2000 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO Owners Manual

1-5
But don't have a seatback reclined if your vehicle
is moving.
CAUTION:
Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is
in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle
up, your safety belts can't do their job when
you're reclined like this.
The shoulder belt can't do its job. In a crash you
could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries.
The lap belt can't do its job either. In a crash the
belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt
forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones.
This could cause serious internal injuries.
For proper protection when the vehicle is in
motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit
well back in the seat and wear your safety
belt properly.

1-6 Head Restraints
Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the
restraint is closest to the top of your ears. This position
reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.
Seatback Latches
There is a latch on the back
of the front seat.
The latch releases the seat from the locked position.
The front seat folds forward to let people get into
the rear seat.Your seatback will move back and forth freely, unless
you come to a sudden stop. Then it will lock into place.
If your vehicle is parked facing down a steep hill, the
seatback may not fold without some help from you.
To fold the locked seatback forward, push the seatback
toward the rear and lift the latch. Then the seatback will
fold forward. The latch must be down for the seat to
work properly.
CAUTION:
If the seatback isn't locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it
is locked.

1-7 Easy Entry Manual Seat
The right front passenger seat is designed to make it
easy to get in and out of the rear seat.1. Fold the right front seatback forward by lifting the
seatback latch fully.
The seat will slide forward to allow someone to get
into the rear seat area.
2. Push the seatback upright to lock and slide the seat
fully rearward to lock into its original position.
3. The front passenger should try to move the seat back
and forth to make sure the seat is locked into place.
CAUTION:
If an easy entry right front seat isn't locked, it
can move. In a sudden stop or crash, the person
sitting there could be injured. After you've used
it, be sure to push rearward on an easy entry seat
to be sure it is locked.

1-8 Split Folding Rear Seat
You can fold either side of the seatback (or both sides)
down in your vehicle for more cargo space. Make sure
the front seat isn't reclined. If it is, the rear seatback
may not fold down all the way.
There is a tab located on the
outboard sides of the seat.
To lower the rear seatback, follow these steps:
1. Pull forward on the seat tab to fold the seat cushion
down. This will allow you direct access to the trunk.
2. Fold the seatback down.
To raise the rear seatback, lift the seatback up and push
it back into place. Make sure it latches. Push and pull on
the seatback to be sure it is locked into position.
Safety Belts: They're for Everyone
This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts
properly. It also tells you some things you should not do
with safety belts.
And it explains the air bag system.
CAUTION:
Don't let anyone ride where he or she can't wear
a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and
you're not wearing a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse. You can hit things inside the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured or killed. In the same crash, you might
not be if you are buckled up. Always fasten your
safety belt, and check that your passengers' belts
are fastened properly too.

1-9
CAUTION:
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to
ride in any area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.
Your vehicle has a light that
comes on as a reminder to
buckle up. (See ªSafety
Belt Reminder Lightº in
the Index.)In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here's why: They work.
You never know if you'll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don't know if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn't survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles,
the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter ... a lot!

1-10 Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it's just a seat
on wheels.
Put someone on it.

1-11
Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider
doesn't stop.The person keeps going until stopped by something.
In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...

1-12
or the instrument panel ...or the safety belts!
With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.
You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,
and your strongest bones take the forces. That's why
safety belts make such good sense.