1996 PONTIAC PONTIAC Owners Manual

Removing the Child Seat Restraint 3. Put the belt away in a safe place in your vehicle, so
1. Push the button on the safety belt buckle and remove it won’t fly around in a crash and injure someone.
the
special latch plate. Leave the latch plate on the
special belt.
4. Remember to reattach the automatic belt again,
once the
child restraint is removed. Be sure it
isn’t twisted.
2. Push the spring on the hook near the door and
remove the special belt.
ProCarManuals.com

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.
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
Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other
a crash.
people who are.
I
1-59
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.
@ What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
, but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is
A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
very close to the child’s face or neck?
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 si.tting in a rear outside position of a
four-door model, 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, YQU might want to place the child in the center
seat
positio~ the one that has only a lap belt.
1-60
ProCarManuals.com

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.
1-61
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 yaur 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.
If belts are cwt,or damaged, replace them. Collision’
damage
also may mean you. will need to have safety belt
or seat
parts repaired ar replaced. New pats 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 blag system earlier in
this section.
1-62 ~-
ProCarManuals.com

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and
optional features on your Pontiac, and information on
starting, shifting and braking. Also explained are the
instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if
everything
is worlung properly -- and what to do if you
have
a problem.
Keys
A CAUTION:
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

11 The ignition keys are for the
The door keys are for the
doors and all ‘Other locks.
When a new Pontiac is delivered, the dealer removes
the plugs from the door keys and gives them to the
first owner.
The ignition keys don’t have plugs. Your Pontiac dealer
or Roadside Assistance has the code for your keys.
Each plug has a code on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra door keys..Keep
the plugs in a safe place. If you lose your door keys,
you’ll be able to have new ones made easily using
these plugs.
If you need a new key, contact your Pontiac dealer who
can obtain the correct key code. Remember to carry the
pre-cut emergency key which Pontiac sends after
delivery.
In an emergency, call Pontiac Roadside
Assistance at
1-800-ROADSIDE or 1-800-762-3743.
NOTICE:
Ym Bontiac has a number of features that can
help prevent theft. But you can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock YQW keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in. So be sure you
have extra keys.
2-2
ProCarManuals.com

Door Locks
/1 CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers
-- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won’t open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down
or stop your vehicle.
This may not be
so obvious: You increase the
chance
of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you
will be far
better
off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your door key or Remote Lock
Control transmitter, if your vehicle has this option. From
the inside, slide the lever back to lock the door.
To
unlock the door, slide the lever forward.
Power Door Locks
Press the power door lock switch to lock or unlock
all doors.
On four-door models, the rear doors do not have
power door lock switches. The lever
on each rear door
works only that door’s lock. It won’t lock or unlock all
the doors.
ProCarManuals.com