2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO sensor

Single Stage vs. Dual Stage Airbags
Depending on the weight of your vehicle you will have
either “Single Stage Airbags” or “Dual Stage Airbags”.
Vehicles that have a passenger sensing system
also have dual stage airbags. If the rearview mirror in
your vehicle has a passenger airbag status indicator
printed on it, your vehicle has the passenger sensing
system and therefore, it has dual stage airbags. If
the rearview mirror in your vehicle does not have a
passenger airbag status indicator printed on it, then your
vehicle does not have the passenger sensing system
and it has single stage airbags. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-36orPassenger
Sensing System on page 1-80.
Dual Stage Airbags
If your vehicle has frontal airbags with dual stage
deployment, the amount of restraint will adjust according
to crash severity. Your vehicle is equipped with
electronic frontal sensors which help the sensing system
distinguish between a moderate and a more severe
frontal impact. For moderate frontal impacts, these
airbags inate at a level less than full deployment.For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs.
If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall
that does not move or deform, the threshold level for
the reduced deployment is about 10 to 16 mph
(16 to 25 km/h), and the threshold level for a full
deployment is about 20 to 30 mph (32 to 48 km/h).
(The threshold level can vary, however, with specic
vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above
or below this range.)
Vehicle’s with dual stage airbags are also equipped with
special sensors which enable the sensing system to
monitor the position of both the driver and passenger
front seats. The seat position sensor provides
information which is used to determine if the airbags
should deploy at a reduced level or at full deployment.Single Stage Airbags
If your vehicle has frontal airbags with single stage
deployment and your vehicle goes straight into a wall
that does not move or deform, the threshold level
is about 13 to 16 mph (20 to 25 km/h). (The threshold
level can vary, however, with specic vehicle design, so
that it can be somewhat above or below this range.)
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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. SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator
on page 3-36. If your rearview mirror does not have either
of the indicators pictured below, then your vehicle does
not have the passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system will turn off the right
front passenger’s frontal airbag under certain conditions.
The driver’s airbag is not part of the passenger
sensing system.The passenger sensing system works with sensors that
are part of the right front 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 should be enabled (may
inate) or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
General Motors recommends 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.
Never put a child in a rear-facing child restraint in
the right front passenger seat unless the passenger
airbag status indicator shows off. Never put a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front passenger seat unless
the airbag is off. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator — United States
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator — Canada
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Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front 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, front end sheet metal or
height, 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:What if I added a snow plow? Will it keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:We have designed our airbag systems to work
properly under a wide range of conditions,
including snow plowing with vehicles equipped
with the optional Snow Plow Prep Package
(RPO VYU). But do not change or defeat the
snow plow’s “tripping mechanism.” If you do, it can
damage your snow plow and your vehicle, and it
may cause an airbag ination.
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Headlamps on Reminder
A reminder chime will sound when your headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on and your
ignition is off and a door is open. To disable the chime,
turn the light off then back on.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
DRL are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO
The light sensor determines it is daytime
When the DRL are on, only your DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps will not be on.
The instrument panel back lighting will not be on either.When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps.
When you turn the headlamp switch off, the headlamps
will go off, and your DRL lamps will illuminate,
provided it is not dark outside.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on the headlamps at the
normal brightness, along with the taillamps, sidemarker,
parking lamps, and the instrument panel lights. The
radio back lighting will also be dimly lit.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system, turn the
exterior lamps switch to the off position. Turning off
the automatic headlamp system with the headlamp
switch is not available for vehicles rst sold in Canada.
Your vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of
the instrument panel in the defroster grille that regulates
when the automatic headlamps turn on. Be sure it is
not covered, or the system will come on whenever the
ignition is on.
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The system may also turn on your headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather, or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems so
that driving under bridges or bright overhead street
lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
automatic headlamp system will only be affected when
the light sensor sees a change in lighting lasting
longer than the delay.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once
you leave the garage, it will take approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is bright enough outside.During that delay, your instrument panel cluster may
not be as bright as usual. Make sure your instrument
panel brightness control is in the full bright position.
SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-17.
To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp system
off, turn the control to the off position.
You may be able to turn off your Automatic Headlamp
System. SeeDaytime Running Lamps (DRL) on
page 3-14for more information.
Your headlamps will also stay on after you exit the
vehicle. You can program this feature using the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-64.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when needed.
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The passenger’s temperature setting can be set to
match the driver’s temperature setting by pressing and
holding the AUTO button for four seconds. Both the
driver and passenger arrows will be displayed.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When automatic operation is
active the system will control the inside temperature,
the air delivery, and the fan speed.
Use the steps below to place the entire system in
automatic mode:
1. Press the AUTO button.
When AUTO is selected, the display will change to
show the current driver’s set temperature, delivery
mode and fan speed. Press the AUTO button again
within ve seconds to display the passenger’s set
temperature.
If the driver and passenger’s temperature settings
are not the same, the opposite side temperature
setting will be displayed for an additional
ve seconds. To make the passenger’s temperature
the same as the driver’s press and hold the
AUTO button for about four seconds.
When AUTO is selected, the air conditioning
operation and air inlet will be automatically
controlled. The air conditioning compressor will
run when the outside temperature is over about 40°F
(4°C). The air inlet will normally be set to outside air.If it’s hot outside, the air inlet may automatically
switch to recirculate inside air to help quickly cool
down your vehicle. The light on the button will
illuminate in recirculation.
2. Set the driver’s and passenger’s temperature.
To nd your comfort setting, start with a 74°F (23°C)
temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes
for the system to regulate. Turn the driver’s or
passenger’s side temperature knob to adjust the
temperature setting as necessary. If you choose the
temperature setting of 60°F (15°C) the system
will remain at the maximum cooling setting. If you
choose the temperature setting of 90°F (32°C)
the system will remain at the maximum heat setting.
Choosing either maximum setting will not cause
the vehicle to heat or cool any faster.
Be careful not to cover the sensor located on the
top of the instrument panel near the windshield. This
sensor regulates air temperature based on sun
load, and also turns on your headlamps.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the
system will delay turning on the fan until warm air is
available. The length of delay depends on the
engine coolant temperature. Pressing the fan switch
will override this delay and change the fan to a
selected speed.
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Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
be provided for several seconds to remind people to
buckle their safety belts. The driver safety belt light will
also be provided and stay on for several seconds,
then it will ash for several more. You should buckle
your seat belt.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled and the
vehicle is in motion.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-54for
more information on driver and passenger safety
belt reminders.
If the driver’s belt is buckled, neither the chime nor
the light will come on.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-80for
more information.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The
system checks the airbag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the airbag
sensors, the airbag modules, the passenger sensing
system (if equipped), the wiring and the crash sensing
and diagnostic module. For more information on the
airbag system, seeAirbag System on page 1-71.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
This means the system
is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start
the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly. Have your
vehicle serviced right away.
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This message is an additional reminder to the Safety
Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeSafety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-33for more
information.
Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge
the message and clear it from the DIC display.
If your vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons,
pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge
the message and clear it from the DIC display.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message is displayed when the engine oil needs to
be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be sure to reset the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL message. SeeEngine Oil
Life System (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-23,Engine
Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20, andScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4for more
information.
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE
On some vehicles, if there is a problem with the
generator and battery charging system, this message
will appear on the DIC, a chime will sound, and the
battery warning light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on. Driving with this problem could drain your
battery. Turn off all unnecessary accessories. Stop and
turn off the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Have the electrical system checked by your GM dealer
immediately. SeeBattery Warning Light on page 3-39
andVoltmeter Gage on page 3-39for more information.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
If your vehicle has an oil level sensor, and the oil level
in the vehicle is low, this message will appear on
the DIC. Check the oil level and correct it as necessary.
You may need to let the vehicle cool or warm up and
cycle the ignition to be sure this message will clear.
Once the problem is corrected, pressing any of the
four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message
and clear it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does
not have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip
odometer reset stem will acknowledge the message and
clear it from the DIC display. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline
Engine) on page 5-20for additional information.
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