2002 CHEVROLET CORVETTE steering

1-22 How the Air Bag System Works
Where are the air bags?
The driver's air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
The passenger's air bag is in the instrument panel on the
passenger's side.

1-23
CAUTION:
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 causing
severe injury or even death. 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.
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
ªthreshold level.º If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn't move or deform, the threshold level is
about 9 to 15 mph (14 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 air bag is not designed to inflate in rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side 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 or
near
-frontal impacts.

1-24
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 modules
inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel
in front of the passenger.
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. Air bags supplement 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 many side 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.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, or the
instrument panel for the passenger's bag
-- 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 bags. 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.
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 door.

1-25
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur
from the passenger air bag.

Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, 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 air bag system.
The module records information about the readiness
of the system, when the system commands air bag
inflation and driver's safety belt usage at deployment.
The module also records speed, engine rpm, brake
and throttle data.
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 covering for the driver's or
the passenger's air bag, the bag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the air bag
module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
passenger's air bag. Do not open or break the
air bag coverings.

2-8
Memory (Option)
MEMORY can store and recall the settings for the
driver's seat position, the outside rearview mirror
positions, telescopic steering column (if equipped),
radio presets, tone, volume, playback mode (AM/FM,
tape or CD), last displayed station, compact disc position
and tape direction and the last climate control setting.The MEMORY buttons are located on the driver's
door, above the power mirror controls. The MEMORY
buttons can store and recall settings for up to three
drivers. Use button 1 to store the settings for the first
driver, button 2 for a second driver or press buttons
1 and 2 at the same time for a third driver. To store
your memory settings:
1. Adjust your settings for the driver's seat position,
outside rearview mirror positions, and telescopic
steering wheel (if equipped).
2. Press and hold a MEMORY button. The light
above the MEMORY button will glow steady for
one second and then flash once when the settings
are complete. Then the light will go off.
3. Set the climate control temperature, fan speed and
mode settings, radio presets, tone, volume, playback
mode (AM/FM, tape or CD), tape direction and
compact disc position.
Your memory settings are now programmed.
Any changes that are made to the audio system and
climate controls while driving will be automatically
stored when the ignition key is turned off.

2-9
When first entering your vehicle, after pressing the
unlock button on your remote keyless entry transmitter
or a MEMORY button, a recall of your settings will
occur when the door is closed and the ignition key is in
the ignition switch. As the memory settings are recalled,
the light above the button will flash until the correct
settings are achieved, then glow for five seconds
when complete.
A memory recall can be stopped by pressing any
memory seat, mirror or steering column position button.
Drivers 1, 2 and 3 correspond to the order in which your
remote keyless entry transmitters were programmed.
See ªFob Trainingº in the Index for more information.
Memory recall will not work if the vehicle is moving.
Memory recall will be temporarily interrupted during
engine crank.Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Your vehicle has a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system
that allows you to lock and unlock your doors, unlock
your hatch/trunk lid, turn the panic alarm on and off and
disarm or arm your theft
-deterrent system. The range
distance is as much as 100 feet (30 m) away.
Your vehicle comes
standard with two
transmitters, and up to
three can be matched
to your vehicle.
See ªMatching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicleº later in
this section.

2-15 Hatch/Trunk Lid Release
To use the hatch/trunk lid release on vehicles with
an automatic transmission, your vehicle must be in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). For manual transmissions,
set the parking brake. See ªParking Brakeº in the Index.Press the button with the trunk symbol on it, located at
the left side of the steering column on the instrument
panel, to release the hatch/trunk lid from inside
your vehicle.
The remote keyless entry transmitter will also release
the hatch/trunk lid. See ªRemote Keyless Entry Systemº
in the Index.
If your vehicle is equipped with a hatch and you have
lost battery power, use the manual release cables to
open the hatch. To access the cables, remove the two
access panels located in the rear of the trunk area.
There is one cable located under each access panel.
See ªRear Storage Compartmentsº in the Index for
more information.

2-18
Theft
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 chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your ignition will be locked. If you have an automatic
transmission, it will be locked. If you have a manual
transmission, the steering wheel will also be locked.
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
Even if you park in a lot where someone will be
watching your vehicle, it's still best to lock it up and
take your keys. But what if you have to leave your key?
Do not leave valuables in your vehicle, since there
would be no place to secure them.