2008 CHEVROLET CORVETTE sensor

When Should an Airbag Inate?
Frontal airbags are designed to inate in moderate to
severe frontal or near-frontal crashes to help reduce the
potential for severe injuries mainly to the driver’s or
right front passenger’s head and chest. However, they
are only designed to inate if the impact exceeds a
predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds are used to predict how severe a crash is
likely to be in time for the airbags to inate and
help restrain the occupants.
Whether your frontal airbags will or should deploy is not
based on how fast your vehicle is traveling. It depends
largely on what you hit, the direction of the impact,
and how quickly your vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inate at different crash speeds.
For example:
If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags
could inate at a different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits a moving object.
If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the
airbags could inate at a different crash speed than
if the vehicle hits an object that does not deform.
If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole),
the airbags could inate at a different crash
speed than if the vehicle hits a wide object
(like a wall).
If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle, the
airbags could inate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle goes straight into the object.
Thresholds can also vary with specic vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are not intended to inate during vehicle
rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.
In addition, your vehicle has dual-stage frontal airbags.
Dual-stage airbags adjust the restraint according to
crash severity. Your vehicle has electronic frontal
sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish
between a moderate frontal impact and a more severe
frontal impact. For moderate frontal impacts, dual-stage
airbags inate at a level less than full deployment.
For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs.
Your vehicle may have one or two seat position sensors,
depending on what model you have. The seat position
sensor(s) enable the sensing system to monitor the
position of the driver’s seat (all models except Z06) and
the right front passenger’s seat (all models). Seat position
sensor(s) provide information that is used to determine if
the airbags should deploy at a reduced level or at full
deployment.
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The passenger sensing system will turn off the right
front passenger’s frontal airbag and seat-mounted side
impact airbag (if equipped) under certain conditions.
The driver’s airbags are not part of the passenger
sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with sensors that
are part of the right front passenger’s seat. The sensors
are designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated
occupant and determine if the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
should be enabled (may inate) or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are
restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We
recommend that rear-facing child restraints not be
transported in your vehicle, even if the airbags are off.
A label on your sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facing
child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the
rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger airbag inates. This is because the
back of the rear-facing child restraint would be
very close to the inating airbag. A child in a
forward-facing child restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right front passenger
airbag inates and the passenger seat is in a
forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing system has
turned off the right front passenger frontal
airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped), no system is fail-safe. No one
can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy
under some unusual circumstance, even
though the airbag(s) are off.
Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear
seat, even if the airbag(s) are off. If you secure
a forward-facing child restraint in the right
front seat, always move the front passenger
seat as far back as it will go. It is better to
secure the child restraint in a rear seat.
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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. Your dealer/retailer 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 7-17.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still inate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an
airbag when it inates. 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 qualied to do so.
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to or change
about 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. Changing or moving any parts of
the front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing and
diagnostic module, steering wheel, instrument panel,
the inside review mirror, front sensors, or airbag
wiring can affect the operation of the airbag system.
In addition, your vehicle has a passenger sensing
system for the right front passenger’s position, which
includes sensors that are part of the passenger’s
seat. The passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat trim is replaced
with non-GM covers, upholstery or trim, or with GM
covers, upholstery or trim designed for a different
vehicle. Any object, such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort enhancing pad or device,
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installed under or on top of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the passenger sensing
system. This could either prevent proper deployment
of the passenger airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly turning off the
passenger airbag(s). SeePassenger Sensing
System on page 1-51.
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 7-2.Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modied. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my airbag system?
A: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 7-2.
Your dealer/retailer and the service manual have
information about the location of the airbag sensors,
sensing and diagnostic module and airbag wiring.
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Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers — especially children — can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked it
will not open. You increase the chance of
being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash
if the doors are not locked. So, wear safety
belts properly and lock the doors
whenever you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors
can help prevent this from happening.There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, press the lock or unlock button on
the keyless access transmitter.
When you have the transmitter with you, you may also
unlock and open the door by squeezing the door
handle sensor (A). You do not have to press the unlock
button on the transmitter. You will be able to open
the door when you press the door handle sensor and
the vehicle recognizes your keyless access transmitter.
When the passenger door is opened rst, the driver’s
door will also unlock.Door Open to Show Location of Door Handle Sensor
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Arming the System
To arm the system:
PressQon the keyless access transmitter.
Open the door and lock the door with the power
door lock switch. The security light should ash.
Remove the keyless access transmitter from inside
the vehicle and close the door. The security light
stops ashing and stays on. After 30 seconds,
the light should turn off.
The vehicle can be programmed to automatically
lock the doors and arm the theft-deterrent system
when you exit the vehicle. SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-75.
If a door or the hatch/trunk is opened without using the
keyless access transmitter, the alarm goes off. The
horn sounds for two minutes, then goes off to save
battery power. The vehicle will not start without
a keyless access transmitter present.
The theft-deterrent system does not arm if the driver
door is locked with the power door lock switch after the
doors are closed.
If the keyless access transmitter is removed from the
vehicle while a passenger is in it, have them lock
the doors after they are closed. The alarm will not arm,
so the passenger will not set it off.
Testing the Alarm
To test the system:
1. Make sure the trunk lid/hatch is latched.
2. Lower the window on the driver door.
3. Manually arm the system.
4. Close the doors and wait 30 seconds.
5. Reach through the open window and manually pull
the release lever on the oor.
6. Press the unlock button on the transmitter to turn
off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound, check to see if the horn
works. The horn fuse may be blown. SeeFuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-100. If the horn works,
but the alarm does not go off, see your dealer/retailer.
Disarming the System
Press the unlock button on the keyless access
transmitter or squeeze the door handle sensor while
the transmitter is near the vehicle to unlock a door.
Unlocking a door any other way sets off the alarm.
If the alarm sounds, press the unlock button on
the keyless access transmitter to disarm it.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.
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Twilight Sentinel®
Twilight Sentinel®can turn your lamps on and off for you.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
Twilight Sentinel
®work, so be sure it is not covered.
With Twilight Sentinel
®, you will see the following
happen:
When it is dark enough outside, the front turn signal
lamps (DRL) will go off, and the headlamps and
parking lamps will come on. The other lamps
that come on with headlamps will also come on.
When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps
will go off, and the front turn signal lamps (DRL)
will come on, as long as the exterior lamp switch is
in the AUTO position.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once you
leave the garage, it will take about one minute for the
automatic headlamp system to change to DRL if it is light
outside. During that delay, your instrument panel cluster
may not be as bright as usual. Make sure your instrument
panel brightness control is in full bright position.
SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-19.You can idle the vehicle with the lamps off, even when
it is dark outside.
After starting the vehicle, turn the exterior lamp control
band on the multifunction lever to off and then
release it. The lamps will remain off until you turn the
control band to off again.
Twilight Sentinel
®also provides exterior illumination as
you leave the vehicle. If Twilight Sentinel®has turned
on the lamps when you turn off the ignition, your lamps
will remain on until:
The exterior lamp switch is moved from off to the
parking lamp position, or
A delay time that you select has elapsed.
See “Personal Options” underDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-75to select the delay time
that you want. You can also select no delay time.
If you turn off the ignition with the exterior lamp switch
in the parking lamp or headlamp position, the Twilight
Sentinel
®delay will not occur. The lamps will turn off as
soon as the switch is turned off.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
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The length of time needed for warm up will depend
on the outside temperature and the length of time
that has elapsed since your vehicle was last driven.
3. Wait for the system to regulate. This may take from
10 to 30 minutes. Then adjust the temperature, if
necessary.
Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center of
the instrument panel, near the windshield. For more
information on the solar sensor, see “Sensor” later in
this section.
Manual Operation
Driver Power/Temperature:Press the driver
temperature knob on the driver side of the climate
control panel to turn the climate control system off.
This is the only setting that completely shuts off the fan.
The digital display will show only the outside
temperature. You can still adjust the driver and the
passenger set temperature and the air intake mode
when the climate control is off.
Passenger Power/Temperature:Press the passenger
temperature knob on the passenger side of the
climate control panel to turn the passenger’s climate
control system on or off. Turn the knob to increase
or decrease the temperature for the passenger.If the passenger’s climate control system is off, the
driver’s temperature knob will control the temperature
for the entire vehicle.
N(MODE):Press this button to manually lock in the
current air delivery setting and to stop the automatic
mode control. Pressing the MODE button will delete
AUTO from the digital display and the mode graphics will
be shown. To change the setting, press the MODE
button again. The AUTO button must be pressed
to return to the automatic mode selection.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs most of the air to the
instrument panel outlets, with a very small amount of
air directed to the oor outlets.
%(Bi-Level):This mode directs about half of the air to
the instrument panel outlets, and directs the remaining
air to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets with some air directed to the side window
defogger outlets and some air directed toward the
windshield.
The MODE button can also be used to select the defog
mode. Information on defogging and defrosting can
be found later in this section.
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