What is the switch inside the glove compartment of a Volkswagen car?
4 Answers
The button switch inside the glove compartment of a FAW-Volkswagen car is likely the passenger airbag switch. Many models have the passenger airbag switch or key located inside the glove compartment. Below are some relevant introductions about FAW-Volkswagen: 1. Introduction 1: FAW-Volkswagen Automobile Co., Ltd. was established on February 6, 1991. It is a large passenger car manufacturing enterprise jointly operated by China FAW Corporation Limited, Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, and Volkswagen (China) Investment Co., Ltd. It is the first modern passenger car manufacturer to start construction based on economic scale. 2. Introduction 2: FAW-Volkswagen's production capacity layout covers Changchun in the northeast, Tianjin in the north, Qingdao in the east, Foshan in the south, and Chengdu in the southwest. It has eight specialized production plants: Car Plant 1, Car Plant 2, Car Plant 3, Car Plant 4, Car Plant 5, Car Plant 6, Powertrain Division, and the Stamping Center.
When I first bought my Volkswagen, I was also puzzled about the purpose of that switch inside the glove compartment. Later, after checking the manual, I found out it was the airbag switch. It requires a car key to turn and specifically controls the airbag for the passenger seat. This is mainly used when placing a child safety seat, as the deployment of the airbag could potentially harm the child. After turning the switch off, an indicator light on the dashboard will illuminate, reminding you that the airbag is not active. Normally, you should never turn it off casually, as it would leave the passenger unprotected in case of an accident. I recommend that anyone driving this car keep the manual in the glove compartment so they can refer to it whenever something is unclear. This is much more reliable than searching online, as details can vary between different car models.
I've worked in repair shops for over a decade and have fixed countless Volkswagen glove compartment switches. This physical switch controls the passenger airbag - simple principle: turn the key to cut power to the airbag. Mainly used by families with rear-facing child seats since airbags pose serious risks to them. During repairs, we often encounter owners who forget to turn the switch back on, resulting in persistent airbag warning lights with no apparent issue. Special note: the switch is located on the right inner wall of the glove box, sometimes deeply concealed requiring complete glove box removal to access. Post-facelift VW models mostly use automatic detection systems now, making these mechanical switches increasingly rare.
As a mother of two, I'm particularly sensitive about this switch. It's crucial for child safety—just insert the key and turn to deactivate the front passenger airbag. I used it frequently when my eldest was little, as the car seat had to be placed in the front for easier care. But every time after use, I'd double-check the dashboard to confirm the airbag indicator light was on before driving off—never skip this step. Once I forgot to reactivate it when taking the kids to school, and thankfully nothing happened on the road. Now that the kids are older it's not needed, but I still regularly check the switch status. This design is truly user-friendly, though its location is quite hidden—new parents should look carefully for it.
