Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/19/15
90 Seats and Restraints
All vehicle airbags have the word
AIRBAG on the trim or on an
attached label near the deployment
opening.
For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the center of the
steering wheel for the driver and on
the instrument panel for the front
outboard passenger.
For the front center airbag, the word
AIRBAG is on the inboard side of
the driver seatback.
For seat-mounted side impact
airbags, the word AIRBAG is on the
side of the seatback closest to
the door.
For roof-rail airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the ceiling or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by safety
belts. Even though today's airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force of an
inflating bag, all airbags must inflate
very quickly to do their job.
Here are the most important things
to know about the airbag system:{Warning
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your safety belt, even
with airbags. Airbags are
designed to work with safety
belts, not replace them. Also,
airbags are not designed to inflate
in every crash. In some crashes
safety belts are the only restraint.
SeeWhen Should an Airbag
Inflate? 092.
Wearing your safety belt during a
crash helps reduce the chance of
hitting things inside the vehicle or
being ejected from it. Airbags are
“supplemental restraints” to the
safety belts. Everyone in the
vehicle should wear a safety belt
properly, whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.
{Warning
Because airbags inflate with great
force and faster than the blink of
an eye, anyone who is up
against, or very close to any
airbag when it inflates can be
seriously injured or killed. Do not
sit unnecessarily close to any
airbag, as you would be if sitting
on the edge of the seat or leaning
forward. Safety belts help keep
you in position before and during
a crash. Always wear a safety
belt, even with airbags. The driver
should sit as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of
the vehicle. The safety belts and
the front outboard passenger
airbags are most effective when
you are sitting well back and
upright in the seat with both feet
on the floor.
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the front center
armrest or console in vehicles
with a front center airbag.
(Continued)
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/19/15
Seats and Restraints 91
Warning (Continued)
Occupants should not lean on or
sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with
seat-mounted side impact airbags
and/or roof-rail airbags.
{Warning
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when
it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Always secure children
properly in the vehicle. To read
how, seeOlder Children 0102 or
Infants and Young Children
0 103.
There is an airbag readiness light
on the instrument cluster, which
shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. See Airbag
Readiness Light 0144.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
center of the steering wheel.
The front outboard passenger
frontal airbag is in the passenger
side instrument panel.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/19/15
92 Seats and Restraints
If the vehicle has a front center
airbag, it is in the inboard side of the
driver seatback.
Driver Side Shown, PassengerSide Similar
The driver and front outboard
passenger seat-mounted side
impact airbags are in the side of the
seatbacks closest to the door.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger Side Similar
The roof-rail airbags for the driver,
front outboard passenger, and
second and third row outboard
seating positions are in the ceiling
above the side windows.
{Warning
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inflate properly
or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury
or even death. The path of an (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
inflating airbag must be kept
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
Do not use seat or console
accessories that block the
inflation path of a seat-mounted
side impact airbag or the front
center airbag, if equipped.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie-down
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
This vehicle is equipped with
airbags. SeeAirbag System 089.
Airbags are designed to inflate if the
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/19/15
94 Seats and Restraints
In any particular crash, no one can
say whether an airbag should have
inflated simply because of the
vehicle damage or the repair costs.
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the
airbag causing the bag to break out
of the cover. The inflator, the airbag,
and related hardware are all part of
the airbag module.
For airbag locations, seeWhere Are
the Airbags? 091.
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel. In
moderate to severe side collisions,
even belted occupants can contact
the inside of the vehicle. Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts by
distributing the force of the impact
more evenly over the
occupant's body.
Rollover capable roof-rail airbags
are also designed to help contain
the head and chest of occupants in
the outboard seating positions in the
first, second, and third rows. The
rollover capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help reduce the risk of
full or partial ejection in rollover
events, although no system can
prevent all such ejections.
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. See
When
Should an Airbag Inflate? 092 for
more information.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.
What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize an airbag inflated. The
front center airbag, if equipped, and
the roof-rail airbags may still be at
least partially inflated for some time
after they inflate. Some components
of the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbags, see Where Are the
Airbags? 091.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/19/15
Seats and Restraints 95
{Warning
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate,
without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. You can lock the doors, and turn off the interior lamps and
hazard warning flashers by using
the controls for those features.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag. .
Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for the vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.
. The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a
crash. See Vehicle Data
Recording and Privacy 0428
and Event Data Recorders
0 429.
. Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/19/15
100 Seats and Restraints
Warning (Continued)
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
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 and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information0426.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end, or side sheet
metal may keep the airbag system
from working properly.
The operation of the airbag system
can also be affected by changing
any parts of the front seats, safety
belts, airbag sensing and diagnostic
module, steering wheel, instrument
panel, any airbag module, ceiling or
pillar garnish trim, overhead
console, front sensors, side impact
sensors, airbag wiring, or front
center console. Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, and airbag
wiring.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system that
includes sensors as part of the front
outboard passenger 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).
See
Passenger Sensing System
0 96.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
126 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 127
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 128
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 129
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 129
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 144
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 144
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 146
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 146
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 149
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 150
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 150
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 151
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 152
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 152
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 152
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 152
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . 157
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Brake System Messages . . . . . 162
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 162
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 162
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 163
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 164
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 164
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 165
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 165
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Object Detection System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Airbag System Messages . . . . 169
Security Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Steering System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9159366) - 2016 - crc - 5/20/15
Instruments and Controls 127
Starting the VehicleMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Transmission Messages . . . . . . 170
Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Washer Fluid Messages . . . . . . 172
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 173
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . 179
Universal Remote System Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Controls
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Hold the steering wheel and pull the lever.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down.
3. Release the lever to lock the wheel in place. Tilt and Telescoping Steering
Wheel
To adjust the tilt and telescoping
steering wheel, if equipped:
1. Push the lever (1) down to move the steering wheel
forward or rearward. Lift the
lever (1) up to lock the wheel in
place.
2. Hold the steering wheel and pull the lever (2) toward you to
move the steering wheel up or
down. Release the lever (2) to
lock the wheel into place.