VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1997 Owner's Guide

The rear seating center position is equipped
with a
To fasten
sert it is securely locked with
an audible click.
to the and
buckle up and end of the

push in the orange
Note
For safety reasons , keep the
has been
increased not
safety
The system is activated by sensors in the
case of a serious front
be sioned.
The tensioner not activate in the
event of or in any side or or rear
Due to
be sure to give the purchaser this
AND
Notes
This is and is not caused by a fire in the
safety parts of the system are to
be scrapped. Your authorized are with these and can perform this service for you.
29

AND
is stamped into the
covers on the stee ring wheel and the instru­
ment panel above the kneebar on the front
passenger 's side.
The air bag s are intended
to supplement the
three-point safety belts. When the sa fety
belts are properly worn, the supplemental air
bag resiraints can provide additiona l protec­
tion for the chest and
face of the driver and
the front seat passe nger in the even t o f a se­
vere frontal collision.
Aside from providing proven safety benefits ,
the safety belts are particularly important to
help keep front seat occupants in the proper
seated position so that the air bag can unfold
prope rly and provide added protection as in­
tended.
Fo r
details see page 44.
The air bag system consists of the follow­ing components:
an electron ic control /mon itoring unit,
an inflatable air bag equipped with a gas
genera tor located inside the steering wheel
and,
an inf latable air bag with a gas generator
inside the instrument panel for the front pas­
sen
ger,
an indicator light to the left of the light
swi tch (see page 72).
addition to this your vehicle is also
equipped with a kneebar for extra protec­
tion.
The indicator light (readi ness light) will light
up for a few seconds each time the ignition
is switched on.
The light monitors the electric control/mon i­
toring unit, ignitor sensor circuits, and sys­
tem wiring. The
system must b
e inspected if the indi­
c ator light:
comes on while drivi ng.
any of these conditions occur, have the system inspected immediately by your authorized Volkswagen dealer. Otherwise, the air bag may not function properly in case of a frontal impact.

How the air bag syste m works
Both air bags in a severe occurring within the area indicated
in th e The bag s not in m ino r collis ions , side or rear s ions , in a or in cases where there is
no
W hen the system is activa ted, the air bag with a gas, breaks open the
padded cover and
as twee n the front passenger and instrument
n co
to reduce the risk of injury to the head
and uppe r torso . illustration .
Openi ngs
in the air bags then the gas
t o escape The air bags
sorbed .
When the air bag system is activated , a fine
dust is This is
the air bags as they
you have been in an accident in
w hich the air bags have be sure to wash your hands and face
wi th

AND
the air bag to do its job, it is important, both as a driver and as a passenger to maintain a proper seating position -see page 44.
a frontal
siderable amount of force in order to provide
ad ditional protection for the driver and front
seat passe nger . Do not sit any
and ment
tent with your size. See page 44.
Make sure than necessary to the instrument
Objects between you and the air
bag can increase the risk of injury in
an accident by interfering with the
way the air bag unfolds or by being
pushed into you as the air bag
inflates. Never
the steering or between the area where the air bag is stored and yourself. These objects
objects in your hands or on your when the
vehicle is in use.
may be severely injured or

Use of child restraints on the front se at
A
child seat or infant carrier on the front seat may be struck and knocked ou t of position by the rapidly
when properly
restrained for their age and size in a rea r
seating position , we stro ngly recommend
that children a lways sit in the back seat. on page 36.
ing precautions be taken : WARNING
ward facing child s
eat has been
designed and certified by its manufacturer for use on the front seat of a vehicle which is equipped with a passenger side air bag .
always make sure
that the

AND
requirements for air
bags which must be obse rved to make sure
t h at the effectiveness of the system not
b e impai re d and th e components which
have been discarded do not cause injury
or
Do not cover, obstruct or change
the steering horn pad or instrument affect the
performance of the air bag and
increase the risk of injury.
34
For the horn pad or instrument use a soft, dry
of the system.
Do not make any repairs ,
adjustments or modifications to the
air bag system.
Do not modify the front bumper or
thereby increasing the risk of
To assure continued the
air bag system must be inspected by
a
sticker and every 2 years
thereafter.
to

Any work on the air bag system, such as
must be performed by a
work on the air bag system, we
The air bag system can
be sure to inform the new owner of these
important points and make certain
that this is transferred to the
new owner together with the
35

illustrated on pages contrast to and
bones are not
bodies are not they . rest raint which are weight and body structure. Many countnes
and
dren.
to be effective . im­
Accident statistics have shown that are
An unrestrained
a to stand or a is forward , sitting sideways or is out of position in any way, the
A restraint system can in a
A and used at one of the rear
seating positions provides the
highest degree of
who are sit in the
rear.

rearward facing child seats only in rear seat area. Use of a
rearward facing child seat on front passenger seat lead to serious injury to the child when air bag
inflates. When using a forward facing
child seat on front seat, always make
sure that passenger seat is in
rearmost position.
- 35 mph