2011 GMC Savana Owners Manual

you could hit a vehicle on the right. Check the inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.

The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex mirror's surface is curved so more can be seen from the driver seat.

Manual Mirrors Adjust the mirrors by pressing the mirror up and down and left and right. The mirrors can be manually folded in or out. On the lower portion of each mirror is an auxiliary convex mirror. A convex mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the driver seat. The auxiliary convex mirrors can be adjusted manually by pressing the mirror.

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Keys, Doors and Windows

Trailer-Tow Mirrors

Power Mirrors

Vehicles with towing mirrors can be adjusted manually for a clear view of the objects behind you. On the lower portion of each mirror there is an auxiliary convex mirror that can be adjusted manually to provide an extended field of view. The mirrors can be manually folded in or out.

Vehicles with outside power mirrors have controls located on the driver side door. Select each mirror by turning the knob clockwise for the passenger side mirror or counterclockwise for the driver side mirror. The center position is neutral.

Then, adjust the mirror angle by moving the knob in the desired direction. The auxiliary convex mirrors can only be adjusted manually.

Heated Mirrors For vehicles with heated mirrors: < (Rear Defogger): Press to heat the mirrors. An indicator light in the button lights when the outside heated mirrors are activated. See “Rear Window Defogger” under Climate Control Systems on page 8‑1 for more information.

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Keys, Doors and Windows

2-17

Interior Mirrors

Windows

Manual Rearview Mirror Hold the inside rearview mirror in the center to move it for a clearer view behind the vehicle. Adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the headlamps behind. Push the tab forward for daytime use and pull it for nighttime use. If you have a cargo van without the rear door glass, the vehicle may not have an inside rearview mirror.

{ WARNING Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous. They can be overcome by the extreme heat and suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never leave a child, a helpless adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle, especially with the windows closed in warm or hot weather.

Manual Windows Operate the manual windows by turning the hand crank on each door to raise or lower the side door windows.

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Keys, Doors and Windows

Power Windows

{ WARNING

Leaving children in a vehicle with the keys is dangerous for many reasons. Children or others could be badly injured or even killed. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. The windows will function and they could be seriously injured or killed if caught in the path of a closing window. Do not leave keys in a vehicle with children. When there are children in the rear seat use the window lockout button to prevent unintentional operation of the windows.

If the vehicle has power windows, the controls are located on each of the side doors. The driver door has a switch for the passenger window also. The power windows will work when the ignition has been turned to ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY, or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 9‑22.

Press the switch to lower the window. Pull up on the front edge of the switch to raise the window. Express‐Down The driver window switch also has an express-down feature that allows the window to be lowered without holding the switch. Press fully and release the window switch marked AUTO to activate the express-down mode. This mode can be cancelled at any time by pulling up on the switch. To open the window part way, lightly tap the switch until the window is at the desired position.

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Keys, Doors and Windows

2-19

Swing-Out Windows

Rear Swing‐Out Windows

The vehicle also has rear swing‐out windows. The rear swing-out windows work the same way as the side swing out window, but the latch is located at the bottom edge of the window.

Side Swing-Out Window To open the side door swing-out window, pull up on the latch at the edge of the window. Swing the window out and push down on the latch to lock the window into place. To close the window, pull the latch toward you and push down on the latch to lock it.

Enhanced Technology Glass The vehicle may be equipped with Enhanced Technology Glass (ETG). ETG is part of the overall occupant protection system on passenger vans. ETG may help to keep passengers sitting next to these fixed windows from being ejected through the glass in some, but not in all crashes. Even with this glass, safety belts must still be worn at all times. For passenger vans, use only ETG glass approved for the vehicle for replacement when damaged.

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Keys, Doors and Windows

The following table shows laminated glass location, based on vehicle model and options.

Vehicle Configuration

ETG Locations

Eight Seat Passenger Vans Twelve and Fifteen Seat Passenger Vans Long Wheelbase Cargo Vans

Sliding door forward window Sliding door forward window and rear-most side windows Rear-most side windows

Sun Visors To block out glare, swing down the sun visors. You can also swing them to the side.

Visor Vanity Mirror The vehicle may have visor vanity mirrors, with or without lamps. Lift the mirror cover to turn the lamps on, if equipped.

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Seats and Restraints

Head Restraints

Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Front Seats

Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . 3-3
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

Rear Seats

Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Safety Belts

Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
How to Wear Safety Belts

Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Safety Belt Use During

Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . 3-22

Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-22
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
Replacing Safety Belt System

Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-23

Airbag System

Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . 3-26
When Should an Airbag

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28

What Makes an Airbag

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29

How Does an Airbag

Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30

What Will You See After an

Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Airbag On-Off Switch . . . . . . . . 3-32
Passenger Sensing

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35

Servicing the Airbag-Equipped

Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39

Adding Equipment to the

Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . 3-40
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . 3-41
Replacing Airbag System

Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-41

Seats and Restraints

3-1

Child Restraints

Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
Infants and Young

Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-44
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . 3-47
Where to Put the Restraint . . . 3-49
Lower Anchors and Tethers

for Children (LATCH System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-50

Replacing LATCH System

Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-56

Securing Child Restraints

(Rear Seat Position) . . . . . . . . 3-57

Securing Child Restraints

(Front Seat-Passenger Sensing System) . . . . . . . . . . . 3-59

Securing Child Restraints

(Front Seat-Airbag On/Off Switch) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-62

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Seats and Restraints

Head Restraints On vehicles with factory installed seats, the front seats have built-in head restraints that are not adjustable in the outboard seating positions.

Front Seats

Seat Adjustment

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

To adjust the seat: 1. Lift the bar to unlock the seat. 2. Slide the seat to the desired position and release the bar.

3. Try to move the seat back and

forth to be sure the seat is locked in place.

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Seats and Restraints

3-3

Power Seat Adjustment

To adjust a power seat, if available, use the controls on the front of the seat: . Move the center knob to the right or left to move the seat forward or rearward.

. Move the center knob up or

down to raise or lower the seat. . Move the right or left lever up or down to raise or lower the front or rear of the seat cushion.

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

{ WARNING

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

To recline the seatback: 1. Lift the lever on the inboard side

of the seat.

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

3. Push and pull on the seatback to

make sure it is locked.

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WARNING (Continued)

The lap belt cannot do its job either. In a crash, the belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear the safety belt properly.

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

3-4

Seats and Restraints

To return the seatback to the upright position: 1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the seatback, and the seatback will return to the upright position.

2. Push and pull on the seatback to

make sure it is locked. { WARNING

Sitting in a reclined position when the vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even when buckled up, the safety belts cannot do their job when reclined like this. The shoulder belt cannot do its job because it will not 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.

(Continued)

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Seats and Restraints

3-5

Rear Seats

Removing the Rear Seat Disconnect the mini-latch plates for the lap‐shoulder belts on the bench seat to be removed.

2. Locate the pins.

On a three-passenger seat there are two pins on the inboard sides of the rear seats.

Three-Passenger Seat Shown The left side pin has a gray cap with a black “L” marked on it.

1. To do this, press the tip of a key

into the release hole of the safety belt buckle while pulling up on the safety belt.

Three-Passenger Seat Shown The right side pin has a black cap with a white “R” marked on it. On a four-passenger seat, each half of the seat has a set of pins. The left side has a set marked “L,” and the right side has a set marked “R”. If the vehicle has floor mats, the pins are under a flap that has been cut into the mat.

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3-6

Seats and Restraints

3. Pull the pin handle up to

disengage the pin from the retaining clip, and then pull the pin out.

4. Repeat this procedure for the

other pins.

5. Pull the seat rearward about

5 cm (2 in), and then lift the seat from the floor rails.

6. Remove the seat from the

vehicle.

Reinstalling the Rear Seats

{ WARNING

A seat that is not locked into place properly can move around in a collision or sudden stop. People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure to lock the seat into place properly when installing it.

{ WARNING

A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After raising the rear seatback, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted.

7. For the second- and third-row

seats, stow the safety belt latch by attaching the clip on the safety belt latch to the trim just inside the side door. For the last row of seats, stow the safety belt latch plate on the clip at the window trim.

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1. Position the seat into the open

slots in both rails. Push the seat forward in the rail, hooking both seat bases onto the pins inside of the rails.

2. Locate the hole in the rail to

3.

install the locking pins at the rear of the seat base. If the vehicle has floor mats, pull the flap that has been cut into the mat. Insert the locking pins into the seat base and push the seat to line up the pins with the base. On a three-passenger seat, the pin with the black cap marked “R” must be installed on the right side and the pin with the gray cap marked “L” on the left side.

Seats and Restraints

3-7

On a four-passenger seat, the pins marked “R” must be installed on the half of the seat on the right side. The pins marked “L” must be installed on the half of the seat on the left side.

Three-Passenger Seat Shown

5. Push the pin(s) marked “L”

6.

down until they are in the retaining clip. If the vehicle has a floor mat, put the flap back to its original position.

Three-Passenger Seat Shown

4. Push the pin(s) marked “R”

down until they are in the retaining clip.

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3-8

Seats and Restraints

7. Repeat this procedure for the

other seat base.

8. Connect the mini-latch plates for the lap-shoulder belts by inserting the latch plates into the mini-buckles attached at the outboard positions of the bench seat. Do not twist the belt. 9. Check that all locking pins

are locked into place before operating the vehicle.

Safety Belts This section of the manual describes how to use safety belts properly. It also describes some things not to do with safety belts.

{ WARNING

Do not let anyone ride where a safety belt cannot be worn properly. In a crash, if you or your passenger(s) are not wearing safety belts, the injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle harder or be ejected from the vehicle. You and your passenger(s) 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 passenger(s) are restrained properly too.

{ WARNING

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 the vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly.

This vehicle has indicators as a reminder to buckle the safety belts. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 5‑16 for additional information. In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law requires wearing safety belts. Here is why: You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you do not know if it will be a serious one.

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A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up, a person would not survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without safety belts they could have been badly hurt or killed. After more than 40 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter ... a lot!

Seats and Restraints

3-9

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

Put someone on it.

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

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3-10

Seats and Restraints

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

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

or the instrument panel...

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Seats and Restraints

3-11

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

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if I am wearing a safety belt?

A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safety belt or not. But your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted. And you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you are upside down.

Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why

should I have to wear safety belts?

A: Airbags are supplemental

systems only; so they work with safety belts — not instead of them. Whether or not an airbag is provided, all occupants 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 is why safety belts make such good sense.

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3-12

Seats and Restraints

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly This section 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 infants. If a child will be riding in the vehicle, see Older Children on page 3‑42 or Infants and Young Children on page 3‑44. Follow those rules for everyone's protection.

It is very important for all occupants to buckle up. Statistics show that unbelted people are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Occupants who are not buckled up can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts. First, before you or your passenger(s) wear a safety belt, there is important information you should know.

Sit up straight and always keep your feet on the floor in front of you. 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

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Q: What is wrong with this?

to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force on 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 shoulder belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash.

Seats and Restraints

3-13

{ WARNING

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

A: The shoulder belt is too loose.

It will not give as much protection this way.

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3-14

Seats and Restraints

Q: What is wrong with this?

{ WARNING

Q: What is wrong with this?

You can be seriously hurt if the lap belt is too loose. In a crash, you could slide under the lap belt and apply force on your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The lap belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs.

A: The lap belt is too loose. It will

not give nearly as much protection this way.

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong

buckle.

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{ WARNING

Q: What is wrong with this?

{ WARNING

Seats and Restraints

3-15

You can be seriously injured if the 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 on the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle the belt into the buckle nearest you.

You can be seriously injured if the 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 on the abdomen, not on the pelvic bones, and that could cause serious or fatal injuries. Be sure the belt goes under the armrests.

A: The belt is over an armrest.

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3-16

Seats and Restraints

Q: What is wrong with this?

{ WARNING

Q: What is wrong with this?

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

A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times.

A: The belt is behind the body.

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{ WARNING

Q: What is wrong with this?

{ WARNING

Seats and Restraints

3-17

You can be seriously injured by not wearing the lap-shoulder belt properly. In a crash, you would not be restrained by the shoulder belt. Your body could move too far forward increasing the chance of head and neck injury. You might also slide under the lap belt. The belt force would then be applied right on the abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest.

A: The belt is twisted across

the body.

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.

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3-18

Seats and Restraints

Lap-Shoulder Belt All seating positions in the vehicle have a lap-shoulder belt. If you are using a rear seating position with a detachable safety belt and the safety belt is not attached, see “Reinstalling the Rear Seats” under Rear Seats on page 3‑5 for instructions on reconnecting the safety belt to the mini-buckle. The following instructions explain how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly. 1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index.

2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The lap-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.

If the shoulder portion of a passenger belt is pulled out all the way, the child restraint locking feature may be engaged. If this happens, let the belt go back all the way and start again.

4.

Position the release button on the buckle so that the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster, move it to the height that is right for you. See “Safety Belt Height Adjuster” later in this section for instructions on use and important safety information.

3. 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 3‑22.

5. To make the lap part tight, pull

up on the shoulder belt.

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Seats and Restraints

3-19

Before a door is closed, be sure the safety belt is out of the way. If a door is slammed against a safety belt, damage can occur to both the safety belt and the vehicle. Safety Belt Height Adjuster The vehicle has a safety belt height adjuster for the driver and right front passenger positions. Adjust the height so the shoulder portion of the belt is on the shoulder and not falling off of it. The belt should be close to, but not contacting, the neck. Improper shoulder belt height adjustment could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash. See How to Wear Safety Belts Properly on page 3‑12.

It may be necessary to pull stitching on the safety belt through the latch plate to fully tighten the lap belt on smaller occupants.

To unlatch the belt, push the button on the buckle. The belt should return to its stowed position. Slide the latch plate up the safety belt webbing when the safety belt is not in use. The latch plate should rest on the stitching on the safety belt, near the guide loop on the side wall.

To move it down, pull on the center adjuster control labeled PULL. You can move the height adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder belt guide. After the adjuster is set to the desired position, try to move it down without pushing in to make sure it has locked into position.

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3-20

Seats and Restraints

Safety Belt Pretensioners If the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of the vehicle is below 3 855 kg (8,500 lb) then the vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for the front outboard occupants. See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑12 to locate the certification label which contains the GVWR. Although the safety belt pretensioners cannot be seen, they are part of the safety belt assembly. They can help tighten the safety belts during the early stages of a moderate to severe frontal, near frontal, or rear crash if the threshold conditions for pretensioner activation are met. And, if the vehicle has side impact airbags, safety belt pretensioners can help tighten the safety belts in a side crash or a rollover event.

Pretensioners work only once. If the pretensioners are activated in a crash, the pretensioners and possibly other parts of the safety belt system will need to be replaced. See Replacing Safety Belt System Parts After a Crash on page 3‑23. Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides This vehicle may have rear shoulder belt comfort guides. If not, they are available through your dealer. The guides may provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for some adults. When installed and properly adjusted, the comfort guide positions the shoulder belt away from the neck and head.

Here is how to install a comfort guide to the safety belt: 1. Locate the guide in a pocket on

the side of the seatback.

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Seats and Restraints

3-21

WARNING (Continued)

and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.

2. Place the guide over the belt,

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

3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat. The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide on top.

{ WARNING

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

(Continued)

4. Buckle, position, and release

the safety belt as described previously in this section. Make sure the shoulder portion of the belt is on the shoulder and not falling off of it. The belt should be close to, but not contacting, the neck.

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3-22

Seats and Restraints

To remove and store the comfort guide, squeeze the belt edges together so that the safety belt can be removed from the guide. Slide the guide into its storage pocket on the side of the seatback.

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.

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. 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, attach it to the regular safety belt. For more information, see the instruction sheet that comes with the extender.

Safety System Check Now and then, check that the safety belt reminder light, safety belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts that might keep a safety belt system

A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy. The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it is more likely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly.

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Replacing Safety Belt System Parts After a Crash

{ WARNING

A crash can damage the safety belt system in the vehicle. A damaged safety belt system may not properly protect the person using it, resulting in serious injury or even death in a crash. To help make sure the safety belt systems are working properly after a crash, have them inspected and any necessary replacements made as soon as possible.

Seats and Restraints

3-23

After a minor crash, replacement of safety belts may not be necessary. But the safety belt assemblies that were used during any crash may have been stressed or damaged. See your dealer to have the safety belt assemblies inspected or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the safety belt system was not being used at the time of the crash. Have the safety belt pretensioners checked if the vehicle has been in a crash, or if the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the vehicle or while you are driving. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5‑17.

from doing its job. See your dealer to 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. Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 5‑16 for more information. Keep safety belts clean and dry. See Safety Belt Care on page 3‑23.

Safety Belt Care Keep belts clean and dry. { WARNING

Do not bleach or dye safety belts. It may severely weaken them. In a crash, they might not be able to provide adequate protection. Clean safety belts only with mild soap and lukewarm water.

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Seats and Restraints

Airbag System The vehicle has the following airbag: . A frontal airbag for the driver. The vehicle may have the following airbags: . A frontal airbag for the right front

passenger.

. A roof-rail airbag for the driver

(cargo van).

. A roof-rail airbag for the right

front passenger position (cargo or passenger van equipped with a sliding door). If you have a passenger van with a right front passenger roof-rail airbag and a sliding door, you will also have a separate roof-rail airbag for the passenger seated directly behind the right front passenger and the third row outboard passenger position.

. A roof-rail airbag for the driver, the passenger seated directly behind the driver, and the third row outboard passenger position (passenger van equipped with a sliding or hinged door).

. A roof-rail airbag for the right

front passenger, the passenger seated directly behind the right front passenger, and the third row outboard passenger position (passenger van equipped with a hinged door).

All of the airbags in the vehicle will have the word AIRBAG embossed in the trim or on an attached label near the deployment opening. For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the middle part of the steering wheel for the driver and on the instrument panel for the right front passenger. With roof-rail airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear along the headliner or trim.

Here are the most important things to know about the airbag system:

{ WARNING

You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you are not wearing your safety belt — even if you have airbags. Airbags are designed to work with safety belts, but do not replace them. Also, airbags are not designed to deploy in every crash. In some crashes safety belts are your only restraint. See When Should an Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑28. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Airbags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person.

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Seats and Restraints

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There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows the airbag symbol. 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 5‑17 for more information.

{ WARNING

{ WARNING

Airbags inflate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Do not sit unnecessarily close to the airbag, as you would be if you were sitting on the edge of your seat or leaning forward. Safety belts help keep you in position before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with airbags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. Occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door or side windows in seating positions with roof-rail airbags.

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 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 the vehicle. To read how, see Older Children on page 3‑42 or Infants and Young Children on page 3‑44.

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Seats and Restraints

Where Are the Airbags?

The driver frontal airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel.

If the vehicle has one, the right front passenger airbag is in the instrument panel on the passenger side.

Driver Side Shown, Passenger

Side Similar

If the vehicle is a cargo or passenger van with a sliding door and it has a roof-rail airbag for the driver and right front passenger position, the roof-rail airbags are in the ceiling above the side window.

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WARNING (Continued)

Never secure anything to the roof of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags by routing a rope or tie down through any door or window opening. If you do, the path of an inflating roof-rail airbag will be blocked.

For passenger vans with a sliding door, on the passenger side of the vehicle, you will have a separate roof-rail airbag for the passenger seated directly behind the right front passenger and the third row outboard passenger position.

{ WARNING 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.

(Continued)

Driver Side Shown, Passenger

Side Similar

If the vehicle has roof-rail airbags for the driver, right front passenger, passengers behind the driver and right front passenger, and the third row outboard passengers, the roof-rail airbags are in the ceiling above the side windows. On the driver side of the vehicle, there is one single roof-rail airbag for either vehicles with a hinged door or a sliding door.

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Seats and Restraints

When Should an Airbag Inflate? Frontal airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes to help reduce the potential for severe injuries mainly to the driver or right front passenger head and chest. However, they are only designed to inflate if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds 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 the frontal airbags will or should deploy is not based on how fast the vehicle is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the direction of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows down.

Frontal airbags may inflate at different crash speeds. For example:

If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits a moving object. If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits an object that does not deform. If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole), the airbags 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 airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle goes straight into the object.

Thresholds can also vary with specific vehicle design.

Frontal airbags are not intended to inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.

Single Stage vs. Dual Stage Airbags Depending on the weight of the vehicle, you will have either “Single Stage Airbags” or “Dual Stage Airbags.” Vehicles that have a passenger sensing system also have dual stage airbags. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 5‑19 or Passenger Sensing System on page 3‑35. If the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of the vehicle is 3 855 kg (8,500 lb) or above, the vehicle may have single stage airbags. If the GVWR is below 3 855 kg (8,500 lb) then the vehicle may have dual stage airbags. You can find the GVWR on the certification label on the rear edge of the driver door. See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑12
for more information.

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Roof-rail airbags are not intended to inflate in frontal impacts, near-frontal impacts, or rear impacts. All roof-rail airbags will deploy when either side of the vehicle 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 what the vehicle hits, the angle of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows down. For roof-rail airbags, deployment is determined by the location and severity of the side impact. In a rollover event, roof‐rail airbag deployment is determined by the direction of the roll.

What Makes an Airbag Inflate? In a deployment event, the sensing system sends an electrical signal triggering a release of gas from the inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the airbag causing the bag to break out of the cover and deploy. The inflator, the airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag module. Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with roof-rail airbags, there are airbag modules in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows for the first, second, and third rows (if equipped). See Where Are the Airbags? on page 3‑26 for more information.

Dual-stage airbags adjust the restraint according to crash severity. The vehicle has electronic frontal sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact. For moderate frontal impacts, dual-stage airbags inflate at a level less than full deployment. For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. The vehicle may or may not have roof-rail airbags. See Airbag System on page 3‑24. Roof-rail airbags are intended to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes. In addition, these roof-rail airbags are intended to inflate during a rollover. Roof-rail airbags will inflate if the crash severity is above the system's designed threshold level. The threshold level can vary with specific vehicle design.

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Seats and Restraints

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. Airbags supplement the protection provided by safety belts. Frontal airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. Roof-rail airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body. Rollover capable roof-rail airbags are designed to help contain the head and chest of occupants in the outboard seating positions in the first, second, and third rows, if equipped. The rollover capable roof-rail airbags are designed to help reduce the risk of full or partial

ejection in rollover events, although no system can prevent all such ejections. But airbags would not help in many types of collisions, primarily because the occupant's motion is not toward those airbags. See When Should an Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑28 for more information. Airbags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts.

What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? After the frontal airbags inflate, they quickly deflate, so quickly that some people may not even realize an airbag inflated. Roof-rail airbags may still be at least partially inflated for some time after they deploy. Some components of the airbag module may be hot for several minutes. For location of the airbag modules, see What Makes an Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑29.

The parts of the airbag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There may be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deflated airbags. Airbag inflation does not prevent the driver from seeing out of the windshield or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent people from leaving the vehicle.

{ WARNING

When an airbag inflates, there may be 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.

(Continued)

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A new system will include airbag modules and possibly other parts. The service manual for the vehicle covers the need to replace other parts. The vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnostic module which records information after a crash. See Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy on page 13‑14 and Event Data Recorders on page 13‑14. Let only qualified technicians work on the airbag systems. Improper service can mean that an airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer for service.

WARNING (Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

If you experience breathing problems following an airbag deployment, you should seek medical attention.

The vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock the doors (if equipped with power door locks), turn on the interior lamps and hazard warning flashers, and shut off the fuel system after the airbags inflate. You can lock the doors, and turn off the interior lamps and the hazard warning flashers by using the controls for those features.

{ WARNING

A crash severe enough to inflate the airbags may have also damaged important functions in the vehicle, such as the fuel system, brake and steering

(Continued)

systems, etc. Even if the vehicle appears to be drivable after a moderate crash, there may be concealed damage that could make it difficult to safely operate the vehicle. Use caution if you should attempt to restart the engine after a crash has occurred.

In many crashes severe enough to inflate the airbag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger airbag. . Airbags are designed to inflate

only once. After an airbag inflates, you will need some new parts for the airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag system will not be there to help protect you in another crash.

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Seats and Restraints

Airbag On-Off Switch If the instrument panel has one of the switches pictured in the following illustrations, the vehicle has an airbag on-off switch that you can use to manually turn on or off the right front passenger airbag.

Canada and Mexico

If the vehicle does not have an airbag on-off switch, it may have a passenger sensing system. See Passenger Sensing System on page 3‑35.

United States

This switch should only be turned to the off position if the person in the right front passenger position is a member of a passenger risk group identified by the national government as follows:

Infant. An infant (less than 1 year old) must ride in the front seat because: . My vehicle has no rear seat; . My vehicle has a rear seat

too small to accommodate a rear-facing infant seat; or The infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant's physician, makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front seat so that the driver can constantly monitor the child's condition.

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Child age 1 to 12. A child age 1 to 12 must ride in the front seat because: . My vehicle has no rear seat; . Although children ages 1 to 12

ride in the rear seat(s) whenever possible, children ages 1 to 12
sometimes must ride in the front because no space is available in the rear seat(s) of my vehicle; or The child has a medical condition which, according to the child's physician, makes it necessary for the child to ride in the front seat so that the driver can constantly monitor the child's condition.

Medical Condition. A passenger has a medical condition which, according to his or her physician: . Causes the passenger airbag

to pose a special risk for the passenger; and

. Makes the potential harm from

the passenger airbag in a crash greater than the potential harm from turning off the airbag and allowing the passenger, even if belted, to hit the dashboard or windshield in a crash. { WARNING

If the right front passenger airbag is turned off for a person who is not in a risk group identified by the national government, that person will not have the extra protection of an airbag. In a crash, the airbag will not be able to inflate and help protect the person sitting there. Do not turn off the passenger airbag unless the person sitting there is in a risk group.

United States

Canada and Mexico

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Seats and Restraints

To turn off the right front passenger frontal airbag, insert the ignition key into the switch, push in, and move the switch to the off position. The airbag off light will come on to let you know the right front passenger airbag is off. The airbag off light will stay on to remind you that the airbag is off. See Airbag On-Off Light on page 5‑18. The right front passenger airbag will remain off until you turn it back on again.

{ WARNING If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and stays on, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. For example, the right front passenger airbag could inflate even though the airbag on-off switch is turned off.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right away. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5‑17 for more information, including important safety information.

Canada and Mexico

To turn the right front passenger airbag on again, insert the ignition key into the switch, push in, and move the switch to the on position. The right front passenger frontal airbag is now enabled, and may inflate. See Airbag On-Off Light on page 5‑18 for more information.

United States

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Passenger Sensing System If the instrument panel has one of the indicators pictured in the following illustrations, the vehicle has a passenger sensing system unless there is an airbag off switch located on the instrument panel. If there is an airbag off switch, the vehicle does not have a passenger sensing system. See Airbag On-Off Switch on page 3‑32 for more information.

United States

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3-35

roof-rail airbags, if equipped, are not part of the passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the right front passenger seat. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly seated occupant and determine if the right front passenger frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or not. According to accident statistics, Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the correct child restraint for their weight and size. We recommend that children be secured in a rear seat, including: an infant or a child riding in a rear-facing child restraint; a child riding in a forward-facing child seat; an older child riding in a booster seat; and children, who are large enough, using safety belts.

Canada and Mexico The passenger airbag status indicator will be visible on the instrument panel when the vehicle is started. The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off, will be visible during the system check. If you are using remote start, if equipped, to start the vehicle from a distance, you may not see 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 5‑19. The passenger sensing system will turn off the right front passenger frontal airbag under certain conditions. The driver airbag and

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Seats and Restraints

A label on the 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.

{ WARNING

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inflates and the passenger seat is in a forward position. Even if the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag, no system is fail-safe. No one can guarantee that an airbag will not

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though the airbag is turned off. Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat.

If the vehicle does not have a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, a rear-facing child restraint should not be installed in the vehicle, even if the airbag is off.

The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger frontal airbag 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 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.

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When the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag, the off indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is off. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 5‑19. The passenger sensing system is designed to turn on (may inflate) the right front passenger frontal airbag anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the right front passenger seat. When the passenger sensing system has allowed the airbag to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is 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 frontal airbag, depending upon the person's seating posture and body build. Everyone in the vehicle who has outgrown child restraints should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person. { WARNING

If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and stays on, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right away. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5‑17 for more information, including important safety information.

Seats and Restraints

3-37

If the On Indicator is Lit for a Child Restraint If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit: 1. Turn the vehicle off. 2. Remove the child restraint from

the vehicle.

3. Remove any additional items

from the seat such as blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or seat massagers.

4. Reinstall the child restraint

following the directions provided by the child restraint manufacturer and refer to Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat Position) on page 3‑57
or Securing Child Restraints (Front Seat-Passenger Sensing System) on page 3‑59 or Securing Child Restraints (Front Seat-Airbag On/Off Switch) on page 3‑62.

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Seats and Restraints

5.

If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, turn the vehicle off. Then slightly recline the vehicle seatback and adjust the seat cushion, if adjustable, to make sure that the vehicle seatback is not pushing the child restraint into the seat cushion.

6. Restart the vehicle.

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. If no rear seat is available, do not install a child restraint in this vehicle.

If the Off Indicator is Lit for an Adult-Size Occupant