2012 Chevrolet Express Owners Manual

Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash { WARNING A crash can damage the airbag systems in the vehicle. A damaged airbag system may not work properly and may not protect you and your passenger(s) in a crash, resulting in serious injury or even death. To help make sure the airbag systems are working properly after a crash, have them inspected and any necessary replacements made as soon as possible.

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Seats and Restraints

Child Restraints

Older Children

Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle safety belts. The manufacturer's instructions that come with the booster seat state the weight and height limitations for that booster.

Use a booster seat with a lap-shoulder belt until the child passes the fit test below: . Sit all the way back on the seat.

Do the knees bend at the seat edge? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat.

. Buckle the lap-shoulder belt.

Does the shoulder belt rest on the shoulder? If yes, continue. If no, try using the rear safety belt comfort guide. See “Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” under Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3‑11 for more information. If the shoulder belt still does not rest on the shoulder, then return to the booster seat.

. Does the lap belt fit low and

snug on the hips, touching the thighs? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat.

. Can proper safety belt fit be

maintained for the length of the trip? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat.

Q: What is the proper way to

wear safety belts?

A: An older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should fit snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. This applies belt force to the child's pelvic bones in a crash. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash.

Also see “Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” under Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3‑11. According to accident statistics, children and infants are safer when properly restrained in a child restraint system or infant restraint system secured in a rear seating position.

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WARNING (Continued)

The child might also slide under the lap belt. The belt force would then be applied right on the abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest.

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.

{ WARNING

Never do this. Never allow two children to wear the same safety belt. The safety belt cannot properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A safety belt must be used by only one person at a time.

{ WARNING

Never do this. Never allow a child to wear the safety belt with the shoulder belt behind their back. A child can be seriously injured by not wearing the lap-shoulder belt properly. In a crash, the child would not be restrained by the shoulder belt. The child could move too far forward increasing the chance of head and neck injury.

(Continued)

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WARNING (Continued)

For example, in a crash at only 40 km/h (25 mph), a 5.5 kg (12 lb) infant will suddenly become a 110 kg (240 lb) force on a person's arms. An infant should be secured in an appropriate restraint.

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Seats and Restraints

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. { WARNING

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.

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. Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate child restraints. Children who are not restrained properly can strike other people, or can be thrown out of the vehicle.

{ WARNING

Never do this. Never hold an infant or a child while riding in a vehicle. Due to crash forces, an infant or a child will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it during a crash. (Continued)

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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.

{ WARNING

Never do this. Children who are up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the right front seat. Secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat. It is also better to secure a forward-facing child restraint in a rear seat. If you must secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go.

Q: What are the different types of

add-on child restraints?

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

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Seats and Restraints

{ WARNING

{ WARNING

Child Restraint Systems

To reduce the risk of neck and head injury during a crash, infants need complete support. This is because an infant's neck is not fully developed and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing child restraint 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 should always be secured in rear-facing child restraints.

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. To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries during a crash, young children should always be secured in appropriate child restraints.

(A) Rear‐Facing Infant Seat

A rear-facing infant seat (A) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint.

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(B) Forward-Facing Child Seat

(C) Booster Seats

A forward-facing child seat (B) provides restraint for the child's body with the harness.

A booster seat (C) is a child restraint designed to improve the fit of the vehicle's safety belt system. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window.

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Securing an Add-On Child Restraint in the Vehicle { WARNING

A child can be seriously injured or killed in a crash if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle. Secure the child restraint properly in the vehicle using the vehicle safety belt or LATCH system, following the instructions that came with that child restraint and 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 System) on page 3‑46 for more information.

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Seats and Restraints

Children 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 the vehicle — even when no child is in it.

In some areas of the United States and Canada, Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) are available to inspect and demonstrate how to correctly use and install child restraints. In the U.S., refer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website to locate the nearest child safety seat inspection station. For CPST availability in Canada, check with Transport Canada or the Provincial Ministry of Transportation office.

Securing the Child Within the Child Restraint

{ WARNING

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

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Where to Put the Restraint According to accident statistics, children and infants are safer when properly restrained in a child restraint system or infant restraint system secured in a rear seating position. We recommend that children and child restraints be secured in a rear seat, including: an infant or a child riding in a rear-facing child restraint; a child riding in a forward-facing child seat; an older child riding in a booster seat; and children, who are large enough, using safety belts. If a child restraint is secured in the right front passenger seat, and there is a switch on the instrument panel to manually turn off the right front passenger airbag. See Airbag On-Off Switch on page 3‑26 and Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat Position) on page 3‑53 or Securing Child Restraints (Front Seat-Passenger Sensing System) on page 3‑55 or Securing Child

Restraints (Front Seat-Airbag On/Off Switch) on page 3‑58 for more information, including important safety information. A label on the sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.

{ WARNING

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inflates and the passenger seat is in a forward position.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

Even if the passenger sensing system or airbag switch has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag, no system is fail-safe. No one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat.

When securing a child restraint in a rear seating position, study the instructions that came with the child restraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle.

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Seats and Restraints

Child restraints and booster seats vary considerably in size, and some may fit in certain seating positions better than others. Always make sure the child restraint is properly secured. Depending on where you place the child restraint and the size of the child restraint, you may not be able to access adjacent safety belt assemblies or LATCH anchors for additional passengers or child restraints. Adjacent seating positions should not be used if the child restraint prevents access to or interferes with the routing of the safety belt. If the vehicle does not have a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, a rear-facing child restraint should not be installed in the vehicle, even if the airbag is off. Wherever a child restraint is installed, be sure to secure the child restraint properly.

Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in the vehicle — even when no child is in it.

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) The LATCH system holds a child restraint during driving or in a crash. This system is designed to make installation of a child restraint easier. The LATCH system uses anchors in the vehicle and attachments on the child restraint that are made for use with the LATCH system. Make sure that a LATCH-compatible child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle's safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual.

When installing a child restraint with a top tether, you must also use either the lower anchors or the safety belts to properly secure the child restraint. A child restraint must never be installed using only the top tether strap and anchor. In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint that has LATCH attachments. The child restraint manufacturer will provide you with instructions on how to use the child restraint and its attachments. The following explains how to attach a child restraint with these attachments in your vehicle. Not all vehicle seating positions or child restraints have lower anchors and attachments or top tether anchors and attachments.

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Lower Anchors

Top Tether Anchor

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

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

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Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or a dual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B) to secure the top tether to the anchor. Some child restraints that have a top tether 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. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint.

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Seats and Restraints

Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor Locations

Do not install three child restraints in the same row at the same time and never install two top tethers using the same top tether anchor.

Second, Third, and Fourth Row

with Three-Passenger Seat

i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors. j (Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors. See the information following for installing a child restraint with a top tether in the second, third, and fourth row center positions.

Front Passenger Position

i (Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors. The second, third, and fourth row with three-passenger seats have exposed metal lower anchors located in the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion.

Second, Third, and Fourth Row

with Three-Passenger Seat — Passenger Van

There are two top tether anchors in the second‐, third‐, and fourth-row three-passenger seats. To install a child restraint in the rear driver-side seating positions, use anchor point (A). To install a child restraint in the rear passenger-side seating positions, use anchor point (B). To install a child restraint in the rear center seating positions, use anchor point (B). Never install two top tethers using the same top tether anchor.

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If the vehicle is equipped with a four-passenger fourth‐ or fifth-row seat, it does not have upper or lower anchors. If a child restraint is placed in the four-passenger fourth or fifth-row seat, it must be secured using the vehicle safety belts. See “Rear Seat Position” under Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat Position) on page 3‑53 or Securing Child Restraints (Front Seat-Passenger Sensing System) on page 3‑55 or Securing Child Restraints (Front Seat-Airbag On/Off Switch) on page 3‑58 for more information.

Front Passenger Position

There is a top tether anchor for the front passenger position with a front passenger seat. The anchor is located at the rear of the seat cushion on the right front passenger seat.

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Do not secure a child restraint in a position without a top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that the top tether be attached, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be attached. According to accident statistics, children and infants are safer when properly restrained in a child restraint system or infant restraint system secured in a rear seating position. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 3‑45 for additional information.

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Seats and Restraints

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System

{ WARNING

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

{ WARNING

Do not attach more than one child restraint to a single anchor. Attaching more than one child

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

restraint to a single anchor could cause the anchor or attachment to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured. To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries during a crash, attach only one child restraint per anchor.

{ WARNING

Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and the safety belt continues to tighten. Buckle any unused safety belts behind the child restraint so children cannot reach them. Pull the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock, if the vehicle has one, after the child restraint has been installed.

Notice: Do not let the LATCH attachments rub against the vehicle’s safety belts. This may damage these parts. If necessary, move buckled safety belts to avoid rubbing the LATCH attachments. Do not fold the empty rear seat with a safety belt buckled. This could damage the safety belt or the seat. Unbuckle and return the safety belt to its stowed position, before folding the seat. 1. Attach and tighten the lower

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

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2.

1.1. Find the lower anchors for

the desired seating position.

1.2. Put the child restraint on

the seat.

1.3. Attach and tighten the lower

attachments on the child restraint to the lower anchors.

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. For the second, third, and

fourth row with three-passenger seats only, in the rear driver-side seating positions, use anchor point (A). For the rear passenger-side seating positions, use anchor point (B).

For the center seating positions, use anchor point (B). Never install two top tethers using the same top tether anchor.

2.3. Route and tighten the top

tether according to your child restraint instructions and the following instructions:

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

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

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Seats and Restraints

Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash { WARNING

A crash can damage the LATCH system in the vehicle. A damaged LATCH system may not properly secure the child restraint, resulting in serious injury or even death in a crash. To help make sure the LATCH system is working properly after a crash, see your dealer to have the system inspected and any necessary replacements made as soon as possible.

If the vehicle has the LATCH system and it was being used during a crash, new LATCH system parts may be needed. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the LATCH system was not being used at the time of the crash.

If the position you are using has an integrated headrest or head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether around the headrest or head restraint.

If the position you are using has an integrated headrest or head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the headrest or head restraint.

3. Before placing a child in the

child restraint, make sure it is securely held in place. To check, grasp the child restraint at the LATCH path and attempt to move it side to side and back and forth. There should be no more than 2.5 cm (1 in) of movement for proper installation.

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Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat Position) When securing a child restraint in a rear seating position, study the instructions that came with the child restraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle. If the child restraint has the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 3‑46 for how and where to install the child restraint using LATCH. If a child restraint is secured in the vehicle using a safety belt and it uses a top tether, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 3‑46 for top tether anchor locations. Do not secure a child seat in a position without a top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored.

In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. If the child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you will be using the safety 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. If more than one child restraint needs to be installed in the rear seat, be sure to read Where to Put the Restraint on page 3‑45. 1. Put the child restraint on

the seat.

2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

3. Push the latch plate into the

buckle until it clicks. Position the release button on the buckle so that the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary.

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Seats and Restraints

6.

If the child restraint has a top tether, follow the child restraint manufacturer's instructions regarding the use of the top tether. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 3‑46 for more information.

7. Before placing a child in the

child restraint, make sure it is securely held in place. To check, grasp the child restraint at the safety belt path and attempt to move it side to side and back and forth. When the child restraint is properly installed, there should be no more than 2.5 cm (1 in) of movement. To remove the child restraint, unbuckle the vehicle safety belt and let it return to the stowed position. If the top tether is attached to a top tether anchor, disconnect it.

4. Pull the shoulder belt all the way

out of the retractor to set the lock. When the retractor lock is set, the belt can be tightened but not pulled out of the retractor.

5. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt, and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. When installing a forward-facing child restraint, it may be helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is locked. If the retractor is not locked, repeat Steps 4 and 5.

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Securing Child Restraints (Front Seat-Passenger Sensing System) This vehicle has airbags. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 3‑45. On vehicles with a passenger sensing system, the system is designed to turn off the right front passenger frontal airbag under certain conditions. See Passenger Sensing System on page 3‑30 and Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 5‑20 for more information, including important safety information. A label on the sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.

{ WARNING

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

(Continued)

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WARNING (Continued)

Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat. See Passenger Sensing System on page 3‑30 for additional information.

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

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Seats and Restraints

If the child restraint has the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 3‑46 for how and where to install the child restraint using LATCH. If a child restraint is secured using a safety belt and it uses a top tether, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 3‑46 for top tether anchor locations. Do not secure a child seat in a position without a top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached.

You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. 1. Move the seat as far back as it

will go before securing the forward-facing child restraint. When the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag, the off indicator on the passenger airbag status indicator should light and stay lit when the vehicle is started. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 5‑20.

2. Put the child restraint on

the seat.

3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle's safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

4. Push the latch plate into the

buckle until it clicks. Position the release button on the buckle so that the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary.

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7.

If the vehicle does not have a rear seat and the child restraint has a top tether, follow the child restraint manufacturer's instructions regarding the use of the top tether. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 3‑46 for more information.

8. Before placing a child in the

child restraint, make sure it is securely held in place. To check, grasp the child restraint at the safety belt path and attempt to move it side to side and back and forth. When the child restraint is properly installed, there should be no more than 2.5 cm (1 in) of movement.

If the airbag is off, the off indicator in the passenger airbag status indicator will come on and stay on when the vehicle is started.

5. Pull the shoulder belt all the way

out of the retractor to set the lock. When the retractor lock is set, the belt can be tightened but not pulled out of the retractor.

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. When installing a forward-facing child restraint, it may be helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is locked. If the retractor is not locked, repeat Steps 5 and 6.

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Seats and Restraints

If the child restraint has been installed and the on indicator is lit, see “If the On Indicator is Lit for a Child Restraint” under Passenger Sensing System on page 3‑30 for more information. To remove the child restraint, unbuckle the vehicle safety belt and let it return to the stowed position. If the top tether is attached to a top tether anchor, disconnect it.

Securing Child Restraints (Front Seat-Airbag On/Off Switch) This vehicle has airbags. A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where to Put the Restraint on page 3‑45. On vehicles with an airbag on/off switch, you can use this feature to turn off the right front passenger frontal airbag. The switch is located on the instrument panel.

See Airbag On-Off Switch on page 3‑26 for more information, including important safety information. A label on the sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.

{ WARNING

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inflates and the passenger seat is in a forward position.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

Even if the airbag switch has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag, no system is fail-safe. No one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under some unusual circumstance, even though it is turned off. Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If you secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat.

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{ WARNING If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and stays on, it means that something may be wrong with the airbag system. For example, the right front passenger airbag could inflate even though the airbag on-off switch is turned off. To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right away. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5‑18 for more information, including important safety information.

If the vehicle does not have a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, a rear-facing child restraint should not be installed in the vehicle, even if the airbag is off. If the child restraint has the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 3‑46 for how and where to install the child restraint using LATCH. If a child restraint is secured using a safety belt and it uses a top tether, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 3‑46 for top tether anchor locations.

Seats and Restraints

3-59

Do not secure a child seat in a position without a top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that the top tether be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached.

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3-60

Seats and Restraints

You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. 1. Move the seat as far back as it

will go before securing the forward-facing child restraint. If you have no other choice but to install a rear-facing child restraint in this seat, make sure the airbag is off once the child restraint has been installed. When the airbag off switch has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag, the off indicator in the airbag off light should light and stay lit when the vehicle is started. See Airbag On-Off Light on page 5‑18.

2. Put the child restraint on

the seat.

3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

4. Push the latch plate into the

buckle until it clicks. Position the release button on the buckle so that the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary.

5. Pull the shoulder belt all the way

out of the retractor to set the lock. When the retractor lock is set, the belt can be tightened but not pulled out of the retractor.

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Seats and Restraints

3-61

To remove the child restraint, unbuckle the vehicle safety belt and let it return to the stowed position. If the top tether is attached to a top tether anchor, disconnect it. If you turned the airbag off with the switch, turn on the right front passenger airbag when you remove the child restraint from the vehicle unless the person who will be sitting there is a member of a passenger airbag risk group. See Airbag On-Off Switch on page 3‑26 for more information, including important safety information.

7.

If the vehicle does not have a rear seat and the child restraint has a top tether, follow the child restraint manufacturer's instructions regarding the use of the top tether. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) on page 3‑46 for more information.

8. Before placing a child in the

child restraint, make sure it is securely held in place. To check, grasp the child restraint at the safety belt path and attempt to move it side to side and back and forth. When the child restraint is properly installed, there should be no more than 2.5 cm (1 in) of movement.

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. When installing a forward-facing child restraint, it may be helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is locked. If the retractor is not locked, repeat Steps 5 and 6.

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3-62

Seats and Restraints

2 NOTES

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Storage

4-1

Storage

Storage Compartments

Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Storage Compartments

Front Storage This vehicle may have a front storage compartment. It is located at the center of the instrument panel extension, by the floor. To open the compartment, pull up on the latch. The compartment will open automatically. Storage compartments may also be included on the inside of each front door.

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4-2

Storage

2 NOTES

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Instruments and Controls

5-1

Instruments and Controls

Controls

Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-2
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-5
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators

Warning Lights, Gauges, and

Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Engine Oil Pressure

Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15

Engine Coolant Temperature

Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16

Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-17
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-18
Airbag On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Passenger Airbag Status

Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-20
Malfunction

Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21

Brake System Warning

Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . 5-25
StabiliTrak® OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-25
Traction Control System

(TCS)/StabiliTrak® Light . . . . 5-26
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-27
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-28

Information Displays

Driver Information

Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28

Vehicle Messages

Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Battery Voltage and Charging

Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-34
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Engine Cooling System

Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-37
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-37
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-38
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-38
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Ride Control System

Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Airbag System Messages . . . . 5-40
Anti-theft Alarm System

Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Service Vehicle Messages . . . 5-40
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Transmission Messages . . . . . 5-42
Vehicle Reminder

Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42

Vehicle Personalization

Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . 5-42

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5-2

Instruments and Controls

Controls

Steering Wheel Adjustment

To adjust the steering wheel: 1. Pull the lever to move the

steering wheel up or down into a comfortable position.

2. Release the lever to lock the

steering wheel in place.

Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.

Steering Wheel Controls

For vehicles with a tilt steering wheel, the lever is located on the left side of the steering column.

If available, some audio controls can be adjusted at the steering wheel. See Cruise Control on page 9‑37 for more information on other steering wheel control.

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w (Next): Press to go to the next favorite radio station, track on a CD, or folder on an iPod® or USB device. c / x (Previous/End): Press to go to the previous favorite radio station, track on a CD, or folder on an iPod® or USB device. Also press to reject an incoming call, or end a current call.

Instruments and Controls

5-3

Radio To select preset or favorite radio stations: Press and release w or c / x to go to the next or previous radio station stored as a preset or favorite.

CD To select tracks on a CD: Press and release w or c / x to go to the next or previous track.

Selecting Tracks on an iPod or USB Device 1. Press and hold w or c / x

while listening to a song until the contents of the current folder display on the radio display.

2. Press and release w or c / x to scroll up or down the list, then press and hold w, or press ¨ to play the highlighted track.

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5-4

Instruments and Controls

Navigating Folders on an iPod or USB Device 1. Press and hold w or c / x

while listening to a song until the contents of the current folder display on the radio display.

2. Press and hold c / x to go back to the previous folder list.

3. Press and release w or c / x

to scroll up or down the list.

To select a folder, press and hold w, or press ¨ when the folder is highlighted. To go back further in the folder list, press and hold c / x.

b / g (Push to Talk): Press to silence the vehicle speakers only. Press again to turn the sound on. For vehicles with Bluetooth or OnStar® systems, press and hold for longer than two seconds to interact with those systems. See Bluetooth on page 7‑24 and OnStar Overview on page 14‑1 for more information. SRCE (Source/Voice Recognition): Press to switch between the radio and CD, and for equipped vehicles, the front auxiliary. ¨ (Seek): Press to go to the next radio station while in AM, FM, or XM™. For vehicles with a CD Player or USB port: Press ¨ to go to the next track or chapter while sourced to the CD.

Press ¨ to select a track or a folder when navigating folders on an iPod or USB device. While listening to a CD, press and hold ¨ to quickly move forward through the tracks. Release to stop on the desired track.

+ e : Press to increase volume.

− e : Press to decrease volume.

Horn Press the horn symbol in the middle of the steering wheel to sound the horn.

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Windshield Wiper/Washer

The windshield wiper control is located on the multifunction lever on the left side of the steering wheel. Turn the band with N on it to select the wiper speed. 8 (Mist): Use for a single wipe. Hold the band on z, then release. For several wipes, hold the band on z longer.

Instruments and Controls

5-5

6 (Adjustable Interval Wipes): Use to adjust the delay time between wipes. Turn the band up for more frequent wipes or down for less frequent wipes. d (Low Speed): Slow wipes. a (High Speed): Fast wipes. 9 (Off): Use to turn the wipers off. When driving during the day and the wipers are activated, the head lamps automatically turn on after completing eight wipe cycles. Clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using them. If frozen to the windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. Damaged blades should be replaced.

Windshield Washer The windshield wiper paddle is located on top of the multifunction lever. L (Washer Fluid): Push the paddle to spray washer fluid on the windshield. The wipers will clear the window and then either stop or return to the preset speed. { WARNING

In freezing weather, do not use the washer until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking your vision.

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5-6

Instruments and Controls

Compass This vehicle may have a compass in the Driver Information Center (DIC).

Compass Zone Your dealer will set the correct zone for your location. Under certain circumstances, such as during a long distance cross-country trip or moving to a new state or province, it will be necessary to compensate for compass variance by resetting the zone through the DIC if the zone is not set correctly.

Compass variance is the difference between the earth's magnetic north and true geographic north. If the compass is not set to the zone where you live, the compass may give false readings. The compass must be set to the variance zone in which the vehicle is traveling. To adjust for compass variance, use the following procedure:

Compass Variance (Zone) Procedure 1. Do not set the compass zone

when the vehicle is moving. Only set it when the vehicle is in P (Park).

Press T until PRESS V TO CHANGE COMPASS ZONE displays.

2. Find the vehicle's current

location and variance zone number on the map. Zones 1 through 15 are available.

3. Press V to scroll through and select the appropriate variance zone.

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4. Press 3 until the vehicle heading, for example, N for North, is displayed in the DIC. If calibration is necessary, calibrate the compass. See “Compass Calibration Procedure” following.

5.

Compass Calibration The compass can be manually calibrated. Only calibrate the compass in a magnetically clean and safe location, such as an open parking lot, where driving the vehicle in circles is not a danger. It is suggested to calibrate away from tall buildings, utility wires, manhole covers, or other industrial structures, if possible. If CAL should ever appear in the DIC display, the compass should be calibrated.

Instruments and Controls

5-7

If the DIC display does not show a heading, for example, N for North, or the heading does not change after making turns, there may be a strong magnetic field interfering with the compass. Such interference may be caused by a magnetic CB or cell phone antenna mount, a magnetic emergency light, magnetic note pad holder, or any other magnetic item. Turn off the vehicle, move the magnetic item, then turn on the vehicle and calibrate the compass. To calibrate the compass, use the following procedure:

Compass Calibration Procedure 1. Before calibrating the compass, make sure the compass zone is set to the variance zone in which the vehicle is located. See “Compass Variance (Zone) Procedure” earlier in this section.

Do not operate any switches such as window, climate controls, seats, etc. during the calibration procedure.

2. Press T until PRESS V TO

CALIBRATE COMPASS displays.

3. Press V to start the compass

calibration.

4. The DIC will display

CALIBRATING: DRIVE IN CIRCLES. Drive the vehicle in tight circles at less than 8 km/h (5 mph) to complete the calibration. The DIC will display CALIBRATION COMPLETE for a few seconds when the calibration is complete. The DIC display will then return to PRESS V TO CALIBRATE COMPASS.

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5-8

Instruments and Controls

Clock

AM/FM Radio with Optional CD Player If the vehicle has an AM/FM radio with an optional CD player, it has a H button for setting the time. With these types of radios, the clock can be set with either the radio turned on or off. Set the time by following these steps: 1. Press H until the hour begins flashing on display. Press this button a second time and the minutes begin flashing on display. Press H a third time and the 12HR or 24HR time format begins flashing.

2. While either the hour or the

minutes are flashing, turn the f knob, located on the upper right side of the radio, clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the time. While the 12HR or 24HR time format is flashing, turn the f knob clockwise or counterclockwise to select the default time settings.

3. Press H again until the clock display stops flashing to set the currently displayed time; otherwise, the flashing stops after five seconds and the current time displayed is automatically set.

MP3 Radio with a Single CD Player If the vehicle has a radio with a single CD (MP3) player, the radio has a H button for setting the time and date.

To set the time and date, follow the instructions: 1. Press H and the HR, MIN, MM, DD, YYYY (hour, minute, month, day, and year) displays.

2. Press the softkey located under

any one of the tabs that you want to change. Every time the softkey is pressed again, the time or the date if selected, increases by one. Another way to increase the time or date, is to press ¨ SEEK or \ FWD (forward).

3. To decrease, press © SEEK or

s REV. You can also turn the f knob, located on the upper right side of the radio, to adjust the selected setting.

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Changing the Time and Date Default Settings You can change the time default setting from 12 hours to 24 hours or change the date default setting from month/day/year to day/month/year. To change the time or date default settings, follow these instructions: 1. Press H and then the softkey

located under the forward arrow that is currently displayed on the radio screen until the time 12H (hour) and 24H (hour), and the date MM/DD (month and day) and DD/MM (day and month) are displayed.

2. Press the softkey located under

the desired option.

3. Press H again to apply the selected default, or let the screen time out.

Instruments and Controls

5-9

MP3 Radio with a Six-Disc CD Player If the vehicle has a radio with a six-disc CD player, the radio has a MENU button instead of H to set the time and date. To set the time and date, follow these instructions: 1. Press the MENU button. Once

the H option displays, press the softkey located under that tab. The HR, MIN, MM, DD, YYYY (hour, minute, month, day, and year) displays.

2. Press the softkey located under any one of the tabs to change. Every time the softkey is pressed again, the time or the date if selected, increases by one. Another way to increase the time or date, is to press ¨ SEEK or \ FWD (forward).

3. To decrease, press © SEEK or

s REV, or turn the f knob, located on the upper right side of the radio, to adjust the selected setting.

Changing the Time and Date Default Settings To change the time default setting from 12 hours to 24 hours or change the date default setting from month/day/year to day/month/year. To change the time or date default settings, follow these instructions: 1. Press the MENU button. Once

the H option displays, press the softkey located under the forward arrow that is currently displayed on the radio screen until the 12H (hour) and 24H (hour), and the date MM/DD (month and day) and DD/MM (day and month) displays.

2. Press the softkey located under

the desired option.

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5-10

Instruments and Controls

3. Press the MENU button again to apply the selected default, or let the screen time out.

Power Outlets The accessory power outlets can be used to plug in electrical equipment, such as a cell phone or an MP3
player. The vehicle may have two accessory power outlets located on the instrument panel. Remove the cover to access and replace when not in use. Certain power accessory plugs may not be compatible to the accessory power outlet and could overload vehicle or adapter fuses. If a problem is experienced, see your dealer.

{ WARNING

Power is always supplied to the outlets. Do not leave electrical equipment plugged in when the vehicle is not in use because the vehicle could catch fire and cause injury or death.

Notice: Leaving electrical equipment plugged in for an extended period of time while the vehicle is off will drain the battery. Always unplug electrical equipment when not in use and do not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum 20 ampere rating. When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the proper installation instructions included with the equipment. See Add-On Electrical Equipment on page 9‑58. Notice: Hanging heavy equipment from the power outlet can cause damage not covered

by the vehicle warranty. The power outlets are designed for accessory power plugs only, such as cell phone charge cords.

Cigarette Lighter To use the cigarette lighter, if the vehicle has one, push it in all the way, and let go. When it is ready for use, it will pop back out by itself. Do not use the lighter to plug in accessory devices. Use the power outlets provided. Notice: Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is heating does not let the lighter back away from the heating element when it is hot. Damage from overheating can occur to the lighter or heating element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in while it is heating.

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Ashtrays The vehicle may have a removable ashtray. The ashtray can be placed into the front floor console cupholder. Open cover to use. Notice: If papers, pins, or other flammable items are put in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking materials could ignite them and possibly damage the vehicle. Never put flammable items in the ashtray.

Instruments and Controls

5-11

Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators Warning lights and gauges can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to the warning lights and gauges could prevent injury. Warning lights come on when there could be a problem with a vehicle function. Some warning lights come on briefly when the engine is started to indicate they are working.

Gauges can indicate when there could be a problem with a vehicle function. Often gauges and warning lights work together to indicate a problem with the vehicle. When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on while driving, or when one of the gauges shows there may be a problem, check the section that explains what to do. Follow this manual's advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly and even dangerous.

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5-12

Instruments and Controls

Instrument Cluster

English 4‐Speed Version Shown, 6‐Speed and Metric Similar

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If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement for more information.

Speedometer The speedometer shows the vehicle's speed in either kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph).

Instruments and Controls

5-13

Odometer The odometer shows how far the vehicle has been driven, in either kilometers or miles. This vehicle has a tamper‐resistant odometer. The digital odometer will read 999,999 if it is turned back. If the vehicle needs a new odometer installed, it must be set to the mileage total of the old odometer. If that is not possible, then it must be set at zero and a label must be put on the driver door to show the old mileage reading when the new odometer was installed.

Trip Odometer The trip odometer can show how far the vehicle has been driven since the trip odometer was last set to zero. Press the 3 on the Driver Information Center (DIC) switch to display the trip odometer and the regular odometer information. See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 5‑28 for more information on resetting the trip odometer. To display the odometer reading with the ignition off, press the 3
on the Driver Information Center (DIC) switch.

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5-14

Instruments and Controls

Fuel Gauge

Metric

English

The fuel gauge, when the ignition is on, indicates how much fuel is left in the vehicle fuel tank. An arrow on the fuel gauge indicates the side of the vehicle the fuel door is on. The gauge first indicates empty before the vehicle is out of fuel, and the fuel tank should be refueled soon.

Listed are four situations customers might experience with the fuel gauge. None of these indicate a problem with the fuel gauge: . At the gas station, the fuel pump