1995 CHEVROLET TAHOE steering wheel

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows
AIR
BAG. The system checks the air bag’s 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.
How the Air Bag System Works
Where is the air bag?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When should an air bag inflate?
The air bag is designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal
crashes. The air bag
will 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 16 mph (19 to 26
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 air bag is not designed to inflate
in rollovers, side impacts, or rear
impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant.
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. Inflation is determined
by the angle of the impact and the
vehicle’s deceleration. Vehicle damage is only one indication of this.
The air bag system is designed to work properly under a wide range
of
conditions, including off-road usage. Observe safe driving speeds,
especially on rough terrain.
As always, wear your safety belt. See
“Off-Road Driving”
in the Index for more tips on off-road driving.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In a frontal or near-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 air
bag. The inflator, air bag, and related hardware are all part of the air bag
module packed inside the steering wheel.
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 help you in many 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 belts, and then only
in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates. This occurs so quickly that some
people may not even realize
the air bag inflated. Some components of the air
bag module in the steering wheel hub will be hot for a short time, but the part
of the bag that comes into contact with you will not be hot
to the touch. There
will be some smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated air bag. Air
bag inflation
will not prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to
steer the vehicle, nor
will it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To replace the batteries:
1. Insert a dime in the side seam of the transmitter housing, near the key
ring hole.
2. Twist the dime to separate the two halves of the transmitter housing.
3. Remove and replace the batteries. Put the new batteries in with the
Separate
the housing, bottom half first.
printed side down.
4. Align the housing and snap the halves together.
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.
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 tone
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. If
you have an automatic transmission, taking your key out also
locks your transmission. And remember
to lock the doors.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ignition Switch
Use your key to start your vehicle. The key lets you turn the ignition switch
to
five different positions:
2
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.
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.
It doesn’t lock the steering wheel like LOCK. 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.
I I
A CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key to LOCK will
lock the steering column and result in
a loss of ability to steer the
vehicle. This could cause
a collision. If you need to turn the
engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only to OFF.
Don’t press the key release button while the vehicle is moving.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Key Release Button
The ignition key
cannot be removed
from the ignition of
manual transmission
vehicles unless the
key release button is
used.
To Remove the Key
On manual transmission vehicles, turn the key to the
LOCK position while
pressing the key release button
in (see the caution earlier in this section
about the key release lever). Keeping your finger
on the button, pull the key
straight
out.
On automatic transmission vehicles, turn the key to LOCK and pull it
straight out.
Starting Your Gasoline Engine
If you have a diesel engine, see “Starting Your Diesel Engine” in the Index.
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Horn
. . ...
..
On air bag equipped
vehicles, press one
of
the horn buttons at
each side
of the
steering wheel
to
sound the horn.
On vehicles not
equipped with an air
bag, press the pad
in
the center of the
steering wheel
to
sound the horn.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tilt Wheel (Option)
A tilt steering wheel
allows you to adjust
the steering wheel
BEFORE you drive.
You can also raise it to the highest level
to give your legs more room when
you enter and exit the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the lever. Move the
steering wheel to a comfortable level, then release the lever to lock the
wheel in place.
Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column includes your:
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
Headlamp High-Low Beam & Passing Signal
Windshield Wipers
Windshield Washer
Cruise Control (Option)
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I

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To Use Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti-lock
work for
you. You may feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some
noise, but this is normal. On vehicles with four-wheel drive, your anti-lock
brakes work at all times
- whether you are in two-wheel drive or
four-wheel drive.
Braking in Emergencies
Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to. With anti-lock, you
can steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can
help
you more than even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is
not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on the news happen
on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each
of us is subject to the same laws of
physics when driving on curves. The traction
of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn
the front wheels.
If there’s no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in
the same direction. If you’ve ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll
understand this.
The traction
you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires
and the road surface,
the angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you’re in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly
accelerate. Both control systems
- steering and acceleration - have to do
their work where the tires meet the road. Adding
the sudden acceleration
can demand
too much of those places. You can lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the accelerator pedal,
steer the
vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down.
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