2002 CHEVROLET AVEO airbag

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front or
sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, height, front end or side
sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system from
working properly. Also, the airbag system may
not work properly if you relocate any of the airbag
sensors. If you have any questions about this,
you should contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two
of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on
page 7-2.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modied. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic
module, steering wheel, the instrument panel, or
airbag wiring can affect the operation of the airbag
system. If you have questions, call Customer
Assistance. The phone numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the
Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.
1-70

Restraint System Check
Checking the 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. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt 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.Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s frontal airbag, or an
airbag covering (if equipped) on a seatback, the
airbag may not work properly. You may have to
replace the airbag module in the steering wheel, both
the airbag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag, or both the
airbag module and the seatback for seating positions
with a side impact airbag (if equipped.) Do not open
or break the airbag coverings.
1-71

Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems in
your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may
not properly protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure your restraint
systems are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.
If you have had a crash, do you need new or LATCH
system parts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if
worn during a more severe crash, then you need
new parts.
If the LATCH system was being used during a more
severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH
system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt
or LATCH system was not being used at the time of
the collision.
If the frontal airbags inflate, you will also need to
replace the driver’s and right front passenger’s safety
belt pretensioners and safety belt. Be sure to do
so. Then the new pretensioner and safety belt will be
there to help protect you in a collision.
After a crash you may need to replace the driver and
right front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies,
even if the frontal airbags have not deployed. The
driver and right front passenger’s safety belt retractor
assemblies contain the safety belt pretensioners.
Have your safety belt pretensioners checked if your
vehicle has been in a collision, or if your airbag
readiness light stays on after you start your vehicle or
while you are driving. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-32.
If an airbag inflates, you will need to replace airbag
system parts. See the part about the airbag system
earlier in this section.
1-72

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-8
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Rear Window Wiper/Washer...........................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-15
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Dome Lamp .................................................3-16
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-16
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-17
Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System.................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-21
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-21Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-23
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-24
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-25
Trip Odometer..............................................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Safety Belt Reminder Tone............................3-25
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-26
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-27
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-28
Cruise Control Light......................................3-29
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-29
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Indicator Light.....3-29
Fuel Gage...................................................3-30
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-30
Secondary Information Center (SIC).................3-31
Clock..........................................................3-32
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-32
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-32
Charging System Light..................................3-33
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-34
Hold Mode Light...........................................3-34
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-34
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-37
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-38
Door Ajar Light.............................................3-38
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has a passenger airbag status indicator in
the clock, located in the center of the instrument panel.
When the ignition key is turned to ON or START, the
passenger airbag status indicator will light for several
seconds as a system check. Then, after several
more seconds, if the off symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the passenger
sensing system has turned off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and side airbag (if equipped). See
Passenger Sensing System on page 1-65for more on
this, including important safety information.
If the off symbol is not lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and side airbag (if equipped) are enabled
(may inflate).{CAUTION:
If the off symbol in the passenger airbag
status indicator does not come on when you
have a rear-facing child restraint installed in
the right front passenger’s seat, it means that
the passenger sensing system has not turned
off the passenger’s frontal airbag and side
airbag (if equipped). A child in a rear-facing
child restraint can be seriously injured or killed
if the right front passenger’s airbag or airbags
inate. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close
to the inating airbag or airbags. Do not use a
rear-facing child restraint in the right front
passenger’s seat unless the airbag or airbags
have been turned off. United States
Canada
3-26

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be wrong with the
airbag system. If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the frontal airbag and side airbag (if
equipped). SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 3-32for more on this, including important
safety information.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light
comes on, there is a
brake problem. Have your
brake system inspected
right away.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake does not fully
release. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.
3-27

Clock
Your vehicle has a digital clock. The clock is located in
the secondary instrument cluster on the center of
the instrument panel, above the center air outlets. When
the ignition is turned to ACC or ON, the time is
displayed in the digital clock. There are two adjusting
buttons for the digital clock:
H (Hour):To go forward one hour, press the H button
once. To go forward more than one hour, press and hold
the button until the correct hour is reached.
M (Minute):To go forward one minute, press the
M button once. To go forward more than one minute,
press and hold the button until the correct minute
is reached.
After disconnecting the battery or replacing the fuse,
reset the clock.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
The safety belt light will
come on and stay on until
the driver’s safety belt
is buckled.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, the light will not
come on.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the secondary
information center (SIC), which shows the airbag
symbol. The system checks the airbag’s electrical
system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. The system check includes the
airbag sensor, the airbag modules, the wiring and the
crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more
information on the airbag system, seeAirbag System on
page 1-56.
3-32

This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will flash for
a few seconds. Then the
light should go out. This
means the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on or flashes when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly. Have
your vehicle serviced right away by your GM dealer.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.The airbag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition to ON. If the light
does not come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition,
and the engine is not
running, as a check
to show you it is working.
Then it should go out when the engine is started.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
Have it checked by your GM dealer. Driving while this
light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
3-33