Page 89 of 492
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 71.
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.
89
Page 90 of 492
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.
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.
90
Page 91 of 492
{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. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 181for
more on this, including important safety
information.Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can
affect how well the passenger sensing system
operates. You may want to consider not using
seat covers or other aftermarket equipment if
your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
SeeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 93for more information about
modi cations that can affect how the system
operates.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s
seat or between the passenger’s seat
cushion and seatback may interfere with
the proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
91
Page 94 of 492
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. SeeCare of Safety Belts
on page 418for more information.
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.
94
Page 95 of 492
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 and 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 181.
95
Page 108 of 492
Tailgate
You can open the tailgate by pulling up on the
outside handle while pulling the tailgate down.
When you put the tailgate back up, be sure
it latches securely.
You can lock the tailgate using your ignition key.
Turn the key counterclockwise to lock the tailgate.
Turn the key clockwise to unlock the tailgate.
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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
108
Page 109 of 492
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
109
Page 113 of 492
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.
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 146for 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.
113
