2007 Chevrolet Corvette Owners Manual

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Halogen Bulbs ......................................... 371 478 Headlamps (cont.) Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and Parking Lamps ..................................... 372 High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting .... 371 High/Low Beam Changer ......................... 160 On Reminder ........................................... 167 Wiper Activated ........................................ 167 Head-Up Display (HUD) .............................. 172 Heated Seats ................................................ 10 Heater ......................................................... 177 Highbeam On Light ..................................... 204 High-Speed Operation, Tires ........................ 388 Highway Hypnosis ....................................... 299 Hill and Mountain Roads ............................. 300 Hood Checking Things Under ............................ 326 Release ................................................... 327 Horn ............................................................ 157 How to Use This Manual ................................ 4 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ............... 21 Hydraulic Clutch .......................................... 346 Ignition Positions ........................................... 90 Infants and Young Children, Restraints .......... 34 Inﬂation - Tire Pressure ............................... 386 Installing the Roof Panel ............................. 137 Instrument Panel Overview .................................................. 154 Instrument Panel (I/P) Brightness ................................................ 170 Cluster ..................................................... 186 Jump Starting .............................................. 364 Keyless Access System ................................. 73 Keyless Access System, Operation ................ 74 Keys ............................................................. 71 Labeling, Tire Sidewall ................................. 380 Lamps Battery Run-Down Protection ................... 171 Courtesy .................................................. 171 Exterior .................................................... 166 Exterior Lighting Battery Saver ................. 170 Fog .......................................................... 169 479 Lamps (cont.) LATCH System Reading ................................................... 171 Twilight Sentinel® ..................................... 169 Child Restraints .................................. 42, 45 Latches, Seatback ......................................... 15 Lifting Your Vehicle, Tires ............................ 402 Light Active Handling System ........................... 196 Airbag Readiness ..................................... 189 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning ............. 195 Brake System Warning ............................. 194 Fog Lamp ................................................ 203 Highbeam On .......................................... 204 Lights On Reminder ................................. 204 Malfunction Indicator ................................ 198 One-to-Four Shift ..................................... 193 Passenger Airbag Status Indicator ............ 190 Safety Belt Reminder ............................... 188 Security ................................................... 203 TCS Warning Light .................................. 195 Tire Pressure ........................................... 197 Traction Control System (TCS) Warning ................................................ 195 Entry/Exit ................................................. 171 Limited-Slip Rear Axle ................................. 283 Lighting 480 Loading Your Vehicle ................................... 307 Lockout Protection ......................................... 82 Locks Automatic Door Lock ................................. 81 Door .......................................................... 78 Lockout Protection ..................................... 82 Power Door ............................................... 81 Programmable Automatic Door Unlock ....... 82 ........................................... 289 Loss of Control Lumbar Power and Side Bolsters ............................. 9 Maintenance Schedule Additional Required Services .................... 436 At Each Fuel Fill ...................................... 439 At Least Once a Month ............................ 440 At Least Once a Year .............................. 440 Introduction .............................................. 430 Maintenance Footnotes ............................ 437 Maintenance Record ................................ 447 Maintenance Requirements ...................... 430 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts .................................................... 445 Owner Checks and Services .................... 439 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ....... 443 Maintenance Schedule (cont.) Scheduled Maintenance ........................... 433 Using ....................................................... 431 Your Vehicle and the Environment ............ 431 Malfunction Indicator Light ........................... 198 Manual Seats .................................................. 8 Manual Transmission Fluid ........................................................ 346 Operation ................................................. 100 Memory Seat, Mirrors, Steering Wheel Controls ..................................................... 10 DIC Warnings and Messages ................... 212 Message Mirrors Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass .............................................. 110 Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar® and Compass ......................... 108 Manual Rearview Mirror ........................... 108 Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror ........... 114 Outside Convex Mirror ............................. 114 Outside Power Heated Mirrors ................. 113 MP3 ............................................................ 259 MyGMLink.com ............................................ 455 Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation Manual ..................................................... 267 New Vehicle Break-In .................................... 90 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ..... 445 Odometer .................................................... 188 Off-Road Recovery ...................................... 287 Oil Engine ..................................................... 332 Engine Oil Pressure Gage ....................... 202 Oil, Engine Oil Life System ......................... 340 Older Children, Restraints ............................. 31 One-to-Four Shift Light ................................ 193 Online Owner Center ................................... 455 OnStar® System, see OnStar® Manual ........ 114 Other Warning Devices ................................ 157 Outlet Adjustment ........................................ 184 Outlet(s), Accessory Power .......................... 176 Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror ........................ 114 Convex Mirror .......................................... 114 Power Heated Mirrors .............................. 113 481 Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode ....................................... 352 Owner Checks and Services ....................... 439 Owners, Canadian .......................................... 3 Power (cont.) Steering Fluid .......................................... 357 Windows .................................................... 87 Pretensioners, Safety Belt ............................. 30 Programmable Automatic Door Unlock ........... 82 Paint, Damage ............................................ 416 Park (P) Shifting Into ............................................. 103 Shifting Out of ......................................... 105 Parking Brake ....................................................... 103 Over Things That Burn ............................ 106 Parking Your Vehicle ................................... 105 Passenger Airbag Status Indicator ............... 190 Passenger Compartment Air Filter ............... 184 Passenger Position, Safety Belts ................... 30 Passenger Sensing System ........................... 59 Passing ....................................................... 287 Power Accessory Outlet(s) .................................. 176 Door Locks ................................................ 81 Electrical System ..................................... 420 Lumbar and Side Bolsters ........................... 9 Retained Accessory (RAP) ......................... 91 Seat ............................................................ 8 482 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ... 20 Racing or Other Competitive Driving ............ 290 Radios ........................................................ 242 Care of Your CD Player ........................... 270 Care of Your CDs .................................... 269 Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation Manual ................................ 267 Radio with CD ......................................... 244 Setting the Time ...................................... 243 Theft-Deterrent ......................................... 267 Understanding Reception ......................... 268 Reading Lamps ........................................... 171 Rear Axle .................................................... 370 Limited-Slip .............................................. 283 Rear Storage Area ...................................... 130 Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with Compass ................................................. 110 Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with OnStar® and Compass ............................. 108 Rearview Mirrors ......................................... 108 Reclining Seatbacks ...................................... 13 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants .......... 443 Recreational Vehicle Towing ........................ 313 Removing the Roof Panel ........................... 133 Replacement Bulbs ..................................... 374 Replacement, Windshield ............................. 374 Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government ............................. 470 General Motors ........................................ 470 United States Government ....................... 470 Restraint System Check Checking the Restraint Systems ................. 66 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash .................................................. 67 Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ................. 91 Roadside Assistance Program ................................. 458 Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out .............. 307 Roof Panel .................................................. 133 Installing the Roof Panel .......................... 137 Removing the Roof Panel ........................ 133 Roof Panel (cont.) Storing the Roof Panel ............................. 136 Routing, Engine Drive Belt .......................... 446 Running the Engine While Parked ............... 107 Safety Belt Safety Belts Pretensioners ............................................. 30 Reminder Light ........................................ 188 Care of .................................................... 411 Driver Position ........................................... 22 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ............ 21 Passenger Position .................................... 30 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ....................................................... 20 Safety Belt Extender .................................. 30 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ............. 29 Safety Belts Are for Everyone .................... 16 Safety Warnings and Symbols ......................... 4 Scheduled Maintenance ............................... 433 Seatback Latches .......................................... 15 Seats Heated Seats ............................................. 10 Manual ........................................................ 8 Memory, Mirrors ......................................... 10 483 Seats (cont.) Power Lumbar and Side Bolsters ................. 9 Power Seats ................................................ 8 Reclining Seatbacks ................................... 13 Seatback Latches ...................................... 15 Securing a Child Restraint Passenger Seat Position ............................ 46 Security Light .............................................. 203 Selective Ride Control ................................. 284 Service ........................................................ 318 Accessories and Modiﬁcations .................. 318 Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle ................................................. 320 California Proposition 65 Warning ............. 319 Doing Your Own Work ............................. 319 Engine Soon Light ................................... 198 Publications Ordering Information ............. 471 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ......... 64 Setting the Time .......................................... 243 Shifting Into Park (P) ................................... 103 Shifting Out of Park (P) ............................... 105 Signals, Turn and Lane-Change .................. 159 Speciﬁcations, Capacities ............................ 427 Speedometer ............................................... 188 Starting Your Engine ..................................... 91 Steering ...................................................... 284 Steering Wheel Controls, Audio ................... 267 484 Steering Wheel Controls, Memory ................. 10 Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel .......................... 157 Storage Areas Center Console Storage Area ................... 129 Convenience Net ..................................... 131 Cupholder(s) ............................................ 128 Glove Box ................................................ 128 Rear Storage Area ................................... 130 Storing the Roof Panel ................................ 136 Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow ............... 306 Sun Visors .................................................... 87 Tachometer ................................................. 188 Taillamps Turn Signal, and Stoplamps ..................... 373 TCS Warning Light ...................................... 195 Theft-Deterrent, Radio ................................. 267 Theft-Deterrent System .................................. 88 Theft-Deterrent Systems ................................ 88 Tilt Wheel .................................................... 157 Tire Pressure Light .......................................... 197 Tires ........................................................... 378 Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning ..................... 415 Buying New Tires ..................................... 393 Tires (cont.) Chains ..................................................... 401 Cleaning .................................................. 415 Different Size ........................................... 395 Extended Mobility ..................................... 384 High-Speed Operation .............................. 388 If a Tire Goes Flat ................................... 406 Inﬂation - Tire Pressure ............................ 386 Lifting Your Vehicle .................................. 402 Pressure Monitor System ......................... 389 Rotation ................................................... 392 Tire Sidewall Labeling .............................. 380 Tire Terminology and Deﬁnitions ............... 382 Uniform Tire Quality Grading .................... 396 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ........... 397 Wheel Replacement ................................. 398 When It Is Time for New Tires ................. 393 Winter Tires ............................................. 379 Recreational Vehicle ................................. 313 Towing a Trailer ....................................... 313 Your Vehicle ............................................. 313 Active Handling System ........................... 281 Control System (TCS) .............................. 279 Control System Warning Light .................. 195 Towing Traction Traction (cont.) Transmission Limited-Slip Rear Axle .............................. 283 Selective Ride Control .............................. 284 Fluid, Automatic ....................................... 345 Fluid, Manual ........................................... 346 One-to-Four Shift Light ............................. 193 Transmission Operation, Automatic ................ 95 Transmission Operation, Manual .................. 100 Trunk/Hatch ................................................... 83 Turn and Lane-Change Signals ................... 159 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever .................... 158 Twilight Sentinel® ........................................ 169 Understanding Radio Reception ................... 268 Uniform Tire Quality Grading ....................... 396 Universal Home Remote System ................. 118 Operation ........................................ 119, 124 Vehicle Control ..................................................... 276 Damage Warnings ....................................... 5 485 Vehicle (cont.) Wheels Loading .................................................... 307 Parking Your ............................................ 105 Symbols ...................................................... 5 Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders ................................................ 464 Alignment and Tire Balance ..................... 397 Different Size ........................................... 395 Replacement ............................................ 398 Windows ....................................................... 86 Power ........................................................ 87 Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) .......................................... 418 Service Parts Identiﬁcation Label .............. 418 Vehicle Personalization DIC .......................................................... 232 Ventilation Adjustment .................................. 184 Visors ........................................................... 87 Voltmeter Gage ........................................... 192 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators ......... 186 Warnings DIC Warnings and Messages ................... 212 Hazard Warning Flashers ......................... 156 Other Warning Devices ............................ 157 Safety and Symbols ..................................... 4 Vehicle Damage .......................................... 5 486 Windshield Replacement ............................................ 374 Washer .................................................... 161 Washer Fluid ........................................... 359 Wiper Blade Replacement ........................ 375 Wiper Blades, Cleaning ............................ 413 Wiper Fuses ............................................ 419 Wipers ..................................................... 160 Winter Driving ............................................. 302 Winter Tires ................................................. 379 Wiper Activated Headlamps ......................... 167 XM Radio Messages ................................... 265 XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ......... 270 Your Vehicle and the Environment ............... 431 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual M Seats and Restraint Systems ....................... 7 Front Seats .............................................. 8 Safety Belts ............................................ 16 Child Restraints ...................................... 31 Airbag System ........................................ 50 Restraint System Check ......................... 66 Features and Controls ................................ 69 Keys ....................................................... 71 Doors and Locks .................................... 78 Windows ................................................ 86 Theft-Deterrent Systems ......................... 88 Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ....... 90 Mirrors .................................................. 108 OnStar® System ................................... 114 Universal Home Remote System .......... 118 Storage Areas ...................................... 128 Roof Panel ........................................... 133 Convertible Top .................................... 138 Instrument Panel ....................................... 151 ................... 154 ................................... 177 Instrument Panel Overview Climate Controls Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators Driver Information Center (DIC) Audio System(s) .......................................... 186 ............ 205 ................................... 242 Driving Your Vehicle ................................. 271 Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Towing .............................................. 272 ................................................. 313 Service and Appearance Care .................. 315 ................................................. 318 ...................................................... 320 ......... 326 ............................................. 370 ................................ 370 ....................... 374 Service Fuel Checking Things Under the Hood Rear Axle Bulb Replacement Windshield Replacement Maintenance Schedule Maintenance Schedule .............................. 429 .......................... 430 Customer Assistance Information ............. 451 ... 452 ...................... 470 Index .......................................................... 473 Customer Assistance and Information Reporting Safety Defects Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ... 375 Tires ..................................................... 378 Appearance Care .................................. 407 Vehicle Identiﬁcation ............................. 418 Electrical System .................................. 419 Capacities and Speciﬁcations ................ 427 This manual describes features that may be available in this model, but your vehicle may not have all of them. For example, more than one entertainment system may be offered or your vehicle may have been ordered without a front passenger or rear seats. Keep this manual the vehicle, so it will be there if it is needed when on the road. If the vehicle is sold, leave this manual in it. 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 GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, the names CORVETTE and Z06 and the CORVETTE Emblem 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 Chevrolet Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual. Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 15865975 A First Printing ©2006 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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.” 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 (cid:127) Features and Controls in Section 2 (cid:127) (cid:127) Climate Controls in Section 3 (cid:127) Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3 Section 3 (cid:127) Audio System(s) in Section 3 (cid:127) Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5 These are some examples of symbols that may be found on the vehicle: Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Front Seats ..................................................... 8 Manual Seats ................................................ 8 Power Seats ................................................. 8 Power Lumbar and Side Bolsters .................. 9 Heated Seats .............................................. 10 Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel ...................................................... 10 Reclining Seatbacks .................................... 13 Seatback Latches ........................................ 15 Safety Belts .................................................. 16 Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ........... 16 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ............................................. 20 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ............. 21 Driver Position ............................................. 22 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy .............. 29 Passenger Position ...................................... 30 Safety Belt Pretensioners ............................ 30 Safety Belt Extender ................................... 30 Child Restraints ............................................ 31 Older Children ............................................. 31 Infants and Young Children ......................... 34 Child Restraint Systems .............................. 37 Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Z06 Models Only) .................... 42 Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Coupe and Convertible Models Only) ........................................... 45 Securing a Child Restraint in the Passenger Seat Position .......................... 46 Airbag System .............................................. 50 Where Are the Airbags? .............................. 53 When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? .................. 56 What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? ................... 57 How Does an Airbag Restrain? ................... 57 What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates? ................................................... 58 Passenger Sensing System ......................... 59 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...... 64 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .......................... 65 Restraint System Check ............................... 66 Checking the Restraint Systems .................. 66 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash ................................................... 67 Front Seats Manual Seats Power Seats To move a manual passenger seat, pull up the bar located under the front of the seat to unlock it. Slide the seat to where you want it and release the bar. Then try to move the seat forward with your body to make sure it is locked into place. The control for the driver’s power seat is located on the outboard side of the seat cushion. Your vehicle may also have a passenger power seat. (cid:127) Move the seat forward or rearward by sliding the control forward or rearward. (cid:127) Raise or lower the front part of the seat cushion by moving the front of the control up or down. (cid:127) Raise or lower the rear part of the seat cushion by moving the rear of the control up or down. Your preferred seat position can be stored and recalled if you have the memory option. See Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel on page 10. Power Lumbar and Side Bolsters Use the power seat control to move the seat to the proper position. See Power Seats on page 8. Use the vertical lumbar switch (A) to adjust support in the seatback. Press the switch forward to increase support. Press the switch rearward to decrease support. Use the horizontal switch (B) to adjust the side bolsters. Pull up the switch to move the wings of the seatback in closer to your body. Push down the switch to move the wings away from your body. Keep in mind that as your seating position changes, as it may during long trips, so should the position of your lumbar support. Adjust the seat as needed. Your vehicle may have power lumbar and side bolsters. The switches are located on the outboard side of the seat cushion. Heated Seats If your vehicle has heated seats, the buttons are located on the center console. Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel Each seat has two settings: high and low. To turn on the heated seats, press the top button once. The seat will heat to the high setting. Press the top button again to switch to the low setting. The lights on the top button will indicate which setting it is in. Press the bottom button to turn the system off. The heated seats can only be used when the ignition is on. When the vehicle is off, the heated seats will turn off. 10 If your vehicle has this feature, memory can program and recall the settings for the driver’s seating position. The controls for this feature are located on the driver’s door. The numbers on the back of the keyless access transmitters, 1 and 2, correspond to the numbers on the memory buttons. To program each button, use the following steps: 1. Adjust the settings for the driver’s seat position, both outside mirrors, and the telescopic steering column position to a comfortable driving position. 2. Press and hold button 1 until two beeps are heard, then release the button. Your settings are now programmed. A second seating, mirror, and telescopic steering column position can be programmed by repeating the above steps and pressing button 2 for driver 2. To recall a memory position, do one of the following: (cid:127) If you have an automatic transmission vehicle, press and release the desired button 1 or 2 while the vehicle is in PARK (P). A single beep will sound and the memory position will be recalled after a brief delay. If the vehicle is not in PARK (P), three beeps will sound and the memory position will not be recalled. (cid:127) If you have a manual transmission vehicle, press and release the desired button 1 or 2. If the vehicle is on, the parking brake needs to be set to recall the memory position. A single beep will sound and the memory position will be recalled after a brief delay. If the vehicle is on and the parking brake is not set, three beeps will sound and the memory position will not be recalled. If your vehicle has the Auto Memory Recall feature and it is turned on in the Driver Information Center (DIC), the seat, mirrors, and telescopic steering column position will automatically adjust to their programmed positions when the engine is started. See “Auto Memory Recall” under DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 232 for more information. To stop recall movement of the memory feature at any time, press one of the power seat controls, power mirror control buttons, memory buttons, or the telescopic steering column switch. 11 Easy Exit Seat Two personalized exit positions can also be programmed to allow for an easy exit or entry into the vehicle. The controls for this memory function are located on the driver’s door. B (Easy Exit Seat): This button is used to program and recall the desired driver’s seat exit position. To program an exit position, use the following steps: 1. Recall the desired driving position by pressing button 1 or 2. The seat will move to the programmed memory position. 2. Position the seat and the telescopic steering column position to a comfortable exit position. 3. Press and hold the exit button until two beeps sound. Your exit position is now programmed. A second exit position can be programmed by repeating the above steps and pressing the other memory button. 12 (cid:127) To recall an exit position, do one of the following: (cid:127) If you have an automatic transmission vehicle, press and release the exit button while the vehicle is in PARK (P). One beep will sound and the exit position for the currently identiﬁed driver will be recalled. If you have a manual transmission vehicle, press and release the exit button. The parking brake needs to be set to recall the memory position. One beep will sound and the exit position for the currently identiﬁed driver will be recalled. If your vehicle has the Auto Exit Recall feature and it is turned on in the DIC, automatic seat and telescopic steering column movement to the exit position will occur when you use the keyless access transmitter to unlock your vehicle or when you turn the engine off and open the driver’s door. See “Auto Exit Recall” under DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 232 for more information. Reclining Seatbacks {CAUTION: You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving. {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. The seats have manual reclining seatbacks. The lever used to operate them is located on the outboard side of the seats. To adjust the seatback, lean slightly forward to lift your weight off the seatback. Pull completely up on the lever until it stops, and lean back to position the seatback to where you want it. Release the lever to lock the seatback into place. 13 {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. 14 Seatback Latches To unlock, lift up on the latch and push the seatback rearward. When you return the seatback to its original position, make sure the seatback is locked in place. {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked. Both seatbacks fold forward to give you access to the rear area. To fold a seatback forward, lift this latch, which is located on top of the backside of the seat, and pull the seatback forward. The seatback will lock down in this position. 15 {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 can not wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and you are not wearing a safety belt, your injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, you might not be if you are buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt, and check that your passenger’s belt is fastened properly too. 16 Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. See Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 188. 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 40 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. 17 Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider does not stop. 18 The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield... or the instrument panel... 19 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 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. 20 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 passenger 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 31 or Infants and Young Children on page 34. 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. 21 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 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. 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 30. 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. 22 5. To make the lap part tight, pull up on the shoulder belt. It may be necessary to pull stitching on the safety belt through the latch plate to fully tighten the lap belt on smaller occupants. 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. 23 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. 24 Q: What is wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your lap belt is too loose. In a crash, you could slide under the lap belt and apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The lap belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. A: The lap belt is too loose. It will not give nearly as much protection this way. 25 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. 26 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. 27 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. 28 To unlatch the belt, 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. 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. 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. 29 Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt is not long enough, your dealer will order you an extender. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid personal injury, do not let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to ﬁt. The extender has been designed for adults. Never use it for securing child seats. To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt. For more information see the instruction sheet that comes with the extender. Passenger Position The passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt. To learn how to wear the passenger’s safety belt properly, see Driver Position on page 22. Safety Belt Pretensioners Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for the driver and right front passenger. Although you cannot see them, they are part of the safety belt assembly. They help tighten the safety belts during the early stages of a moderate to severe frontal and near frontal crash if the threshold conditions for pretensioner activation are met. And, if your vehicle has side impact airbags, safety belt pretensioners can help tighten the safety belts in a side crash. Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash, you will need to get new ones, and probably other new parts for your safety belt system. See Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash on page 67. 30 Child Restraints Older Children Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts. 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. According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positions. 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. 31 Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt, but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child’s face or neck? A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide. {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. 32 {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. 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. 33 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. {CAUTION: Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and the safety belt continues to tighten. Never leave children unattended in a vehicle and never allow children to play with the safety belts. 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. 34 {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. 35 {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. 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. 36 {CAUTION: The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that is unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints. 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. 37 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. 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. 38 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. 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. 39 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) (Z06 Models Only) on page 42 or Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Coupe and Convertible Models Only) on page 45 for more information. A child can be endangered in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle. 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. 40 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. {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. 41 Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Z06 Models Only) Some child restraints have a LATCH system. As part of the LATCH system, your child restraint may have lower attachments and/or a top tether. The LATCH system can help hold the child restraint in place during driving or in a crash. Some vehicles have lower and/or top tether anchors designed to secure a child restraint with lower attachments and/or a top tether. Your vehicle does not have lower anchors to accommodate lower attachments. Your vehicle does have a top tether anchor. If your child restraint has a top tether, make sure your child restraint is properly installed using the top tether anchor and the vehicle’s safety belt. A child restraint must never be installed using only the top tether and anchor. Refer to your child restraint instructions and see Securing a Child Restraint in the Passenger Seat Position on page 46 for instructions on securing your child restraint using the vehicle’s safety belts. 42 In order to use the top tether anchors in your vehicle, you need a child restraint equipped with a top tether. The child restraint manufacturer will provide you with instructions on how to use the child restraint and its top tether. The following explains how to attach a child restraint with the top tether in your vehicle. 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. 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. Top Tether Anchor Locations i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors. To assist you in locating the top tether anchors, the top tether anchor symbol is located on the trim cover. 43 Securing a Child Restraint with a Top Tether {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. 1. Secure the child restraint using the vehicle’s safety belt. See Securing a Child Restraint in the Passenger Seat Position on page 46. The top tether anchor is located behind the passenger seat. 44 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. Press the ribbed area of the trim cover to open the cover and expose the anchor. 2.3. Route, attach and tighten the top tether according to your child restraint instructions and the following instructions: If the position you are using has a ﬁxed head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the head restraint. If the position you are using has a ﬁxed head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether around the head restraint. 3. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Coupe and Convertible Models Only) Some child restraints have a LATCH system. As part of the LATCH system, your child restraint may have lower attachments and/or a top tether. The LATCH system can help hold the child restraint in place during driving or in a crash. Some vehicles have lower and/or top tether anchors designed to secure a child restraint with lower attachments and/or a top tether. 45 Some child restraints with a top tether are designed to be used whether the top tether is anchored or not. Other child restraints require that the top tether be anchored. A national or local law may require that the top tether be anchored. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. Your vehicle does not have lower anchors or top tether anchors to secure a child restraint with the LATCH system. If a national or local law requires that your top tether be anchored, do not use a child restraint in this vehicle because a top tether cannot be properly anchored. You must use the safety belts to secure your child restraint in this vehicle, unless a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored. Refer to your child restraint instructions and instructions in this manual for securing a child restraint using the vehicle’s safety belts. See Securing a Child Restraint in the Passenger Seat Position on page 46. Securing a Child Restraint in the Passenger Seat Position Your vehicle has a right front passenger airbag. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. In addition, your vehicle has the passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact airbag (if equipped) when an infant in a rear-facing infant seat or a small child in a forward-facing child restraint or booster seat is detected. See Passenger Sensing System on page 59 and Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 190 for more information on this including important safety information. Your vehicle has a label on the sun visor that says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys. Never put a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the passenger’s seat unless the passenger airbag status indicator shows off and the airbag is off. Here is why: 46 {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 the airbag is off before using a rear-facing child restraint in the passenger’s position. Even though the passenger sensing system is designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact airbag (if equipped) if the system detects a rear-facing child restraint, 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. We recommend CAUTION: (Continued) CAUTION: (Continued) that rear-facing child restraints be transported in vehicles with a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, whenever possible. If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the passenger’s position, move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the forward-facing child restraint. See Manual Seats on page 8 or Power Seats on page 8. If your vehicle is a coupe or a convertible, there is no top tether anchor in the passenger’s position. Do not secure a child restraint in this position if a national or local law requires that a top tether be anchored or if the instructions that came with your child restraint say that the top tether must be anchored. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Z06 Models Only) on page 42 or Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Coupe and Convertible Models Only) on page 45 if your child restraint has a top tether. 47 You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. 1. Your vehicle has a right front passenger’s frontal airbag. See Passenger Sensing System on page 59. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints not be transported in your vehicle, even if the airbag is off. If your child restraint is forward-facing, move the seat as far back as it will go before securing the child restraint in this seat. See Manual Seats on page 8 or Power Seats on page 8. When the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact airbag (if equipped), the off indicator in the passenger airbag status indicator should light and stay lit when the vehicle is started. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 190. 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. 48 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. You should not be able to pull more of the belt from the retractor once the lock has been set. 49 7. If your child restraint manufacturer recommends using a top tether and your vehicle is a Z06 model, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the instructions that came with the child restraint and to Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Z06 Models Only) on page 42 or Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (Coupe and Convertible Models Only) on page 45. 8. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure. 9. If the airbag is off, the off indicator in the inside rearview mirror will be lit and stay lit when the vehicle is started. If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint. If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion if possible. If the on indicator is still lit, do not secure a child restraint in this vehicle and check with your dealer. 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. Airbag System Your vehicle has a frontal airbag for the driver and a frontal airbag for the passenger. Your vehicle may also have a side impact airbag for the driver, and a side impact airbag for the right front passenger. If your vehicle has a side impact airbag for the driver and right front passenger, the word AIRBAG will appear on the airbag covering on the side of the seatback closest to the door. Airbags are designed to supplement the protection provided by safety belts. Even though today’s airbags are also designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inﬂating bag, all airbags must inﬂate very quickly to do their job. 50 Here are the most important things to know about the airbag system: {CAUTION: {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. All airbags are designed to work with safety belts, but do not replace them. Frontal airbags for the driver and passenger 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, frontal airbags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful airbags have provided in the past. Side impact airbags are designed to inﬂate in moderate to severe crashes where something hits the side of your vehicle. They are not designed to inﬂate in frontal, in rollover, or in rear crashes. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person. 51 {CAUTION: {CAUTION: Both frontal and side impact airbags inﬂate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you are too close to an inﬂating airbag, as you would be if you were leaning forward, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position for airbag inﬂation before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt even with frontal airbags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. Occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door. 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 31 and Infants and Young Children on page 34. 52 Where Are the Airbags? There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The system checks the airbag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 189 for more information. The driver’s frontal airbag is in the middle of the steering wheel. 53 The passenger’s frontal airbag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side. If your vehicle has a side impact airbag for the driver, it is in the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door. 54 If your vehicle has a side impact airbag for the right front passenger, it is in the side of the passenger’s seatback closest to the door. {CAUTION: If something is between an occupant and an airbag, the airbag might not inﬂate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury or even death. The path of an inﬂating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put anything between an occupant and an airbag, and do not attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other airbag covering. Do not let seat covers block the inﬂation path of a side impact airbag. 55 When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? The driver’s and passenger’s frontal airbags are designed to inﬂate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inﬂate only if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds take into account a variety of desired deployment and non-deployment events and are used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in time for the airbags to inﬂate and help restrain the occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will or should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the direction of the impact, and how quickly your vehicle slows down. In addition, your vehicle has “dual-stage” frontal airbags, which adjust the restraint according to crash severity. Your vehicle has electronic frontal sensors which help the sensing system distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact. For moderate frontal impacts, these airbags inﬂate at a level less than full deployment. For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. 56 If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall that does not move or deform, the threshold level for the reduced deployment is about 10 to 12 mph (16 to 19.3 km/h), and the threshold level for a full deployment is about 18 to 21 mph (28.9 to 33.8 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: (cid:127) 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. (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) Frontal airbags (driver and passenger) are not intended to inﬂate during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts. Your vehicle may or may not have side impact airbags. See Airbag System on page 50 for more information. Side impact airbags are intended to inﬂate in moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact airbag will inﬂate if the crash severity is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” The threshold level can vary with speciﬁc vehicle design. Side impact airbags are not intended to inﬂate in frontal or near-frontal impacts, rollovers, or rear impacts. A side impact airbag is intended to deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck. In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag should have inﬂated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. For frontal airbags, inﬂation is determined by what the vehicle hits, the angle of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal and near-frontal impacts. For side impact airbags, inﬂation is determined by the location and severity of the impact. 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, the airbag and related hardware are all part of the airbag modules. Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering wheel and instrument panel. For seating positions with side impact airbags, there are also airbag modules in the side of the seatbacks closest to the door. How Does an Airbag Restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle. 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. 57 But the frontal airbags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward the airbag. Side impact airbags would not help you in many types of collisions, including many frontal or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts. Airbags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions for vehicles with side impact airbags. 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 frontal airbag, the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s frontal airbag, and for seating positions with side impact airbags, the side of the seatback closest to the door — may be 58 hot for a short time. The parts of the airbag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There may be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deﬂated airbags. Airbag inﬂation does not prevent the driver from seeing out of the windshield or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent people from leaving the vehicle. {CAUTION: When an airbag inﬂates, there may be dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag inﬂates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door. 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, turn the interior lamps on, and turn on the hazard warning ﬂashers when the airbags inﬂate. You can lock the doors, turn the interior lamps off, and turn the hazard warning ﬂashers off by using the controls for those features. In many crashes severe enough to inﬂate an airbag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger airbag. (cid:127) Airbags are designed to inﬂate only once. After they inﬂate, you will need some new parts for the airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag system will not be there to help protect you in another crash. 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 has a crash sensing and diagnostic module which records information after a crash. See Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders on page 464. (cid:127) 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. Passenger Sensing System Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. The passenger airbag status indicator in the rearview mirror will be visible when you start the vehicle. United States Canada The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off, will be visible during the system check. 59 When the system check is complete, either the word ON or the word OFF, or the symbol for on or the symbol for off, will be visible. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 190. The passenger sensing system will turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact airbag (if equipped) under certain conditions. The driver’s airbags are not part of the passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the passenger’s seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly seated occupant and determine if the passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact airbag (if equipped) should be enabled (may inﬂate) or not. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We recommend that rear-facing child restraints not be transported in your vehicle, even if the airbag is off. Your vehicle has a label on the sun visor that says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great if the airbag deploys. Never put a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the passenger’s seat unless the passenger airbag status indicator shows off and the airbags are off. {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the passenger’s airbag inﬂates. This is

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2007 Chevrolet Corvette Owners Manual