2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX sensor

When Should an Airbag Inate?
The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal
airbags are designed to inate in moderate to
severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are
designed to inate only if the impact exceeds a
predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds take into account a variety of desired
deployment and non-deployment events and are
used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in
time for the airbags to inate and help restrain the
occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will or
should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle
is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the
direction of the impact, and how quickly your
vehicle slows down.
In addition, your vehicle has “dual-stage” frontal
airbags, which adjust the restraint according to
crash severity. Your vehicle has electronic frontal
sensors which help the sensing system distinguish
between a moderate frontal impact 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 11 to 16 mph (17 to 26 km/h), and the
threshold level for a full deployment is about
20 to 25 mph (32 to 40 km/h). The threshold level
can vary, however, with specic vehicle design, so
that it can be somewhat above or below this range.
Frontal airbags may inate at different crash
speeds. For example:
If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the
airbags could inate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits a moving object.
If the vehicle hits an object that deforms,
the airbags could inate at a different
crash speed than if the vehicle hits an object
that does not deform.
If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole),
the airbags could inate at a different crash
speed than if the vehicle hits a wide object
(like a wall).
If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle,
the airbags could inate at a different crash
speed than if the vehicle goes straight into the
object.
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Frontal airbags (driver and right front passenger)
are not intended to inate during vehicle
rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.
Your vehicle may or may not have roof-mounted
airbags and a rollover sensor. SeeAirbag System
on page 72. These “rollover capable” airbags are
intended to inate in moderate to severe side
crashes or during a rollover. A roof-mounted side
impact airbag will inate if the crash severity is
above the system’s designed “threshold level.”
The threshold level can vary with specic vehicle
design. Roof-mounted side impact airbags are
not intended to inate in rear impacts. Both
roof-mounted rollover airbags will deploy when
either side of the vehicle is struck or during a
rollover.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether
an airbag should have inated simply because
of the damage to a vehicle or because of what the
repair costs were. For frontal airbags, ination is
determined by what the vehicle hits, the angle
of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows
down. For roof-mounted side impact airbags,
ination is determined by the location and severity
of the impact.What Makes an Airbag Inate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag
sensing system detects that the vehicle is
in a crash. Additionally, in the case of a “rollover
capable” roof-mounted side impact airbag, the
sensing system detects that the vehicle is about to
roll over. The sensing system triggers a release
of gas from the inator, which inates the airbag.
For the frontal airbags, the inator, airbag, and
related hardware are all part of the airbag modules
inside the steering wheel and in the instrument
panel in front of the right front passenger.
For vehicles with roof-mounted rollover airbags,
the airbag modules, the inator, and the airbags
are located in the ceiling of the vehicle, near
the side windows.
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Passenger Sensing System
Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system.
The passenger airbag status indicator on the
instrument panel will be visible when you turn your
ignition key to RUN or START.
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.
SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator
on page 175.
The passenger sensing system will turn off the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag 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 right front passenger’s seat.
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. 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.
If your vehicle has a rear seat that will
accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, there is
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.
United StatesCanada
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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 456.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modied. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the
front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, rollover sensor
module, instrument panel, steering wheel,
ceiling headliner, ceiling and pillar garnish trim,
roof-mounted rollover airbag modules, 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 456.
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The exterior lamp control has the following
positions:
AUTO (Off/Automatic Headlamps):Turn the
control to this position to put the headlamps
in automatic mode. Automatic mode will turn
the exterior lamps on and off depending upon how
much light is available outside of the vehicle.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to
this position to turn on the parking lamps together
with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
53(Headlamps):Turning the control to this
position turns on the headlamps, together with the
previously listed lamps and lights.
Headlamps on Reminder
If you open the driver’s door with the ignition off
and the lamps on, you will hear a warning chime.
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 Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) are
required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your low-beam
headlamps come on at a reduced brightness in
daylight when the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp band is in the automatic
position.
The transaxle is not in PARK (P).
The light sensor determines it is daytime.
The parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, the low-beam headlamps
will be on at a reduced brightness. The taillamps,
sidemarker and other lamps will not be on.
The instrument panel will not be lit up either.
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When you turn the exterior lamp band to the
headlamp position, your low-beam headlamps will
come on. The other lamps that come on with
your headlamps will also come on.
When you turn off the headlamps, the regular
lamps will go off, and your low-beam headlamps
will come on to the reduced brightness.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, move the
shift lever to PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until
you move the shift lever out of PARK (P).
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside and the exterior
lamps control is in the automatic position, the
headlamps will come on automatically. See
Headlamps on page 158.
Your vehicle has a light sensor located on top of
the instrument panel. Make sure it is not covered,
or the headlamps will be on when you do not
need them.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage or tunnel.
Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has this feature, use your fog lamps
for better visibility in foggy or misty conditions.
The button for your fog
lamps is located on the
center console above
the radio.
To use the fog lamps, the parking lamps or
low-beam headlamps must be on.
Push the button to turn the fog lamps on or off.
The fog lamp button will be lit when the lamps are
on. The Fog lamps will go off whenever you
turn the high-beam headlamps on. When the
high-beam headlamps are turned off, the fog lamps
will come on again.
Some localities have laws that require the
headlamps to be on along with the fog lamps.
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Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
Several seconds after the key is turned to RUN or
START, a chime will sound for several seconds to
remind the front passenger to buckle their safety
belt. This would only occur if the passenger airbag
is enabled. SeePassenger Sensing System on
page 82for more information. The passenger
safety belt light will also come on and stay on for
several seconds, then it will ash for several more.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the
passenger remains
unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither
the chime nor the light will come on.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, 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 sensor, the airbag modules, the wiring and
the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should
go out. 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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TIRE LOCATIONS
After rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or
sensor, the system must re-learn the tire positions.
To re-learn the tire positions, seeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 391. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 396andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 198for more information.
RELEARN REMOTE KEY
This display allows you to match the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to your vehicle.
To match a RKE transmitter to your vehicle,
do the following:
1. Make sure the vehicle is in PARK (P).
2. Press the vehicle information button until
PRESS
VTO RELEARN REMOTE KEY
displays.
3. Press the set/reset button.
The message REMOTE KEY LEARNING
ACTIVE will display.4. Press and hold the lock and unlock buttons
on the rst transmitter at the same time for
about 15 seconds.
A chime will sound indicating that the
transmitter is matched.
5. To match additional transmitters at this time,
repeat Step 3.
Each vehicle can have a maximum of
four transmitters matched to it.
6. To exit the programming mode, you must
cycle the key to LOCK.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
PERSONALIZATION
This display allows you to personalize the feature
settings on your vehicle. SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 207for more information.
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