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Volkswagen Golf Mk7 Owners Manual: Seat belt routing

Fig. 66 shows correct seat belt routing and head restraint adjustment on the Volkswagen Golf Mk7, and Fig. 67 shows correct routing specifically during pregnancy. Seat belts only reach their full protective potential when routed correctly — this page explains exactly where the lap and shoulder sections should sit on the body.

Fig. 66 Correct seat belt routing and head restraint adjustment

Fig. 67 Correct seat belt routing during pregnancy

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings 

Seat belts only provide an optimum level of protection during an accident when they are routed correctly. Correct seat belt routing reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Correct seat belt routing also holds the vehicle occupants in position so that an inflating airbag can offer the maximum level of protection. Therefore you must always fasten your seat belt and ensure that the seat belt routing is correct.

Assuming an incorrect sitting position can cause severe or fatal injuries   .

Correct seat belt routing

  • The shoulder part of the seat belt must always lie on the centre of the shoulder, never across the neck, over or under the arm or behind the back.
  • The lap part of the seat belt must always lie across the pelvis, never across the stomach.
  • The seat belt must always lie flat and snugly on the body. Tighten the belt if necessary.

For pregnant women the seat belt must be positioned evenly over the chest and as low as possible over the pelvis. It must lie flat so that no pressure is exerted on the lower body – this applies in every stage of pregnancy  .

Correct seat belt routing according to height

The following equipment can be used to adjust the seat belt routing:

  • Belt height adjuster for the front seats   .
  • Height-adjustable front seats   .

WARNING

Incorrect seat belt routing can cause severe injuries in the event of an accident or a sudden braking or driving manoeuvre.
  • The seat belts only offer best protection when the backrests are in an upright position and the seat belts have been fastened properly.
  • The seat belt itself or a loose seat belt can cause serious injuries if the seat belt shifts from harder body parts in the direction of softer body parts (e.g. the stomach).
  • The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoulder and never under the arm or across the neck.
  • The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the chest.
  • The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis and never across the stomach. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the pelvis. Tighten the belt if necessary.
  • For pregnant women, the lap part of the seat belt must be as low as possible over the pelvis and lie flat around the bulge of the belly.
  • Do not twist the belt webbing while the seat belt is being worn.
  • Never hold the seat belt away from the body by hand.
  • The belt webbing should not lie over hard or fragile objects, such as glasses, pens or keys.
  • Never use seat belt clips, retaining rings or similar items to alter the seat belt routing.

If a person's physical build prevents them from routing the seat belt properly, contact a qualified workshop to find out about any special modifications so that the seat belts and airbags can provide the optimum level of protection. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.

    Questions & answers

    Seat belt routing — Volkswagen Golf Mk7

    Where should the Golf Mk7 seat belt sit across the shoulder?
    The shoulder section must pass across the middle of the shoulder and lie flat against the chest. It must never cross the neck or slip off the shoulder.
    Where should the Golf Mk7 lap belt sit?
    The lap section must lie as low as possible across the hips, not over the abdomen. A belt over the abdomen can cause internal injuries in a crash.
    How should a pregnant driver wear the Golf Mk7 seat belt?
    The lap belt must always pass below the baby bump, lying flat across the hips. The shoulder belt crosses the chest between the breasts as normal. Never route any part of the belt over the bump.
    Does incorrect belt routing reduce Golf Mk7 airbag effectiveness?
    Yes. If the belt does not hold the occupant in the correct position, the airbag may deploy when the body is too close or at the wrong angle, reducing its protective effect or causing additional injury.
    Fastening and unfastening seat belts
    Fig. 64 Inserting the seat belt latch plate into the buckle Fig. 65 Removing the latch plate from the buckle First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings During ...

    Belt height adjuster
    Fig. 68 Next to the front seats: belt height adjuster First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings The seat belt height adjusters for the front seats can be used t ...

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