2021 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO roof

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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32 Seats and Restraints
To unlatch the belt, push the button on the
buckle. The belt should return to its stowed
position. Slide the latch plate up the seat
belt webbing when the seat belt is not in
use. The latch plate should rest on the
stitching on the seat belt, near the guide
loop on the side wall.
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.
Seat Belt Height Adjuster
The vehicle has a seat belt height adjuster
for the driver and front outboard passenger
positions.
Adjust the height so the shoulder portion of
the belt is on the shoulder and not falling
off of it. The belt should be close to, but not
contacting, the neck. Improper shoulder belt
height adjustment could reduce the
effectiveness of the seat belt in a crash. See
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly
029.
Squeeze both sides of the release button
and pull outward. Then move the height
adjuster up or down to the desired position
and release the button.
After the adjuster is set to the desired
position, try to move it up or down without
squeezing the release button to make sure it
has locked into position.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
If the vehicle has seat-mounted side impact
airbags and roof-rail airbags, it also has seat
belt pretensioners for the front outboard
occupants.
Although the seat belt pretensioners cannot
be seen, they are part of the seat belt
assembly. They can help tighten the seat
belts during the early stages of a moderate
to severe frontal, near frontal, or rear crash
if the threshold conditions for pretensioner
activation are met. And, if the vehicle has
roof-rail airbags, seat belt pretensioners can
help tighten the seat belts in a side crash or
a rollover event.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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36 Seats and Restraints
reversing the latch plate on the webbing.
If the twist cannot be corrected, ask your
dealer to fix it.
Make sure the seat belt reminder light is
working. SeeSeat Belt Reminders 074.
Keep seat belts clean and dry. See Seat Belt
Care 036.
Seat Belt Care
Keep belts clean and dry.
Seat belts should be properly cared for and
maintained.
Seat belt hardware should be kept dry and
free of dust or debris. As necessary, exterior
hard surfaces and seat belt webbing may be
lightly cleaned with mild soap and water.
Ensure there is not excessive dust or debris
in the mechanism. If dust or debris exists in
the system please see the dealer. Parts may
need to be replaced to ensure proper
functionality of the system.
{Warning
Do not bleach or dye seat belt webbing.
It may severely weaken the webbing. In
a crash, they might not be able to
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
provide adequate protection. Clean and
rinse seat belt webbing only with mild
soap and lukewarm water. Allow the
webbing to dry.
Replacing Seat Belt System Parts
after a Crash
{Warning
A crash can damage the seat belt system
in the vehicle. A damaged seat belt
system may not properly protect the
person using it, resulting in serious injury
or even death in a crash. To help make
sure the seat belt systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.
After a minor crash, replacement of seat
belts may not be necessary. But the seat
belt assemblies that were used during any
crash may have been stressed or damaged.
See your dealer to have the seat belt
assemblies inspected or replaced. New parts and repairs may be necessary
even if the seat belt system was not being
used at the time of the crash.
Have the seat belt pretensioners checked if
the vehicle has been in a crash, or if the
airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or while you are driving.
See
Airbag Readiness Light 074.
Airbag System
The vehicle has the following airbag:
.A frontal airbag for the driver
The vehicle may have the following airbags:
.A frontal 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
Seat-mounted side impact airbags are
only available on vehicles equipped with
roof-rail airbags.
.A roof-rail airbag for the driver on vans
with single row seating
.A roof-rail airbag for the front outboard
passenger on vans with single row
seating

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Seats and Restraints 37
.A roof-rail airbag for the driver and the
passenger seated directly behind the
driver on vans with two row seating
.A roof-rail airbag for the front outboard
passenger and the passenger seated
directly behind the front outboard
passenger on vans with two row seating
If the van is equipped with a sliding door,
the roof-rail airbag for the front outboard
passenger is separate from the roof-rail
airbag for the passenger seated directly
behind the front outboard passenger.
If the van is equipped with a 60/40
swing-out door, a single roof-rail airbag
covers both seating positions.
.A roof-rail airbag for the driver and the
second and third row passengers seated
directly behind the driver on vans with
three or more seating rows
.A roof-rail airbag for the front outboard
passenger and the second and third row
passengers seated directly behind the
front outboard passenger on vans with
three or more seating rows
If the van is equipped with a sliding door,
the roof-rail airbag for the front outboard
passenger is separate from the roof-rail
airbag for the second and third row
passengers seated directly behind thefront outboard passenger. If the van is
equipped with a 60/40 swing-out door, a
single roof-rail airbag covers all three
seating positions.
Additionally:
.Vehicles that have a raised or modified
roof —such as school buses, ambulances,
vehicles with adaptive equipment for
mobility, and recreational vehicles —may
or may not be equipped with roof-rail
airbags.
.Vehicles with a GVWR above 4 536 kg
(10,000 lb) may be equipped with
roof-rail airbags.
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 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 airbag, 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? 040.
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.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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38 Seats and Restraints
{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. Seat belts help
keep you in position before and during a
crash. Always wear a seat belt, even with
airbags. The driver should sit as far back
as possible while still maintaining control
of the vehicle. The seat 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 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 046 or
Infants and Young Children 047.
There is an airbag readiness light on the
instrument panel, 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 074.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the center of
the steering wheel.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Seats and Restraints 39
If the vehicle has a front outboard passenger
frontal airbag, it is in the passenger side
instrument panel.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger Side Similar
If the vehicle has seat-mounted side impact
airbags for the driver and front outboard
passenger, they are in the sides of the
seatbacks closest to the door.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger Side Similar
If the vehicle has a single seating row and it
has roof-rail airbags for the driver and front
outboard passenger, the roof-rail airbags are
in the ceiling above the side windows.Driver Side Shown, Passenger Side Similar
If the vehicle has two seating rows, roof-rail
airbags for the driver, front outboard
passenger, and second row outboard
passengers are in the ceiling above the side
windows. If the vehicle has three or more
seating rows, roof-rail airbags for the driver,
front outboard passenger, and second and
third row outboard passengers 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 (Continued)

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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40 Seats and Restraints
Warning (Continued)
that person causing severe injury or even
death. The path of an 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 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 one or more
airbags. SeeAirbag System 036. 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 which 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 or front
outboard passenger head and chest.
Whether the frontal airbags will or should
deploy is not based primarily on how fast
the vehicle is traveling. It depends largely
on what you 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, rear impacts, or in
many side impacts.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags,
if equipped, 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
intended to inflate on the side of the vehicle
that is struck.
The vehicle may or may not be equipped
with roof-rail airbags. 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. Roof-rail airbags are not designed
to inflate in frontal, near-frontal, or rear
impacts. All roof-rail airbags will inflate
when either side of the vehicle is struck or if
the sensing system predicts that the vehicle
is about to roll over on its side.
In any particular crash, no one can say
whether an airbag should have inflated
simply because of the vehicle damage or
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

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Seats and Restraints 41
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? 038.
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 seat 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, second, and third rows,
if equipped. 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?
0 40.
Airbags should never be regarded as
anything more than a supplement to seat
belts.
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates?
After frontal and seat-mounted side impact
airbags (if equipped) inflate, they quickly
deflate, so quickly that some people may
not even realize the airbags inflated.
Roof-rail airbags (if equipped) 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? 038.
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 (if equipped
with power door locks), 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. After turning the
ignition off and then on again, the fuel
system will return to normal operation; the

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Seats and Restraints 45
Warning (Continued)
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, ceiling
trim, or pillar garnish trim
.Inner door seals, including speakersYour 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.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail airbags,
see
Different Size Tires and Wheels 0225 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 0267.
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 074.
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
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
broken airbag coverings, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module replaced.
For the location of the airbags, see Where
Are the Airbags? 038. 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.
If an airbag inflates, you will need to
replace airbag system parts. See your dealer
for service.