2003 Buick Rendezvous Owners Manual

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The 2003 Buick Rendezvous Owner Manual a Seats and Restraint Systems Front Seats Rear Seats Safety Belts Child Restraints Air Bag Systems Restraint System Check ........................... ............................................... ............................................... ............................................. ....................................... ...................................... ............................ Features and Controls ..................................... ........................................................ ....................................... ................................................. ............................ Keys Doors and Locks Windows Theft-Deterrent Systems Starting and Operating Your Mirrors Onstar@ System HomeLink@ Transmitter Storage Areas Sunroof Vehicle Personalization .................................................... ...................................... ............................. ......................................... .................................................. ............................. Vehicle Instrument Panel ............................................. .......................... Instrument Panel Overview Climate CGntrGls Warning Lights, Gages Message Center ...................................... and Indicators ....................................... 1-1 1-3 1-9 1-22 1-49 1-74 1-84 2-1 2-3 2-8 2-1 3 2-1 6 ........... 2-20 2-33 2-35 2-37 n 1 4 L-4 I 2-49 2-50 3-1 3-4 2 - 3 R " L" ......... 3-35 3-47 ........................................ .................................... Driver Information Center (DIC) Audio System(s) Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Towing ..................................................... ......................................................... .................. 3-56 ....................................... 3-69 Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1 ........ 4-2 ................................................... 4-33 Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1 5-3 5-5 ............... 5-10 5-46 5-48 ......... 5-53 5-55 5-87 5-95 5-96 ............... 5- 1 02 . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 04 Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1 ................................ 6-2 .................... 7-1 .................. 7-2 Service Fuel Checking Things Under the Hood All-Wheel Drive Bulb Replacement Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Tires Appearance Care Vehicle Identification Electrical System Capacities ana Speciiicaiions Maintenance Replacement Parts ...................................................... ..................................... ................................. ...................................... Index ................................................................ Customer Assistance Information Customer Assistance information Maintenance Schedule Canadian Owners You can obtain a French copy of this manual from your dealer or from: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207 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 on page 4-2. 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. 06/07/02 Corporation Motors OCopyright General Reserved Rights All GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, BUCK, the BUCK 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. Litho Part No. 1032421 8 A First Edition U.S.A. ii Index A good place to look for what you need is the Index in back of the manual. It’s an alphabetical list of what’s in the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it. 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. 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. 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.” These mean there is somethin- :hat could hurt you or other people. Vehicle Damage Warnings Also, in this book you will find these notices: Notice: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle. A notice will 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. 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: “Engine Compartment Overview” “Instrument Panel Overview” “Climate Controls” “Audio Systems” Also see Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators on page 3-35. IV These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle: /1\ LATCH BOTH LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS TO PROTECT OCCUPANT DO NOT TWIST SAFETY BELT WHEN ATTACHING *@&? @ at AIR BAG E\ 8- / , \ ENGINE COOLANT TEMP MASTER SWITCH LIGHTING - TURN C G SIGNALS BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM MOVE SEAT FULLY \!$% /z REARWARD* SECURE CHILD SEAT PULL BELT COMPLETELY THENSECURE CHILD SEAT DO NOT INSTALL A REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT IN THIS SEATING POSITION DO NOT INSTALL A -ORWARD-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT IN THIS SEATING POSITION PARKING LAMPS DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS CAUTION POSSIBLE INJURY PROTECT SHIELDING CAUSTIC BAlTERY \CID COULD CAUSE BURNS AVOID SPARKS OR FLAMES (a) ENGINE COOLANT FAN BRAKE COOLANT G3 FUEL OWNERS MANUAL ENGINE OIL PRESSURE W& SERVICE SERVICE MANUAL I;-r Seats and Restraint Systems Front Seats ...................................................... 1.3 Manual Passenger Seat .................................. 1.3 .......................... 1-3 Four-Way Manual Driver Seat Six-Way Power Seats .................................... .l -5 Manual Lumbar .............................................. 1-5 Heated Seats ................................................. 1.6 Reclining Seatbacks ........................................ 1-6 Head Restraints ............................................ -1 -8 Rear Seats ....................................................... 1.9 Rear Seat Operation ...................................... .l -9 Split Bench Seats ........................................... 1.9 Captain Chairs ......................................... 1-1 4 -1-1 8 Stowable Seat ......................................... Safety Belts ................................................... 1.22 for Everyone ................ 1-22 Safety Belts: They Are Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ............................................. . l -26 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................. 1-27 Driver I a m I -LO Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy .................. 1-36 Right Front Passenger Position ....................... 1.37 ................................. Rear Seat Passengers .l -38 .............................................. Position -1 -42 Center Rear Passenger Position .................... Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults .......................... Safety Belt Extender ..................................... 1-44 1-48 Child Restraints ............................................. 1.49 Older Children .............................................. 1.49 Infants and Young Children ............................ 1.52 Child Restraint Systems ................................. 1.55 Where to Put the Restraint ............................. 1-58 Top Strap .................................................... 1-59 Top Strap Anchor Location ............................. 1-60 Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) ........................... 1-64 Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System ................., Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........ SCCZ:~~?~ 2 chi!d Restr?.int in 8 ..... -1-66 .......... 1-66 Center Rear Seat Position .......................... 1-69 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position ............................ 1-71 1-1 Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Air Bag Systems ......................... ................... 1.74 ................... 1-77 Where Are the Air Bags? ............ ................... 1-80 When Should an Air Bag Inflate? . ................... 1-81 What Makes an Air Bag Inflate? .. How Does an Air Bag Restrain? ..................... 1-81 What Will You See After Air Bag Inflates? ....................................... 1-82 Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle ......... 1-83 an Restraint System Check .................................. 1-84 ................... 1-84 Checking Your Restraint Systems Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash ............................................ 1-84 1-2 Front Seats Manual Passenger Seat Pull up on the lever, located on the front of the seat, to unlock and move the seat. Four-Way Manual Driver Seat Use the lever located on the front left side of the seat to adjust the seat forward or rearward. Slide the seat to where you want it and release the lever. To make sure the seat is locked into place, try to move the seat back ana iorin wiiil p u r body. Pull up the lever to unlock the seat. Slide the seat to where you want it and release the lever. To make sure the seat is locked into place, try to move the seat back and forth with your body. 1 -3 To raise the seat, pull up on the lever located on the front right side of the seat. 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. To lower the seat, push the lever down. Adjust the seat and release the lever. 1 -4 Six-Way Power Seats Manual Lumbar Your vehicle may have this feature. If it does, the six-way power seat control is located on the outboard sides of the driver’s and front passenger’s seats. The knob that controls this feature is located on the outboard sides of the driver’s and front passenger’s seats. Move the front of the control up or down to adjust the front portion of the cushion up or down. 0 Move the rear of the control up or down to adjust the rear portion of the cushion up or down. Lift up or push down on the whole control to move the entire seat up or down. 0 To move the whole seat forward or rearward, slide the control forward or rearward. 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. 1-5 Heated Seats Reclining Seatbacks Your vehicle may have heated seats. If it does, the heated seat switches are located in the instrument panel switchbank. This feature will quickly heat the lower cushions and lower back of the driver’s and front passenger’s seat. 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 turned off 1-6 To adjust the seatback, pull up on the lever located on the outboard sides of both the driver’s and the front passenger‘s seats. 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. 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 it’s 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. 1-7 Head Restraints Adjust your head restraint 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. The front seat head restraints are adjustable. Slide the head restraint up or down to adjust it. 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. 1-8 Rear Seats Rear Seat Operation The rear seats in your vehicle have seat operating features to adjust, fold, remove and reinstall the seats. By using the seat operating procedures, in the correct order, you can easily remove the seats from your vehicle. When you put the seats back follow the label on the back of the seat for proper location. in the vehicle, be sure to Split Bench Seats 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 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. 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 1 -9 To recline the seatback on up-level split bench seats, push forward on the recliner lever located on the outboard side of the seatback. Removing the Split Bench Seat Each section of the split bench seat can be flipped forward or removed individually. Up-Level 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 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. 1-10 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. 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. 1 - -err+- . - I - - - I ! I L - - - L rr,,p.h;nn fUf Up-level splli UGI ILI I acaia, UUI 1 1 1 1 I U C ~ ~ U W ly 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 ;srr;oved from the vehic!e by fo!!nwing the next steps. 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 hench s w f 1-1 1 Replacing the Split Bench Seat 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. 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. 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. 1-13 Captain Chairs Folding or Reclirhg the Seatbacks 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. 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. 1-14 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. 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 fold forward the same way. After raising a seatback to an upright position, push and pull on the seatback to check that it is locked upright. 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. 1-15 Replacing the Captain’s Chairs If the seatback isn’t locked, it C O L , ~ ~ 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. 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. A seat that isn’t locked into place propGiiy 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. 1-16 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 r n r n e t I I I u a L y w . The seat must be placed in the proper location for the legs to attach correctly. m- 1. Hook the front latches over the front floor pins. 1-17 Stowable Seat The stowable seat is a two passenger bench seat and comes with the rear convenience center. See Rear Convenience Center on page 2-46 for more information. The stowable seat can be removed and replaced or, with the seatback folded, it can lie flat with the convenience center. Foldi-2 the SeatV-ck 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. 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. 1-18 To fold the seatback down, pull up on the lever located on the back of the seat. Push down on the seatback until it is locked into place. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is locked into place. To raise the seatback, do one of the following: 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. I r le s e a i b ~ k i?&s 2 p ~ ~ k e t ~ T I . - the side of the seatback when not in use, or 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. :G SO;;{ t k s:;~li; X Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is locked into the upright position. Removing the Stowable Seat I . Remove the convenience center, if it is in the vehicle. See Rear Convenience Center on page 2-46 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 the front of the bench seat, remove the two nuts from the brackets, located on the floor on each side. 5. From behind the bench seat, fold the seatback down. 6. Remove the rear nuts located on the floor on each 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. 1-15 luted, not improper11 A safety belt that is 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. 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 on page 2-46 for more information. Rep’-cir -I the Sto---able S-7t 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 it is press rearward on the seatback to be sure locked. 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. 1-20 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 vehicle floor so that the brackets are placed over the screws. 3. Reinstall the nuts back onto the screws. Torque to approximately 18 lb ft (25 Nom). 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. 1-21 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. Safety Belts Safety Belts: They Are 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. 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. 1-22 Why Safety Belts Work Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle UP. See When you ride in or on anything, YOU go as fast as Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-38. it goes. In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work. 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. 1-23 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts 0: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an 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. accident if I’m wearing a safety belt? Q: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in wear safety belts? 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. 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. 1-26 home, why should I wear safety belts? Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from 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 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 Older Children on page 7-49 or lnfants and Young Children on page 1-52. 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. 1-27 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. 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. 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 on page 1-48. 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. 1-28 'I 5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt. 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 !f vnll slid I-jndpr it: J --. -- le33 l:l,-l~, I--- -1;An l l n c l y +m IU J I I U b 1UUI thn ' I I V Ian holt I UI tnrlnr Y V . . . the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder, 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 -29 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. 1-30 Q: What's wrong with this? You can be seriously hut is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should fit against your body. ulder belt f yc 1-31 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. Q: What’s wrong with this? A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place. 1 -32 Q: What’s wrong with this? A: The belt is over an armrest. 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. 1-33 Q: What’s wrong with this? 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 -34 Q: What’s wrong with this? ~~~ A : The belt is twisted across the body. 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. 1-35 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. 1-36 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. 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 on page 7-28. 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. 1-37 Rear Seat Passengers Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions 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. 1-38 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. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-48. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you wouid be abie io Unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1-39 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 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. 1-40 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. You G-.) be seriously hurt .. jour 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. 1-41 Center Rear 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. Remove the shoulder belt from its stowage location in the roof and pull it all the way down to the lap belt. 1 -42 2. 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. 3. To make the lap belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt. 1-43 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Your vehicle may have this feature already. If it doesn’t, you can get it from any GM dealer. 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 available for each passenger position in the second row rear seat. To provide added safety belt comfort for children who have outgrown child restraints and booster seats 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: To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug 4. 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 on page 1-48. 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 -44 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 outslcle passenger position. 2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide. 1-45 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 Rear Seat Passengers on page 7-38. 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 the clip inward, leaving only the loop of elastic cord exposed. 1 -46 5 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. 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 Rear Passenger Position on page 7-42. 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 -48 Child Restraints Older Children 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. Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle's safety belts. 1-49 I 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. 1-50 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. 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. 1-51 Infants and Young 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. Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate restraints. Young children should not use the vehicle’s adult safety belts alone, unless there is no other choice. Instead, they need to use a child restraint. 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 CAUTION: (Continued) 1-52 it. 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. 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. 1-53 Newborn infants need con ete 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. restraints? Q: What are the different types of add-on child 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. 1-54 Child Restraint Systems The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safely 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 moior venicie, is an infant restraint system aesigneu 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. 1-55 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 -56 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 aiiachea io a iiai paa wnicn rests iow against tne 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 -57 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 - v . cnmn A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window. high-bsck ,hcc+er rezts hal~e 2 $!\JS-;C~$ ks:r,~ss. I .V 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 -58 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 hz\!e 9 tnn ctrap- !f ym!- ~ h i ! r J p ~ t - z i n t has 2 +Q --r --.- top strap, it should be anchored. 1-59 Top Strap Anchor Location 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, route the top strap under it. If you’re using a top strap-equipped child restraint in the second row center bench seat and need to temporarily transport a flat tire for repair, move the child restraint to a rear seat outboard position. See Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position on page 1-66 for more on this, including important safety information. 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. Captain’s Chairs 1-60 Second Row Outside Positions Bench Seat Second Row Center Position Bench Seat without Third Row Seat 1-61 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. Second Row Center Position Bench Seat with Third Row 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. 1-62 -. Second Row Center Position Bench Seat with Third Row Seat Folded Down 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. Third Row Passenger’s Side Outside Position There is also a top strap anchor for third row passenger’s side outside position. Locate the anchor symboi on ‘rhe iiap oi carpei ueilina ihe seai. iiii up ii~e carpet to access the anchor. 1-63 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 latches between the seatback and cushion. In order to use the system, you need either a forward-facing child restraint that has attaching points (9) at its base and a top tether anchor (C), or a rear-facing child restraint that has attaching points (B), as shown here. 1-64 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. With this system, use the LATCH system instead of the vehicle’s safety belts to secure a child restraint. 1-65 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position 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 on page 1-59. 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. 1-66 If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 1-64. You'll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See Top Strap on page 1-59 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. :+-- u.k, \ ' 0:: ::,J *;"ah* b&?"'&32t ?mW--L;- .--:,.,," ___, <-,, .,c,./xI 7 ..ll.-l"^ 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. 1-67 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. 1-68 4. 5. 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. 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. Securing a Child Restraint in Center Rear Seat Position 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 child restraint. See Center Rear Passenger Position on page 1-42. If you're using a top strap-equipped child restraint in the center rear seat and need to temporarily transport a flat tire for repair, move the child restraint to a rear seat m - _ L n--:c-.- __ ---- 4 CQ $-" outboard position. See Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear uuisiue seal rv3t1wtt V I I paye -ow I I IuI G this, including important safety information. 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 Top Strap on page 1-59 if the chiid restraint has one. -_"_ __ 1. 2. 3. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch plate and pulling it along the belt. Put the restraint on the seat. Run the vehicle's safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 1-69 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 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. 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. 1 -70 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 Top Strap on page 1-59 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’s air bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go before securing a forward-facing child restraint. See Manual Passenger Seat on page 1-3. 2. Put the restraint on the seat. 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. 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: A child in a rear-facing h i l d 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. 1-71 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. 1-72 5. 6. 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. 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. 1-73 If your vehicle has a side impact air bag for the right front passenger, the words AIR BAG will appear on the air bag covering on the side of the right front passenger’s seatback closest to the door. Air Bag Systems This part explains the frontal and side impact air bag systems. Your vehicle has air bags - a frontal air bag for the driver and another frontal air bag for the right front passenger. Your vehicle may also have a side impact air bag. Side impact air bags are available for the driver and right front passenger If your vehicle has a side impact air bag for the driver, the words AIR BAG will appear on the air bag covering on the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door. 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. 1-74 Here are the most important things to know about the air bag systems: You can be severely injured or killed in a crasn 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. 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. CAUTION: (Continued) river and The side ir..,-act -.r bags for the right front passenger are designed to inflate only in moderate to severe crashes wheresomething 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. 1-75 - - - 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 “Older Children” or “Infants and Young Children”. Where Are the Air Bags? There is a air bag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster, which shows the air bag symbol. 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 on page 3-39 for more information. The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of the -I - - .-: .- -. . - .L - - 1 II 1y V V I IGGl. >Lt=t=l 1 -77 The right front passenger’s frontal air bag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side. If your vehicle has one, the driver’s side impact air bag is in the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door. 1-78 If your vehicle has one, the right front passenger’s side impact air bag is in the side of the passenger’s seatback closest to the door. 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 -79 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. Your vehicle may or may not have a side impact air bag. See Air Bag Systems on page 7-74. 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. 1-80 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, the air bag and related hardware are all part of the air bag modules. Frontal air bag modules are located inside the steering wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with side impact air bags, the air bag modules are located in the seatback closest to the driver’s and/or right front passenger’s 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

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2003 Buick Rendezvous Owners Manual