Head Restraints
The vehicle’s front seats have adjustable head restraintsin the outboard seating positions.
{WARNING:
With head restraints that are not installed and
adjusted properly, there is a greater chance that
occupants will suffer a neck/spinal injury in a
crash. Do not drive until the head restraints for all
occupants are installed and adjusted properly.
Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the restraintis at the same height as the top of the occupant’shead. This position reduces the chance of a neck injuryin a crash.
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Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in the vehicle have a lap-shoulderexcept for the center front passenger position(if equipped), which has a lap belt. SeeLap Belt onpage 2-32for more information.
The following instructions explain how to wear alap-shoulder belt properly.
1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you cansit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index.
2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.Do not let it get twisted.
The lap-shoulder belt may lock if you pull the beltacross you very quickly. If this happens, let the beltgo back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the beltacross you more slowly.
If the shoulder portion of a passenger belt is pulledout all the way, the child restraint locking featuremay be engaged. If this happens, just let the belt goback all the way and start again.
Engaging the child restraint locking feature in theright front seating position may affect the passengersensing system. SeePassenger Sensing Systemon page 2-67for more information.
3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
If the latch plate will not go fully into the buckle,check if the correct buckle is being used.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.If the belt is not long enough, seeSafety BeltExtender on page 2-33.
Position the release button on the buckle so that thesafety belt could be quickly unbuckled if necessary.
4. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster,move it to the height that is right for you. See“Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment” later in thissection for instructions on use and important safetyinformation.
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Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
The vehicle has a shoulder belt height adjuster for thedriver and right front passenger seating positions.
Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the beltis centered on the shoulder. The belt should be awayfrom the face and neck, but not falling off the shoulder.Improper shoulder belt height adjustment couldreduce the effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash.
Press the releasebutton (A) and move theheight adjuster to thedesired position. Theadjuster can be moved upby pushing up on theshoulder belt guide.
After the adjuster is set to the desired position, try tomove it down without pressing the release buttonto make sure it has locked into position.
Safety Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for frontoutboard occupants. Although the safety beltpretensioners cannot be seen, they are part of thesafety belt assembly. They can help tighten the safetybelts during the early stages of a moderate to severefrontal or near frontal crash if the threshold conditions forpretensioner activation are met. And, if your vehiclehas side impact airbags, safety belt pretensioners canhelp tighten the safety belts in a side crash.
Pretensioners work only once. If the pretensionersactivate in a crash, they will need to be replaced, andprobably other new parts for the vehicle’s safetybelt system. SeeReplacing Restraint System PartsAfter a Crash on page 2-75.
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides
This vehicle may have rear shoulder belt comfort guidesfor each outside passenger position in the rear seat. Ifnot, they are available through your dealer/retailer. Theguides may provide added safety belt comfort for olderchildren who have outgrown booster seats and for someadults. When installed the comfort guide positions theshoulder belt away from the neck and head.
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The manufacturer’s instructions that come with thebooster seat, state the weight and height limitations forthat booster. Use a booster seat with a lap-shoulderbelt until the child passes the below fit test:
•Sit all the way back on the seat. Do the knees bend
at the seat edge? If yes, continue. If no, return tothe booster seat.
•Buckle the lap-shoulder belt. Does the shoulder belt
rest on the shoulder? If yes, continue. If no, tryusing the rear safety belt comfort guide. See “RearSafety Belt Comfort Guides” underLap-ShoulderBelt on page 2-26for more information. If theshoulder belt still does not rest on the shoulder,then return to the booster seat.
•Does the lap belt fit low and snug on the hips,
touching the thighs? If yes, continue. If no, return tothe booster seat.
•Can proper safety belt fit be maintained for
length of trip? If yes, continue. If no, return to thebooster seat.
If you have the choice, a child should sit in a positionwith a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint ashoulder belt can provide.
Q:What is the proper way to wear safety belts?
A:An older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and
get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can
provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face
or neck. The lap belt should fit snugly below the
hips, just touching the top of the thighs. This applies
belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash.
It should never be worn over the abdomen, which
could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in
a crash.
Also see “Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” underLap-Shoulder Belt on page 2-26.
According to accident statistics, children and infants aresafer when properly restrained in the rear seatingpositions than in the front seating positions.
In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strikeother people who are buckled up, or can be thrownout of the vehicle. Older children need to use safetybelts properly.
2-34
Q:What are the different types of add-on childrestraints?
A:Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the
vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types.
Selection of a particular restraint should take
into consideration not only the child’s weight, height,
and age but also whether or not the restraint will
be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will
be used.
For most basic types of child restraints, there are
many different models available. When purchasing a
child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used
in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a
label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle
safety standards.
The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come
with the restraint state the weight and height
limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition,
there are many kinds of restraints available for
children with special needs.
{WARNING:
To reduce the risk of neck and head injury during
a crash, infants need complete support. This is
because an infant’s neck is not fully developed
and its head weighs so much compared with the
rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a
rear-facing child restraint settles into the restraint,
so the crash forces can be distributed across the
strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and
shoulders. Infants should always be secured in
rear-facing child restraints.
2-40
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.
2-73
SBZA Detection Zones
The SBZA sensor covers a zone of approximately onelane over from both sides of the vehicle, 3.5 m (11 ft).This zone starts at each side mirror and goes backapproximately 5 m (16 ft). The height of the zone isapproximately between 0.5 m (1.5 ft) and 2.0 m (6 ft) offthe ground.
The SBZA detection zones do not change if the vehicleis towing a trailer. So be extra careful when changinglanes while towing a trailer.
How the System Works
When the vehicle is started, both outside mirror displayswill briefly come on to indicate that the system isoperating. While driving forward, the left or right sidemirror SBZA display will light up if a vehicle is detected inthat blind zone. If you activate a turn signal and a vehiclehas been detected on the same side, the SBZA displaywill flash to give you extra warning not to change lanes.
SBZA displays do not come on while the vehicle isapproaching or passing other vehicles. At speedsgreater then 20 mph (32 km/h), SBZA displays maycome on when a vehicle you have passed remains in ordrops back into the detection zone.
SBZA can be disabled through the Driver InformationCenter (DIC). SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)on page 4-61for more information. If the SBZAis disabled by the driver, the SBZA mirror displays willnot light up during normal driving.
Left Side Mirror DisplayRight Side MirrorDisplay
3-44
Notice:Overloading the vehicle may causedamage. Repairs would not be covered by thevehicle warranty. Do not overload the vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle, likesuitcases, tools, packages, or anything else, theywill go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you haveto stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, theywill keep going.
{WARNING:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strikeand injure people in a sudden stop or turn, orin a crash.
•Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In
a trunk, put them as far forward as youcan. Try to spread the weight evenly.
•Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that someof 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.
Automatic Level Control
This feature keeps the rear of your vehicle levelas the load changes. It is automatic, you donot need to adjust anything.
This type of level control is fully automatic and willprovide a better leveled riding position as well asbetter handling under a variety of passenger andloading conditions. An air compressor connected tothe rear shocks will raise or lower the rear of thevehicle to maintain proper vehicle height. Thesystem is activated when the ignition key is turnedto ON/RUN and will automatically adjust vehicleheight thereafter. The system may exhaust(lower vehicle height) for up to ten minutes afterthe ignition key has been turned to LOCK/OFF.You may hear the air compressor operating whenthe height is being adjusted.
5-23