Volkswagen Golf Owners Manual: Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
Fig. 59 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a brick wall
Fig. 60 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle striking a brick wall
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings The physical principles involved in a frontal collision are relatively simple. As soon as the vehicle is in motion , both the moving vehicle and its passengers gain kinetic energy.
The higher the vehicle speed and the heavier the weight of the vehicle, the greater the amount of energy that will have to be released in the event of an accident.
However, the most significant factor is the speed of the vehicle. If the speed doubles from approximately 25 km/h (15 mph) to approximately 50 km/h (30 mph), for example, the kinetic energy increases by a factor of four.
The amount of kinetic energy depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight of the vehicle and passengers. The higher the speed and the heavier the weight, the greater the amount of energy that will be released in the event of an accident.
Passengers not wearing seat belts are not connected to the vehicle. In the event of a frontal collision they will continue to move forwards at the same speed at which the vehicle was travelling before impact, until something stops them. Because the passengers in our example are not restrained by seat belts, the entire amount of kinetic energy will only be released at the point of impact against the wall .
Even at speeds of approximately 30 km/h (18 mph) to approximately 50 km/h (30 mph), the forces acting on bodies in a collision can easily exceed one tonne (1,000 kg). These forces are even greater at higher speeds.
This example applies not only to frontal collisions, but to all accidents and collisions.
Warning lamp
Fig. 57 Warning lamp in the instrument
cluster
Fig. 58 Seat belt status for the rear seats
in the instrument cluster
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings ...
What happens to vehicle occupants who have not fastened their seat belts
Fig. 61 An unbelted driver is thrown forwards
Fig. 62 The unbelted rear passenger is
thrown forwards, hitting the belted driver
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety ...
Other materials:
Removing and installing manufacturer emblem
Note
The emblem cannot be removed without damage.
Removing
–
Use a screwdriver -3- to carefully
lever manufacturer emblem -1- out of
radiator grille -2- in
-direction of arrow A-.
Installing
–
...
Removing and installing retaining plate for manually operated or automatic
anti-dazzle interior mirror, without rain and light sensor -G397- and front
camera for driver assist systems -R242
Materials
Glass-metal adhesive kit “D 000 703 A1”
Special tools and workshop equipment
required
Glass scraper (commercially available)
-1-
...
Checklist
Transporting children in the vehicle :
Comply with any country-specific legal
regulations.
Volkswagen recommends that children under
12 years of age are always transported on the rear seats.
Children should only be transported on
the front passenger seat in exceptional ci ...
