2002 Buick Rendezvous Owners Manual

We support voluntary technician certification.

For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a French Language Manual: Aux propriétaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en français chez votre concessionaire ou au:

Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, BUICK, and the BUICK Emblem are registered trademarks and the name RENDEZVOUS is a trademark of General Motors Corporation. This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes after that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Buick Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual. Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new owner can use it.

vi

About Driving Your Vehicle As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an accident. See “Your Driving, the Road and Your Vehicle” in the Index. How to Use this Manual Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you do this, it will help you learn about the features and controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find that pictures and words work together to explain things quickly.

Safety Warnings and Symbols You will find a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning.

CAUTION:

These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people.

In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you or others could be hurt.

vii

You will also find a circle with a slash through it in this book. This safety symbol means “Don’t,” “Don’t do this” or “Don’t let this happen.”

Vehicle Damage Warnings Also, in this book you will find these notices:

NOTICE:

These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle.

In the notice area, we tell you about something that can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the damage.

viii

When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different words. You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE. Vehicle Symbols Your vehicle may be equipped with components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text describing the operation or information relating to a specific component, control, message, gage or indicator. If you need help figuring out a specific name of a component, gage or indicator reference the following topics in the Index: D “Engine Compartment Overview” D “Instrument Panel” D “Comfort Controls” D “Audio Systems” Also see “Warning Lights and Gages” in the Index. Here are some examples of symbols you may find on your vehicle:

ix

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

Here you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can also learn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.

1-2
1-8
1-21
1-25

1-26
1-26
1-35
1-36
1-37

Seats and Seat Controls Rear Seats Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers How to Wear Safety Belts Properly Driver Position Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Right Front Passenger Position Air Bag Systems

1-45
1-48
1-52

1-56
1-59
1-77
1-79
1-80
1-80

Center Passenger Position Rear Seat Passengers Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Children Restraint Systems for Children Older Children Safety Belt Extender Checking Your Restraint Systems Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash

1-

1-1

Seats and Seat Controls This section tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them, take them out, put them back in, fold and unfold them. Driver’s Four-Way Manual Seat

To move the seat forward or rearward, pull up on the lever, located on the front left of the seat, to unlock it.

Slide the seat to where you want it and release the lever. To make sure that the seat is locked into place, try to move the seat with your body.

1-2

To raise the seat, pull up on the lever located on the front right side of the seat. To lower the seat, push the lever down. Adjust the seat and release the lever.

CAUTION:

You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving.

Manual Front Passenger Seats

Six-Way Power Seat (Option)

To move the seat forward or rearward, pull up on the lever, located on the front of the seat, to unlock it.

The six-way power seat controls are located on the outboard side of the driver’s seat or on the outboard sides of both the driver’s and front passenger’s seats.

Slide the seat to where you want it and release the lever. To make sure that the seat is locked into place, try to move the seat with your body.

D Move the front of the control in the direction of the arrows to adjust the front portion of the cushion up or down.

D Move the rear of the control in the direction of the arrows to adjust the rear portion of the cushion up or down.

D Lift up or push down on both outer arrows at the

same time to move the entire seat up or down.

D To move the whole seat forward or rearward, slide

the control in the direction of the center arrows.

1-3

Manual Lumbar

Memory Seat (Option)

The knob that controls this feature is located on the outboard sides of the driver’s and front passenger’s seats.

If your vehicle has this feature, the controls are located on the driver’s door panel and are used to program and recall the driver’s seat position and outside rearview mirror position.

Turn the knob toward the front of the vehicle to increase lumbar support. Turn the knob toward the rear of the vehicle to decrease lumbar support.

1-4

Adjust the driver’s seat and the outside rearview mirrors to the position you would like for driving. Then press and hold memory button 1 for more than three seconds. A double beep will sound when the memory seat and mirrors are set. To set the seat and outside rearview mirrors for a second driver, follow the previous steps, but press button 2 instead. To recall your memory positions, your vehicle must be in PARK (P). Push and release the memory button (1 or 2) corresponding to the desired driving position. The seat and the outside rearview mirrors will move to the position previously stored for the identified driver. You will hear one beep.

You can also store an exit position for each driver. The exit position is programmed by moving the seat to the desired exit position and then holding the exit symbol button for more than three seconds. The exit position set will be for the most recently selected driving position (1 or 2). A double beep will sound when the memory is set. To use exit, your vehicle must be in PARK (P). Push and release the exit symbol button and the seat will move to the exit position stored for the most recently selected driver. You will hear one beep. To stop recall movement of the seat at any time, press one of the three memory buttons or one of the power seat controls located on the outboard side of the driver’s seat. If your vehicle is equipped with a Driver Information Center (DIC), you can use it to program certain functions of the memory seats. See “Driver Information Center (DIC) Vehicle Customization” in the Index.

Heated Front Seats (Option)

The heated seat switches are located in the center console switchbank.

This feature will quickly heat the lower cushions and lower back of the driver’s and front passenger’s seat for added comfort. The left switch is for the driver’s seat and the right switch is for the front passenger’s seat. Press the top of the switch to turn the heater on. Press the bottom of the switch to turn the heater off. The heated seat switch will turn off when the ignition is turned to OFF and will resume operation when the ignition is turned to ON, unless the switch is manually turned off.

1-5

Reclining Front Seatbacks

To adjust the seatback, pull up on the recliner lever located on the outboard sides of both the driver’s and passenger’s seat. It is easier to recline the seat if you lean forward, taking your weight off the seatback.

But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving.

1-6

CAUTION:

Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety belts can’t do their job when you’re reclined like this. The shoulder belt can’t do its job because it won’t be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you. In a crash you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. The lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash the belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear your safety belt properly.

Head Restraints

Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your head. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash. On some models, the head restraints tilt forward and rearward also. The rear seat head restraints in your vehicle may be adjustable. They work the same as the front seat head restraints, except they do not tilt forward or rearward.

1-7

Rear Seats The rear seats in your vehicle have seat operating features to adjust, fold, remove and reinstall the seats. By using the seat operating features, in the correct order, you can easily remove the seats from your vehicle. When you put the seats back in the vehicle, be sure to follow the label on the back of the seat for proper location. Split Bench Seats (If Equipped) If your vehicle has the split bench seat, the seatbacks can be folded forward or reclined individually and the sections can be flipped forward or removed individually.

Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks

CAUTION:

If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is locked.

The seatbacks on each section of the split bench seat can be reclined or folded forward.

1-8

It is easier to raise or lower the seatback if you lean forward and take the weight off the seatback. The seatbacks on each section also fold forward to put items behind the seats. Lift up or push forward on the recliner lever and fold the seatback forward. The seatback will lock into place when you push it back to the upright position. After raising a seatback to an upright position, push and pull on the seatback to check that it is locked upright.

To recline the seatback on base-level split bench seats, lift up on the recliner lever located on the outboard side of the seatback.

Base-Level

To recline the seatback on up-level split bench seats, push forward on the recliner lever located on the outboard side of the seatback.

Up-Level

Use the recliner lever to move the seatback to the desired position.

1-9

Removing the Split Bench Seat Each section of the split bench seat can be flipped forward or removed individually.

Base-Level

4. For base-level split bench seats, pull the lever at the

base of the seat on the outboard side to release the rear latches from the floor pins and flip the seat forward. For up-level split bench seats, continue pushing forward on the recliner lever to release the rear latches from the floor pins and flip the seat forward.

The seat can stay in this position or it can be removed from the vehicle by following the next steps.

1. Unlatch the shoulder belt from the lap-belt. 2. Make sure that the seatback is in the

upright position.

3. Lift up or push forward on the seatback recliner lever

to fold the seatback forward.

1-10

Replacing the Split Bench Sections

CAUTION:

If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is locked.

5. To release the front latches, squeeze the angled latch

release bar toward the straight crossbar.

6. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly toward the

rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out.

Repeat these steps for the other section of the split bench seat.

CAUTION:

A seat that isn’t locked into place properly can move around in a collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure to lock the seat into place properly when installing it.

1-11

CAUTION:

A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted won’t provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After installing the seat, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted.

Make sure that the seatback is in the folded forward position and that the safety belts are on the correct section of the seat. Don’t put the sections of the bench seat in so that they face rearward because they won’t latch that way. The split bench seat sections have seat position labels, located on the back of each section, showing where the section must go. The seat must be placed in the proper location for the legs to attach correctly.

1-12

1. Squeeze the angled latch release bar toward the

straight crossbar while placing the front hooks of the bench seat onto the front two floor pins.

2. Make sure that the

bench seat is angled so that the front hooks clear the floor pins. If the front legs are not attached correctly, the rear legs will not attach to the rear set of floor pins.

3. Firmly push the rear hooks onto the rear floor pins

by pushing down on the rear of the seat.

4. Try to raise the seat to check that it is locked down. 5. Lift the seatback recliner lever and raise the seatback

until it locks upright.

6. Push and pull on the seatback to check that it is

locked upright.

7. Attach the lap belt.

1-13

Captain’s Chairs (If Equipped)

CAUTION:

If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is locked.

If your vehicle has the captain’s chairs, the seatbacks can be reclined or folded forward.

1-14

To recline the seatback, lift up on the recliner lever located on the outboard side of the seatback. Use the recliner lever to move the seatback to the desired position. It is easier to raise or lower the seatback if you lean forward and take the weight off the seatback. The seatbacks on the second row captain’s chairs also fold forward. Lift up on the recliner lever and fold the seatback forward. The seatback will lock into place when you push it back to the upright position. After raising a seatback to an upright position, push and pull on the seatback to check that it is locked upright.

Removing the Captain’s Chairs 1. Make sure that the seatback is in the

upright position.

2. Lift the seatback recliner lever to fold the

seatback forward.

3. Pull up on the lever, located at the base on the

outboard side of the seat, to release the rear latches from the floor pins.

4. The seat can then be lifted off the front floor pins. 5. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly toward the

rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out.

Repeat these steps for the other captain’s chair.

1-15

Replacing the Captain’s Chairs

CAUTION:

If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is locked.

CAUTION:

A seat that isn’t locked into place properly can move around in a collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure to lock the seat into place properly when installing it.

CAUTION:

A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted won’t provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After installing the seat, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted.

Make sure that the seatback is in the folded forward position and that the safety belts are on the correct side of the chair. Don’t put the chairs in so that they face rearward because they won’t latch that way. The captain’s chairs have seat position labels, located on the back of each section, showing where the section must go. The seat must be placed in the proper location for the legs to attach correctly.

1-16

1. Hook the front latches over the front floor pins.

2. Push the rear of the seat down to lock the rear

latches onto the rear set of floor pins.

3. Push and pull on the seat to check that it is

properly attached.

1-17

Stowable Seat (Option) The optional stowable seat is a two passenger bench seat and comes with the rear convenience center. See “Rear Convenience Center” in the Index for more information. The stowable seat can be removed and replaced or, with the seatback folded, it can lie flush with the convenience center.

Folding the Seatback

To fold down the seatback, pull up on the lever located on the back of the seat and push the seatback down until it is locked into place.

1-18

Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is locked into place. To raise the seatback, do one of the following: D From the rear of the vehicle, pull up on the lever to release the seatback, then pull the strap, located on the right side of the seat, to pull the seatback up. The seatback has a pocket to stow the strap on the side of the seatback when not in use, or

D from the passenger’s side door, pull up on the lever to release the seatback, then push up on the seatback to raise the seat.

Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is locked into the upright position.

Removing the Stowable Seat 1. Remove the convenience center, if it is in the

vehicle. See “Rear Convenience Center” in the Index for more information.

2. Make sure all items are off of the stowable seat. 3. If the seatback is down, put the seatback in

its upright position before removing the seat. See “Folding the Seatback” listed previously.

4. From in front of the bench seat, remove the two nuts

located on the floor on each side of the bench seat.

5. From behind the bench seat, fold the seatback down. 6. Remove the nuts located on the floor on each side

of the bench side.

7. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly toward the rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out through the rear of the vehicle. This should be done in one motion. 8. Put the nuts back onto the screws so the nuts do

not get misplaced.

1-19

Replacing the Stowable Seat Do not put the stowable seat in so that it faces rearward. The stowable seat has to go in before the rear convenience center. See “Rear Convenience Center” in the Index for more information. The stowable seat has seat position labels, located on the back of the seat, showing where the seat must go. The seat must be placed in the proper location for the legs to attach correctly.

Make sure that the seatback is folded forward before beginning this procedure. 1. Remove the nuts from the screws. 2. Place the stowable seat on the floor so that the

brackets are placed over the screws.

3. Reinstall the nuts back onto the screws. 4. Try to raise the seat to make sure that it is

locked down.

5. Raise the seatback to its upright position.

Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is locked into place.

1-20

Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts. And it explains the air bag system.

CAUTION:

Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, you might not be if you are buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts are fastened properly too.

CAUTION:

It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly.

Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. See “Safety Belt Reminder Light” in the Index.

In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.

1-21

Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes.

You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed. After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter ... a lot!

Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat on wheels.

1-22

Put someone on it.

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider doesn’t stop.

1-23

The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...

or the instrument panel ...

1-24

Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an

accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you’re upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted.

Q: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have

to wear safety belts?

A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts -- not instead of them. Every air bag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions.

1-25

or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why safety belts make such good sense.

Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from

home, why should I wear safety belts?

A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an

accident -- even one that isn’t your fault -- you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers.

Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone.

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly Adults This part is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in your vehicle, see the part of this manual called “Children.” Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We’ll start with the driver position. Driver Position This part describes the driver’s restraint system. Lap-Shoulder Belt The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it properly. 1. Close and lock the door. 2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight.

To see how, see “Seats” in the Index.

1-26

4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.

Don’t let it get twisted. The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly.

5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt.

1-27

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.

1-28

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt adjuster to the height that is right for you.

To move it down, push down on the button and move the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move the adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder belt guide. After you move the adjuster to where you want it, try to move it down without pushing the button down to make sure it has locked into position. Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder.

1-29

Q: What’s wrong with this?

CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should fit against your body.

A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly

as much protection this way.

1-30

Q: What’s wrong with this?

CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash, the belt would go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you.

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.

1-31

CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if your belt goes over an armrest like this. The belt would be much too high. In a crash, you can slide under the belt. The belt force would then be applied at the abdomen, not at the pelvic bones, and that could cause serious or fatal injuries. Be sure the belt goes under the armrests.

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is over an armrest.

1-32

Q: What’s wrong with this?

CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your body would move too far forward, which would increase the chance of head and neck injury. Also, the belt would apply too much force to the ribs, which aren’t as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen.

A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should

be worn over the shoulder at all times.

1-33

Q: What’s wrong with this?

CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you wouldn’t have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or ask your dealer to fix it.

A: The belt is twisted across the body.

1-34

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they don’t wear safety belts.

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the belt and your vehicle.

A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy.

1-35

The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly. Right Front Passenger Position To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see “Driver Position” earlier in this section. The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt -- except for one thing. If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle the belt.

1-36

Air Bag Systems This part explains the frontal and side impact air bag systems. Your vehicle has four air bags -- a frontal air bag for the driver, another frontal air bag for the right front passenger, a side impact air bag for the driver, and another side impact air bag for the right front passenger. Frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating frontal air bag. But these air bags must inflate very quickly to do their job and comply with federal regulations. Here are the most important things to know about the air bag systems:

CAUTION:

You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you aren’t wearing your safety belt -- even if you have air bags. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Air bags are designed to work with safety belts but don’t replace them.

CAUTION: (Continued)

CAUTION: (Continued)

Frontal air bags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to work only in moderate to severe crashes where the front of your vehicle hits something. They aren’t designed to inflate at all in rollover, rear or low-speed frontal crashes, or in many side crashes. And, for some unrestrained occupants, frontal air bags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful air bags have provided in the past. The side impact air bags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to inflate only in moderate to severe crashes where something hits the side of your vehicle. They aren’t designed to inflate in frontal, in rollover or in rear crashes. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly -- whether or not there’s an air bag for that person.

1-37

CAUTION:

CAUTION:

Both frontal and side impact air bags inflate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating air bag, as you would be if you were leaning forward, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position for air bag inflation before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with frontal air bags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. Front occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door.

Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer the best protection for adults, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air bag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Always secure children properly in your vehicle. To read how, see the part of this manual called “Children.”

1-38

There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows the air bag symbol.

How the Air Bag Systems Work

Where are the air bags?

The system checks the air bag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index for more information.

The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.

1-39

The right front passenger’s frontal air bag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side.

The driver’s side impact air bag is in the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door.

1-40

The right front passenger’s side impact air bag is in the side of the passenger’s seatback closest to the door.

CAUTION:

If something is between an occupant and an air bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury or even death. The path of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t put anything between an occupant and an air bag, and don’t attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other air bag covering. Don’t let seat covers block the inflation path of a side impact air bag.

1-41

When should an air bag inflate? The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inflate only if the impact speed is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” In addition, your vehicle has “dual stage” frontal air bags, which adjust the amount of restraint according to crash severity. For moderate frontal impacts, these air bags inflate at a level less than full deployment. For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level for the reduced deployment is about 12 to 18 mph (19 to 29 km/h), and the threshold level for a full deployment is about 18 to 24 mph (29 to 38.5 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags are not designed to inflate in rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts because inflation would not help the occupant.

1-42

The side impact air bags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact air bag will inflate if the crash severity is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” The threshold level can vary with specific vehicle design. Side impact air bags are not designed to inflate in frontal or near-frontal impacts, rollovers or rear impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant. A side impact air bag will only deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck. In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air bag should have inflated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. For frontal air bags, inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal and near-frontal impacts. For side impact air bags, inflation is determined by the location and severity of the impact.

What makes an air bag inflate? In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For both frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the steering wheel, instrument panel and the side of the front seatbacks closest to the door.

How does an air bag restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle. The air bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag. Side impact air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including frontal or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact air bags.

What will you see after an air bag inflates? After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the air bag inflated. Some components of the air bag module -- the steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag, the side of the seatback closest to the door for the driver and right front passenger’s side impact air bags -- will be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t prevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.

CAUTION:

When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but can’t get out of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door.

1-43

In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger air bag. D Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After an air bag inflates, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system won’t be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include air bag modules and possibly other parts. The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts. D Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic frontal sensor, which helps the sensing system distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact. Your vehicle is also equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic module, which records information about the frontal air bag system. The module records information about the readiness of the system, when the system commands air bag inflation and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment. The module also records speed, engine rpm, brake and throttle data.

D Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag systems. Improper service can mean that an air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer for service.

NOTICE:

If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the right front passenger’s air bag, or the air bag covering on the driver’s and right front passenger’s seatback, the bag may not work properly. You may have to replace the air bag module in the steering wheel, both the air bag module and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s air bag, or both the air bag module and seatback for the driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact air bag. Do not open or break the air bag coverings.

1-44

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of the air bag systems in several places around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag systems. To purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.

CAUTION:

For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air bag can still inflate during improper service. You can be injured if you are close to an air bag when it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are probably part of the air bag systems. Be sure to follow proper service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualified to do so.

The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.

Center Passenger Position Lap-Shoulder Belt

If your vehicle has a bench seat, someone can sit in the center position. When you sit in the center seating position, you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor. You also have a shoulder belt, which has a retractor. In order to have the protection of the shoulder belt, you must first connect it to the lap belt.

1-45

Remove the shoulder belt from its stowage location in the roof and pull it all the way down to the lap belt.

Insert the metal knob on the shoulder belt into the keyhole on the lap belt buckle as shown. Be sure to slide the shoulder belt part into the keyhole until it locks into place.

1-46

To make the lap belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt. To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug. Buckle, position and release the lap-shoulder belt the same way as the other lap-shoulder belts. If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

1-47

Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions

Rear Seat Passengers It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

1-48

Lap-Shoulder Belt The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder belts. Here’s how to wear one properly.

2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.

1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.

Don’t let it get twisted. The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly.

If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

1-49

3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.

1-50

The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor. Each position next to the windows in the second row has a shoulder belt height adjuster. Move the shoulder belt adjuster to the height that is right for you. To move it down, push down on the button and move the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move the height adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder belt guide. After you move the adjuster to where you want it, try to move it down without pushing the button down to make sure it has locked into position. Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder.

CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should fit against your body.

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.

1-51

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Your vehicle may have rear shoulder belt comfort guides. This feature will provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better positions the belt away from the neck and head. There is one guide for each passenger position in the second row rear seat. To provide added safety belt comfort for children who have outgrown child restraints and for smaller adults, the comfort guides may be installed on the shoulder belts. Here’s how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt:

1-52

Second Row Outside Positions

For second row outside positions do the following: 1. Remove the guide from its storage clip located on the sidewall next to the outer side of each outside passenger position.

2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the two edges

of the belt into the slots of the guide.

3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat.

The guide must be on top of the belt.

1-53

Second Row Center Position

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as

described in “Rear Seat Passenger Positions” earlier in this section. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder.

To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out of the guides. Pull the guide upward to expose its storage clip, and then slide the guide onto the clip. Turn the guide and clip inward, leaving only the loop of elastic cord exposed.

1-54

For second row center position do the following: 1. Remove the elastic cord from under the head

restraint of the second row driver’s side position.

2. Attach the elastic cord to the comfort guide on the

center passenger shoulder belt.

3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat.

The guide must be on top of the belt.

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as

described in “Center Passenger Position” earlier in this section. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder.

To remove and store the elastic cord, remove it from the comfort guide. The elastic cord will go back under the head restraint.

1-55

Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle. Infants and Young Children Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by the appropriate restraint. Young children should not use the vehicle’s safety belts, unless there is no other choice.

1-56

CAUTION:

People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much -- until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it.

CAUTION: (Continued)

CAUTION: (Continued)

For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a 240-lb. (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. A baby should be secured in an appropriate restraint.

CAUTION:

Children who are up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer outstanding protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air bag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide.

1-57

CAUTION:

Newborn infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and shoulders. Infants always should be secured in appropriate infant restraints.

Q: What are the different types of add-on

child restraints?

A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the

vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child’s weight, height and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used.

For most basic types of child restraints, there are many different models available. When purchasing a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come with the restraint state the weight and height limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition, there are many kinds of restraints available for children with special needs.

1-58

Restraint Systems for Children

CAUTION:

The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that’s unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints.

An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed to restrain or position a child on a continuous flat surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the center of the vehicle.

1-59

A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint.

A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for the child’s body with the harness and also sometimes with surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-like shields.

1-60

Q: How do child restraints work? A: A child restraint system is any device designed for use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position children. A built-in child restraint system is a permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on child restraint system is a portable one, which is purchased by the vehicle’s owner. For many years, add-on child restraints have used the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to be secured within the restraint. The vehicle’s belt system secures the add-on child restraint in the vehicle, and the add-on child restraint’s harness system holds the child in place within the restraint. One system, the three-point harness, has straps that come down over each of the infant’s shoulders and buckle together at the crotch. The five-point harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip straps and a crotch strap. A shield may take the place of hip straps. A T-shaped shield has shoulder straps that are attached to a flat pad which rests low against the child’s body. A shelf- or armrest-type shield has straps that are attached to a wide, shelf-like shield that swings up or to the side.

1-61

A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and some high-back booster seats have a five-point harness. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window.

When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system in your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury. When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the instructions that come with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer. Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. General Motors, therefore, recommends that child restraints be secured in a rear seat including an infant riding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat. Here’s why:

1-62

CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating air bag. Always secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat. You may secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, but before you do, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It’s better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat.

Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child restraint properly. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle -- even when no child is in it.

Top Strap Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.” It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision. For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to the vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top strap being anchored. Others require the top strap always to be anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint. If yours requires that the top strap be anchored, don’t use the restraint unless it is anchored properly. If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available.

In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be anchored.

1-63

Anchor the top strap to one of the following anchor points. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed. If you have an adjustable head restraint, raise the head restraint and route the top strap under it. Once you have the top strap anchored, you’ll be ready to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions say. Your vehicle has top strap anchors already installed for the rear seating positions. An anchor bar for a top strap is located at the rear of the seat cushion for each second row outboard seating position and the anchor bar for the center position for the bench seat is located on the floor behind the second row seats. If the vehicle has the extended rear convenience center, you need to remove a plastic plug and look under the convenience center to find the anchor bar for the center position for the bench seat. If the vehicle has a third row seat and the seatback is upright, there is an anchor strap located between the third row seatback and cushion to anchor the child restraint for the second row center position bench seat. If the vehicle has a third row seat and the seatback is folded, there is anchor on the back of the third row seat for the second row center position bench seat.

1-64

There is also a top strap anchor for third row passenger’s side outside position. Locate the anchor symbol on the flap of carpet behind the seat. Lift up the carpet to access the anchor.

Captain’s Chairs

Second Row Outside Positions Bench Seat

Second Row Center Position Bench Seat

without Third Row Seat

1-65

Second Row Center Position Bench Seat

with Third Row Seat

Second Row Center Position Bench Seat

with Third Row Seat Folded Down

1-66

Third Row Passenger’s Side Outside Position

Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) Your vehicle has the LATCH system. You’ll find anchors (A) in the second row outside passenger positions. To assist you in locating the lower anchors for this child restraint system, each seating position with the LATCH system will have a red dot on the seatback above the latch.

1-67

In order to use the system, you need either a forward-facing child restraint that has attaching points (B) at its base and a top tether anchor (C), or a rear-facing child restraint that has attaching points (B), as shown here.

With this system, use the LATCH system instead of the vehicle’s safety belts to secure a child restraint.

1-68

CAUTION:

If a LATCH-type child restraint isn’t attached to its anchorage points, the restraint won’t be able to protect a child sitting there. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchorage points, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint. See “Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position” in the Index for information on how to secure a child restraint in your vehicle using the vehicle’s safety belts.

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System 1. Find the anchors for the seating position you want to use, where the bottom of the seatback meets the back of the seat cushion.

2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 3. Attach the anchor points on the child restraint to

the anchors in the vehicle. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

4. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach the top strap to the top strap anchor. See “Top Strap” in the Index. Tighten the top strap according to the child restraint instructions.

5. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, simply unhook the top strap from the top tether anchor and then disconnect the anchor points.

1-69

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position

If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see “Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH)” in the Index. You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. 1. Put the restraint on the seat. 2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder

portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

1-70

Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed. If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or neck, put it behind the child restraint.

3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

1-71

Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position (Bench Seat)

The center rear seating position has a lap-shoulder belt. To secure a child restraint in this position, you’ll use only the lap part of the belt. Disconnect the shoulder part of the belt and store it before securing a child restraint. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one.

4. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re using a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

5. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger. 1-72

1. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch

plate and pulling it along the belt.

2. Put the restraint on the seat. 3. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

5. To tighten the belt, pull its free end while you

push down on the child restraint. If you’re using a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

6. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure.

1-73

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt. When you remove the child restraint, be sure to reconnect the lap and shoulder parts of the belt so they will be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger. Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position

Your vehicle has a front passenger air bag. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in this seat. Here’s why:

CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the front passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating air bag. Always secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat.

Although a rear seat is a safer place, you can secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat. You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. 1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger

air bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go before securing a forward-facing child restraint. See “Seats” in the Index.

2. Put the restraint on the seat.

1-74

3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder

portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed.

If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or neck, put it behind the child restraint.

4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

1-75

5. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt while you push down on the child restraint. You may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

6. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.

1-76

Older Children

Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts.

Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? A: If possible, an older child should wear a

lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should fit snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash.

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat. In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety belts properly.

1-77

CAUTION:

Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A belt must be used by only one person at a time.

Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt, but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child’s face or neck?

A: If the child is sitting in a seat next to a window, move the child toward the center of the vehicle. If the child is sitting in the center rear seat passenger position, move the child toward the safety belt buckle. In either case, be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide. If the child is sitting in a rear seat, see “Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” in the Index.

1-78

CAUTION: (Continued)

The belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries.

The lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash. Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. The extender will be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt.

1-79

CAUTION:

Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in a crash the child might slide under the belt.

CAUTION: (Continued)

If the LATCH system was being used during a more severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts. If you ever see a label on the driver’s or right front passenger’s safety belt that says to replace the belt, be sure to do so. Then the new belt will be there to help protect you in a collision. You would see this label on the belt near the door opening. If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt or LATCH system wasn’t being used at the time of the collision. If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in this section.

Checking Your Restraint Systems Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away. Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.) Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts or LATCH system parts? After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn during a more severe crash, then you need new parts.

1-80

Section 2 Features and Controls

Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting, shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.

2-2
2-4
2-6
2-9
2-14
2-21
2-22
2-23
2-25
2-28
2-28
2-30
2-31
2-32
2-37
2-38
2-40
2-41
2-41

Windows Keys Door Locks Remote Keyless Entry System (Option) Vehicle Customization Liftgate Theft Content Theft-Deterrent (Option) PASS-Key III New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped) Automatic Transaxle Operation Parking Brake Shifting Into PARK (P) Shifting Out of PARK (P) Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust

2-

2-42
2-43
2-50
2-52
2-59
2-70
2-71
2-72
2-77
2-80

2-85

2-95
2-105

2-122
2-125

Running Your Engine While You’re Parked Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever Exterior Lamps Interior Lamps Storage Compartments Accessory Inflator System (Option) Accessory Power Outlets OnStar System (Option) HomeLink Transmitter (Option) The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System Warning Lights, Gages, Messages and Indicators Message Center Driver Information Center (DIC) (If Equipped) Head-Up Display (Option) Rear Parking Assist (Option)

2-1

Windows

CAUTION:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome by the extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with the windows closed in warm or hot weather.

2-2

Power Windows

Switches on the driver’s door armrest control each of the windows when the ignition is in ON, ACCESSORY, or when retained accessory power is active. See “Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” in the Index for more information. In addition, each passenger’s door has a window switch.

The driver’s power window switch has two down positions. Push the rear of the switch to the first position to lower the window normally. Press the rear of any passenger window switch and that window will open. Press the front of any switch to close the window. Express-Down Feature The driver’s window switch also has an express-down feature. This switch is labeled AUTO. To activate the express-down feature, push the rear of the driver’s window switch to the second position, then release it. The window will lower completely. To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front of the switch. To raise the window, press and hold the front of the switch.

Passenger Window Lock Feature The driver’s window controls also include a lock-out switch. Press the right side of the WDO LOCK switch to stop rear passengers from lowering their window. The driver can still control all of the windows with the lock on. Press the other side of the WDO LOCK switch for normal window operation.

2-3

Keys

CAUTION:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or others could be badly injured or even killed. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

2-4

The key can be used for the ignition as well as all the door locks, the floor console and the glovebox.

Any new PASS-Key III key must be programmed before it will start your vehicle. See “PASS-KeyR III” in the Index for more information on programming your new key.

If you need a new key, contact your dealer, who can obtain the correct key code. For more information see “Roadside Assistance” in the Index. Your vehicle has the PASS-KeyR III vehicle theft system. The key has a transponder in the key head that matches a decoder in the vehicle’s steering column. If a replacement key or any additional key is needed, you must purchase this key from your dealer. The key will have PK3 stamped on it. Keep the bar code tag that came with the original keys. Give this tag to your dealer if you need a new key made.

NOTICE:

Your vehicle has a number of new features that can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock your key inside. You may even have to damage your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have an extra key.

2-5

Door Locks

CAUTION:

Unlocked doors can be dangerous. D Passengers -- especially children -- can

easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle won’t open it. You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors aren’t locked. So, wear safety belts properly and lock the doors whenever you drive.

D Young children who get into unlocked

vehicles may be unable to get out. A child can be overcome by extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle whenever you leave it.

D Outsiders can easily enter through an

unlocked door when you slow down or stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can help prevent this from happening.

2-6

There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. From the outside, use your key or press UNLOCK on the optional remote keyless entry transmitter. See “Remote Keyless Entry” in the Index for more information. To unlock either front door from the outside with the key, insert the key and turn it toward the front of the vehicle. To lock either front door from the outside with the key, insert the key and turn it toward the rear of the vehicle.

To lock any door from the inside, push the manual locking lever forward.

To unlock any door from the inside, pull back on the manual locking lever.

Power Door Locks

The power door lock switch is located on the driver’s and front passenger’s doors next to the door handle.

Press the front of the switch to lock all doors, or press the back of the switch to unlock all doors. The rear doors do not have power door lock switches. Instead, each rear door has a manual lever that works only that door’s lock. If your vehicle has the optional content theft-deterrent system, the power door lock switch may cause the system to arm. See “Content Theft-Deterrent System” in the Index for more information.

Delayed Locking With the delayed locking feature, the doors will not lock immediately when locking the doors using the power door lock switch or when LOCK on the optional remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed while any door is open. Instead, three chimes will be heard to indicate that the delayed locking feature is in operation. Five seconds, after all doors are closed, the doors will then lock automatically. If the ignition is in ON or ACCESSORY, this feature will not lock the doors. To program the delayed locking feature, see “Vehicle Customization” in the Index. If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information Center (DIC), see “Driver Information Center” in the Index.

2-7

Automatic Door Lock/Unlock All of the doors will automatically lock when all doors are closed, the engine is running and the shift lever is shifted out of PARK (P). All of the doors will automatically unlock when the shift lever is shifted into PARK (P). With the automatic door lock feature, you can still lock or unlock the doors at any time, either manually, with the power door lock switches or by pressing LOCK on the optional remote keyless entry transmitter. See “Remote Keyless Entry” in the Index for more information. To program the automatic door lock feature, see “Vehicle Customization” in the Index. If your vehicle is equipped with the Driver Information Center (DIC), see “Driver Information Center” in the Index.

Rear Door Child Security Locks Your vehicle is equipped with rear door security locks that help prevent passengers from opening the rear doors on your vehicle from the inside. To use one of these locks do the following: 1. Open one of the rear doors.

2. On the inside of the rear door will be a lock. Push the lever up to engage the safety lock.

3. Close the door. 4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for the other rear door lock. The rear doors on your vehicle cannot be opened from inside the vehicle when this feature is in use. If you want to open the rear door when the security lock is on, unlock the door from the inside and then open the door from the outside.

2-8

Canceling the Rear Door Child Security Locks 1. Unlock and open the rear door from the outside. 2. Push the lever down to disengage the safety lock. 3. Close the door. 4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for the other rear door lock. The rear door locks will now work normally. Lockout Prevention The lockout prevention feature makes it difficult for you to lock your keys in your vehicle. If any door is open while the key is in the ignition, pressing the front of a power door lock switch will lock all doors, then unlock the driver’s door. If you leave the key in your vehicle but not in the ignition or if you use the manual door lock, you could still lock the key in the vehicle. Always remember to take the key with you. Leaving Your Vehicle If you are leaving the vehicle, take your key, open your door and set the locks from the inside. Then get out and close the door.

Remote Keyless Entry System (Option)

With this feature, you can lock and unlock your doors from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.

Your remote keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.

2-9

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and