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. See
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 105for 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.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several
places around your vehicle.You do not want the system to in ate while
someone is working on your vehicle. Your dealer
and the service manual have information about
servicing your vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 590.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key
is turned off and the battery is
disconnected, an airbag can still in ate
during improper service. You can be
injured if you are close to an airbag when
it in ates. Avoid yellow connectors. They
are probably part of the airbag system. Be
sure to follow proper service procedures,
and make sure the person performing
work for you is quali ed to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.
104
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, front end or
side 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 572.
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 (located under the driver’s
seat), rollover sensor module (located under
the center console), 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. See
Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 572.
105
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. Keep safety belts clean and dry.
SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 531for 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 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 rollover airbags (if equipped.)
Do not open or break the airbag coverings.
106
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 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 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 227.
107
Outside Heated Mirrors
The vehicle may have outside heated mirrors which
help clear them of condensation, snow, and ice.
When the rear window defogger button is pressed,
the heated mirrors are also turned on. See
“Rear Window Defogger” underDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 213orClimate
Control System on page 210for more information.
OnStar®System
OnStar®uses several innovative technologies and
live advisors to provide you with a wide range
of safety, security, information, and convenience
services. If your airbags deploy, the system is
designed to make an automatic call to OnStar
®
Emergency where we can request emergency
services be sent to your location.If you lock your keys in the vehicle, call OnStar
®
at 1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send a signal
to unlock your doors. If you need roadside
assistance, press the OnStar
®button and
they can contact Roadside Service for you.
A complete OnStar
®Owner’s Guide and the Terms
and Conditions of the OnStar®Subscription
Service Agreement are included in the vehicle’s
OnStar
®Subscriber Information packet located in
your vehicle. For more information, visit
www.onstar.com or www.onstar.ca, contact
OnStar
®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827),
or press the OnStar®button to speak with an
OnStar®advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
OnStar®Services
For new vehicles equipped with OnStar®, the Safe
& Sound Plan is included for one year from the
date of purchase. You can extend this plan beyond
the rst year, or upgrade to the Directions &
Connections Plan to meet your needs. For more
information, press the OnStar
®button to speak
with an advisor.
167