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{CAUTION:
Airbags in ate with great force, faster than the
blink of an eye. Anyone who is up against, or
very close to, any airbag when it in ates can
be seriously injured or killed. Do not sit
unnecessarily close to the airbag, as you
would be if you were sitting on the edge of
your seat or leaning forward. Safety belts help
keep you in position before and during a
crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with
airbags. The driver should sit as far back as
possible while still maintaining control of the
vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer the best
protection for adults, but not for young
children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s
safety belt system nor its airbag system is
designed for them. Young children and infants
need the protection that a child restraint
system can provide. Always secure children
properly in your vehicle. To read how, see
Older Children on page 1-28orInfants and
Young Children on page 1-31.
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The airbag off light will come on and stay on to let you
know that the right front passenger’s airbag is off.
SeeAirbag Off Light on page 3-29. The airbag off light
will stay on to remind you that the airbag is off. The
right front passenger’s airbag will remain off until
you turn it back on again.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on
when you have turned off the airbag, it means
that something may be wrong with the airbag
system. The right front passenger’s airbag
could in ate even though the switch is off. If
this ever happens, do not let anyone whom the
national government has identi ed as a
member of a passenger airbag risk group sit in
the right front passenger’s position (for
example, do not secure a rear-facing child
restraint in the right front passenger’s seat)
until you have your vehicle serviced. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-28for
additional information.To turn the right front
passenger’s airbag on
again, insert your ignition
key into the switch,
push in, and move the
switch to the on position.
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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 7-10.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition 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.
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, front sensors, or airbag wiring can affect
the operation of the airbag system.
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.
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Notice:When replacing the battery, use care not to
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage the
transmitter.
1. Insert a thin object, such as a coin, into the slot
between the covers of the transmitter near the key
ring hole. Remove the bottom by twisting the object.
2. Remove and replace the battery, positive (+) side
down. Use one CR2032 battery.
3. Align the covers and snap them together.4. Check the operation of the transmitter. If the
transmitter does not work after battery replacement,
it may need to be resynchronized to your vehicle.
SeeResynchronizationfollowing.
Resynchronization
Resynchronization may be necessary due to the
security method used by this system. The transmitter
does not send the same signal twice to the receiver.
The receiver will not respond to a signal it has been sent
previously. This prevents anyone from recording and
playing back the signal from the transmitter.
To resynchronize your transmitter, stand close to your
vehicle and simultaneously press and hold the LOCK
and UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter for at least
five seconds. The door locks should cycle to confirm
resynchronization. If the locks do not cycle, see
your dealer for service.
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{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on
when you have turned off the airbag, it means
that something may be wrong with the airbag
system. The right front passenger’s airbag
could in ate even though the switch is off.
If this ever happens, do not let anyone whom
the national government has identi ed as a
member of a passenger airbag risk group
sit in the right front passenger’s position
(for example, do not secure a rear-facing child
restraint in the right front passenger’s seat)
until you have your vehicle serviced. See
Airbag Off Switch on page 1-56andAirbag
Readiness Light on page 3-28for more on this,
including important safety information.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit, it means that
the right front passenger’s frontal airbag is enabled
(may inflate). SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-56for
more on this, including important safety information.
Charging System Light
The charging system light
may be located in the
instrument panel cluster, or
with the auxiliary warning
lights in the center of
the instrument panel.
It should come on briefly when you turn on the ignition,
before the engine is running, as a check to show
that it is working.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, have
your vehicle checked right away. You could have a loose
generator drive belt or some other problem.
Driving while this light is on will drain your battery. If you
must drive a short distance with the light on, turn off
your radio and other accessories. Sustained driving with
a generator failure could result in a lack of back-up
braking if the engine quits or the power steering pump
should fail.
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•Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds
that let you stay in your own lane.
•Top of hills: Be alert — something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident).
•Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks
area, winding roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
•Be sure the vehicle is in good shape for winter.
•You might want to put winter emergency supplies in
your vehicle.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red
cloth, and reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be
driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 5-82.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation.
You have a lot less traction, or grip, and need to be
very careful.
What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold snow
or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice
can be even more trouble because it can offer the least
traction of all. You can get wet ice when it is about
freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing rain begins to fall. Try
to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed, blowing,
or loose snow — drive with caution.
If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, shift into 4HI.
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-32.
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Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the GAWR
for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, spread it out.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change the weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle — like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else — they go as fast
as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly,
or if there is a crash, they keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
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6. Repeatedly push down
on the fuel filter primer
pump with the palm
of your hand. Let the
pump return upward
between pushes.
7. Operate the priming pump until a small amount of
fuel seeps from the vent valve. When you see the
fuel, the filter is now full of fuel and the system
should be primed.
8. Close the vent valve.
9. Clean any fuel which accumulated on the fuel filter.
10. Start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes.
11. Check the filter for leaks.Priming the 7.8L DURAMAX®Diesel
Engine
If your vehicle is equipped with the 7.8L DURAMAX®
diesel engine, use the following procedure to prime the
engine:
1. Make sure there is fuel in the fuel tank.
2. Make sure the specified fuel filter is properly
installed.
3. Make sure the fuel lines are securely connected.
4. Make sure the fuel filter is cool to the touch.
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