1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO Owners Manual

i
3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle
end of the-belt as.you pull up on the shoulder part. 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’d be less
. likelyto slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the
belt would apply force at 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 safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash.
I 1-33

I A CAUTION:
t -
You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward
too much, which could increase injury. The
shoulder belt should
fit against your body.
c
..
To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.
Center Passenger Position
(Bench Seat)
I Lap Belt
If your vehicle has rear bench seats, someone can sit in
the center positions.
1-34'

When you sit in a center 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.
To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown until
the belt
is snug.
Buckle, position and release
it the same way as the lap
part
of a lap-shoulder belt. If the belt isn’t long enough,
see “Safety Belt Extender” at the end
of this section.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned
so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly
if you ever had to.
1-35

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for
Children and Small Adults
Your vehicle may have rear shoulder belt comfort
guides. This feature will provide added safety belt
comfort for children who have outgrown child restraints
and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt,
the comfort guide pulls the belt away from the neck and
head.
There is one guide for each outside passenger position in
the rear seats. To provide added safety belt comfort for
children who have outgrown child restraints and for
smaller adults, the comfort guides may be installed on
the shoulder belts. Here's how to install a comfort guide
and use the safety belt:
1. Remove the guide from its storage clip on the side of
the seatback.
1-36

I
2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elastic
cord must be under
the belt. Then, place the guide
over the belt, and insert the two edges
of the belt into
the slots
of the guide.
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.
1-37

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as
described in “Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions”
earlier
in this section. Make sure that the shoulder
belt crosses the shoulder.
To remove and store the comfort guides, just perform
these steps in reverse order. Squeeze the belt edges
together
so that you can take them out from the guides.
Slide the guide onto the clip. Rotate the guide and clip
inward along the side of the seatback, leaving only the
loop of elastic cord exposed.
Children
Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! That includes
infants and
all children smaller than adult size. In fact,
the law
in every state in the United States and in every
Canadian province says children up
to some age must be
restrained while
in a vehicle.
Smaller Children and Babies
(Exce: A Cargo Vans)
I--
Smaller children and babies should vays 1
restrained in a child or infant restraint. The
instructions for the restraint will say whether it
’ is the right type and size for your child. A very
young child’s hip bones are
so small that a
regular belt might not stay low on the hips, as it
should. Instead, the belt will likely be over the
child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply
force right on the child’s abdomen, which could
cause serious
or fatal injuries. So, be sure that
any child small enough for one is always properly
restrained in a child or infant restraint.
1-38

Never hold a baby in your arms while riding in a
vehicle.
A baby doesn’t weigh much -- until a
crash. During a crash a baby will become so
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
heavy you can’t hold it. For example,
in a crash
at only
25 mph (40 km/h), a 124b. (5.5 kg) baby
will suddenly become
a 240-1b. (110 kg) force on
your arms. The baby would
be almost impossible
to hold.
Secure the baby in an infant restraint.
1-39

Smaller Children and Babies (Cargo Vans)
A CAUTION:
A very young child's hip bones are so small that a
regular belt might not stay low on the hips, as it
should. Instead, the belt wiil likely be over the
child's abdomen. In
a crash, the belt would apply
force right on the child's abdomen, which could
cause serious
or fatal injuries. Smaller children
and babies should always be restrained
in a child
restraint. However, infants, who should be
restrained in
a rear-facing child restraint, cannot
ride safely
in this vehicle. The instructions for the
restraint will say whether it
is the right type and
size for your child.
If a forward-facing child
restraint is suitable for your child, be sure the
child
is always properly restrained while riding in
this vehicle.
: p
I
Never hold a baby in your arms while riding in a
vehicle.
A baby doesn't weigh much -- until a
crash. During a crash a baby
will become so
CAUTION: (Continued)
1-40