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, 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 theCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 418.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modi ed. 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, steering wheel,
the instrument panel, 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 418.
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Instrument Panel Overview........................ 144
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 146
Other Warning Devices............................. 146
Horn.......................................................... 146
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 147
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 147
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 148
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 149
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 149
Windshield Wipers..................................... 149
Windshield Washer.................................... 150
Cruise Control........................................... 151
Exterior Lamps.......................................... 154
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 155
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 156
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 156
Dome Lamps............................................. 156
Dome Lamp Override................................ 157
Entry Lighting............................................ 157
Exit Lighting.............................................. 157Reading Lamps......................................... 157
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 158
Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 158
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 159
Climate Controls......................................... 159
Climate Control System............................. 159
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 162
Rear Heating System................................ 163
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating
System.................................................. 164
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 166
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 167
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 168
Trip Odometer........................................... 168
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 168
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 169
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 169
Airbag Off Light......................................... 170
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 172
Charging System Light.............................. 174
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the
steering wheel before you drive. You can also
raise it to the highest level to give your legs more
room when you enter and exit the vehicle.
The lever is located on the lower left side of the
steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull
the lever. Move the steering wheel to a
comfortable level, then release the lever to lock
the wheel in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
•GTurn and Lane Change Signals.Turn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 148.
•53Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on
page 149.
•Flash-to-Pass Feature. SeeFlash-to-Pass on
page 149.
•NWindshield Wipers. SeeWindshield Wipers
on page 149.
147
Cruise Control
If your vehicle has cruise control, you can maintain
a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can really
help on long trips. Cruise control does not work at
speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
If you apply your brakes, the cruise control will
disengage.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady speed.
So, do not use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
9(Off):This position turns the system off.
R(On):This position activates the system.
S(Resume/Accelerate):Push the lever to this
symbol to make the vehicle accelerate or resume
to a previously set speed.
T(Set):Press this button to set the speed.
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Rear Air Conditioning and
Heating System
Your vehicle may have a rear heating and
air-conditioning system. This system regulates the
temperature, the fan speed and the air delivery for
the rear-seat passengers only. It also works with
the main climate-control system in your vehicle.
Use this control panel when you would like to
maintain a separate temperature setting. Adjust the
direction of the airflow or adjust the fan speed
for the rear seat passenger(s).If your vehicle has a 135 inch (343 cm) wheelbase,
a rear control panel for this system is located in
the second row behind the driver in the rear
of your vehicle. A rear seat passenger can use
this control panel to personally adjust the
temperature, the direction of the airflow and the
fan speed for the rear seating area.
The fan knob located on the front climate control
panel must be turned to REAR CNTL to allow a rear
seat passenger to use the control panel in the rear
seating area. Performing this action disables the
front control panel. To return control to this panel,
move the fan knob out of REAR CNTL.
Turn the center knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to change the direction of the
airflow in the rear seating area.
Front Climate Control Panel
Rear Climate Control Panel
164
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
front wheel and at both rear wheels.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than any
driver could. The computer is programmed to make
the most of available tire and road conditions.
This can help you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
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Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or
always decrease stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not have
time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough room up
ahead to stop, even though you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down firmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice
some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Locking Rear Axle
If your vehicle has this feature, your locking rear
axle can give you additional traction on snow, mud,
ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard axle
most of the time, but when one of the rear wheels
has no traction and the other does, this feature
will allow the wheel with traction to move the
vehicle.
StabiliTrak®System
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, it combines
anti-lock brake, traction and stability control
systems and helps the driver maintain directional
control of the vehicle in most driving conditions.
When you first start your vehicle and begin to drive
away, the system performs several diagnostic
checks to ensure that it is working properly. You
may hear or feel the system working. This is normal
and does not mean there is a problem with your
vehicle. The system should initialize before the
vehicle reaches 20 mph (32 km/h). In some cases,
it may take approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) of driving
before the system initializes.
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Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface,
the angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to
do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the
way you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you
approach a curve, do it before you enter the
curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of
the curve, and then accelerate gently into
the straightaway.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modi cations on page 286.
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