1994 CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER steering

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How The Air Bag System Works
Where is the air bag?
The Driver's Facial Air Bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
When is an air bag expected to inflate?
The air bag is designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal crashes. The air bag will only inflate if the velocity of the
impact is above the designed threshold level. When impacting straight into a
wall that does not move or deform, the threshold level is between
11 and 16
mph (17 and 23 km/h). However, this velocity threshold depends on the
option content of the vehicle and may be several miles-per-hour faster or
slower. In addition, this threshold velocity will be considerably higher if
the
vehicle strikes an object such as a parked car which will move and deform
on impact. The air bag is also not designed to inflate in rollovers, side
impacts, or rear impacts where the inflation would provide no occupant
protection benefit.
In any particular crash, the determination of whether the air bag should have
inflated cannot be based solely on the level of damage on the vehicle(s).
Inflation
is determined by the angle of the impact and the vehicle's
deceleration, of which vehicle damage is only one indication. Repair cost is
not a good indicator of whether an air bag should have deployed.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In a frontal impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system detects
that the vehicle is suddenly stopping as a result of a crash. The sensing
system triggers a chemical reaction
of the sodium azide sealed in the
inflator. The reaction produces nitrogen gas, which inflates the cloth bag.
The inflator, cloth bag, and related hardware are all part of
the air bag
inflator module packed inside the steering wheel.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering wheel. 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 air bags would not provide protection in m\
any types of
collisions, including rollovers and rear and side impacts, primarily because
an occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag. Air bags should never be
regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belt protection in
moderate to severe frontal and near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflation?
After the air bag has inflated, it will then quickly deflate. This occurs so
quickly that some people may not even realize that the air bag inflated. The
air bag will
not impede the driver’s vision or ability to steer the vehicle, nor
will it hinder the occupants from exiting the vehicle. There will be small
amounts of smoke coming from vents
in the deflated air bag. Some
components of the air bag module
in the steering wheel hub may be hot for
a short time,
but the portion of the bag that comes into contact with you will
not be hot
to the touch.
The air bag is designed to inflate only once. After it 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 the air bag module and possibly other parts.
The service manual
has information about the need to replace other
parts.
0 Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module, which records
information about the air bag system
if the air bag deploys in a crash.
The module records information about the readiness of the system,
which sensors activated the deployment, and whether the driver’s
safety belt was in use.
Let only qualifi.ed technicians work on your air bag system. Improper
service can mean that your air bag system won’t work properly. See
your dealer for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover of the driver’s facial air bag, it ma\
y not
work properly. You may have to replace the air bag on the
steering wheel.
Do not open or break the air bag cover.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Power Door Locks
If your vehicle has
power door locks,
push the power door
lock switch to lock or
unlock all the doors at
once.
The Power Door Lock switch will not lock or unlock the rear hatch and split
panel doors. You must use the
HATCH REL switch. See “Hatch Release
Switch” in the Index.
Every vehicle with power door locks has a pulse lock system. A pulse lock
system works like this:
If the sliding door is open and you push the power door lock switch, the
sliding door will not lock immediately. After you close the door, the system
comes on and, in about five seconds, locks the sliding door.
All models have overriding door locks. When a door is locked, the door
handle will not work the latch. This will help stop a door from being
accidentally opened. However, power door locks do not affect the operation
of the hatch.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your door and set the
locks from inside. Then get out and close the door.
Rear Hatch and Split-Panel Doors
If you have this option, your vehicle must be in either “P” (Park) or
“N’ (Neutral) to release the hatch and unlock the split-panel doors. If your
battery is dead, the hatch and doors will not open, even from the outside
with a key.
To release the hatch and unlock the doors from the inside of the vehicle,
press
the HATCH REL switch on the instrument panel just left of the
steering column.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Then, pull up on the
hatch handle and open
the doors.
To release the hatch
and unlock the doors
from the outside of the
vehicle, put the key in
the lock and turn to
the right. Then, pull
up on the hatch and
open the right rear
door first. Grasp the
handle and pull the
door open.
The hatch and doors will automatically lock when the hatch is shut.
If the hatch is partially closed, the rear doors will lock and you will need to
use the key or
HATCH REL switch, located to the left of the steering
column, to unlock them. (See also Hatch Release Switch, Rear
WiperNasher, and Rear Defogger in the Index.)
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. Although your
vehicle has
a number of theft deterrent features, we know that nothing we
put on
it can make it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you can
help.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Key in the Ignition
If you walk away from your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an easy target
for joy riders or professional thieves
- so don’t do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door, you’ll hear
a chime
reminding you to remove your key from the ignition and take it with you.
Always do this. Your steering wheel
will be locked, and so will your
ignition and transmission. And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your vehicle. Remember
to keep your valuables out
of sight. Put them in a storage area, or take them
with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching your vehicle, it’s best
to lock
it up and take your keys. But what if you have to leave your ignition
key? What
if you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area out of sight.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
Then take the door key with you.
New Vehicle “Break-In ”
NOTICE:
Your modern vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate “break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long run if you follow these
guidelines:
0 Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for the first
500 miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed - fast or slow - for the first
500 miles (804 km). Don’t make full-throttle starts.
0 Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles (322 km) or
so. During this time your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this “breaking-in” guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ignition Switch
Use your ignition key to start your vehicle. The ignition key lets YOU turn
the ignition switch to five different positions.
3
1. OFF
2. RUN
3. START
4. ACC
5. LOCK
ACC (Accessory): ACC lets you use things like the radio and the
windshield wipers when the engine is off. To get into
ACC, push in the key
and turn it toward you. Your steering wheel will remain locked, just as it
was before you inserted the
key.
NOTICE:
Prolonged operation of accessories in the ACC position could
drain your battery and prevent you from starting your vehicle. \
LOCK:
This position locks your ignition, steering wheel and transmission.
It’s a theft deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove your key when
the ignition is turned to
LOCK.
OFF: This position lets you turn off the engine but still turn the steering
wheel. Use
OFF if you must have your vehicle in motion while the engine
is off (for example, if your vehicle is being pushed).
RUN: This is the position for driving.
START This starts your engine.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I 1
I NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t turn it, be sure
it is
all the way in. If it is, then turn the steering wheel left and
right while you turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your vehicle needs
service.
Farting Your Engine
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) shows the code letter or number for your engine. You will
find the VIN at the top left of your instrument panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number”
in the Index.) Follow the proper steps to start the
engine.
Move your shift lever to
“P’ (Park) or “N” (Neutral). Your engine won’t
start in any other position
- that’s a safety feature. To restart when you’re
already moving, use
“N” (Neutral) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to “P” (Park) if your vehicle is moving. If you
do, you could damage the transmission. Shift
to “P” (Park) only
when your vehicle
is stopped.
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your ignition key to
START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will
go down as your engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time
will cause your battery to be drained much sooner. And the
excessive heat can damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in START. If it doesn’t start
in three seconds, push the accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the
way down for
12 more seconds, or until it starts.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hatch Release Switch
This switch is to the
left of the steering
column. It will release
the rear hatch.
The vehicle must be
in “P’ (Park) or “N’ (Neutral) to release the hatch and
unlock the split-panel doors. The hatch will release with or without the key
in the ignition.
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