position before beginning this procedure. 1. From the rear of the vehicle, place the front hooks of the seat onto the front floor pins in the third row. To do this, the seat will need to be angled approximately 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) from the floor so the front hooks clear the rear floor pins and rear floor cups. Use the release handle to guide the seat into place.
If the front hooks are not attached correctly, the rear latches will not attach to the rear set of floor pins.
2. Firmly push the rear latches into the rear floor pins
by pushing down on the rear of the seat.
3. Try to raise the seat to make sure that it is locked
down. The indicator pins will no longer stick out when the seat is properly latched into place.
{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 press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is locked.
4. Return the seatback to its upright position. See “Returning the Seatback to an Upright Position” earlier in this section.
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Safety Belts
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It tells you some things you should not do with safety belts.
{CAUTION:
Do not let anyone ride where he or she can not 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 3-33.
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Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes.
In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work. You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed. After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter... a lot!
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat on wheels.
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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...
1-25
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.
or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why safety belts make such good sense.
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First, you will want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We will start with the driver position.
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.
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 1-41
or Infants and Young Children on page 1-43. Follow
those rules for everyone’s protection.
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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 1-41. 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 down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt.
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.
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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.
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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.
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{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.
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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.
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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.
Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt adjuster to the height that is right for you.
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.
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.
To move it down, push down on the button and move the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move the adjuster up 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 the button down to make sure it has locked into position.
A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy.
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The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it 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 1-27. 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. If this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and start again.
Rear Seat Passengers It is very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who are not safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.
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Lap-Shoulder Belt All rear seating positions have lap-shoulder belts. Here is how to wear one properly.
1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Do not let it get twisted. The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly.
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 1-41. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.
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.
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The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or a crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.
{CAUTION:
You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should fit against your body.
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Rear safety belt comfort guides will provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better positions the belt away from the neck and head. If your vehicle has bucket seats in the second row, there is one guide for each second row position. If your vehicle has a third row, there is one guide for each outboard position. To provide added safety belt comfort for children who have outgrown child restraints and booster seats and for smaller adults, the comfort guides may be installed on the shoulder belts. Here is how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt:
To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.
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1. Remove the guide from its storage pocket on the
side of the seatback.
2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the
two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide.
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3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat.
The guide must be on top of the belt.
4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as
described in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-36. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder.
To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out of the guides. Slide the guide into the storage pocket.
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Safety Belt Pretensioners Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners. Although you cannot see them, they are located on the retractor part of the safety belts for the driver and right front passenger. They help the safety belts reduce a person’s forward movement in a moderate to severe frontal or near frontal crash. Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash, you will need to get new ones, and probably other new parts for your safety belt system. See Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash on page 1-87.
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.
Child Restraints
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts.
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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.
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{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.
Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt, but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child’s face or neck?
A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide. If the child is sitting in a second row position, see Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults on page 1-38.
{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.
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.
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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.
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{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.
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.
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{CAUTION:
The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that is unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints.
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:
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.
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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.
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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.
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Q: How do child restraints work? A: A child restraint system is any device designed for use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position children. A built-in child restraint system is a permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on child restraint system is a portable one, which is purchased by the vehicle’s owner. For many years, add-on child restraints have used the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to be secured within the restraint. The vehicle’s belt system secures the add-on child restraint in the vehicle, and the add-on child restraint’s harness system holds the child in place within the restraint. One system, the three-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.
When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system in your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury. When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the instructions that come with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer.
Q: When securing an aftermarket child seat in a bucket seat, I am unable to get the seat fastened in snugly enough. What should I do? A: With some child seats, it may be difficult to tighten the vehicle belts so that there is less side-to-side or front-to-back movement of the child seat. A replacement buckle, which makes it easier to secure your child seat, is available from your dealer at no charge to you.
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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.
1-50
{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 and seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped) under certain conditions, 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. General Motors recommends 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.
Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child restraint properly. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle — even when no child is in it.
Top Strap Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.” It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision. For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to the vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top strap being anchored. Others require the top strap always to be anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint. If yours requires that the top strap be anchored, do not use the restraint unless it is anchored properly. If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available.
In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be anchored. Anchor the top strap to one of the following anchor points. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed.
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If the position you are using has an adjustable head restraint, route the top strap under it. See Head Restraints on page 1-7. Once you have the top strap anchored, you will be ready to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions say.
Top Strap Anchor Location Do not secure a child restraint in the right front passenger’s position or at the third row passenger’s-side position if a national or local law requires that the top strap be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. There is no place to anchor the top strap in these positions.
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Second Row
In the second row, there is a top strap anchor for each seating position. The anchors are located at the rear base of the seat.
Third Row
A. Top Strap Anchor B. Seatback Release Latch In the third row (if equipped), there is a top strap anchor for the driver’s-side position or for the center position. The anchor is located on the back of the seat near the center of the seatback. The anchor can accommodate one top strap.
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) Your vehicle has the LATCH system. You will find anchors in each seating position in the second row. This system, designed to make installation of child restraints easier, does not use the vehicle’s safety belts. Instead, it uses vehicle anchors and child restraint attachments to secure the restraints. Some restraints also use another vehicle anchor to secure a top tether strap.
A. Lower Anchorage B. Lower Anchorage
C. Top Tether
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To assist you in locating the lower anchors for this child restraint system, each seating position with the LATCH system has a label on the seatback.
The labels are located at each lower anchor position, near the base of each second row seating position.
{CAUTION:
If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to its anchorage points, the restraint will not be able to protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchorage points, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual.
A. Lower Anchorage B. Lower Anchorage In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint designed for that system.
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Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System 1. Find the LATCH anchorages for the seating
position you want to use, where the bottom of the seatback meets the back of the seat cushion. See Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 1-53.
2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 3. Attach and tighten the LATCH attachments on the
child restraint to the LATCH anchorages in the vehicle. The child restraint instructions will show you how.
4. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchorage. The child restraint instructions will show you how. Also see Top Strap on page 1-51.
5. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, simply unhook the top tether from the top tether anchorage and then disconnect the LATCH attachments from the LATCH anchorages.
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 1-53. See Top Strap on page 1-51 if the child restraint has a top strap or top tether. For vehicles with a third row, there is no top strap anchor in the passenger’s-side position. Do not secure a child seat in this position if a national or local law requires that the top strap be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint. 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.
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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.
6. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt 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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Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position
Your vehicle has airbags. A rear seat is a safer place to
secure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where to
Put the Restraint on page 1-50.
In addition, your vehicle has a passenger sensing
system. The passenger sensing system is designed to
turn off the right front passenger’s airbag or airbags
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 3-35
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.
{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 and seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped) under certain conditions, 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. General Motors recommends 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 Manual Seats on page 1-3 or Six-Way Power Seats on page 1-4.
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If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 1-53. There is no top strap 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 strap be anchored or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. See Top Strap on page 1-51 if your child restraint has one. 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 airbags.
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 or airbags are 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 Manual Seats on page 1-3 or Six-Way Power Seats on page 1-4. When the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger’s airbag or airbags, 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 3-35.
2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.
4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
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5. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of
the retractor to set the lock.
6. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. 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. You should not be able to pull more of the belt from the retractor once the lock has been set.
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7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
8. If the airbag or airbags are off, the off indicator on
the instrument panel will be lit and stay lit when the key is turned to RUN or START.
If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint. If after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion if possible. Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjust the head restraint. If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and check with your dealer. 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.
Built-In Child Restraint WARNING! DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur:
Follow all instruction on the child restraint and in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.
If your vehicle has this feature, the built-in child restraint is located in the passenger-side position in the second row. This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
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(cid:127)
Use only with children who weigh between 22 and
40 pounds (10 and 18 kg) and whose height is between
33.5 and 40 inches (850 and 1 016 mm). Use only
with children whose shoulders are below the shoulder
belt slots for the harness system and who are capable of
sitting upright alone.
The child should also be at least one year old. It is
important to use a rear-facing infant restraint until the
child is at least one year old. A rear-facing restraint gives
the infant’s head, neck and body the support they
would need in a crash. See Older Children on page 1-41
or Infants and Young Children on page 1-43.
A child whose weight is over 40 pounds, whose height
is over 40 inches or whose shoulders are above the
shoulder belt slots for the harness system, should
be restrained in an add-on booster seat appropriate
for the child’s size. See Child Restraint Systems
on page 1-47. Once the booster seat is outgrown, the
child should sit on the vehicle’s regular seat and use the
vehicle’s safety belts.
{CAUTION:
Using the vehicle’s built-in child restraint as a booster seat for a larger child could cause injury to the child in a sudden stop or crash. A child whose weight is over 40 pounds, whose height is over 40 inches or whose shoulders are above the shoulder belt slots for the harness system should use a restraint system that is appropriate for their size, either an add-on booster seat or the vehicle’s safety belt. See “Child Restraints” or “Older Children” in the Index.
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Securing a Child in the Built-In Child Restraint
1. Raise the head restraint until the lower edge of the head restraint is even with the top of the seatback.
2. Rotate the head restraint rearward until it touches the top of the seatback. Make sure there is no gap between the lower edge of the head restraint and the top of the seatback.
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3. Lower the child restraint cushion.
You will be using the child restraint’s harness (A) to secure your child. Do not use the vehicle’s safety belts.
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{CAUTION:
Using the vehicle’s regular safety belts on a child seated on the built-in child restraint cushion can cause serious injury to the child in a sudden stop or crash. Secure the child using the built-in child restraint’s harness.
WARNING: FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS ON THE USE OF THIS CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN YOUR CHILD STRIKING THE VEHICLE’S INTERIOR DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. SNUGLY ADJUST THE BELTS PROVIDED WITH THIS CHILD RESTRAINT AROUND YOUR CHILD.
4. Before placing the child in the child restraint, add
slack to the shoulder harness. Pull the black shoulder harness release strap firmly. At the same time pull both shoulder harness straps through the slots in the seatback as shown.
5. Place the child on the child restraint cushion.
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10. Pull up on the latch plates to make sure they are
secure.
6. Select only one side of the harness. Place the
harness over the child’s shoulder.
7. Push the latch plate (A) into the buckle until it clicks.
Be sure the buckle is free of any foreign objects that may prevent you from securing the latch plates. If you can not secure a latch plate, see your dealer for service before using the child restraint.
8. Place the other side of the harness over the child’s
shoulder.
9. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
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11. Now fasten the left and right halves of the shoulder harness clip together. The clip can be easily pulled apart and is designed to pull apart during a collision.
{CAUTION:
A built-in child restraint harness that is not properly adjusted can cause injury to the child in a sudden stop or collision. A harness that is loose, twisted, worn improperly or improperly fastened will not be able to restrain the child’s upper body. Make sure the harness is adjusted correctly. Fastening the clip is not a substitute for adjusting the harness so that it is snug.
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12. Pull the shoulder harness adjustment strap (A)
firmly until the harness is snugly adjusted around the child. You should not be able to put more than two fingers between the harness and the child’s chest. Make sure the harness and buckle strap are not twisted.
13. Adjust the position of the harness on the child’s
shoulder by moving the clip along the harness until it is level with the child’s armpits. On each side of the harness, the shoulder part should be centered on the child’s shoulder. The harness should be away from the child’s face and neck, but not falling from the child’s shoulders. If you expect that the child will sleep while riding, you can recline the seatback. See Bucket Seats on page 1-9.
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Removing the Child from the Built-In Child Restraint
1. Unfasten the shoulder harness clip.
2. Unlatch the harness by pushing the button on the
buckle.
3. Move one side of the harness off the child’s
shoulder.
4. Move the other side of the harness off the child’s
shoulder.
5. Remove the child from the child restraint cushion.
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Storing the Built-In Child Restraint Always properly store the built-in child restraint before using the vehicle’s lap-shoulder belt.
1. Move both latch plates and both sides of the
shoulder harness clip to the bottom of the harness straps.
2. Fold the child restraint cushion and leg rest up
into the seatback.
3. Press the child restraint cushion firmly into the
seatback.
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4. Then press the leg rest firmly into the seatback,
and secure it by pressing the upper corners against the fastener strips on the seatback.
5. Rotate the head restraint forward and push it all the
way down.
Just like the other restraint systems in your vehicle, your built-in child restraint needs to be periodically checked and may need to have parts replaced after a crash. See Checking the Restraint Systems on page 1-86 and Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash on page 1-87.
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Airbag System Your vehicle has airbags — a frontal airbag for the driver and another frontal airbag for the right front passenger. Your vehicle may also have side impact airbags. Side impact airbags are available for the driver and right front passenger. If your vehicle has a side impact airbag for the driver and/or the right front passenger, the words AIR BAG will appear on the airbag covering on the side of the seatback closest to the door.
Frontal airbags are designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating frontal airbag. But these airbags must inflate very quickly to do their job and comply with federal regulations. Here are the most important things to know about the airbag system:
{CAUTION:
You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you are not wearing your safety belt — even if you have airbags. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Airbags are designed to work with safety belts but do not replace them.
CAUTION:
(Continued)
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CAUTION:
(Continued)
{CAUTION:
Frontal airbags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to deploy only in moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crashes. They are not designed to inflate in rollover, rear or low-speed frontal crashes, or in many side crashes. And, for some unrestrained occupants, frontal airbags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful airbags have provided in the past. Side impact airbags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to inflate only in moderate to severe crashes where something hits the side of your vehicle. They are not designed to inflate in frontal, in rollover or in rear crashes. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person.
Both frontal and side impact airbags inflate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you are too close to an inflating airbag, as you would be if you were leaning forward, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position for airbag inflation before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with frontal airbags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. Front occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door.
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{CAUTION:
Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer the best protection for adults, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Always secure children properly in your vehicle. To read how, see Older Children on page 1-41 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-43.
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol.
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The system checks the airbag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-34
for more information.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s frontal airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
The right front passenger’s frontal airbag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side.
If your vehicle has one, the driver’s side impact airbag is in the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door.
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{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an airbag, the airbag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury or even death. The path of an inflating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put anything between an occupant and an airbag, and do not attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other airbag covering. Do not let seat covers block the inflation path of a side impact airbag.
If your vehicle has one, the right front passenger’s side impact airbag is in the side of the passenger’s seatback closest to the door.
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When Should an Airbag Inflate? The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inflate only if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds take into account a variety of desired deployment and non-deployment events and are used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in time for the airbags to inflate and help restrain the occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will or should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the direction of the impact and how quickly your vehicle slows down. In addition, your vehicle has “dual stage” frontal airbags, which adjust the restraint according to crash severity. For moderate frontal impacts, these airbags inflate at a level less than full deployment. Your vehicle is equipped with electronic frontal sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact.
For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall that does not move or deform, the threshold level for the reduced deployment is about 12 to 18 mph (19 to 29 km/h), and the threshold level for a full deployment is about 18 to 25 mph (29 to 40.2 km/h). (The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range.) Airbags may inflate at different crash speeds. For example:
If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbag could inflate at a different crash speed than if the object were moving. If the object deforms, the airbag could inflate at a different crash speed than if the object does not deform. If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole) the airbag could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall). If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle the airbag could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle goes straight into the object.
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(cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) The frontal airbags (driver and right front passenger) are not intended to inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts because inflation would not likely help the occupants. Your vehicle may or may not have a side impact airbag. See Airbag System on page 1-72. Side impact airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact airbag will inflate if the crash severity is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” The threshold level can vary with specific vehicle design. Side impact airbags are not designed to inflate in frontal or near-frontal impacts, rollovers or rear impacts, because inflation would not likely help the occupant. A side impact airbag will only deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck. In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag should have inflated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. For frontal airbags, inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal and near-frontal impacts. For side impact airbags, inflation is determined by the location and severity of the impact.
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What Makes an Airbag Inflate? In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For both frontal and side impact airbags, the sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the airbag. The inflator, the airbag and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules. Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with side impact airbags, the airbag modules are located in the seatback closest to the driver’s and/or right front passenger’s door.
How Does an Airbag Restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle. The airbag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal airbags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward the airbag. Side impact airbags would not help you in many types of collisions, including frontal or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward those airbags.
Airbags 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 for the driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions for vehicles with a driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact airbag.
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? After the airbag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the airbag inflated. Some components of the airbag module will be hot for a short time. These components include the steering wheel hub for the driver’s frontal airbag and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s frontal airbag. For vehicles with side impact airbags, the side of the seatback closest to the driver’s and/or right front passenger’s door will be hot. The parts of the bag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deflated airbags. Airbag inflation does not prevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an airbag 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 cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door. If you experience breathing problems following an airbag deployment, you should seek medical attention.
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In many crashes severe enough to inflate an airbag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger airbag. (cid:127) Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After an
airbag inflates, you will need some new parts for your airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag system will not be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include airbag modules and possibly other parts. The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
(cid:127) Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records information after a crash. See Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders on page 7-9. Let only qualified technicians work on your airbag system. Improper service can mean that an airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer for service.
If you damage the covering for the driver’s
Notice: or the right front passenger’s airbag, or the airbag covering on the driver’s and right front passenger’s seatback, the airbag may not work properly. You may have to replace the airbag module in the steering wheel, both the airbag module and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s airbag, or both the airbag module and seatback for the driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact airbag. Do not open or break the airbag coverings.
Passenger Sensing System Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. The passenger airbag status indicator on the instrument panel will be visible when you turn your ignition key to RUN or START. The words ON and OFF or the symbol for on and off, will be visible during the system check. When the system check is complete, either the word ON or the word OFF, or the symbol for on or the symbol for off will be visible. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-35.
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(cid:127) The passenger sensing system will turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact airbag (if equipped) under certain conditions. The driver’s airbag or airbags are not part of the passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the right front passenger’s seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the passenger’s airbag or airbags should be enabled (may inflate) or not. 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.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – United States
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – Canada
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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. Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped) under certain conditions, 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. General Motors recommends that rear-facing child restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s airbag or airbags if:
the right front passenger seat is unoccupied the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant seat the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing child restraint the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat a right front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of time the right front passenger seat is occupied by a smaller person, such as a child who has outgrown child restraints or if there is a critical problem with the airbag system or the passenger sensing system.
When the passenger sensing system has turned off the passenger’s airbag or airbags, the off indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag or airbags are off.
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(cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint following the child restraint manufacturer’s directions and refer to Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position on page 1-58. If after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion if possible. Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjust the head restraint. If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the child restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle and check with your dealer. The passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inflate) the right front passenger’s airbag or airbags anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the right front passenger’s seat. When the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbag or airbags to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag or airbags are active.
For some children who have outgrown child restraints and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system may or may not turn off the right front passenger’s airbag or airbags, depending upon the person’s seating posture and body build. Everyone in your vehicle who has outgrown child restraints should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person. If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front passenger’s seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be because that person is not sitting properly in the seat. If this happens, turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the seatback in the fully upright position, then sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person’s legs comfortably extended. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the system to detect that person and then enable the passenger’s airbag or airbags.
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{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. If this ever happens, have the vehicle serviced promptly, because an adult-size person sitting in the right front passenger’s seat may not have the protection of the frontal airbag. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-34 for more on this, including important safety information.
Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can affect how well the passenger sensing system operates. You may want to consider not using seat covers or other aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has the passenger sensing system. See Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-86 for more information about modifications that can affect how the system operates.
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{CAUTION:
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat or between the passenger’s seat cushion and seatback may interfere with the proper operation of the passenger sensing system.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of the airbag system in several places around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-11.
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is turned off and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still inflate during improper service. You can be injured if you are close to an airbag when it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are probably part of the airbag system. Be sure to follow proper service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualified to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
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Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q: Because I have a disability, I have to get my vehicle modified. How can I find out whether this will affect my airbag system?
A: Changing or moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic module (located under the driver’s seat), or the instrument panel can affect the operation of the airbag system. If you have questions, call Customer Assistance. The phone numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. If your vehicle has a built-in child restraint, also periodically make sure the harness straps, latch plates, buckle, clip, child head restraint 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. If your vehicle has the built-in child restraint, torn or frayed harness straps can rip apart under impact forces just like torn or frayed safety belts can. They may not protect a child in a crash. If a harness strap is torn or frayed, get a new harness right away. Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.)
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Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems in your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may not properly protect the person using it, resulting in serious injury or even death in a crash. To help make sure your restraint systems are working properly after a crash, have them inspected and any necessary replacements made as soon as possible.
If you have had a crash, do you need new safety belts or built-in child restraint parts or LATCH system parts? After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. But if the safety belts or built-in child restraint harness straps were stretched, as they would be if worn during a more severe crash, then you need new parts. If the LATCH system was being used during a more severe crash, then you may need new LATCH system parts.
If safety belts or built-in child restraint harness straps are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt, built-in child restraint, LATCH system or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the safety belt, built-in child restraint or LATCH system was not being used at the time of the collision. If an airbag inflates, you will need to replace airbag system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier in this section. If the frontal airbags inflate, you will also need to replace the driver’s and right front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies. Be sure to do so. Then the new retractor assemblies will be there to help protect you in a collision. After a crash you may need to replace the driver and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies, even if the frontal airbags have not deployed. The driver and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies contain the safety belt pretensioners. Have your safety belt pretensioners checked if your vehicle has been in a collision, or if your airbag readiness light stays on after you start your vehicle or while you are driving. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-34.
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✍ NOTES
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Section 2
Features and Controls
Keys ...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System .........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation ...........2-5
Doors and Locks ............................................2-11
Door Locks ..................................................2-11
Power Door Locks ........................................2-12
Delayed Locking ...........................................2-13
Programmable Automatic Door Locks ..............2-13
Lockout Protection ........................................2-14
Dual Sliding Doors ........................................2-14
Power Sliding Door (PSD) ..............................2-17
Liftgate ........................................................2-23
Windows ........................................................2-24
Power Windows ............................................2-25
Manual Rear Quarter Windows .......................2-26
Power Rear Quarter Windows ........................2-26
Sun Visors ...................................................2-27
Theft-Deterrent Systems ..................................2-27
Content Theft-Deterrent
.................................2-27
PASS-Key® III ..............................................2-29
PASS-Key® III Operation ...............................2-30
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................2-31
New Vehicle Break-In ....................................2-31
Ignition Positions ..........................................2-32
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................2-32
Starting the Engine .......................................2-33
Engine Coolant Heater ..................................2-34
Automatic Transaxle Operation .......................2-35
All-Wheel Drive ............................................2-38
Parking Brake ..............................................2-38
Shifting Into Park (P) .....................................2-39
Shifting Out of Park (P) .................................2-40
Parking Over Things That Burn .......................2-41
Engine Exhaust ............................................2-41
Running the Engine While Parked ...................2-42
Mirrors ...........................................................2-43
Manual Rearview Mirror .................................2-43
Outside Power Mirrors ...................................2-43
Outside Convex Mirror ...................................2-44
Outside Heated Mirrors ..................................2-44
OnStar® System .............................................2-44
2-1
Section 2
Features and Controls
Folding Tray ................................................2-53
Second Row Center Console ..........................2-53
Luggage Carrier ...........................................2-54
Convenience Net
(With Rear Convenience Center) .................2-55
Convenience Net
(Without Rear Convenience Center) .............2-56
Convenience Center ......................................2-56
HomeLink® Wireless Control System ...............2-46
HomeLink® Wireless Control
System Operation ......................................2-47
Storage Areas ................................................2-51
Glove Box ...................................................2-51
Cupholder(s) ................................................2-51
Overhead Console (With Rail) ........................2-51
Overhead Console (Without Rail) ....................2-53
Floor Console Storage Area ...........................2-53
2-2
Keys
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The children or others could be badly injured or even killed. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle with children.
This vehicle has a double sided key for the ignition and the driver’s door lock.
2-3
Your vehicle has the PASS-Key® III vehicle theft
system. The key has a transponder in the key head that
matches a decoder in the vehicle’s steering column.
If a replacement key or any additional key is needed,
you must purchase this key from your dealer. The key
will have PK3 stamped on it. Keep the bar code tag that
came with the original keys. Give this tag to your
dealer if you need a new key made.
Any new PASS-Key® III key must be programmed
before it will start your vehicle. See PASS-Key® III on
page 2-29 for more information on programming
your new key.
Notice:
you may have to damage the vehicle to get in.
Be sure you have spare keys.
If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle, see
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6 for more
information.
If your vehicle is equipped with the OnStar® system with
an active subscription and you lock your keys inside
the vehicle, OnStar® may be able to send a command to
unlock your vehicle. See OnStar® System on page 2-44
for more information.
If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle,
Remote Keyless Entry System If equipped, the keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference. 2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference. 2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment.
2-4
At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this: (cid:127) Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy or snowy weather.
(cid:127) Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.
(cid:127) Check to determine if battery replacement is necessary. See “Battery Replacement” under Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-5. If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a qualified technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation You can lock and unlock the vehicle’s doors and the liftgate from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
The remote keyless entry transmitter shown here is for a vehicle equipped with the remote vehicle start feature and dual power sliding doors.
The remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle will only contain the buttons specific to your vehicle’s factory installed remote system features.
2-5
(cid:127) / (Remote Vehicle Start): If your vehicle has this feature, you can start the engine from outside the vehicle. See “Remote Vehicle Start” at the end of this section for more detailed information.
" (Unlock): When you press unlock on the remote keyless entry transmitter, only the driver’s door will unlock. If you press unlock again within five seconds, all the doors and the liftgate will unlock. If you would like all the doors to unlock the first time you press unlock, see “FOB UNLOCK ON 1ST PRESS” under DIC Vehicle Personalization (Uplevel Only) on page 3-68.
If your vehicle has the content theft-deterrent system, the unlock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter will disarm the system. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-27 for more details.
When you use your remote keyless entry transmitter to unlock your vehicle the turn signal lamps will flash to let you know the command was received.
Q(Lock): To lock all doors and the liftgate, press the lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter. See Power Door Locks on page 2-12 for more details on the power door lock features. If your vehicle has the content theft-deterrent system, the remote keyless entry transmitter’s lock button may arm the system. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-27 for more details.
When you use the remote keyless entry transmitter to lock your vehicle, the turn signal lamps may flash to let you know the command has been received. If you press the lock button again, within five seconds, the horn will sound and the turn signal lamps may flash to let you know the vehicle is already locked. See “FOB LOCK FEEDBACK” under DIC Vehicle Personalization (Uplevel Only) on page 3-68 for additional information. L (Remote Alarm): When you press the horn button on the remote keyless entry transmitter, the turn signal lamps will flash and the horn will sound. This will allow you to attract attention, if needed.
Press this button again to stop the alarm from sounding.
2-6
Remote Power Sliding Door Operation
+ (Power Sliding Door): If your vehicle has one power sliding door, the remote keyless entry transmitter will have a button with a van symbol on it. Press and hold this button to open or close the power sliding door. See Power Sliding Door (PSD) on page 2-17.
* + (Dual Power Sliding Doors): If your vehicle
has dual power sliding doors, your remote keyless
entry transmitter will have two buttons that have a van
symbol on them. The van symbol on the left is for
the driver’s side sliding door and the van symbol on the
right is for the passenger’s side sliding door. Press
and hold the passenger’s or driver’s side button, with
the van symbol on it, to open or close the selected
power sliding door. See Power Sliding Door (PSD) on
page 2-17.
You can operate the power sliding door(s) with the
remote keyless entry transmitter only when the power
sliding door override switch(es) on the overhead console
is active. See Power Sliding Door (PSD) on page 2-17
for additional information.
If the sliding door is closed and the power sliding door button on the transmitter is pressed and held, the vehicle’s doors will be unlocked and then the power sliding door will open. If the power sliding door has been locked using the manual door lock lever, you will need to unlock the power sliding door before it can be opened with the keyless entry transmitter sliding door button. If your vehicle’s fuel filler door is opened, the driver’s side power sliding door will not open completely. Do not try to force the door. Once the fuel filler door is closed, the driver’s side sliding door can be opened normally. Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring any remaining transmitters with you when you go to your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four transmitters matched to it. See your dealer to match transmitters to another vehicle.
2-7
Battery Replacement Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless entry transmitter should last about three years. You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter will not work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it is probably time to change the battery. Notice: When replacing the battery, use care not to touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body transferred to these surfaces may damage the transmitter. 1. Insert a flat object, such as a coin, into the slot on the side of the transmitter and twist it to separate the halves.
2-8
2. Gently pry the battery out of the transmitter. Do not
use the metal flanges to pop out the battery.
3. Replace the battery. 4. Reassemble the transmitter. Make sure the halves
are snapped together tightly so water will not get in.
5. Press and hold the lock and unlock buttons
for seven seconds to synchronize the transmitter.
6. Check the transmitter operation.
Remote Vehicle Start This feature allows you to start the engine from outside the vehicle. Laws in some local communities may restrict the use of remote starters. For example, some laws may require a person using remote start to have the vehicle in view when doing so. Check local regulations for any requirements on remote starting of vehicles. / (Remote Vehicle Start): If your vehicle has the remote vehicle start feature, the remote keyless entry transmitter will have a button with this symbol on it.
An increased range of operation is provided with the remote keyless entry transmitter that has the remote vehicle start button. The vehicle can be started from approximately 180 feet (60 m) away. However, the operating range may be less while the engine is running and you will need to be closer to your vehicle to turn it off than you were to turn it on.
Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
To start the engine using the remote start feature, do the following: 1. Aim the remote keyless entry transmitter, equipped with the remote vehicle start button, at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter’s lock button, then immediately press and hold the remote vehicle start button until the vehicle’s turn signal lamps flash, or for at least two seconds, if the vehicle’s lights are not visible. The vehicle’s doors will be locked.
3. When the vehicle’s engine starts, the parking lamps
will turn on and remain on while the engine is running.
After a remote start, the engine will automatically shut off after 10 minutes unless a time extension has been done or the vehicle’s key is inserted into the ignition switch and turned to RUN. The maximum number of remote starts or remote start attempts between ignition cycles with the key is two.
2-9
If it is the vehicle’s first remote start, and the engine is still running, repeat Steps 1 and 2 for a 10 minute time extension. Ten minutes will be added to the remaining minutes of the first remote start. The 10 minute time extension is considered a second remote start. After two remote starts have been provided, the vehicle’s ignition switch must be turned to RUN and then back to LOCK using the key before the remote start procedure can be used again. If you enter the vehicle after a remote start, and the engine is running, insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to the RUN position to drive the vehicle. To manually shut off the engine after a remote start, do any of the following: (cid:127) Aim the remote keyless entry transmitter at the vehicle and press the remote start button until the parking lamps turn off. Turn on the hazard warning flashers. Insert the vehicle’s key into the ignition switch and turn the switch to RUN and then back to LOCK.
The remote vehicle start feature will not operate if:
The remote start system is disabled. See “REMOTE START” under DIC Vehicle Personalization (Uplevel Only) on page 3-68. The vehicle’s key is in the ignition. The vehicle’s hood, liftgate or doors are not closed. The hazard warning flashers are on. There is an emission control system malfunction. The engine coolant temperature is too high. The oil pressure is low. Two remote vehicle starts have already been provided. The maximum number of remote starts or remote start attempts between ignition cycles with the key is two.
2-10
(cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) Doors and Locks Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
(cid:127) Passengers — especially children — can
easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle will not open it. You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors are not locked. So, wear safety belts properly and lock the doors whenever you drive.
(cid:127) Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child can be overcome by extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle whenever you leave it.
(cid:127) Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked door when you slow down or stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can help prevent this from happening.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. From the outside, use your key or the remote keyless entry transmitter. To unlock the driver’s door from the outside with the key, insert the key and turn it toward the front of the vehicle. To lock the driver’s door from the outside with your key, insert the key and turn it toward the rear of the vehicle. If your vehicle has power door locks, you may be able to unlock all of the doors and the liftgate when you insert the key, turn it toward the front of the vehicle, and hold it there for one second. You may be able to lock all of the doors when you insert the key and turn it toward the rear of the vehicle.
2-11
Power Door Locks
From the inside, press the top of the power door lock switch, located on either front door, to unlock all doors and the liftgate.
With the content theft-deterrent system, the power door lock switch will not unlock the doors until the system is disarmed. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-27 for more details. You can lock all doors and the liftgate from the inside by pressing the bottom of the power lock switch on either front door. With the content theft-deterrent system, the power door lock switch may cause the system to arm. See Content Theft-Deterrent on page 2-27 for more details. If the liftgate has been unlocked with the power door locks, you will not need the key to open it. Squeeze the handle located above the license plate to open the liftgate. This is also true if you use the remote keyless entry transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry System on page 2-4.
From the inside, use the manual or power door locks. To unlock either front door from the inside, pull back on the manual lever. To lock either front door from the inside, push the manual lever forward.
2-12
Delayed Locking This feature allows the locking of the vehicle to be delayed until all doors have been closed for approximately five seconds. To activate the delayed locking feature, do one of the following: (cid:127) Press the driver’s door power lock switch one time
while the driver’s door is open.
(cid:127) Press the passenger’s door power lock switch one
time while the passenger’s door is open.
(cid:127) Press the lock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter one time while any door is open.
Two chimes will sound to signal that delayed locking is active. The doors may be locked immediately by repeating any of the above actions more than one time. If a door remains open, without any other door being opened or closed, the vehicle will lock after approximately 45 seconds. If the key is in the ignition, this feature will not lock the doors. To turn the delayed locking feature off or on, see DIC Vehicle Personalization (Uplevel Only) on page 3-68.
Sliding Door Delayed Locking If either sliding door is open when you use the power door locks to lock the vehicle, the sliding door that is open will not lock. Normally the delayed locking feature will be used to lock the sliding door after it has been closed. The sliding door delayed locking feature will lock your sliding door(s) in situations where the delayed locking feature does not apply or was overridden or programmed to be off. See “Delayed Locking” earlier in this section. Shortly after the last sliding door is closed, all the doors will lock.
Programmable Automatic Door Locks All of the doors will lock automatically when you move your shift lever to a forward gear. All doors will unlock automatically when the shift lever is moved into PARK (P). If someone needs to get out while you are not in PARK (P), shift into PARK (P), or, have that person use the manual lever or the power door lock switch.