
forward.
Pull the lever up and move the front seat. The front
seat must lock in place after the lever is released!
(2)
Fold the backrest forward and
back into the upright position (only
in 2-door vehicles).
Folding forward: Pull the handle and fold the
backrest forward while pushing the seat forward.
Folding back into the upright position: Push the seat
all the way back, and fold the backrest back into the
upright position. The backrest must lock in place!
(3) Lumbar support control. Pull the lever up or push it down.
(4) Adjust the backrest angle. Lean forward and turn the adjuster wheel forward or
backward.
If the vehicle has an electrical control for adjusting
the backrest angle
(5) Adjust the seat height. Move the lever several times up or down.

Electrical controls on the driver and front passenger seats

Fig. 38 Driver seat: Controls to adjust the seat backward and forward, adjust seat cushion height and angle,
and backrest angle (if applicable).

Fig. 39 Lumbar support control (if applicable).

fig. 38 Press the control in the direction of the arrow or in the area shown.
(1) (A) Slide the seat backward or forward.
(B) and (C) Raise or lower the seat cushion.
(B) or (C) Adjust seat cushion angle.
(2) (D) Adjust backrest angle.


fig. 39 Press the switch for each area:
(1) or (2) Adjust lumbar support.
(3) or (4) Adjust lumbar support height.

WARNING
Improper use of electrical seat controls can cause serious personal injuries.
x The front seats in your vehicle can be electrically adjusted even when the vehicle key has
been removed from the ignition or, on a vehicle with Keyless Access, even if there is no key
in the vehicle.
x Never leave children and persons who need help in the vehicle alone because the
unsupervised use of the electric seat adjustments can result in serious personal injury.
x Always make sure that no one is in the way while the front seats are being adjusted, or
while calling up the stored memory settings for the front seats. In an emergency, stop
automatic seat adjustment by pressing a seat adjustment switch.
NOTICE
To help prevent damage to electrical parts in the seat, do not kneel on the front seats or apply
concentrated pressure to a small area of the seat or backrest.
If the vehicle battery is too weak, the electrical seat adjustment controls may not work.
Starting the engine stops seat adjustment.
When entering and exiting the vehicle, be careful not to come into contact with any switches that
could change the seat adjustment.

Adjusting the front and rear head restraints

Fig. 40 Adjusting the head restraints.

WARNING
Driving without head restraints or with improperly adjusted head restraints increases the risk
of serious injuries in a collision.
x Always drive with the head restraints in place and properly adjusted to help minimize the
risk of neck injury in crash.
x Every person in the vehicle must have a properly adjusted head restraint to minimize the
risk of neck injury in a crash. Each head restraint must be adjusted according to the
occupants' size so that the upper edge is even with the top of the person's head, but no lower
than eye level. Always sit so that the back of your head is as close as possible to the head
restraint.
x Never adjust head restraint while driving.
Removing and reinstalling the head restraints

Fig. 41 Removing the front head restraints.

Fig. 42 Removing the rear head restraints.

Removing the front head restraints
x Sit in the back seat behind the head restraint you want to remove. Pull the head restraint all the
way up ⇒  in Adjusting the front and rear head restraints. Recline the backrest with the head
restraint so that there is enough overhead clearance to remove it.
x Slide a flat object, such as a plastic credit card, underneath the right side of the cap on the right-
hand seat guide rod ⇒ fig. 41 (1) to unlock the head restraint.
x Push the flat object (plastic card) in against the guide rod to depress a release button located
under the cap (not visible).
x Use one hand to hold the release button in with the flat object. With your other hand, lift the same
guide rod slightly to expose a notch in the rod at the bottom (can be seen and felt with fingers). The
right-hand guide rod is now released.
x To release the left-hand guide rod, press button (2) in (towards guide rod) and hold.
x Pull the head restraint out completely while holding button (2).
Installing the front head restraints
x Position head restraint properly over the head restraint guides of the respective seat backrest and
insert the head restraint into the guides.
x Push the head restraint down while pressing button (2).
x Move the seat backrest into an upright position.
x Adjust the head restraint according to the occupant's size .
Removing the rear head restraint
x Unlock the backrest of the rear seat bench and fold it forward
x Pull the head restraint all the way up ⇒ .
x If necessary, press the flat blade of the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit into the slit of the trim
cap ⇒ fig. 42 (1) in the direction of the arrow and hold it in this position.
x At the same time press button (2) while a second person pulls out the head restraint completely.
x Fold the backrest of the rear seat bench back so that it locks securely.
Reinstalling the rear head restraint
x Unlock the backrest of the rear seat bench and fold it forward
x Position head restraint properly over the head restraint guides of the respective seat backrest and
insert the head restraint into the guides.
x Push the head restraint down while pressing button (2).
x Fold the backrest of the rear seat bench back so that it locks securely.
x Adjust the head restraint according to the occupant's size
WARNING
Driving without head restraints or with improperly adjusted head restraints increases the risk
of serious injuries in a collision.
x Always drive with the head restraints in place and properly adjusted to help minimize the
risk of neck injury in crash.
x Always reinstall head restraints as soon as possible so that vehicle occupants are
properly protected.

NOTICE
When removing or reinstalling the head restraint, take care that the head restraint does not
strike the headliner or other parts of the vehicle. The headliner or other parts of the vehicle
could otherwise be damaged.
Adjusting the steering wheel position

Fig. 43 Manual adjustment for the steering wheel position.

Center armrest

Fig. 44 Front center armrest.

Fig. 45 Folding down the rear center armrest.

WARNING
The center armrest can restrict the driver's arm movement and cause crashes and serious
personal injury.
x Always keep storage compartments in the center armrest closed while driving.
x Never let a passenger, especially a child, ride on the center armrest. Improper seating
position can increase the risk of serious personal injury in a crash.
x Never put hot drinks or other liquids in the cup holder. Hot liquids can spill when the
vehicle is moving as well as during braking or other sudden maneuvers.