2004 CHEVROLET BLAZER steering
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Where Are the Air Bags?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering
wheel.The right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger’s side.
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{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an
air bag, the bag might not in ate properly or it
might force the object into that person causing
severe injury or even death. The path of an
in ating 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 In ate?
An air bag is designed to in ate in a moderate to severe
frontal, or near-frontal crash. The air bag will in ate only if
the impact speed is above the system’s designed
'threshold level'. 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 speci c 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 in ate in rollovers, rear impacts, or in
many side impacts because in ation would not help the
occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have in ated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
In ation is determined by the angle of the impact
and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
near-frontal impacts.
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. SeeOff-Road
Driving with Your Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle on
page 4-15for more tips on off-road driving.
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What Makes an Air Bag In ate?
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 in ator, which
in ates the air bag. The in ator, 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.
What Will You See After an Air Bag
In ates?
After an air bag in ates, it quickly de ates, so quickly that
some people may not even realize the air bag in ated.
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
de ated air bags. Air bag in ation doesn’t prevent the
driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor
does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
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{CAUTION:
When an air bag in ates, 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 not get out of the vehicle after an air bag
in ates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an air bag deployment, you
should seek medical attention.
Air bags are designed to in ate only once. After they
in ate, 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
in ation and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
Let only quali ed technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that an 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.
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Remote Rear Glass Release
The REAR HATCH button,
located to the right of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel, allows
you to release the
rear glass from inside
the vehicle.
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, your shift
lever must be in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) for the
release to work.
If you have a manual transmission, you must apply your
parking brake or have the ignition off before you can
open the tailgate glass.
Emergency Release for Opening
Tailgate
1. Peel back or slit the carpet to expose the access
hole in the trim panel.
2. Use a thin object to
reach through the
access holes in both
the trim panel and
the hardware cover.
3. Pry the release lever toward the passenger’s side
until the glass latch pops open.
4. Reattach the carpet securely.
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Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition, you can turn it to ve
different positions.
Notice:Lengthy operation of features such as the
radio in the accessory ignition position may drain
the battery and prevent your vehicle from starting.
Do not operate your vehicle in the accessory ignition
position for a long period of time.
A (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use things
like the radio and the windshield wipers when the
engine is off. Push in the key and turn it toward you.
Your steering wheel will remain locked, just as it
was before you inserted the key.{CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the
key to LOCK will lock the steering column and
result in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle.
This could cause a collision. If you need to
turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key only to OFF. Do not press the key
release button while the vehicle is moving.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in.
If it is, turn the steering wheel left and right while
you turn the key hard. If none of this works,
then your vehicle needs service.
B (LOCK):This position locks your ignition, steering
wheel and transmission. It’s a theft-deterrent feature.
You will only be able to remove your key when the
ignition is turned to LOCK.
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C (OFF):This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. Use OFF if you must
have your vehicle in motion while the engine is off
(for example, if your vehicle is being towed).
D (RUN):This is the position for driving.
E (START):This position starts your engine.
Key Release Button
The key cannot be
removed from the ignition
of manual transmission
vehicles unless the
key release button is
pressed.
To remove the key, turn the ignition switch to OFF.
Then turn the key to LOCK while pressing the key
release button. Pull the key straight out.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow certain features of
your vehicle to continue to work for up to 20 minutes
after the ignition key is turned to OFF.
Your radio, power windows, sunroof and overhead
console will work when the ignition key is in RUN or
ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from RUN
to OFF, these features will continue to work for up to
20 minutes or until a door is opened.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position – that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
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Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission may have a shift lever
located on the console between the seats or on
the steering column.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
If your vehicle is equipped with a column shift lever,
it features an electronic shift position indicator within the
instrument panel cluster. This display must be powered
anytime the shift lever is capable of being moved
out of PARK (P). This means that if your key is in OFF,
but not locked, there will be a small current drain on
your battery which could discharge your battery over
a period of time. If you need to leave your key inthe ignition in OFF for an extended period, it is
recommended that you disconnect the battery cable
from the battery to prevent discharging your battery.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels.
It’s the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can’t move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-36. If you
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-60.
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