warning VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER 2011 Manual PDF

pulled out quickly or during sudden braking, during travel in mountains or bends and during acceleration, the automatic belt retractor is locked.
Belt tensioners
The seat belts for the front seat occupants are equipped with belt tensioners.
The belt tensioners are activated by sensors dur-ing severe frontal, side and rear collisions. They tighten the seat belts against the direction in which they are pulled. Any slack in the seat belt is retrac-ted, which can reduce the passenger's movement forwards or in the direction of the impact. The belt
tensioner works together with the airbag system. The belt tensioner will not be activated if the vehi-cle rolls over if the combined curtain and side air-bags are not activated.
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.
W All safety requirements must be observed L!.J when the vehicle or components of the sys-tem are scrapped. Qualified workshops are familiar with these requirements 87. Service and disposal of belt tensioners
r-f'n First read and observe the introductory L-J,:.U information and safety warnings & on page 79.
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 re-pair work. This damage will not always be noticea-ble. The consequence may be that the belt ten-sioners 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.
Airbag system
o:lJ Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Types of front passenger airbag systems . . . . 89
Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Description and function of the airbags 90 Front airbags 92 Switching the front passenger front airbag on and off manually using the key-operated switch . . . 93
A WARNING
The risk of severe or fatal injuries may be in-creased if the seat belts, automatic belt re-tractors and belt tensioners are not used cor-rectly, or if they are repaired by a non-profes-sional. 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 quali-fied workshop and never by yourself 394.
• Belt tensioners and automatic belt retrac-tors cannot be repaired. They must be re-placed.
r:Gl:-. The airbag modules and belt tensioners may C!fS contain perchlorate. Please comply with leg-islation regarding disposal. Combined curtain and side airbags . . . . 94
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
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 re-straints and, in the case of the driver, steering wheel are adjusted and used correctly. Airbags are meant only for additional protection. The airbags .,.
Sitting correctly and safely 87

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 33
• Central locking system 39
• Correct sitting position 61
• Seat belts 79
• Child seats (accessories) 96
• Cleaning and caring for the interior 388
• Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts 394
• Consumer information 404
A WARNING
Never rely solely on the airbag system for your protection.
• Even if an alrbag 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 79, Seat belts.
• Before every trip, each vehicle occupant must adopt the correct sitting position, cor-rectly fasten the seat belt belonging to their seat and keep it fastened properly throughout the trip. This applies to ail vehicle occupants and also in urban traffic.
A WARNING
The risk of injury increases if there are any objects 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 seal The objects could enter the deployment zone of the airbag during sudden braking or driving manoeuvres and then be flung dangerously through the vehicle interi-or if the airbag is activated.
• Vehicle occupants sitting on the front seats and rear outer seats must never carry any people, pets or objects in the deployment zone between themselves and the airbags. Make sure that children and passengers also keep to this rule.
BB I Before the journey
A WARNING
External devices in the vehicle that are not properly secured can be flung though the in-terior and cause injuries, if there is a sudden driving or braking manoeuvre, or in the event of an accident.
• You should never position or attach an ex-ternal device on a door, on the windscreen or above or near to the areas marked "AIRBAG" on the steering wheel, the dash panel and the seat backrests, or between these areas and the vehicle occupants. External devices can cause serious Injury in an accident, especial-ly when the airbags deploy.
A WARNING
The alrbag system can only be triggered once. The system will have to be replaced if the airbags have been triggered.
• Alrbags that have deployed and any affec-ted system parts must be immediately re-placed with new parts that are approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for the re-spective vehicle.
• Repairs and modifications to your vehicle should only be carried out by a qualified workshop. Qualified workshops have the nec-essary tools, diagnostic equipment, repair in-formation and qualified personnel.
• Never use recycled alrbag components or components that have been taken from end-of-life vehicles in your vehicle.
• Never alter any components of the airbag system.
A WARNING
Fine dust particles or steam may be released when the alrbags trigger. This Is normal and does not mean that there is a fire in the vehi-cle.
• The fine dust can cause irritation to the skin and eye membranes and cause breath-ing difficulties, particularly for people suffer-ing 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.

A WARNING (Continued)
• If dust has entered your eyes, rinse them with water.
A WARNING
Cleaning agents that contain solvents cause the surface of the alrbag modules to become porous. In an accident that triggers the air-bag, loose plastic parts can cause serious In-jury.
• Never clean the dash panel or the airbag covers with cleansers that contain solvents. Types of front passenger airbag systems
CQI First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings & on page 87.
Volkswagen offers two different front airbag systems for front passengers:
A 8
Features of the front passenger front airbag that Features of the front passenger front airbag that can only be switched off by a qualified work-can be switched off manually using the key-op-shop. erated switch =>page 93.
-Indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
-Front passenger front airbag in the dash panel.
Name: airbag system.
Indicator lamp
"'iSG."oo3s
Fig. 70 Indicator lamp in the dash panel for deac-tivated front passenger front airbag
-Indicator lamp !.lr in the instrument cluster.
-Indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG in the top area of the centre console.
-Key-operated switch on the front of the dash pan-el on the front passenger side.
-Front passenger front airbag in the dash panel.
Name: airbag system with front passenger front alrbag deactivation. <1
r-f"'n First read and observe the introductory l.-.lo:-l.l information and safety warnings & on page 87. .,.
Sitting correctly and safely 89

Lit up Location Possible cause Solution
Instrument cluster. Fault in airbag and belt tension-Go to a qualified workshop to have er system. the system checked immediately.
Fault in the airbag system. Go to a qualified workshop to have
Upper section of the the system checked immediately.
• centre console. Front passenger front airbag Check whether the airbag should stay switched off.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is switched on. They will go out after a few seconds.
If the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF 'J(; is not continuously lit or if it lights up together with the indicator lamp !Q' in the instrument cluster when the front passenger front airbag is switched off. there may be a fault in the airbag system => &.
A WARNING
If there is a fault in the airbag system, the air-bag may not trigger correctly, may not trigger at all or may trigger unexpectedly. This can cause severe or fatal injuries.
switched off.
A WARNING (Continued)
• The alrbag system should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
• Never fit a child seat to the front passen-ger seat or remove a child seat that Is already fitted. The front passenger front alrbag may trigger during an accident In spite of the fault.
CD
To avoid damage to your vehicle, always ob-serve the indicator lamps and associated warn-ing texts. <1
Description and function of the airbags
r-('n First read and observe the introductory l..-lc:.l.l information and safety warnings & on page 87.
The airbags can protect vehicle occupants during frontal and side collisions by reducing their move-ment 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 de-ployment zones within milliseconds. Once a vehi-cle 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. The triggering of the airbag will not always prevent other injuries such as swelling, bruising and grazing. The deployment of the airbag can also produce 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.
90 Before the journey
Whether or not the airbag triggers is determined by the vehicle deceleration rate caused by the colli-sion 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 trig-gered, even though the vehicle may be badly dam-aged as a result of the collision. Vehicle damage, repair costs or even the Jack 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 in-clude 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 air-bags. 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 on-ly work effectively when the occupants are wearing their seat belts correctly and have assumed a proper sitting position & 61.
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. lt may not be available at all in some countries.
• Optimised seat belts for all seats.
• Belt tensioners for the driver and front passen-ger in conjunction with curtain and side airbags.
• Belt height adjuster for the front seats.
• Seat belt warning lamp.
• Front airbags for driver and front passenger.
• Combined curtain and side airbags for the driv-er and front passenger.
• Multivan: if fitted, curtain airbags on the rear outer seats of the second and third row of seats.
• Airbag indicator lamp.
• PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamp.
• Control units and sensors.
• Height-adjustable head restraints optimised for rear Impact.
• Adjustable steering column.
• If fitted, anchor points for child seats on the sin-gle seats in the passenger compartment and the outer seats of the bench seat.
Situations in which the front, the combined curtain and side airbag and the curtain airbag 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 impact speed in a collision is lower than the reference value specified in the control unit. <1
Sitting correctly and safely I 91

Front airbags
.... ------.....
Fig. 71 Location and deployment zone of the driver front airbag.
c
Fig. 72 Location and deployment zone of the front passenger front airbag.
r-f'n First read and observe the introductory L..-.J,:.I.J Information and safety warnings & on page 87.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the front airbag system gives the front occupants additional protec-tion for the head and chest in the event of a severe frontal collision. Always keep as far away from the front airbag as possible 61. 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 71 and the front airbag for the front passenger is located In the dash panel 72. The airbag locations are identified by the text "AIRBAG".
The areas inside the red lines 71 and 72 are covered by the front airbags when triggered (deployment zone). You must never leave or attach any objects in these areas &. The fac-tory-fitted accessories, such as the base plate for
Before the journey
the mobile telephone holder, will not be struck when the driver and front passenger front airbags are triggered.
The airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel or dash panel when the driver and front passenger front airbags deploy. The airbag covers remain connected to the steering wheel or the dash panel.
A DANGER. .
Once triggered, the alrbag Inflates at high speed.
• Always leave the deployment zones of the front alrbags clear.
• Never attach any objects, such as drink or telephone holders, to the covers of the air-bags or anywhere In the alrbag deployment zone. .,..

A DANGE;R (Continued) --
• No other people, animals or objects may be carried between the occupants of the front seats and the alrbag deployment zone. Make sure that children and passengers also keep to this rule.
• Do not attach any objects, e.g. mobile nav-igation devices, to the windscreen above the front alrbag on the front passenger side.
• Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the soft plastic surface of the alrbag unit In the dash panel on the front passenger side, and do not modify them In any way.
A WARNING
The front alrbags are deployed In front of the steering wheel "*Fig. 71 and dash panel '*Fig. 72.
• 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
__ ____
Switching the front passenger front airbag on and off manually using the
key-operated switch
Fig. 73 On the front of the dash panel: key switch for disabling and enabling the front airbag on the front passenger side
l""'rn First read and observe the introductory L-J,::.U information and safety warnings&. on page 87.
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 front passenger door.
• Fold out the key bit of the vehicle key o>page 36.
• Use the vehicle key to turn the key switch on the front of the dash panel to the OFF position o> Fig. 73.
• Close the front passenger door.
• When the ignition is switched on, the indicator lamp PASSENGER AIR BAG will light up steadily in the upper section of the centre console o> page 89.
Enabling the front passenger front airbag
• Switch off the ignition.
• Open the front passenger door.
• Use the remote control key to turn the key switch on the front of the dash panel to the ON po-sition.
• Close the front passenger door.
• Check that the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp in the upper section of the centre console does not light up when the Ignition is switched on =>page 89.
Ensuring that the front passenger front airbag has been deactivated
The only sure sign that the front passenger front airbag has been deactivated is when the PASSEN-GER AIR BAG indicator lamp is displayed in the upper section of the centre console (OFF lights up yellow steadily) =>page 89, Indicator lamp.
If the indicator lamp OFF )!(; in the upper section of the centre console is not lit up steadily, or if it lights up at the same time as indicator lamp in the instrument cluster, do not attach any child re-straint system to the front passenger seat for safe-ty reasons. The front passenger front airbag may trigger during an accident.
Sitting correctly and safely

A 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.
• lt is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the key-operated switch is set to the cor-rect position.
Combined curtain and side airbags
Fig. 74 On the side of the front seat: location of the combined curtain and side airbag.
l""'"'fl1 and observe the introductory L-.lr:J.J mformat1on and safety warnings & on page 87.
The combined curtain and side airbags are located in the outer seat backrest cushions of the driver seat and front passenger seat =:oFig. 74. The loca-tions of the airbags are shown by labels with the word "AIRBAG". The area marked red =:oFig. 75 defines the deployment zone of the combined cur-tain and side airbag.
During a side collision, the combined curtain and side airbags will be deployed on the vehicle's side of impact, reducing the risk of injury to the areas of the vehicle occupants' bodies facing the impact.
A WARNING
Once triggered, the airbag inflates at high speed.
• Always keep the deployment zones of the combined curtain and side airbags clear.
94 Before the journey
A WARNING (Continued)
• Only switch the front passenger front air-bag off if, In exceptional circumstances, a child seat has to be attached to the front pas-senger seat.
• Switch the front passenger front alrbag back on again as soon as the child seat on the front passenger seat is no longer being used.
Fig. 75 Schematic diagram: deployment range of the combined curtain and side airbag on left side of vehicle
A WARNING (Continued)
• No other people, animals or objects may be carried between the occupants of the front seats and the airbag deployment zone. Make sure that children and passengers also keep to this rule.
• The built-in coat hooks should only be used for lightweight clothing. Do not leave any heavy or sharp objects In the pockets.
• Do not fit any accessories to the doors.
• Do not fit seat covers or protective covers over the seats unless they have been ex-pressly approved for use In the vehicle. Oth-erwise the combined curtain and side alrbag may not be able to deploy If lt has been trig-gered.
• Only push the sunblinds over to the side windows if there are no Items attached to them, e.g. pens. .,..

A wARNING
Incorrect use of the driver and front passen-ger seat could hinder the proper function of the combined curtain and side airbags and cause serious injury.
• Never remove the front seats from the ve-hicle or alter any components of these seats.
Curtain airbags
A WARNING (Continued)
• If too much pressure is applied to the back rest side bolster, the combined curtain and side airbags may not be triggered cor-rectly, may not trigger at all or may trigger unexpectedly.
• Any damage to the original seat uphols-tery or around the seams of the combined curtain and side airbag units must be re-paired immediately by a qualified workshop. Fig. 76 Location and deployment zone of the curtain airbags on the left side of the vehicle.
r-111 First read and observe the introductory l..-W information and safety warnings & on page 87.
In the passenger compartment, there is a curtain airbag above each of the doors =>Fig. 76. The air-bag location is identified by the text "AIRBAG".
The area in the red frame =>Fig. 76 is covered by the curtain airbag when triggered (deployment zone). For this reason, you must never leave or at-tach any items in this area => &.
In a side collision the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact side of the vehicle. The airbag covers the side windows and door pillars.
In a side collision, the curtain airbags reduce the risk of injury to the areas of the body facing the im-pact for passengers in the outer seats of the sec-ond and third row of seats.
A WARNING
Once triggered, the airbag inflates at high speed.
• Always leave the deployment zones of the curtain alrbags clear.
• Never secure any items to the cover or in the deployment zone of the curtain airbag.
• Vehicle occupants sitting on the front seats and rear outer seats must never carry any people, pets or objects in the deployment zone between themselves and the airbags. Make sure that children and passengers also keep to this rule.
• The built-in coat hooks should only be used for lightweight clothing. Do not leave any heavy or sharp objects in the pockets.
• Do not fit any accessories onto the sliding doors.
• Do not install any sun blinds onto the side windows unless they have been expressly approved for use In your vehicle. Sitting correctly and safely 95

Child seats (accessories)
ClJJ Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Basic information on fitting and using child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Types of child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Securing systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Securing a child seat with ISOFIX . . . . . . . . . . 100 Securing child seats with the upper strap (top tether) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 01 Securing child seats with a seat belt . . . . . . . . 102
Using child seats can reduce the risk of Injury to the child if there is an accident. Always use child seats when driving with children.
Note the following:
• Child seats are classified into groups depend-ing on the size, age and weight of child for which they are designed.
• Various securing systems are used to secure child seats in the vehicle.
For safety reasons child seats should always be fit-ted to the rear seats. They should only be fitted to the front passenger seat in exceptional cases.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends us-ing child seats from Volkswagen's range of acces-sories. These child seats have been developed and approved for use in Volkswagen vehicles.
Additional information and warnings:
• Seat belts 79
• Airbag system 87
• Integrated child seats 102
A WARNING
If children are not secured or are inadequate-ly secured, they are at greater risk of serious or even fatal injury. Please note the following:
• Children who are either under 12 years of age or less than 150 cm tall must not be car-ried In the vehicle if they are not secured In a suitable child seat while the vehicle Is In mo-tion. Regulations in some countries may dif-fer, and must be complied with.
96 Before the journey
A WARNING (Continued)
• Always secure children in the vehicle in a suitable child seat. The seat used must be ap-propriate to the child's height, weight and age.
• Never fasten more than one child Into one child seat.
• Under no circumstances should children or babies be held in a passenger's or drivers lap while driving.
• Never leave a child unsupervised in a child seat.
• Never allow a child to be carried In a vehi-cle without being properly secured, and nev-er allow a child to stand up or to kneel on a seat, or to sit Incorrectly while the car is In motion. This is particularly Important for chil-dren carried on the front passenger seat. In an accident, children may sustain serious In-juries to themselves and others.
• The child seat can only provide maximum protection if the seat belt Is routed correctly around it. Always ensure that the seat belt is routed as specified In the instructions provi-ded by the child seat manufacturer. If the seat belt is routed Incorrectly it may cause injuries even in a minor accident.
• After an accident, it Is vital to replace any child seats that were in use during the acci-dent, as they could have sustained non-visi· ble damage.
m The standards and regulations governing the l!..J use of child seats and child seat securing mechanisms differ from country to country. Not all countries allow you to transport children on the front passenger seat. Legislation and legal require-ments take precedence over the information given in this owner's manual.
m If a child seat is used on a single seat with l!..J Easy Entry function, the seats located behind that seat are difficult to access. Therefore, a child seat should be used on another rear seat, if possi-ble.