2009 CHEVROLET HHR light

Additional Factors Affecting System
Operation
Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on the
seat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, which helps
the passenger sensing system maintain the passenger
airbag status. See “Safety Belts” and “Child Restraints” in
the Index for additional information about the importance
of proper restraint use.
A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket or
cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat covers,
seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system operates. We recommend
that you not use seat covers or other aftermarket
equipment except when approved by GM for your specic
vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-78for more information about
modications that can affect how the system operates.
A wet seat can affect the performance of the passenger
sensing system. Here is how:
The passenger sensing system may turn off the
passenger airbag when liquid is soaked into the seat.
If this happens, the off indicator will be lit, and the
airbag readiness light on the instrument panel will
also be lit.
Liquid pooled on the seat that has not soaked in
may make it more likely that the passenger sensing
system will enable (turn on) the passenger airbag
while a child restraint or child occupant is on the seat.
If the passenger airbag is turned on, the on indicator
will be lit.
If the passenger seat gets wet, dry the seat immediately.
If the airbag readiness light is lit, do not install a child
restraint or allow anyone to occupy the seat. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 3-30for important safety
information.
The on indicator may be lit if an object, such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device, is put on an unoccupied seat. If this
is not desired, remove the object from the seat.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or
between the passenger seat cushion and seatback
may interfere with the proper operation of the
passenger sensing system.
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When the passenger sensing system has turned off the
right front passenger frontal airbag, the off indicator
will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is off.
SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-31.
The passenger sensing system is designed to turn
on (may inate) the right front passenger 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.
For some children who have outgrown child restraints
and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the right front passenger frontal
airbag, depending upon the person’s seating posture
and body build. Everyone in the vehicle who has
outgrown child restraints should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that
person.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and
stays on, it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help avoid injury to
yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-30
for more information, including important safety
information.
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If the On Indicator is Lit for a Child
Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed and the on
indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as
blankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or
seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint following the directions
provided by the child restraint manufacturer and
refer toSecuring a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position on page 1-54.5. If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting
the vehicle, the on indicator is still lit, turn the vehicle
off. Then slightly recline the vehicle seatback and
adjust the seat cushion, if adjustable, to make sure
that the vehicle seatback is not pushing the child
restraint into the seat cushion.
Also make sure the child restraint is not trapped
under the vehicle head restraint. If this happens,
adjust the head restraint. SeeHead Restraints
on page 1-7.
6. Restart the vehicle.
If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child restraint
in a rear seat position in the vehicle, and check
with your dealer/retailer.
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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.
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.
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Safety Belts
Now and then, check that the safety belt reminder light,
safety belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and
anchorages are all working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job. See your dealer/retailer to have it repaired. Torn orfrayed 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.
Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-29for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry. SeeCare of Safety
Belts on page 5-102.
Airbags
The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled
maintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-30for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,
or broken, the airbag may not work properly. Do not
open or break the airbag coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag covers, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module replaced. For the
location of the airbag modules, seeWhat Makes an
Airbag Inflate? on page 1-64. See your dealer/retailer
for service.
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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 the vehicle has been in a crash, do you need new
safety belts or LATCH system (if equipped) parts?
After a very minor crash, nothing may be necessary.
But the safety belt assemblies that were used during any
crash may have been stressed or damaged. See your
dealer/retailer to have the safety belt assemblies
inspected or replaced.
If the vehicle has the LATCH system and it was being
used during a crash, you may need new LATCH
system parts.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the
safety belt or LATCH system (if equipped), was
not being used at the time of the crash.
If an airbag inates, you will need to replace airbag
system parts. See the part on the airbag system earlier
in this section.
Have the safety belt pretensioners checked if the vehicle
has been in a crash, if the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started, or while you are driving.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-30.
1-80

/(Remote Vehicle Start):For vehicles with this
feature, press to start the engine from outside the
vehicle using the RKE transmitter. SeeRemote Vehicle
Start on page 2-7for additional information.
Q(Lock):Press to lock all the doors. The interior lamps
turn off after all of the doors are closed. If enabled
through the Driver Information Center (DIC), the parking
lamps ash once to indicate locking has occurred.
If enabled through the DIC, the horn chirps to indicate
locking has occurred. See “LOCK HORN” under
DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-56for more
information.Pressing
Qmay arm the content theft-deterrent system.
SeeContent Theft-Deterrent on page 2-19.
K(Unlock):Press once to unlock the driver door.
If enabled through the DIC, the horn chirps to indicate
unlocking has occurred. See “UNLOCK HORN” under
DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-56for more
information. If
Kis pressed again within ve seconds,
all remaining doors and the liftgate unlock. The interior
lamps come on and stay on for 20 seconds or until the
ignition is turned on. If enabled through the DIC, the
parking lamps ash twice to indicate unlocking has
occurred and the high beams and parking lamps may turn
on and stay on for 20 seconds or until a door is opened.
See LIGHT FLASH and EXT (Exterior) LIGHTS under
DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-56for additional
information.
L(Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm):Press and release
to activate the vehicle locate feature. The horn chirps
three times and the headlamps and parking lamps ash
three times.
Press and hold
Lfor three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn chirps and the headlamps and parking
lamps ash for 30 seconds. Press
Lagain to cancel the
panic alarm. With Remote Start and
Remote Rear Doors
Shown, Without Similar
2-5

Lockout Protection
If you press the power door lock switch when the key is
in the ignition and any door is open, all the doors will
lock and the driver’s door will unlock. Be sure to remove
the key from the ignition when locking your vehicle.
The lockout protection can be overridden by pressing
and holding the power door lock in the lock position for
three seconds.
Rear Side Cargo Door
(HHR Panel Only)
The rear side cargo doors can be opened by pressing
the buttons located on the driver and passenger sides of
the instrument panel, or by using the Remote Keyless
Access (RKE) transmitter. SeeInstrument Panel
Overview on page 3-4, andRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-4for more information.
To use the buttons on the instrument panel, the driver
side door must be unlocked.
Push the door to close.
Liftgate
To lock the liftgate from the outside, press the lock
button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
To unlock the liftgate with the RKE, press the unlock
button twice within ve seconds. For more information,
seeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 2-4. You can also use the power door
lock switch to lock and unlock the liftgate.
Open the liftgate by pressing the touchpad located in the
handle above the license plate. Once slightly opened, the
liftgate will rise by itself. Lamps in the rear of the vehicle
will come on, illuminating the rear cargo area, unless
the dome lamp lever is in the off position. For more
information, seeDome Lamp on page 3-17.
Notice:If you open the liftgate without checking for
overhead obstructions such as a garage door, you
could damage the liftgate or the liftgate glass. Always
check to make sure the area above and behind the
liftgate is clear before opening it.
2-12

Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle may have a
content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
Arming the System
To arm the system:
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Press lock on the RKE transmitter.
The system will arm after either of the following occur:
30 seconds after all the doors are closed.
60 seconds with any door open.Press the lock button on the RKE transmitter a second
time, while all the doors are closed, to immediately arm
the system. The system still arms in 60 seconds if a door
is open. When the open door is closed, it also arms.
The security light turns on to indicate that arming has
been initiated. Once the system is armed, the security
light ashes once every three seconds.
If the security light ashes twice per second, a door
is open.
Locking the vehicle with the manual lock knobs on the
doors will not arm the system.
Disarming the System
Disarm the system by doing any one of the following:
Press the RKE transmitter unlock button.
Turn the ignition on.
Once the system is disarmed, the security light stops
ashing.
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