2001 Chevrolet Venture Owners Manual

Make sure the seat is in the full rear position before beginning this procedure.

2. Make sure the bench seat is angled so that the front hooks clear the floor pins.

If the front legs are not attached correctly, the rear legs will not attach to the rear set of floor pins.

1. Squeeze the angled bar toward the solid crossbar

while placing the front hooks of the bench seat onto the front two floor pins.

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If the front latches are not attaching correctly, check that the seat is in the full rear position.

3. Firmly push the rear hooks onto the rear floor pins

by pushing down on the rear of the seat.

4. Try to raise the seat to check that it is locked down.

CAUTION:

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

5. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon strap on the back of the seat and raise the seatback until it locks upright.

6. Push and pull on the seatback to check that it

is locked.

CAUTION:

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

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7. If you have the 40/60 seat, attach the mini-buckle so that the safety belt is ready for use when a passenger uses the seat. The buckle reattaches by pushing the latch into the buckle until the red center pops out again. Repeat these steps for the other section of the split bench seat.

CAUTION:

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

Bucket Seats If you have the rear bucket seats, the seatbacks can be folded down or reclined. The seats can also be adjusted forward or rearward and removed.

Folding or Reclining the Seatbacks The seatback on a bucket seat can be either folded down or reclined. The following explains how to use either the nylon strap or the lever to fold or recline the seatback.

To fold down the seatback, pull this nylon strap on the rear of the seat.

To raise a seatback, pull the nylon strap while raising the seatback until it locks upright.

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To fold down the seatback, lift up on this lever located on the front of the seatback.

Adjusting the Bucket Seats There are two adjustment levers on each seat to adjust the seat forward or rearward.

Use the lever to raise or lower the seatback to the desired position. When raising a seatback to an upright position, push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is locked upright.

One is located below the center, in front of the bucket seats.

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The other lever is located on the rear of the bucket seat.

Removing the Bucket Seats Make sure the seatback is in the upright position. The head restraints should be fully down. 1. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon strap

on the back of the seat to fold the seatback forward. 2. Slide the seat all the way back by lifting either one of the adjuster levers and sliding the seat fully rearward.

Lift up either lever and slide the seat forward or rearward. Release the lever. Push and pull on the seat to make sure that it is locked into place.

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3. From behind the seat, pull the nylon strap, located at

the base of the seat, to release the rear latches from the floor pins.

You can also lift the lever on the side of the seat to release the rear latches from the floor pins. Do not let go of the strap or the lever until the seat is folded all the way forward.

4. To unlatch the front latches, with the seat folded

forward, squeeze the angled bar toward the straight crossbar.

5. Remove the seat by rocking it slightly forward, then toward the rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out. This should be done in one motion.

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Replacing the Bucket Seats Don’t put the seats in so they face rearward because they won’t latch that way. If you want more storage room behind the seat, adjust the seat by sliding it forward. The bucket seats have seat position labels, located on the back of the seat, showing where the seat must go. Follow that diagram. The seat must be placed in the proper location for the legs to attach correctly. See “Rear Seats” in the beginning of this section for more details. The left bucket seat goes in the A and B sets of floor pins. The center bucket seat goes in the C and D sets of floor pins. The right bucket seat goes in the E and F sets of floor pins. Make sure the seat is in the full rear position before beginning this procedure.

1. With the seat folded, squeeze the angled bar toward

the solid crossbar while placing the front hooks of the bucket seat onto the front two floor pins.

2. Make sure the bucket seat is angled so that the front hooks clear the floor pins.

If the front legs are not attached correctly, the rear legs will not attach to the rear set of floor pins.

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If the front latches are not attaching correctly, check that the seat is in the full rear position.

3. Firmly push the rear hooks onto the rear floor pins

by pushing down the rear of the seat.

CAUTION:

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

4. Try to raise the seat to check that it is locked down. 5. Lift the seatback recliner lever or pull the nylon strap on the back of the seat and raise the seatback until it locks upright.

6. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is

locked in place.

CAUTION:

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

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It is easier to raise or lower the seatback if you lean forward, taking the weight off the seatback. The armrests can be lowered or raised for entering or exiting the vehicle. The seatbacks on the captain’s chairs also fold forward to put items behind the left and right seats. Lift up on the recliner lever and fold the seatback forward. The seatback will lock into place when you push it back to the upright position.

CAUTION:

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

Captain’s Chairs If your vehicle has the captain’s chairs, the seatbacks can be folded forward or reclined and the seats can be removed.

To recline the seatback, lift up on the recliner lever located on the outboard side of the seat. Use the recliner lever to move the seatback to the desired position.

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Removing the Captain’s Chairs

Adjusting the Captain’s Chairs (Second Row) The second row captain’s chairs can be adjusted forward or rearward. There are two adjustment levers on each seat. One is located below the center, in front of the seat. The other is located across the rear of the seat. Lift up either lever to slide the seat forward or rearward. Release the lever. Push and pull on the seat to make sure it is locked into place.

1. Pull the nylon strap behind the chair to release the

rear hooks from the floor pins.

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Replacing the Captain’s Chairs The captain’s chairs have seat position labels, located on the back of the seat, showing where the seat must go. Follow that diagram. The seat must be placed in the proper location for the legs to attach correctly. See “Rear Seats” in the beginning of this section for more details. The left chair goes in the A and C sets of floor pins. The right chair goes in the D and F sets of floor pins.

2. The seat can then be lifted off the front floor pins

and removed from the vehicle.

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1. Hook the front latches over the front floor pins.

2. Push the rear of the seat down to lock the rear

latches onto the rear set of floor pins.

3. Push and pull on the seat to be sure it is

properly attached.

CAUTION:

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

CAUTION:

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

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Stowable Seat The optional stowable seat is a full bench seat and comes with the convenience center. See “Convenience Center” in the Index for more information. The stowable seat can be removed and replaced, or with the seatback folded, it can lie flush with the convenience center.

Folding the Seatback

To fold down the seatback, pull up on the lever on the back of the seat and push the seatback down until it is locked into place.

Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is locked into place.

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To raise the seatback, do one of the following: D From the rear of the vehicle, pull up on the lever to release the seatback, then pull the strap, located on the right side of the seat, to pull the seatback up. The seatback has a velcro patch to stow the strap on the rear of the seat when not in use, or

D from the passenger’s side sliding door, pull up on

the lever to release the seatback, then push up on the seatback to raise the seat.

Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that it is locked into the upright position.

CAUTION:

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

Removing the Stowable Seat 1. Remove the convenience center, if it is in the

vehicle. See “Convenience Center” in the Index for more information.

2. Make sure all items are off of the stowable seat. 3.

If the seatback is down, put the seatback in its upright position. See “Folding the Seatback” previously.

4. From behind the bench seat, push up the release

handles at the base of the seat to release the latches from the floor pins.

5. While holding onto the crossbar at the bottom

of the seat, remove the seat by rocking it slightly toward the rear of the vehicle and then pulling it out. This should be done in one motion.

NOTICE:

Do not use the release handles to pull the seat out. The handles could break during removal. This will not be covered by your warranty. Use the crossbar at the bottom of the seat when pulling the seat out.

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Replacing the Stowable Seat Do not put the stowable seat in so it faces rearward because it will not latch that way. The stowable seat has to go in before the convenience center. See “Convenience Center” in the Index for more information. The stowable seat has seat position labels, located on the back of the seat, showing where the seat must go. Follow the floor pin diagram. Use the front floor pins of the floor cups and the rear floor cups in the third row. Use G, H, I, and J sets of floor cups. See “Rear Seats” in the beginning of this section for more information. The seat must be placed in the proper location for the legs to attach correctly. Make sure the seat is in its upright position before beginning this procedure. 1. Place the front hooks of the seat onto the front floor pins in the third row. To do this, the seat will need to be angled so the front hooks clear the floor pins. If the front legs are not attached correctly, the rear legs will not attach to the rear set of floor pins.

2. Firmly push the rear hooks into the rear floor pins

by pushing down on the rear of the seat.

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3. Try to raise the seat to make sure that it is

locked down.

4. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure that

it is locked into place.

CAUTION:

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

CAUTION:

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

Safety Belts: They’re 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. And it explains the air bag system.

CAUTION:

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

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.

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Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. See “Safety Belt Reminder Light” in the Index.

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

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

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

Put someone on it.

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider doesn’t stop.

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

or the instrument panel ...

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Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an

accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

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

Q: If my vehicle has air bags, why should I have

to wear safety belts?

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

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

Q: If I’m 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’re in an

accident -- even one that isn’t your fault -- you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers.

Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone.

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly Adults 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 the part of this manual called “Children.” Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We’ll start with the driver position. Driver Position This part describes the driver’s restraint system. Lap-Shoulder Belt The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it properly. 1. Close and lock the door. 2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight.

To see how, see “Seats” in the Index.

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

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section. 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.

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

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

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

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

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Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt adjuster to the height that is right for you.

To move it down, push down on the button and move the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move the adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder belt guide. After you move the adjuster to where you want it, try to move it down without pushing the button down to make sure it has locked into position. Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder.

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Q: What’s 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 won’t give nearly

as much protection this way.

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Q: What’s 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.

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CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if your belt goes over an armrest like this. The belt would be much too high. In a crash, you can slide under the belt. The belt force would then be applied at the abdomen, not at the pelvic bones, and that could cause serious or fatal injuries. Be sure the belt goes under the armrests.

Q: What’s wrong with this?

A: The belt is over an armrest.

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Q: What’s 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 aren’t as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen.

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

be worn over the shoulder at all times.

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Q: What’s wrong with this?

CAUTION:

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

A: The belt is twisted across the body.

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

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

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

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The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly. Right Front Passenger Position To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see “Driver Position” earlier in this section. The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt -- except for two things.

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If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle the belt. On some vehicles, if you pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all the way, you will engage the child restraint locking feature. If this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and start again.

Air Bag Systems This part explains the frontal and side impact air bag systems. Your vehicle has four air bags -- a frontal air bag for the driver, another frontal air bag for the right front passenger, a side impact air bag for the driver, and another side impact air bag for the right front passenger. Frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating frontal air bag. But these air bags must inflate very quickly to do their job and comply with federal regulations. Here are the most important things to know about the air bag systems:

CAUTION:

You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you aren’t wearing your safety belt -- even if you have air bags. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it.

CAUTION: (Continued)

CAUTION: (Continued)

Air bags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. All air bags are designed to work with safety belts but don’t replace them. Frontal air bags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to work only in moderate to severe crashes where the front of your vehicle hits something. They aren’t designed to inflate at all in rollover, rear, side or low-speed frontal crashes. And, for unrestrained occupants, frontal air bags may provide less protection in frontal crashes than more forceful air bags have provided in the past. The side impact air bags for the driver and right front passenger are designed to inflate only in moderate to severe crashes where something hits the side of your vehicle. They aren’t 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’s an air bag for that person.

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CAUTION:

CAUTION:

Both frontal and side impact air bags inflate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating air bag, as you would be if you were leaning forward, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position for air bag inflation before and during a crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with frontal air bags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. Front occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door.

Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any air bag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer the best protection for adults, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its air bag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Always secure children properly in your vehicle. To read how, see the part of this manual called “Children.”

There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows the air bag symbol.

The system checks the air bag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index for more information.

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How the Air Bag Systems Work

Where are the air bags?

The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.

The right front passenger’s frontal air bag is in the instrument panel on the passenger’s side. The driver’s side impact air bag is in the side of the driver’s seatback closest to the door.

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CAUTION:

If something is between an occupant and an air bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person. The path of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t put anything between an occupant and an air bag, and don’t attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other air bag covering and don’t let seat covers block the inflation path of a side impact air bag.

The right front passenger’s side impact air bag is in the side of the passenger’s seatback closest to the door.

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When should an air bag inflate? The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are designed to inflate only if the impact speed is above the system’s designed “threshold level.” If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is about 12 to 19 mph (19 to 31 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags are not designed to inflate in rollovers, side impacts, or rear impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant. The side impact air bags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact air bag 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 air bags are not designed to inflate in frontal or near-frontal impacts, rollovers or rear impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant. A side impact air bag will only deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck.

In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air bag should have inflated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. For frontal air bags, inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal and near-frontal impacts. For side impact air bags, inflation is determined by the location and severity of the impact.

What makes an air bag inflate? In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For both frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the steering wheel, instrument panel and the side of the front seatbacks closest to the door.

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How does an air bag 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. The air bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag. Side impact air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including frontal or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward those air bags. Air bags 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 air bags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions for the driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact air bags.

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What will you see after an air bag inflates? After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the air bag inflated. Some components of the air bag module -- the steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag, the side of the seatback closest to the door for the driver and right front passenger’s side impact air bags -- will be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t prevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.

CAUTION:

When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but can’t get out of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door.

In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger air bag. D Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After an air bag inflates, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system won’t be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include air bag modules and possibly other parts. The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts. D Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and

diagnostic module, which records information about the frontal air bag system. The module records information about the readiness of the system, when the system commands air bag inflation and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment. The module also records speed, engine rpm, brake and throttle data.

D Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag systems. Improper service can mean that an air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer for service.

NOTICE:

If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the right front passenger’s air bag, or the air bag covering on the driver’s and right front passenger’s seatback, the bag may not work properly. You may have to replace the air bag module in the steering wheel, both the air bag module and the instrument panel for the right front passenger’s air bag, or both the air bag module and seatback for the driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact air bag. Do not open or break the air bag coverings.

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Safety Belt Pretensioners Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners. You’ll find them on the buckle end of the safety belts for the driver and right front passenger. They help the safety belts reduce a person’s forward movement in a moderate to severe crash in which the front of the vehicle hits something. Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash, you’ll need to get new ones, and probably other new parts for your safety belt system. See “Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash” in the Index. Rear Seat Passengers It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced. There are parts of the air bag systems in several places around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag systems. To purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner Publications” in the Index.

CAUTION:

For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air bag can still inflate during improper service. You can be injured if you are close to an air bag when it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are probably part of the air bag systems. Be sure to follow proper service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualified to do so.

The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.

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Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions

Lap-Shoulder Belt The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder belts. Here’s how to wear one properly.

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

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

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

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Second Row Outside Passenger Positions

Third Row Outside Passenger Positions

If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

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

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

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The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor.

CAUTION:

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

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

Here’s how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt:

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Your vehicle may have rear shoulder belt comfort guides. This feature will provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better positions the belt away from the neck and head. If your vehicle has bucket seats in the second row, there is one guide for each outside passenger position. If your vehicle has a bench seat in the second row, there is one guide for the left-hand outside passenger position. To provide added safety belt comfort for children who have outgrown child restraints and for smaller adults, the comfort guides may be installed on the shoulder belts.

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

the seatback.

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2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the two edges

of the belt into the slots of the guide.

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

The guide must be on top of the belt.

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Center Passenger Position (Bench Seat)

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as

described in “Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions” earlier in this section. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder.

To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out from the guides. Slide the guide onto the storage clip.

Lap Belt If your vehicle has a third row rear bench seat, someone can sit in the center position.

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When you sit in the center position of the bench seat, you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull it along the belt.

To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug. Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lap part of a lap-shoulder belt. If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

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Center Passenger Position (Bucket Seat)

Lap Belt If your vehicle has bucket seats, someone can sit in the center position bucket seat.

When you sit in the center position bucket seat, you have a lap safety belt which has a retractor. 1. Pick up the latch plate and, in a single motion, pull the belt across you. Don’t let it get twisted.

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

If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, let it go back all the way and start again. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.

3. Feed the lap belt into the retractor to tighten it.

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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. Infants and Young Children Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by the appropriate restraint. Young children should not use the vehicle’s safety belts, unless there is no other choice.

4. Position and release it the same way as the lap part

of a lap-shoulder belt. If the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

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CAUTION: (Continued)

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.

CAUTION:

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

CAUTION: (Continued)

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CAUTION:

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

Q: What are the different types of add-on

child restraints?

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

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

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.

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CAUTION:

CAUTION:

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

The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that 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’s unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints.

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Built-in Child Restraint (Option)

Bucket Seat

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60/40 Bench Seat

If your vehicle has this option in a bucket seat, each bucket seat that has the built-in child restraint fits in only one location in your vehicle. To find out where a bucket seat that has a built-in child restraint must be located in your vehicle, see “Removable Rear Bucket Seats” in the Index. If your vehicle has this option in a 60/40 bench seat, this bench seat will only fit in the second row of your vehicle. In both types of seats, the built-in child restraint works the same way.

This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Each child restraint is designed for use only by children who weigh between 22 and 40 pounds (10 and 18 kg) and whose height is between 33.5 and 40 inches (850 and 1 016 mm) and who are capable of sitting upright alone. The child should also be at least one year old. It is important to use a rear-facing infant restraint until the child is about a year old. A rear-facing restraint gives the infant’s head, neck and body the support they would need in a crash. See “Child Restraints” later in this section for more information.

Q: What if the top of my child’s shoulders is above

the shoulder belt slots for the five-point child restraint harness system?

A: A child whose shoulders are above the shoulder belt slots for the five-point child restraint harness system shouldn’t use this child restraint. Instead, the child should sit on the vehicle’s regular seat cushion and use the vehicle’s adult safety belts.

CAUTION:

BEFORE YOU USE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT, BE SURE THE TOP OF THE CHILD’S SHOULDERS IS BELOW THE SLOTS THAT THE HARNESS GOES THROUGH. A CHILD WHOSE SHOULDERS ARE ABOVE THOSE SLOTS COULD BE INJURED DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. IF THE TOP OF THE CHILD’S SHOULDERS IS ABOVE THE SLOTS, DON’T USE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

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Securing a Child in the Built-In Child Restraint

1. Raise the head restraint until the lower edge of the head restraint is even with the top of the seatback.

2. Rotate the head restraint rearward until it touches the top of the seatback. Make sure there is no gap between the lower edge of the head restraint and the top of the seatback.

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3. Lower the child restraint cushion.

You’ll be using the child restraint’s harness (A) to secure your child. Don’t use the vehicle’s safety belts.

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CAUTION:

Using the vehicle’s regular safety belts on a child seated on the child restraint cushion can cause serious injury to the child in a sudden stop or crash. If a child is the proper size for the built-in child restraint, secure the child using the child restraint’s harness. But children who are too large for the built-in child restraint should sit on the vehicle’s regular seat and use the vehicle’s adult safety belts.

WARNING! FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS ON THE USE OF THIS CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN YOUR CHILD STRIKING THE VEHICLE’S INTERIOR DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. SNUGLY ADJUST THE BELTS PROVIDED WITH THIS CHILD RESTRAINT AROUND YOUR CHILD.

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4. Before placing the child in the child restraint, add

slack to the shoulder harness. Pull the black shoulder harness release strap firmly. At the same time pull both shoulder harness straps through the slots in the seatback as shown.

5. Place the child on the child restraint cushion.

8. Place the other side of the harness over the

child’s shoulder.

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

6. Select only one side of the harness. Place the harness

over the child’s shoulder.

7. Push the latch plate (B) into the buckle until it clicks.

Be sure the buckle is free of any foreign objects that may prevent you from securing the latch plates. If you can’t secure a latch plate, see your dealer for service before using the child restraint.

10. Pull up on both latch plates to make sure they

are secure.

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CAUTION:

An unfastened shoulder harness clip won’t help keep the harness in place on the child’s shoulders. If the harness isn’t on the child’s shoulders, it won’t be able to restrain the child’s upper body in a sudden stop or crash. The child could be seriously injured. Make sure the harness clip is properly fastened.

11. Now fasten the left and right halves of the shoulder

harness clip together. The purpose of this clip is to help keep the harness positioned on the child’s shoulders.

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12. Pull the shoulder harness adjustment strap (C)

firmly until the harness is snugly adjusted around the child. You should not be able to put more than two fingers between the harness and the child’s chest. Make sure the harness and buckle strap are not twisted.

13. Adjust the position of the harness on the child’s

shoulder by moving the clip up or down along the harness. On each side of the harness, the shoulder part should be centered on the child’s shoulder. The harness should be away from the child’s face and neck, but not falling from the child’s shoulders. If you expect that the child will sleep while riding, you can recline the seatback. See “Seats” in the Index.

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Removing the Child from the Built-In Child Restraint

2. Unlatch the harness by pushing the button on

the buckle.

3. Move one side of the harness off the child’s shoulder. 4. Move the other side of the harness off the

child’s shoulder.

5. Remove the child from the child restraint cushion.

1. Unfasten the shoulder harness clip.

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Storing the Built-In Child Restraint Always properly store the built-in child restraint before using the vehicle’s lap-shoulder belt.

1. Move both latch plates and both sides of the shoulder

harness clip to the bottom of the harness straps.

2. Fold the child restraint cushion and leg rest up into

the seatback.

3. Press the child restraint cushion firmly into

the seatback.

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4. Then press the leg rest firmly into the seatback, and

secure it by pressing the upper corners against the fastener strips on the seatback.

5. Rotate the head restraint forward and push it all the

way down.

Just like the other restraint systems in your vehicle, your built-in child restraint needs to be periodically checked and may need to have parts replaced after a crash. See “Checking Your Restraint Systems” and “Replacing Seat and Restraint System Parts After a Crash” in the Index.

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Restraint Systems for Children

An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed to restrain or position a child on a continuous flat surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the center of the vehicle.

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

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A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for the child’s body with the harness and also sometimes with surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-like shields.

A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to improve the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and some high-back booster seats have a five-point harness. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window.

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Q: How do child restraints work? 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. For many years, add-on child restraints have used the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to be secured within the restraint. The vehicle’s belt system secures the add-on child restraint in the vehicle, and the add-on child restraint’s harness system holds the child in place within the 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.

When choosing a 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. These restraints use the belt system in your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury. 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. Q: When securing an aftermarket child seat in a

bucket seat, I am unable to get the seat fastened in snugly enough. What should I do?

A: With some child seats, it may be difficult to tighten

the vehicle belts so that there is less side-to-side or front-to-back movement of the child seat. A replacement buckle, which makes it easier to secure your child seat, is available from your dealer at no charge to you.

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Where to Put the Restraint (Except Cargo Vans) Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. General Motors, therefore, recommends that child restraints be secured in a rear seat including an infant riding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat. Here’s why:

CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating air bag. Always secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat. You may secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, but before you do, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It’s better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat.

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

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Top Strap Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.” It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision. For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to the vehicle. If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available.

Where to Put the Restraint (Cargo Vans) The child restraint must be secured properly in the passenger seat. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in this vehicle. Here’s why:

CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating air bag. Do not use a rear-facing child restraint in this vehicle. If a forward-facing child restraint is suitable for your child, always move the passenger seat as far back as it will go.

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.

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In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be anchored. An anchor bar for a top strap is located at the rear of the seat cushion for each second and third row outboard seating positions, and for the center position of the second row. The anchor bar for the stowable bench seat is located on the passenger’s side of the crossbar. Use the center seating position to use the anchor properly. If the convenience center is in the vehicle, you must lift the tray sill to use the anchor.

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Second Row

Third Row

Third Row (Stowable Seat)

Don’t use a child restraint with a top strap in the right front passenger’s position because there’s no place to anchor the top strap.

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Anchor the top strap to one of these anchor points. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed. If you have an adjustable head restraint, raise the head restraint and route the top strap under it. Once you have the top strap anchored, you’ll be ready to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions say.

Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) Your vehicle has the LATCH system. You’ll find anchors (A) in the second row driver’s side bucket seat, the 40 side of the 60/40 split bench seat and both second row captain’s chairs.

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In order to use the system, you need either a forward-facing child restraint that has attaching points (B) at its base and a top tether anchor (C), or a rear-facing child restraint that has attaching points (B), as shown here.

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CAUTION:

If a LATCH-type child restraint isn’t attached to its anchorage points, the restraint won’t be able to protect a child sitting there. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchorage points, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint. See “Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position” in the Index for information on how to secure a child restraint in your vehicle using the vehicle’s safety belts.

With this system, use the LATCH system instead of the vehicle’s safety belts to secure a child restraint.

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Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System 1. Find the anchors for the seating position you want to use, where the bottom of the seatback meets the back of the seat cushion.

2. Put the child restraint on the seat. 3. If the child restraint is forward-facing, attach the

anchor points on the child restraint to the anchors in the vehicle. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

4. Attach the top strap to the top strap anchor. See “Top

Strap” in the Index. Tighten the top strap according to the child restraint instructions.

5. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, simply unhook the top strap from the top tether anchor and then disconnect the anchor points.

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position

You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one. 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.

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1. Put the restraint on the seat. 2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder

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

Third Row Outside Passenger Positions Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed. If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or neck, put it behind the child restraint.

Second Row Outside Passenger Position

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

4. Some vehicles have a child restraint locking feature

on the shoulder belt retractor. You can tell if your vehicle has this feature by pulling the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor. Then, let the belt go back a few inches, and try to pull the belt out again. If you can’t pull the belt out because it has locked, it means the retractor has the child restraint locking feature. If the belt doesn’t lock and you can pull the belt out of the retractor again, it means your vehicle doesn’t have the child restraint locking feature on the shoulder belt retractor.

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D If your vehicle has the child restraint locking feature on the shoulder belt retractor, pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re 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.

D If your vehicle doesn’t have the child restraint locking feature on the shoulder belt retractor, tighten the belt by pulling up on the shoulder belt while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re 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.

5. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.

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Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Seat Position (Third Row Bench Seat)

You’ll be using the lap belt. 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. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one.

1. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch

plate and pulling it along the belt.

2. Put the restraint on the seat. 3. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

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5. To tighten the belt, pull its free end while you

push down on the child restraint. If you’re 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.

6. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt. It will be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.

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.

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Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Seat Position (Bucket Seat)

You’ll be using the lap belt. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say. 1. Put the restraint on the seat.

2. Pull the lap belt all the way out without stopping. 3. While holding it out, run the belt through or around

the child restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

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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.

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5. To tighten the belt, feed it back into the retractor

while you push down on the child restraint. If you’re 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.

6. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position

CAUTION:

Your vehicle has a front passenger air bag. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in this seat. Here’s why:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the front passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inflating air bag. If your vehicle is a passenger van, always secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat. If your vehicle is a cargo van, do not use a rear-facing child restraint in this vehicle. If a forward-facing child restraint is suitable for your child, always move the passenger seat as far back as it will go.

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Although a rear seat is a safer place, you can secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat. You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part about the top strap if the child restraint has one. 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. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger air

bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go before securing a forward-facing child restraint. See “Seats” in the Index.

2. Put the 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.

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Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed. If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or neck, put it behind the child restraint.

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. Some vehicles have a child restraint locking feature

on the shoulder belt retractor. You can tell if your vehicle has this feature by pulling the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor. Then, let the belt go back a few inches, and try to pull the belt out again. If you can’t pull the belt out because it has locked, it means the retractor has the child restraint locking feature. If the belt doesn’t lock and you can pull the belt out of the retractor again, it means your vehicle doesn’t have the child restraint locking feature on the shoulder belt retractor.

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D If your vehicle has the child restraint locking

feature on the shoulder belt retractor, pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint. You may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

D If your vehicle doesn’t have the child restraint locking feature on the shoulder belt retractor, tighten the belt by pulling up on the shoulder belt while you push down on the child restraint. You may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.

6. Push and pull the child restraint in different

directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.

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Older Children

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

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

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

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

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CAUTION:

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

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. If the child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see “Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” in the Index. If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still very close to the child’s face or neck, you might want to place the child in a seat that has a lap belt, if your vehicle has one.

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CAUTION:

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

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

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Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. The extender will be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt. Checking Your Restraint Systems Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. If your vehicle has a built-in child restraint, also periodically make sure the harness straps, latch plates, buckle, clip, child head restraint and anchorages are working properly.

Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt and built-in child restraint system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt or built-in child restraint system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away. If your vehicle has the built-in child restraint, torn or frayed harness straps can rip apart under impact forces just like torn or frayed safety belts can. They may not protect a child in a crash. If a harness strap is torn or frayed, get a new harness right away. Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.)

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Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash If you’ve had a crash, do you need new safety belts or built-in child restraint parts? After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. But if the safety belts or built-in child restraint harness straps were stretched, as they would be if worn during a more severe crash, then you need new safety belts or harness straps. If the frontal air bags inflate, you’ll also need to replace the driver’s and right front passenger’s safety belt buckle assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the new buckle assembly will be there to help protect you in a collision.

If safety belts or built-in child restraint harness straps are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt, built-in child restraint or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the safety belt or built-in child restraint wasn’t being used at the time of the collision. If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in this section.

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Section 2 Features and Controls

Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting, shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.

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Windows Keys Door Locks Remote Keyless Entry System (Option) Multifunction Alarm Locks and Lighting Choices Dual Sliding Doors Power Sliding Door (Option) Liftgate Theft Content Theft-Deterrent (Option) PASS-KeyR III New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped) Automatic Transaxle Operation Parking Brake Shifting Into PARK (P)

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Shifting Out of PARK (P) Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust Running Your Engine While You’re Parked Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever Exterior Lamps Interior Lamps Storage Compartments Accessory Inflator System (Option) Accessory Power Outlets OnStarR System (If Equipped) HomeLinkR Transmitter (Option) The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System Warning Lights, Gages, Messages and Indicators

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Driver Information Center (DIC) (Option) Rear Parking Assist (Option)

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Windows

CAUTION:

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

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Manual Windows Use the manual crank to open and close the front windows.

Power Windows (Option)

If your vehicle has power windows, the switches on the driver’s door armrest control the front windows when the ignition is in RUN, ACCESSORY or when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See “Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” in the Index. The left switch controls the driver’s window. The right switch controls the passenger’s window. The driver’s power window switch has two down positions. Push the switch to the first position to lower the window normally.

To raise the window, pull up the front of the switch. Express-Down Window To activate the express-down feature, push the switch all the way down, then release. The window will lower completely. To stop the window from lowering all the way, pull up the front of the switch. Side Window Latches The rear of each side window swings open.

To open, push the latch forward to release it, then swing the window outward. Press the center of the latch to secure the window in the open position.

To close, pull the center of the latch forward and then close the latch. Press the center of the latch to secure the window in the closed position.

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Power Rear Quarter Windows (If Equipped)

This button, located in the overhead console switchbank, is used for opening and closing the power rear quarter windows.

Press the bottom of the switch to close both windows. The windows can be closed fully or partway depending on how long the switch is pushed. The ignition must be in RUN, ACCESSORY or when retained accessory power (RAP) is active, to use the power rear quarter windows. See “Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” in the Index. Rear Side Panels (Cargo Van) The windows on the cargo van are opaque glass. These operate the same as the rear side windows in the regular van.

Press the top of the switch to open the windows; both windows will open. The windows can be opened fully or partway depending on how long the switch is pushed.

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Keys

CAUTION:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or others could be badly injured or even killed. They could operate the power windows or other controls or even make the vehicle move. Don’t leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

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The master key can be used for the ignition as well as all door locks, the liftgate lock and the storage compartments.

If you need a new key, contact your Chevrolet dealer, who can obtain the correct key code. In an emergency, call Chevrolet Roadside Assistance. See “Roadside Assistance” in the Index for more information.

Your vehicle has the PASS-KeyR III vehicle theft system. The key has a transponder in the key head that matches a decoder in the vehicle’s steering column. If a replacement key or any additional key is needed, you must purchase this key from your dealer. The key will have PK3 stamped on it. Keep the bar code tag that came with the original keys. Give this tag to your dealer if you need a new key made. Any new PASS-Key III key must be programmed before it will start your vehicle. See “PASS-KeyR III” in the Index for more information on programming your new key.

NOTICE:

Your vehicle has a number of new features that can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock your key inside. You may even have to damage your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have an extra key.

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Door Locks

CAUTION:

Unlocked doors can be dangerous. D Passengers -- especially children -- can

easily open the doors and fall out of a moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle won’t open it. You increase the chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors aren’t locked. So, wear safety belts properly and lock the doors whenever you drive.

D Young children who get into unlocked

vehicles may be unable to get out. A child can be overcome by extreme heat and can suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle whenever you leave it.

D Outsiders can easily enter through an

unlocked door when you slow down or stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can help prevent this from happening.

There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle. From the outside, use your key or the optional remote keyless entry transmitter. To unlock either front door from the outside with the key, insert the key and turn it toward the front of the vehicle. You can lock either front door from the outside with your key by inserting and turning it toward the rear of the vehicle.

To lock either front door from the inside, push the manual lever forward. To unlock either front door from the inside, pull back on the manual lever.

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Power Door Locks

From the inside, press the front of the power door lock switch (on either front door) to unlock all doors and the liftgate. If your vehicle has the optional content theft-deterrent system, the power door lock switch will not unlock the doors until the system is disarmed. See “Content Theft-Deterrent” in the Index for more details. You can lock all doors and the liftgate from the inside by pressing the rear of the power lock switch on either front door. If your vehicle has the optional content theft-deterrent system, the power door lock switch may cause the system to arm. See “Content Theft-Deterrent” in the Index for more details. 2-8

To unlock any door or the liftgate from the outside with your key, turn the key toward the front of the vehicle and release it. This will only unlock that door or the liftgate. To unlock all the doors and the liftgate at once, insert the key into the key cylinder, then turn it toward the front of the vehicle and hold it for one second. With power door locks, you can lock all the doors from the outside by inserting the key and turning the key toward the rear of the vehicle. Also, when the doors are locked with the power door locks, the inside as well as the outside door handle cannot open the doors. This safety feature prevents a door from being accidentally opened from the inside by moving the handle. To override this safety feature, unlock the door you want to open. When the liftgate has been unlocked with the power door locks, you won’t need the key to open it. Simply squeeze the handle located above the license plate. This is also true if you use the optional remote keyless entry transmitter. See “Remote Keyless Entry System” later in this section.

Last Door Closed Locking The last door closed locking feature makes it easier to use your power door locks to lock all the doors and the liftgate when leaving your vehicle. The first time you attempt to lock the doors using the power lock switch or the optional remote keyless entry transmitter, three chimes will signal that last door closed locking is being used when any door or the liftgate is open. All doors and the liftgate can be re-opened for up