Volkswagen ID.3: Automatic safety belt retractor, safety belt pretensioner, safety belt load limiter

The Volkswagen ID.3 vehicle seat belts are part of the vehicle safety concept . The vehicle safety concept has the following key functions:

Automatic safety belt retractor

The safety belts for the driver and front passenger seat, and the safety belts for rear outer seats(a nd also the rear center seat, depending on the vehicle equipment), are equipped with an automatic safety belt retractor in the belt shoulder section. If the safety belt is pulled slowly or while driving normally, the shoulder belt will be able to move freely. The automatic safety belt retractor blocks the safety belt from moving if the safety belt is pulled out quickly, for example during sudden braking maneuvers, when driving on hills, when driving around curves and when accelerating.

In critical driving situations, fastened front safety belts can be automatically tensioned by the proactive passenger protection system, e.g. in the case of an emergency braking maneuver or if the driver oversteers or understeers. If an accident does not happen or the critical driving situation is no longer applicable, both safety belts are loosened again.

The proactive passenger protection system of Volkswagen ID.3 is ready to be triggered again .

Safety belt pretensioners

The safety belts for the vehicle occupants in the front seats and, depending on the vehicle equipment, in the outer seats in the rear of the vehicle have safety belt pretensioners.

Safety belt pretensioners are activated by sensors and tighten the safety belts in the event of severe front-on, side and rear collisions or if the vehicle rolls over. If the safety belt is loose, it retracts. This can reduce the forward movement of the vehicle occupants and movement of the vehicle occupants in the direction of the collision. The safety belt pretensioner works together with the airbag system. The safety belt pretensioner is only activated during a rollover accident if the Side Curtain Protection airbags are deployed.

Fine dust may appear if airbags deploy. This is completely normal and does not indicate a fire in the Volkswagen ID.3 vehicle.

WARNING

The safety belt pretensioners only provide protection for one deployment. If the safety belt pretensioners deploy, the system must be replaced.

• Have deployed safety belt pretensioners and affected system components replaced immediately with new parts that are approved by Volkswagen for the vehicle.

• Only have suitably qualified professionals make repairs or modifications to a vehicle. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities have the required tools, diagnostic devices, repair information, and qualified personnel. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

• Never install safety belt pretensioner components removed from scrap vehicles or from recycling.

• Never modify any components of the safety belt pretensioners.

Reversible belt tensioning of Volkswagen ID.3(proactive passenger protection system)

In certain driving situations, the safety belts may be subject to reversible belt tensioning . Examples are:

• Heavy braking.

• Oversteer or understeer.

• light collisions.

After certain driving situations, the reversible safety belt pretensioning may be permanently tightened. If this is the case, in order to loosen the belt tensioning, the safety belts must be manually removed and correctly fastened again when the vehicle is stationary.

Volkswagen ID.3 Safety belt load limiter

The safety belts for the vehicle occupants in the front seats and in the outer seats at the rear of the vehicle have safety belt load limiters.

Safety belt load limiters reduce the force placed on the body by the safety belts during a collision.

When disposing of the vehicle or of individual system components, all safety precautions must be observed.

An authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility will be familiar with these provisions (→ Safety belt pretensioners) . Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

• Safety belt pretensioner servicing and disposal
• Functions of the proactive passenger protection system
• Limitations of the proactive passenger protection system

Safety belt pretensioner servicing and disposal

When working on safety belt pretensioners, as well as when removing and installing other vehicle components as part of repair work, the safety belts can become damaged without you noticing. This may cause the safety belt pretensioner to function incorrectly or prevent it from functioning in the event of an accident.

The instructions must be followed so that the effectiveness of the safety belt pretensioner is not impaired and removed components do not cause injuries and environmental pollution. An authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility will be familiar with these provisions. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

WARNING

Repairs that you perform yourself or that are performed incorrectly on the safety belts, automatic safety belt retractors, and safety belt pretensioners can increase the risk of severe or fatal injuries. The safety belt pretensioner may not deploy when it should, or it may deploy unexpectedly.

• Never perform repairs, adjustments, or removal and installation of components of the safety belt pretensioners or safety belts yourself. Only have these procedures performed by suitably qualified professionals . Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

• Safety belts, safety belt pretensioners and automatic safety belt retractors cannot be repaired. These components must be replaced.

The airbag module and safety belt pretensioners may contain perchlorate. Observe all the legal regulations applicable to disposal.

Introduction

The proactive passenger protection system of Volkswagen ID.3 is a support system which initiates measures for protecting the vehicle occupants in hazardous situations. However it cannot prevent a collision.

Speed range

The proactive passenger protection system is available in its basic function at speeds above approximately 30 km/h (19 mph) when driving forward.

Displays

If the proactive passenger protection system becomes active, the red warning light will appear in the instrument cluster display of Volkswagen ID.3.

WARNING

The proactive passenger protection system is not a replacement for the driver's attention and works only within the system limitations. The proactive passenger protection system cannot detect all driving situations and may not react, or may react with a delay, or may react in a way that is not desired. If you are careless, there is a risk of accidents, serious injuries and death.

• Always stay attentive and do not rely solely on the system. The driver is always responsible for control of the vehicle.

• Observe the system limitations (→ Proactive passenger protection system) .

• Always adapt your speed and distance to vehicles driving ahead based on the visual, weather, road, and traffic conditions.

Functions of the proactive passenger protection system

Basic functions

In critical driving situations, the following functions may be initiated either individually or jointly, e.g. in the case of an emergency braking maneuver, if the driver understeers or oversteers or in the event of non-serious collisions:

• Reversible belt tensioning of the fastened safety belts for the driver and front passenger.

• Depending on the Volkswagen ID.3 vehicle equipment, automatic closing function for the side windows that leaves them open only a crack.

• Activating the emergency flashers.

Depending on the critical driving situation, the safety belts may be tightened individually or together.

Additional functions for vehicles with Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist)

On vehicles with Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), the probability of a collision with the vehicle in front is also calculated within the limits of the system. If the system detects that a rear-end collision is likely or initiates heavy braking, this can trigger the proactive passenger protection system.

Additional functions for vehicles with Emergency Assist

On Volkswagen ID.3 vehicles with Emergency Assist, the proactive passenger protection system can be triggered if driver inactivity is detected.

Depending on the activation level, the following functions are triggered:

• Brief or permanent reversible belt tensioning of the engaged driver's safety belt.

• Depending on the vehicle equipment, automatic closing function for the side windows that leaves them open only a crack.

Setting in the Driving Mode Selection

On Volkswagen ID.3 vehicles with Driving Mode Selection, the proactive passenger protection system is adapted to the special vehicle setup of the driving mode.

Limitations of the proactive passenger protection system

The Volkswagen ID.3 proactive passenger protection system depends on local laws and regulations for the vehicle equipment.

The proactive passenger protection system is not available or only available to a limited extent in the following situations:

• Malfunction of the ESC, the reversible safety belt pretensioning or the airbag control module .

• ASR deactivated or ESC restricted .

• System fault or restriction of Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist).

• System fault or restriction of Emergency Assist.

• Reverse gear engaged.

• If there are reflective objects, e.g. guard rails, tunnel entrances, heavy rain, or ice.

• If there are animals or objects that are difficult to detect.

Troubleshooting

A message is briefly shown in the instrument cluster display.

• The proactive passenger protection system has limited availability or is not available. Deactivate the vehicle's drive system and activate it again.

• If the malfunction persists, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility and have the proactive passenger protection system checked. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Additional information may be displayed in the vehicle status, depending on the malfunction (→ Vehicle settings menu) .

Introduction

Volkswagen ID.3 Airbags are not a replacement for safety belts, which must always be worn.

Airbags can only provide additional protection for vehicle occupants if the seats, safety belts, head restraints and steering wheel for the driver are adjusted correctly and used.

The airbags will not deploy in all situations where there is visible vehicle damage.

Situations in which airbags will not always deploy:

• If the ignition is switched off during a collision.

• In minor head-on collisions.

• In non-serious side-on collisions.

• In rear-end collisions.

• If the speed of rotation measured by the control module is too low during a rollover.

• In low-speed collisions.

The Volkswagen ID.3 airbag cannot always prevent injuries, such as swelling, bruises, burns, and abrasions.

WARNING

If there are objects located between vehicle occupants and the airbag deployment zone, they will change the airbag deployment zone and the risk of injury if the airbag deploys increases. During sudden braking or driving maneuvers or in the event of an accident, the objects could move into the airbag deployment zone and then be thrown through the vehicle interior if the airbag deploys.

• Never hold objects in your hands or on your lap while driving.

•  Never transport objects on the front passenger's seat.

WARNING

Once the airbags have been deployed, they lose their protective function and must be replaced. If the airbags do not have their protective function, the risk of injury during sudden braking or driving maneuvers or accidents increases.

• Have any deployed safety airbags and affected system components replaced immediately with new parts that are approved by Volkswagen for the vehicle.

• Only have suitably qualified professionals make repairs or modifications to a vehicle. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities have the required tools, diagnostic devices, repair information, and qualified personnel. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

• Never install airbag components removed from scrap vehicles or from recycling.

• Never modify components of the airbag system.

WARNING

Fine dust and water vapor can develop when the airbags deploy. This is normal and does not indicate a fire in the vehicle. The fine dust can irritate the skin and mucous membranes in the eyes and can cause breathing problems, particularly for individuals who have asthma or other respiratory conditions.

• To reduce the risk of breathing problems, exit the vehicle or open the windows or doors for fresh air.

• If you come into contact with the dust, wash your hands and face with mild soap and water before eating anything.

• Flush your eyes and any open wounds with water if dust enters them.

WARNING

Cleaners that contain solvents can make the surface around the airbag installation locations porous. Plastic pieces that come loose could be thrown through the vehicle interior and cause serious injuries in the event of a collision with airbag deployment.

• Never treat the instrument panel and the surfaces around the airbag installation locations with cleaners that contain solvents.

Correct seating positionIndicator light