
Passenger Sensing System
Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. The
passenger airbag status indicator in the rearview mirror
will be visible when you start the vehicle. The words
ON and OFF or the symbol for on and off, will be visible
during the system check. When the system check is
complete, either the word ON or the word OFF, or the
symbol for on or the symbol for off will be visible. See
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-35.The passenger sensing system will turn off the
passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact airbag
(if equipped) under certain conditions. The driver’s
airbags are not part of the passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with sensors
that are part of the passenger’s seat and safety belt.
The sensors are designed to detect the presence
of a properly seated occupant and determine if the
passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact airbag
(if equipped) should be enabled (may in ate) or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
We recommend that child restraints be secured in a
rear seat, including an infant riding in a rear-facing infant
seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat and an
older child riding in a booster seat.
You may have a label on your sun visor that says,
“Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This
is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great
if the airbag deploys. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – United States
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator−Canada
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Never put a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the
passenger’s seat unless the passenger airbag status
indicator shows off and the airbags are off.
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the passenger’s
airbag in ates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close
to the in ating airbag. Be sure the airbag is off
before using a rear-facing child restraint in the
passenger’s position.
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal
airbag and side impact airbag (if equipped) if the
system detects a rear-facing child restraint, no
system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee
that an airbag will not deploy under some
unusual circumstance, even though it is
turned off.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
We recommend that rear-facing child restraints
be transported in vehicles with a rear seat that
will accommodate a rear-facing child restraint,
whenever possible. If you need to secure a
forward-facing child restraint in the
passenger’s seat, always move the
passenger’s seat as far back as it will go.
It is better to secure the child restraint in a
rear seat.
The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off
the passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact airbag
(if equipped) if:
the passenger’s seat is unoccupied
the system determines that an infant is present in a
rear-facing infant seat
the system determines that a small child is present
in a forward-facing child restraint
the system determines that a small child is present
in a booster seat
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a passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for
a period of time
the passenger’s seat is occupied by a smaller
person, such as a child who has outgrown
child restraints
or if there is a critical problem with the airbag
system or the passenger sensing system
When the passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact
airbag (if equipped) have been turned off by the
passenger sensing system, the off indicator will light
and stay lit to remind you that the airbags are off.
If a child restraint has been installed and the on indicator
is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint
from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraint following
the child restraint manufacturer’s directions and refer
toSecuring a Child Restraint in the Passenger
Seat Position on page 1-35.
If after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure
that the vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child
restraint into the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly
recline the vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat
cushion if possible.
If the on indicator is still lit, do not secure the child
restraint in this vehicle and check with your dealer.The passenger sensing system is designed to enable
(may in ate) the passenger’s frontal airbag and
side impact airbag (if equipped) anytime the system
senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in
the passenger’s seat. When the passenger sensing
system has allowed the airbags to be enabled, the on
indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the
airbags are active.
For some children who have outgrown child restraints
and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag
and side impact airbag (if equipped), depending upon
the person’s seating posture and body build. Everyone
in your vehicle who has outgrown child restraints should
wear a safety belt properly — whether or not there is an
airbag for that person.
If a person of adult-size is sitting in the passenger’s
seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could be because that
person is not sitting properly in the seat. If this happens,
turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the
seatback in the fully upright position, then sit upright in
the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person’s
legs comfortably extended. Restart the vehicle and have
the person remain in this position for about two minutes.
This will allow the system to detect that person and then
enable the passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact
airbag (if equipped).
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Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front or
sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, height, front end or side
sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system
from working properly. Also, the airbag system may
not work properly if you relocate any of the airbag
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
in this manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction
Procedure on page 7-2.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modi ed. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my advanced airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic
module, steering wheel, instrument panel, the inside
review mirror, or airbag wiring can affect the
operation of the airbag system. If you have
questions, call Customer Assistance. The phone
numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance
are in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction
Procedure on page 7-2.
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Emergency Trunk Release Handle
(Convertible Only)
Notice:Do not use the emergency trunk release
handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing
items in the trunk as it could damage the handle.
The emergency trunk release handle is only
intended to aid a person trapped in a latched trunk,
enabling them to open the trunk from the inside.
There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release
handle located on the rear wall of the trunk below
the latch. This handle will glow following exposure to
light. Pull the release handle down to open the
trunk from the inside.
Windows
{CAUTION:
Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a
vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome by the extreme heat
and suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Never leave a child, a
helpless adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle,
especially with the windows closed in warm or
hot weather.
2-16

Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them to the side.
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirrors
Pull down the sun visor and lift the cover to expose the
lighted vanity mirror. When the cover is lifted, the
lamps will come on automatically, even if the ignition
is off.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.
Theft-Deterrent System
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft-deterrent alarm
system.
With this system, the
security light will ash when
the door is open and locked
with the power door lock
switch.
If this light is on continuously while the engine is
running, your vehicle needs service.
2-19

Arming the System
Use one of the three following items listed here to arm
the system:
Press the lock button on the keyless access
transmitter.
Open the door. Lock the door with the power door
lock switch. The security light should ash.
Remove the keyless access transmitter from inside
the vehicle and close the door. The security light
will stop ashing and stay on. After 30 seconds, the
light should turn off.
The vehicle can be programmed to automatically
lock the doors and arm the theft-deterrent system
when you exit the vehicle. SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-68.
Now, if a door or the hatch/trunk is opened without
the keyless access transmitter, the alarm will go
off. Your horn will sound for two minutes, then it will go
off to save battery power. Your vehicle will not start
without a keyless access transmitter present.
The theft-deterrent system will not arm if you lock the
driver’s door with the power door lock switch after
the doors are closed.
If your passenger stays in the vehicle when you leave
with the keyless access transmitter, have the passenger
lock the vehicle after the doors are closed. This way the
alarm will not arm, and your passenger will not set it off.
Testing the Alarm
Do the following to test the system:
1. Make sure the trunk lid/hatch is latched.
2. Lower the window on the driver’s door.
3. Manually arm the system.
4. Close the doors and wait 30 seconds.
5. Reach through the open window and manually pull
the release lever on the oor.
6. Turn off the alarm by pressing the unlock button on
the transmitter.
If the alarm is inoperative, check to see if the horn
works. If not, check the horn fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-93. If the horn works, but the
alarm doesn’t go off, see your dealer.
Disarming the System
Always use your keyless access transmitter to unlock
a door either by pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter or by squeezing the door handle sensor while
you have the transmitter with you. Unlocking a door
any other way will set off the alarm. If your alarm
sounds, press the unlock button on the keyless access
transmitter to disarm it.
2-20

OnStar®System
OnStar®uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide you with a wide range of safety,
security, information, and convenience services. If your
airbags deploy, the system is designed to make an
automatic call to OnStar
®Emergency where we
can request emergency services be sent to your
location. If you lock your keys in the car, call OnStar
®
at 1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send a signal to
unlock your doors. If you need roadside assistance,
press the OnStar
®button and they can contact
Roadside Service for you.
A complete OnStar
®Owner’s Guide and the Terms and
Conditions of the OnStar®Subscription Service
Agreement are included in the vehicle’s OnStar®
Subscriber Information packet located in your vehicle.For more information, visit www.onstar.com or
www.onstar.ca, contact OnStar
®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827), or press the OnStar®button to
speak with an OnStar®advisor 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
OnStar®Services
For new vehicles equipped with OnStar®, the
Safe & Sound Plan is included for one year from the
date of purchase. You can extend this plan beyond the
rst year, or upgrade to the Directions & Connections
®
Plan to meet your needs. For more information,
press the OnStar®button to speak with an advisor.
Safe & Sound Plan
Automatic Noti cation of Airbag Deployment
Emergency Services
Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance
AccidentAssist
Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle Alert
OnStar®Vehicle Diagnostics
OnStar®Hands-Free Calling
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
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