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2006 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban Owner Manual M


Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1
Front Seats ............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats ............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts ............................................. 1-27
Child Restraints ....................................... 1-46
Airbag System ......................................... 1-72
Restraint System Check ............................ 1-85
Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1
Keys ........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks ....................................... 2-8
Windows ................................................. 2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems ............................ 2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ........... 2-18
Mirrors .................................................... 2-37
OnStar® System ...................................... 2-50
Universal Home Remote System ................ 2-52
Storage Areas ......................................... 2-56
Sunroof .................................................. 2-60
Vehicle Personalization ............................. 2-60
Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1
.......................... 3-4
...................................... 3-21
........ 3-34
.................. 3-51
....................................... 3-72


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


Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Towing


Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1
..... 4-2
................................................... 4-58
Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1
Service ..................................................... 5-3
Fuel ......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood ............... 5-10
All-Wheel Drive ........................................ 5-47
Rear Axle ............................................... 5-47
Four-Wheel Drive ..................................... 5-49
Front Axle ............................................... 5-50
Bulb Replacement .................................... 5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ......... 5-58
Tires ...................................................... 5-59
Appearance Care ..................................... 5-99
Vehicle Identification ............................... 5-108
Electrical System .................................... 5-109
Capacities and Specifications ................... 5-118
Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information .............. 7-1
........... 7-2
........................... 7-14
Index .................................................................1


Customer Assistance and Information Reporting Safety Defects


Maintenance Schedule


Canadian Owners A French language copy of this manual can be obtained 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 names TAHOE, SUBURBAN, and Z71 are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation. This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the product after that time without notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet Motor Division wherever it appears in this manual. Keep this manual in the vehicle, so it will be there if you ever need it while you are on the road. If you sell the vehicle, leave this manual with the vehicle.


How to Use This Manual Many people read the owner manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If this is done, it can help you learn about the features and controls for the vehicle. Pictures and words work together in the owner manual to explain things.


Index A good place to quickly locate information about the vehicle is the Index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is in the manual and the page number where it can be found.


Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 06TAHOE A First Printing


©2005 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


ii


Safety Warnings and Symbols There are a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell 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 do not, you or others could be hurt.


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


iii


Vehicle Damage Warnings Also, in this manual you will find these notices: Notice: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle. A notice tells about something that can damage the vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. But the notice will tell 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. There are also warning labels on the vehicle. They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.


Vehicle Symbols The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols 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: (cid:127) Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1


Features and Controls in Section 2
Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3


(cid:127) Climate Controls in Section 3
(cid:127) Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3
(cid:127) Audio System(s) in Section 3
(cid:127) Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5


iv


(cid:127) (cid:127) These are some examples of symbols that may be found on the vehicle:


✍ NOTES


vi


Section 1


Seats and Restraint Systems


Front Seats ......................................................1-2
Manual Seats ................................................1-2
Power Seats ..................................................1-3
Power Lumbar ...............................................1-3
Heated Seats .................................................1-4
Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-5
Head Restraints .............................................1-7
Rear Seats .......................................................1-8
Rear Seat Operation .......................................1-8
60/40 Split Bench Seat (Second Row) .............1-10
50/50 Split Bench Seat (Third Row) ................1-13
Bench Seat (Third Row) ................................1-18
Bucket Seats (Second Row) ...........................1-23
Safety Belts ...................................................1-27
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................1-27
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......1-31
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-32
Driver Position ..............................................1-32
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-39
Right Front Passenger Position .......................1-39
Center Passenger Position .............................1-39
Rear Outside Passenger Positions ..................1-41
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides ....................1-43
Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-45
Child Restraints .............................................1-46
Older Children ..............................................1-46
Infants and Young Children ............................1-49


Child Restraint Systems .................................1-52
Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-56
Lower Anchors and Tethers for


Children (LATCH) ......................................1-57


Securing a Child Restraint in a


Rear Outside Seat Position .........................1-64


Securing a Child Restraint in the


Center Rear Seat Position ..........................1-66


Securing a Child Restraint in the


Center Front Seat Position ..........................1-68


Securing a Child Restraint in the


Right Front Seat Position ............................1-68
Airbag System ...............................................1-72
Where Are the Airbags? ................................1-74
When Should an Airbag Inflate? .....................1-77
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? .......................1-78
How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................1-78
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? .....1-79
Passenger Sensing System ............................1-80
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...........1-84
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped


Vehicle ....................................................1-84
Restraint System Check ..................................1-85
Checking the Restraint Systems ......................1-85
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash ...1-86


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 do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving.


1-2


If your vehicle has a manual bucket or a split bench seat, you can adjust the seat forward or rearward with the bar located under the front of the seat cushion. Lift the bar to unlock the seat. Slide the seat to where you want it and release the bar. Try to move the seat with your body to be sure the seat is locked in place.


Power Seats


If your vehicle has power seats, the controls are located on the outboard side of the seats. (cid:127) Raise or lower the front of the seat cushion by


raising or lowering the front of the horizontal control.


(cid:127) Raise or lower the rear of the seat cushion by


raising or lowering the rear of the horizontal control. (cid:127) Raise or lower the entire seat cushion by raising or


lowering the whole horizontal control.


(cid:127) Move the seat forward or rearward by moving the


horizontal control forward or rearward.


If your vehicle has power reclining seatbacks, the control is located rear of the power seat control on the outboard side of the seats. Adjust the angle of the seatback by pressing the vertical control forward or rearward. See Reclining Seatbacks on page 1-5. If your vehicle has manual reclining seatbacks, see Reclining Seatbacks on page 1-5.


Power Lumbar Your vehicle’s seats may be equipped with power lumbar. They will either be 2-way or 4-way.


If your vehicle has 2-way lumbar adjustment, it will have this control located on the outboard side of the front seat(s).


2-way Power Lumbar


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


1-3


If your vehicle has 4-way lumbar adjustment, it will have this control located on the outboard side of the front seat(s).


Heated Seats


If your vehicle has this feature, the buttons are located on the front doors. The engine must be running for the heated seats to work.


4-way Power Lumbar


To increase support, press and hold the front of the control. To decrease support, press and hold the 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 support, press and hold the top of the control. To decrease support, press and hold the bottom of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support. Your vehicle may have a memory function which allows seat settings to be saved and recalled. See Memory Seat on page 2-61 for more information. Keep in mind that as your seating position changes, as it may during long trips, so should the position of your lumbar support. Adjust the seat as needed.


1-4


To heat the entire seat, press the horizontal button with the heated seat and seatback symbol. Press the button to cycle through the temperature settings of high, medium and low and to turn the heated seat off. Indicator lights will be lit to designate the level of heat selected: three for high, two for medium, and one for low. To heat only the seatback, press the vertical button with the heated seatback symbol. An indicator light on the seatback button will be lit to designate that only the seatback is being heated. Additional presses of the seatback button will cycle through the heat levels for the seatback only. Press the horizontal button again to heat the whole seat.


The heated seats will be canceled after the ignition is turned off. If you still want to use the heated seat feature after you restart your vehicle, you will need to press the heated seat button again. Reclining Seatbacks


{CAUTION:


If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.


To adjust the seatback, lift the manual lever located on the outboard side of the seat. Release the lever to lock the seatback in the desired position. Lift the lever again without pushing on the seatback and the seatback will go to an upright position. If your vehicle has power seats with a power recliner, see Power Seats on page 1-3 for further information on how to operate the reclining seatback feature.


1-5


{CAUTION:


Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety belts cannot do their job when you are reclined like this. The shoulder belt cannot do its job. In a crash, you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. The lap belt cannot 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.


Do not have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving.


1-6


Head Restraints


Pull the head restraint up to raise it. Push the head restraint down to lower it. Each front head restraint can also be tilted forward to four positions by pulling on it. A click will sound after each tilt position is reached. Pull the head restraint forward, past the last position, to release it to the upright position. The rear seat head restraints are also adjustable up and down, but they do not tilt.


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.


1-7


Rear Seats


2. Next, push the seatback forward until it is flat with


the floor.


{CAUTION:


If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.


Return the seat to the normal seating position when finished. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.


Rear Seat Operation Entering or Exiting the Third Row Seats Regular Models If your vehicle has the 60/40 Split Bench seat in the second row, you must flip and fold the second row seat following the instructions later in this section. See 60/40 Split Bench Seat (Second Row) on page 1-10. To exit the third row seat with no assistance, do the following:


1. Reach over the second row seat and pull up on the strap loop located in the center of the seat where the seatback and the seat cushion meet. Then pull the seat cushion up and push it forward.


1-8


Extended Models The passenger’s side of both the second row 60/40 split bench seat and the second row bucket seat has an easy entry/exit feature. This makes it easy to get in and out of the third row seat. To operate the easy entry seat, do the following:


1. Lift the release lever on the outboard side of the


back of the seat.


2. Tilt the seatback toward the front of the vehicle and


the seat will release.


3. Pull (push if you are exiting the third row with no


assistance) the seat forward until it stops.


{CAUTION:


A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not 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.


{CAUTION:


If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.


Return the seat to the normal seating position when finished. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.


1-9


60/40 Split Bench Seat (Second Row) If your vehicle has a 60/40 split bench, the seats can be flipped and folded for additional cargo space. Flip and Fold Feature To flip and fold the seat, do the following: 1. Make sure that there is nothing under or in front of


the seat.


2. Make sure that the headrests are completely


lowered or removed. On regular models, the rear seatbacks may be equipped with rearward folding headrests. When the seatback is being folded forward, the head rest will automatically fold rearward.


On extended models, the headrests need to be removed and stored. To do this, push the button at the base of the head rest, and pull the head rest out from the seatback. Slide the head rest pins into the holes on the top of the seat cushion.


3. Pull up on the strap


loop located at the rear of the seat cushion and flip the seat cushion forward.


4. Regular models: Push the seatback forward until it


is flat.


1-10


Extended models: On the passenger side, lift the lever at the base of the seat to release the seatback. Push the seatback forward until it is flat.


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


Once the seatbacks are folded forward, on extended models only, the rear seat footwell area will be exposed and will have to be covered by the load floor panels. To create a load floor, do the following:


1. Release the panels from the seatbacks by pushing


forward on the latches.


2. Fold the panels back to cover the rear seat


footwell area.


1-11


4. Lower the seat cushion until it latches into position.


Pull up on the seat cushion to make sure it is locked.


{CAUTION:


A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not 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.


5. Make sure that the safety belt buckles on the


driver’s side seat are accessible to the outboard and center occupants and are not under the seat cushions.


Returning the Seats to the Normal Seating Position To return the seat to the normal seating position, do the following: 1. On extended models, lift the load floor panels and


latch them into the seatback.


{CAUTION:


If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.


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


way. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.


3. On regular models, return the headrests to the


upright position. On extended models, return the headrests from the stored position to the seatback.


1-12


50/50 Split Bench Seat (Third Row) If your vehicle has a 50/50 split bench seat, the seatback(s) can be folded and the entire seat(s) can be tilted, or removed from the vehicle. Folding the Seatback(s) To fold the seatback, do the following:


(cid:127) Pull up on the release lever labeled 1, located


on the rear of the seatback, and push the seatback forward.


Unfolding the Seatback(s) To return the seatback to the upright position, do the following: 1. Pull up on the release lever labeled 1, located on


the rear of the seatback. Then pull up on seatback until it locks into the upright position.


{CAUTION:


If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.


2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure


it is locked.


1-13


Tilting the 50/50 Split Bench Seat(s) The seat(s) can be tilted forward for additional cargo space. To tilt the seat, do the following: 1. Open the liftgate to access the controls for the


50/50 seat.


2. Make sure the head restraints are completely


lowered.


3. Fold the seatbacks forward using the instructions


listed under “Folding the Seatbacks” previously. You will not be able to unlatch the seat from the floor unless the seatback is folded down.


5. Lift the rear of the seat up from the floor. 6. Tilt the seat fully forward and lock it into place. 7. Push and pull on the seat. Put the seat in this position only when necessary for additional cargo space. Returning the 50/50 Split Bench Seat(s) from a Tilted Position To return the seat to the normal seating position, do the following: 1. Open the liftgate to access the controls for the


50/50 seat.


4. Unlatch the seat from the floor by pulling up on the lever labeled 2, located next to the carrying handle at the rear of the seat.


2. Pull the lever labeled 3 toward you. 3. While still holding the lever 3 toward you, grasp the


top of the seat and pull it toward you slightly.


1-14


4. Let go of lever 3 and pull the seat completely down. 5. Push down on the seat firmly. Try pulling it up to


make sure it is locked in place.


6. Pull up on the release lever labeled 1, located on


the rear of the seatback. Then pull up on the seatback until it locks into the upright position.


Removing the 50/50 Split Bench Seat(s) To remove the seat, do the following: 1. Open the liftgate to access the controls for the


50/50 seat and enter the rear of the vehicle.


{CAUTION:


If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.


7. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure


it is locked.


2. Fold the seatback forward using the instructions listed under “Folding the Seatbacks” previously. The seat cannot be removed unless the seatback is folded.


3. Unlatch the rear of the seat from the floor by pulling up on the release lever labeled 2, located next to the carrying handle at the rear of the seat.


4. Lift the rear of the seat up from the floor.


1-15


Installing the 50/50 Split Bench Seat(s)


{CAUTION:


A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not 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 install the seat, do the following: 1. Open the liftgate to access the rear of the vehicle. 2. 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 seat upward.


3. Once the latches are engaged, let the seat drop


into place.


5. Squeeze the release lever to release the seat from


the floor, while pulling the seat out.


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


out of the vehicle.


1-16


{CAUTION:


{CAUTION:


A seat that is not 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.


If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.


4. 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.


5. Pull up on the release lever labeled 1, located on


the rear of the seatback. Then pull up on the seatback until it locks into the upright position.


6. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is


locked.


1-17


Bench Seat (Third Row) If your vehicle has a full bench seat, the seatback can be folded, and the entire seat can be tilted, or removed from the vehicle. Folding the Seatback To fold the seatback, do the following:


Unfolding the Seatback To return the seatback to an upright position, do the following: 1. Pull up on the release lever labeled 1, located on


the rear of the seatback. Then pull up on the seatback until it locks into the upright position.


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


{CAUTION:


If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.


2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it


is locked.


1-18


Tilting the Bench Seat The seat can be tilted forward to provide additional cargo space. To tilt the seat, do the following: 1. Open the liftgate to access the controls for the seat


and enter the rear of the vehicle.


2. Make sure the head restraints are completely


lowered.


3. Fold the seatback forward using the instructions


listed under “Folding the Seatback” previously. You will not be able to unlatch the seat from the floor unless the seatback is folded down.


4. Unlatch the seat from the floor by pulling up on the lever labeled 2, located on the rear of the seat.


{CAUTION:


If the support rod is not 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.


6. While holding the seat


forward, pull the support rod out from the retainer clips and flip it down until it latches into place.


5. Lift the rear of the seat up from the floor and push it


forward.


The seat will now remain in the upright position. Place the seat in this position only when necessary for additional cargo space.


1-19


Returning the Bench Seat from a Tilted Position To return the seat to the normal seating position, do the following: 1. Open the liftgate to access the controls for the


bench seat and enter the rear of the vehicle.


2. Pull the lever on the support rod bracket until it unlatches from the seat bracket.


5. Lift up on the seat to make sure it is locked


into place.


6. Pull up on the release lever labeled 1, located on the rear of the seatback, and then pull up on the seatback until it locks into the upright position.


{CAUTION:


If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.


7. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is


locked.


3. Place the support rod back into the storage position. 4. Pull the seat toward you and push firmly down


until the seat latches in the floor.


1-20


Removing the Bench Seat To remove the seat, do the following: 1. Open the liftgate to access the controls for the


bench seat and enter the rear of the vehicle.


2. Fold the seatback forward using the instructions


listed under “Folding the Seatback” previously. The seat cannot be removed unless the seatback is folded.


3. Pull up on the release lever labeled 2, located at the rear of the seat, to unlatch the rear of the seat from the floor.


4. Lift the rear of the seat up from the floor.


5. Pull on the release strap, located in the lower center of the seat, to release the seat from the floor and pull the seat out. Use one hand to pull the release strap and the other on the handle to pull the seat out.


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


out of the vehicle.


1-21


{CAUTION:


A seat that is not 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.


4. 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.


5. Release the lever labeled 1, located on the rear of the seat, and pull the seatback up to return it to the upright position.


Installing the Bench Seat


{CAUTION:


A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not 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 install the seat, do the following: 1. Open the liftgate to access the rear of the vehicle. 2. 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 seat upward.


3. Once the latches are engaged, let the seat drop


into place.


1-22


{CAUTION:


If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.


6. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure


it is locked.


Bucket Seats (Second Row) If your vehicle has bucket seats, the seatbacks can be reclined, and the seats can be flipped and folded for additional cargo space.


Reclining the Seatbacks To recline the seatback, do the following:


1. Pull up on the lever


located under the outboard side of the seat cushion.


Regular Model Lever


shown, Extended Model


Lever similar


2. Move the seatback to the desired position and release the lever to lock the seatback in place.


1-23


{CAUTION:


If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.


Pull up on the lever without applying pressure to the seatback and the seatback will return to the upright position. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.


Flip and Fold Feature The seat cushions on the bucket seats can be flipped forward and the seatbacks can be folded forward to give you more cargo space. To flip and fold 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 and fold it forward.


2. On the extended models, remove the headrest and


store it on the top of the seat cushion.


1-24


Extended Model Only


Push the button at the base of the headrest and pull the headrest out from the seatback. Slide the headrest pins into the holes on the top of the seat cushion to store the headrest.


3. Pull up on the seatback


release lever, located on the outboard side of the seat cushion, and push the seatback forward until it is flat.


Regular Model Lever


shown, Extended Model


Lever similar


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. Once the seatbacks are folded down, on extended models only, 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:


1-25


Returning the Seats to the Normal Seating Position To return the seats to the normal seating position, do the following: 1. On extended models, lift the load floor panels and


latch them into the seatback.


{CAUTION:


If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked.


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


way. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked in place.


3. On extended models, return the headrest from the


stored position to the seatback.


4. Lower the seat cushion until it latches into position.


Pull up on the cushion to make sure it is locked.


5. On regular models, return the headrests to the


upright position.


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.


1-26


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:


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


{CAUTION:


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


Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. See Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-36.


In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here is why: They work. You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you do not know if it will be a bad one.


1-27


A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up, a person would not 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!


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


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


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Put someone on it.


Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider does not stop.


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


or the instrument panel...


1-30


Questions and Answers About Safety Belts


Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident


if I am wearing a safety belt?


A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safety


belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you are 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 airbags, why should I have to


wear safety belts?


A: Airbags 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 airbag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you are in a vehicle that has airbags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That is true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions.


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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 is why safety belts make such good sense.


Q: If I am 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 are in an


accident — even one that is not your fault — you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver does not protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone.


How to Wear Safety Belts Properly This part is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in your vehicle, see Older Children on page 1-46
or Infants and Young Children on page 1-49. Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. First, you will want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We will start with the driver position.


1-32


Driver Position 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.


3. 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.


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 Safety Belt Extender on page 1-45. 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.


5. To make the lap part tight, 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 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.


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Q: What is 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.


1-34


Q: What is 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.


1-35


{CAUTION:


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


Q: What is wrong with this?


A: The belt is over an armrest.


1-36


Q: What is 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 are not 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.


1-37


Q: What is wrong with this?


{CAUTION:


You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you would not 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.


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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.


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 do not wear safety belts.


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


The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it is more likely that the fetus will not 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 1-32. 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 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 airbag. If this happens unintentionally, just let the belt go back all the way and start again.


Center Passenger Position 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 belt in the rear outside seating positions. To learn how to wear this belt see “Lap-Shoulder Belt” under Rear Outside Passenger Positions on page 1-41.


1-39


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.


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 is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-45. 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.


1-40


Rear Outside Passenger Positions 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.


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


1-41


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 1-45. 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.


3. To make the lap part tight, pull up on the


shoulder part.


1-42


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.


Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides Rear shoulder belt comfort guides may provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for some adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide positions the belt away from the neck and head. There is one guide for each outside passenger position in the rear seat. Here is 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 or from the side of the center seat. For the third row, remove the guide from its storage clip on the side of the seatback.


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


1-43


2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the


two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide.


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


The guide must be on top of the belt.


1-44


4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt as described in Rear Outside Passenger Positions on page 1-41. 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.


Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt is not long enough, your dealer will order you an extender. It is free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid personal injury, do not let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to fit. The extender has been designed for adults. Never use it for securing child seats. To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt. For more information, see the instruction sheet that comes with the extender.


1-45


{CAUTION:


A safety belt that is not properly worn may not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. 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.


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.


1-46


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


A: If the child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, move the child toward the center of the vehicle. 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. See Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides on page 1-43. 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 rear seat that has a lap belt, if your vehicle has one.


1-47


{CAUTION:


Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can not 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.


{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.


1-48


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.


{CAUTION:


People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby does not 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. A baby should be secured in an appropriate restraint.


1-49


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.


{CAUTION:


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


1-50


{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 secured in appropriate infant restraints.


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 is unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints.


1-51


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.


1-52


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.


1-53


Q: How Should I Use a Child Restraint? 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. To help reduce injuries, an add-on child restraint must be secured in the vehicle. With built-in or add-on child restraints, the child has to be secured within the child restraint. When choosing an add-on 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.


Securing an Add-on Child Restraint in the Vehicle


{CAUTION:


A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle. Make sure the child restraint is properly installed in the vehicle using the vehicle’s safety belt or LATCH system, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual.


To help reduce the chance of injury, the child restraint must be secured in the vehicle. Child restraint systems must be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by the LATCH system. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-57 for more information. A child can be endangered in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle.


1-54


{CAUTION:


A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child is not properly secured in the child restraint. Make sure the child is properly secured, following the instructions that came with that restraint.


Because there are different systems, it is important to refer to the instructions that come with the restraint. A child can be endangered in a crash if the child is not properly secured in the child restraint.


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. 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. Securing the Child Within the Child Restraint There are several systems for securing the child within the child 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.


1-55


Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. General Motors 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. Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.


{CAUTION:


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


CAUTION:


(Continued)


1-56


CAUTION:


(Continued)


Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If you need to 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.


Do not use child restraints in the center front seat position. The restraints will not work properly. 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.


Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) Your vehicle has the LATCH system. The LATCH system holds a child restraint during driving or in a crash. This system is designed to make installation of a child restraint easier. The LATCH system uses anchors in the vehicle and attachments on the child restraint that are made for use with the LATCH system Make sure that a LATCH-compatible child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, 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. When installing a child restraint with a top tether, you must also use either the lower anchors or the safety belts to properly secure the child restraint. A child restraint must never be installed using only the top tether and anchor. In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint equipped with LATCH attachments. The child restraint manufacturer will provide you with instructions on how to use the child restraint and its attachments. The following explains how to attach a child restraint with these attachments in your vehicle.


Your vehicle has lower anchors and top tether anchors. Your child restraint may have lower attachments and a top tether. Not all vehicle seating positions or child restraints have lower anchors and attachments or top tether anchors and attachments. Lower Anchors


Lower anchors (A) are metal bars built into the vehicle. There are two lower anchors for each LATCH seating position that will accommodate a child restraint with lower attachments (B).


1-57


Top Tether Anchor


A top tether (A, C) anchors the top of the child restraint to the vehicle. A top tether anchor is built into the vehicle. The top tether attachment (B) on the child restraint connects to the top tether anchor in the vehicle in order to reduce the forward movement and rotation of the child restraint during driving or in a crash. Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or a dual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B) to secure the top tether to the anchor.


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Some top tether-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top tether being attached. Others require the top tether always to be attached. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top tether. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint. If the child restraint does not have a top tether, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available. Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor Locations


i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors.


j (Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors.


Second Row — Bench


i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors.


j (Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors.


i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors.


Second Row — Bucket


Third Row — Extended


Model


i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors.


For Regular models, see the information following for installing a child restraint with a top tether in the third row, if you vehicle has one. Never install two top tethers using the same top tether anchor. For models with a second row bench seat, the rear right side passenger and center seating positions have exposed metal anchors located in the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion. For models with second row bucket seats, both rear seating positions have exposed metal anchors located in the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion.


1-59


Third Row — Regular


Model


For Regular models, the top tether anchors are located at the bottom rear of the seat cushion for each seating position in the second row. Be sure to use an anchor located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed.


Second Row Seat — Regular Models


For Extended models with a bench or bucket second row seating, the top tether anchors are located at the bottom rear of the seat cushion for each seating position in the second row. Be sure to use an anchor located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed.


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Second Row Seat (Bucket Similar) — Extended


Models


For Regular models with third row seating, there is one top tether anchor located at the bottom rear of the seat cushion that can be used for either the center or passenger side seating position in the third row, but not for both. Never install two top tethers using the same top tether anchor.


Third Row Seat — Regular Models


For Extended models with third row seating, the top tether anchor is located at the bottom rear of the seat cushion for the center seating position in the third row.


Third Row Bench — Extended Models


For Regular models, do not secure a child restraint in the right front passenger’s position or the third row driver’s side seating position if a national or local law requires that the top tether be attached, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be attached. There is no place to attach the top tether in this position.


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For Extended models, do not secure a child restraint in the right front passenger’s position or the third row outboard seating positions if a national or local law requires that the top tether be attached, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be attached. There is no place to attach the top tether in this position. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-56 for additional information. Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System


{CAUTION:


Each top tether anchor and lower anchor in the vehicle is designed to hold only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single anchor could cause the anchor or attachment 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 anchor.


{CAUTION:


If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to anchors, 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 anchors, 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. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the


lower anchors. If the child restraint does not have lower attachments or the desired seating position does not have lower anchors, secure the child restraint with the top tether and the safety belts. Refer to your child restraint manufacturer instructions and the instructions in this manual.


1.1. Find the lower anchors for the desired


seating position.


1.2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 1.3. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on


the child restraint to the lower anchors.


1-62


2. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that


the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor, if equipped. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps:


2.1. Find the top tether anchor. 2.2. Route, attach and tighten the top tether


according to your child restraint instructions and the following instructions:


If the position you are using does not have a head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the seatback.


If the position you are using does not have a head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether over the seatback.


If the position you are using has an adjustable head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether around the head restraint.


If the position you are using has an adjustable head restraint and you are using a single tether, raise the head restraint and route the tether under the head restraint and in between the head restraint posts.


3. Push and pull the child restraint in different


directions to be sure it is secure.


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Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-57. For the third row, if your vehicle has a bench seat, there are no top tether anchors in the outboard seating positions. If your vehicle has a 50/50 split bench seat in the third row, there is no top tether anchor in the driver-side seating position. Do not secure a child restraint in these positions if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether 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 child 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.


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


the retractor to set the lock.


5. 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.


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6. If your child restraint manufacturer recommends using a top tether, and the position that you are using has a top tether anchor, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the instructions that came with the child restraint and to Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-57.


7. Push and pull the child restraint in different


directions to be sure it is secure.


To remove the child restraint, if the top tether is attached to the top tether anchor, disconnect it. 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 the Center Rear Seat Position 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 1-64.


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Third Row If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-57. 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.


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


plate and pulling it along the belt. 2. Put the child 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 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.


6. If your child restraint manufacturer recommends


using a top tether, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the instructions that came with the child restraint and to Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-57.


7. Push and pull the child restraint in different


directions to be sure it is secure.


To remove the child restraint, if the top tether is attached to the top tether anchor, disconnect it. Unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt. It will be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.


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Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front Seat Position


{CAUTION:


A child in a child restraint in the center front seat can be badly injured or killed by the right front passenger’s airbag if it inflates. Never secure a child restraint in the center front seat. It is always better to secure a child restraint in the rear seat.


Do not use child restraints in this position. The restraints will not work properly.


Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position Your vehicle has a right front passenger airbag. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-56. In addition, your vehicle may have a passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag when an infant in a rear-facing infant seat or a small child in a forward-facing child restraint or booster seat is detected. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-80 and Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-37 for more information on this including important safety information. A label on your sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.


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{CAUTION:


A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating airbag. Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.


If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat position, move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the forward-facing child restraint. See Power Seats on page 1-3 or Manual Seats on page 1-2. If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-57.


There is no top tether anchor at the right front seating position. Do not secure a child seat in this position if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be anchored. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-57 if the child restraint has a top tether. 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. Your vehicle has a right front passenger’s frontal


airbag. See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-80. General Motors recommends that rear-facing child restraints be secured in a rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If your child restraint is forward-facing, move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the child restraint in this seat. See Power Seats on page 1-3 or Manual Seats on page 1-2. When the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag, the off indicator in the passenger airbag status indicator should light and stay lit when you turn the ignition to RUN or START. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-37.


2. Put the child restraint on the seat.


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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.


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