1993 GMC SIERRA belt

Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other people who \
are.
I
1
AM1 70055
* Never do this.
‘b 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
I 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
so small
that the shoulder belt still is 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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Seats & Safety Belts
I CAUTION
AM170056
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 co\
uld
cause serious
or fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt should be worn
low and
snug on the hips, and just touching the child’s thighs. Thi\
s applies belt force
to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash.
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 b\
e just for you,
and just for the seat in your vehicle that you choose. Don’t let so\
meone 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 all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors,
anchorages and reminder systems are working properly. Look for \
any loose
parts
or damage. If you see anything that might keep a restraint system from
doing
its job, have it repaired.
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Replacing Safety Belts After a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. But if the \
belts were
stretched, as they would be if worn during a more severe cras\
h, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may mean
you will have to have safety belt parts like the retractor replaced or
anchorage locations repaired-even
if the belt wasn’t being used at the time
of the collision.
Q: What’s wrong with this?
I
APl25004
A: The belt is torn.
CAUTION
A
Torn or frayed 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.
aefore replacing any safety belt, see your dealer for the corr\
ect part number.
You’ll need the model year and model number for your vehicle. The model
year is on your title and registration. And you can find the model nu\
mber on
the certificationhire label on the rear edge
of the driver’s door.
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Seats & Safety Belts
..
A
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The model number on the replacement belt must be listed on the safety belt
you want
to replace.
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Features & Controls
Door Locks
Unlocked doors can be dangerous. g&sr'!G,, *- -.&&e;
$%$out. &z;;: When a door is locked, th Inside handle l't OD( it.
13+AFyOutsi' s can easily e-L-!r thro I an unlocKed aoor wnen you slow
e&%or stop your vehicle.
ssengers-especially children-can easily open the
doors and
fa1 *
.. L. _I.." L . 7..
y'?,. Lt;-
:;S? -*
,- . .,$'.> x, .dL& -? ;:+ Y? -- This may not be so obvious: You increase the chance of being
thrown out
of the vehicle in a crash if the doors aren't locked. Wear
safety belts properly, lock your
doors, and vou will be far better off
whenever vou drive vour vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle:
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Features & Controls
“Engine Coolant’’ in the Index and have your vehicle s\
erviced as soon as
you can.
Charging System Light
K2328
The red charging system light is located at the upper right hand corner of
your instrument cluster. It should come on briefly when you turn on the
ignition, before starting the engine, as a check to show you it is working.
After the engine starts, the light should
go out. If it stays on, or comes on
while you are driving, you may have a problem with your elect\
rical charging system. It could indicate that you have a loose alternator drive belt, or\
that
you have some other electrical problem. Have it checked right away. Driving
while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be certain to turn off all
your accessories, such as the radio and air conditioner.
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Your Driving and the Road
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defens\
ively. Please start with a very important safety device in your vehicle: Buckle up,
(See “Safety Belts” in the Index.)
Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.” On\
city streets, rural
roads, or freeways, it means “always expect the unexpected.’’
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be carel\
ess and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might
do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Expect children to dash out from behind parked cars, often fol\
lowed by other
children. Expect occupants in parked cars to open doors into traffic. Watch for
movement
in parked cars-someone may be about to open a door,
Expect other drivers to run stop signs when you are on a through street, Be
ready to brake
if necessary as you go through intersections. You may not
have to use the brake, but
if you do, you will be ready,
If you’re driving through a shopping center parking lot where there are
well-marked lanes, directional arrows, and designated parking are\
as, expect
some drivers to ignore all these markings and dash straight to\
ward one part
of the lot.
Pedestrians can be careless. Watch for them. In general, you must give way
to pedestrians even
if you know you have the right of way.
Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of accidents. Yet they are
common. Allow enough following distance.
It’s the best defensive driving
maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never know when the vehicle in
front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly.
Here’s a final bit of information about defensive driving. The most dangerous
time for driving in the
US. is very early on Sunday morning. In fact, GM
Research studies show that the most and the least dangerous times for
driving, every week, fall on the same day. That day is Sunday. The most
dangerous time is Sunday
3 a.m. to 4 a.m. The safest time is Sunday from
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Driving the same distance on a Sunday at 3 a.m. isn’t
just a little more dangerous than it
is at 10 a.m. It’s about 134 times more
dangerous.
That leads to the next part.
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Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective than braki\
ng. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in yo\
ur lane, or a
car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out fro\
m between parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems by
braking-if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can't; ther\
e isn't room.
That's the time for evasive action-steering around the problem. \
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First \
apply your
brakes, but not enough to lock your front wheels. It is better to remove as
much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then steer around the
problem, to the left or right depending on the space available\
.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If yo\
u
are holding the steering wheel at the recommended
9 and 3 o'clock positions,
you can turn
it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand.
But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly \
straighten the
wheel once you have avoided the object. You must then be prep\
ared to steer
back to your original lane and then brake to a controlled stop.
Depending on your speed, this can be rather violent for an un\
prepared driver.
This is one of the reasons driving experts recommend that you use your
safety belts and keep both hands on the steering wheel.
K2218
The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is \
a good reason
to practice defensive driving at
all times.
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