2017 CADILLAC ATS Owners Manual

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10287885) -
2017 - crc - 6/16/16
72 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
For airbag locations, seeWhere Are the
Airbags? 069.
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
designed to help contain the head and
chest of occupants in the outboard
seating positions in the first and
second 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? 070.
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, knee, and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so quickly
that some people may not even realize
an airbag inflated. 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? 069.
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.
{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

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10287885) -
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SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 73
exceeds a predetermined threshold.
You can lock the doors, turn off the
interior lamps, and turn off the 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 0323 and Event Data
Recorders 0323.
. 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.
Passenger Sensing System
The vehicle has a passenger sensing
system for the front outboard
passenger position. The passenger airbag status indicator will light on
the overhead console when the vehicle
is started.
The symbol for on and off, will be
visible during the system check. When
the system check is complete, the
symbol for on or off will be visible.
See
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator 0113.
The passenger sensing system turns
off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and knee airbag, under
certain conditions. No other airbag is
affected by the passenger sensing
system.
The passenger sensing system works
with sensors that are part of the front
outboard passenger seat. The sensors
are designed to detect the presence of
a properly seated occupant and
determine if the front outboard

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10287885) -
2017 - crc - 6/16/16
74 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag should be allowed to inflate
or not.
According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
secured in a rear seat in a correct
child restraint for their weight
and size.
Whenever possible, children aged
12 and under should be secured in a
rear seating position.
Never put a rear-facing child seat in
the front. This is because the risk to
the rear-facing child is so great, if the
airbag inflates.
{Warning
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured or
killed if the passenger frontal 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(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
killed if the passenger frontal airbag
inflates and the passenger seat is in
a forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger airbag(s), 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.
Never put a rear-facing child
restraint in the front seat, even if
the airbag is off. If securing a
forward-facing child restraint in the
front outboard passenger seat,
always move the seat as far back as
it will go. It is better to secure child
restraints in the rear seat. Consider
using another vehicle to transport
the child when a rear seat is not
available. The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag and
knee airbag if:
.
The front outboard passenger seat
is unoccupied.
. The system determines that an
infant is present in a child
restraint.
. A front outboard passenger takes
his/her weight off of the seat for a
period of time.
. There is a critical problem with
the airbag system or the passenger
sensing system.
When the passenger sensing system
has turned off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag, the off indicator will light and
stay lit to remind you that the airbags
are off. See Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator 0113.
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn on the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag and
knee airbag anytime the system

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SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 75
senses that a person of adult size is
sitting properly in the front outboard
passenger seat.
When the passenger sensing system
has allowed the airbags to be enabled,
the on indicator will light and stay lit
as a reminder that the airbags are
active.
For some children, including children
in child restraints, and for very small
adults, the passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag and
knee 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.
{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. See
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Airbag Readiness Light0113 for
more information, including
important safety information.
If the On Indicator Is Lit for a
Child Restraint
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag and
knee airbag if the system determines
that an infant is present in 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 to
Securing Child Restraints (With the
Safety Belt in the Rear Seat)
091
or Securing Child Restraints (With
the Safety Belt in the Front
Seat) 093.
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. See Head
Restraints 050.
6. Restart the vehicle. The passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the
airbags for a child in a child
restraint depending upon the
child’s size. It is better to secure
the child restraint in a rear seat.

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10287885) -
2017 - crc - 6/16/16
76 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
Never put a rear-facing child
restraint in the front seat, even if
the on indicator is not lit.
If the Off Indicator Is Lit for an
Adult-Sized Occupant
If a person of adult size is sitting in
the front outboard passenger seat, but
the off indicator is lit, it could be
because that person is not sitting
properly in the seat. Use the following
steps to allow the system to detect
that person and enable the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag and
knee airbag:1. Turn the vehicle off. 2. Remove any additional material
from the seat, such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers. Also,
remove laptops, or other
electronic devices.
3. Place the seatback in the fully upright position.
4. Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat
cushion, with legs comfortably
extended.
5. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position
for two to three minutes after
the on indicator is lit.{Warning
If the front outboard passenger
airbag is turned off for an
adult-sized occupant, the airbag will
not be able to inflate and help
protect that person in a crash,
resulting in an increased risk of
serious injury or even death. An
adult-sized occupant should not
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
ride in the front outboard passenger
seat, if the passenger airbag off
indicator is lit.
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
specific vehicle. See Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 077 for

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more information about modifications
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 frontal
airbag and passenger knee 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 turn on the passenger
frontal airbag and passenger knee
airbag while a child restraint or
child occupant is on the seat.
If the passenger frontal airbag and
passenger knee airbag are 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. See
Airbag Readiness
Light 0113 for 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.
{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 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.
{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 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 of the airbag

Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-10287885) -
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78 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
modules, ceiling or pillar garnish trim,
overhead console, front sensors, side
impact sensors, or airbag wiring.
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 for the front
outboard passenger position, which
includes sensors that are part of the
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). SeePassenger Sensing
System 073. If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail
airbags, see
Different Size Tires and
Wheels 0282 for additional important
information.
If you have to modify your vehicle
because you have a disability and you
have questions about whether the
modifications will affect the vehicle's
airbag system, or if you have
questions about whether the airbag
system will be affected if the vehicle is
modified for any other reason, see
your dealer.
Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See Airbag
Readiness Light 0113.
Caution
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
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
coverings, have the airbag covering
and/or airbag module replaced. For
the location of the airbags, see
Where Are the Airbags?069. See
your dealer for service.
Replacing Airbag System
Parts after a Crash
{Warning
A crash can damage the airbag
systems in the vehicle. A damaged
airbag system may not properly
protect you and your passenger(s)
in a crash, resulting in serious
injury or even death. To help make
sure the airbag systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.

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SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 79
If an airbag inflates, you will need to
replace airbag system parts. See your
dealer for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes
on when you are driving, the airbag
system may not work properly. Have
the vehicle serviced right away. See
Airbag Readiness Light0113.Child Restraints
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown
booster seats should wear the vehicle’s
safety belts.
The manufacturer instructions that
come with the booster seat state the
weight and height limitations for that
booster. Use a booster seat with a
lap-shoulder belt until the child
passes the fit test below: .
Sit all the way back on the seat.
Do the knees bend at the seat
edge? If yes, continue. If no, return
to the booster seat.
. Buckle the lap-shoulder belt. Does
the shoulder belt rest on the
shoulder? If yes, continue. If no,
try using the rear safety belt
comfort guide, if available. See
“Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides”
under Lap-Shoulder Belt 063. If a
comfort guide is not available, or if
the shoulder 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 to
the booster seat.
. Can proper safety belt fit be
maintained for the length of the
trip? If yes, continue. If no, return
to the booster seat.
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