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Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the steering
wheel.The right front passenger’s airbag is in the
instrument panel on the passenger’s side.
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Page 95 of 608
If your vehicle has a roof-mounted rollover airbag
and a third row passenger seat, the airbag is
located in the ceiling above the rear windows for
the outside passenger positions in the third row.
{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and
an airbag, the bag might not in ate
properly or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury or even
death. The path of an in ating airbag must
be kept clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an airbag, and
do not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any
other airbag covering. And, if your vehicle
has roof-mounted rollover airbags, never
secure anything to the roof of your
vehicle by routing the rope or tiedown
through any door or window opening.
If you do, the path of an in ating side
impact airbag will be blocked. The path of
an in ating airbag must be kept clear.
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Page 98 of 608
What Makes an Airbag In ate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag
sensing system detects that the vehicle is
in a crash. In the case of a roof-mounted rollover
airbag, the sensing system detects that the
vehicle is about to roll over or has been in a severe
frontal or side impact. The sensing system
triggers a release of gas from the in ator, which
in ates the airbag. The in ator, 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 are located in the ceiling of the
vehicle, near the side windows.
If your vehicle has a third row seat with
roof-mounted rollover airbags, the airbag modules
are located inside the rear-most pillar trim and
above in the ceiling above the xed rear glass.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal
collisions, even belted occupants can contact
the steering wheel or the instrument panel.
In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle.
The airbag supplements the protection provided by
safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually.
But the frontal airbags would not help you in
many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear
impacts, and many side impacts, primarily because
an occupant’s motion is not toward the airbag.
Roof-mounted rollover airbags would not help you
in many types of collisions, including many
frontal or near frontal collisions, and rear impacts,
primarily because an occupant’s motion is not
toward the airbag. Airbags should never be
regarded as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts, and then only in moderate to
severe frontal or near-frontal collisions for the
driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal airbags,
and only in moderate to severe side impacts
and rollover events.
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What Will You See After an Airbag
In ates?
After a frontal airbag in ates, it quickly de ates, so
quickly that some people may not even realize the
airbag in ated. Roof-mounted rollover airbags
de ate more slowly and may still be at least partially
in ated minutes after the vehicle comes to rest.
Some components of the airbag module may be hot
for a short time. These components include the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s frontal airbag
and the instrument panel for the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag. For vehicles with
roof-mounted rollover airbags, the ceiling of your
vehicle near the side windows may be hot. The
parts of the bag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be
some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the
de ated airbags. Airbag in ation does not prevent
the driver from seeing out of the windshield or being
able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an airbag in ates, there is dust in
the air. This dust could cause breathing
problems for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble. To
avoid this, everyone in the vehicle should
get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If
you have breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an airbag
in ates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience
breathing problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek medical
attention.
Your vehicle has a feature that may automatically
unlock the doors and turn the interior lamps on
when the airbags in ate (if battery power is
available). You can lock the doors again and turn
the interior lamps off by using the door lock
and interior lamp controls.
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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, 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.
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Page 106 of 608
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.
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Page 137 of 608
Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to four
different positions.
A (LOCK):This position locks the ignition and
transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will
only be able to remove the key when the ignition
is turned to LOCK.Notice:Using a tool to force the key from
the ignition switch could cause damage
or break the key. Use the correct key and turn
the key only with your hand. Make sure the
key is all the way in. If it is, turn the steering
wheel left and right while you turn the key
hard. If none of this works, then your vehicle
needs service.
B (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use
things like the radio and the windshield wipers
when the engine is off.
Notice:Lengthy operation of features such as
the radio in the accessory ignition position
and the RUN position may drain the battery and
prevent your vehicle from starting. Do not
operate your vehicle in the accessory ignition
position for a long period of time.
C (RUN):This is the position for driving. It is the
position the switch returns to after the engine
starts, and you release the key.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
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Page 169 of 608
OnStar®Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may be
equipped with a
Talk/Mute button that
can be used to interact
with OnStar
®.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 334
for more information.
When calling into voice mail systems or to dial
directory numbers, press this button once, wait for
the response, say the number(s) to be dialed,
wait for the number(s) to be repeated and then
say “dial.”
See the OnStar
®Owner’s guide for more
information.
Universal Home Remote
System
Universal Home Remote System
The Universal Home Remote System, a combined
universal transmitter and receiver, provides a
way to replace up to three hand-held transmitters
used to activate devices such as gate operators,
garage door openers, entry door locks, security
systems, and home lighting.
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