ignition VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER 2012 Owner's Manual

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

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. .,..

Lit up Possible cause Solution
Main beam is switched on or the headlight 107. flasher is being operated.
Main beam assist (light Assist) is activated. 110.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a funclional check when the ignition is switched on. They will go out after a few seconds.
Indicator lamps in light switch
Lit up Possible cause
The automatic headlight control and, if applicable, the daytime headlights or daytime running Jl lights are switched on 108 .
.fD The fog light is switched on 108.
I) I The side lights are switched on 108.
A WARNING
Failure to observe illuminated warning lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle breaking down in traffic, and can cause acci-dent and serious injury.
• Never Ignore any illuminated warning lamps or text messages.
• Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.
• Stop the vehicle at a safe distance away from moving traffic and so that no part of the exhaust system can come into contact with any inflammable material underneath the ve-hicle, e.g. dry grass, fuel, oil etc.
Turn signal and main beam lever
A WARNING (Continued)
• Any broken-down vehicle poses an In-creased accident risk both for you and for other road users. If the situation requires, switch on the hazard warning lights and set up the warning triangle as a warning to other road users.
CD
Failure to observe illuminated indicator lamps and text messages can lead to your vehicle be-ing damaged.
...--r'l1 First read and observe the introductory l.-Jo:JJ information and safety warnings & on page 106.
Move the lever into the required position:
CD Right tu m signal &. VVhen the ignition is switched off, right parking light 109.
@ Left turn signal &. VVhen the ignition is switched off, left parking light 109.
Return the lever to the basic position to switch
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Fig. 85 Turn signal and main beam lever in the basic position.
off the turn signal function. 1>
Lights and vision 1107

@ Main beam headlights switched on &. The indicator lamp m in the instrument cluster lights up.
Pull the lever briefly in the direction of the ar-row @to switch off the main beam headlights.
@ Operate headlight flasher. The headlight flash-er comes on for as long as the lever is pulled. The indicator lamp ID lights up.
Lane change flash
To operate the lane change flash, push the lever up or down to the point where you incur resistance and then release the lever. The turn signal flashes three times.
This lane change flash function can be deactivated at a qualified workshop.
A WARNING
Incorrect use of turn signals, a failure to use turn signals, or forgetting to switch off a turn signal can confuse other road users. This can lead to accidents and serious Injuries.
Switching lights on and off
A WARNING (Continued)
• Always activate the turn signal In good time when changing lanes and performing overtaking or turning manoeuvres.
• Always switch off the turn signal once the lane change or overtaking or turning ma-noeuvre has been completed.
A WARNING
Incorrect use of the main beam headlights can lead to accidents and serious Injuries as the main beam headlights can distract and dazzle other road users.
m The turn signal will only work when the igni-m lion is switched on. The hazard warning lights also work when the ignition is switched off 411.
m If one turn signal fails on the vehicle or on the m trailer, the indicator lamp will start flashing twice as fast.
m The main beam headlights can only be m switched on if the dipped beam headlights are already on. Fig. 86 Next to the steering wheel: examples of the various light switches.
l"'""'rT1 First read and observe the Introductory L--J,::.,U information and safety warnings & on page 106.
Observe any country-specific regulations when us-ing vehicle lighting.
1081 Before the; journey
In vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket 139, the vehicle's rear fog lights are switched off automatically if a trailer with rear fog lights is electrically connected to the vehicle. .,.

Turn the light switch to the required position 86:
When the Ignition Is switched off
0 The fog lights, dipped beam headlights and side lights are switched off.
,. The orientation lighting can be switched on.
) , The side lights are switched on.
Dipped beam headlights are switched off.
"'D While the vehicle key is in lhe ignition lock, the side lights will stay on.
Fog lights
The indicator lamps or 0$ in the light switch or Instrument cluster indicate that the fog lights are switched on.
• To switch the fog light on, pull the light switch out of the position "" or tD to the first stop.
• To switch the rear fog light 0$ on, pull the light switch out of position ,.,, or gD as far as it will go.
• To switch the fog lights off, press the light switch or move it to position 0.
Signal tones if lights are not switched off
If the key is removed from the ignition lock and the driver door is opened, a signal tone will sound in any of the following situations. This will remind you to switch off the lights as necessary.
Lights and vision -functions
1""1'11 First read and observe the introductory L-lo:.U Information and safety warnings & on page 106.
Parking light
When the parking lights (left and right turn signals) are switched on, the headlight on the correspond-ing side of the vehicle lights up along with the tail light and parts of the tail light cluster. The parking light only lights up when the Ignition is switched off and if the turn signal and main beam lever was in the central position before being operated.
Side lights
If the light switch is in position ;.o; both headlights with side lights light up, along with parts of the rear light cluster, the number plate lighting, the instru-ment cluster lighting and the buttons in the centre console and the dash panel.
If the charge level of the battery is too low, the side lights will switch off automatically &. This pre-vents the vehicle battery from being discharged
When the Ignition Is switched on
Lights switched off or daytime headlights are switched on.
The automatic headlight control and, if applica-ble, the daytime headlights are switched on.
The side lights are switched on.
The dipped beam headlights are switched on.
• If the parking light is switched on 107.
• If the light switch is in position '"'·
• If the light switch is in position iD or 0$ 112.
A WARNING
The side lights or daytime running lights are not bright enough to Illuminate the road ahead and to ensure that other road users are able to see you.
• Always switch the dipped beam head-lights on if it is dark, raining or visibility Is
completely and thus allows for still starting the en-gine 366, Automatic switch-off for electri-cal consumers.
Daytime running lights
There are separate lights in the headlights for the daytime running lights.
Only the separate lights light up when the daytime running lights are switched on &.
The daytime running lights are switched on when the ignition is switched on if the light switch is in position 0 or AUTO.
If the light switch is in position AUTO, a rain sensor will switch the dipped beam and the lighting in the instruments and switches on and off automatically.
The daytime running lights cannot be switched on or off manually. ,._
Lights and vision 1109