1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO Owners Manual

I %.
Larger Children If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window
so the child can wear a lap-shoulder belt and
' ' get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.
I j are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the
'I Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
I safety belts properly. I I
0 ,Children who aren'i buckled up can be thrown out in
0 Children who aren't buckled upcan strike other
a
crash.
I.
peopl-e who are.
I
' Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle's safety belts.
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A CAUTION:
-
Never do this.
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 one person at a time.
@ 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 centex 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 sitting in a rear seat outside position,
see
“Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” in the Index.
If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still
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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A CAUTION:
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,
CAUTION: (Continued) 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 could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits,
the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child’s thighs. This 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
be just for you, and just for the seat
in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone 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.
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Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and
all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If
you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety 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.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
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 crash, then you need new belts.
r
If you ever see a label on a right front safety belt that
says to replace the belt, be sure
to do so. Then the new
belt will be there
to help protect you in a collision. You
would see this label on the belt near the latch plate.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage
also may mean you will need to have safety belt or seat parts
repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary
even
if the belt wasn’t being used at the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need
to replace air bag system
parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in this se\
ction.
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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and
optional features on your vehicle, and information on
starting, shifting and braking. Also explained are
the
instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if
everything is working properly -- and what to do if you
have a problem.
Keys
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key
is dangerous for many reasons.
A child or others could be badly injured or
even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.
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This vehicle has one
double-sided key for the
ignition and door locks. It
will fit with either side up.
You will have a separate
single-sided key
to
secure the locking front
storage compartment. When
a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer provides the
owner
with a pair of identical keys and a bar-coded tag.
The bar-coded tag has a code on
it that tells your dealer
or a qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep
this tag
in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you'll be
able to have new ones made easily using this tag.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot
of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you
have extra keys.
2-2

Front Doors
To open the front side door from the outside, grasp the
handle and pull the door open.
To open the front side door
from the inside, pull the
lever toward you and push
the door open.
Rear Doors
If you have the Dutch doors, you must open the
hatch first.
To open the rear doors from
the outside, open the
passenger's side rear door
first. Grasp the handle and
pull the door open.
2-3

To open the driver’s side
rear door. pull
on the latch ‘I
release handle in the inside
of the door.
To close the rear doors, close the driver’s side door first.
Check to make sure both doors are completely closed.
The rear doors have a check assembly to keep the doors
from opening beyond
90”.
To fully open the rear doors,
push
in on the clip and lift
the check assembly up off
the mounting bracket.
Do this on each door. Replace the assemblies the
same way.
See
the Caution following “Swing-Out Windows” in
this section.
2-4