
The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off
the right front passenger’s frontal airbag if:
the right front passenger 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
a right front passenger takes his/her weight off of
the seat for a period of time
the right front passenger 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 has been turned
off by the passenger sensing system, the off indicator on
the instrument panel will light and stay lit to remind
you that the airbag is 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 Right Front
Seat Position on page 1-59.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. Also make sure the child restraint is
not trapped under the vehicle head restraint. If this
happens, adjust the head restraint.
If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the child
restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle if one
is available and check with your dealer.
The passenger sensing system is designed to enable
(may in ate) the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag anytime the system senses that a person of adult
size is sitting properly in the right front passenger’s
seat. When the passenger sensing system has allowed
the airbag to be enabled, the on indicator will light
and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is 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 right front passenger’s
frontal airbag, 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.
1-75

If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right front
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 airbag.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the frontal airbag. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 3-26for more on this, including
important safety information.
1-76

Restraint System Check
Checking the 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 airbag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.)Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s airbag, or the side
impact airbag covering (if equipped) on the ceiling
near the side windows, the airbag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the airbag
module in the steering wheel, both the airbag
module and the instrument panel for the right front
passenger’s airbag, or side impact airbag module
and ceiling covering for roof-mounted side impact
airbags (if equipped.) Do not open or break the
airbag coverings.
1-79

Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
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.
If you have 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 the LATCH system was being used during a more
severe crash, you may need new LATCH system 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 was not being used at the time of
the collision.
If an airbag in ates, you will need to replace airbag
system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier
in this section.
If the frontal airbags in ate, you will also need to
replace the driver’s and right front passenger’s safety
belt retractor assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the new
retractor assembly will be there to help protect you in
a collision.
After a crash you may need to replace the driver and
front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies, even
if the frontal airbags have not deployed. The driver
and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies
contain the safety belt pretensioners. Have your
safety belt pretensioners checked if your vehicle has
been in a collision, or if your airbag readiness light stays
on after you start your vehicle or while you are driving.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-26.
1-80

Removing the Tailgate
Follow these steps if you want to remove the tailgate:
1. With the tailgate fully open, lift up slightly on
the entire tailgate assembly.
Remove the retaining
cables from both sides of
the tailgate by pulling
the clips away from the bolt
heads while pushing the
cable bracket forward.
When the larger part of
the hole on the bracket is
over the bolt, slide the
bracket off of the bolt.
2. With the tailgate partially down, lift up on the
passenger’s side and pull the tailgate toward
you, then move the tailgate to the right to release
the driver’s side. You can then remove the
entire tailgate assembly.
Reverse the procedure to reinstall the tailgate.
Make sure it is secure.To partially lower the tailgate do the following:
1. With the tailgate fully open, lift up slightly on the
entire tailgate assembly.
2. Remove the retaining
cable from the
passenger side of the
tailgate by pulling the
clip away from the bolt
head while pushing the
cable bracket forward.
When the larger part of
the hole on the bracket
is over the bolt, slide
the bracket off of
the bolt.
3. Slide the lower end tting onto the top bolt.
The tailgate will now stay in the partially opened
position.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the driver side.
If you would like to close the tailgate, the bracket cannot
be in the partially opened position and must be
anchored on the bottom bolt, using the top position on
the bracket.
Tailgate Partially Down
2-10

Sliding Rear Window
If your vehicle has this feature, squeeze the latch in the
center of the window and slide the glass to open it.
When you close the window, be sure the latch is engaged.
Sun Visors
To block glare, pull the sun visor down. It can also be
detached from the center mount and moved to the
side to block glare from that direction.
Visor Vanity Mirror
The passenger’s side sun visor may have a mirror.
Pull down the visor to access the mirror.
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.
Content Theft-Deterrent
If your vehicle has the
remote keyless entry
system, the vehicle has a
content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
To activate the content theft-deterrent system,
do the following:
1. Close all the doors.
2. Lock the doors with the remote keyless entry
transmitter. The security light, located on the
instrument panel cluster, will ash.
2-13

If the lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter
is pressed, but a door is open, the horn will chirp
six times. Press the lock button again, within
three seconds, and the doors will lock. Close the
open door and the system will be activated.
If a locked door is not opened using the remote keyless
entry transmitter, or by OnStar
®, the pre-alarm will go
off. If the engine is not started or unlock not pressed
within 10 seconds, the front turn signal lamps will
ash for two minutes, and the horn will sound for
two minutes, then will turn off to save the battery power.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system will not activate
if you lock the doors with a key, the manual door lock, or
power door lock switch. The system can only be
activated using the remote keyless entry transmitter, or
by OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-38for
additional information. You should also remember that
you can start your vehicle with the correct ignition key if
the alarm has been set off.
Here is how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
If you do not want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked with the
door key after the doors are closed.
Always unlock a door with the remote keyless entry
transmitter. Unlocking a door any other way will set
off the alarm.If you set off the alarm by accident, you can turn off the
alarm by pressing unlock on the remote keyless
entry transmitter. The alarm will not stop if you try to
unlock a door any other way.
Testing the Alarm
The alarm can be tested by following these steps:
1. From inside the vehicle, activate the system by
locking the doors with the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
2. Unlock the door with the manual door lock and
open the door. This should set off the alarm.
3. To turn the alarm off, press the unlock button on
the remote keyless entry transmitter or start the
engine.
If the alarm does not sound when it should but the lights
ash, check to see if the horn works. The horn fuse
may be blown. To replace the fuse, seeFuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-102.
If the alarm does not sound or the front turn signal
lamps do not ash, see your dealer for service.
2-14

Passlock®
Your vehicle has the Passlock®theft-deterrent system.
Passlock
®is a passive theft-deterrent system.
Passlock®enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is
turned with a valid key. If an incorrect key is used or the
ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, the fuel system
is disabled and the vehicle will not start.
During normal operation, the security light will turn off
approximately ve seconds after the engine is started.
SeeSecurity Light on page 3-37.
If the engine stalls and the security light ashes, wait
about 10 minutes until the light stops ashing before
trying to restart the engine. Remember to release
the key from START as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start after three tries, the vehicle
needs service.
If the engine is running and the security light comes on,
you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the
engine off. However, your Passlock
®system is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock
®at this
time. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the Roadside Assistance Center.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new
brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear
and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake
linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 4-56for the trailer towing
capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
2-15