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SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 51
Warning (Continued)
not allow passengers to ride in any
area of the vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seat belts.
Always wear a seat belt, and check
that all passenger(s) are restrained
properly too.
This vehicle has indicators as a
reminder to buckle the seat belts. See
Seat Belt Reminders 0105.
Why Seat Belts Work
When riding in a vehicle, you travel as
fast as the vehicle does. If the vehicle
stops suddenly, you keep going until
something stops you. It could be the
windshield, the instrument panel,
or the seat belts!
When you wear a seat belt, you and
the vehicle slow down together. There
is more time to stop because you stop
over a longer distance and, when worn
properly, your strongest bones take
the forces from the seat belts. That is
why wearing seat belts makes such
good sense.
Questions and Answers About
Seat Belts
Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle
after a crash if I am wearing a
seat belt?
A: You could be— whether you are
wearing a seat belt or not. Your
chance of being conscious during
and after a crash, so you can
unbuckle and get out, is much
greater if you are belted. Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why
should I have to wear seat belts?
A: Airbags are supplemental systems
only. They work withseat belts —
not instead of them. Whether or
not an airbag is provided, all
occupants still have to buckle up
to get the most protection.
Also, in nearly all states and in all
Canadian provinces, the law
requires wearing seat belts.
How to Wear Seat Belts
Properly
Follow these rules for everyone's
protection.
There are additional things to know
about seat belts and children,
including smaller children and infants.
If a child will be riding in the vehicle,
see Older Children 070 or
Infants and Young Children 072.
Review and follow the rules for
children in addition to the following
rules.

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SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 55
4. Push the latch plate into thebuckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to
make sure it is secure. If the belt
is not long enough, see Seat Belt
Extender 057.
Position the release button on
the buckle so that the seat belt
could be quickly unbuckled if
necessary.
5. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster, move it to the
height that is right for you. See
“Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster”
later in this section for
instructions on use and
important safety information.
6. To make the lap part tight, pullup on the shoulder belt.
It may be necessary to slide the
adjustable stop along the
webbing toward the outboard
floor anchor to fully tighten the
lap belt across the lap.To unlatch the belt, push the button
on the buckle. The belt should return
to its stowed position.
Always stow the seat belt slowly. If the
seat belt webbing returns quickly to
the stowed position, the retractor may
lock and cannot be pulled out. If this
happens, pull the seat belt straight out
firmly to unlock the webbing, and
then release it. If the webbing is still
locked in the retractor, see your
dealer.
Before a door is closed, be sure the
seat belt is out of the way. If a door is
slammed against a seat belt, damage
can occur to both the seat belt and
the vehicle.

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SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 57
Do not sit on the outboard seat belt
while entering or exiting the vehicle or
at any time while sitting in the seat.
Sitting on the seat belt can damage
the webbing and hardware.
Rear Seat Belt Comfort Guides
Rear seat belt comfort guides may
provide added seat belt comfort for
older children who have outgrown
booster seats and for some adults.
When installed on a shoulder belt, the
comfort guide positions the shoulder
belt away from the neck and head.
Comfort guides are available through
your dealer for the rear outboard
seating positions. Instructions are
included with the guides.
Seat Belt Use During
Pregnancy
Seat belts work for everyone,
including pregnant women. Like all
occupants, they are more likely to be
seriously injured if they do not wear
seat belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a
lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion
should be worn as low as possible,
below the rounding, throughout the
pregnancy.
The best way to protect the fetus is to
protect the mother. When a seat belt
is worn properly, it is more likely that
the fetus will not be hurt in a crash.
For pregnant women, as for anyone,
the key to making seat belts effective
is wearing them properly.
Seat Belt Extender
If the vehicle's seat belt will fasten
around you, you should use it.But if a seat belt is not long enough,
your dealer will order you an extender.
When you go in to order it, take the
heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you.
To help avoid personal injury, do not
let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. The
extender has been designed for adults.
Never use it for securing child
restraints. For more information on
the proper use and fit of seat belt
extenders see the instruction sheet
that comes with the extender.
Safety System Check
Periodically check the seat belt
reminder, seat belts, buckles, latch
plates, retractors, shoulder belt height
adjusters (if equipped), and seat belt
anchorages to make sure they are all
in working order. Look for any other
loose or damaged seat belt system
parts that might keep a seat belt
system from performing properly. See
your dealer to have it repaired. Torn,
frayed, or twisted seat belts may not
protect you in a crash. Torn or frayed
seat belts can rip apart under impact
forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, have

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SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 59
Airbag System
The vehicle has the following airbags:
.A frontal airbag for the driver
. A frontal airbag for the front
outboard passenger
. A knee airbag for the driver.
. A knee airbag for the front
outboard passenger.
. A seat-mounted side impact airbag
for the driver
. A seat-mounted side impact airbag
for the front outboard passenger
. A roof-rail airbag for the driver
and the passenger seated directly
behind the driver
. A roof-rail airbag for the front
outboard passenger and the
passenger seated directly behind
the front outboard passenger
All vehicle airbags have the word
AIRBAG on the trim or on a 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 knee airbags, the word AIRBAG is
on the lower part of the instrument
panel.
For seat-mounted side impact airbags,
the word AIRBAG is on the side of the
seatback or side of the seat 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 seat 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 seat belt, even with
airbags. Airbags are designed to
work with seat belts, not replace
them. Also, airbags are not designed
to inflate in every crash. In some
crashes seat belts are the only
restraint. See
When Should an
Airbag Inflate? 062.
Wearing your seat belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance of
hitting things inside the vehicle or
being ejected from it. Airbags are
“supplemental restraints” to the
seat belts. Everyone in the vehicle
should wear a seat belt properly,
whether or not there is an airbag
for that person.

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Warning (Continued)
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 accessories that
block the inflation path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
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 059. Airbags are
designed to inflate if the impact
exceeds the specific airbag system's
deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds are used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in time
for the airbags to inflate and help
restrain the occupants. The vehicle
has electronic sensors that help the
airbag system determine the severity
of the impact. Deployment thresholds
can vary with specific vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are designed to inflate
in moderate to severe frontal or near
frontal crashes to help reduce the
potential for severe injuries, mainly to
the driver's or front outboard
passenger's head and chest.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should inflate is not based primarily
on how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends on what is hit, the
direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds depending on
whether the vehicle hits an object
straight on or at an angle, and
whether the object is fixed or moving,
rigid or deformable, narrow or wide.
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, in rear
impacts, or in many side impacts.
In addition, the vehicle has advanced
technology frontal airbags. Advanced
technology frontal airbags adjust the
restraint according to crash severity.
Knee airbags are designed to inflate in
moderate to severe frontal or near
frontal impacts. Knee airbags are not
designed to inflate during vehicle
rollovers, in rear impacts, or in many
side impacts.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags are
designed to inflate in moderate to
severe side crashes depending on the
location of the impact. Seat-mounted
side impact airbags are not designed
to inflate in frontal impacts, near
frontal impacts, rollovers, or rear
impacts. A seat-mounted side impact
airbag is designed to inflate on the
side of the vehicle that is struck.
Roof-rail airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes depending on the location of
the impact. In addition, these roof-rail
airbags are designed to inflate during
a rollover or in a severe frontal
impact. Roof-rail airbags are not
designed to inflate in rear impacts.
Both roof-rail airbags will inflate when

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SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 65
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 words ON and OFF, and the
symbols for on and off, will be visible
during the system check. When the
system check is complete, either the
word ON or OFF, and the symbol for
on or off, will be visible. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator 0107.
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 and seat belt.
The sensors are designed to detect the
presence of a properly seated
occupant and determine if the front
outboard 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 the 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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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 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
(Continued)

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68 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
adult-sized occupants. If this
happens, unbuckle the belt, let
the belt go back all the way, and
then buckle the belt again
without pulling the belt out all
the way.
6. 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
ride in the front outboard passenger
seat, if the passenger airbag OFF
indicator is lit.
Additional Factors Affecting
System Operation
Seat 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 “Seat 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 069 for
more information about modifications
that can affect how the system
operates.
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 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. To purchase a service
manual, see
Publication Ordering
Information 0333.

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SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 69
{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,
including improperly repairing or
replacing, any parts of the following:.
Airbag system, including airbag
modules, front or side impact
sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module, or airbag wiring
. Front seats, including stitching,
seams or zippers
. Seat belts
. Steering wheel, instrument panel,
overhead console, ceiling trim,
or pillar garnish trim
. Inner door seals, including
speakers
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location of
the airbag modules and sensors,
sensing and diagnostic module, and
airbag wiring along with the proper
replacement procedures.
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). See
Passenger Sensing
System 065.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail
airbags, see Different Size Tires and
Wheels 0288 for additional important
information.
If the vehicle must be modified
because you have a disability and 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, call
Customer Assistance. See Customer
Assistance Offices 0326.