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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, 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 the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 400.
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,
instrument panel, ceiling headliner, ceiling and
pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted 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.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on
page 400.
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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 357for 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 airbag covering on the driver’s and right
front passenger’s seatback (if equipped), or the
side impact airbag covering on the ceiling near
the side windows (if equipped), the bag 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, the airbag
module and seatback for the driver’s and right
front passenger’s seat-mounted side impact
airbags (if equipped), or side impact airbag
module and ceiling covering for the
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 162.
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Page 85 of 432

Keys.............................................................. 87
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.......... 89
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation................................................. 90
Doors and Locks.......................................... 92
Door Locks................................................. 92
Power Door Locks....................................... 94
Rear Door Security Locks........................... 95
Liftgate/Liftglass........................................... 96
Windows....................................................... 98
Manual Windows......................................... 99
Power Windows.......................................... 99
Sun Visors.................................................. 99
Theft-Deterrent Systems............................. 100
Content Theft-Deterrent............................. 100
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle......... 102
New Vehicle Break-In................................ 102
Ignition Positions....................................... 103
Starting the Engine.................................... 104
Engine Coolant Heater.............................. 106Automatic Transaxle Operation.................. 108
Overdrive Off............................................. 111
Manual Transaxle Operation...................... 111
Parking Brake........................................... 114
Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)............................ 115
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)............................ 117
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)................................ 118
Parking Over Things That Burn................. 118
Engine Exhaust......................................... 119
Running the Engine While Parked............. 120
Mirrors......................................................... 121
Manual Rearview Mirror............................. 121
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®....... 121
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror.......... 122
Outside Remote Control Mirrors................ 122
Outside Convex Mirror............................... 123
OnStar
®System.......................................... 123
Section 2 Features and Controls
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Storage Areas............................................. 127
Glove Box................................................. 127
Cupholder(s).............................................. 127
Coinholder(s)............................................. 127
Instrument Panel Storage Area.................. 127
Center Console Storage Area.................... 127Floor Mats................................................. 127
Rear Storage Area.................................... 128
Rear Cargo Accessory Track System........ 129
Cargo Cover............................................. 129
Cargo Tie Downs...................................... 130
Sunroof....................................................... 131
Section 2 Features and Controls
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Keys
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the
ignition key is dangerous for many
reasons, children or others could be badly
injured or even killed. They could operate
the power windows or other controls or
even make the vehicle move. The windows
will function with the keys in the ignition
and they could be seriously injured or
killed if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle
with children.
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