1997 GMC JIMMY steering wheel

How the Air Bag System Works
Where is the air bag?
The driver’s
air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
If something is between the driver and the 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 the
air
bag, and don’t attach or put anything on or near
the steering wheel hub.
1-22 2

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
14 to 18 mph (23 to 29 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 and
near-frontal impacts.
The air bag system
is designed to work properly under a
wide range of conditions, including off-road usage.
Observe safe driving speeds. especially
on rough terrain.
As always. wear your safety belt. See "Off-Road
Driving"
in the Index for Inore tips on off-road driving.
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 module inside the
steering wheel.
How does an air bag restrain?
In tnoderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel.
The air bag supplements 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 the air bag.
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.
1-23

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
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
bag. 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.
e
e
e
The air bag is designed to inflate only once. After it
inflates? 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 the air bag module and
possibly other parts. The service manual for
your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped
with a 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.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s air bag,
the bag may not work properly. You may have to
replace the air bag module.
Do not open or break
the air bag cover.
1-24

Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although
your vehicle has a number of theft-deter-rent
features, we know that nothing we put
on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
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 vehicle and open the driver’s door.
you’ll hear a tone 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 transmission, taking
your
key out also locks your transmission. And
remember to lock the doors.
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,
i1.s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if ~OLI have to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something \duable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
2 Olove box.
0 Lock all thc doors except the driver’s.
2-12

New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it
will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
0 Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first
500 miles (805 km).
0 Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
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.
See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
0 Avoid making hard stops for the first
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to five different
positions.
C
I
ACCESSORY (A): ACCESSORY lets you use things
like the radio and the windshield wipers when the
engine
is off. Push in the key and turn it toward you.
Your steering wheel will remain locked. just as it was
before you inserted the key.
2-13

NOTICE:
Don’t operate accessories in the ACCESSORY
position for long periods of time. Prolonged
operation of accessories in the ACCESSORY
position could drain your battery and prevent
you from starting your vehicle.
LOCK
(B): This position locks your ignition, steering
wheel and transmission. It’s
a theft-deterrent feature.
You will only be able to remove your key when the
ignition is turned
to LOCK.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. Use OFF if you must have
your vehicle in motion while the engine is off (for
example, if your vehicle is being towed).
RUN (D): This is the position for driving.
START (E): This starts your engine.
On manual transmission 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.
I NOTICE: I
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.
I
2-14 I

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission may have a shift lever
located
on the console between the seats or on the
steering column.
There are several different positions for
YOLK shift lever.
If your vehicle is equipped with a column shift lever. it
features an electronic shift position indicator within the
instrument cluster. This display must be powered
anytime the
shift lever is capable of being moved out of-’
the PARK (P) position. This means that if your key is in
the OFF position, but not locked, there will be a snnall
current drain on your battery which could discharge
your battery over a period of time. If you need to leave
your key
in the ignition in the OFF position for an
extended period, it is recommended that you disconnect
the battery cable from the battery to prevent discharging
your battery.
PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when
YOLI start your engine because yo~~r
vehicle can’t move easily. It
is dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
nwve the shift lever to
PARK (P).
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will
be free to roll
-- even if your shift lever is
in
PARK (P) -- if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N). So, be sure the transfer case is in
a drive gear, two-wheel high
(2HI) or four-wheel
high
(4HI) or four-wheel low (4LO) -- not in
NEUTRAL (N). See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
2-18

Lockout Switch
Four-door vehicles have a lockout feature to prevent
passengers from operating power
windows. It is located
on the driver’s door. Press LOCK to activate this feature.
Press
NORM and the windows return to normal operation.
Swing-Out Windows (2-Door Only)
If your vehicle has rear
swing-out windows, unlatch
them
at their clasps and
push out
on the glass to
open them.
When you close the window, be sure the latch catches.
Horn
TO sound the horn, press the horn symbols on the
steering wheel pad.
2-37