Page 1 of 398

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-6
Child Restraints
.......................................1-21
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-42
Restraint System Check
............................1-55
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-6
Windows
.................................................. 2-9
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-11
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-13
Mirrors
....................................................2-23
HomeLink
®Transmitter
.............................2-26
Storage Areas
.........................................2-30
Convertible Top
.......................................2-45
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-52
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-19
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-23
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-44
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-61Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-32
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Rear Axle
...............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-43
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-43
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-49
Tires
......................................................5-51
Appearance Care
.....................................5-74
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-82
Electrical System
......................................5-83
Capacities and Speci cations
.....................5-92
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-12
Index.................................................................1
2004 Chevrolet SSR Owner ManualM
Page 7 of 398

Front Seats......................................................1-2
Power Seats..................................................1-2
Heated Seats.................................................1-3
Reclining Seatbacks........................................1-4
Seatback Latches...........................................1-6
Safety Belts.....................................................1-6
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone.................1-6
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts......1-11
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly.................1-12
Driver Position..............................................1-12
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy..................1-19
Passenger Position.......................................1-20
Safety Belt Extender.....................................1-20
Child Restraints.............................................1-21
Older Children..............................................1-21
Infants and Young Children............................1-24
Child Restraint Systems.................................1-27
Top Strap....................................................1-31
Top Strap Anchor Location.............................1-32Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers
for Children (LATCH System)......................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint Designed
for the LATCH System...............................1-34
Securing a Child Restraint in the Passenger
Seat Position............................................1-37
Air Bag Systems............................................1-42
Where Are the Air Bags?...............................1-45
When Should an Air Bag In ate?....................1-47
What Makes an Air Bag In ate?.....................1-48
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?.....................1-48
What Will You See After an Air Bag In ates? . . .1-49
Air Bag Off Switch........................................1-51
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-54
Restraint System Check..................................1-55
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-55
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash............................................1-56
Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems
1-1
Page 18 of 398

Q:If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from
home, why should I wear safety belts?
A:You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an
accident — even one that isn’t your fault — you
and your passenger can be hurt. Being a good
driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of
home. And the greatest number of serious injuries
and deaths occur at speeds of less than
40 mph (65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about
safety belts and children. And there are different
rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be
riding in your vehicle, seeOlder Children on page 1-21
orInfants and Young Children on page 1-24. Follow
those rules for everyone’s protection.
First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.
We’ll start with the driver position.
Driver Position
This part describes the driver’s restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here is how to wear
it properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see
how, see “Seats” in the Index.
1-12
Page 26 of 398

The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the
mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more
likely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. For
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making
safety belts effective is wearing them properly.
Passenger Position
To learn how to wear the passenger’s safety belt
properly, seeDriver Position on page 1-12.
The passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the
driver’s safety belt — except for one thing. If you
ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all the way,
you will engage the child restraint locking feature. If
this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and
start again.
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so
the extender will be long enough for you. The extender
will be just for you, and just for the seat in your
vehicle that you choose. Don’t let someone else use it,
and use it only for the seat it is made to t. To wear
it, just attach it to the regular safety belt.
1-20
Page 27 of 398
Child Restraints
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown booster seats should
wear the vehicle’s safety belts.
Q:What is the proper way to wear safety belts?
A:If possible, an older child should wear a
lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a
shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt
should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt
should t snugly below the hips, just touching the
top of the thighs. It should never be worn over
the abdomen, which could cause severe or even
fatal internal injuries in a crash.
In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike
other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown
out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety
belts properly.
1-21
Page 29 of 398
Q:What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt
is very close to the child’s face or neck?
A:Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s
shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper
body would have the restraint that belts provide.
{CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is
behind the child. If the child wears the belt in
this way, in a crash the child might slide under
the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied
right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause
serious or fatal injuries.
The lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snug
on the hips, just touching the child’s thighs. This
applies belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash.
1-23
Page 30 of 398
Infants and Young Children
Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes
infants and all other children. Neither the distance
traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes
the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact,
the law in every state in the United States and in
every Canadian province says children up to some age
must be restrained while in a vehicle.
Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles,
they should have the protection provided by appropriate
restraints. Young children should not use the vehicle’s
adult safety belts alone, unless there is no other choice.
Instead, they need to use a child restraint.
1-24
Page 31 of 398
{CAUTION:
People should never hold a baby in their arms
while riding in a vehicle. A baby does not
weigh much — until a crash. During a crash a
baby will become so heavy it is not possible to
hold it. For example, in a crash at only
25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby will
suddenly become a 240-lb. (110 kg) force on a
person’s arms. A baby should be secured in
an appropriate restraint.
{CAUTION:
Children who are up against, or very close to,
any air bag when it in ates can be seriously
injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder
belts offer outstanding protection for adults
and older children, but not for young children
and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt
system nor its air bag system is designed for
them. Young children and infants need the
protection that a child restraint system can
provide.
1-25