1996 Chevrolet Tahoe Owners Manual

The 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban Owner’s Manual

This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.

This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly.

Here you’ll find helpful infomation and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.

Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................... It also explains the “SIR’ system. FeaturesandControls .................................................................. Comfort Controls and Audio Systems ..................................................... This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system. YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. ProblemsontheRoad ................................................................... Service and Appearance Care ... .’. ....................................................... Maintenanceschedule..................... ............................................. This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use. ........................................................ Customer Assistance Information Index ................................................................................

This section tells you how to contact Chevrolet for assistance ahd how to get service and owner publications. It also gives you, information on “Reporting Safety Defects’’ on page 8-8.

This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.

Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.

Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find something you want to read.

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We support voluntary technician certification.

WE SUPPORT

VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION THROUGH

National Institute for

AUTOMOTIVE

S E R V I C E

E X C E L L E N C E

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

DGN Marketing Services Ltd. 1500 Bonhill Rd. Mississauga, Ontario L5T IC7

@Copyright General Motors Corporation 1995 All Rights Reserved

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, the name TAHOE and the name SUBURBAN are registered trademarks ofGenera1 Motors Corporation. This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes in the product after that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General .Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet 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. C9609 €3 First Edition

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About Driving Your Vehicle As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an accident. Be sure to read the “on-pavement” and “off-road” driving guidelines in this manual. (See “Driving Guidelines” and “Off-Road Driving with your Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle’’ in the Index.) How.to Use this Manual Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If .you do this, it will help you learn about the features and controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find that pictures and words work together to explain things quickly. Index A good place to look for what you need is the Index in the back of the manual. It’s an alphabetical list of all that’s in the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.

Safety Warnings and Symbols You will find a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning.

I A CAUTION:

These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people.

In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you or others could be hurt.

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In the notice area, we tell you about something that can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the damage. When you read other manuals, youpmight 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.

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

safety

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

I NOTICE:

These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle.

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

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

DOOR LOCK UNLOCK

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

CAUTION POSSIBLE INJURY

PROTECT EYES BY SHIELDING

CAUSTIC BATTERY ACID COULD CAUSE BURNS

,\I/,

SPARK OR FLAME COULD EXPLODE BATTERY

These symbols have to do with your lights:

These symbols are on some of your controls:

These symbols are used on warning and indicator lights:

Here are some other symbols you may see:

WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER

TURN SIGNALS

e e A HAZARD $0

DAYTIME -.

RUNNING * ' LAMPS ' * *

WARNING FLASHER

FOG LAMPS

a* FAN -d

VENTILATING

BRAKE

COOLANT TEMP

BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM

FUSE t LIGHTER n (0) HORN )tr SPEAKER b p3 ENGINE OIL w, (a)

PRESSURE

COOLANT

FUEL

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES

,Model Reference This manual covers these models:

2-Door Utility

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4-DOOr Utility

Suburban

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

Here you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can also learn about some things you should nut do with air bags and safety belts. Seats and Seat Controls This section tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them and fold them up and down. It also tells you about reclining front seatbacks and head restraints.

Manual Front Seat

A CAUTION:

You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving.

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If your vehicle has a manual 1 bucket, split bench or full bench seat, you can adjust it with this lever at the front of the seat.

Power Driver’s Seat (Option)

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

If your vehicle has a power seat on the driver’s side, you can adjust it with these controls at the outside edge of the seat.

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You can use the round center knob to move the seat where you want it. To raise the seat, move the knob up. To lower the seat, move the knob down. To move the seat forward, move the knob toward the front of the vehicle. To move the seat rearward, move the knob toward the rear of the vehicle. You can also raise and lower the front and rear of the seat. To raise the front of the seat, move the'.front lever up. To lower the front of the seat, move the front lever down. To raise the rear of the seat, move the rear lever up. To lower the rear of the seat, move the rear lever down.

Power Lumbar Adjustment

If you have power lumbar adjustment, you can increase or decrease lumbar support in an area of the lower seatback.

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

Reclining Front Seatbacks

To adjust the seatback, lift the front of this lever.

Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it. Pull up on the front of, the lever and the seatback will go to an upright position.

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

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Head Restraints Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your ears. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash. Seatback Latches (2-Door Utility) The front seatback folds forward to let you access the rear of the vehicle.

To fold a seatback forward, pull this lever forward and fold the seatback forward.

Sitting’in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety belts can’t do their job when you’re reclined like this. The shoulder belt‘can’t do its job because it won’t be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you. In a crash you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. The lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash the belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear your safety belt properly.

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To return the seatback to the upright position, just push the seatback rearward until it latches. After returning the seatback to its upright position, pull the seatback forward to make sure it is locked.

A CAUTION:

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

Easy Entry Seat (2-Door Utility) The driver and passenger front bucket seat and the 60/40 split bench seat of your vehicle has an easy entry feature. This makes it easy to get in and out of the rear seat.

To operate the seat, pull forward on the top of the lever, located at the side of the seatback, and tilt the back forward toward the front of the vehicle.

When you do, the seat bottom will release. Just pull or push the seat forward until it stops. To return the seat to its regular position, return the seatback to its upright position, then push the whole seat rearward until it latches.

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After returning the seat to its regular position, try to move the seat with your body, to. make sure the seat is locked into place.

b, CAUTION: -

If any easy entry seat isn’t locked, it can move. In a sudden stop or crash, the person sitting there could be injured. And, even if there is no crash or sudden stop, a driver,sitting in an unlocked easy entry seat could be startled by the sudden movement and hit the wrong control or pedal, causing an accident. After you’ve used it, be sure to push rearward on any easy entry seat to be sure it is locked.

Rear Seats

If a head restraint is not installed on.the seatback or stored in the vehicle properly, it could be thrown about the vehicle in a crash or sudden maneuver. People in the vehicle could be injured. Remove the head restraints only when you need to fold the seat, and be sure that the head restraints are stored securely in the storage bag and placed under the rear seat. When the seat is returned to the passenger position, be sure the head restraints are installed properly.

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Folding the Rear Seat (2-Door Utility Model) If your vehicle has a rear seat, the seat can be folded flat for more cargo space. Before.folding, make sure nothing is under or in front of the seat. When the seat is folded, it will lay almost flat on the floor.

When folding the seat, first remove the head restraints. Push the release button at the top of the seat back and slide the head restraint out of the height adjust tubes.

Detach the stowage bag from the back of the rear seat. Then, put the head restraints in the stowage bag and place the bag in the rear seat foot well, under the seat.

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To fold the seat, pull on the' release handle at the bottom of the seat cushion marked RELEASE.

Folding the Rear Seat (4-Door Utility Model) If your vehicle has a 60/40 rear seat, either side may be folded down to give you more cargo space. Before folding, place the latch plate portion of the center safety belt in the center arm rest. That way, the center safety belt will be out of the way when the seat is folded and also will be easily available for passengers to use when the seat is returned to the passenger position. Also, make sure that nothing is under or in front of the seat. When the seat is folded, it will lay flat on the floor.

First, remove the head restraints. Push the release buttons at the bottom of each head restraint height adiust Dost and slide the head restraint out of the height adjust tubes.

Set the head restraints aside for now. You will stow them in their proper position after you are done folding the seat.

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When you release the seat cushion, the seatback is automatically released. Pull the loop on the seatback forward and fold the seatback onto the seat cushion. While the seat is in the folded position, hang the latch plate end of the outer passenger position safety belts on the hooks at the top of each retractor cover, out of the way. To return the seat to the passenger position, just lift up on the seatback and push it rearward until it latches. After returning the seat to the passenger position, pull forward on the seatback to make sure it is locked in place. Also, return the safety belts and head restraints to their original positions, so they will be available for rear seat passengers to use.

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

After folding the seat cushion fully forward, pull the seatback forward and fold the seatback down until it is flat.

Then, stow the head restraints by sliding them into the rear of the seatback. Make sure the posts go in all the way.

To return the seat to the passenger position, first remove the head restraints by sliding them out of the seat cushion. Lift the seatback up and push rearward all the way. Then, lower the seat cushion until it latches in position. After returning the seat to the passenger position, return the head restraints to the top of each seatback. Pull forward on the seatback and up on the seat cushion to make sure the seat is securely in place. If the latch plate portion of the center safety belt was put in the center armrest when the seat was folded, take the latch plate portion out and place it on the seat. That way, the center seat position safety belt will be available for the center rear seat passenger to use.

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Folding Second Seat (Suburban) If your vehicle has a 60140 second seat, either side may be folded down to give you more cargo space. Before folding, push the buckle portion of the safety belt down into the seat cushion pockets, out of the way. Also, make sure that nothing is under or in front of the seat. When the seat is folded, it will lay flat on the floor.

First, remove the head restraints. Push the release button at the top of the seatback and slide the head restraint out of the height

Set the head restraints aside for now. You will stow them in their proper position after you are done folding the seat;

To fold the seat, pull up on the strap loop at the rear outer edge of the seat cushion. Then, pull the seat cushion up.

After folding the seat cushion fully forward, push down on the lever at the side of the seatback and fold the seatback forward until it is flat.

Then, stow the head restraints by sliding them into the rear of the seatback. Make sure the posts go in all the way.

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To create a load floor, release the panels from the seatback by pushing rearward on the latch and fold them out to cover the rear seat footwell.

A CAUTION:

A seat that isq’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.

To return the seat to the passenger position, lift the load floor panels and latch them into the seatback. Then, lift the seatback up and push rearward until it latches. Return head restraints to their original position and lower the seat cushion until it latches in position. After returning the seat to the passenger position, pull forward on the seatback and up on the seat cushion to make sure the seat is locked in place. Also, pull the safety belt buckles out of the seat cushion pockets, so they will be available for rear seat passengers to use.

A safety belt that is twisted or not properly attached won’t provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After installing the seat, always check to be sure that the safety belts are not ‘ twisted and are properly attached.

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Entry to the Rear Seat (Suburban Second Seat) The right side of the rear 60140 split folding bench seat, available in the Suburban, has an easy entry feature. When That makes it easy to get in and out of the third seat, if you have one.

There is a foot operated release lever for rear seat passengers to use when getting out of the third seat.

Tilt the seatback toward the front of the vehicle by pulling the top of the seatback forward.

you do, the seat bottom will release. Just pull the

seat forward until it stops. To release the easy entry second seat, lift up on the top of the release lever with your foot. Push the top of the seatback forward and tilt it toward the front of the vehicle. To return the seat to its regular position, return the seatback to its upright position, then push the whole seat rearward until it latches. After returning the seat to its regular position, try to move the seat with your body, to make sure the seat is locked into place.

To operate the seat, move the lever at the side of the seat down.

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Removing the Rear (Suburban Third Seat) If your vehicle has a rear seat, it can be taken out for more cargo space. Before removing the seat, unlatch the outside passenger position safety belts from the seat frame.

To unlatch the safety belt, press the tip 0f.a key into the release hole of the safety belt attachment while pulling up on the safety belt.

Then, hang the latch plate end of the belt on the hook at the top of the retractor cover, out of the way.

To remove the seat, fully open the rear load doors and enter the back of the vehicle.

Move the seatback release lever, at the right rear of the seat, toward the vehicle.

center

the

of

To unlatch the seat from the floor, pull up on the center release handle at the rear of the seat and lift the rear of the seat up, off of the floor.

Then, fold the seatback forward into the seat cushion.

Turn the seat sideways and take it out of the vehicle.

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Replacing the Rear Seat To put the seat back in, hold the seat sideways and put it into the vehicle. Turn the seat to the forward position and set it down, with the latches at the bottom of the seat over the hooks in the floor. Pull up on the center ,release handle and let the seat drop into place. Release the handle to let the seat latch close and make sure it locks into place. Then, move the seatback release lever at the right rear of the seat toward the center of the vehicle and raise the seatback. After returning the seatback to the upright position, push the seatback forward to make sure it is locked in place. Then, return the outside passenger position safety belts to the seat frame buckles, so they will be available for rear seat passengers to use.

Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts.

And it explains the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint ‘.(SIR), or air bag system.

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

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Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. (See “Safety Belt Reminder Light” in the Index.)

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

In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work. You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed. After more than 25 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.

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Put someone on it.

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

Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers e= A:

Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I’m wearing a safety belt? You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you’re upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted. If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to wear safety belts? Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts -- not instead of them, Every air bag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions.

Q: A:

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

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@ If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from

home, why should I wear safety belts?

A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an accident -- even one that isn’t your fault -- you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good drivei- doesn’t protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 krn) 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 Adults This part is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding . i n your vehicle, see the part of this manual called “Children.” Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We’ll start with the driver position. Driver Position This part describes the driver’s restraint system. Lap-Shoulder Belt The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it properly. 1. Close and lock the door. 2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see “Seats” in the Index)

so you can sit up straight.

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

Don’t let it get twisted.

4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section.

Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 1-22

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.

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

To move it down, push in at the word PRESS and move the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move the adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder belt guide. After you move the adjuster to where you want it, try to move it down without pushing in to make sure it has locked into position. Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder.

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I A CAUTION:

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

Q." What's wrong with this?

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?

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.

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- A CAUTION:

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

&= What's wrong,with this?

A:' The belt is over an armrest.

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Q.’ What’s wrong with this?

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

be worn over the shoulder at all times.

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.

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What’s wrong with this?

You can be seriousl, injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you wouldn’t.have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or ask your dealer to fix it.

~~

A: The belt is twisted across the body.

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Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System This part explains the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system or air bag system. Your vehicle has an air bag for Here are the most important things to know about the air

the driver.

3ag system: A CAUTION: - you aren’t wearing your safety belt -- even if you You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if have an air bag. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. The air bag is only a “supplemental restraint.” That is, it works with safety belts but doesn’t replace them. Air bags are designed to work only in moderate to severe crashes where the front of your vehicle hits something. They aren’t designed to inflate at all in rollover, rear, side or low-speed frontal crashes. should wear a safety belt properly -- whether or Everyone in your vehicle, including the driver, not there’s an air bag for that person.

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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.

A CAUTION:

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

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

AIR BAG

I The system checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index for more information.

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How the Air Bag System Works

A CAUTION:

Don’t put anything on, or attach anything to, the steering wheel. Also, don’t put anything (such as pets or objects) between the driver and the steering wheel. If something is between an performance of the air bag -- or worse, it could occupant and an air bag, it could affect the cause injury.

Where is the air bag? The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.

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When should an air bag inflate? The air bag is designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. The air bag will inflate only if the impact speed is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is about 9 to 16 mph (14 to 26 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers, side impacts or rear impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant. . In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air bag should have inflated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and the vehicle’s deceleration. Vehicle damage is only one indication of this. The air bag system is designed to work properly under a wide range of conditions, including off-road usage. Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain. As always, wear your safety belt. See “Off-Road Driving” in the Index for more tips on off-road driving.

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What makes an air bag inflate? In a frontal or near-frontal impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is suddenly stopping as a result of a crash. The sensing system triggers a chemical reaction of the sodium azide sealed in the inflator. The reaction produces nitrogen gas, which inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related hardware are all part of the air bag module packed inside the steering wheel. How does an air bag restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel. The air bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag. Air bags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.

What will you see after an air bag inflates? After the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates. This occurs so quickly that some people may not even realize the air bag inflated. Some components of the air bag module in the steering wheel hub will be hot for a short time. The part of the bag that comes into contact with you may be warm, but it will never be too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated air bag. Air bag inflation will not prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to steer the vehicle, nor will it stop people from leaving the vehicle.

When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but can’t get out of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or door.

The air bag is designed to inflate only once. After it inflates, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system won’t be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include the air bag module and possibly other parts. The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts. Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module, which records information about the air bag system. The module records information about the readiness of the system, when the sensors are activated and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment. Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag systemAmproper service can mean that your air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer for service.

I NOTICE:

If you damage the cover for the driver’s air bag, it may not work properly. You may have to replace the air bag module. Do not open or break the air b,ag cover.

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

For up to two minutes after the ignition key is turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air bag can still inflate during improper service. You can be injured if you are close to an air bag when it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape, or yellow connectors. They are probably part of the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualified to do so.

The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.

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Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle Q.’ If I add a push bumper or a bicycle rack to the front of my vehicle, will it keep the air bag from working properly?

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

attached to your vehicle so that the vehicle’s basic structure isn’t changed, it’s not likely to keep the air bags from working properly in a crash. What if I add a snow plow? Will it keep the air bag from working properly?

A: We’ve designed our air bag systems to work properly under a wide range of conditions, including snow plowing with vehicles equipped with the optional Snow Plow Prep Package (RPO VYU). But don’t change or defeat the snow plow’s “tripping mechanism.” If you do, it can damage your snow plow and your vehicle, and it may cause an air bag inflation.

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.

Q:

A:

Is there anything I might add to the front of the vehicle that could keep the air bag from working properly? Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle's frame, bumper system, front end sheet metal or height, they may keep the air bag system from working properly. Also, the air bag system may not work properly if you relocate any of the air bag sensors. If you have-any question about this, you should contact Customer Assistance before you modify your vehicle. (The phone numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See "Customer Satisfaction Procedure" in the Index.)

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

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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 The right front passenger’s s,afety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt. See “Driver Position’’ earlier in this When the lap belt i s pulled out all the way, it will lock. If it does,, let it go back all the way and start again.

section.

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

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

To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug. Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap part of a lap-shoulder belt. If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender’’ at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

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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 one properly.

2-Door Utility and Suburban

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4-Door Utility

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

Don’t let it get twisted.

2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. 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” at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

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2-Door Utility and Suburban

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

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f

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.

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.

~~~~~

On four-door utility models, move the shoulder belt height adjuster to the height that is right for you.

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2-Door Utility and Suburban

To move the height adjuster down, push in at the word PRESS and move the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move the adjuster up just by pushmg up on the shoulder belt guide. After you move the adjuster to where you want it, try to move it down without pushing in to make sure it has locked into position. Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder.

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Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! That includes infants and all children smaller than adult size. 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. smaller Children and Babies

A CAUTION:

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

1-43

4-DOOr Utility To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.

CAUTION: (Continued)

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

Never hold a baby in your arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much -- until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy you can’t hold it. For example, in a crash CAUTION: (Continued)

1-44

Child Restraints Be sure the child 'restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system in your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury. The instructions that come with the infant or child restraint will show you how to do that. Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We at General Motors therefore recommend that you put your child restraint in the rear seat unless the child is an infant and you're the .only adult in the vehic1.e. In that case, you might want to secure the restraint in the front seat where you can keep an eye on the baby. 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

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

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Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position

2.

3.

You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one. 1.

Put the restraint on the seat. Follow the instructions for the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint as the instructions say. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through pr around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or neck, put it behind the child restraint.

4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

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

the retractor to set the lock.

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Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Seat Position

You’ll be using the lap belt. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one.

6. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down

. on the child restraint. 7. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move.freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger bhild passenger. 1-48

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. Follow the instructions

for the child restraint.

3. Secure the child in the child restraint as the

instructions say.

4. Run the vehicle's safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

5. 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.

6. To tighten the belt, pull its free end while you push

down on the child restraint.

7. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure. If it isn't, secure the restraint in a different place in the vehicle and contact the child restraint maker for their advice about how to attach the child restraint properly.

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To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt, It will be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger. Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position

You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one. 1. Put the restraint on the seat. Follow the instructions

for the child restraint.

2. Secure the child in the child restraint as the

instructions say.

3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder

portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how. If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or neck, put it behind the child restraint.

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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 lap belt all the way out of the

retractor to set the lock.

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Larger Children

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

retractor while you push down on the child restraint.

7. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.

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Children who have outgrown child restraints should wear the vehicle’s safety belts. If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a window so the child can wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the safety belts properly.

Children who aren’t buckled up can be thrown out in a crash. Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other people who are.

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.

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

A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide. If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still very close to the child’s face or neck, you might want to place the child in a seat that has a lap belt, if your vehicle has one.

1-53

2-Door Utility and Suburban

4-Door Utility

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/i\ 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.

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.

I Checking Your Restraint

Systems

Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away. Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.)

1-55

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

If you ever see a label on a right front safety belt in a two-door Utility model that says to replace the belt, be sure to do so. Then the new belt will be there to help protect you in a collision, You would see this label on the belt near the door opening. If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at the time of the collision. If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in this section.

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Section 2 Features and Controls

Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting, shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem. Keys A CAUTION:

Leaving young children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or others could be badly injured or even killed. They could operate power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.

2-1

Your vehicle has one double-sided key for the ignition and all door locks.

Door Locks A CAUTION:

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

There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. From the outside, use your key.

If you ever lose your key, your dealer will be able to assist you with obtaining a new one.

2-2

From the inside, to lock the door, slide the lever on your door down. To unlock the door, slide the

Rear Door Security Locks ($-Door Utility)

With this feature, you can lock the rear doors so they can’t be opened from the inside by passengers.

Power Door Locks (Option)

Press the side of the power door lock switch marked LOCK on either fi-ont door to lock all the doors at once. Press the ribbed side of the switch to unlock all the doors at once. On fok-door models, the switch on each rear door works only that door’s lock. It won’t lock (or unlock) all of the doors -- that’s a safety feature.

Move the button up to engage the security feature. Move the button down to return the door locks to normal operation. Leaving Your Vehicle If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and close the door.

2-3

Keyless Entry System (Option) If your vehicle has this option, you can lock and unlock your doors or your tailgate from up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the key chain transmitter supplied with your vehicle. Your Keyless Entry System operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Should interference to this system occur, try this:

Check to determine if battery replacement is necessary. See the instructions on battery replacement.

0 Check the distance. You may be too far from your

vehicle. This product has a maximum range.

Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be blocking the signal. See your GM dealer or a qualified technician for service.

Changes or modifications to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment. Operation To unlock the driver’s door, press the UNLOCK button. If you press this button again within five seconds, all the doors will unlock. Press the REAR button to unlock the rear door only, or to release the tailgate glass. Press the LOCK button to lock all the doors. When the UNLOCK button is pushed, the interior dome lamps are turned on for 40 seconds or until the ignition switch is activated. When the LOCK button is pushed, the interior lamps are turned on for two seconds if the doors are closed. If the LOCK button is pushed when a door is open, the interior lamps will stay on for two seconds after the door is closed.

Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle Each key chain transmitter is coded to prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring any remaining transmitters with you when you go to your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters must also be matched. Once the new transmitter is coded, the lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle. Each vehicle can have only two transmitters matched to it. Battery Replacement Under normal use, the batteries in your key chain transmitter should last about two years. You can tell the batteries are weak if the transmitter won’t work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it’s probably time to change the batteries. Use two Duracell@ type DL2016, or a similar type.

To replace the batteries:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Insert a dime in the side seam of the transmitter housing, near the key ring hole. Twist the dime to separate the two halves of the transmitter housing. Separate the housing, bottom half first. Remove and replace-the batteries. Put the new batteries in with the printed side down. Align the housing and snap the halves together.

Your Doors and How They Work Side Doors To open the door from the outside, pull the handle up and pull the door open. To open the door from the inside, pull the lever toward you and push the door open.

It can be dangerous to drive with’the tailgate glass, tailgate or rear doors open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.

CAUTION: (Continued)

CAUTION: (Continued!

If you must drive with the tailgate glass, tailgate or rear doors open or if electrical wiring or other cable connections must pass through the.seal between the body and the. tailgate glass, tailgate or rear doors:

Make sure all windows are shut. ’hrn the fan on your heating or cooling system to its highest speed with the setting on VENT. That will force outside air into your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls” in the Index. If you have air outlets on or under the instrument panel, open them all the way.

See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.

2-6

Tailgate Glass and Tailgate If your vehicle has a tailgate, you must raise the rear glass before lowering the tailgate. To open the glass from the outside, use your key. With the key in the lock, turn the key clockwise to release the glass, then lift it up. To release the glass from the inside, use the electric tailgate glass release switch on the instrument panel. For more information, see “Tailgate -- Electric Glass Release” in the Index. Open the tailgate by lifting up on the handle while pulling the tailgate toward you. Close the tailgate before closing the rear glass. After closing, make sure the tailgate is securely latched by pulling it toward you. After closing the rear glass, pull up on its handle to make sure it is locked.

Panel Doors To open the rear panel doors, you must open the passenger’s side door first. If the door is locked, insert your door key in the lock and turn it counterclockwise to unlock it. To open the passenger’s side door, pull up on the handle and pull the door open. To open the driver’s side door, first open the passenger’s side, door. Then, pull the handle on the left door edge out and pull the door open. The rear doors have a check assembly to keep them from fully opening during normal use. Tofully open either rear door, you must release the check strap. First, open the door partway until the white mark on the check strap is fully outside the door edge. If the end of the strap catches the pin on the door, the door is open too far.

2-7

Theft Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you can help. Key in the Ignition If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an easy target for joy riders or professional thieves -- so don”t do it. When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door, you’ll hear a tone reminding you to remove your key from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this. Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your ignition. If you have an automatic transmission, taking your key out also locks your transmission. And remember to lock the doors.

Then, hold the strap at the white mark, pull the strap toward you and open the door all the way.

To re-engage the door check strap, just close the door and the strap will catch the pin. To close the .doors, close the driver’s side door first. After securely closing the door, close the passenger’s side door. Make sure both doors are latched securely. To lock the rear doors from outside the vehicle, put your key in the lock and turn it clockwise. If you have power door locks, you can lock the side doors as well as the rear doors from inside the vehicle. For more information, see “Power Door Locks” in this section.

3 4

Parking at Night Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight. Put them in a storage area, or take them with you. Parking Lots If you park in a lot where someone will be watching your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys. But what if you have to leave your ignition key? What if you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your glove box.

0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s.

New Vehicle “Break-In”

NOTICE:

Your modern vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate “break-in.” But it wil1,perform better in the long run if you follow these guidelines:

0 -

Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmh) or less for the first 500 miles (804 km). slow -- for the first 500 miles (804 km). Don’t drive at any one speed fast or Don’t make full-throttle starts. Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles (322-km) or so. During this time your new brake linings aren’t yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline every time you get new brake linings. Don’t tow a trailer during break-in. See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index for more information.

2-9

Ignition Positions Use your key to start your vehicle. The key lets you turn the ignition switch to five different positions.

LOCK (B): This position locks your ignition, steering wheel and transmission. It’s a theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove your key when the ignition is turned to LOCK. OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering wheel like LOCK. Use OFF if you must have your vehicle in motion while the engine is off (for example, if your vehicle is being pushed). RUN (D): This is the position for driving. .START (E): This position starts your engine.

-- LA

I NOTICE:

If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t turn it, be sure it is all the way in. If it is, then turn the steering wheel left and right while you turn the key hard. But turn the key only with your hand. Using a tool to force it could break the key or the ignition switch. If none of this works, then your vehicle needs service.

ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use things like the radio and the windshield wipers when the engine is off. Push in the key and turn it toward you. Your steering wheel will remain locked, just as it was before you inserted the key.

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Starting Your Gasoline Engine If you have a diesel engine, see “Starting Your Diesel Engine” in the Diesel Engine Supplement. Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N): Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.

’.

NOTICE:

Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.

1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm.

NOTICE:

Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time’will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage your starter motor.

2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in

START. If it doesn’t start in 10 seconds, push the accelerator pedal all the way down for five more seconds, or until it starts.

,.

1 .

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3. If your enginestill won’t start (or starts but then

stops), wait 15 seconds and start over. When the engine starts, let go of the key and the accelerator pedal.

NOTICE:

Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way the engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t, your engine might not perform properly. If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see the part of this manual that tells how to do it without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing Your Vehicle’’ in the Index.

Engine Coolant Heater (Option) In very cold weather, 0°F (-lS°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can help.

You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.

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To use the coolant heater: 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. 3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.

4 CAUTION:

Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of extension cord could overheat and cause a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use ,a heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.

4. After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could be damaged.

.@ How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer depknds on the outside temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact your GM dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that particular area.

PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best position to use when you start your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily.

A CAUTION:

It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly level ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).

CAUTION: (Continued)

Automatic Transmission Operation

There are several different positions for your shift lever. Your vehicle now features an electronic shift position indicator within the instrument cluster. This display must be powered anytime the shift lever is capable of being moved out of the PARK (P) position. This means that if your key is in the OFF position, rather than the LOCK position, there will be a small current drain on your battery which could discharge your battery over a period of time. If you have a need to leave your key in the ignition in the OFF position for an extended period for any reason, it is recommended that you disconnect the battery cable from the battery to prevent discharging your battery.

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will be free to roll -- even if your shift lever If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle is in PARK (P) -- if your transfer case is in NEUTRAL (N). So, be sure the transfer case is in high (4H) or four-wheel low (4L) -- not in a drive gear, two-wheel high (2H) or four-wheel NEUTRAL (N). See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.

REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.

NOTICE:

Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is moving forward could damage your transmission. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped.

To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see “Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.

NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.

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CAUTION:

Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is “racing” (running at high speed) is dangerous. Unless your foot’is firmly on the brake pedal, your vehicle could move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or objects. Don’t shift out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.

NOTICE:

Damage to your transmission caused by shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine racing isn’t covered by your warranty.

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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@): This position is for normal dri,ving. If you need more power for passing, and you’re:

Going less than about 35 mph (56 M), push your accelerator pedal about halfway down. Going about 35 mph (56 M) or more, push the accelerator all the way down. You’ll shift down to the next gear and have more power.

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@) can be used when towing a trailer. You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the transmission shifts too often when carrying a heavy load, driving on steep hills or for off-road driving. THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@). SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to use your brakes off and on.

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If you manually select SECOND (2), the transmission will drive in second gear. You may use this feature for reducing torque to the rear wheels when you are trying to start your vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces. FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power (but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the selector lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving forward, the transmission won’t shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.

NOTICE:

If your rear wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to drive. This might happen if you were stuck in very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid object. You could damage your transmission. Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold your vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal. This could overheat and damage the transmission. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P) to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.

Locking Rear Axle (Option) If you have this feature, your rear axle can give you additional traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the time, but when one of the rear wheels has no traction and the other does, the locking feature will allow the wheel with traction to move the vehicle. Four-wheel Drive If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send your engine’s driving power to all four wheels for extra traction. To get the most satisfaction out of four-wheel drive, you must be familiar with its operation. Read the part that follows before using four-wheel drive. You should use 2-WHEEL HIGH (2H) for most normal driving conditions.

NOTICE:

Driving in the 4-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or $-WHEEL LOW (4L) positions for a long time on dry or wet pavement could shorten the life of your vehicle’s drivetrain.

Front Axle Locking Feature The front axle locks and unlocks automatically when you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the axle to lock or unlock is normal. If the outside temperature is very hot, or the vehicle has been used under hard driving conditions, there may be a slight delay for the axle to unlock. Manual Transfer Case

The transfer case shift lever is on the floor to the right of the driver. Use this lever to shift into and out of four-wheel drive.

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An indicator near the lever shows you the transfer case settings: 2H (2-Wheel High): This setting is for driving in most street and highway situations. Your front axle is not engaged in two-wheel drive. 4H (4-Wheel High): This setting engages your front axle to help drive your vehicle. Use 4H when you need extra traction, such as on wet or icy roads, or in most off-road situations. N '(Neutral): Shift to this setting only when your vehicle needs to be towed or when using a power take-off. 4L (4-Wheel Low): This setting also engages your front axle to give you extra power, but should be used- only for off-road driving. You can shift from 2-WHEEL HIGH (2H) to 4-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or from 4-WHEEL HIGH (4H) to 2-WHEEL HIGH (2H) while the vehicle is moving. Your front axle may engage faster if you take your foot off of the accelerator for a few seconds after you shift. In extremely cold weather, it may be necessary to stop or slow the vehicle to shift out of 2-WHEEL HIGH (2H).

The front axle portion of the indicator diagram will light up when you shift into four-wheel drive. Some delay between shifting and the indicator's lighting is normal. If the indicator light does not light up, or if the front axle light does not go out after you shift out of four-wheel drive, have your dealer check your system.

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To shift into or out of 4-WHEEL LOW (4L) or NEUTRAL (N): 1. Slow the vehicle to a roll, about 1 to 3 mph (2 to 5 km/h) and shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (N).

2. Shift the transfer case shift lever in one continuous

motion.