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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 sensing system has turned
off the passenger’s frontal airbag, 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 60.
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
and check with your dealer.
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.
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{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 178
for 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 81for 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.
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Page 82 of 480

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 409
for 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.
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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. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 178.
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Page 95 of 480
Swing-gate
To lock or unlock the swing-gate, use the power
door lock switch or the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
{CAUTION:
Make sure the swing-gate is completely
closed. Driving with the swing-gate open
could injure pedestrians or damage the
vehicle.
To open the swing-gate, pull the door handle. Pull
the swing-gate rearward slightly and it will
automatically open.
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Page 98 of 480

Visor Vanity Mirror
Your vehicle has a vanity mirror located on the
driver’s and passenger’s visor.
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirror
Your vehicle may have an illuminated vanity mirror
on both visors. Lift the cover on the mirror and
the lights will automatically come on.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some
cities. Although your vehicle has a number of
theft-deterrent features, we know that nothing we
put on it can make it impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle has a
content theft-deterrent
alarm system.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 doors will lock, the lights may ash and the
horn may sound. Close the open door and
the alarm system will arm.
If a locked door is not opened using the remote
keyless entry transmitter, or by OnStar
®, the alarm
will go off. First, a pre-alarm will sound the horn
at reduced intensity for 10 seconds. Then, the front
turn signal lamps will ash for two minutes, and
the horn will sound for two minutes. The alarm will
then turn off to save battery power.
Starting the engine with the correct key will shut
off the pre-alarm or alarm at any time.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system will not
activate if you lock the doors with the key,
the manual door lock, or power door lock switch.
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The system can only be activated using the
remote keyless entry transmitter, or by OnStar®.
SeeOnStar®System on page 129for additional
information. You should also remember that
you can start your vehicle with the correct 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 arm the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked with
the manual door lock lever, the power
door lock switch, or the key, after the doors
are closed.
If the content theft-deterrent system is armed,
unlock the doors by pressing the unlock
button on the remote keyless entry transmitter
or by OnStar
®. Unlocking a door any other
way will activate the alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident, you can turn it
off by pressing unlock on the remote keyless
entry transmitter, starting the vehicle with
the correct key, or by having OnStar
®unlock the
doors. 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
pre-alarm. Wait 10 seconds for the full alarm
to activate.
3. To turn the alarm off, press the unlock button
on the remote keyless entry transmitter or
start the engine.
If the alarm does not sound when it should but the
lights ash, check to see if the horn works. The
horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse, see
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 417.
If the alarm does not sound or the front turn signal
lamps do not ash, see your dealer for service.
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Passlock®
Your vehicle has the Passlock®theft-deterrent
system.
Passlock
®is a passive theft-deterrent system.
Passlock®enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is
turned with a valid key. If an incorrect key is used or
the ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, the fuel
system is disabled and the vehicle will not start.
During normal operation, the security light will turn
off approximately ve seconds after the engine
is started. SeeSecurity Light on page 190.
If the engine stalls and the security light ashes,
wait about 10 minutes until the light stops
ashing before trying to restart the engine.
Remember to release the key from START as
soon as the engine starts.If the engine does not start after three tries, the
vehicle needs service.
If the engine is running and the security light
comes on, you will be able to restart the engine if
you turn the engine off. However, your Passlock
®
system is not working properly and must be
serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not
protected by Passlock
®at this time. See your
dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the Roadside Assistance
Center. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 454.
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