1996 CHEVROLET TRACKER Owners Manual

6. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of
the retractor to set the lock.
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.
ProCarManuals.com

Larger Children
Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle’s safety belts. Accident statistics
show that children are safer
if they
are restrained in the rear seat.
But they need to use the
safety belts properly.
0 Children who aren’t buckled up can be thrown out in
a crash.
0 Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other
people who are.
1-43
ProCarManuals.com

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:
A:
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?
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.
1-44
ProCarManuals.com

,’ 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, 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 touchhg
the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s
pelvic
bones in a crash.
1-45
ProCarManuals.com

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.
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 mirior 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.
1-46
ProCarManuals.com

NOTES
1-47
ProCarManuals.com

NOTES
1-48
ProCarManuals.com

GeGD Section 2 Features and Controls
I I
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional
features on your Geo, 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
r
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.
2-1
ProCarManuals.com