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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 specific vehicle. See Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
on page 2‑59for more
information about modifications that can affect how the
system 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 places
around the vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and the service
manual have information about servicing the vehicle
and the airbag system. To purchase a service manual,
see Service Publications Ordering Information
on
page 8‑16.
{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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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 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 inflates, 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. See
Airbag Readiness Light
on page 4‑33.
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Keys
{WARNING:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the keyless
access transmitter is dangerous for many
reasons, children or others could be badly injured
or even killed. They could operate the power
windows or other controls or even make the
vehicle move. The windows will function with the
keyless access transmitter in the vehicle and they
could be seriously injured or killed if caught in
the path of a closing window. Do not leave the
keyless access transmitter in a vehicle with
children.
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Battery Replacement
Notice:When replacing the battery, do not touch
any of the circuitry on the transmitter. Static from
your body could damage the transmitter.
1. Separate the transmitter with a flat, thin object inserted into the slot on the side or back of the
transmitter.
2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.
3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down. Replace with a CR2032 or equivalent battery.
4. Reassemble the transmitter.
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 it will not open.
You increase the chance of being thrown out
of the vehicle in a crash if the doors are not
locked. So, wear safety belts properly and
lock the doors whenever you drive.
.Young children who get into unlocked vehicles
may be unable to get out. A child can be
overcome by extreme heat and can suffer
permanent injuries or even death from heat
stroke. Always lock your vehicle whenever
you leave it.
.Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or stop
your vehicle. Locking your doors can help
prevent this from happening.
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Hatch
{WARNING:
Exhaust gases can enter the vehicle if it is driven
with the liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with any
objects that pass through the seal between the
body and the trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with the liftgate,
or trunk/hatch open:
.Close all of the windows.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel. (Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
.Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air and set the fan
speed to the highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
.If the vehicle is equipped with a power liftgate,
disable the power liftgate function.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3‑37.
Notice: Closing the hatch/trunk lid forcefully or
from the sides can cause damage to the glass, the
defogger or the weather stripping. Be sure objects
will fit in the hatch/trunk area before closing the
hatch/trunk lid. When closing the hatch/trunk lid,
gently pull down from the center.
Notice: Do not store heavy or sharp objects in
the rear storage compartments located in the
hatch/trunk area. The objects could damage the
underbody.
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Emergency Trunk Release Handle
(Coupe)
Notice:Do not use the emergency trunk release
handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing
items in the trunk as it could damage the handle.
The emergency trunk release handle is only
intended to aid a person trapped in a latched trunk,
enabling them to open the trunk from the inside.
There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release
handle located on the rear wall of the trunk below the
latch. This handle will glow following exposure to light.
Pull the release handle down to open the trunk from the
inside.
Windows
{WARNING:
Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a
vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome by the extreme heat and
suffer permanent injuries or even death from heat
stroke. Never leave a child, a helpless adult, or a
pet alone in a vehicle, especially with the windows
closed in warm or hot weather.
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If the vehicle does not start and the keyless access
transmitter appears to be undamaged, try another
keyless access transmitter. Or, place the transmitter in
the transmitter pocket. See “NO FOBS DETECTED”
under DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑52for
additional information. Check the fuse. See Fuses and
Circuit Breakers
on page 6‑101. If the engine still does
not start with the other transmitter, the vehicle needs
service. If the engine does start, the first transmitter
may be faulty. See your dealer/retailer or have a new
keyless access transmitter programmed to the vehicle.
The immobilizer system can learn new or replacement
keyless access transmitters. Up to four keyless
access transmitters can be programmed for the vehicle.
To program additional transmitters, see “Matching
transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle” underKeyless Access
System Operation on page 3‑5.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Follow these recommended guidelines during the first
1,500 miles/2414 km of driving this vehicle. Parts have
a break-in period and performance will be better in the
long run.
For the first 200 miles/322 km:
.To break in new tires, drive at moderate
speeds and avoid hard cornering for the
first 200 miles/322 km.
.New brake linings also need a break-in
period. Avoid making hard stops during the
first 200 miles/322 km. This is recommended
every time brake linings are replaced.
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For the first 500 miles/805 km:
.Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops.
.Do not exceed 4,000 engine rpm.
.Avoid driving at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, including the use of cruise control.
.Avoid downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle
when the engine speed will exceed 4000 RPM.
.Do not let the engine labor. Never lug the
engine in high gear at low speeds. With a manual
transmission, shift to the next lower gear. This rule
applies at all times, not just during the break-in
period.
For the first 1,500 miles/2414 km:
.Do not participate in track events, sport driving
schools, or similar activities during the first
1,500 miles/2414 km.
.Check engine oil with every refueling and add if
necessary. Oil and fuel consumption may be higher
than normal during the first 1,500 miles/2414 km.
Front Air Dam
The vehicle is equipped with a front air dam which has
minimal ground clearance.
Vehicles with the ZR-1 package also come with a
splitter made from carbon fiber.
{WARNING:
The splitter in the ZR‐1 is made from carbon fiber.
When damaged, the exposed edges can be very
sharp. A person could be injured by these sharp
edges. Use caution when washing the vehicle,
coming in contact with, or removing damaged
carbon fiber parts. See your dealer/retailer for
replacement.
Under normal operation, these components will
occasionally contact some road surfaces (speed
bumps, driveway ramps, etc.). This can be heard inside
the vehicle as a scraping noise. This is normal and
does not indicate a problem.
Use care when approaching bumps or objects on road
surfaces and avoid them when possible.
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