2004 Chevrolet Astro Owners Manual

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2004 Chevrolet Astro Owner Manual M Front Seats Rear Seats Safety Belts Child Restraints Air Bag System Restraint System Check Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1 ............................................... 1-2 ............................................... 1-7 ............................................. 1-13 ....................................... 1-35 ....................................... 1-63 ............................ 1-70 Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1 ........................................................ 2-2 ....................................... 2-6 ................................................. 2-14 ............................ 2-16 ........... 2-17 .................................................... 2-30 ............................. 2-31 ......................................... 2-34 Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1 .......................... 3-2 ...................................... 3-18 ......... 3-23 ....................................... 3-38 Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1 ..... 4-2 ................................................... 4-29 Keys Doors and Locks Windows Theft-Deterrent Systems Starting and Operating Your Vehicle Mirrors HomeLink® Transmitter Storage Areas Instrument Panel Overview Climate Controls Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators Audio System(s) Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Towing Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1 Service ..................................................... 5-3 Fuel ......................................................... 5-4 Checking Things Under the Hood ................. 5-9 All-Wheel Drive ........................................ 5-47 Rear Axle ............................................... 5-48 Front Axle ............................................... 5-48 Bulb Replacement .................................... 5-49 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ......... 5-56 Tires ...................................................... 5-56 Appearance Care ..................................... 5-86 Vehicle Identiﬁcation ................................. 5-95 Electrical System ...................................... 5-95 Capacities and Speciﬁcations ................... 5-102 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts .... 5-104 Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1 ................................ 6-2 Customer Assistance and Information .............. 7-1 ........... 7-2 ........................... 7-10 Index ................................................................ 1 Customer Assistance and Information Reporting Safety Defects 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 GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem and the name CHEVY 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 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. 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 will ﬁnd that pictures and words work together to explain things. Index A good place to look for what you need is the Index in back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is in the manual, and the page number where you will ﬁnd it. Litho in U.S.A. Part No. C2410 A First Edition ii ©Copyright General Motors Corporation 06/24/03 All Rights Reserved Safety Warnings and Symbols You will ﬁnd a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning. {CAUTION: These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people. In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you or others could be hurt. 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.” iii 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 has 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: • Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1 • Features and Controls in Section 2 • Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3 • Climate Controls in Section 3 • Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators in Section 3 • Audio System(s) in Section 3 • Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5 iv These are some examples of symbols you may ﬁnd on your vehicle: Model Reference This manual covers these models: Cargo Van Passenger Van vi Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Front Seats ......................................................1-2 Manual Seats ................................................1-2 Power Seat ...................................................1-3 Manual Lumbar ..............................................1-3 Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-4 Head Restraints .............................................1-5 Seatback Latches ...........................................1-6 Rear Seats .......................................................1-7 Rear Seat Operation .......................................1-7 Bench Seat ..................................................1-11 Bucket Seats ...............................................1-12 Safety Belts ...................................................1-13 Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................1-13 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......1-17 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-18 Driver Position ..............................................1-18 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-26 Right Front Passenger Position .......................1-27 Center Passenger Position .............................1-27 Rear Seat Passengers ..................................1-29 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults .......................................1-32 Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-34 Child Restraints .............................................1-35 Older Children ..............................................1-35 Infants and Young Children ............................1-38 Child Restraint Systems .................................1-44 Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-47 Top Strap ....................................................1-48 Top Strap Anchor Location .............................1-50 Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) ...........................1-52 Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System ....................................1-55 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position ................................1-55 Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Seat Position ............................................1-58 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position ....................................1-60 Air Bag System ..............................................1-63 Where Are the Air Bags? ...............................1-65 When Should an Air Bag Inﬂate? ....................1-67 What Makes an Air Bag Inﬂate? .....................1-67 How Does an Air Bag Restrain? .....................1-67 What Will You See After an Air Bag Inﬂates? ...1-68 Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle .........1-69 Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle ................................1-70 Restraint System Check ..................................1-70 Checking Your Restraint Systems ...................1-70 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash ............................................1-71 1-1 Front Seats Manual Seats {CAUTION: You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving. The bucket seats can be adjusted forward or rearward using the lever located under the front of the seat. Move the seat adjustment lever toward the ouboard side of the seat 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 that the seat is locked into place. 1-2 Power Seat If your vehicle has this feature, there will be controls located on the inboard side of the driver’s seat. Manual Lumbar To raise or lower the front of the seat cushion, raise or lower the lever located toward the front of the vehicle. To raise or lower the rear of the seat cushion, raise or lower the lever located toward the rear of the vehicle. To move the entire seat backwards, forward, or up or down, move the center knob. If your vehicle has this feature, there will be a knob located on the inboard side of the driver’s and passenger’s 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. 1-3 Reclining Seatbacks There is a lever located on the inside of the seat to adjust the seatback. You can adjust the seatback by lifting the lever and leaning back. Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it. Pull up on the lever, lean forward and the seatback will go to an upright position. 1-4 But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving. {CAUTION: Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety belts can’t do their job when you’re reclined like this. The shoulder belt can’t do its job because it won’t be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you. In a crash you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. The lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash the belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear your safety belt properly. Head Restraints 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. 1-5 Seatback Latches The seatback lever is located on the right rear of your seat. If your vehicle has the non-touring bench seatback, pull up on the latch release lever while pulling the seatback toward the rear of the vehicle. After the latch has been released, push the seatback toward the front of the vehicle until it locks into 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. {CAUTION: If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is locked. 1-6 Rear Seats Rear Seat Operation Removing the Rear Seats To remove the rear seats, do the following: 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. 3. To store the safety belt while the second row bench seat is removed, pull the belt out and put both buckles in the passenger’s side rear storage bin. Route the belt out of the forward edge of the storage bin. Close the cover to retain the belt. 4. Pull up on the seatback latch on the right rear of the seat. Push the seatback down until it locks into place. 1-7 5. Lift up on the left and the right seat release levers at the same time. The latches are near the ﬂoor on the rear legs of the seat. 6. Lift up on the rear of the seat to remove the seat assembly from the rear latch pins. Then, pull the whole seat back to remove the seat from the front retainers and then lift the seat out of the vehicle. 1-8 Replacing the Rear Seats 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. {CAUTION: A seat that isn’t locked into place properly can move around in a collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure to lock the seat into place properly when installing it. 1-9 3. To raise the seatback, do the following: 3.1. Unlock the seatback latch by pulling up on the latch release lever at the right rear of the seat, while pushing down on the upper edge of the seatback. 3.2. Move the seatback into the upright position. Make sure the seatback is locked when it is back in the upright position. 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. {CAUTION: A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted won’t provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After raising the rear seatback, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted. 1-10 Bench Seat Each bench seat can carry up to three passengers. They can also be removed to increase storage space. Only the rear bench seat can be adjusted forward or rearward using the lever at the front of the seat. The optional bench seats come with moveable armrests, individual reclining seatbacks, adjustable headrests and a fold-down center armrest console. Move the seat adjustment lever located at the front of the seat toward the passenger’s side to unlock it. Slide the seat to where you want it and release the lever. Try to move the seat with your body, to make sure the seat is locked into place. The center bench seat has a pivoting right armrest. To adjust your seatback, pull up on the lever located on the outboard side of the seat cushion. 1-11 Bucket Seats If your vehicle has the optional touring package, your vehicle will have a center console. To raise or lower the center console, press the button located between the beverage holders. Sit in the center seating position only when the console is in an upright and locked position. For details about headrests, see HeadRestraintson page1-5. Your vehicle may have rear bucket seats with an adjustment release bar located under 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. Slide the seat where you want it and then let go of the release bar. Then try to move the seat with your body to make sure the seat is locked into place. 1-12 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. {CAUTION: Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, you might not be, if you are buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts are fastened properly too. {CAUTION: It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly. Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. See SafetyBeltReminder Lightonpage3-26. 1-13 Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes. In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here’s why: Theywork. You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up, a person wouldn’t survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed. After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter... a lot! Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat on wheels. 1-14 Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider doesn’t stop. 1-15 The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield... or the instrument panel... 1-16 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I’m wearing a safety belt? A: You could be – whether you’re wearing a safety belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you’re upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you canunbuckle and get out, is muchgreater if you are belted. Q: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to wear safety belts? A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts – not instead of them. Every air bag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions. 1-17 or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why safety belts make such good sense. Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts? A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an accident – even one that isn’t your fault – you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone. How to Wear Safety Belts Properly 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 OlderChildrenonpage1-35 or InfantsandYoungChildrenonpage1-38. 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 is how to wear it properly. 1. Close and lock the door. 2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index. 1-18 3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not 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 is not long enough, see SafetyBelt Extenderonpage1-34. 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. 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 would 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 is a sudden stop or crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor. 1-19 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 it 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. 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. 1-20 Q: What’s wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should ﬁt against your body. A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not give nearly as much protection this way. 1-21 Q: What’s wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash, the belt would go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you. A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place. 1-22 Q: What’s wrong with this? A: The belt is over an armrest. {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. 1-23 Q: What’s wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your body would move too far forward, which would increase the chance of head and neck injury. Also, the belt would apply too much force to the ribs, which aren’t as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen. A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times. 1-24 Q: What’s wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you wouldn’t have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or ask your dealer to ﬁx it. A: The belt is twisted across the body. 1-25 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. 1-26 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. Center Passenger Position Lap Belt 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 DriverPositiononpage1-18. 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. If your vehicle has rear bench seats, someone can sit in the center positions. 1-27 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. To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug. 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 SafetyBeltExtenderon page1-34. 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 Rear Seat Passengers It is 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 are not 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 Lap-Shoulder Belt These positions have lap-shoulder belts. Here is how to wear one properly. 1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not 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. 1-29 2. 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 is not long enough, see SafetyBelt Extenderonpage1-34. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so that you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 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 would 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. 3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part. 1-30 The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or a crash. {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should ﬁt against your body. To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. 1-31 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Rear safety belt comfort guides 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. Here is how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt: 1. Remove the guide from its storage clip on the side of the seatback. 1-32 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. 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. 1-33 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. 4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as described in RearSeatPassengersonpage1-29. 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. Slide the guide onto the storage clip. 1-34 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. 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. 1-35 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 provides. If the child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see RearSafetyBeltComfortGuidesforChildren andSmallAdultsonpage1-32. 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. {CAUTION: Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A belt must be used by only one person at a time. 1-36 {CAUTION: Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in a crash the child might slide under the belt. 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. 1-37 Infants and Young Children Except Cargo Vans 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. 1-38 {CAUTION: People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much -- until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it. CAUTION: (Continued) CAUTION: (Continued) {CAUTION: 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. 1-39 {CAUTION: Newborn infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and shoulders. Infants always should be secured in appropriate infant restraints. Q: What are the different types of add-on child restraints? A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child’s weight, height and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used. For most basic types of child restraints, there are many different models available. When purchasing a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come with the restraint state the weight and height limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition, there are many kinds of restraints available for children with special needs. 1-40 {CAUTION: The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that’s unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints. Cargo Vans {CAUTION: Children who are up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer outstanding protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air bag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. 1-41 {CAUTION: {CAUTION: Newborn infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and shoulders. Infants always should be restrained in appropriate infant restraints. However, infants, who should be restrained in a rear-facing child restraint, cannot ride safely in this vehicle. The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that’s unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints. 1-42 {CAUTION: People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much -- until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it. 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. 1-43 Child Restraint Systems An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed to restrain or position a child on a continuous ﬂat surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the center of the vehicle. 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. 1-44 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. A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to improve the ﬁt of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and some high-back booster seats have a ﬁve-point harness. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window. 1-45 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 or the LATCH 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. 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-poit harness, has straps that come down over each of the infant’s shoulders and buckle together at the crotch. The ﬁve-point harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip straps and a crotch strap. A shield may take the place of hip straps. A T-shaped shield has shoulder straps that are attached to a ﬂat pad which rests low against the child’s body. A shelf- or armrest-type shield has straps that are attached to a wide, shelf-like shield that swings up or to the side. 1-46 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. 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 is why: {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s air bag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating air bag. Always secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat. CAUTION: (Continued) CAUTION: (Continued) If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is 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. 1-47 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, do not 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. Cargo Vans The child restraint must be secured properly in the passenger seat. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in this vehicle. Here is why: {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the 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. Do not use a rear-facing child restraint in this vehicle. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the front passenger position, always move the front 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. 1-48 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. {CAUTION: Each top tether bracket is designed to anchor only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single bracket could cause the anchor to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured if this happens. To help prevent injury to people and damage to your vehicle, attach only one child restraint per bracket. Once you have the top strap anchored, you will be ready to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions say. 1-49 In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be anchored. Top Strap Anchor Location Cargo Van Models If your vehicle is a cargo van, the anchoring point for a top strap is located at the rear of the seat cushion on the right front passenger’s seat spacer bar. Anchor the top strap through the two slots. {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the 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. Do not use a rear-facing child restraint in this vehicle. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the front passenger position, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. 1-50 Cargo Van Models Passenger Van Models Passenger Van Bucket Seats Bucket Seats: An anchoring point is located below the rear of the seat cushion on the spacer bar. Anchor the top strap through the two slots on the bar. Passenger Van Bench Seat (Second row) Bench Seats: An anchor bracket is located at the rear of the seat cushion near the top rear of the seat leg for each outboard seating position of the second row. For the third row, an anchor bracket is located at the rear of the seat cushion near the top rear of the seat leg for the right outboard seating position. If you have adjustable head restraints, raise the head restraint and route the top strap under it. 1-51 The third row has one anchor for the passenger side outboard position only. Do not use a child restraint with a top strap in the right front passenger’s position, the second or third row center positions, or the third row driver side position because there is no place to anchor the top strap. Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) If you have a passenger van it has the LATCH system. It has two sets of anchors (A) in the second row of seats. In a seven passenger van, the anchors are located in each of the bucket seats in the second row. In an eight passenger van, the anchors are located in the driver and passenger side seating positions of the second row bench seat. 1-52 This system, designed to make installation of child restraints easier, does not use the vehicle’s safety belts. Instead, it uses vehicle anchors (A, B) and child restraint attachments to secure the restraints. Some restraints also use another vehicle anchor to secure a top tether strap (C). In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint designed for that system. 1-53 With this system, use the LATCH system instead of the vehicle’s safety belts to secure a child restraint. To assist you in locating the lower anchors for this child restraint system, each seating position with the LATCH system has a label on the seatback at each lower anchor position. The labels are located on the inboard and outboard positions of the rear seats. {CAUTION: If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to its anchorage points, the restraint will not be able to protect the child correctly. 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 following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. 1-54 Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System 1. Find the LATCH anchorages 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 and tighten the LATCH attachments on the child restraint to the LATCH anchorages in the vehicle. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 4. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchorage. The child restraint instructions will show you how. Also see TopStraponpage1-48. 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 tether from the top tether anchorage and then disconnect the LATCH attachments from the LATCH anchorages. Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see LowerAnchoragesandTopTethersfor Children(LATCHSystem)onpage1-52 in the Index. See TopStraponpage1-48 if the child restraint has one. 1-55 There is no top strap anchor at the third row driver side position. Do not secure a child seat in this position if a national or local law requires that the top strap be anchored, or if the instructions that came with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. 1. Put the restraint on the seat. 2. Pick up the latch plate and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 1-56 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. 4. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. If you are using a forward-facing child restraint, you may ﬁnd it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. 5. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger. 1-57 Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Seat Position Bench Seat If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you’ll be using the lap belt to secure the child restraint in this position. 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. If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see LowerAnchoragesandTopTethersfor Children(LATCHSystem)onpage1-52. See TopStrap onpage1-48 if the child restraint has one. There are no top strap anchors at the second and third row center seating positions. Do not secure a child seat in these positions if a national or local law requires that the top strap be anchored, or if the instructions that came with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. 1-58 1. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch plate and pulling it along the belt. 2. Put the restraint on the seat. 3. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. 4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 5. To tighten the belt, pull its free end while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re using a forward-facing child restraint, you may ﬁnd it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. 6. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. 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. 1-59 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position Your vehicle has a front passenger air bag. Never put a rear facing child restraint in this seat. Here’s why: {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the front passenger’s air bag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating air bag. If your vehicle is a passenger van, always secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat. If your vehicle is a cargo van, do not use a rear-facing child restraint in this vehicle. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the passenger seat as far back as it will go. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see LowerAnchoragesandTopTethersfor Children(LATCHSystem)onpage1-52. See TopStrap onpage1-48 if the child restraint has one. 1-60 If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. 1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go before securing a forward-facing child restraint. See ManualSeatsonpage1-2. 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. 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. 1-61 5. Pull the rest of the belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock. 6. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. You may ﬁnd it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. 7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. 1-62 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. Air Bag System This part explains the air bag system. Your vehicle has air bags – one air bag for the driver and another air bag for the right front passenger. Frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inﬂating air bag. But these air bags must inﬂate very quickly to do their job and comply with federal regulations. Here are the most important things to know about the air bag system: {CAUTION: You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you are not 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 CAUTION: (Continued) CAUTION: (Continued) ejected from it. Air bags are designed to work with safety belts, but do not replace them. Air bags are designed to deploy only in moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crashes. They are not designed to inﬂate in rollover, rear or low-speed frontal crashes, or in many side crashes. And, for some unrestrained occupants, air bags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful air bags have provided in the past. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an air bag for that person. 1-63 {CAUTION: {CAUTION: 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 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. 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 OlderChildrenonpage1-35 and Infants andYoungChildrenonpage1-38. 1-64 United States Canada There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows AIR BAG or 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 AirBagReadinessLighton page3-26 for more information. Where Are the Air Bags? The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel. 1-65 {CAUTION: If something is between an occupant and an air bag, the bag might not inﬂate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury or even death. The path of an inﬂating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t put anything between an occupant and an air bag, and don’t attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other air bag covering. The right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side. 1-66 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 9 to 16 mph (14 to 26 mph/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, rear impacts, or in many side 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. 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 many 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. 1-67 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 the vents in the deﬂated air bags. Air bag inﬂation doesn’t prevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle. {CAUTION: When an air bag inﬂates, there is dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but can’t get out of the vehicle after an air bag inﬂates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door. If you experience breathing problems following an air bag deployment, you should seek medical attention. 1-68 • 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 system commands air bag inﬂation and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment. The module also records speed, engine rpm, brake and throttle data. • Let only qualiﬁed technicians work on your air bag system. Improper service can mean that your air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer for service. Notice: If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the right front passenger’s air bag, 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. 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 service manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. To purchase a service manual, see ServicePublications OrderingInformationonpage7-11. {CAUTION: 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. 1-69 Restraint System Check Checking Your Restraint Systems Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away. Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.) Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle Q: 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. Q: Is there anything I might add to the front of the vehicle that could keep the air bags from working properly? A: Yes. If you add 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 CustomerSatisfaction Procedureonpage7-2. 1-70 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash {CAUTION: A crash can damage the restraint systems in your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may not properly protect the person using it, resulting in serious injury or even death in a crash. To help make sure your restraint systems are working properly after a crash, have them inspected and any necessary replacements made as soon as possible. If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts or LATCH system parts? After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn during a more sever crash, the you need new parts. If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt or LATCH system wasn’t being used at the time of the collision. If your seat adjuster won’t work after a crash, the special part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the adjuster may need to be replaced. 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. 1-71 - NOTES 1-72 Section 2 Features and Controls Keys ...............................................................2-2 Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ...........2-4 Doors and Locks .............................................2-6 Door Locks ....................................................2-6 Power Door Locks ..........................................2-7 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ................................................2-7 Leaving Your Vehicle ......................................2-8 Sliding Side Door ...........................................2-9 Rear Doors ..................................................2-11 Windows ........................................................2-14 Manual Windows ..........................................2-14 Power Windows ............................................2-15 Sun Visors ...................................................2-15 Theft-Deterrent Systems ..................................2-16 Passlock® ....................................................2-16 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................2-17 New Vehicle Break-In ....................................2-17 Ignition Positions ..........................................2-17 Starting Your Engine .....................................2-19 Engine Coolant Heater ..................................2-20 Automatic Transmission Operation ...................2-21 All-Wheel Drive ............................................2-24 Parking Brake ..............................................2-24 Shifting Into Park (P) .....................................2-25 Shifting Out of Park (P) .................................2-27 Parking Over Things That Burn .......................2-28 Engine Exhaust ............................................2-28 Running Your Engine While You Are Parked ....2-29 Mirrors ...........................................................2-30 Manual Rearview Mirror .................................2-30 Outside Manual Mirror ...................................2-30 Outside Power Mirrors ...................................2-30 Outside Convex Mirror ...................................2-31 HomeLink® Transmitter ...................................2-31 Programming the HomeLink® Transmitter .........2-31 Storage Areas ................................................2-34 Overhead Console ........................................2-36 Luggage Carrier ...........................................2-41 Convenience Net ..........................................2-41 2-1 Keys {CAUTION: Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The children or others could be badly injured or even killed. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle with children. 2-2 This vehicle has one double-sided key for the ignition and door locks. It will ﬁt with either side up. 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. Notice: If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle, you may have to damage the vehicle to get in. Be sure you have spare keys. If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle, call GM Roadside Assistance Center. See RoadsideAssistance Programonpage7-6. Remote Keyless Entry System If equipped, the 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 interference, and 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 3. This device may not cause interference, and 4. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Changes or modiﬁcations to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment. At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this: • Check the distance. You may be too far from your vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy or snowy weather. 2-3 • Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again. • Check to determine if the battery replacement is necessary. See ‘‘Battery Replacement’’ under RemoteKeylessEntrySystemOperationon page2-4. • If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a qualiﬁed technician for service. Remote Keyless Entry System Operation If your vehicle has this feature, you can lock and unlock your doors from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle. UNLOCK: Press UNLOCK once for the driver’s door to unlock, the parking lamps to ﬂash and the interior lights to go on. If you press UNLOCK again within three seconds, all doors will unlock. LOCK: Press LOCK to lock all the doors. Press LOCK again within three seconds and the horn will chirp. 2-4 REAR 2X: Press the REAR button twice within three seconds to unlock the rear hatch or cargo doors. The parking lamps will ﬂash and the interior lights will go on. If the engine is running, the automatic transmission must be in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) for the REAR 2X button to operate. L (Panic Alarm): Press this button for the horn to sound and the headlamps and taillamps to ﬂash for up to 30 seconds. This can be turned off by pressing the panic button again, waiting for 30 seconds, or starting the vehicle. Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring any remaining transmitters with you when you go to your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four transmitters matched to it. To replace the battery, do the following: Battery Replacement Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless entry transmitter should last about two years. You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it’s probably time to change the battery. Notice: When replacing the battery, use care not to touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body transferred to these surfaces may damage the transmitter. 1. Insert a thin object like a dime to separate the bottom of the transmitter from the top. 2. Remove the battery and replace it with a new one, making sure the positive (+) side of the battery is facing down. Use one Panasonic® three-volt, type CR2032, or equivalent battery. 3. Snap the top and bottom together. 2-5 There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. To unlock your door from the outside, use your key or remote keyless entry transmitter, if equipped. For more information, see Remote Keyless Entry SystemOperationonpage2-4. To lock or unlock the front doors and sliding side door from the inside, slide the manual lock levers. When the red mark on the lock lever is visible, the door is unlocked. Doors and Locks Door Locks {CAUTION: Unlocked doors can be dangerous. • Passengers — especially children — can easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle will not open it. You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors are not locked. So, wear safety belts properly and lock the doors whenever you drive. • Young children who get into unlocked vehicles may be unable to get out. A child can be overcome by extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle whenever you leave it. • Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked door when you slow down or stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can help prevent this from happening. 2-6 Power Door Locks If your vehicle has power door locks, press the power door lock switch located on the door panel to lock or unlock all the doors at once. The power door lock switch will lock or unlock the rear hatch and Dutch doors. See “Hatch Release” in RearDoorsonpage2-11. When a door is locked, the inside door handle will not open the door. This will help stop a door from being accidentally opened. 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 locks the sliding door in about ﬁve seconds. When the key is in the ignition and the power door lock switch is pressed with a door open, all doors are locked while the driver’s side door remains unlocked. Programmable Automatic Door Locks Your vehicle is equipped with an auto lock/unlock feature which enables you to program your power door locks. Your vehicle left the factory programmed to have all the doors lock automatically when the shift lever is moved out of PARK (P). All of the doors will unlock when the shift lever is moved back into PARK (P). The following instructions detail how to program your door locks. 2-7 To enter the program mode you need to do the following: 1. Begin with the ignition in OFF. Then, pull back on the turn signal/multifunction lever all the way toward you and hold it while you perform the next step. 2. Turn your key to RUN and OFF twice. Then, with the key in OFF, release the turn signal/multifunction lever. Once you do this, you will hear the lock switch lock and unlock. You are now ready to program the automatic door locks. Select one of the following four programming options and follow the instructions. You will have thirty seconds to begin programming. If you exceed the thirty second limit, the locks will automatically lock and unlock to indicate that you have left the program mode. If this occurs, repeat the procedure beginning with Step 1. You can exit the program mode any time by turning the ignition to RUN. The locks will automatically lock and unlock to indicate that you are leaving the program mode. If the lock/unlock switches are not pressed while in the programming mode, the auto lock/unlock setting will not be modiﬁed. The following is a list of the available programming options: • All doors lock/Only the driver’s door unlocks: Press the lock side of the power lock switch on the door panel once and then the unlock side once. • All doors lock/All doors unlock: Press the lock side of the power lock switch on the door panel once, and then the unlock side twice. • All doors lock/None of the doors unlock: Press the lock side of the power lock switch on the door panel once, and then the unlock side three times. • No doors lock/None of the doors unlock: Press the lock side of the power lock switch on the door panel twice. This turns off the automatic lock feature. For more information, see your dealer. Leaving Your Vehicle If you are leaving your vehicle, take your key, open your door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and close the door. 2-8 Sliding Side Door Sliding Door Security Lock Your vehicle may have this feature. A sliding door security lock helps to prevent young children or other passengers from opening the sliding door using the inside door handle. To open the sliding side door, pull the handle toward the back and slide the door to the rear until it rests in the open position. To close the sliding side door, pull the handle toward the front and slide the door forward. The security door lock is located near the front of the sliding door. There are two labels on your vehicle to remind you that you have this feature. One can be seen from the outside on your sliding door. It is located near the bottom of the door glass, toward the front of the door. The other label is located on the front of the sliding door, near the security door lock. 2-9 Canceling the Sliding Door Security Lock To cancel the security lock, do the following: 1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside. 2. Move the lever all the way down. This feature prevents passengers from opening the sliding side door from the inside. To use this feature, do the following: 1. Move the lever all the way up. 2. Close the door. To open the sliding side door while the security lock is engaged, unlock the door and open it from the outside. If you don’t cancel the security lock feature, adults or older children who ride in the rear won’t be able to open the sliding door from the inside. You should let adults and older children know how the security door lock works, and how to cancel the lock. 2-10 {CAUTION:

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2004 Chevrolet Astro Owners Manual