2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO Owners Manual

When Should an Air Bag Inflate? In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe to
a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
frontal, or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate Inflation
is determined by the angle of the impact
only
if the impact speed is above the system’s designed and
how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
“threshold level.” near-frontal impacts.
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 air bag is not
designed to infalte in rollovers, rear impacts, or in
many side impacts because inflation would not help the
occupant.
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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
right front 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.
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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 right front 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 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. 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. If you experience breathing
l problems following an air bag deployment,
you should seek medical attention.
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e
e
e
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 crash sensing and
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 right front 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
right front passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or break
the air bag coverings.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system
to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle.
Your dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system.
To purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications
Ordering Informqtion on page
7-1 1.
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
air bag can
still inflate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an air bag
when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with
yellow tape or yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the air bag system. Be sure to
follow proper service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you
is
qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
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Adding Equipment to Your
Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Q: If I add a push bumper or a bicycle rack to the
front of my vehicle, will it keep the air bags
from working properly?
A: As long as the push bumper or bicycle rack is
attached to your vehicle so that the vehicle’s
basic structure isn’t changed, it’s not likely to keep
the air bags from working properly in a crash.
Q: Is there anything I might add to the front of
the vehicle that could keep the air bags from
working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, front end sheet metal or
height, they may keep the air bag system from
working properly. Also, the air bag system may not
work properly
if you relocate any of the air bag
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 on page 7-2
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Restraint System Check
Checking Your 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 air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
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.
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If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts 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 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 wasn’t being used at the time
of the collision. If
your seat adjuster won’t work after a crash, the
special part of the safety belt that goes through the
seat to the adjuster may need to be replaced.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system
earlier in this section.
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Section 2 Features and controls
Keys ............................................................... 2.2
Remote Keyless Entry System
~ = ~ . = = = = = -2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation
.......... -2-5
Doors and Locks ............................................. 2-7
Door Locks
.................................................... 2.7
Front Doors
................................................... 2.8
Power Door Locks
.......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
................ 2.9
Leaving Your Vehicle
................................... -2-10
Sliding Side Door
......................................... -2-1 0
Rear Doors ................................................. -2-1 3
Windows ........................................................ 2.16
Manual Windows
.......................................... 2.16
Power Windows
........................................... -2-1 7
Sun Visors ................................................... 2.17
Theft-Deterrent Systems .................................. 2.18
Passlock@
.................................................... 2.18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................ 2.19
New Vehicle Break-In
.................................... 2.19
Ignition Positions
........ ................... 2.19 Starting
Your Engine
..................................... 2.21
Engine Coolant Heater
.................................. 2.22
Automatic Transmission Operation
................... 2.23
All-Wheel Drive
............................................ 2.26
Parking Brake
.............................................. 2.26
Shifting Into Park (P)
..................................... 2-27
Shifting Out
of Park (P) ................................. 2-29
Parking Over Things That Burn
....................... 2-30
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked
....... 2-31
Engine Exhaust
............................................ 2-30
Mirrors ........................................................... 2.32
Manual Rearview Mirror
................................ -2-32
Outside Manual Mirrors
.................................. 2.32
Outside Power Mirrors
................................... 2.32
Outside Convex Mirror
................................... 2.33
HomeLink@ Transmitter ................................... 2.34
Programming the HomeLink Transmitter
........... 2.35
Storage Areas ................................................ 2.38
Overhead Console
........................................ 2.39
Luggage Carrier
........................................... 2.44
Convenience Net
.......................................... 2.45
2-1