2011 GMC Sierra Owners Manual

Sunroof (Extended Cab)

On vehicles with a sunroof, the sunroof switch is located on the headliner above the rearview mirror. The sunroof only operates when the ignition is in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN or the Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active.

Keys, Doors and Windows

2-21

See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 9‑40 for more information. Vent: From the closed position, press and hold the rear of the switch (B) to vent the sunroof. To close the sunroof, press and hold the front of the switch. Open: From the vent position, the sunroof can be fully opened either manually or by using the express-open feature. To open manually, press the rear of the switch (A) to the first detent and hold until the sunroof has reached the desired position. To open using express-open, press the rear of the switch to the second detent and release. The sunroof will move to the full open position. To stop the sunroof partway, press the switch a second time.

Close: From the vent, or open position, press and hold the front of the switch (A) to close the sunroof. The sunroof also has a roller sunshade that can be used to block the rays of the sun. The roller sunshade can be manually operated with the sunroof in an open or closed position. To open the sunshade, press and unlatch it, and roll it back. To close, pull it forward and latch it into the closed position. When the sunroof is opened, an air deflector will automatically raise. The air deflector will retract when the sunroof is closed.

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Keys, Doors and Windows

Sunroof (Crew Cab)

Dirt and debris may collect on the sunroof seal or in the track. This could cause an issue with sunroof operation, noise, or plugging the water drainage system. Periodically open the sunroof and remove any obstacles or loose debris. Wipe the sunroof seal and roof sealing area using a clean cloth, mild soap, and water. Do not remove grease from the sunroof.

A. Open or Close B. Vent On vehicles with a sunroof, there are two sunroof switches located in the overhead console above the rearview mirror.

The sunroof only operates when the ignition is in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN or the Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 9‑40 for more information. To open or close the sunroof, press the open or close switch (A) to the first detent position. To express open or close the sunroof, press the open or close switch (A) to the second detent position and release. To stop the movement, press the switch again. The sunroof has a comfort stop feature which stops the sunroof from opening to the full-open position. From the comfort stop position, press the open or close switch (A) a second time to open the sunroof to the full-open position.

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To automatically vent or close the sunroof, press the vent open or close switch (B). When the sunroof is opened, an air deflector will automatically raise. The air deflector will retract when the sunroof is closed. The sunroof also has a sunshade which can be pulled forward to block sun rays. The sunshade must be opened and closed manually. If an object is in the path of the sunroof while it is closing, the anti-pinch feature will detect the object and stop the sunroof.

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or plugging the water drainage system. Periodically open the sunroof and remove any obstacles or loose debris. Wipe the sunroof seal and roof sealing area using a clean cloth, mild soap, and water. Do not remove grease from the sunroof.

Dirt and debris may collect on the sunroof seal or in the track. This could cause an issue with sunroof operation, noise,

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Keys, Doors and Windows

2 NOTES

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Seats and Restraints

3-1

Child Restraints

Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Infants and Young

Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-51
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . 3-54
Where to Put the Restraint . . . 3-56
Lower Anchors and Tethers

for Children (LATCH System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57

Replacing LATCH System

Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-66

Securing Child Restraints

(Rear Seat Position) . . . . . . . . 3-66

Securing Child Restraints

(Right Front Seat Position) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-69

Securing Child Restraints

(Center Front Seat Position) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-78

Seats and Restraints

Head Restraints

Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Front Seats

Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . 3-4
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Rear Seats

Rear Seats (Extended Cab

Full Bench) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

Rear Seats (All Split Bench

and Hybrid Full Bench) . . . . . 3-11

Safety Belts

Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
How to Wear Safety Belts

Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Safety Belt Use During

Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26

Lap Belt (Crew and

Extended Cab) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-27
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Replacing Safety Belt System

Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-28

Airbag System

Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . 3-31
When Should an Airbag

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32

What Makes an Airbag

Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34

How Does an Airbag

Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35

What Will You See After an

Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
Airbag On-Off Switch . . . . . . . . 3-37
Passenger Sensing

System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40

Servicing the Airbag-Equipped

Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-46

Adding Equipment to the

Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . 3-46
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . 3-48
Replacing Airbag System

Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-48

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Seats and Restraints

Head Restraints The front seats have adjustable head restraints in the outboard seating positions.

{ WARNING

With head restraints that are not installed and adjusted properly, there is a greater chance that occupants will suffer a neck/spinal injury in a crash. Do not drive until the head restraints for all occupants are installed and adjusted properly.

Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the restraint is at the same height as the top of the occupant's head. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.

Pull the head restraint up to raise it. To lower the head restraint, press the button, located on the top of the seatback, and push the restraint down. Push down on the head restraint after the button is released to make sure that it is locked in place. The head restraints are not designed to be removed. The rear seat has headrests that can be adjusted up and down.

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Seats and Restraints

3-3

Center Seat If equipped, the center front seatback doubles as an armrest and cupholder/storage area for the driver and passenger when the center front seat is not used. Do not use it as a seating position when the seatback is folded down.

Front Seats

Seat Adjustment

{ WARNING You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you do not want to. Adjust the driver seat only when the vehicle is not moving.

To adjust the seat: 1. Lift the bar under the front edge

of the seat cushion to unlock the seat.

2. Slide the seat to the desired position and release the bar.

3. Try to move the seat back and

forth to be sure the seat is locked in place.

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3-4

Seats and Restraints

Power Seat Adjustment

To adjust the seatback, see “Power Reclining Seatbacks” under Reclining Seatbacks on page 3‑6. Memory Seat, Mirrors, and Pedals

To adjust a power seat, if equipped: . Move the seat forward or

rearward by sliding the control forward or rearward. If available, raise or lower the front or rear part of the seat cushion by moving the front or rear of the control up or down. If available, raise or lower the entire seat by moving the entire control up or down.

On vehicles with the memory feature, the controls on the driver door are used to program and recall memory settings for the driver seat, outside mirrors, and the adjustable throttle and brake pedals, if equipped.

Storing Memory Positions To save into memory: 1. Adjust the driver seat, seatback

recliner, both outside mirrors, and the throttle and brake pedals, if available. See Power Mirrors on page 2‑16
and Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal on page 9‑35
for more information. Not all mirrors and adjustable throttles and brake pedals will have the ability to save and recall their positions.

2. Press and hold “1” until

two beeps sound.

3. Repeat for a second driver

position using “2.”

To recall, press and release “1” or “2.” The vehicle must be in P (Park). A single beep will sound. The seat, outside mirrors, and adjustable throttle and brake pedals will move to the position previously stored for the identified driver.

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Memory Remote Recall The memory feature can recall the driver seat, outside mirrors, and pedals, if available, to stored positions when entering the vehicle. To activate, unlock the driver door with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. The driver seat, outside mirrors, and adjustable pedals, if available, will move to the memory position associated with the transmitter used to unlock the vehicle. This feature can be turned on or off using the vehicle personalization menu. See “Memory Seat Recall” under Vehicle Personalization (with DIC Buttons) on page 5‑52 for more information. To stop recall movement, press one of the power seat controls, memory buttons, or power mirror buttons, or the adjustable pedal switch.

If something has blocked the driver seat and/or the adjustable pedals while recalling a memory position, the recall may stop. Remove the obstruction; then press and hold the appropriate manual control for the memory item that is not recalling for two seconds. Try recalling the memory position again by pressing the appropriate memory button. If the memory position is still not recalling, see the dealer for service.

Easy Exit Driver Seat This feature can move the seat rearward to allow extra room to exit the vehicle. B (Easy Exit Driver Seat): Press to recall the easy exit seat position. The vehicle must be in P (Park). If the easy exit seat feature is programmed on in the vehicle personalization menu, automatic seat movement occurs when the ignition key is removed.

Seats and Restraints

3-5

A single beep sounds. The driver seat moves back approximately 8 cm (3 in). To move the seat back farther, press the easy exit seat button again until the seat is all the way back. If something has blocked the driver seat while recalling the exit position, the recall may stop. Remove the obstruction; then press and hold the power seat control rearward for two seconds. Try recalling the exit position again. If the exit position is still not recalling, see the dealer for service. See “Easy Exit Recall” and “Easy Exit Setup” under Vehicle Personalization (with DIC Buttons) on page 5‑52 for more information.

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3-6

Seats and Restraints

Lumbar Adjustment

Power Lumbar

Manual Lumbar

If equipped, increase or decrease manual lumbar support by turning the knob forward or rearward.

To adjust the power lumbar support, if equipped: . On vehicles with two-way

lumbar, press and hold the top or bottom of the control to increase or decrease lumbar support.

. On vehicles with four-way

lumbar, press and hold the front or rear of the control to increase or decrease lumbar support. To raise or lower the height of the support, press and hold the top or bottom of the control.

Reclining Seatbacks { WARNING

Sitting in a reclined position when the vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even when buckled up, the safety belts cannot do their job when reclined like this. The shoulder belt cannot do its job because it will not be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you. In a crash, you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. The lap belt cannot do its job either. In a crash, the belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries.

(Continued)

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Seats and Restraints

3-7

WARNING (Continued)

For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear the safety belt properly.

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

Manual Reclining Seatbacks

{ WARNING You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you do not want to. Adjust the driver seat only when the vehicle is not moving.

{ WARNING

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

To adjust a manual seatback: 1. Lift the lever.

The seatback will automatically fold forward.

2. To recline, move the seatback

rearward to the desired position, then release the lever to lock the seatback in place.

3. Push and pull on the seatback to

make sure it is locked.

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3-8

Seats and Restraints

To return the seatback to the upright position: 1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the seatback, and the seatback will return to the upright position.

2. Push and pull on the seatback to

make sure it is locked.

Power Reclining Seatbacks

To recline a power seatback, if equipped:

Tilt the top of the control rearward to recline. Tilt the top of the control forward to raise.

Heated Front Seats { WARNING

If you cannot feel temperature change or pain to the skin, the seat heater may cause burns even at low temperatures. To reduce the risk of burns, people with such a condition should use care when using the seat heater, especially for long periods of time. Do not place anything on the seat that insulates against heat, such as a blanket, cushion, cover, or similar item. This may cause the seat heater to overheat. An overheated seat heater may cause a burn or may damage the seat.

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Press the button once for the highest setting. With each press of the button, the heated seat will change to the next lower setting, and then to the off setting. The lights indicate three for the highest setting and one for the lowest. The passenger seat may take longer to heat up. The heated seats will be canceled 10 seconds after the ignition is turned off.

Seats and Restraints

3-9

Remote Start Heated Seats When it is cold outside, the heated seats may turn on automatically during a remote vehicle start. The heated seats will be canceled when the ignition is turned on. Press the desired button to use the heated seats after the vehicle is started. The lights on the heated seat buttons do not turn on during a remote start. The temperature performance of an unoccupied seat may be reduced. This is normal. See Remote Vehicle Start on page 2‑5 for more information.

If available, the buttons are on the front doors. I (Heated Seatback): Press to heat the seatback only. J (Heated Seat and Seatback): Press to heat the seat and seatback.

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3-10

Seats and Restraints

Rear Seats

Rear Seats (Extended Cab Full Bench)

Folding the Rear Seat Notice: Folding a rear seat with the safety belts still fastened may cause damage to the seat or the safety belts. Always unbuckle the safety belts and return them to their normal stowed position before folding a rear seat.

To unfold the seat: 1. Push the seat cushion rearward

while pulling the release strap under the seat cushion. Pull the seat cushion down until it latches.

2. Pull up on the seat cushion to make sure it is locked in place. Make sure the safety belts are not twisted or caught in the seat cushion.

{ WARNING

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

To fold the seat: 1. Pull up on the front of the seat cushion while pulling down on the release strap under the seat cushion.

2. Pull the seat cushion up until it

latches with the seatback.

3. Pull forward on the seat cushion

to make sure it is locked in place.

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Rear Seats (All Split Bench and Hybrid Full Bench)

Folding Rear Seat Either side of the rear seat can be folded for added cargo space. Notice: Folding a rear seat with the safety belts still fastened may cause damage to the seat or the safety belts. Always unbuckle the safety belts and return them to their normal stowed position before folding a rear seat. Make sure that nothing is on the seat. To fold the seat, slowly pull the seat cushion up.

To return the seat to the normal seating position, slowly pull the seat cushion down. Make sure the safety belts are not twisted or caught in the seat cushion.

{ WARNING

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

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Safety Belts This section of the manual describes how to use safety belts properly. It also describes some things not to do with safety belts.

{ WARNING

Do not let anyone ride where a safety belt cannot be worn properly. In a crash, if you or your passenger(s) are not wearing safety belts, the injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle harder or be ejected from the vehicle. You and your passenger(s) can be seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, you might not be, if you are buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt, and check that your passenger(s) are restrained properly too.

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Seats and Restraints

{ WARNING

People riding on the tailgate (if equipped) can easily lose their balance and fall even when the vehicle is operated at low speeds. Falling from a moving vehicle may result in serious injuries or death.

{ WARNING

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 the vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly.

This vehicle has indicators as a reminder to buckle the safety belts. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 5‑19 for additional information. In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law requires wearing safety belts. Here is why: You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you do not know if it will be a serious one. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up, a person would not survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without safety belts they could have been badly hurt or killed. After more than 40 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter ... a lot!

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

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

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Seats and Restraints

3-13

Put someone on it.

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

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

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Seats and Restraints

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if I am wearing a safety belt?

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

or the instrument panel...

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

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Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why

should I have to wear safety belts?

A: Airbags are supplemental

systems only; so they work with safety belts — not instead of them. Whether or not an airbag is provided, all occupants still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That is true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions.

Q: If I am a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts?

A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in a crash — even one that is not your fault — you and your passenger(s) can be hurt. Being a good driver does not protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 40 km (25 miles) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 65 km/h (40 mph). Safety belts are for everyone.

Seats and Restraints

3-15

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly This section 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 infants. If a child will be riding in the vehicle, see Older Children on page 3‑49 or Infants and Young Children on page 3‑51. Follow those rules for everyone's protection. It is very important for all occupants to buckle up. Statistics show that unbelted people are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Occupants who are not buckled up can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

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Seats and Restraints

First, before you or your passenger(s) wear a safety belt, there is important information you should know.

Sit up straight and always keep your feet on the floor in front of you. The lap part of the belt should be

worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones and you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force on 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 shoulder belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash.

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is too loose.

It will not give as much protection this way.

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{ WARNING

Q: What is wrong with this?

{ WARNING

Seats and Restraints

3-17

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

You can be seriously hurt if the lap belt is too loose. In a crash, you could slide under the lap belt and apply force on your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The lap belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs.

A: The lap belt is too loose. It will not give nearly as much protection this way.

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3-18

Seats and Restraints

Q: What is wrong with this?

{ WARNING

Q: What is wrong with this?

You can be seriously injured if the 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 on the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle the belt into the buckle nearest you.

A: The belt is buckled in the wrong

buckle.

A: The belt is over an armrest.

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{ WARNING

Q: What is wrong with this?

{ WARNING

Seats and Restraints

3-19

You can be seriously injured if the 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 on the abdomen, not on the pelvic bones, and that could cause serious or fatal injuries. Be sure the belt goes under the armrests.

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

A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times.

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Seats and Restraints

Q: What is wrong with this?

{ WARNING

Q: What is wrong with this?

You can be seriously injured by not wearing the lap-shoulder belt properly. In a crash, you would not be restrained by the shoulder belt. Your body could move too far forward increasing the chance of head and neck injury. You 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.

A: The belt is behind the body.

A: The belt is twisted across

the body.

{ WARNING

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

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Seats and Restraints

3-21

Lap-Shoulder Belt If the vehicle is a regular cab, then all seating positions in the vehicle have a lap-shoulder belt. If the vehicle is a crew or extended cab, then all seating positions in the vehicle have a lap-shoulder belt except for the center front passenger position (if equipped), which has a lap belt. See Lap Belt (Crew and Extended Cab) on page 3‑26 for more information. The following instructions explain how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly. 1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index.

2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The lap-shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly. If the shoulder portion of a passenger belt is pulled out all the way, the child restraint locking feature may be engaged. If this happens, let the belt go back all the way and start again. Engaging the child restraint locking feature may affect the passenger sensing system, if equipped. See Passenger Sensing System on page 3‑40
for more information.

If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, when using the lap-shoulder belt in a rear center seating position of a crew-cab, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling the safety belt until it can be buckled.

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Seats and Restraints

4.

If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster, move it to the height that is right for you. See “Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster” later in this section.

3. Push the latch plate into the

buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 3‑27. If the latch plate will not go fully into the buckle, check if the correct buckle is being used. Position the release button on the buckle so that the safety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary.

5. To make the lap part tight, pull

up on the shoulder belt. It may be necessary to pull stitching on the safety belt through the latch plate to fully tighten the lap belt on smaller occupants.

To unlatch the belt, push the button on the buckle. The belt should return to its stowed position. Before a door is closed, be sure the safety belt is out of the way. If a door is slammed against a safety belt, damage can occur to both the safety belt and the vehicle.

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Seats and Restraints

3-23

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster The vehicle has a shoulder belt height adjuster for the driver and right front passenger. Adjust the height so the shoulder portion of the belt is on the shoulder and not falling off of it. The belt should be close to, but not contacting, the neck. Improper shoulder belt height adjustment could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash. See How to Wear Safety Belts Properly on page 3‑15.

Regular and Crew Cab

Extended Cab

To move the adjuster down for the regular and crew cabs, squeeze the buttons (A) on the sides of the height adjuster and move the height adjuster to the desired position.

On the extended cab, push down on the release button (A) 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 squeezing the buttons for the regular and crew cabs, or without pushing the release button for extended cabs, to make sure it has locked into position.

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Seats and Restraints

Safety Belt Pretensioners This vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for front outboard occupants. Although the safety belt pretensioners cannot be seen, they are part of the safety belt assembly. They can help tighten the safety belts during the early stages of a moderate to severe frontal, near frontal, or rear crash if the threshold conditions for pretensioner activation are met. And, if your vehicle has side impact airbags, safety belt pretensioners can help tighten the safety belts in a side crash or a rollover event. Pretensioners work only once. If the pretensioners activate in a crash, they will need to be replaced, and probably other new parts for the vehicle's safety belt system. See Replacing Safety Belt System Parts After a Crash on page 3‑28.

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides This vehicle may have rear shoulder belt comfort guides. If not, they are available through your dealer. The guides may provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for some adults. When installed and properly adjusted, the comfort guide positions the belt away from the neck and head. Here is how to install a comfort guide to the shoulder belt: 1. Remove the guide from its

storage clip on the interior body.

2. Place the guide over the belt

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

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{ WARNING

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

3. Be sure that the belt is

not twisted and it lies flat. The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide on top.

4. Buckle, position, and release

the safety belt as described previously in this section. Make sure the shoulder portion of the belt is on the shoulder and not falling off of it. The belt should be close to, but not contacting, the neck.

To remove and store the comfort guide, squeeze the belt edges together so that the safety belt can be removed from the guide. Slide the guide onto the storage clip.

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Seats and Restraints

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

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

The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it is more likely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly.

Lap Belt (Crew and Extended Cab) This section is only for the lap belt. To learn how to wear a lap-shoulder belt, see Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3‑21. Your vehicle may have a center seating position. When you sit in the center front seating position, 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. Buckle, position, and release it the same way as the lap part of a lap-shoulder belt.

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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 is not long enough, your dealer will order you an extender. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid personal injury, do not let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to fit. The extender has been designed for adults. Never use it for securing child seats. To wear it, attach it to the regular safety belt. For more information, see the instruction sheet that comes with the extender.

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Safety System Check Now and then, check that the safety belt reminder light, safety belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job. See your dealer to 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. Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 5‑19 for more information. Keep safety belts clean and dry. See Safety Belt Care on page 3‑28.

To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until the belt is snug. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 3‑27. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if necessary.

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Seats and Restraints

Safety Belt Care Keep belts clean and dry. { WARNING

Do not bleach or dye safety belts. It may severely weaken them. In a crash, they might not be able to provide adequate protection. Clean safety belts only with mild soap and lukewarm water.

Replacing Safety Belt System Parts After a Crash

{ WARNING

A crash can damage the safety belt system in the vehicle. A damaged safety belt system may not properly protect the person using it, resulting in serious injury or even death in a crash. To help make sure the safety belt systems are working properly after a crash, have them inspected and any necessary replacements made as soon as possible.

After a minor crash, replacement of safety belts may not be necessary. But the safety belt assemblies that were used during any crash may have been stressed or damaged. See your dealer to have the safety belt assemblies inspected or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the safety belt system was not being used at the time of the crash. Have the safety belt pretensioners checked if the vehicle has been in a crash, or if the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the vehicle or while you are driving. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5‑20.

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Airbag System The vehicle has the following airbags: . A frontal airbag for the driver. . A frontal airbag for the right front

passenger.

The vehicle may have the following airbags: . A seat‐mounted side impact

airbag for the driver.

. A seat‐mounted side impact

airbag for the right front passenger.

. A roof-rail airbag for the driver

and the passenger seated directly behind the driver.

. A roof-rail airbag for the right

front passenger and the person seated directly behind the right front passenger.

All of the airbags in the vehicle will have the word AIRBAG embossed in the trim or on an attached label near the deployment opening. For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the middle part of the steering wheel for the driver and on the instrument panel for the right front passenger. With seat‐mounted side impact airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the side of the seatback closest to the door. With roof-rail airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear along the headliner or trim. Airbags are designed to supplement the protection provided by safety belts. Even though today's airbags are also designed to help reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating bag, all airbags must inflate very quickly to do their job.

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

{ WARNING

You can be severely injured or killed in a crash if you are not wearing your safety belt — even if you have airbags. Airbags are designed to work with safety belts, but do not replace them. Also, airbags are not designed to deploy in every crash. In some crashes safety belts are your only restraint. See When Should an Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑32. Wearing your safety belt during a crash helps reduce your chance of hitting things inside the vehicle or being ejected from it. Airbags are “supplemental restraints” to the safety belts. Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that person.

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Seats and Restraints

{ WARNING

{ WARNING

Airbags inflate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. Anyone who is up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Do not sit unnecessarily close to any airbag, as you would be if you were sitting on the edge of the seat or leaning forward. Safety belts help keep you in position before and during a crash. Always wear a safety belt, even with airbags. The driver should sit as far back as possible while still maintaining control of the vehicle. Occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door or side windows in seating positions with seat-mounted side impact airbags and/or roof-rail airbags.

Children who are up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Always secure children properly in the vehicle. To read how, see Older Children on page 3‑49 or Infants and Young Children on page 3‑51.

There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The system checks the airbag electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 5‑20
for more information.

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Where Are the Airbags?

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

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

Driver Side Shown, Passenger

Side Similar

If the vehicle has seat‐mounted side impact airbags for the driver and right front passenger, they are in the side of the seatbacks closest to the door.

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Seats and Restraints

Driver Side Shown, Passenger

Side Similar

If the vehicle has roof-rail airbags for the driver, right front passenger, and second row outboard passengers, they are in the ceiling above the side windows.

{ WARNING If something is between an occupant and an airbag, the airbag might not inflate properly or it might force the object into that person causing severe injury or even death. The path of an inflating airbag must be kept clear. Do not put anything between an occupant and an airbag, and do not attach or put anything on the steering wheel hub or on or near any other airbag covering. Do not use seat accessories that block the inflation path of a seat-mounted side impact airbag. Never secure anything to the roof of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags by routing a rope or tie down through any door or window opening. If you do, the path of an inflating roof-rail airbag will be blocked.

When Should an Airbag Inflate? Frontal airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes to help reduce the potential for severe injuries mainly to the driver's or right front passenger's head and chest. However, they are only designed to inflate if the impact exceeds a predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds are used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in time for the airbags to inflate and help restrain the occupants. Whether the frontal airbags will or should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the direction of the impact, and how quickly your vehicle slows down.

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Frontal airbags may inflate at different crash speeds. For example:

If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits a moving object. If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits an object that does not deform. If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole), the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall). If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle, the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed than if the vehicle goes straight into the object.

Thresholds can also vary with specific vehicle design. Frontal airbags are not intended to inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts. If the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of your vehicle is 3 855 kg (8,500 lb) or above, the vehicle has single stage airbags. If the GVWR is below 3 855 kg (8,500 lb) then the vehicle has dual stage airbags. Vehicles with a full bench seat are equipped with single state airbags. You can find the GVWR on the certification label on the rear edge of the driver door. See Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑25 for more information.

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The vehicle may have dual‐stage frontal airbags. Dual-stage airbags adjust the restraint according to crash severity. The vehicle has electronic frontal sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal impact. For moderate frontal impacts, dual-stage airbags inflate at a level less than full deployment. For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. Vehicles with dual stage airbags also have seat position sensors which enable the sensing system to monitor the position of the driver seat (all models), and on crew cab and extended cab models the right front passenger seat on light duty models only. The seat position sensor provides information that is used to determine if the airbags should deploy at a reduced level or at full deployment.

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Seats and Restraints

The vehicle may or may not have seat‐mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags. See Airbag System on page 3‑29. Seat‐mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags are intended to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes. In addition, these roof-rail airbags are intended to inflate during a rollover or in a severe frontal impact. Seat‐mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags will inflate if the crash severity is above the system's designed threshold level. The threshold level can vary with specific vehicle design. Roof-rail airbags are not intended to inflate in rear impacts. A seat‐mounted side impact airbag is intended to deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck. Both roof-rail airbags will deploy when either side of the vehicle is struck, or if the sensing system predicts that the vehicle is about to roll over, or in a severe frontal impact.

In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag should have inflated simply because of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. For frontal airbags, inflation is determined by what the vehicle hits, the angle of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows down. For seat‐mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags, deployment is determined by the location and severity of the side impact. In a rollover event, roof-rail airbag deployment is determined by the direction of the roll.

What Makes an Airbag Inflate? In a deployment event, the sensing system sends an electrical signal triggering a release of gas from the inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the airbag causing the bag to break out of the cover and deploy. The inflator, the airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbag module. Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steering wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with seat‐mounted side impact airbags, there are airbags modules in the side of the front seatbacks closest to the door. For vehicles with roof-rail airbags, there are airbag modules in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows that have occupant seating positions.

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How Does an Airbag Restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle. Airbags supplement the protection provided by safety belts. Frontal airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. Seat‐mounted side impact and roof-rail airbags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body.

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Rollover capable roof-rail airbags are designed to help contain the head and chest of occupants in the outboard seating positions in the first and second rows. The rollover capable roof-rail airbags are designed to help reduce the risk of full or partial ejection in rollover events, although no system can prevent all such ejections. But airbags would not help in many types of collisions, primarily because the occupant's motion is not toward those airbags. See When Should an Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑32 for more information. Airbags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts.

What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? After the frontal airbags and seat-mounted side impact airbags inflate, they quickly deflate, so quickly that some people may not even realize an airbag inflated. Roof-rail airbags may still be at least partially inflated for some time after they deploy. Some components of the airbag module may be hot for several minutes. For location of the airbag modules, see What Makes an Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑34. The parts of the airbag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There may be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deflated airbags.

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Seats and Restraints

Airbag inflation does not prevent the driver from seeing out of the windshield or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent people from leaving the vehicle. { WARNING

When an airbag inflates, there may be dust in the air. This dust could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have breathing problems but cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a window or a door. If you experience breathing problems following an airbag deployment, you should seek medical attention.

The vehicle may have a feature that may automatically unlock the doors, turn on the interior lamps and hazard warning flashers, and shut off the fuel system after the airbags inflate. You can lock the doors, turn off the interior lamps and hazard warning flashers by using the controls for those features. { WARNING

A crash severe enough to inflate the airbags may have also damaged important functions in the vehicle, such as the fuel system, brake and steering systems, etc. Even if the vehicle appears to be drivable after a moderate crash, there may be concealed damage that could make it difficult to safely operate the vehicle. Use caution if you should attempt to restart the engine after a crash has occurred.

In many crashes severe enough to inflate the airbag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the right front passenger airbag. . Airbags are designed to inflate

only once. After an airbag inflates, you will need some new parts for the airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag system will not be there to help protect you in another crash. A new system will include airbag modules and possibly other parts. The service manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

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The vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnostic module which records information after a crash. See Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy on page 13‑17 and Event Data Recorders on page 13‑17. Let only qualified technicians work on the airbag systems. Improper service can mean that an airbag system will not work properly. See your dealer for service.

Airbag On-Off Switch If one of the switches pictured in the following illustrations is located in the glove box, the vehicle has an airbag on-off switch that you can use to manually turn on or off the right front passenger airbag.

United States

Canada and Mexico

If the vehicle does not have an airbag off switch, it may have a passenger sensing system. See Passenger Sensing System on page 3‑40.

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Seats and Restraints

This switch should only be turned to the off position if the person in the right front passenger position is a member of a passenger risk group identified by the national government as follows:

Infant. An infant (less than 1 year old) must ride in the front seat because: . My vehicle has no rear seat; . My vehicle has a rear seat

too small to accommodate a rear-facing infant seat; or The infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant's physician, makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front seat so that the driver can constantly monitor the child's condition.

Child age 1 to 12. A child age 1 to 12 must ride in the front seat because: . My vehicle has no rear seat; . Although children ages 1 to 12

ride in the rear seat(s) whenever possible, children ages 1 to 12
sometimes must ride in the front because no space is available in the rear seat(s) of my vehicle; or The child has a medical condition which, according to the child's physician, makes it necessary for the child to ride in the front seat so that the driver can constantly monitor the child's condition.

Medical Condition. A passenger has a medical condition which, according to his or her physician: . Causes the passenger airbag

to pose a special risk for the passenger; and

. Makes the potential harm from

the passenger airbag in a crash greater than the potential harm from turning off the airbag and allowing the passenger, even if belted, to hit the dashboard or windshield in a crash. { WARNING If the right front passenger airbag is turned off for a person who is not in a risk group identified by the national government, that person will not have the extra protection

(Continued)

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WARNING (Continued)

of an airbag. In a crash, the airbag will not be able to inflate and help protect the person sitting there. Do not turn off the passenger airbag unless the person sitting there is in a risk group.

Canada and Mexico

To turn off the right front passenger airbag, insert the ignition key into the switch, push in, and move the switch to the off position. The word OFF or the off symbol will come on in the passenger airbag status indicator located in the overhead console to let you know that the right front passenger airbag is off, after the system check

United States

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is completed. The airbag off light will come on and stay on to let you know that the right front passenger's airbag is off. See Airbag On-Off Light on page 5‑21.

{ 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 5‑20 for more information, including important safety information.

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Seats and Restraints

Passenger Sensing System If the vehicle has one of the indicators pictured in the following illustrations, then the vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the right front passenger position, unless there is an airbag off switch located in the glove box. If there is an airbag off switch, the vehicle does not have a passenger sensing system. See Airbag On-Off Switch on page 3‑37 for more information. The passenger airbag status indicator will be visible on the overhead console when the vehicle is started. In addition, if the vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the right front passenger position, the label on the vehicle's sun visors refers to “ADVANCED AIRBAGS”.

United States

Canada and Mexico

To turn the right front passenger airbag on again, insert the ignition key into the switch, push in, and move the switch to the on position. The right front passenger frontal airbag is now enabled (may inflate). See Airbag On-Off Light on page 5‑21 for more information.

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When the system check is complete, either the word ON or OFF, or the symbol for on or off, will be visible. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 5‑23. The passenger sensing system will turn off the right front passenger frontal airbag under certain conditions. The driver airbag, seat‐mounted side impact airbags (if equipped), and the roof-rail airbags (if equipped) are not affected by the passenger sensing system. The passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the right front passenger seat and safety belt. The sensors are

designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the right front passenger frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or not. According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the correct child restraint for their weight and size. We recommend that children 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.

United States

Canada and Mexico

The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off, will be visible during the system check. If you are using remote start to start the vehicle from a distance, if equipped, you may not see the system check.

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