1998 Chevrolet Astro Owners Manual

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1 power controls

Supplement t AstroBafari Uwnd

‘0 the 1998

zr’s Manual

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This information replaces the “Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash” portion located in Section 1 in your owner’s

manual.

Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash If you’ve had a.crash, do you need new safety belts or built-in child restraint parts? After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. belts or built-in child restraint harness But if the straps were stretched, as they would be if worn during a more severe crash, then you need new safety belts or harness straps.

safety

Part No. 15020756

If you ever see a label on the drrver’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 latch plate. If safety belts or built-in child restraint harness straps are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt, built-in child restraint or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the safety belt or built-in child restraint 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.

The 1998 Chevrolet Astro Owner’s Manual

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Seats and Restraint Systems This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SIR’ system. Features and Controls This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle. Comfort Controls and Audio Systems This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system. Your Driving and the Road Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions. Problems on the Road This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc. Service and Appearance Care Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good. Maintenance Schedule This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use. Customer Assistance Information This section tells you how to contact Chevrolet for assistance and how to get service and owner publications. It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects’’ on page 8- 10. Index Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find something you want to read.

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CHEVROLET

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem and the name ASTRO are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation. This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the product after that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet 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 in U.S.A. C9810 B First Edition

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We support voluntary technician certification.

WE SUPPORT

VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION THROUGH

National Institute for

A U T O M O T I V E

S E R V I C E

E X C E L L E N C E

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

DGN Marketing Services Ltd. 1577 Meyerside Dr. Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1B9

@Copyright General Motors Corporation 1997 All Rights Reserved

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. 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. A 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.

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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.”

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

NOTICE:

These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle.

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Vehicle Symbols These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.

For example, these symbols are used on an original battery:

These symbols are important for you and your passengers whenever your vehicle is driven:

DOOR LOCK UNLOCK

These symbols have to do with your lamps:

These symbols are on some of your controls:

SIGNALS e

TURN

CAUTION POSSIBLE INJURY

PROTECT EYES BY SHIELDING

CAUSTIC

BURNS

AVOID SPARKS OR FLAMES

SPARK OR FLAME COULD EXPLODE BATTERY

FASTEN SEAT BELTS

POWER WINDOW

,\I/,

These symbols are used on warning and indicator lights:

COOLANT TEMP

CHARGING I-1

BATTERY

SYSTEM

Here are some other symbols you may see:

LIGHTER

FUSE -%- t (a) HORN b SPEAKER b e, p3

FUEL

COOLANT

ENGINE OIL PRESSURE

ANTI-LOCK (@)

BRAKES

WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER

BRAKE

WINDOW DEFOGGER

$0

VENTILATING FAN

FOG LAMPS

Model Reference This manual covers these models:

Cargo Van

Passenger Van

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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.

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Seats and Seat Controls Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone Here Are Questions 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 System Rear Seat Passengers

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1-38 1-39 1-44 1-52 1-65 1-68 1-68 1-68

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Center Passenger Position (Bench Seat) Children Built-in Child Restraint (Option) Child Restraints Larger Children Safety Belt Extender Checking Your Restraint Systems Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash

Seats and Seat Controls This section tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them, take them out and put them back in. It also tells you about bucket and bench seats, power seats and head restraints. Man1 7 Front Sc

ts

2-Way Front Seat

’

. ’ . ’? .. The bucket seats can be

adjusted forward or rearward by the lever at the front 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.

Move the seat adjustment lever at the front of the seat toward the driver’s door to unlock it. Slide the seat to where you want it. Then release the lever and try to move the seat with your body, to make sure the seat is locked into place.

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Manual Lumbar Support (If Equipped)

Power Seats (If Equipped) If you have this feature, there will be a control pad on the inboard side of the driver and passenger bucket seats.

If you have this feature, there will be a knob on the inboard side of the driver and passenger bucket seats. 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.

The front control makes the front of the seat go up and down. The center control makes the whole seat go forward, rearward, up or down. The rear control makes the rear of the seat go up and down.

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Reclining Seatbacks There is a lever on the inside of the seat to adjust the seatback.

You can adjust the seatback by lifting the lever. Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it. Pull up on the lever and the seat will go to an'upright position.

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

A CAUTION: --

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Sit ---lg in a reclined position wl- - n 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 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. either. In a crash the The lap belt can’t do its job 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 Head restraints are fixed on some models and adjustable on others. Slide an adjustable head restraint up or down so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your ears. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash. Seatback Latches (Non-Touring Bench Seats)

The seatback lever is on the right rear of your seat.

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To fold your non-touring seatback forward, pull up on the latch release lever while pulling the seatback toward the rear of the vehicle.

RELEASE

After the latch has been released, push the seatback toward the front of the vehicle until it locks in place. To raise the seatback, unlock the seatback latch by pushing up on the lever while pushing down on the upper edge of the seatback. Move the seatback into the upright position. Make sure the seatback is locked when it is back in the upright position.

A 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 is locked.

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Rear Seats

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.

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See “Manual Front Seats” and“Rec1ining Seatbacks” earlier in this section or in the Index.

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A safety belt that is twisted or not properly attached 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 not twisted and are properly attached.

Bucket Seats

If you have rear bucket seats with an adjustment lever at the front of the seats, they will recline and adjust the same way as the

You may have rear bucket seats with an adjustment release bar at the front of the seats. These seats can be adjusted forward or rearward with the release bar. Pull the release bar up to release the seat bottom and slide the seat where you want it. Then let go of the release bar and try to move the seat with your body, to make sure the seat is locked into place.

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Bench Seats If you have bench seats in your vehicle, each seat can carry up to three passengers. They can also be removed to increase storage space. The center bench (if not equipped with a built-in child restraint) and rear bench seats can be adjusted forward or rearward by the lever at the front of the seat.

The optional touring bench seats come with moveable armrests, individual reclining seatbacks, adjustable headrests and a fold-down center armrest console.

Move the seat adjustment lever at the front of the seat toward the passenger’s side to unlock it. Slide the seat to where you want it. Then release the lever and try to move the seat with your body, to make sure the seat is locked into place.

The non-touring center bench seat has a pivoting right armrest. The left armrest can also be used as a storage compartment.

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To adjust your seatback, pull up on the lever on the lower outside of the seat. The center bench seatbacks will recline further back than the rear bench seatbacks.

Removing the Rear Seats To remove the rear seats, do the following:

To raise or lower the center console, press the button between the beverage holders. Sit in the center seating position only when the console is-in an upright position.

For details about headrests, see “Head Restraints” in this section.

r7-7 I TO DETACH \\ BELT FOR I SEAT REMOVAL 1

-Q-.

INSERT KEY INTO HOLE 1 ANDPUSH

1.

If you are removing the center seat, remove the right lap-shoulder belt. To do this, press the tip of a key into the release hole of the safety belt attachment while pulling up on the safety belt.

2.

If you have a safety belt guide on your seat, pull the safety belt all the way out through the guide.

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3. Pull up on the seatback latch on the right rear of the

front seat. Push the seatback down until it locks in place (non-tourine bench seats only).

4. Lift up on the left seat release lever, then the right.

The latches are near the floor on the rear legs of the seat.

5. Lift up on the rear of the seat to remove the seat

assembly from the rear latch pins. Then, pull back and lift the seat out of the vehicle. Your seat release latch lever is sprung with a two-stage mechanism. To fully release the latch, two levels of lift effort will be required. First, a low effort to overcome the first stage and then a moderate effort to fully release the latch.

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Replacing the Rear Seats To replace the rear seats, do the following:

1. Lower the seat into position. Make; sure the front

retainers are hooked onto the anchor pins.

2. Pull the seat down to latch the rear retainers. Make sure the seat is locked in by pulling up and down on the seat.

3. To raise the seatback, unlock the seatback latch by

pushing up on the latch release lever at the right rear of the seat, while pushing down on the upper edge of the seatback. Move the seatback into the upright position. Make sure the seatback is locked when it is back in the upright position.

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4. If you are replacing the center seat, connect the right

lap-shoulder belt to the attachment on the seat cushion. If you have a safety belt guide on your seat, pull the belt through the guide before reattaching the lap-shoulder belt to the side of the seat. The release hole should be facing outward. If you installed the safety belt with the release hole facing inward (toward the seat), slide the plastic cover up so you can see the buckle. Disconnect the seat belt. Slide the cover back down and reinstall the belt correctly.

NOTICE:

Be sure to put the correct seats back in the proper positions so the safety belts will work properly.

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.

I A 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.

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= = -

/rl 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. 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!

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

Put someone on it.

Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose itas just a seat on wheels.

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

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

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or the instrument panel ...

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.

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Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers @ 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.

@ 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.

@ 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.

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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 (to see how, see “Seats” in the Index)

so you can sit up straight.

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

Don’t let it get twisted.

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.

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

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 a crash.

To move it down, push in at the top of the arrows 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 in to make sure it has locked into position.

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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.

What’s wrong with this?

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.

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,Q: What's wrong with this?

A CAUTION:

this. In a crash,

You can be seriously injul 1 if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like 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.

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Q.' What's wrong with this?

A 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.

A: The belt is over an armrest.

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

I I A 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.

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@' 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.

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.

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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 you ever pull the lap portion of the belt out all the way, you will engage the child restraint locking feature. If this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and start again. Air Bag System This part explains the air bag system. Your vehicle has two air bags -- one air bag for the driver and another air bag for the passenger. The air bags in your vehicle may be “Next Generation” reduced-force frontal air bags. If your vehicle has a label on the driver’s side window, then your vehicle has reduced-force frontal air bags. If your vehicle doesn’t have a label, then the air bags in your vehicle aren’t reduced-force. 1-26

Reduced-force frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating air bag. But even these air bags must inflate very quickly if they are to do their job and comply with federal regulations. Here are the most important things to know about the air bag system:

‘ 3 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 “supplemental restraints’’ to the safety belts. All air bags are designed to work with safety belts, but don’t replace them. Air bags 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, side or low-speed frontal safety belt properly -- whether or not there’s an crashes. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a air bag for that person.

1 \ CAUTION:

Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating air bag, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with air bags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle.

I CAUTION: (Continued) 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” and see the caution labels on the sunvisors and the right front passenger’s safety belt.

A CAUTION:

Children who are up against, or very close to, an air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. This is true even if your vehicle has reduced-force frontal air bags. 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

CAUTION: (Continued)

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

BAG

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.

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How the Air Bag System Works

Where are the air bags? The driver's air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.

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I The right front passenger's air bag is in the instrument

panel on the passenger's side.

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. 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. And don’t hang anything from the assist handle on the passenger’s side of the instrument panel.

When should an air bag inflate? An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate only if the impact speed is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is about 1 1 to 16 mph (1 8 to 26 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 air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers, side impacts or rear impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant. 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. Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or near-frontal impacts. 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. 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 and in the instrument panel in front of the right front passenger.

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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. Air bags supplement 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 air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts and side 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. 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, or the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag -- 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 vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle. 1-30

/A 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 door.

Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they inflate, 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. Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic module, which records information about the air bag system. The module records information about the readiness of the system, when the sensors are activated and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.

0 Let only qualified technicians work

system. Improper service can mean that your system won’t work properly. See your dealer for service.

on your air bag air bag

NOTICE:

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

If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as water up to the carpeting or higher -- or if water enters your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controller can be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens, and then you start your vehicle, the damage could make the air bags inflate, even if there’s no crash. You would have to replace the air bags as well as the sensors and related parts. If you vehicle is ever in a flood, or if it’s exposed to water that soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless repair costs by turning off the vehicle immediately. Don’t let anyone start the vehicle, even to tow it, unless the battery cables are first disconnected.

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of the air bag system in several places around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your dealer and the GM Service Manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. To purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.

For up to 10 minutes 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 wires wrapped with yellow tape or yellow connectors. They are probably part of the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualified to do so.

The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.

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Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle @ If I add a push bumper or a bicycle rack to the

front of my vehicle, will it keep the air bags from working properly?

A: As long as the push bumper or bicycle rack is

attached to your vehicle so that the vehicle’s basic structure isn’t changed, it’s not likely to keep the air bags from working properly in a crash.

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. Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions

@ Is there anything I might add to the front of the

vehicle that could keep the air bags from working properly?

A: Yes. If y01- - Jd things that change your vehicle’s frame, bumper system, front end sheet metal or height, they may keep the air bag system from working properly. Also, the air bag system may not work properly if you relocate any of the air bag sensors. If you have any questions about this, you should contact Customer Assistance before you modify your vehicle. (The phone numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See “Customer Satisfaction Procedure” in the Index.)

I

‘

Lap-Shoulder Belt

These positions have lap-shoulder belts. Here’s how to wear one properly.

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

Don’t let it get twisted.

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

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.

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

1-34

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 a crash.

1 A 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.

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 children who have outgrown child restraints and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide pulls the belt away from the neck and head. There is one guide for each outside passenger position in the rear seats. 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:

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

1-35

1. Remove the guide from its storage clip on the side of

the seatback.

2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elastic cord must be under the belt. Then, place the guide over the belt, and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide.

‘I

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

The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide on top.

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as

described in “Rear Seat Outside 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 from the guides. Slide the guide onto the storage clip.

1-37

Center Passenger Position (Bench Seat)

Lap Belt If your vehicle has rear bench seats, someone can sit in the center positions.

When you sit in a center seating position, you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt.

I

Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap part of a lap-shoulder belt. 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. Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! That includes infants and all children smaller than adult size. 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.

To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug.

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Smaller Children and Babies (Except Cargo Vans)

A CAUTION:

Children who are up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. This is true even if your vehicle has reduced-force frontal air bags. 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.

- - Smaller children and baL-3 should always be restrained in a child or infant restraint. The CAUTION: (Continued)

1-40

CAUTION: (Continued)

instructions for the restraint will say whether it is the right type and size for your child. A very young child’s hip bones are so small that a regular belt might not stay should. Instead, the belt will likely be over the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force right on the child’s abdomen, which could cause serious or fatal injuries. So, be sure that any child small enough for one is always properly restrained in a child or infant restraint.

low on the hips, as it

Infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because an 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 restraint settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of the infant’s body, the back and shoulders. A baby should be secured in an appropriate infant restraint. This is so important that many hospitals today won’t release a newborn infant to its parents unless there is an infant restraint available for the baby’s first trip in a motor vehicle.

CAUTION: (Continued)

at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-1b. (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a 240-1b. (110 kg) force on your arms. The baby would be almost impossible to hold. Secure the baby in an infant restraint.

1 A CAUTION: vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much -- until a Never hold a baby in your arms while riding in a

crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy you can’t hold it. For example, in a crash

CAUTION: (Continued)

1-41

Smaller Children and Babies (Cargo Vans)

- -

I A CAUTION:

Children who are up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. This is true even if your vehicle has reduced-force frontal air bags. 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.

A very young child’s hip bones are so small that a regular belt might not stay low on the hips, as it should. Instead, the belt will likely be over the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force right on the child’s abdomen, which could cause serious or fatal injuries. Smaller children and babies should always be restrained in a child restraint. However, infants, who should be restrained in a rear-facing child restraint, cannot ride safely in this vehicle. The instructions for the restraint will say whether it is the right type and size for your child. If a forward-facing child restraint is suitable for your child, be sure the child is always properly restrained while riding in this vehicle.

Never hold a baby in your arms while riding in a

A CAUTION: vehicle. A baby doesn't weigh much -- until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy you can't hold it. For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a 240-1b. (110 kg) force on your arms. The baby would be almost impossible to hold.

1-43

Each child restraint is designed for use only by children who weigh between 22 and 60 pounds (10 and 27 kg) and whose height is between 33.5 and 5 1 inches (850 and 1 295 mm) and who are capable of sitting upright alone. The child should also be at least one year old. It is important to use a rear-facing infant restraint until the child is about a year old. A rear-facing restraint gives the infant’s head, neck and body the support they would need in a crash. See “Child Restraints” later in this section for more information. @ What if the top of my child’s shoulders is above the shoulder belt slots for the five-point child restraint harness system?

A: A child whose shoulders are above the shoulder belt slots for the five-point child restraint harness system shouldn’t use the harness. Instead, the child should sit on the vehicle’s regular seat cushion and use the vehicle’s adult safety belts.

Built-in Child Restraint (Option)

If your vehicle has this option, there’s a built-in child restraint at each outboard position of the second row bench seat. This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

1-44

Securing a Child in the Built-in Child Restraint

BEFORE YOU USE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT, BE SURE THE TOP OF THE CHILD’S SHOULDERS IS BELOW THE SLOTS THAT THE HARNESS GOES THROUGH. IF A CHILD WHOSE SHOULDERS ARE ABOVE THOSE SLOTS USES THIS CHILD RESTRAINT, THE CHILD COULD BE IN JURED DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. IF THE TOP OF THE CHILD’S SHOULDERS IS ABOVE THE SLOTS, DON’T USE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

1. Lower the child restraint cushion.

1-45

I

Using the vehicle’s regular safety belts on a child seated on the child restraint cushion can cause serious injury to the child in a sudden stop or crash. If a child is the proper size for the built-in child restraint, secure the child using the child restraint’s harness, But children who are too large for the built-in child restraint should sit on the vehicle’s regular seat and use the regular safety belts.

WARNING! FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS ON THE USE OF THIS CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN YOUR CHILD STRIKING THE VEHICLE’S INTERIOR DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. SNUGLY ADJUST THE BELTS PROVIDED WITH THIS CHILD RESTRAINT AROUND YOUR CHILD.

You’ll be using the child restraint’s hg-ness (A) to secure your child. Don’t use the vehicle’s safety belts.

1-46

2. If the left and right halves of the shoulder harness

clip are fastened together, separate them.

3. Place the child on the child restraint cushion.

4. Select only one side of the harness. In a single

motion, pull the shoulder part of the harness out, and place the harness over the child's shoulder. If the belt stops before the latch plate reaches the buckle, let the belt go back all the way and start again.

5. Push the latch plate (B) into the buckle until it clicks. Be sure the buckle is free of any foreign objects that may prevent you from securing the latch plates. If you can't secure a latch plate, see your dealer for service before using the child restraint.

1-47

6. With the other side of the harness, pull the shoulder part of the harness out in a single motion and place the harness over the child's shoulder. If the belt stops before the latch plate reaches the buckle, let the belt go back all the way and start again.

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

9. Now fasten the left and right halves of the shoulder

harness clip together. The purpose of this clip is to help keep the harness positioned on the child's shoulders.

8. Pull up on both latch plates to make sure they

are secure.

1-48

A CAUTION:

An unfastened shoulder harness clip won’t help keep the harness in place on the child’s shoulders. If the harness isn’t on the child’s shoulders, it won’t be able to restrain the child’s upper body in a sudden stop or crash. The child could be seriously injured. Make sure the harness clip is properly fastened.

10. Pull up on both shoulder harnesses to tighten the

lap parts of the harness.

1-49

Removing the Child trom the Built-in Child Restraint

11. Adjust the position of the harness on the child’s

shoulders by moving the clip up or down along the harness. On each side of the harness, the shoulder part should be centered near the child’s shoulder. The harness should be away from the child’s face and neck, but not falling from the child’s shoulders.

If you expect that the child will sleep while riding, you can recline the seatback. See “Seats” in the Index.

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1. Unfasten the shoulder harness clip.

Storing the Built-in Child Restraint Always properly store the built-in child restraint before using the vehicle's lap-shoulder belt. 1. Fasten the harness clip, but leave the harness

unbuckled.

2. Unlatch the harness by pushing the button on

the buckle.

3. Move one side of the harness off the child's shoulder. 4. Move the other side of the harness off the

child's shoulder.

5. Remove the child from the child restraint cushion.

2. Fold the child restraint cushion and leg rest up into

the seatback.

3. Press the child restraint cushion firmly into the seatback.

Child Restraints Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have protection provided by appropriate restraints. @ What are the different types of add-on

child restraints?

A: Add-on child restraints are available in four basic types. When selecting a child restraint, take into consideration not only the child’s weight and size, but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used.

4. Then press the leg rest firmly into the seatback, and

secure it by pressing the upper corners against the fastener strips on the seatback.

Just like the other restraint systems in your vehicle, your built-in child restraint needs to be periodically checked and may need to have parts replaced after a crash. See “Checking Your Restraint Systems” and “Replacing Seat and Restraint System Parts After a Crash” in the Index.

1-52

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

A rear-facing infant restraint (B) positions an infant to face the rear of the vehicle. Rear-facing infant restraints are designed for infants of up to about 20 lbs. (9 kg) and about one year of age. This type of restraint faces the rear so that the infant’s head, neck and body can have the support they need in a crash. Some infant seats come in two parts -- the base stays secured in the vehicle and the seat part is removable.

1-53

1-54

A forward-facing child restraint (C-E) positions a child upright to face forward in the vehicle. These forward-facing restraints are designed to help protect children who are from 20 to 40 lbs. (9 to 18 kg) and about 26 to 40 inches (66 to 102 cm) in height, or up to around four years of age. One type, a convertible restraint, is designed to be used either as a rear-facing infant seat or a forward-facing child seat.

1-55

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. The instructions that come with the infant or child restraint will show you how to do that. Both the owner’s manual and the child restraint instructions are important, so if either one of these is not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer. Where to Put the Restraint (Except Cargo Vans) Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We at General Motors therefore recommend that you put your child restraint in a rear seat. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat. Here’s why:

A booster seat (F, G) is designed for children who are about 40 to 60 lbs. (18 to 27 kg) and about four to eight years of age. It’s designed to improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Booster seats with shields use lap-only belts; however, booster seats without shields use lap-shoulder belts. Booster seats can also help a child to see out the window.

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/1\ CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured if the right front passenger’s air bag inflates, even if your vehicle has reduced-force frontal air bags. 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.

Where to Put the Restraint (Cargo Vans) The child restraint must be secured properly in the passenger seat. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in this vehicle. Here’s why:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured if the passenger’s air bag inflates, even if your vehicle has reduced-force frontal air bags. This is because the back of a rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating air bag. Do not use a rear-facing child restraint in this vehicle. If a forward-facing child restraint is suitable for your child, always move the passenger seat as far back as it will go.

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.

1-57

a Child Restraint Securing Top Strap

i Outside Seat Position

If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be anchored. If you need to have an anchor installed, you can ask your GM dealer to put it in for you. If you want to install an anchor yourself, your dealer can tell you how to do it.

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.

1-58

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.

1-59

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 a Center Seat Position (Bench Seat)

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.

You’ll be using the lap belt. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the instructions say. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one.

child restraint when and as the

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. . . . ., . . .

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.

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.

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A CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured if the front passenger’s air bag inflates, even if your vehicle has reduced-force frontal air bags. This is because the back of a rearfacing child restraint would be very close to the inflating air bag. If your vehicle is a passenger van, always secure a rearfacing child restraint in a rear seat. If your vehicle is a cargo van, do not use a rearfacing child restraint in this vehicle. If a forward-facing child restraint is suitable for your child, always move the passenger seat as far back as it will go.

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. It 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:

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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 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. 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. 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.

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5. Pull the rest of the lap belt all the way out of the

retractor to set the lock.

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6.

7.

To tighten the belt, feed the lap belt back into the retractor 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.

Larger Children

If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a window so the child can wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the safety belts properly. 0 Children who aren’t buckled up can be thrown out in

a crash.

0 Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other

people who are.

Children who have outgrown child restraints should wear the vehicle’s safety belts.

1-65

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: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but 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 outside position, see “Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” in the Index. If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still very close to the child’s face or neck, you might want to place the child in a seat that has a lap belt, if your vehicle has one.

1-66

I A CAUTION:

Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a is behind lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part 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.

Wherever the child sits, 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.

1-67

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. 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. If your vehicle has a built-in child restraint, also periodically make sure the harness straps, latch plates, buckle, clip, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt and built-in child restraint system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt or built-in child restraint 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. If your vehicle has the built-in child restraint, torn or frayed harness straps can rip apart under impact forces just like torn or frayed safety belts can. They may not protect a child in a crash. If a harness strap is torn or frayed, get a new harness 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 safety belts or built-in child restraint parts? After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. But if the safety belts or built-in child restraint harness straps were stretched, as they would be if worn during a more severe crash, then you need new safety belts or harness straps.

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If safety belts or built-in child restraint harness straps are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt, built-in child restraint or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the safety belt or built-in child restraint 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.

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If you ever see a label on a right front 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 latch plate.

& NOTES

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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 2-4 2-6 2-7 2- 10 2-13 2- 14 2- 14 2- 15 2- 16 2- 17 2- 18 2- 19 2-22 2-23 2-26 2-26

Keys Front Doors Rear Doors Door Locks Keyless Entry System (Option) Sliding Door Hatch Theft Passlock@ New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped) Automatic Transmission Operation Parking Brake Shifting Into PARK (P) Shifting Out of PARK (P) Parking Over Things That Burn

2-27 2- 27 2-28 2-28 2-29 2-30 2-30 2-3 1 2-37 2-38 2-40 2-4 1 2-48 2-49 2-50 2-50 2-54 2-57

Engine Exhaust Running Your Engine While You’re Parked Locking Rear Axle (Option) All-Wheel Drive (Option) Windows Horn Tilt Wheel (If Equipped) Turn SignalhAultifunction Lever Exterior Lamps Interior Lamps Mirrors Storage Compartments Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter Sun Visors Accessory Power Outlets Universal Transmitter (Option) Instrument Panel Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

Keys I A CAUTION

Leaving young 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 power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.

2-2

This vehicle has one double-sided key for the ignition and door locks. It will fit with either side up.

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 keys inside. You may even have to damage your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have extra keys.

When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer provides the owner with a pair of identical keys and a bar-coded tag. The bar-coded tag has a code on it that tells your dealer or a qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep this tag in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you’ll be able to have new ones made easily using this tag.

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Front Doors To open the front side door from the outside, grasp the handle and pull the door open.

Rear Doors If you have the Dutch doors, you must open the hatch first. See “Hatch Release” in the Index.

To open the front side door from the inside, pull the lever toward you and push the door open.

Cargo Door Shown

Rear doors can only be opened from the outside. Open the passenger’s side rear door first. Grasp the handle and pull the door open.

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To open the driver’s side rear door, pull on the latch release handle in the inside of the door.

I To fully open the rear doors,

push in on the clip and lift

To close the rear doors, close the driver’s side door first. Check to make sure both doors are completely closed. The rear doors have a check assembly to keep the doors from opening beyond 90 degrees.

Do this on each door. Replace the check assemblies on the mounting brackets before closing the doors. See the Caution following “Swing-Out Windows” in this section.

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I

To lock the front doors and sliding side door from the inside, slide the lock levers down. To unlock the front doors and the sliding side door from the inside, slide the lock levers up.

Power Door Locks (If Equipped)

If your vehicle has power door locks, press the power door lock switch to lock or unlock all the doors at once.

Door Locks

Unlocked doors can be dangerous.

Passengers -- especially children -- can easily

open the doors and fall out. When a door is locked, the inside handle won’t open it. Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked door when you slow down or stop your vehicle. This may not be so obvious: You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts properly, lock your doors, and you will be far better off whenever you drive your vehicle.

There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. Your vehicle may be equipped with Remote Keyless Entry. For more information, see “Remote Keyless Entry” later in this section. To unlock your door from the outside, use your key.

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The power door lock switch will lock or unlock the rear hatch and Dutch doors. See “Hatch Release” in this section. Every vehicle with power door locks has a pulse lock system. A pulse lock system works like this: If the sliding door is open and you press the power door lock switch, the sliding door will not lock immediately. After you close the door, the system comes on and, in about five seconds, locks the sliding door. All models have overriding door locks. When a door is locked, the inside door handle will not work the latch. This will help stop a door from being accidentally opened. Leaving Your Vehicle If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and close the door. Keyless Entry System (Option) If your vehicle has this option, you can lock and unlock your doors or unlock your rear hatch from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.

Your keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada. 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 (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

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Operation When you press UNLOCK, the driver’s door will