2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO sensor

1-9
CAUTION:
A safety belt that is improperly routed, not
properly attached, or twisted won't provide the
protection needed in a crash. The person wearing
the belt could be seriously injured. After raising
the rear seatback, always check to be sure that
the safety belts are properly routed and attached,
and are not twisted.
To raise the rear seatback, follow these steps:
1. Raise the seatback up and make sure it latches.
Push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked
in position.
2. Reconnect the center
safety belt latch plate
to the buckle.
Make sure the safety belt label is pointing to the
release button, and that both are facing the front of
the vehicle. Make sure the belt is not twisted. Push
and pull on the latch plate to be sure it is secure.
When the seat is not in use, it should be kept in the
upright locked position. If you plan to load items
into the trunk through the split folding rear seat,
you must first turn off the trunk release sensor.
See ªTrunk Release Sensorº in the Index for
more information.

1-30
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's side impact
air 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 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.
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.
Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically unlock
the doors and turn the interior lamps on when the air
bags inflate (if battery power is available). You can lock
the doors again and turn the interior lamps off by using
the door lock and interior lamp controls.
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.

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 an electronic frontal
sensor, which helps the sensing system distinguish
between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe
frontal impact. Your vehicle is also equipped with a
crash sensing and diagnostic module, which records
information about the frontal 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.

2-14 Trunk Release Sensor TrapAlert
System
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a sensor located on the underside
of the filler panel inside the trunk.
If your vehicle has this feature, the sensor is designed
to open the trunk automatically under certain conditions.
If the sensor detects motion and a difference in
temperature in the trunk, the sensor will sound the horn
if the ignition is in OFF. There will be three short chirps
and a pause repeated for up to two minutes. After one
minute, the trunk latch will release. If the ignition is not
in OFF, the trunk latch will not release automatically
and the horn will not sound.
To cancel the horn alarm and automatically release the
trunk lid before two minutes are up, turn the ignition
to ON.
Do not cover the sensor with items you put into the
trunk or with add
-on accessory equipment. If the
sensor's field of view is blocked, it will not detect
motion and will not function properly.
Be sure to secure items in your trunk so that they
won't move around and cause the trunk to open.

2-15
Disabling the Trunk Release Sensor
A. Sensor Lens
B. Disable Button
Because the sensor detects motion, there are times when
you may want to turn off the trunk sensor so that the
motion of your vehicle or items in the trunk won't cause
the trunk to open, such as the following:

When your vehicle is transported on a car ferry,

when your vehicle is towed, or

when you will be loading items through the opening
in the split folding rear seat (if equipped).Next to the sensor lens, there is a disable button you
can use to turn off the trunk release sensor. To turn
off the sensor, turn the ignition to ON and press the
button next to the lens for two seconds. The horn
will chirp once when the sensor is turned off. When
the sensor is off, the light in the button will flash. The
TRUNK OPEN message in the message center will flash
for one minute each time the ignition is turned on as
a reminder that the sensor is turned off. See ªTrunk
Open Messageº in the Index.
To turn the sensor on again, press the button again
or open the trunk. When the trunk is opened, the
sensor is automatically turned back on. If the sensor is
turned back on with the disable button the horn will
chirp twice.
Servicing the Trunk Release Sensor
The sensor lens should be inspected periodically.
If the lens is dirty, wipe it gently with a clean, soft
cotton cloth.
If there is an electrical problem with the sensor, the
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON message will appear in the
message center. There are other possible reasons for this
message to appear. Be sure to see your dealer as soon as
possible. See ªService Vehicle Soon Messageº in the
Index for more information.

2-24
ALARM (Content Theft Operation): This feature
allows the content theft
-deterrent system to be turned
on or off.
Programmable Modes
Mode 1: ALRM OFF
-- Turns feature off.
Mode 2: ALRM ON
-- Turns feature on.
Before your vehicle was shipped from the factory, it was
programmed to Mode 2. The mode to which your
vehicle was programmed may have been changed since
it left the factory. To determine the mode to which your
vehicle is programmed or to program your vehicle to a
different mode, do the following:
1. Scroll, using the SEEK PSCAN up or down arrows,
until ALARM appears on the display.
2. Press the 1 PREV or 2 NEXT button to enter
the submenu. The current selection will have an
asterisk (*) next to it. If you do not wish to
change the current mode, you can either exit the
programming mode by following the directions later
in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.3. Scroll, using the 1 PREV or 2 NEXT buttons,
through the modes to change the current mode.
4. With your preference displayed, press the TUNE
DISP button to select. A chime will be heard to
verify the new setting. The new selection will be
displayed with an asterisk (*) for one second.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
TRNKJAMB (Trunk Jamb): This feature allows the
content theft system trunk lock sensor to be disabled or
enabled.
Programmable Modes
Mode 1: TRNK OFF
-- Turns feature off.
Mode 2: TRNK ON
-- Turns feature on.
Before your vehicle was shipped from the factory, it
was programmed to Mode 2. The mode to which your
vehicle was programmed may have been changed since
it left the factory.

2-35
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine
doesn't connect with the wheels. To restart when you're
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:

going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly,
or if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with a transaxle
system sensor. If you drive very far that way,
your vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens,
have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then,
you can use SECOND (2) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds.

2-50
The exterior lamps control has three positions:
OFF: Pushing the control all the way in turns off the
exterior lamps.
Parking Lamps: Pulling the control out halfway will
turn on the parking lamps together with the following:

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Headlamps: Pulling the control all the way out turns on
the headlamps together with the previously listed lamps
and lights. See ªInterior Lampsº later in this section for
information on the instrument panel brightness control
and on the dome lamps. A warning chime will sound if
you open the driver's door when the ignition switch is
off and the headlamps are on.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) /
Automatic Headlamp Control
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lamps are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system's automatic headlamp control will
make your high
-beam headlamps come on at a reduced
brightness when the following conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

the exterior lamps control is off and

the gearshift is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only your high
-beam
headlamps, at a reduced level of brightness, will be on.
The headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps
won't be on. Your instrument panel and cluster won't
be lit up either.
When it's dark enough outside, your high
-beam
headlamps will turn off and the headlamps and parking
lamps will turn on. The other lamps that come on with
your headlamps will also come on.
When it's bright enough outside, your headlamps will
go off and your DRL will come on.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

2-76
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information Center
(DIC) that works along with the warning lights and
gages. See ªDriver Information Center (DIC)º in
the Index.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON, a chime will come on for
about eight seconds to remind people to fasten their
safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is already
buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about 20 seconds,
then it will flash for
about 55 seconds.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag's electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag
modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag
system, see ªAir Bagº in the Index.
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 air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.