1996 CHEVROLET EXPRESS Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 7. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back
into the retractor while
you push down on the
child restraint.
8. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions
to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let it
go back all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready
to work for an adult
or larger child passenger.
Larger Children
.,
Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle’s safety belts.
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the
safety belts properly.
Children who aren’t buckled up can be thrown out in
a crash.
Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other
people who are.
-
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.
Q: 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 center 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 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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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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, 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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.
Tf 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.
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 section.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTES
1-49

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTES
1-50

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your vehicle has one
double-sided key for the
ignition and all door locks. 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 key, you’ll be
able
to have a new one made easily using this tag.
If you ever lose your key, your dealer will be able to
assist you with obtaining a new one.
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 key inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you have an
extra key.
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