2003 Chevrolet Suburban Owners Manual

The 2003 Chevrolet TahoeEuburban Owner Manual

~~

Seats and Restraint Systems

................................................. ............................

Front Seats Rear Seats Safety Belts Child Restraints Air Bag Systems Restraint System Check

........................... ............................................... ............................................... ............................................. ....................................... ...................................... ............................ Features and Controls ..................................... ........................................................ .......................................

1-1 1-3 1-8 1-22 1-44 1-68 1-80 2-1 2-3 2-8 2-1 5 2-1 8 ........... 2-21 .................................................... 2-42 2-51 2-53 2-57 2-60 2-61 3-1 3-4 3-20 ......... 3-35 .................. 3-52 3-70

Keys Doors and Locks Windows Theft-Deterrent Systems Starting and Operating Your Vehicle Mirrors Onstar@ System HomeLink@ Transmitter Storage Areas Sunroof Vehicle Personalization

...................................... ............................. ......................................... .................................................. ............................. Instrument Panel ............................................. .......................... ......................................

Instrument Panel Overview Climate Controls Warning Lights, Gages and Driver Information Center (DIC) Audio System(s)

.......................................

Indicators

Vehicle

Driving Your Vehicle

.......................................

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Towing

................................................... Service and Appearance Care .......................... ..................................................... .........................................................

........................................ ............................................... ..................................... ............................................... ....................................

Service Fuel Checking Things Under the Hood All-Wheel Drive Rear Axle Four-wheel Drive Front Axle Bulb Replacement Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Tires Appearance Care Vehicle Identification Electrical System Capacities and Specifications Normal Maintenance Replacement

...................................................... ..................................... ................................. ......................................

4-1 ..... 4-2 4-53 5-1 5-3 5-5 ............... 5-12 5-50 5-51 5-52 5-53 5-54 ......... 5-60 5-61 5-88 5-96 5-97 ................... 5-1 06 .... 5-1 09 6-1 6-2 7-1 .................. 7-2 7-10

Maintenance Schedule ..................................... ................................ Customer Assistance Information ....................

Maintenance Schedule

Customer Assistance Information Reporting Safety Defects

lnex ..................................................................

...........................

Parts

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 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.

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.

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, the name TAHOE and the name SUBURBAN 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.

Litho in U.S.A. Part No. C2316 A First Edition

@Copyright General Motors Corporation 06/24/02 All Rights Reserved

ii

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.

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.”

I 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.

... II’

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 in the Index:

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 Audio Systems in Section 3 Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5

in Section 3

iv

These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle:

48: @

LATCH BOTH LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS TO PROTECT OCCUPANT

DO NOT TWIST SAFETY BELT WHEN ATTACHING

MOVE SEAT

FULLY \vs

/z

REARWARD+ SECURE CHILD SEAT

PULL BELT

COMPLETELY rHEN SECURE CHILD SEAT

DO NOT INSTALL A REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT IN THIS SEATING POSITION

DO NOT INSTALL A FORWARD-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT IN THIS SEATING POSITION

CAUTION POSSIBLE INJURY

PROTECT f i

EYES BY SHIELDING

CAUSTIC BATTERY 4CID COULD CAUSE BURNS

AVO ID

SPARKS OR FLAMES

SPARK OR

COULD EXPLODE BATTERY

WINDOW l h

DOOR LOCK UNLOCK

LAMPS

LIGHTING -

TURN SIGNALS

LAMPS Pf

FLASHER

ENGINE

COOLANT cc

TEMP

BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM

ACCESS

ENGINE COOLANT FAN

COOLANT GI

FUEL

OWNER'S MANUAL

ENGINE OIL PRESSURE w

# 0

FOG

ANTI-LOCK

SERVICE

(@)

BRAKES

MANUAL

l.fd

F E

Model Reference This manual covers these models:

Tahoe

Suburban

vi

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

Front Seats

...........

............

.............

...................................

Rear Seats ......................................................

....... 1-3 Manual Seats ............................. -1 -3 Power Seats ................................................. -1-4 Power Lumbar ............................................... 1-4 Heated Seats ................................................. 1-5 Reclining Seatbacks ........................................ 1-5 Head Restraints ............................................. 1-7 -1-8 Rear Seat Operation ....................................... 1-8 1-8 60/40 Split Bench Seat 50/50 Split Bench Seat .................................. 1-10 Bench Seat .................................................. 1-1 4 Bucket Seats ............................................... 1-1 9 Safety Belts ................................................... 1-22 Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................ 1-22 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ...... 1-26 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................. 1-27 Driver Position .............................................. 1-28 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy .................. 1-35 Right Front Passenger Position ....................... 1-36 Center Passenger Position ............................. 1-36 .................................. 1-38 Rear Seat Passengers Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults .......................................

1-41 Safety Belt Extender ............................. 1-43

1-44 Child Restraints ............................................. Older Children .............................................. 1-44 Infants and Young Children ............................ 1-46 Child Restraint Systems ................................. 1-49 Where to Put the Restraint ............................. 1-52 Top Strap .................................................... 1-53 Top Strap Anchor Location ............................. 1-54 Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for

Children (LATCH System) ........................... 1-56

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the

LATCH System ......................................... Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........................................... Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear

1-59

-1 -59

Seat Position ............................................ 1-61

Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front

Seat Position ............................................ 1-63

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front

Seat Position ............................................ 1-64 Air Bag Systems ............................................ 1-68 1-70 Where Are the Air Bags? ............................... Inflate? .................... When Should an Air Bag 1-72 What Makes an Air Bag Inflate? ..................... 1-74 How Does an Air Bag Restrain? ..................... 1-74

1-1

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

Inflates? ... 1-74 What Will You See After an Air Bag Passenger Sensing System ............................ 1.76 Servicing Your Air

Bag-Equipped Vehicle ................................ 1.79

Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped

Vehicle ....................................................

1.79

Restraint System Check .................................. 1.80 ................... 1.80

Checking Your Restraint Systems Replacing Restraint System Parts After a

Crash ............................................

...... 1-81

1 -2

Front Seats

Manual Seats

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.

If your vehicle has a manual bucket or a split bench seat, you can adjust it with this lever located at the front of the seat. Lift the lever to unlock the seat. Using your body, 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.

1-3

Power Seats

If your vehicle has a power seat, you can adjust it with these controls located on the outboard sides of the seats.

Raise or lower the front of the seat cushion by raising or lowering the forward edge of the horizontal control. Move the seat forward or rearward by moving the whole horizontal control forward or rearward.

1 -4

Raise or lower the rear of the seat cushion by raising or lowering the rear edge of the horizontal control. Moving the whole horizontal control up or down raises or lowers the entire seat cushion.

If your vehicle has power reclining seats, you can use the vertical control to adjust the angle of the seatback. Move the reclining front seatback rearward or forward by moving the control toward the rear or the front of the vehicle. See Reclining Seatbacks on page 1-5. Power Lumbar

If your vehicle has this feature, the four-way control is located on the outboard side of the seat.

=g . .. :@ .. . ,. Xr e4

To increase or decrease support, press and hold the front or rear of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support.

You can also reshape the side wing area of the lower seatback for more lateral support. To increase or decrease support, press and hold the top or bottom of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support. Heated Seats

If your vehicle has this feature, the button used to control the driver’s heated seat is located on the driver’s door panel. The button used to control the passenger’s heated seat is located on the passenger’s door panel.

To heat the entire seat, press the horizontal button. Press the button to cycle through the temperature settings of high, medium, and low. The indicator light will glow to indicate the level of heat selected. To heat only the seatback, press the vertical button with the heated seatback symbol. An indicator light on the button will glow to designate that only the seatback is being heated.

The engine must be running for them to operate. The heated front seats will be canceled after the ignition is turned off. If you still want to use the heated front seat feature after you restart your vehicle, you will need to press the heated seat button again.

Reclining Seatbacks

To adjust the front seatback, lift the manual lever located on the outboard side of the seat. Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it. Lift the lever again without pushing on the seatback and the seatback will go to an upright position.

1 -5

If your vehicle has power seats with a power recliner, see Power Seats on page 1-4 for further information on how to operate the reclining seatback feature,

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

1 -6

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. 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. To raise the head restraint pull up on the head restraint. On some models the head restraints tilt forward and rearward also. The rear seat head restraints in your vehicle may be adjustable. They work the same as the front seat head restraints, except they do not tilt forward and rearward.

1-7

Rear Seats

Rear Seat Operation Entering or Exiting the Third Row Seats

it caw., ...- ~e

I. _.le seatb--k isn’t lock,,, 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.

SuburbanNukon XL: The passenger’s side of the second row 60/40 or rear bucket seats has an easy entry feature. This makes it easy to get in and out of the third seat, if your vehicle has one.

To operate the easy entry seat turn the release lever, located on the back of the seat upward. Tilt the seatback toward the front of the vehicle by pulling the top of the seat forward. When you do the seat bottom will release. Pull the seat forward until it stops. Be sure to return the seat to the passenger position when finished. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked in place. 60/40 Split Bench Seat

TahoeNukon: The rear seat may have a 60/40 split seat which may be folded down to give you more cargo space.

SuburbanNukon XL: The second row rear seat of SuburbanNukon XL models may have a 60/40 split seat. Either side of the rear seat my be folded down to provide more cargo space.

1-8

Folding the Seatbacks

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

To fold, pull up on the strap loop at the rear of the seat cushion. Then, pull the seat cushion up and fold it forward.

Make sure that nothing is under or in front of the seat and that the head restraints are completely lowered. On TahoeNukon models the rear seatbacks may be equipped with rearward folding head restraints. When the seatback is being folded down, the head restraint will automatically fold rearward to allow a flat load floor for cargo or entry to the third row seat (if equipped).

After folding the seat cushion fully forward, pull the seatback forward and fold the seatback down until it is flat. If the seatback cannot fold flat because it interferes with the cushion, try moving the seat forward and/or bring the front seatback more upright. On the passenger side of the SuburbanNukon XL models, the lever at the base of the seat must be turned rearward to release the seatback.

1-9

3. Lower the seat cushion until it latches into position. 4. Pull forward on the seatback and up on the seat

cushion to make sure the seat is securely in place.

Make sure that the buckles on the driver's side seatback are accessible to the outboard and center occupant and are not under the seat cushions. On TahoeNukon models make sure the head restraints are returned to the upright position. 50/50 Split Bench Seat If your vehicle has a 50/50 split bench, the seatback(s) can be folded and the entire seat(s) tilted or removed from the vehicles.

To create a load floor release the panels from the seatback by pushing forward on the latch. Then fold the panels back to cover the rear seat footwell area. To return the seat to the passenger position on a SuburbanNukon XL do the following:

1 . Lift the floor load panels and latch them into the

seatback.

2. Lift the seatback up and push rearward all the way.

1-10

Folding the Seatbacks

Tilting the 50/50 Split Bench Seat

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

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

To fold the seatbacks do the following:

Pull up on the release lever, labeled 1, located on the rear of the seatback, and push the seatback forward. To return the seat to the passenger position, pull up on the release lever labeled 1 and then pull up on the seatback until the seatback locks into the upright position.

Push forward on the seatback to make sure it is locked into position.

If the support rod isn’t properly engaged, the folded third row seat could come loose in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to people and damage to your vehicle. Always be sure the support rod is properly engaged when the third row seat is folded forward.

Once the third seatback has been folded down, the entire seat can be tilted forward to create a flat load floor. To do this, do the following: 1. Enter the rear cargo area of the vehicle.

4. Lift up on the carrying handle to make sure the seat

is locked in place.

5. Return the seatback to the upright position by

pulling up on the release lever labeled 1 before the back can be folded upright.

6. Pull the seatback forward to make sure it is locked

in place.

Removing the 50/50 Split Bench Seat To remove the 50/50 split bench seat, do the following:

1. Open the rear doors and enter the rear of the

vehicle.

2. Fold the seatback

forward onto the seai cushion by using the lever labeled 1. The seat cannot be removed unless the seatback is folded.

2. Make sure the head restraints have been lowered

completely.

3. With the seat folded, unlatch the seat from the floor

by pulling up on the lever located under the carrying handle at the rear of the seat labeled 2.

4. Lift the rear of the seat up, off the floor. You will not be able to unlatch the seat from the floor unless the seatback is folded down.

5. Tilt the seat fully forward and secure it in place using the support rod located on the underside of the seat on the passenger’s side. Make sure the rod pin is fully engaged in the lock.

6. Push and pull on the seat. Make sure the support rod is holding it firmly in place. Use the seat in this position only when necessary for additional cargo space.

To return the seat to the seating position do the following:

1. Push forward on the seat and release the support

lock rod.

2. Secure the support rod in its stored position on the

underside of the seat.

3. Lower the seat to the floor and let the seat drop

into place.

1-12

3. To unlatch the seat

from the floor, pull up on the release lever labeled 2, located at the rear of the seat, and lift the rear of the seat up off the floor.

Replacing the 50/50 Split Bench Seat

If the seatback L.’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.

4. Squeeze the release lever, located in the lower middle to unlatch the seat from the floor, while pulling the seat out.

5. While holding the rear of the seat up, roll the seat

out of the vehicle.

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.

1-13

Bench Seat If your vehicle has a full bench seat, the seatback can be folded and the seat can be tilted or removed from the vehicle. FolAing the Seatback

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

A 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.

To reinstall the 50/50 split bench, do the following:

1. While holding the rear of the seat up, slide the front wheels into the slots on the floor. The front latches should lock into place. If the latches do not lock, try tilting the rear of the seats upwards.

2. Once the latches are engaged, let the seat drop into place. Release the lever labeled 1 to return the seat to its upright position.

3. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked

into place. The seatback cannot be raised to the upright position unless the seat is secured to the floor.

1-14

To fold the seatback on the bench seat, do the following: Tilting the Bench Seat

1. Pull up on the release

lever, labeled 1, located on the rear of the seatback and push the seatback forward.

2. To return the seat to an upright position, pull up on the release lever labeled 1 and then pull up on the seatback until the seatback locks into the upright position.

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

isn’t lockeb, it could move

If the seat..,ck forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is locked.

If the support rod isn’t properly engaged, the folded third row seat could come loose in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to people and damage to your vehicle. Always be sure the support rod is properly engaged when the third row seat is folded forward.

Once the third seatback has been folded down, the entire seat can be tilted forward to create a flat load floor. To do this, do the following: 1. Enter the rear cargo area of the vehicle.

1-15

2. Make sure the head restraints have been lowered

completely.

3. With the seat folded, unlatch the seat from the floor by pulling up on the lever located under the carrying handle at the rear of the seat labeled 2.

4. Lift the rear of the seat up, off the floor. You will not be able to unlatch the seat from the floor unless the seatback is folded down.

5. Tilt the seat fully forward and secure it in place using the support rod located on the underside of the seat on the passenger’s side. Make sure the rod pin is fully engaged in the lock.

6. Push and pull on the seat. Make sure the support

rod is holding it firmly in place. Use the seat in this position only when necessary for additional cargo space.

To return the seat to the seating position do the following:

1. Push forward on the seat and release the support

lock rod.

2. Secure the support rod in its stored position on the

underside of the seat.

3. Lower the seat to the floor and let the seat drop

into place.

4. Lift up on the carrying handle to make sure the seat

is locked in place.

5. Return the seatback to the upright position by

pulling up on the release lever labeled 1 before the back can be folded upright.

6. Pull the seatback forward to make sure it is locked

in place.

1-16

Removing the Bench Seat To remove the full bench seat, do the following: 1. Open the rear doors and enter the rear of the

vehicle.

2 Fold the seatback

forward onto the seat cushion by using the lever labeled 1. The seat cannot be removed unless the seatback is folded.

3. To unlatch the seat

from the floor, pull up on the release lever labeled 2, located at the rear of the seat, and lift the rear of the seat up off the floor.

4. Squeeze the release lever, located in the lower middle to unlatch the seat from the floor while pulling the seat out.

5. While holding the rear of the seat up, roll the seat

out of the vehicle.

1-17

Replacing the Bench Seat

t could move

If the seatback isn’t locket 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.

luted, not

A safe-, .- _It that is improperly 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.

A CAUTION:

.,. .

that isn’t locked int- >lace properly can

A ,,at 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.

To reinstall the full bench seat, do the following:

1. While holding the rear of the seat up, slide the front wheels into the slots on the floor. The front latches should lock into place. If the latches do not lock, try tilting the rear of the seats upwards.

2. Once the latches are engaged, let the seat drop into place. Release the lever labeled 1 to return the seat to its upright position.

3. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked

into place. The seatback cannot be raised to the upright position unless the seat is secured to the floor.

1-18

Bucket Seats

Folding the Seatbacks

If your vehicle has bucket seats, the seatbacks can be reclined and the seats can be folded to give you more cargo room. Reclining the Seatbacks On the SuburbanNukon XL models with bucket seats, the seatbacks can be reclined. To adjust the seatback do the following: 1. Pull forward the lever located at the base of

the seat.

2. Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it. If you pull the lever without pushing on the seatback, the seatback will go to an upright position.

locked, -: could n.- ve

__ -he seatbac- 't 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

The seatbacks on the bucket seats may be folded forward to give you more cargo space. On SuburbanNukon XL models with rear bucket seats, the head restraints need to be removed in order to fold the rear seats. To do this follow these directions: 1. Lift the head restraints up until they stop. 2. Press in the button on the side of the head restraint

guide cap and lift up on the head restraint.

3. Do the same for the other cap.

1-19

The head restraint can be removed and stored in the space provided in the folded up seat cushion. To fold the seatbacks on the bucket seats, do the following:

1. Pull up on the strap

loop located at the rear of the seat cushion and pull the seat cushion up. Then fold it forward.

" .. - . .. ." .. ... "

2. Pull the seatback

release lever up and pull the seatback forward. Then fold it until it is flat.

If the seatback cannot fold flat because it interferes with the cushion, try moving the front seat forward and/or bringing the front seatback more upright.

1-20

Once the seatbacks are folded down, the rear seat footwell area will be exposed and will have to be covered by the load floor panel. To create a load floor, do the following:

1. Release the panels from the seatbacks by pushing

forward on the latches.

2. Then fold the panels back to cover the rear seat

footwell area.

If you have removed the head restraints to fold the rear bucket seat, be sure to reinstall them on the seatback after it has been returned to the normal seating position.

1-21

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

Safety Belts

Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone

This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts.

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

1-22

Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle UP. See When you Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-37.

it goes.

Why Safety Belts Work

ride in or on anything, you go as fast as

In most states and in all 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!

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

1-23

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

or the instrument panel ...

1-25

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts

accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

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

Q: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in

wear safety belts?

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

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

1-26

home, why should I wear safety belts?

Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an accident - even one that isn’t your fault - you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone.

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly This part is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and chiidren. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in your vehicle, see Older Children on page 1-44 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-46. Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We’ll start with the driver position.

1-27

Driver Position This part describes the driver’s restraint system. Lap-Shoulder Belt The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it properly. 1. Close and lock the door. 2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see

how, see “Seats” in the Index.

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

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

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

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt isn’t long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-43. 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

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

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be 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.

1-29

Q: What's wrong with this?

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

' st Jlder belt

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: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.

Ired if

belt is

_lus!y i

You can be se 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.

1-31

You ca.. Je ser-- ---g ir -,-- red 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 1

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is over an armrest.

1-32

Q: What's wrong with this?

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

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

be worn over the shoulder at all times.

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d by a tv

You can be seriousl, ~ ~ ~ , - ~ ~ I 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.

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is twisted across the body.

1-34

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

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

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

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

1 -35

Center Passenger Position

The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly. Right Front Passenger Position To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see Driver Position on page 1-28. The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt-except for one If you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all the way, you will engage the child restraint locking feature which may turn off the passenger’s frontal air bag. If this happens unintentionally, just let the belt go back all the way and start again.

thing.

If your vehicle has front and rear bench seats, someone can sit in the center positions. When you sit in the center seating position in the second row you have a lap-shoulder belt which is similar to the rear outside seating positions. To learn how to wear this belt see “Lap-Shoulder Belt” under Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-38.

1-36

Lap Belt When you sit in a center seating position other than in the second row you have a lap belt.

A lap safety belt does not have a retractor. To make the belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt.

1-37

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

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

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

Don’t let it get twisted.

1-38

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

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and start again. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-43. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

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

1-39

I

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.

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.

1-40

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

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Your vehicle may have this feature already. If it doesn’t, you can get it from any GM dealer. Rear shoulder belt comfort guides will provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better positions the belt away from the neck and head. There is one guide available for each outside passenger position in the rear seat. Here’s how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt: 1. For the second row, remove the guide from its storage clip on the trim panel near the side of the seatback. For the third row, remove the guide from its storage clip on the side of the seatback

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

edges of the belt into the slots of the guide.

1-41

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.

Third Row Seat

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as

described in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-38. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder.

To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out of the guides. Make sure you remove the comfort guide from the belt before you fold a rear seat down or use an easy-entry seat, if your vehicle has one.

1 -43

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 in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.

1 -44

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? L4: ff the child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, move the child toward the center of the vehicle. See Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults on page 1-41. If the child is sitting in the second row center position, move the child toward the safety belt buckle. In either case, be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide. If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still very close to the child’s face or neck, you might want to place the child a seat that has a lap belt, if your vehicle has one.

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.

1-45

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.

Infants and Young Children

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

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

CAUTION:

(Continued)

1 -46

holL .t. For exan ,~ e, in z rash at c y 2 nph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a 240-lb. (1 10 kg) force on a person's arms. A baby should be secured in an appropriate restraint.

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

CAUTION: (Continued)

1 -47

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.

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.

restraints?

Q: What are the different types of add-on child A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child’s weight, height and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used.

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.

1-48

Child Restraint Systems

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

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

1-49

/

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

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

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

1-51

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

When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system in your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury. When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the instructions that come with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer. Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that chldren 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 child in a rear-facing child restraint in the right front passenger seat unless your vehicle has the passenger sensing system and the passenger air bag status indicator shows off. Never put a rear facing child restraint in the right front passenger seat unless the air bag is off. Here’s why: 1-52

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. Be sure the air bag is off before using a rear-facing child restraint in the right front seat position. 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 rear seat. better to secure the child restraint in a Even though the Passenger Sensing System is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal air bag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an air bag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. General Motors therefore recommends that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat whenever possible, even if the air bag

is off.

If your vehicle has the passenger sensing system and you need to secure a rear-facing child restraint in the right front passenger’s seat, the passengers frontal air bag must be off. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-76 and Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position on page 1-64 for more on this including important safety information. Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child restraint properly. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle - even when no child is in it. Top Strap Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether”. It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision. For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to the vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top strap being anchored. Others require the top strap always to be anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint. If yours requires that the top strap be anchored, don’t use the restraint unless it is anchored properly.

If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available.

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

1-53

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. Once you have the top strap anchored, you’ll be ready to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions say. Top Strap Anchor Location TahoelSuburbanNukonNukon XL models without rear seats: Top strap anchor loops are located at the bottom rear of the front seat cushion for the right front passenger’s position.

1-54

SuburbanNukon XL Models without Rear Seats

Anchor the top strap to this bracket. Once you have the top strap anchored, you’ll be ready to secure the child restraint itself.

TahoelSuburbanNukonNukon XL models with rear seats: A child restraint with a top strap should only be used in the second or third row. Don’t use a child restraint with a top strap in the front seat because there’s no place to anchor the top strap.

An anchor loop bracket for a top strap is located at the bottom rear of the seat cushion for each seating position in the second row, and for the center seating position in the third row.

SuburbanNukon XL Second Row Seat, Bucket

Seats Similar

Third Row Bench Seat

TahoeNukon models: A child restraint with a top strap should only be used in the second or third row. Don’t use a child restraint with a top strap in the right front passenger’s position, because there’s no place to anchor the top strap.

1-55

An anchor loop bracket for a top strap is located at the bottom rear of the seat cushion for the center seating position in the third row.

1-56

Third Row 50/50 Split Bench Seat

Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) Your vehicle may have the LATCH system. If it does, you’ll find anchors (A) in the second row seats, where the seatback meets the seat cushion. To assist you in locating the lower anchors for this child restraint system, each seating position with the LATCH system will have a visible metal anchorage point in the seat where the seatback meets the seat cushion.

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

1-57

If a LATCH-type child restraint isn’t attached to its anchorage points, the restraint won’t be able to protect a child sitting there. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchorage points, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint. See “Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System’’ or “Securing

1 a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat

Position’’ in the Index for information on how to secure a child restraint in your vehicle.

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

1-58

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System 1. Find the anchors for the seating position you want

to use, where the bottom of the seatback meets the back of the seat cushion.

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

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

4. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach the top

strap to the top strap anchor. See Top Strap on page 1-53. Tighten the top strap according to the child restraint instructions.

5. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure.

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

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position

If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 1-56. You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See Top Strap on page 1-53 if the child restraint has one. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say.

1. Put the restraint on the seat.

1-59

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.

4. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of

the retractor to set the lock.

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.

1-60

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 Rear Seat Position

5.

6.

To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re using a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure.

If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 1-56.

1-61

Second Row The center seat position in the second row has a lap-shoulder belt which works the same way as the safety belt in the rear outside seat positions. For instructions on how to secure a child restraint using a lap-shoulder belt see Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position on page 1-59. Third Row The center seat position in the third row has a lap belt. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. See Top Strap on page 1-53 if the child restraint has one.

1-62

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.

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 iarger child passenger. Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front Seat Position

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.

Don’t use child restraints in this position. The restraints won’t work properly.

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Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position

Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. Unless your vehicle has the passenger sensing system, Never put a rear-facing child restraint in this seat.

1-64

~~

It can

dd restr

a rear-facing

A child 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 unless the air bag is off.

_I

If your vehicle has the passenger sensing system and you need to secure a rear-facing child restraint in the right front passenger’s seat, the passenger’s air bag must be off. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-76 and Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator on page 3-38 for more information on this including important safety information.

~

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s air bag inflates. This the back of the rear facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating air bag. Be sure the air bag is off before using a rear-facing child restraint in the right front seat

is because

i position.

Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal air bag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an air bag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. General Motors therefore recommends that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat whenever possible, even if the air bag is off.

You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See Top Strap on page 1-53 if the child restraint has one. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say.

1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go before securing a forward-facing child restraint, if you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat position. See Power Seats on page 1-4 or Manual Seats on page 1-3. If your vehicle has the passenger sensing system and you are using a rear-facing child restraint in this seat, make sure the frontal air bag is off. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-76. When the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal air bag, the off indicator on the inside rearview mirror will light and stay lit when you turn the ignition to RUN or START.

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.

1-65

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. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of

the retractor to set the lock.

1-66

8. If your vehicle has the passenger sensing system and you’re using a rear-facing child restraint in this seat, check to be sure the right front passenger’s frontal air bag is off before you begin to drive. If the air bag has been turned off, the off indicator will light and stay lit when the key is turned to RUN or START. If the on indicator is lit, the passenger’s frontal air bag has not been turned off. If this ever happens, turn the vehicle off, unbuckle the safety belt and perform the steps to install the rear-facing restraint again. After restarting the vehicle, if the.air bag still doesn’t turn off, install the infant restraint in a rear seat position of the vehicle and have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.

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.

1-67

6. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder 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. You should not be able to pull more of the belt out of the retractor once the lock has been set.

7. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure.

If your vehicle has a side impact air bag for the right front passenger, the words AIR BAG will appear on the air bag covering on the side of the right front passenger’s seatback closest to the door.

Air Bag Systems This part explains the frontal and side impact air bag systems. Your vehicle has air bags - a frontal air bag for the driver and another frontal air bag for the right front passenger. Your vehicle may also have a side impact air bag. Side impact air bags are available for the driver and right front passenger. If your vehicle has a side impact air bag for the driver, the words AIR BAG will appear on the air bag covering on the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door.

Frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating frontal air bag. But these air bags must inflate very quickly to do their job and comply with federal regulations.

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Here are the most important things to know about the air bag systems:

You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you aren’t wearing your safety belt - even if you have air bags. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Air bags are designed to work with safety belts but don’t replace them. Frontal air bags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to deploy only in moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crashes. They aren’t designed to inflate at all in in rollover, rear or low-speed frontal crashes, or many side crashes. And, for some unrestrained occupants, frontal air bags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful air bags have provided in the past. The side impact air bags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to inflate only in moderate to severe crashes where something

CAUTION:

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hits the side of your vehicle. They aren’t designed to inflate in frontal, in rollover or in rear crashes. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly - whether or not there’s an air bag for that person.