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 7-15.
{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, roof-rail airbag modules, ceiling headliner
or pillar garnish trim, overhead console, front
sensors, side impact sensors, rollover sensor
module, or airbag wiring can affect the operation of
the airbag system.
1-90
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, 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 1-85.
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.
If your vehicle has rollover roof-rail airbags, see
Different Size Tires and Wheels on page 5-82
for additional important information.Q:What if I added a snow plow? Will it keep the
airbag from working properly?
A:We have designed our airbag system to work
properly under a wide range of conditions,
including snow plowing with vehicles that have the
optional Snow Plow Prep Package (RPO VYU).
But do not change or defeat the snow plow’s
“tripping mechanism.” If you do, it can damage your
snow plow and your vehicle, and it may cause an
airbag in ation.
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: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.
In addition, 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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Liftgate/Liftglass
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftglass
or liftgate open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You
cannot see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the liftglass or liftgate
open, or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the liftglass or liftgate:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the
recirculation mode off. That will force
outside air into your vehicle. SeeClimate
Control System on page 3-23orDual
Automatic Climate Control System on
page 3-26.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
If your vehicle has a power liftgate, disable
the power liftgate function.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-47.
If your vehicle has a power liftgate, seePower Liftgate
on page 2-15.
To unlock the liftgate, use the power door lock switch or
press the door unlock button on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter twice. SeeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2-5.
2-13
Power Liftgate
Power Liftgate Operation
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You cannot see or
smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
If you must drive with the liftgate open, or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body
and the liftgate:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the
recirculation mode off. That will force
outside air into your vehicle. See Climate
Control System in the index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
If your vehicle has a power liftgate, disable
the power liftgate function.
SeePower Liftgate on page 2-15.
On vehicles with a power liftgate the button is located
on the center console.
The vehicle must be in PARK (P) to use the power
liftgate feature.
&:Press the top of the button to open or close the
power liftgate.
OFF:Press the bottom of the button for manual
operation of the power liftgate.
2-15
Fog Lamps
-(Fog Lamps):If your vehicle has fog lamps, the
button is located on the instrument panel to the left
of the steering column and below the dome lamp
override button.
The ignition must be in RUN and the parking lamps
must be on for the fog lamps to work.
To turn the fog lamps on, press the fog lamps button.
A light comes on in the instrument panel cluster to
let you know that the fog lamps are on. Press the button
again to turn the fog lamps off.
When the fog lamps are turned on, the low-beam
headlamps automatically turn on.
The fog lamps turn off while you change to high-beam
headlamps. When the high-beam headlamps go off,
the fog lamps will come on again.
Fog lamps should only be used in foggy conditions
since they could be distracting to oncoming drivers in
clear weather conditions.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp
If your vehicle has this feature, this button includes
wiring provisions for a dealer or a quali ed service
center to install an auxiliary roof lamp.
This button is located on
the overhead console.
When the wiring is connected to an auxiliary roof
mounted lamp, pressing the bottom of the button will
activate the lamp and illuminate an indicator light at the
bottom of this button. Pressing the top of the button
will turn off the roof mounted lamp and indicator.
The emergency roof lamp circuit is fused at 30 amps,
so the total current draw of the attached lamps
should be less than this value. The attachment points
for the roof lamp circuits are two blunt cut wires located
above the overhead console, a dark green switched
power wire and a black ground wire.
3-19
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
Several seconds after the engine is started, a chime
will sound for several seconds to remind the front
passenger to buckle their safety belt. This would only
occur if the passenger airbag is enabled. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-85for more information.
The passenger safety belt light, located on the
instrument panel, will come on and stay on for several
seconds and then ash for several more.
This chime and light are
repeated if the passenger
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither the
chime nor the light will come on.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The
system checks the airbag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the airbag
sensor, the pretensioners, the airbag modules, the
wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 1-76.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. The
light should go out and the
system is ready.
3-40
Keep in mind that reserve capacity numbers are
intended as a guide when selecting the amount of
equipment or cargo your vehicle can carry. If you are
unsure of your vehicle’s front, rear, or total weight, go to
a weigh station and weigh your vehicle. Your
dealer/retailer can also help you with this.
The total vehicle reserve capacity for your vehicle can
be found in the lower right corner of the Certi cation/Tire
label as shown previously.
See your dealer/retailer for additional advice and
information about using a snow plow on your vehicle.
Also, seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-35.
Emergency Roof Lamp Provisions
Vehicles with the RPO VYU snow plow prep package
also have an emergency roof lamp provision package,
RPO TRW. Wiring for the emergency roof lamp is
provided above the overhead console. SeeAuxiliary
Roof Mounted Lamp on page 3-19for switch location.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as dinghy towing, towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground, and dolly towing,
towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”.
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing”, following.
4-45
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle is equipped with the following wiring
harnesses for towing a trailer.
Basic Trailer Wiring
The trailer wiring harness, with a seven-pin connector,
is located at the rear of the vehicle and is tied to
the vehicle’s frame. The harness connector can be
plugged into a seven-pin universal heavy-duty trailer
connector available through your dealer/retailer.
The seven-wire harness contains the following trailer
circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Red: Battery Feed*
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuses for these two circuits are installed in the
underhood electrical center, but the wires are not
connected. They should be connected by your
dealer/retailer or a quali ed service center.
Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Harness
Package
Your vehicle is equipped with the seven-wire trailer
towing harness. This harness with a seven-pin universal
trailer connector is attached to a bracket on the hitch
platform.
The seven-wire harness contains the following trailer
circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Red: Battery Feed*
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
4-62