
impact more evenly  over  the occ.upant’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. 
A 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 door. 
e 
e 
0 
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 for your  vehicle  covers the need  to replace  other 
parts. 
Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module,  which records 
information  about  the air bag system.  The module records information 
about the readiness  of the  system,  when 
the sensors are activated  and 
driver’s  safety belt usage  at deployment. 
Let  only qualified 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. 
1-22 
ProCarManuals.com 

Q: Is there anything I might add to the  front of the vehicle  that could 
keep the air bag  from working properly? 
A: Yes. If you add things  that change your vehicle's  frame, bumper 
system.  front  end  sheet metal  or height.  they  may  keep the air 
bag 
system  f'rom working properly. Also. the air bag system may not  work 
properly 
if you  relocate  any of the air bag sensors. If you have any 
question  about this,  you should contact  Customer Assistance before 
you modify your vehicle.  (The phone numbers  and addresses  for 
Customer  Assistance are 
in Step  Two of the Customer  Satisfaction 
Procedure 
in this manual. See  "Customer  Satistiaction  Procedure" in 
the Index.) 
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. 
A pregnant  woman should wear a lap-shoulder  belt.  and  the  lap portion 
should  be  worn 
as low as possible throughout  the pregnancy. 
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. 
1-24 
ProCarManuals.com 

Safety  Belt  Reminder  Light 
When  the  key  is  turned  to  RUN  or START, a  tone  will  come  on  for  about 
eight  seconds  to  remind  people  to  fasten  their  safety  belts,  u\
nless  the 
driver’s  safety  belt  is  already  buckled.  The safety  belt  light  will  also  come 
on and  stay on for  about 20 seconds,  then  it  will  flash  for  about 55 seconds. 
If  the  driver’s  belt  is  already  buckled,  neither  the  tone  nor  \
the  light  will 
come  on. 
Air  Bag  Readiness  Light 
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.  The 
system  check  includes  the  air  bag  sensors  and  module,  the  wiri\
ng  and  the 
diagnostic  module. 
For more  information  on the  air  bag  system,  see  “Air 
Bag”  in  the  Index. 
2-71 
ProCarManuals.com 

Fuels  in  Foreign  Countries  (Gasoline Engines) 
If you plan on driving in another  country  outside the U.S. or  Canada, 
unleaded  fuel  may  be hard to find. 
Do not use leaded  gasoline. If you  use 
even  one  tankful,  your emission controls won’t work well  or at all.  With 
continuous  use, spark plugs  can get fouled,  the exhaust  system can  corrode, 
and your  engine 
oil can deteriorate  quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen  sensor 
will  be  damaged. 
All of that means costly  repairs  that wouldn’t  be covered 
by  your warranty. 
To check  on fuel availability,  ask an auto  club,  or contact a major oil 
company  that  does business in the country  where you’ll be  driving. 
You  can also  write 
us at the following  address for advice.  Just  tell us where 
you’re  going and  give your  Vehicle  Identification  Number 
(VIN). 
General  Motors  Overseas  Distribution Corporation, 
North American  Export  Sales  (NAES) 
1908 Colonel  Sam  Drive 
Oshawa,  Ontario 
LlH 8P7 
Filling Your Tank 
The  fuel cap is behind 
a  hinged  door on 
the 
left side  of your 
vehicle. 
A CAUTION: 
Gasoline  vapor is highly  flammable.  It burns  violently,  and  that 
can  cause  very  bad  injuries.  Don’t  smoke 
if you’re  near  gasoline 
or refueling  your  vehicle.  Keep  sparks,  flames,  and  smoking 
materials  away  from  gasoline. 
6-11 
ProCarManuals.com 

Three-  Way  Catalytic  Converter  (Gasoline  Engines) 
Your vehicle’s  three-way  catalytic converter  is designed  to reduce  the 
pollutants 
in your vehicle‘s  exhaust. Use only unleaded  fuel in your vehicle. 
If you  use leaded fuel, you could  damage  your  three-way  catalytic converter 
and  other  engine  components. 
Oxidation  Catalytic  Converter  (Diesel  Engines) 
Your  vehicle’s oxidation  catalytic  converter is designed  to reduce  the 
particulates 
in your vehicle‘s  exhaust. If your vehicle’s oxidation catalytic 
converter  ever needs to  be replaced, 
it must  be  replaced with an oxidation 
converter intended  for use 
with diesel  engines  only. 
Engine  Control  Module  System 
Gasoline Engines 
This  system  has an oxygen  sensor (OS) that helps keep your  engine’s 
air-fuel  mixture at a proper  level. Use only unleaded fuel  in your vehicle.  If 
you  use  leaded fuel, you could  damage  your oxygen  sensor 
(OS) and 
three-way  catalytic converter. 
Diesel Vehicles  Below  8,500 (3 850 Kg) G VWR 
This system monitors  engine speed and throttle position.  It adjusts exhaust 
gas  recirculation  to limit  emissions. 
Malfunction  Indicator  (SERVICE  ENGINE  SOON) 
Light 
The  Malfunction  Indicator  (SERVICE  ENGINE SOON) Light on your 
instrument panel  lets  you  know  when your emission system needs  service. 
The  light will  come on briefly when  you start your  engine to 
let you know 
that  the system  is working.  If 
it does not come  on when  you  start your 
engine,  or 
if it comes on and  stays on while you’re  driving, your system 
may  need  service. Your vehicle  should  still  be driveable,  but  you should 
have your system serviced right away. 
Secondary  Air  Injection  Reaction  (AIR) System 
(Gasoline  Engines) 
You  may  have this  system. It has a control  valve that will direct  air  to where 
it is needed.  If the AIR system needs service, your Malfunction  Indicator 
(SERVICE  ENGINE 
SOON) Lamp on your instrument panel  will come on. 
6-57 
ProCarManuals.com