Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual: Side Curtain Protection® airbags

Fig. 72 On the left vehicle side: Installation location and deployment zone of the Side Curtain Protection® airbag.

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒Introduction to the subject 

The Side Curtain Protection^® airbags are in the header area on both sides of the vehicle ⇒ Fig. 72 . The general location is identified by the word AIRBAG. The red lines ⇒ Fig. 72  show the deployment zone of the Side Curtain Protection^® airbags.

The Side Curtain Protection^® airbag system includes:

• An electronic control module and side impact sensors.

• The Side Curtain Protection^® airbags above the front and rear side windows.

• An airbag system monitoring and indicator light in the instrument cluster ⇒ PASSENGER AIR BAG light .

The Side Curtain Protection^® airbags inflate downwards between the occupant and the side window on that side of the vehicle that is struck in certain side collisions ⇒ Fig. 72 . The Side Curtain Protection^® airbag system supplements the safety belts and can help to reduce the risk of injury for occupants' heads and upper torsos on the side of the vehicle that is struck in a side collision.

In order to help provide this additional protection, the Side Curtain Protection^® airbag must inflate within the blink of an eye at very high speed and with great force. The Side Curtain Protection^® airbag could injure you if your seating position is not proper or upright or if items are located in the area where the supplemental Side Curtain Protection^® airbag inflates. This applies especially to children ⇒ Child safety and child restraints .

The airbag system is monitored electronically to make sure it is working properly at all times. Every time you turn on the ignition, the airbag system indicator light will come on for a few seconds (function check).

The airbag system is not a substitute for your safety belt. Rather, it is part of the overall occupant restraint system in your vehicle ⇒ Adjusting the seating position , ⇒ Safety belts .

It is important to remember that the Side Curtain Protection^® airbag system is designed to help reduce the likelihood of serious injury. However, it is possible that a deployed Side Curtain Protection^® airbag may cause other injuries such as swelling, bruising, , friction, burns and abrasions. Remember too, Side Curtain Protection^® airbags will deploy only once and only in certain kinds of accidents. Side Curtain Protection^® airbags that have deployed in a crash must be replaced. Your safety belts are always there to offer protection in those accidents in which Side Curtain Protection^® airbags are not supposed to deploy or when they have already deployed.

The Side Curtain Protection^® airbag will not inflate:

• if the ignition is switched off when a crash occurs.

• in side collisions when the acceleration measured by the sensor is too low.

• in front-end collisions.

• in rear-end collisions.

• in rollovers, unless the deployment threshold for deployment stored in the control unit is met.

In some types of accidents the front, Side Curtain Protection^® and side airbags may be triggered together.

Warning

An inflating Side Curtain Protection^® airbag can cause serious or even fatal injury. Improperly wearing safety belts and improper seating positions increase the risk of serious personal injury and death whenever a vehicle is being used.

• A deploying airbag inflates within a fraction of a second with a lot of force and at very high speed.

• Always make sure that the Side Curtain Protection^® airbag can inflate without interference.

• Always sit in proper seating position and wear safety belts while traveling so that the Side Curtain Protection^® airbags can help provide protection.

• Never let occupants place any parts of their bodies in the area where the Side Curtain Protection^® airbag inflates.

• Always keep the area where the Side Curtain Protection^® airbag inflates clear. Never carry any objects or pets in the area between them and where the airbags inflate and never let children or other passengers ride in this area.

• Never use hangers to hang clothes on the hooks.

• Never use the built-in coat hooks for anything but lightweight clothing. Never leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets that may interfere with airbag deployment and can cause personal injury in a collision.

• Only use factory-installed sunshades or, if shades installed after the vehicle leaves the factory, use only genuine Volkswagen sunshades.

• Never swing the sun visors over to the side windows if things such as pens, garage door openers, hands-free speakers, etc. are attached to the sun visors. They could come loose and cause serious injury if the Side Curtain Protection^® airbag inflates.

Warning

The airbag system can only be triggered once.

• If the airbag has been triggered, the system must be replaced by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

• Always have work involving the curtain airbag system, removal and installation of the airbag components, or other repairs performed by your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Otherwise the airbag system may not work correctly.

• Never attempt to modify any components of the airbag system in any way.

• Never attach objects to the cover or in the deployment zone of a Side Curtain Protection^® airbag.

• Always make sure that the airbag deployment zones are clear at all times. Never let anything or object, a pet, or a person, including an infant or small child, be in the space between any vehicle occupant and any airbag.

• Do not attach any accessories to the doors.