2003 Chevrolet Avalanche Owners Manual

Lockout Protection ....................................... Power Door .................................................. Programmable Automatic Door Locks Rear Door Security Locks ............................. Loss of Control ............................................... LOW COOLANT LEVEL .................................. Low Fuel Warning Light ................................... Luggage Carrier .............................................. Lumbar

2-8 2-7 2-1 2 2-8 ............... 2-8 2-1 1 4-18 3-57 3-45 2-60

Power Controls .........................

. . . . . . . . . 1-3

Maintenance and Cleaning ........................... 2-73 Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts . . . . . . 5-1 06 Maintenance Schedule

At Each Fuel Fill ......................................... 6-10 At Least Once a Month 6-10 ................................ .................................. At Least Once a Year 6-12 .................................. At Least Twice a Year 6-11 Brake System Inspection .............................. 6-16 Engine Cooling System Inspection ................. 6-16 Exhaust System Inspection ........................... 6-15 Fuel System Inspection ................................ 6-15 6-3 How This Section is Organized ....................... Introduction .................................................. 6-2 Maintenance Requirements ............................. 6-2 Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services ......... 6-4 Part B - Owner Checks and Services ............. 6-10 Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections ...... 6-15 Part D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . 6-17 Part E - Maintenance Record ........................ 6-19 Scheduled Maintenance 6-5 ................................. Steering and Suspension Inspection ............... 6-15

Maintenance Schedule (cont.)

Transfer Case and Front Axle (Four-wheel

Drive) Inspection ......................................

6-1 6 Using Your ................................................... 6-4 Your Vehicle and the Environment ................... 6-2 4-67 4-65 3-40 1-2

Maintenance When Trailer Towing ..................... Making Turns ................................................. Malfunction Indicator Light ................................ .................................... Manual Passenger Seat Matching Transmitter(s) to

Your Vehicle ................................................. .................................................

2-6 2-85

Memory Seat Message

3-56

DIC Warnings and Messages ........................

Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/ Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) ....................................................... 7-5 Midgate ......................................................... 2-1 2 Midgate Drain Grate Removal and Cleaning ....... 2-75 Midgate Operation ........................................... 2-1 2 Mirrors

Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass and Temperature Display ........................... Automatic Dimming Rearview with Onstar@,

Compass and Temperature Display ............. 2-45

Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb

View Assist

Outside Camper-Type Mirrors ........................

............................................. 2-52 2-50

2-47

Mirrors (cont.)

Outside Convex Mirror ................................. 2-51 Outside Heated Mirrors ................................ 2-51 Outside Power Mirrors .................................. 2-50 MyGMLink.com ................................................ 7-4

2-27 New Vehicle Break-In Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ........... 5-1 06

......................................

Odometer ...................................................... Off-Road Recovery .......................................... Oil

Engine ....................................................... Pressure Gage ............................................ OIL LIFE RESET ............................................ OIL PRESSURE LOW ..................................... Older Children, Restraints ................................ ........................................ Online Owner Center Onstar@ Personal Calling ................................. Onstar@ Services ............................................ Onstar@ Steering Wheel Controls ...................... Onstar@ System ............................................. Onstar@ Virtual Advisor ....................................

3-32 4-16

5-15 3-43 3-57 3-57 1-32 7-4 2-54 2-53 2-54 2-53 2-54

10

Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Off

Paved Roads .............................................. ...................................... Other Warning Devices Outlet Adjustment ............................................ Outside

Automatic Dimming Mirror with Curb View

4-1 9 3-6 3-28

Assist ..................................................... Camper-Type Mirrors .................................... Convex Mirror ............................................. Heated Mirrors ............................................ Power Mirrors .............................................

2-52 2-50 2-51 2-51 2-50 Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode ... 5-27 Owners, Canadian ............................................... ii 7-12 Owner’s Information

.....................................

Park (P)

Parking

Shifting Out of

..................

............... 2-41

Brake ........................................................ ................................. Over Things That Burn Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission Park .................................. Parking on Hills .............................................. Park(P)

(P) Mechanism Check

Shifting Into ................................................

2-38 2-42

6-14 4-66

2-39

Indicator .....................

Part A . Scheduled Maintenance Services ............ 6-4 Part B . Owner Checks and Services ................ 6-10 Part C . Periodic Maintenance Inspections .......... 6-15 Part D . Recommended Fluids and Lubricants .... 6-17 Part E . Maintenance Record ........................... 6-19 Passenger Air Bag 2-47, 2-50 Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator ................... 3-33 Passenger Sensing System 1-61 PASSENGER DOOR AJAR 3-62 4-1 6, 4-65 Passing ................................................. Passlock@ ...................................................... 2-26 Personalization Button ..................................... 3-50 Personalization, Climate Controls ...................... 3-29 Plan Ahead When Possible ................................ 7-8 Playing a Compact Disc 3-74, 3-85 Playing a Specific Loaded

.............................. .................... ...

..........................

Compact Disc

.............................................

Playing the Radio ................................... Power

3-86 3.66, 3-77

.....................

Accessory Outlets ........................................ Door Locks ..................... Electrical System ......................................... Lumbar Controls ........................................... Seat ............................................................ Steering Fluid ............................................. , ....................... Windows .................

3-19 2-8 5-94 1-3 1-2 5-36 2-24

11

Power Steering ............................................... 4-14 Programmable Automatic Door Locks .................. 2-8 Programming the HomeLink Transmitter ............. 2-55 Puddle Lamps ................................................ 3-15

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......... 1-1 4

Radio Messages ........................ Radios ..........................................................

..., ........ 3-71 3-64 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player ............... 3-102 Care of Your CD and DVD Player ................ 3-103 Care of Your CDs and DVDs ....................... 3-103 DAB Radio Antenna System ........................ 3-104 Radio with CD ............................................ 3-65 Radio with Six-Disc CD ................................ 3-76 Rear Seat Audio .......................................... 3-99 Setting the Time .......................................... 3-64 Theft-Deterrent ............................ ...... 3-101 .......... 3-101 Understanding Reception .......... RDS and DAB Messages ...................... 3-70, 3-82 Reading Lamps .............................................. 3-18 Rear Axle ...................................................... 5-49 Locking ...................................................... 4-1 1 Rear Door Security Locks ................................ 2-1 1

12

...................... 1-29 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides Rear Seat Audio ............................................. 3-99 Rear Seat Audio Controls ............................... 3-100 Rear Seat Entertainment System ....................... 3-90 Rear Seat Operation ......................................... 1-8 Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions ............. 1-26 .................. 1-26 Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts Rear Storage Area .......................................... 2-61 3-25, 3-28 Rear Window Defogger ............................ Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with

Compass and Temperature Display ................ 2-47

Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming

with Onstar@, Compass and Temperature Display ......................................................

2-45 Reclining Seatbacks .......................................... 1-5 Recreational Vehicle Towing ............................. 4-48 ............................. REDUCED BRAKE POWER 3-59 REDUCED ENGINE POWER ........................... 3-57 Reinstalling the Cargo Cover Panels .................. 2-68 Remote Control .............................................. 3-93 Remote Keyless Entry System ............................ 2-4 ............ 2-5 Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the

Removing the FronVRear Rails

Spare Tire .................................................. and Bows ...................................................

2-81 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ................... 5-67 Removing the Tonneau Cover ........................... 2-78 Replacement Bulbs ......................................... 5-56

5-71

Replacing Brake System Parts .......................... Replacing Restraint System Parts

After a Crash ..............................................

5-42

1-66

Reporting Safety Defects

Canadian Government .................................. General Motors ........................................... United States Government ............................

7-1 0 7-1 1 7-1 0 Reprogramming a Single HomeLink@ Button ....... 2-58 Resetting Defaults ........................................... 2-58 Restraint System Check ................................... 6-1 1 Checking Your Restraint Systems ................... 1-66 Replacing Restraint System Parts

..........................................

1-66

After a Crash Restraint Systems

Checking .................................................... 1-66 Replacing Parts ........................................... 1-66 1-7 Restraints, Head ............................................... ...................... 2-28 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) RFA # BATTERY LOW .................................... 3-62 Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts ...... 1-24 RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR 3-62 Roadside

..........................

Assistance Program .......................................

7-6 Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out ................... 4-46 Running Your Engine While You Are Parked ....... 2-43

Safety Belt

Safety Belts

Reminder Light ............................................ 3-32

Care of ...................................................... 5-88 Center Passenger Position ............................ 1-24 Driver Position ............................................ 1-16 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................ 1-16 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ..... 1-14 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults ...................................... 1-29 ................................. Rear Seat Passengers 1-26 Right Front Passenger Position ...................... 1-24 Safety Belt Extender .................................... 1-31 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ................. 1-23 Safety Belts Are for Everyone 1-10 4-64 .............................. iii 6-5

....................... Safety Chains ................................................. Safety Warnings and Symbols Scheduled Maintenance ..................................... Seats

Head Restraints ............................................ 1-7 ............................................... 1-4 Heated Seats Manual Passenger ......................................... 1-2 Memory ..................................................... 2-85

13

Seats (cont.)

Power Lumbar .............................................. Power Seats ................................................. Rear Seat Operation ...................................... Reclining Seatbacks ................................... .......................

Secondary Latch System .. Securing a Child Restraing

1-3 1-2 1-8 1-5 5-81

Center Front Seat

Position .....

Securing a Child Restraint

............ 1-47

Rear Seat Position ...................................... Right Front Seat Position ..............................

1-45 1-48 Security Light ................................................. 3-44 Select Button ................................................. 3-47 Service ........................................................... 5-3

Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your

.......................................

Vehicle ..................................................... ...................................

5-4 Doing Your Own Work 5-4 Engine Soon Light 3-40 Publications Ordering Information ................... 7-1 1 3-60 3-58 ............ 3-58 3-58 7-1 2 7-1 1

SERVICE 4WD ............................................... SERVICE AIR BAG ......................................... SERVICE BRAKE BOOSTER ........ .......................... SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM Service Bulletins ............................................. Service Manuals ..

...........................

......................................

SERVICE STABILITY 3-63 ............... 3.70. 3-81 Setting Preset PTYs (RDS Only) Setting Preset Stations ............................ 3-68, 3-79 Setting the Time ............................................. 3-64 Setting the Tone (Bassnreble) .................. 3-68, 3-79 Sheet Metal Damage ................................... 5-90 2-39 Shifting Into Park (P) ................................... Shifting Out of Park (P) 2-41 ................................... Side Impact Air Bags ....................................... 1-57 Side Rail Channels ......................................... 2-75 Skidding ........................................................ 4-18 .................................................... Snow Plow 4-54 Some Other Rainy Weather Tips 4-35 ....................... ..................................................... 5-84 Spare Tire Spare Tire Check ............................................ 6-11 Special Fabric Cleaning Problems ..................... 5-86 Specifications, Capacities ............................... 5-1 04 Speedometer .................................................. 3-32 Stabilitrak@ System ......................................... 4-11 STABILITY SYS ACTIVE .................................. 3-62 STABILITY SYS DISABLED .............................. 3-63 Starter Switch Check ....................................... 6-12 Starting Your Engine ....................................... 2-28 Steering ........................................................ 4-14 Steering and Suspension Inspection .................. 6-15

14

Steering in Emergencies .................................. 4-15 Steering Tips .................................................. 4-14 Stereo RCA Jacks 3-96 Storage Areas

..........................................

All-Weather Cargo Area ................................ Center Console Storage Area ........................ Center Overhead Console ............................. Front Armrest Storage Area .................... Glove Box ........................ Luggage Carrier Rear Storage Area ....................................... Top-Box Storage ..........................................

2-72 2-59 2-59 1 ...... 2-59 ....... 2-59 ....... 2-60 2-61 2-77 Jack and Tools ....... 5-78 4-45 2-24 2-84

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire, ...................... Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow Sun Visors ..................................................... Sunroof .........................................................

........

Tachometer ... .................................. Tailgate .................................................. Tailgate Removal ........................................ Taillamps ....................................................... Temperature and Compass Display .................... Temperature Display ........................................ Testing the Alarm ............................................ Theft-Deterrent, Radio ....................................

3-32 2-21 2-21 5-55 2-45 2-48 2-26 3-1 01

Theft-Deterrent Systems ................................... Content Theft-Deterrent ................................ Passlock@ ................................................... Throttle. Adjustable .......................................... Tilt Wheel ........................................................ Tire Inflation Check ......................................... Tires .....................................................

2-25 2-25 2-26 2-29 3-7 6-10 5-58. 5-90 Buying New Tires ........................................ 5-61 Chains ....................................................... 5-65 Changing a Flat Tire .................................... 5-67 If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-66 Inflation .. Tire Pressure ............................... 5-59 Inspection and Rotation ................................ 5-59 Spare Tire .................................................. 5-84 Uniform Tire Quality Grading ......................... 5-62 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ................. 5-64 5-64 Wheel Replacement ..................................... When It Is Time for New Tires .... 5-61 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater ................ 2-30 Tonneau Cover ............................................... 2-77 Top Drain Grates - Removal and Cleaning ......... 2-73 Top of the Instrument Panel ............................. 5-87 Top Strap ...................................................... 1-42 Top Strap Anchor Location ............................... 1-43 Top-Box Storage ............................................. 2-77 Torque Lock ................................................... 2-41 .................. 4-63 Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires

..........

15

Tow/Haul Mode ............................................... Tow/Haul Mode Light ....................................... Towing

Recreational Vehicle ................................. Towing a Trailer .................................. ....................... Your Vehicle

.........

Traction

Assist System (TAS) .................................. Off Light ..................................................... Stabilitrak@ System ...................................... TRACTION ACTIVE ........................................ Traction Control Operation ................................ Trailer

Recommendations .....

....................... Trailer Brakes ................................................. Trailer Wiring Harness ..................................... TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE ............................. Transfer Case ................................................ Transfer Case and Front Axle (Four-wheel Drive)

Inspection ...................................................

Transmission

Fluid, Automatic ....................................... Temperature Gage ....................................... TRANSMISSION HOT ..................................... Transmission Operation, Automatic .................... Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit

Repair Manual ............................................ Transportation Options ......................................

2-33 3-44

4-48 4-58 4-48

4-9 3-38 4-1 1 3-63 4-1 2

4-58 4-64 4-68 3-61 5-50

6-1 6

5-22 3-39 3-61 2-31

7-1 1 7-8

Trip Information Button .................................... 3-47 Truck-Camper Loading Information .................... 4-57 3-8 Turn and Lane Change Signals .......................... 3-60 TURN SIGNAL ON ......................................... Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever ........................... 3-7 Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer .................. 4-65

Underbody Flushing Service ........... Underhood Fuse Block .................. Understanding Radio Reception ....... Uniform Tire Quality Grading .......... United States ............................... Used Replacement Wheels Using Cleaner on Fabric Using HomeLink@ ...................... Using Song List Mode ............. Using the Recovery Hooks .......

............ ................

..... 6-14 .............. 5-99 ................. 3-101 .................. 5-62 7-4 .................... .................. 5-65 .................. 5-86 ................. 2-58 ................. 3-88 ................. 4-47

Vehicle

4-6 Control ........................................................ Damage Warnings ........................................... iv Loading ...................................................... 4-51 Symbols ......................................................... iv

16

Vehicle Identification

Number (VIN) 5-93 Service Parts Identification Label ................... 5-93

.............................................

Vehicle Personalization

Memory Seat .............................................. 2-85 .............................................. Vehicle Storage 5-42 Ventilation Adjustment ...................................... 3-28 ................................................. Video Screen 3-93 Vinyl ......................................................... 5-87 Visors ....................................................... 2-24 ........................................... Voltmeter Gage 3-35

Warning Lights. Gages Warnings

and Indicators .....

... 3-30

DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ Hazard Warning Flashers ............................... Other Warning Devices .................................. Safety and Symbols ......................................... .............................................. Vehicle Damage

Washing Your Vehicle ...................................... Weatherstrip Lubrication ................................... Weight of the Trailer ........................................ Weight of the Trailer Tongue ............................. What Kind of Engine Oil to Use ........................

3-56 3-6 3-6 ... III iv 5-88 6-1 2 4-61 4-62 5-17

What to Add .............................................. What to Do with Used Oil ................................ What to Use .......................... Wheels

5-40 5-19 5-25, 5-37, 5-38, 5-49

Alignment and Tire Balance .......................... Replacement ............................................... When to Add Engine Oil .................................. When to Change Engine Oil

5-64 5-64 5-16

(GM Oil Life System) ................................... 5-18 When to Check .............................................. 5-59 When to Check and Change 5-22 ............................ When to Check Lubricant ................................. 5-49 When to Check Power Steering Fluid ................ 5-37 When You Are Ready to Leave After

Power .........................................

Parking on a Hill ......................................... Where to Put the Restraint ............................... Why Safety Belts Work .................................... Windows ........................

4-67 1-41 1-11 ................... 2-23 .... 2-24 ........ 5-89 3-9 5-38 Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check ................ 6-10 Windshield Wiper

Windshield and Wiper Blades ............ Windshield Washer ........................................... Fluid ..........................................................

Blade Replacement ...................................... Fuses ........................................................

5-57 5-94

17

IU

b NOTES

The 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual a

Seats and Restraint Systems

Front Seats Rear Seats Safety Belts Child Restraints Air Bag Systems Restraint System Check

Features and Controls ..................................... ........................................................ .......................................

........................... ............................................... ............................................... ............................................. ....................................... ...................................... ............................

1 -i 1-2 1-8 1-10 1-32 1-52 1-66 2-1 2-3 2-7 ................................................. 2-23 2-25 ........... 2-27 2-45 2-53 2-55 2-59 .................................................. 2-84 2-85 3-1 3-4 3-20 ......... 3-30 .................. 3-46 3-64

.................................................... ...................................... ............................. .........................................

.......................................

Keys Doors and Locks Windows Theft-Deterrent Systems Starting and Operating Your Mirrors Onstar@ System HomeLinkO Transmitter Storage Areas Sunroof Vehicle Personalization

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

............................. Instrument Panel ............................................. .......................... ......................................

............................

Indicators

Vehicle

Driving your vehicle .......................................

the Hood

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Towing

................................................... Service and Appearance Care .......................... ..................................................... .........................................................

............................................... ..................................... ....................................

Service Fuel Checking Things Under Rear Axle Four-wheel Drive Bulb Replacement Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Tires Appearance Care Vehicle Identification Electrical System Capacities and Specifications Normal Maintenance Replacement

...................................................... ..................................... ................................. ......................................

Parts

Maintenance Schedule ..................................... ................................ ....................

Customer Assistance Information

Maintenance Schedule

Customer Assistance Information Reporting Safety Defects

...........................

Vehicle

4-1 ..... 4-2 4-48 5-1 5-3 5-5 ............... 5-10 5-49 5-50 5-52 ......... 5-57 5-58 5-85 5-93 5-94 ................... 5-1 04 .... 5-106 6-1 6-2 7-1 .................. 7-2 7-10 -1

Index ................................................................

Canadian Owners

You can obtain a French copy of this manual from your dealer or from: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207

How to Use This Manual ManV people read their owner’s manual from b ‘eginnin to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you do this, it will help you learn about the features and controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find that pictures and words work together to explain things.

Index

A good place to look for what you need is the Index in back of the manual. It’s an alphabetical list of what’s in the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem are registered trademarks and the name AVALANCHE is a trademark 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 Chevrolet Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual. Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new owner can use it.

Litho in U.S.A. Part No. C2318A First Edition

‘Copyright General Motors Corporation 06/24/02 All Rights Reserved

ii

Safety Warnings and Symbols

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

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

These mean ti

I you or other people.

s somet _ _ _ _ lg L i t could hurt

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

iii

Vehicle Damage Warnings

Also, in this book you will find these notices:

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

Vehicle Symbols Your vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle, 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:

Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1 Features and Controls in Section 2 Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3 Climate Controls in Section 3 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators in Section 3 Audio System(s) in Section 3 Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5

iv

These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle:

LATCH BOTH LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS TO PROTECT OCCUPANT

DO NOT TWIST SAFETY BELT WHEN AlTACHlNG

CAUTION POSSIBLE INJURY

PROTECT (""",

EYES BY SHIELDING

CAUSTIC

ACID COULD CAUSE BURNS

AVO ID SPARKS OR FLAMES

SPARK OR FLAME COULD EXPLODE BAlTERY

'\I/'

FASTEN SEAT BELTS

MOVE SEAT FULLY REARWARD+ SECURE CHILD SEAT

PULL BELT

COMPLETELY rHEN SECURE CHILD SEAT

POWER WINDOW

AIR BAG

\$& /z

DO NOT INSTALL A REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT IN THIS SEATING POSITION

DO NOT INSTALL A 'ORWARD-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT IN THIS SEATING POSITION

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER

DOOR UNLOCK LOCK

LAMPS FOG

MASTER \

TURN SIGNALS

PARKING LAMPS

ENGINE

COOLANT rh

TEMP

BAlTERY CHARGING SYSTEM

ENGINE COOLANT FAN

COOLANT d

OWNERS MANUAL

SERVICE

ENGINE OIL PRESSURE W

$0

ANTI-LOCK (@)

BRAKES

SERVICE MANUAL

Section

Seats and Restraint Systems

Safety Belts

..................................

.................................................

Front Seats ...................................................... 1-2 .................................. 1-2 Manual Passenger Seat Power -1 -2 ...... 1-3 Power Lumbar Heated Seats ................................................. 1-4 Reclining Seatbacks ........................................ 1-5 Head Restraints ............................................. 1-7 Rear Seats ....................................................... 1-8 Rear Seat Operation ....................................... 1-8 ................................................... 1-10 Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................ 1-10 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ...... 1-14 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................. 1-16 Driver Position .............................................. 1-1 6 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy .................. 1-23 Right Front Passenger Position ....................... 1-24 Center Passenger Position ............................. 1-24 .................................. 1-26 Rear Seat Passengers Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children

Safety Belt Extender ..

and Small Adults ....................................... 1-29 ............................ 1-31 Child Restraints ............................................. 1-32 Older Children .............................................. 1-32 Infants and Young Children ............................ 1-34 Child Restraint Systems ................................. 1-38

Where to Put the Restraint ............................. 1-41 Top Strap .................................................... 1-42 Top Strap Anchor Location ............................. 1-43 Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for

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

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat

...................................................

Securing a Child Restraint in the Center

Position Front Seat Position ....................................

1-45

1-47

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right

Front Seat Position ....................................

1-48 Air Bag Systems ............................................ 1-52 Where Are the Air Bags? ............................... 1-54 Inflate? .................... 1-57 When Should an Air Bag Inflate? ..................... 1-58 What Makes an Air Bag ..................... 1-58 How Does an Air Bag Restrain? What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates? ... 1-59 Passenger Sensing System ............................ 1-61 Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle ......... 1-65 Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped ....................................................

1-65 Restraint System Check .................................. 1-66 Checking Your Restraint Systems ................... 1-66 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a

Vehicle

Crash ......................................................

1-66

1-1

Front Seats

Manual Passenger Seat

Power Seats

Horizontal Control: If your vehicle has a power seat, you can adjust it with the horizontal control located on the outboard edge of the seat(s).

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.

If your vehicle has a manual front passenger split bench seat, you can adjust it with this lever located at the front of the seat. Lift the lever at the front of the seat to unlock it. Using your body, slide the seat to where you want it. Then, release the lever and try to move the seat with your body to make sure that the seat is locked into place.

1-2

Move the seat forward or rearward by moving the whole control toward the front or toward the rear of the vehicle.

* Moving the whole control up or down raises or

lowers the entire seat cushion.

Vertical Control: If your vehicle has power reclining seats, you can use the vertical control to adjust the angle of the seatback. Move the reclining front seatback rearward or forward by moving the control toward the rear or toward the front of the vehicle. See Reclining Seatbacks on page 1-5 for further information.

Power Lumbar

t .

_" _l", . . . ... " , ..

... I.

:.~ . .

, ""

., ._^. , ,- .,". I

If you have power lumbar adjustment, -you can increase or decrease lumbar support in the lower seatback. The control is located on the outboard side of the seat cushion.

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

* To decrease support in the lower back area, press

and hold the rear of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support.

I -3

You can also reshape the back wing area of the lower seatback.

To increase support in the wing area of the lower seatback, press and hold the top of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support. To decrease support in the wing area of the lower seatback, press and hold the bottom of the control. Let go of the control when the lower seatback reaches the desired level of support.

Heated Seats a - - Your vehicle may have

heated front seats. The buttons used to control this feature are located on the front doors. The engine must be running for the heated seat feature to work.

To heat the entire seat, press the horizontal button with the heated seat 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 glow to designate the level of heat selected, three for high, two for medium, and one for low.

1 -4

Reclining Seatbacks

The low setting warms the seatback and cushion until the seat temperature is near body temperature. The medium and high settings heat the seatback and seat cushion to a slightly higher temperature. You will be able to feel heat in about two minutes. To heat only the seatback, press the vertical button with the heated seatback symbol. An indicator light on the seatback button will glow 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 front seats will shut off automatically when the ignition is turned off.

To adjust the front seatback, lift the lever. The lever is located on the outboard side of the seat cushion. Release the lever to lock the seatback where you want it. Lift the lever without pushing on the seatback and the seatback will go to an upright position. If your vehicle has power seats with a power recliner, see Power Seats on page 1-2 for further information on how to operate the reclining seatback feature.

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

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

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Head Restraints

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. The rear seat head restraints in your vehicle are adjustable. They work the same as the front seat head restraints.

Rear Seats

Rear Seat Operation

The rear seat is a 60/40 split rear seat that can be folded to give you more cargo space and access to the folding midgate. See Midgate on page 2-12 for more information on operation of the folding midgate. To fold either side of the seat do the following: 1. Push the rear head restraints all the way down. 2. Pull the seat loop located where the seatback and seat cushion meet. The seat will release and allow you to tilt it toward the front of the vehicle.

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3. Grasp the seatback and pull it toward the front of the vehicle. Push it down until it is flat. You may have to move the front seats forward slightly to do this.

4. Repeat the procedure for the other side. To return the seats to the normal position, pull the seatback up and fold the seat cushion down.

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

A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted won’t 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.

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Safety Belts

Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone

This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts.

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

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to - -Ae in a cargo

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

Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. See Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-32.

In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.

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

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

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

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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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accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

0: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an A: You could be - whether you’re wearing a safety belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you’re upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted.

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

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Q: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have to A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in

wear safety belts?

most of them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts - not instead of them. Every air bag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that has air bags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions.

home, why should I wear safety belts?

Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an accident - even one that isn’t your fault - you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver doesn’t 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.

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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 lnfants and Young Children on page 1-34. Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We’ll start with the driver position. Driver Position This part describes the driver’s restraint system. Lap-Shoulder Belt The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it properly. 1. Close and lock the door. 2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see

how, see “Seats” in the Index.

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

Don’t let it get twisted.

4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt isn’t long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-3 1. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt.

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

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I

You ca,. 3e serioL,,y hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should fit against your body.

Q: What’s wrong with this?

-r c

1- t

-1..

A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly

as much protection this way.

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.

You can be seriously injured if your be s 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.

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

You ca.. Je 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.

A: The belt is over an armrest.

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Q: What’s 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 aren’t 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.

Q: What’s wrong with this?

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

A: The belt is twisted across the body.

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Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy

Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they don't wear safety belts.

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the belt and your vehicle.

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

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The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly. Right Front Passenger Position To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see Driver Position on page 7-16. The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt-except If you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all the way, you will engage the child restraint locking feature which may turn off the passenger’s frontal air bag- If this happens unintentionally, just let the belt go back all the way and start again.

for one thing.

Center Passenger Position

If your vehicle has front and rear bench seats, someone can sit

in the center positions.

When you sit in the center rear seat position, you have a lap-shoulder belt which works the same way as the rear outside seat positions. To learn how to wear this belt see “Lap-Shoulder Belt” under Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-26.

1-24

Lap Belt

in a center front seating position, you

When you sit have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt longer, tilt the the belt.

latch plate and pull it along

To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug. Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap part of a lap-shoulder belt, If the belt isn’t enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page

1-31.

long

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

~~

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Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions

Rear Seat Passengers It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbeited people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder belts.

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Lap-Shoulder Belt Here's how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly.

If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-3 1. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

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

Don't let it get twisted.

2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it will lock. If it does, let it go back all the way and start again.

3. TO make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.

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I

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.

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

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

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults

Your vehicle may have this feature already. If it doesn’t, you can get it from any GM dealer. Rear shoulder belt comfort guides will provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better positions the belt away from the neck and head. There is one guide available for each outside passenger position in the rear seat. Here’s how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt:

1. Remove the guide from the storage clip on the side

of the rear seatback.

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O€- c

Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. The extender will be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt.

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4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as

described in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-26. 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. Attach the guide onto the storage clip.

Child Restraints

Older Children

Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? A: If possible, an older child should wear a

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

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

Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts. If you have the choice, a child should sit in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt to get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.

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

A: If the child is sitting in a rear seat outside position,

move the child toward the center of the vehicle. See Rear Safety Belt Comfot? Guides for Children and Small Adults on page 7-29. If the child is sitting in the center position, move the child toward the safety belt buckle. In either case, be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child's shoulder, so that in a crash the child's upper body would have the restraint that belts provide. If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still very close to the child's face or neck, you might want to place the child in a seat that has a lap belt, if your vehicle has one.

1 -33

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

this way, in a crash the child might A d e under the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries.

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

Infants and Young Children

Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle. 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.

111 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 (Continued)

CAUTION:

1-34

People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much -- until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to holdit. 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

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

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

restraints?

A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child’s weight, height, and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used.

1-36

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.

, te support,

Newborn in.-.lts ne -~ cc 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