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When should an air bag inflate?
The driver's and right front passenger's frontal air bags
are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or
near
-frontal crashes. But they are designed to 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
16 mph (14 to 26 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 driver's and right front passenger's frontal
air bags are not designed to inflate in rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side impacts because inflation
would not help the occupant.
The side impact air bags are designed to inflate in
moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact air bag
will inflate if the crash severity is above the system's
designed ªthreshold level.º The threshold level can vary
with specific vehicle design. Side impact air bags are not
designed to inflate in frontal or near
-frontal impacts,
rollovers or rear impacts, because inflation would not
help the occupant. A side impact air bag will only
deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck.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.
For frontal air bags, inflation is determined by the angle
of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down
in frontal and near
-frontal impacts. For side impact air
bags, inflation is determined by the location and severity
of the impact.
The air bag system is designed to work properly under
a wide range of conditions, including off
-road usage.
Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain.
As always, wear your safety belt. See ªOff
-Road
Drivingº in the Index for more tips on off
-road driving.
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. For both
frontal and side impact air bags, 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, instrument panel and the side of the front
seatbacks closest to the door.
2-57 Armrest Storage Compartment
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a center armrest storage
compartment in the front bench seat.
To open it, fold down the armrest and press the latch
handle located at the front of the armrest. Then, let the
lid pop up and swing open.
The storage compartment has a cassette/compact disc
holder. The holder will store up to six compact disc
cases and five cassette tape cases or a total of eleven
cassette tape cases.
If not used to store cassette or compact disc cases, the
storage area can be used to store a laptop computer.
The storage compartment also has a tray to use
for writing.
Center Console Storage Area (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a console compartment between
the bucket seats.
To open it, insert the console key into the lock and
unlock the console. Press the button and swing the
console lid open.
The console has a place to store coins, tissues, pens and
a clip to hold business cards.
Your console has a cupholder that swings down for the
rear seat passengers to use.
2-58 Cupholders
Your vehicle may have cupholders located in the front
and rear floor console or in the second seat fold down
armrest and in the quarter trim.
Rear Storage Compartment
Your vehicle has a storage compartment located in
the rear cargo area of the vehicle in the driver's side
trim panel.
To open the utility compartment, press in on the release
latch and swing the compartment door open.
To open the Suburban/Yukon XL compartment, pull the
latch to access.
Cargo Security Shade (If Equipped)
CAUTION:
An improperly stored cargo cover could be
thrown about the vehicle during a collision
or sudden maneuver. You or others could be
injured. If you remove the cover, always store
it outside of the vehicle. When you put it back,
always be sure that it is securely reattached.
If you have a cargo security shade, you can use it to
cover items in the cargo area of your vehicle.
To use the shade:
1. Pull the shade handle toward the rear of the vehicle.
2. Latch the shade posts into the retaining sockets on
the cargo area trim panels.
To return the shade to the retracted position:
1. Pull up on the shade handle to release the shade posts
from the retaining sockets.
2. Let the shade move forward to the full
retracted position.
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To remove the shade from the vehicle:
1. Let the shade go all the way into the holder.
2. Then, grasping the passenger's side shade endcap,
push the shade endcap toward the driver's side of
the vehicle. The endcap should lock in the
compressed position.
3. Lift the shade up on the passenger's side, swing the
shade rearward and take it out of the vehicle.
To put the shade in the vehicle:
1. Make sure the shade slot in the holder faces rearward
with the round surface facing down.
2. Then, hold the shade at an angle and place the shade
holder tab into the slot in the driver's side trim panel.
3. Move the other end of the shade forward and hold it
next to the passenger's side trim panel slot.
Push the button on top of the passenger's side endcap.
This will allow the shade to extend into the trim slot.
Lightly pull on the shade holder to make sure it is
secure. On Suburban/Yukon XL models there are two
slots. The slots furthest forward allow the shade to be
used if the third seat is removed or folded down.Cargo Tie Downs
There are cargo tie downs in
the rear cargo area that
allow you to strap cargo in
and keep it from moving
inside the vehicle.
When not using the tie downs, flip them down out of
the way.
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
You may have a convenience net in the rear of your
vehicle to help keep small loads, like grocery bags, in
place during sharp turns or quick stops and starts.
The net is not designed for larger, heavier items.
To install the net, attach the hooks to the raised cargo tie
downs. Then, attach the cord loops to the button
retainers in the side trim.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie flat when
you're not using it.
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Sunroof (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a power sliding
sunroof. To open or close your sunroof, the ignition
or RAP needs to be active. See ªRetained Accessory
Powerº in the Index.
Press and release the rear side of the button located in
the front overhead console to express
-open the glass
panel and sunshade. To close the glass panel, press and
hold the front of the button. The glass will not be fully
seated unless the button is held until the glass stops
moving. With the sunroof closed, press the forward side
of the button to open the sunroof to the vent position.The sunroof is also equipped with a sunshade which you
can pull forward to block sun rays. The sunshade will
not close when the sunroof is open.
If a hand, arm, or other object is blocking the sunroof
glass panel as it is closing, the glass panel will stop at
the obstruction. After the obstruction is removed, the
glass panel can be closed or opened.
Use care not to leave the sunroof open for long periods
of time as debris may collect in the tracts.
If the battery has been recharged, disconnected or is not
working, you may need to reprogram the sunroof. To do
this, start the vehicle and press the forward side of the
sunroof switch until the glass panel moves to a fully
closed position. Release, and press again to move to the
vent position which occurs when the sunroof is fully
tilted rearward. This will reset the memory and enable
the sunroof to function properly.
4-21 Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out.
For example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance
and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields (if so equipped) are properly
attached. Be sure you read all the information about
your four
-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is there
enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the
fluid levels up where they should be? What are the local
laws that apply to off
-roading where you'll be driving?
If you don't know, you should check with law
enforcement people in the area. Will you be on
someone's private land? If so, be sure to get the
necessary permission.
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
There are some important things to remember about
how to load your vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the load floor and
forward of your rear axle. Put heavier items as far
forward as you can.
Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on
the off
-road terrain doesn't toss things around.
CAUTION:
Cargo on the load floor piled higher than
the seatbacks can be thrown forward
during a sudden stop. You or your
passengers could be injured. Keep cargo
below the top of the seatbacks.
Unsecured cargo on the load floor can
be tossed about when driving over rough
terrain. You or your passengers can
be struck by flying objects. Secure the
cargo properly.
Heavy loads on the roof raise the vehicle's
center of gravity, making it more likely to
roll over. You can be seriously or fatally
injured if the vehicle rolls over. Put heavy
loads inside the cargo area, not on the roof.
Keep cargo in the cargo area as far forward
and low as possible.
You'll find other important information in this manual.
See ªVehicle Loading,º ªLuggage Carrierº and ªTiresº
in the Index.
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CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
The label will help you decide how much cargo and
installed equipment your truck can carry.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask
your dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.If you put things inside your vehicle
-- like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else
-- they go as fast as the
vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if
there is a crash, they'll keep going.
CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in
a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
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There's also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See ªLoading Your Vehicle for
Off
-Road Drivingº in the Index.
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the Cargo
Weight Rating (CWR) for your vehicle. CWR is the
maximum weight of the load your vehicle can carry.
It doesn't included the weight of the people inside.
But you can figure about 150 lbs. (68 kg) for each seat.
The total cargo load must not be more than your
vehicle's CWR.
Weigh your vehicle with the trailer attached, so that you
won't go over the GVWR or GAWR. If you are using a
weight
-distributing hitch, weigh the vehicle without the
equalizer bars in place.
You'll get the best performance if you spread out the
weight of your load the right way, and if you choose the
correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, see ªTrailer Towingº in
the Index.
Towing a Trailer
CAUTION:
If you don't use the correct equipment and
drive properly, you can lose control when you
pull a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work well
-- or even
at all. You and your passengers could be seriously
injured. Pull a trailer only if you have followed
all the steps in this section. Ask your dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.