1998 CHEVROLET PRIZM steering

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How the Air Bag Systems Work
Where are the air bags?
The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel. The
right front passenger’s frontal air bag is in the
instrument panel on the passenger’s side.
The driver’s side impact air bag is in the side
of the
driver’s seatback closest to the
door.
1-24

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The right front passenger’s side impact air bag is in the
side
of the passenger’s seatback closest to the door.
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 and don’t let seat covers block the
inflation path
of a side impact air bag.
1-25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When should an air bag inflate?
The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags
are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal crashes. The frontal air bags are designed to
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
1 1 to 15 mph (1 8 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 driver’s and right front passenger’s
frontal air bags are not designed to inflate in rollovers,
side impacts, or rear impacts, because inflation would
not help the occupant.
The driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact air
bags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes involving a front door.
A side impact air bag
will inflate if the crash severity is above the system’s
designed “threshold level.’’ The threshold level can vary
with specific vehicle design. Side impact air bags are
not
designed to inflate in frontal or near-frontal impacts,
rollovers or rear impacts, because inflation would not
help the occupant.
A side impact air bag will only
deploy
on the side of the vehicle that is struck. It is
possible that, in a crash involving the front of
your vehicle, only one of the two frontal air bags in
your vehicle will deploy. This
is rare, but it can
happen in a crash just severe enough to make a
frontal air bag inflate.
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. For frontal air bags, inflation is determined
by the angle of the impact and how quickly the vehicle
slows down in frontal and near-frontal impacts. For
side impact air bags, inflation is determined by the
location of the impact and how quickly the side of the
vehicle deforms.
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. For both
frontal and side impact air bags, 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, instrument panel and the side of the front
seatbacks closest to the door.
1-26

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. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle. 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 the frontal 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. Side impact air bags would not help you in
many types of collisions, including frontal or near
frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear 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 for
the driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal air bags,
and only in moderate to severe side collisions for the
driver’s and right front passenger’s side impact air bags.
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 -- the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, the instrument
panel for
the right front passenger’s bag, the side of the
seatback closest to the door for the driver and right front
passenger’s side impact air bags
-- 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 the vents in the
deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t prevent the
driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor
does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
A CAUTION:
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
a door.
1-27

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
a
a
Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After an
air bag 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 air bag modules
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 frontal 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 systems. Improper service can mean that an
air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.
~ NOTICE:
’ If you damage the covering for the driver’s or
the right front passenger’s air bag, or the air bag
covering on the driver’s and right front
passenger’s seatback, the bag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the air bag
module in the steering wheel, both the air bag
module and the instrument panel for the right
front passenger’s air bag, or both the air bag
module and seatback for the driver’s and right
front passenger’s side impact air bag.
Do not
open or
break the air bag coverings.
1-28

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Trunk Lock Release Theft
To open the trunk lid, use your key and turn it to
the right.
To close the lid, lower and press down on it. After
closing the lid, try pulling it up to make sure it is closed.
Remote Trunk Lock Release
nw Pull the lever on the floor
near the driver’s door to
open the trunk lid from
inside your vehicle. Vehicle
theft
is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number
of theft-deterrent
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 transaxle, taking your
key out also locks your transaxle. 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.
2-10

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
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.
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
Ignition Switch
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn the
switch to
four positions.
W
LOCK (A): This is the only position from which you
can remove the key. This locks your steering wheel,
ignition and automatic transaxle.
Push in the ignition
switch as you
turn the it toward you.
If you have an automatic transaxle, the ignition switch
can’t be turned to
LOCK unless the shift lever is in
the
PARK (P).

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ACC (ACCESSORY) (B): In this position, you can
operate some of your electrical power accessories (such
as the radio, but not the ventilation fan). It unlocks the
steering wheel and ignition.
To move the key from ACC
to LOCK, push in the key and then turn it to LOCK.
ON (C): The switch returns to this position after you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the
ON position when the engine is running. But
even when the ignition is not running, you can use ON
to operate your electrical power accessories (including
the ventilation fan) and to display some warning and
indicator lights.
START (D): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.
When the engine is not running,
ACC and ON allow
you to operate some
of your electrical accessories.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s
door when the ignition
is in ACC or LOCK and the
key is in the ignition. On manual transaxle
vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK and removing it 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
ACC. Don’t push the key in
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.
2-12