1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER steering

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How the Air Bag System Works
I
I
The right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrument
panel
on the passenger’s side.
Where are the air bags?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If something is between an occupant and an air
bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that person. The path
of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don’t
put anything between an occupant and an air
bag, and don’t attach
or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or
on or near any other air
bag covering.
When should an air bag inflate?
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate
only if the impact speed
is above the system’s designed
“threshold level.” If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is
about
9 to 15 mph (14 to 24 km/h). The threshold level
can vary, however, with specific vehicle design,
so that it can
be somewhat above or below this range.
If your
vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such
as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher. The
air bag
is not designed to inflate in rollovers, side
impacts or rear impacts, because inflation would not
help the occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle
or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation
is determined by the angle of the impact and
how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
near-frontal impacts.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing
system triggers
a release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related
hardware
are all part of the air bag modules inside the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front
of
the right front passenger.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel.
Air bags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts.
Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags would
not help
you in many types of collisions, including
rollovers,
rear impacts and side impacts, primarily because
an occupant’s motion
is not toward those air bags. Air
bags should never be regarded as anything more than a
supplement to safety belts,
and then only in moderate to
severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module in the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, or the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag, will
be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag that come
into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to
touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from
vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t
prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to
steer the vehicle, nor does
it stop people from leaving
the vehicle.
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma
or other
breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do
so.
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields
are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag
system.
If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t
be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0
0 Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information
about the air bag system. The module records
information about the readiness of the system,
when the sensors are activated and driver’s safety
belt usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your air
bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service. Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Chevrolet
Air bags affect how your Chevrolet should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle.
You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Chevrolet dealer and the Cavalier Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system. To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications’’ in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may
have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the
air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
A C.” UTION:
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery
is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured
if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualified to do
so.
The air bag system does nor need regular maintenance.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves -- so
don’t do it.
When you park your Chevrolet and open the driver’s
door, you’ll hear
a chime reminding you to remove your
key from the ignition and take it with you. Always do
this. Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will
your ignition.
If you have an automatic transaxle, taking
your key out also locks your transaxle. And remember
to lock the doors.
Passlock TM
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember
to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your key? What
if you
have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
Lock the glove box. or glove box.
0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s. Your
vehicle is equipped with the Passlock
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock
is a passive theft-deterrent system. The system is
armed once the key is removed from the ignition. Passlock
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with a
valid key.
If a correct key is not used, fuel is disabled.
During normal operation, the THEFT SYSTEM light
’ will go off after the engine is started. If the engine stalls
and the
THEFT SYSTEM light flashes, wait until the
light stops flashing before trying to restart the engine.
Remember to release the key from the
START position
as
soon as the engine starts. If you are dnving and the
THEFT SYSTEM light comes on, you will be able to
restart the engine if you turn the engine
off. However,
your Passlock system is not working properly and must
be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected
by Passlock at this time.
You may also want to check the
fuses (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index).
See your Chevrolet dealer for service.
If the THEFT SYSTEM light comes on while the engine
is running, a problem has been detected and the system
may need service. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the Chevrolet Roadside Assistance
Center at 1-800-CHEV-USA
(1-800-243-8872).
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition
Positions
NOTICE:
Your modern Chevrolet doesn’t need an
elaborate “break-in.” But it will perform better
in the long run if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle
starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
A
C
E
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions:
ACCESSORY
(A): This is an on position in which you
can operate your electrical power accessories. Press in
the ignition switch as you turn the top
of it toward you.
LOCK
(B): This is the only position in which you can
remove the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition and transaxle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. In the
OFF position, the
instrument cluster and the automatic transaxle gear shift
indicator have electrical power. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed
or towed, but never try to
push-start your vehicle.
A warning chime will sound if
you open the driver’s door when the ignition is off and
the key
is in the ignition.
RUN (D): This is an on position to which the switch
returns after you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays in the RUN position when the
engine is running. But even when the engine is
not
running, you can use RUN to operate your electrical
power accessories, and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
START
(E): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the
key. The ignition switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN are on positions that allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such
as the radio. On manual transaxle
vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result in
a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause
a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to
OFF. Don’t press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure
you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using
a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your
~ vehicle needs service.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Windows
I On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank to open and close each window.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
The driver’s window switch has an auto-down feature.
The driver’s window can be opened to the desired
amount by pushing the rear
of the switch to the first
detent. For the auto-down feature, push the rear
of the
switch all the way down. The window will continue
going down until fully opened.
To stop the window while it is lowering, briefly press
the switch forward, then release.
To raise the window, press and hold the switch forward.
With power windows, switches on the center console
control each of the windows when the ignition is on. In
addition, in four-door models, each rear passenger door
has a control switch for its own window.
Lockout Switch
In a sedan model, you also have a lockout switch.
Press it to disable the rear passenger’s power window
switches.
This will prevent rear passengers from
opening and closing the windows. The driver can still
control
all windows with the switch in the lock position.
Press the lockout button again
to enable the passenger’s
window switches.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the center of your
steering wheel near the horn symbols.
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