Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual: Proper seating position

Fig. 37 The driver should never sit closer than 10 inches (25 cm) of the steering wheel.

Fig. 38 Proper safety belt positioning and head restraint adjustment.

The following describes the proper seating positions for the driver and front seat passengers.

If you have a physical impairment or condition that prevents you from sitting properly on the driver seat with the safety belt properly fastened and reaching the pedals, special modifications to your vehicle may be necessary. Only the proper seating position ensures optimum protection by the safety belt and airbag.

Contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility or call the Volkswagen Customer CARE Center at 1-800-822-8987 for information about possible modifications to your vehicle.

For your own safety and to reduce injuries in the event of sudden braking maneuvers or accidents, Volkswagen recommends the following seating positions:

Applies to all vehicle occupants:

• Adjust head restraints so that the upper edge of the head restraint is at least at eye level or higher. Position the back of your head as close as possible to the head restraint ⇒ Fig. 37  and ⇒ Fig. 38 .

• Push the head restraint completely down for short people, even if the top of the head is then below the upper edge of the head restraint.

• Tall people should pull the head restraint all the way up.

• Adjust the seat backrest angle to an upright position so that your back is in full contact with it when the vehicle is moving.

• Always keep both feet on the floor and in the footwell whenever the vehicle is moving.

• Always adjust and fasten safety belts properly ⇒ Safety belts .

Driver - Seat and steering wheel adjustment:

• Adjust the steering wheel so that there are at least 10 inches (25 cm) between the steering wheel and your breast bone ⇒ Fig. 37 . When adjusting the proper distance to the steering wheel, grasp the top of the steering wheel with your elbows slightly bent.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Adjust the seat height so that the top point of the steering wheel can be reached.

• Always keep both feet in the footwell so that you are in control of the vehicle at all times.

Passenger - front seat adjustment:

• Push the passenger seat as far back as possible in order to ensure optimum protection if the airbag is deployed.