When the system check is complete, either the wordON or OFF, or the symbol for on or off, will be visible.SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 4-51.
The passenger sensing system turns off the rightfront passenger frontal airbag and seat-mounted sideimpact airbag under certain conditions. The driverairbags and the roof-rail airbags are not affected by thepassenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with sensors thatare part of the right front passenger seat. The sensorsare designed to detect the presence of a properly-seatedoccupant and determine if the right front passengerfrontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbagshould be enabled (may inflate) or not.
According to accident statistics, children are safer whenproperly secured in a rear seat in the correct childrestraint for their weight and size.
We recommend that children be secured in a rear seat,including: an infant or a child riding in a rear-facingchild restraint; a child riding in a forward-facing childseat; an older child riding in a booster seat; and children,who are large enough, using safety belts.
A label on the sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facingchild seat in the front.” This is because the risk tothe rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.
{WARNING:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger
airbag inflates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the
inflating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right
front passenger airbag inflates 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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The passenger sensing system is designed to turn offthe right front passenger airbag and seat-mountedside impact airbag if:
•The right front passenger seat is unoccupied.
•The system determines that an infant is present in
a rear-facing infant seat.
•The system determines that a small child is present
in a child restraint.
•The system determines that a small child is present
in a booster seat.
•A right front passenger takes his/her weight off of
the seat for a period of time.
•The right front passenger seat is occupied by a
smaller person, such as a child who has outgrownchild restraints.
•Or, if there is a critical problem with the airbag
system or the passenger sensing system.
When the passenger sensing system has turned off theright front passenger frontal airbag and seat-mountedside impact airbag, the off indicator will light and stay litto remind you that the airbags are off. SeePassengerAirbag Status Indicator on page 4-51.
The passenger sensing system is designed to turn on(may inflate) the right front passenger frontal airbag andseat-mounted side impact airbag anytime the systemsenses that a person of adult size is sitting properly inthe right front passenger seat.
When the passenger sensing system has allowed theairbags to be enabled, the on indicator will light and staylit to remind you that the airbags are active.
For some children who have outgrown child restraintsand for very small adults, the passenger sensing systemmay or may not turn off the right front passenger frontalairbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag, dependingupon the person’s seating posture and body build.Everyone in the vehicle who has outgrown child restraintsshould wear a safety belt properly — whether or not thereis an airbag for that person.
{WARNING:
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 4-50
for more information, including important safety
information.
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Additional Factors Affecting System
Operation
Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on theseat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, whichhelps the passenger sensing system maintain thepassenger airbag status. See “Safety Belts” and“Child Restraints” in the Index for additional informationabout the importance of proper restraint use.
A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket orcushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seatcovers, seat heaters, and seat massagers can affecthow well the passenger sensing system operates.We recommend that you not use seat covers or otheraftermarket equipment except when approved by GM foryour specific vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment to YourAirbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 2-73for moreinformation about modifications that can affect how thesystem operates.
{WARNING:
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.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle should be serviced.There are parts of the airbag system in several placesaround the vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and theservice manual have information about servicing thevehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a servicemanual, seeService Publications Ordering Informationon page 8-17.
{WARNING:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is turned off
and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still
inflate during improper service. You can be injured
if you are close to an airbag when it inflates. 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 qualified to do so.
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Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to or changeabout the vehicle that could keep the airbagsfrom 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, 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, 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 2-67.
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 8-2.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to getmy vehicle modified. How can I find out whetherthis 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 8-2.
In addition, your dealer/retailer and the service manualhave information about the location of the airbagsensors, sensing and diagnostic module andairbag wiring.
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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, andanchorages are all working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt systemparts that might keep a safety belt system from doingits job. See your dealer/retailer to have it repaired. Tornor frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash.They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is tornor frayed, get a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working.SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 4-49for moreinformation.
Keep safety belts clean and dry. SeeCare of SafetyBelts on page 6-95.
Airbags
The airbag system does not need regularly scheduledmaintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbagreadiness light is working. SeeAirbag Readiness Lighton page 4-50for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,or broken, the airbag may not work properly. Donot open or break the airbag coverings. If there areany opened or broken airbag covers, have theairbag covering and/or airbag module replaced.For the location of the airbag modules, seeWhatMakes an Airbag Inflate? on page 2-65. See yourdealer/retailer for service.
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Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{WARNING:
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 newsafety 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 anycrash may have been stressed or damaged. See yourdealer/retailer to have the safety belt assembliesinspected or replaced.
If the vehicle has the LATCH system and it was beingused during a crash, you may need new LATCH systemparts.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if thesafety belt or LATCH system (if equipped), wasnot being used at the time of the crash.
If an airbag inflates, you will need to replace airbagsystem parts. See the part on the airbag system earlierin this section.
Have the safety belt pretensioners checked if thevehicle has been in a crash, if the airbag readiness lightstays on after the vehicle is started, or while you aredriving. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 4-50.
2-75
Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{WARNING:
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, the handle will not openit. The chance of being thrown out of thevehicle in a crash is increased if the doors arenot locked. So, all passengers should wearsafety belts properly and the doors should belocked whenever the vehicle is driven.
•Young children who get into unlocked vehicles
may be unable to get out. A child can beovercome by extreme heat and can sufferpermanent injuries or even death from heatstroke. Always lock the vehicle wheneverleaving it.
•Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.Locking your doors can help prevent this fromhappening.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
Because the vehicle has the theft-deterrent system,you must unlock the doors with the key orRKE transmitter to avoid setting off the alarm.
From the outside, use either the key or theRKE transmitter.
From the inside, use the power door lock switches ormanual lock knobs. The manual lock knobs are locatedat the top of the door panel near the window.
Push the manual lock knob down to lock the door.To unlock the door, pull up on the knob.
3-9
Center Flex Storage Unit
This vehicle may have a center flex storage unit thatincludes a front center seat with a lap belt and anunderseat storage compartment. The center seatbackcan also be used as an armrest. Cupholders arealso located at the front edge of the storage unit andcan be accessed by folding the compartment forward.
Pull the handle rearward to open a storage compartmentand access the accessory power outlet. Pull out toremove.
When not being used, the center seat lap belt can bestored in the underseat storage compartment.
Floor Mats
The driver’s side floor mat is held in place by two hooks.
Remove the floor mat by pulling up on the rear of themat to disconnect it from the hooks.
Reinstall the floor mat by lining up the openings in thefloor mat over the hooks and push it down into place.
Properly place the driver’s side floor mat on the floor sothat it does not block the movement of the acceleratorpedal.
Rear Seat Armrest
This vehicle has a rear seat armrest with cupholders.Pull the tab on the armrest forward, to access it.
Convenience Net
Use the convenience net, located in the rear, to storesmall loads as far forward as possible. The netshould not be used to store heavy loads.
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