1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE Owners Manual

I A 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 touching
the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’\
s
pelvic bones in a crash.
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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. If your vehicle has a
built-in child restraint, also periodically make sure the
harness straps, latch plates, buckle, clip, child head
restraint and anchorages are working properly. Look for
any other loose or damaged safety belt and built-in child
restraint system parts. If you see anything that might
keep
a safety belt or built-in child restraint 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.
If your vehicle has the built-in child restraint, torn or
frayed harness straps can rip apart under impact forces
just like torn or frayed safety belts can. They may not
protect a child in a crash. If a harness strap is torn or
frayed, get a new harness 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.)
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Replacing Restraint System Parts
After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new safety belts or
built-in child restraint parts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may
be necessary.
But if the safety belts or built-in child restraint harness
straps were stretched, as they would be
if worn during a
more severe crash, then you need new safety belts or
harness straps.
If the frontal air bags inflate, you’ll also need to replace
the driver’s and right front passenger’s safety belt
buckle assembly. Be sure to do
so. Then the new buckle
assembly will be there to help protect you in
a collision. If
safety belts or built-in child restraint harness straps
are cut
or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also
may mean you will need to have safety belt, built-in
child restraint or seat parts repaired
or replaced. New
parts and repairs may be necessary even if the safety belt
or built-in child restraint 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
this section. in
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b NOTES
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b NOTES
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0 Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and i\
nformation 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.
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2-4
2-8
2-12
2-13
2- 14
2-20
2-22
2-23
2-25 2-26
2-27
2-29
2-30
2-34
2-35
2-37 Keys
Door Locks
Keyless Entry System (Option)
Switchbanks
Sliding Door
Power Sliding Door (Option)
Liftgate
Theft
Content Theft-Deterrent (Option)
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake Shifting Into PARK
(P)
Shifting Out of PARK (P) 2-38
2-38
2-39
2-40
2-50
2-53
2-60
2-6 1
2-65
2-66
2-78
2-7
8
2-80 2-82
2-86
2-98 Parking
Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
Locks and Lighting Choices
Windows Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Sun Visors
Accessory Inflator System (Option)
Accessory Power Outlet Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Option)
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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.
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The master key can be
used
for the ignition as
well as all door locks, the
liftgate lock and the
storage compartments.
If you need a new key, contact your Chevrolet
dealer, who can obtain the correct key code. In an
emergency, call Chevrolet Roadside Assistance at
1-800-CHEV-USA (1-800-243-8872). (In Canada,
call 1-800-268-6800.)
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have
a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your key inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you have an
extra key.
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