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2006 HUMMER H2 Owner Manual M


Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1
Front Seats ............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats ............................................... 1-6
Safety Belts ............................................. 1-14
Child Restraints ....................................... 1-32
Airbag System ......................................... 1-58
Restraint System Check ............................ 1-69
Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1
Keys ........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks ....................................... 2-8
Windows ................................................. 2-17
Theft-Deterrent Systems ............................ 2-21
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ........... 2-24
Mirrors .................................................... 2-39
OnStar® System ...................................... 2-48
Universal Home Remote System ................ 2-50
Storage Areas ......................................... 2-54
Sunroof .................................................. 2-61
Vehicle Personalization ............................. 2-63
Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1
.......................... 3-4
...................................... 3-22
........ 3-29
.................. 3-45
....................................... 3-61


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


Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Towing


Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1
..... 4-2
................................................... 4-59
Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1
Service ..................................................... 5-3
Fuel ......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood ............... 5-10
Rear Axle ............................................... 5-43
Four-Wheel Drive ..................................... 5-44
Front Axle ............................................... 5-45
Bulb Replacement .................................... 5-46
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ......... 5-52
Tires ...................................................... 5-53
Appearance Care ................................... 5-105
Vehicle Identification ............................... 5-114
Electrical System .................................... 5-114
Capacities and Specifications ................... 5-124
Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information .............. 7-1
........... 7-2
........................... 7-14
Index ................................................................ 1


Customer Assistance and Information Reporting Safety Defects


Maintenance Schedule


GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, HUMMER, the name HUMMER, H2 and the H2 Design are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporation. This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes after that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada Limited” for HUMMER whenever it appears in this manual. Keep this manual in the vehicle, so it will be there if it is needed while on the road. If the vehicle is sold, leave this manual in the vehicle.


Canadian Owners A French language copy of this manual can be obtained from your dealer or from:


Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207


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


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


Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 06H2 A First Printing


ii


©2005 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


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


{CAUTION:


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


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


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


iii


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


Vehicle Symbols The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with the text describing the operation or information relating to a specific component, control, message, gage, or indicator. If you need help figuring out a specific name of a component, gage, or indicator, reference the following topics: (cid:127) Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1


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


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


iv


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


✍ NOTES


vi


Section 1


Seats and Restraint Systems


Front Seats ......................................................1-2
Power Seats ..................................................1-2
Power Lumbar ...............................................1-3
Heated Seats .................................................1-3
Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-4
Head Restraints .............................................1-5
Rear Seats .......................................................1-6
Heated Seats .................................................1-6
60/40 Split Bench Seat ...................................1-6
Third Row Seat (SUV) ....................................1-7
Safety Belts ...................................................1-14
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................1-14
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......1-18
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-19
Driver Position ..............................................1-19
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-26
Right Front Passenger Position .......................1-27
Rear Seat Passengers ..................................1-27
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides ....................1-29
Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-31
Child Restraints .............................................1-32
Older Children ..............................................1-32
Infants and Young Children ............................1-35


Child Restraint Systems .................................1-38
Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-42
Lower Anchors and Tethers for


Children (LATCH) ......................................1-43


Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear


Seat Position ............................................1-52


Securing a Child Restraint in the Right


Front Seat Position ....................................1-54
Airbag System ...............................................1-58
Where Are the Airbags? ................................1-60
When Should an Airbag Inflate? .....................1-62
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? .......................1-63
How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................1-63
What Will You See After an


Airbag Inflates? .........................................1-63
Airbag Off Switch ..........................................1-65
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...........1-68
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped


Vehicle ....................................................1-69
Restraint System Check ..................................1-69
Checking the Restraint Systems ......................1-69
Replacing Restraint System Parts


After a Crash ............................................1-70


1-1


Horizontal Control: This control adjusts the seat cushion. (cid:127) Raise or lower the front of the seat by raising or lowering the forward edge of the control. Raise or lower the rear of the seat by raising or lowering the rear edge of the control.


(cid:127) Move the seat forward or rearward by moving the whole control toward the front or toward the rear of the vehicle. Lower or raise the entire seat cushion by moving the whole control up or down.


Vertical Control: This control adjusts the seatback. Move the reclining front seatback rearward or forward by moving the control toward the rear or toward the front of the vehicle. This adjusts the angle of the seatback. For more information on the reclining seatbacks, see Reclining Seatbacks on page 1-4. Your vehicle has a memory function which allows seat settings to be saved and recalled. See Memory Seat on page 2-63 for more information.


Front Seats


Power Seats


The power seat controls are located on the outboard edge of the front seats.


1-2


(cid:127) Power Lumbar Your vehicle’s seats have power lumbar.


Heated Seats


You can increase or decrease lumbar support in an area of the lower seatback with this control, located on the outboard sides of the front seat(s).


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


To increase support, press and hold the front of the control. To decrease support, press and hold the rear of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support. You can also reshape the side wing area of the lower seatback for more lateral support. To increase support, press and hold the top of the control. To decrease support, press and hold the bottom of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support. Your vehicle may have a memory function which allows seat settings to be saved and recalled. See Memory Seat on page 2-63 for more information.


To heat the entire seat, press the horizontal button with the heated seat and seatback symbol. Press the button to cycle through the temperature settings of high, medium and low and to turn the heated seat off. Indicator lights will be lit to designate the level of heat selected: three for high, two for medium, and one for low. To heat only the seatback, press the vertical button with the heated seatback symbol. An indicator light on the seatback button will be lit to designate that only the seatback is being heated. Additional presses of the seatback button will cycle through the heat levels for the seatback only. Press the horizontal button again to heat the whole seat. The heated seats will be canceled after the ignition is turned off. If you still want to use the heated seat feature after you restart your vehicle, you will need to press the heated seat button again.


1-3


Reclining Seatbacks The front seats have a recline feature which is described earlier. See Power Seats on page 1-2.


{CAUTION:


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


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


1-4


Head Restraints


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


Adjust your head restraint so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your head. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.


1-5


Rear Seats


Heated Seats


If your vehicle has this feature, the buttons used to control this feature are located on the back of the center console. The engine must be running for the heated seat feature to work.


Folding the Seatbacks The seatbacks (SUV only) are equipped with rearward folding head restraints. When the seatback is being folded down, the head restraint will automatically fold rearward. To fold the rear seat, do the following: 1. Make sure that nothing is under or in front of


the seat.


2. Pull up on the strap


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


To heat the seat cushion, press the button to cycle through the temperature settings of high and low. Press the button a third time to turn the feature off. An indicator light will glow for each heat setting when the feature is operating. The heated rear seats will shut off automatically when the ignition is turned off. 60/40 Split Bench Seat The 60/40 split bench seats can be folded to give you more cargo space.


1-6


3. Pull the seatback forward and fold it down until it


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


4. Repeat the steps for the other half of the 60/40 split


bench seat.


Returning the Seats to an Upright Position


{CAUTION:


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


{CAUTION:


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


To return the seat(s) to the upright position, do the following: 1. Lift the seatback up and push it rearward all


the way.


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


seat cushion to make sure the seat is securely in place.


4. Return the head restraints (SUV only) to the


upright position.


Third Row Seat (SUV) Entering or Exiting the Third Row Seat If your vehicle has a third row seat, you must fold the second row seat down before entering or exiting the third row. See “Folding the Seatbacks” under 60/40
Split Bench Seat on page 1-6 earlier in this section for instructions. The third row seatback can be folded and the entire seat can be tilted or removed from the vehicle.


1-7


Folding the Seatback To fold the seatback, do the following:


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


To return the seatback to the passenger position, do the following:


1. Pull up on the release


lever labeled 1 and then pull up on the seatback until the seatback locks into the upright position.


2. Push forward on the seatback to make sure it is


locked into position.


Unfolding the Seatback


{CAUTION:


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


1-8


Tilting the Seat 1. Fold the seatback forward using the instructions


listed previously.


Returning the Seat from a Tilted to an Upright Position


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


{CAUTION:


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


3. Lift the rear of the seat up from the floor and push it forward until it locks into place. You will not be able to unlatch the seat from the floor unless the seatback is folded down.


The seat will now remain locked in the upright position.


1-9


To return the seatback to an upright position, do the following:


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


be sure it is locked into place.


5. Pull up on the release


lever labeled 1 and then pull up on the seatback until the seatback locks into the upright position.


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


of the seat and pull it toward you slightly.


1-10


Removing the Seat To remove the seat, do the following: 1. Open the liftgate.


2. Fold the seatback


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


3. To unlatch the rear of the seat from the floor, pull up on the release lever labeled 2, at the rear of the seat, and lift the rear of the seat up from the floor.


1-11


Reinstalling the Seat


{CAUTION:


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


{CAUTION:


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


4. Squeeze the release handle while pulling the seat


out of the slots on the floor.


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


out of the vehicle.


1-12


{CAUTION:


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


To reinstall the seat, do the following: 1. While holding the rear of the seat up, slide the front wheels into the slots on the floor. The front latches should lock into place. If the latches do not lock, try tilting the rear of the seat upward.


2. Once the latches are engaged, pull up on the lever


labeled 3 to allow the seat to drop into place.


3. Pull up on the lever labeled 1 to return the seatback


to its upright position.


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


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


1-13


{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.


Safety Belts


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


{CAUTION:


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


1-14


Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. See Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-31.


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 is why: They work. You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you do not know if it will be a bad one. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up, a person would not survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed. After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter...a lot!


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


1-15


Put someone on it.


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


1-16


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


or the instrument panel...


1-17


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 is why safety belts make such good sense.


1-18


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 1-32
or Infants and Young Children on page 1-35. Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. First, you will want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We will start with the driver position.


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


how, see “Seats” in the Index.


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


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


1-19


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 1-31. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.


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


shoulder belt.


1-20


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.


Q: What is wrong with this?


{CAUTION:


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


A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not give nearly


as much protection this way.


1-21


Q: What is wrong with this?


{CAUTION:


You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash, the belt would go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you.


A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.


1-22


Q: What is wrong with this?


A: The belt is over an armrest.


{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.


1-23


Q: What is wrong with this?


{CAUTION:


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


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


be worn over the shoulder at all times.


1-24


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.


1-25


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 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.


1-26


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


Right Front Passenger Position To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see Driver Position on page 1-19. 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.


Lap-Shoulder Belt All rear seat 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 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.


1-27


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 1-31. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.


The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.


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


shoulder part.


1-28


The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or a crash. The safety belt also locks 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 Rear shoulder belt comfort guides may provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for some adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide positions the belt away from the neck and head. Comfort guides are provided for each passenger in the second row seat and one guide for the single third row seat. Here is how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt:


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


1. Remove the guide from its storage clip on the trim


panel near the side of the seatback or from the side of the seat.


1-29


2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the


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


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


The guide must be on top of the belt.


1-30


4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt as


described in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-27. 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. For the second row, slide the guide onto its storage clip on the trim panel near the side of the seatback. For the third row, slide the guide onto its storage clip on the side of the seatback. Make sure you remove the comfort guide from the belt before you fold a rear seat down.


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


1-31


{CAUTION:


A safety belt that is not properly worn may not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.


Child Restraints


Older Children


Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? A: An older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and


get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should fit snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash.


Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat. In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety belts properly.


Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts.


1-32


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


A: If the child is sitting in a seat next to a window, move the child toward the center of the vehicle. Also see Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides on page 1-29. If the child is sitting in the center rear seat passenger position, move the child toward the safety belt buckle. In either case, be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint the belts provide.


1-33


{CAUTION:


Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can not properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A belt must be used by only one person at a time.


{CAUTION:


Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in a crash the child might slide under the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries.


Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash.


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


{CAUTION:


People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby does not weigh much — until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it. For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12 lb (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a 240 lb (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. A baby should be secured in an appropriate restraint.


1-35


Q: What are the different types of add-on child


restraints?


A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the


vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child’s weight, height and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used. For most basic types of child restraints, there are many different models available. When purchasing a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come with the restraint, state the weight and height limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition, there are many kinds of restraints available for children with special needs.


{CAUTION:


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


1-36


{CAUTION:


{CAUTION:


Newborn infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and shoulders. Infants always should be secured in appropriate infant restraints.


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


1-37


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.


1-39


Q: How Should I Use a Child Restraint? A: A child restraint system is any device designed for use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position children. A built-in child restraint system is a permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on child restraint system is a portable one, which is purchased by the vehicle’s owner. To help reduce injuries, an add-on child restraint must be secured in the vehicle. With built-in or add-on child restraints, the child has to be secured within the child restraint. When choosing an add-on child restraint, be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both.


Securing an Add-on Child Restraint in the Vehicle


{CAUTION:


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


To help reduce the chance of injury, the child restraint must be secured in the vehicle. Child restraint systems must be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by the LATCH system. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-43 for more information. A child can be endangered in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle.


1-40


{CAUTION:


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


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


When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the instructions that come with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle — even when no child is in it. Securing the Child Within the Child Restraint There are several systems for securing the child within the child restraint. One system, the three-point harness, has straps that come down over each of the infant’s shoulders and buckle together at the crotch. The five-point harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip straps, and a crotch strap. A shield may take the place of hip straps. A T-shaped shield has shoulder straps that are attached to a flat pad which rests low against the child’s body. A shelf- or armrest-type shield has straps that are attached to a wide, shelf-like shield that swings up or to the side.


1-41


Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We, therefore, recommend 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. If you need to secure a child restraint in the right front passenger’s seat, there is a switch on the instrument panel that you can use to turn off the passenger’s air bag. See Airbag Off Switch on page 1-65 and Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position on page 1-54, for more on this including important safety information. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the right front passenger seat unless the air bag is off. Here is why:


{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


CAUTION:


(Continued)


1-42


CAUTION:


(Continued)


very close to the inflating airbag. Be sure to turn off the airbag before using a rear-facing child restraint in the right front seat position. Even though the airbag off switch is designed to turn off the passenger’s airbag, 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 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 a child restraint, be sure to secure the child restraint properly. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle — even when no child is in it.


Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) Your vehicle has the LATCH system. The LATCH system holds a child restraint during driving or in a crash. This system is designed to make installation of a child restraint easier. The LATCH system uses anchors in the vehicle and attachments on the child restraint that are made for use with the LATCH system Make sure that a LATCH-compatible child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. When installing a child restraint with a top tether, you must also use either the lower anchors or the safety belts to properly secure the child restraint. A child restraint must never be installed using only the top tether and anchor.


In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint equipped with LATCH attachments. The child restraint manufacturer will provide you with instructions on how to use the child restraint and its attachments. The following explains how to attach a child restraint with these attachments in your vehicle. Your vehicle has lower anchors and top tether anchors. Your child restraint may have lower attachments and a top tether. Not all vehicle seating positions or child restraints have lower anchors and attachments or top tether anchors and attachments.


1-43


Lower Anchors


Top Tether Anchor


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


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


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Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or a dual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B) to secure the top tether to the anchor. Some top tether-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top tether being attached. Others require the top tether always to be attached. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top tether. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint. If the child restraint does not have a top tether, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available.


Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor Locations


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


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


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


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


1-45


Second Row Seats — SUV


Second Row Seats — SUT


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


Third Row Seats — SUV


For SUV models, there are exposed metal anchors for the second row center and passenger side seating positions. For SUT models, there are exposed metal anchor for the second row center seating position. For SUV models, the top tether anchors are located at the bottom rear of the seat cushion for each position in the second row. Be sure to use the anchor located nearest to the seating position where the child restraint will be placed.


1-46


Second Row Seats — SUV


For SUT models, the top tether anchor is located at the bottom rear of the seat cushion for the center position in the second row. You may need to fold the seatback of the passenger side seat forward in order to access this anchor.


Second Row Seats — SUT


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


Third Row Seat — SUV


Do not secure a child restraint in the right front passenger’s position, or in the second row outboard positions of a SUT model, if a national or local law requires that the top tether be attached, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be attached. There is no place to attach the top tether in this position. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-42 for additional information.


1-47


Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System


{CAUTION:


{CAUTION:


If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to anchors, the restraint will not be able to protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual.


Each top tether anchor and lower anchor in the vehicle is designed to hold only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single anchor could cause the anchor or attachment to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured if this happens. To help prevent injury to people and damage to your vehicle, attach only one child restraint per anchor.


1-48


Second Row Center Position — SUT


1. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that the top tether be attached, attach the top tether to the top tether anchor, if equipped. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps:


1.1. To access the top tether anchor, raise


the passenger side seat cushion by pulling up on the strap loop at the rear of the seat cushion and fold the seat cushion forward. Then fold the seatback forward. See 60/40 Split Bench Seat on page 1-6 for additional information.


1.2. Place the child restraint in the center seating


position.


1.3. Find the top tether anchor at the rear base of


the center seat.


1.4. Route and attach the top tether according to


your child restraint instructions and the following instructions:


If your child restraint has a single tether, route the tether over the seatback.


If your child restraint has a dual tether, route the tether over the seatback.


2. Attach the lower attachments to the lower anchors.


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


2.1. Find the lower anchors for the desired


seating position.


2.2. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on


the child restraint to the lower anchors.


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3. Tighten the top tether.


{CAUTION:


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


4. Return the rear passenger side seatback to its upright position. Ensure that the seatback locks and the safety belt is routed properly. Then lower the seat cushion until the seatback and the seat cushion lock into position.


5. Push and pull the child restraint in different


directions to be sure it is secure.


Second and Third Row Positions — SUV 1. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the lower anchors. If the child restraint does not have lower attachments or the desired seating position does not have lower anchors, secure the child restraint with the top tether and the safety belts. Refer to your child restraint manufacturer instructions and the instructions in this manual.


1.1. Find the lower anchors for the desired


seating position.


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


the child restraint to the lower anchors.


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2. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that


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


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


according to your child restraint instructions and the following instructions:


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


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


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


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


3. Push and pull the child restraint in different


directions to be sure it is secure.


1-51


Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-43. If your vehicle is an SUT, there are no top tether anchors in the 2nd row outside seating positions. Do not secure a child seat in these positions if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be anchored. See Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) if the child restraint has a top tether. If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. 1. Put the child restraint on the seat. 2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder


portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.


1-52


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


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


the retractor to set the lock.


5. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint,


pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. If you are using a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.


1-53


Your vehicle has a right front passenger’s airbag. There is a switch on the instrument panel that you can use to turn off the right front passenger’s airbag. See Airbag Off Switch on page 1-65 for more on this, including important safety information.


United States


Canada


A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint.


6. If your child restraint manufacturer recommends


using a top tether, and the position you are using has a top tether anchor, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the instructions that came with the child restraint and see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-43.


7. Push and pull the child restraint in different


directions to be sure it is secure.


To remove the child restraint, if the top tether is attached to the top tether anchor, disconnect it. Unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.


Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-43. There is no top tether anchor in the right front passenger’s position. Do not secure a child seat in this position if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be anchored. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-43 if the child restraint has a top tether.


1-54


Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the right front passenger’s seat unless the airbag is off. Here is why:


{CAUTION:


{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. Be sure to turn off the airbag before using a rear-facing child restraint in the right front seat position. Even though the airbag off switch is designed to turn off the passenger’s airbag, 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 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 airbag readiness light ever comes on when you have turned off the airbag, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. The right front passenger’s airbag could inflate even though the switch is off. If this ever happens, do not let anyone whom the national government has identified as a member of a passenger airbag risk group sit in the right front passenger’s position (for example, do not secure a rear-facing child restraint in the right front passenger’s seat) until you have your vehicle serviced. See Airbag Off Switch on page 1-65 and Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-32 for more on this, including important safety information.


1-55


You will be using a 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 airbag. See Airbag Off Switch on page 1-65. If your child restraint is forward-facing, move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the restraint in this seat. See Power Seats on page 1-2. If you need to use a rear-facing child restraint in this seat, make sure the airbag is off once the child restraint has been installed.


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.


1-56


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


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


the retractor to set the lock.


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.


7. Push and pull the child restraint in different


directions to be sure it is secure.


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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. If you had turned the airbag off with the switch, remember to be sure to use the airbag off switch to turn on the right front passenger’s airbag when you remove the child restraint from the vehicle unless the person who will be sitting there is a member of the passenger airbag risk group. See Airbag Off Switch on page 1-65.


{CAUTION:


If the right front passenger’s 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 (Continued)


CAUTION:


CAUTION:


(Continued)


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’s airbag unless the person sitting there is in a risk group. See Airbag Off Switch on page 1-65 for more on this, including important safety information.


Airbag System Your vehicle has an airbag for the driver and an airbag for the right front passenger. 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.


1-58


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


{CAUTION:


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 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.


{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 “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. Airbags are designed to work with safety belts, but do not replace them. Airbags are designed to deploy in moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crashes. They are not designed to inflate in rollover, rear crashes, or in many side crashes. And, for some unrestrained occupants, airbags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful airbags have provided in the past. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person.


1-59


Where Are the Airbags?


{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 1-32 and Infants and Young Children on page 1-35.


There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol.


The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel.


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 3-32
for more information.


1-60


The right front passenger’s airbag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side.


{CAUTION:


If something is between an occupant and an airbag, the bag 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.


1-61


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. If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall that does not move or deform, the threshold level is about 9 to 17 mph (14 to 27 km/h). (The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range.)


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.


The frontal airbags (driver and right front passenger) are not intended to inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.


1-62


(cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) 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. Inflation is determined by what the vehicle hits, the angle of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows down. The airbag system is designed to work properly under a wide range of conditions, including off-road usage. Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain. As always, wear your safety belt. See Off-Road Driving on page 4-16 for more tips on off-road driving.


What Makes an Airbag Inflate? In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the airbag. The inflator, airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the right front passenger.


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. Airbags supplement 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 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 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.


What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? After an airbag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the airbag inflated. Some components of the airbag module – the steering wheel hub for the driver’s airbag, or the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag – may be hot for a short time. 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.


1-63


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. (cid:127) Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After they


inflate, 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 7-10. 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.


Airbag inflation does not prevent the driver from seeing out of the windshield 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.


Your vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock the doors and turn the interior lamps on when the airbags inflate (if battery power is available). You can lock the doors again and turn the interior lamps off by using the door lock and interior lamp controls.


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(cid:127) Airbag Off Switch Your vehicle has a switch on the instrument panel that you can use to turn off the right front passenger’s airbag.


United States


Canada


This switch should only be turned to the off position if the person in the right front passenger’s 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: (cid:127) my vehicle has no rear seat; (cid:127) 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.


Child age 1 to 12. A child age 1 to 12 must ride in the front seat because: (cid:127) 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.


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(cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) 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


(cid:127) 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.


{CAUTION:


If the right front passenger’s 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’s airbag unless the person sitting there is in a risk group.


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United States


Canada


To turn off the right front passenger’s airbag, insert your 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 that the right front passenger’s airbag is off. The airbag off light will stay on to remind you that the airbag is off. The right front passenger’s airbag will remain off until you turn it back on again.


(cid:127) {CAUTION:


If the airbag readiness light ever comes on when you have turned off the airbag, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. The right front passenger’s airbag could inflate even though the switch is off. If this ever happens, do not let anyone whom the national government has identified as a member of a passenger airbag risk group sit in the right front passenger’s position (for example, do not secure a rear-facing child restraint in the right front passenger’s seat) until you have your vehicle serviced. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-32 for additional information.


United States


Canada


To turn the right front passenger’s airbag on again, insert your ignition key into the switch, push in, and move the switch to the on position.


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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. You do not want the system to inflate while someone is working on 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 7-15.


{CAUTION:


For up to two minutes 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 wires, wires wrapped with yellow tape or 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: Is there anything I might add to the front of the


vehicle that could keep the airbags from working properly?


A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s frame, bumper system, front end sheet metal or height, they may keep the airbag system from working properly. Also, the airbag system may not work properly if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If you have any questions about this, you should contact Customer Assistance before you modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure 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. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away. Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.) Notice: or the right front passenger’s airbag, the airbag may not work properly. You may have to replace the airbag module in the steering wheel or both the airbag module and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s airbag. Do not open or break the airbag coverings.


If you damage the covering for the driver’s


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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 belts or LATCH system parts? After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn during a more severe crash, then you need new parts. If the LATCH system was being used during a more severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts. If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt 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.


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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 .............................................2-8
Door Locks ....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks ..........................................2-9
Delayed Locking .............................................2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks ..............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks ..............................2-10
Lockout Protection ........................................2-10
Liftgate (SUV) ..............................................2-11
Midgate® (SUT) ............................................2-12
Tailgate/Spare Tire Carrier .............................2-14
Windows ........................................................2-17
Power Windows ............................................2-18
Sun Visors ...................................................2-21
Theft-Deterrent Systems ..................................2-21
Content Theft-Deterrent .................................2-21
Passlock® ....................................................2-23
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................2-24
New Vehicle Break-In ....................................2-24
Ignition Positions ..........................................2-24
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................2-25


Starting the Engine .......................................2-25
Engine Coolant Heater ..................................2-26
Automatic Transmission Operation ...................2-27
Tow/Haul Mode ............................................2-30
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive ............................2-30
Parking Brake ..............................................2-34
Shifting Into Park (P) .....................................2-35
Shifting Out of Park (P) .................................2-36
Parking Over Things That Burn .......................2-37
Engine Exhaust ............................................2-37
Running the Engine While Parked ...................2-38
Mirrors ...........................................................2-39


Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with


OnStar® and Compass ...............................2-39


Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with


OnStar®, Compass and Temperature Display ....................................................2-41


Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror


with Compass ...........................................2-43
Outside Power Mirrors ...................................2-45
Outside Convex Mirror ...................................2-46
Outside Heated Mirrors ..................................2-47
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with

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