2008 GMC Canyon Owner Manual M - Vaden GMPPcontrol located on the outboard side of the seat. † To...

Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1Front Seats ............................................... 1-2Rear Seats ............................................... 1-9Safety Belts ............................................. 1-12Child Restraints ....................................... 1-33Airbag System ......................................... 1-60Restraint System Check ............................ 1-75

Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1Keys ........................................................ 2-3Doors and Locks ....................................... 2-7Windows ................................................. 2-12Theft-Deterrent Systems ............................ 2-15Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ........... 2-19Mirrors .................................................... 2-39OnStar® System ...................................... 2-47Storage Areas ......................................... 2-50Sunroof .................................................. 2-52

Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1Instrument Panel Overview .......................... 3-4Climate Controls ...................................... 3-20Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators ........ 3-23Driver Information Center (DIC) .................. 3-38Audio System(s) ....................................... 3-46

Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle ..... 4-2Towing ................................................... 4-38

Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1Service ..................................................... 5-3Fuel ......................................................... 5-5Checking Things Under the Hood ............... 5-10Rear Axle ............................................... 5-46Four-Wheel Drive ..................................... 5-47Front Axle ............................................... 5-48Headlamp Aiming ..................................... 5-49Bulb Replacement .................................... 5-49Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ......... 5-54Tires ...................................................... 5-56Appearance Care ..................................... 5-99Vehicle Identification ............................... 5-109Electrical System .................................... 5-110Capacities and Specifications ................... 5-116

Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1Maintenance Schedule ................................ 6-2

Customer Assistance Information .................... 7-1Customer Assistance and Information ........... 7-2Reporting Safety Defects ........................... 7-14Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy ........... 7-16

Index ................................................................ 1

2008 GMC Canyon Owner Manual M

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, GMC, theGMC Emblem, and the name CANYON are registeredtrademarks of General Motors Corporation.

This manual includes the latest information at the timeit was printed. We reserve the right to make changes afterthat time without further notice. For vehicles first sold inCanada, substitute the name “General Motors of CanadaLimited” for GMC whenever it appears in this manual.

This manual describes features that may be available inthis model, but your vehicle may not have all of them.For example, more than one entertainment system maybe offered or your vehicle may have been orderedwithout a front passenger or rear seats.

Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference.

Canadian OwnersA French language copy of this manual can be obtainedfrom your dealer/retailer or from:

Helm, IncorporatedP.O. Box 07130Detroit, MI 48207

1-800-551-4123www.helminc.com

Propriétaires CanadiensOn peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en françaisauprès de concessionnaire ou à l’adresse suivante:

Helm IncorporatedP.O. Box 07130Detroit, MI 48207

1-800-551-4123www.helminc.com

Litho in U.S.A.Part No. 15866158 A First Printing ©2007 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

ii

Using this ManualMany people read the owner manual from beginning toend when they first receive their new vehicle to learnabout the vehicle’s features and controls. Picturesand words work together to explain things.

IndexA good place to quickly locate information about thevehicle is the Index in the back of the manual. It isan alphabetical list of what is in the manual andthe page number where it can be found.

Safety Warnings and SymbolsThere are a number of safety cautions in this book.A box with the word CAUTION is used to tell aboutthings that could hurt you or others if you were toignore the warning.

{CAUTION:

These mean there is something that could hurtyou or other people.

We tell you what the hazard is and what to do to helpavoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions.If you do not, you or others could be hurt.

A circle with a slashthrough it is a safetysymbol which means“Do Not,” “Do Not do this”or “Do Not let this happen.”

iii

Vehicle Damage WarningsYou will also find notices in this manual.

Notice: These mean there is something that coulddamage your vehicle.

A notice tells about something that can damage thevehicle. Many times, this damage would not be coveredby your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly.The notice tells what to do to help avoid the damage.

When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTIONand NOTICE warnings in different colors or in differentwords.

There are also warning labels on the vehicle which usethe same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.

Vehicle SymbolsThe vehicle has components and labels that usesymbols instead of text. Symbols are shown alongwith the text describing the operation or informationrelating to a specific component, control, message,gage, or indicator.

iv

Front Seats ......................................................1-2Manual Seats ................................................1-2Power Seats ..................................................1-3Manual Lumbar ..............................................1-3Power Lumbar ...............................................1-4Heated Seats .................................................1-4Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-5Head Restraints .............................................1-7Seatback Latches ...........................................1-8

Rear Seats .......................................................1-9Rear Seat Operation (Extended Cab) ................1-9Rear Seat Operation (Crew Cab) ....................1-10

Safety Belts ...................................................1-12Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................1-12How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-17Lap-Shoulder Belt .........................................1-25Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-31Lap Belt ......................................................1-31Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-32

Child Restraints .............................................1-33Older Children ..............................................1-33Infants and Young Children ............................1-36Child Restraint Systems .................................1-39

Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-42Lower Anchors and Tethers for

Children (LATCH) ......................................1-43Securing a Child Restraint in a

Rear Seat Position ....................................1-54Securing a Child Restraint in the

Center Front Seat Position ..........................1-56Securing a Child Restraint in the

Right Front Seat Position ............................1-56Airbag System ...............................................1-60

Where Are the Airbags? ................................1-63When Should an Airbag Inflate? .....................1-65What Makes an Airbag Inflate? .......................1-67How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................1-67What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? .....1-68Passenger Sensing System ............................1-69Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...........1-74Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped

Vehicle ....................................................1-74Restraint System Check ..................................1-75

Checking the Restraint Systems ......................1-75Replacing Restraint System Parts

After a Crash ............................................1-76

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

1-1

Front Seats

Manual Seats

{CAUTION:

You can lose control of the vehicle if you try toadjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicleis moving. The sudden movement could startleand confuse you, or make you push a pedalwhen you do not want to. Adjust the driver’sseat only when the vehicle is not moving.

Lift the bar located under the front of the seat to unlockit. Slide the seat to where you want it and releasethe bar. Try to move the seat with your body to makesure the seat is locked into place.

1-2

Power Seats

If the vehicle has powerseats, the controls used tooperate them are locatedon the outboard side ofthe seats.

To adjust the seat, do any of the following:

• Move the seat forward or rearward by sliding thehorizontal control forward or rearward.

• Raise or lower the front part of the seat cushion bymoving the front of the horizontal control up or down.

• Raise or lower the rear part of the seat cushion bymoving the rear of the horizontal control up or down.

• Raise or lower the entire seat by moving the entirehorizontal control up or down.

• Use the vertical control to recline the seatback.See “Power Reclining Seatbacks” under RecliningSeatbacks on page 1-5 for more information.

Manual Lumbar

If your vehicle has thisfeature, there is a knoblocated on the outboardside of the driver’s seat.

Turn the top of the knob toward the front of the vehicleto increase lumbar support. Turn the top of the knobtoward the rear of the vehicle to decrease lumbarsupport.

1-3

Power Lumbar

If your vehicle has thisfeature, the control islocated on the outboardside of the seat(s).

Press and hold the front of the control until you havethe desired lumbar support. To decrease lumbarsupport, press and hold the rear of the control.

Heated Seats

If your vehicle has thisfeature, the controls arelocated on the outboardside of the front seats.

This feature will heat the cushion and back of the seats.

Press the top of the switch to turn the heat to thehigh setting. Press the bottom of the switch to turn theheat to the low setting. Put the switch in the centerposition to turn the heat off.

The ignition must be on for the heated seat feature towork. The seat will heat to the last setting if the ignitionhas been turned off and then turned back on.

The passenger’s safety belt must be fastened for theheated seat feature to work on the passenger’s seat.

1-4

Reclining Seatbacks

Manual Reclining Seatbacks

{CAUTION:

You can lose control of the vehicle if you try toadjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicleis moving. The sudden movement could startleand confuse you, or make you push a pedalwhen you do not want to. Adjust the driver’sseat only when the vehicle is not moving.

{CAUTION:

If the seatback is not locked, it could moveforward in a sudden stop or crash. That couldcause injury to the person sitting there. Alwayspush and pull on the seatback to be sure it islocked.

If your seats have manual reclining seatbacks, the leverused to operate them is located on the outboard sideof the seat(s).

To recline the seatback, do the following:

1. Lift the recline lever.

2. Move the seatback to the desired position, thenrelease the lever to lock the seatback in place.

3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it islocked.

1-5

To return the seatback to an upright position, do thefollowing:

1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to theseatback and the seatback will return to the uprightposition.

2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it islocked.

Power Reclining Seatbacks

If the seats have powerreclining seatbacks, usethe vertical power seatcontrol located on theoutboard side of the seat.

• To recline the seatback, press the control toward therear of the vehicle.

• To raise the seatback, press the control toward thefront of the vehicle.

1-6

{CAUTION:

Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicleis in motion can be dangerous. Even if youbuckle up, your safety belts cannot do theirjob when you are reclined like this.

The shoulder belt cannot do its job because itwill not be against your body. Instead, it will bein front of you. In a crash, you could go into it,receiving neck or other injuries.

The lap belt cannot do its job either.In a crash, the belt could go up over yourabdomen. The belt forces would be there,not at your pelvic bones. This could causeserious internal injuries.

For proper protection when the vehicle is inmotion, have the seatback upright. Then sitwell back in the seat and wear your safety beltproperly.

Do not have a seatback reclined if your vehicle ismoving.

Head RestraintsYour front seats may have adjustable head restraints.If your vehicle has rear seats, they may have adjustablehead restraints.

Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the restraint isat the same height as the top of the occupant’s head.This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in acrash.

1-7

Pull up on the headrestraint to raise it.To lower the headrestraint, press the buttonlocated on top of theseatback and push downon the head restraint.

Seatback LatchesYour vehicle may have front seatbacks that fold forwardfor easy access to the rear seats or the storage areabehind the seats.

To fold the seatbackforward, push the leveron the side of the seatrearward and pull theseatback forward.

{CAUTION:


To return the seatback to the upright position, push theseatback all the way back until it latches. If the seatbackwas reclined before being folded forward, it will return tothe reclined position.

1-8

Rear Seats

Rear Seat Operation (Extended Cab)

If your vehicle has anextended cab, there maybe forward folding seats inthe rear area.

To fold the rear seat cushion(s) from the stored positionto the sitting position, pull the front of the seat cushiondown completely.

The rear seat storage compartments must be closedbefore folding the seat down. See Rear Storage Area onpage 2-51.

To store the seat, do the following:

Notice: Folding a rear seat with the safety beltsstill fastened may cause damage to the seat orthe safety belts. Always unbuckle the safety beltsand return them to their normal stowed positionbefore folding a rear seat.

1. Secure the safety belt buckle to the inboard sideof the seat with the hook and loop fastener (A),so that it does not move when not in use.

2. Push the entire seat up until it is flush with thetrim panel.

1-9

Rear Seat Operation (Crew Cab)The rear seatback(s) in the crew cab can be foldedforward.

Notice: Folding a rear seat with the safety beltsstill fastened may cause damage to the seat orthe safety belts. Always unbuckle the safety beltsand return them to their normal stowed positionbefore folding a rear seat.To fold the rear seatback(s) forward, do the following:

1. Disconnect the rear center safety belt latch fromthe mini buckle by inserting the tip of the safety belttongue into the slot on the buckle. Let the belt retract.

2. Pull the loop, locatedon the outboard side ofthe seatback, forwarduntil you hear a click.

3. Fold the seatback(s) forward.

1-10

To return the seatback(s) to the upright position,do the following:

1. Lift the seatback(s) and push it into place.

{CAUTION:


2. Make sure the seatback(s) is locked by pushingand pulling on it.

{CAUTION:

A safety belt that is improperly routed, notproperly attached, or twisted will not providethe protection needed in a crash. The personwearing the belt could be seriously injured.After raising the rear seatback, always checkto be sure that the safety belts are properlyrouted and attached, and are not twisted.

3. Reconnect the center safety belt latch plate tothe mini buckle. Make sure the safety belt is nottwisted. Push and pull on the latch plate to be sureit is secure.

When the seatback is not in use, it should be kept inthe upright, locked position.

1-11

Safety Belts

Safety Belts: They Are for EveryoneThis part of the manual tells you how to use safetybelts properly. It also tells you some things you shouldnot do with safety belts.

{CAUTION:

Do not let anyone ride where he or she cannotwear a safety belt properly. If you are in a crashand you are not wearing a safety belt, yourinjuries can be much worse. You can hit thingsinside the vehicle harder or be ejected from itand be seriously injured or killed. In the samecrash, you might not be, if you are buckled up.Always fasten your safety belt, and check thatyour passenger(s) are restrained properly too.

{CAUTION:

People riding on the tailgate (if equipped) caneasily lose their balance and fall even whenthe vehicle is operated at low speeds. Fallingfrom a moving vehicle may result in seriousinjuries or death.

{CAUTION:

It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargoarea, inside or outside of a vehicle. In acollision, people riding in these areas are morelikely to be seriously injured or killed. Do notallow people to ride in any area of your vehiclethat is not equipped with seats and safetybelts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle isin a seat and using a safety belt properly.

Your vehicle has indicators as a reminder to buckle yoursafety belts. See Safety Belt Reminders on page 3-26.

1-12

In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the lawrequires wearing safety belts. Here is why:

You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do havea crash, you do not know if it will be a serious one.

A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be soserious that even buckled up, a person would notsurvive. But most crashes are in between. In many ofthem, people who buckle up can survive and sometimeswalk away. Without belts they could have been badlyhurt or killed.

After more than 40 years of safety belts in vehicles,the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up doesmatter... a lot!

Why Safety Belts WorkWhen you ride in or on anything, you go as fast asit goes.

Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat onwheels.

1-13

Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The riderdoes not stop.

1-14

The person keeps going until stopped by something.In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield...

or the instrument panel...

1-15

or the safety belts!

With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,and your strongest bones take the forces. That is whysafety belts make such good sense.

Questions and Answers About SafetyBelts

Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after a crash if Iam wearing a safety belt?

A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safetybelt or not. But your chance of being consciousduring and after an accident, so you can unbuckleand get out, is much greater if you are belted. Andyou can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you areupside down.

Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have towear safety belts?

A: Airbags are supplemental systems only; so theywork with safety belts — not instead of them.Whether or not an airbag is provided, all occupantsstill have to buckle up to get the most protection.That is true not only in frontal collisions, butespecially in side and other collisions.

1-16

Q: If I am a good driver, and I never drive far fromhome, why should I wear safety belts?

A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in acrash — even one that is not your fault — you andyour passenger(s) can be hurt. Being a good driverdoes not protect you from things beyond yourcontrol, such as bad drivers.Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km)of home. And the greatest number of seriousinjuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than40 mph (65 km/h).Safety belts are for everyone.

How to Wear Safety Belts ProperlyThis section is only for people of adult size.Be aware that there are special things to know aboutsafety belts and children. And there are different rules forsmaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in yourvehicle, see Older Children on page 1-33 or Infants andYoung Children on page 1-36. Follow those rules foreveryone’s protection.It is very important for all occupants to buckle up.Statistics show that unbelted people are hurt more oftenin crashes than those who are wearing safety belts.Occupants who are not buckled up can be thrown out ofthe vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others inthe vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

First, before you or your passenger(s) wear a safetybelt, there is important information you should know.

Sit up straight and always keep your feet on the floor infront of you. The lap part of the belt should be worn lowand snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash,this applies force to the strong pelvic bones and youwould be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slidunder it, the belt would apply force on your abdomen.This could cause serious or even fatal injuries.

1-17

The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and acrossthe chest. These parts of the body are best able to takebelt restraining forces.

The shoulder belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash.

Q: What is wrong with this?

A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not give nearlyas much protection this way.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder beltis too loose. In a crash, you would moveforward too much, which could increase injury.The shoulder belt should fit snugly againstyour body.

1-18


A: The lap belt is too loose. It will not give as muchprotection this way.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your lap belt is tooloose. In a crash, you could slide under the lapbelt and apply force on your abdomen. Thiscould cause serious or even fatal injuries. Thelap belt should be worn low and snug on thehips, just touching the thighs.

1-19


A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if your belt isbuckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash,the belt would go up over your abdomen.The belt forces would be there, not on thepelvic bones. This could cause serious internalinjuries. Always buckle your belt into thebuckle nearest you.

1-20


A: The belt is over an armrest.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if your belt goesover an armrest like this. The belt would bemuch too high. In a crash, you can slide underthe belt. The belt force would then be appliedon the abdomen, not on the pelvic bones, andthat could cause serious or fatal injuries.Be sure the belt goes under the armrests.

1-21


A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It shouldbe worn over the shoulder at all times.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured if you wear theshoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, yourbody would move too far forward, which wouldincrease the chance of head and neck injury.Also, the belt would apply too much force tothe ribs, which are not as strong as shoulderbones. You could also severely injure internalorgans like your liver or spleen. The shoulderbelt should go over the shoulder and acrossthe chest.

1-22


A: The belt is behind the body.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured by not wearingthe lap-shoulder belt properly. In a crash, youwould not be restrained by the shoulder belt.Your body could move too far forwardincreasing the chance of head and neck injury.You might also slide under the lap belt. Thebelt force would then be applied right on theabdomen. That could cause serious or fatalinjuries. The shoulder belt should go overthe shoulder and across the chest.

1-23


A: The belt is twisted across the body.

{CAUTION:

You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt.In a crash, you would not have the full width ofthe belt to spread impact forces. If a belt istwisted, make it straight so it can workproperly, or ask your dealer/retailer to fix it.

1-24

Lap-Shoulder BeltAll seating positions in your vehicle have a lap-shoulderbelt except for the center front passenger position(if equipped), which has a lap belt. See Lap Belt onpage 1-31 for more information.

Here is how to wear a lap-shoulder belt properly.

1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you cansit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index.

2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.Do not let it get twisted.The lap-shoulder belt may lock if you pull the beltacross you very quickly. If this happens, let the beltgo back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the beltacross you more slowly.If you ever pull the shoulder portion of a passengerbelt out all the way, you may engage the childrestraint locking feature. If this happens, just letthe belt go back all the way and start again.Engaging the child restraint locking featuremay affect the passenger sensing system.See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-69.

3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.If the belt is not long enough, see Safety BeltExtender on page 1-32.Make sure the release button on the buckle ispositioned so you would be able to unbuckle thesafety belt quickly if necessary.

4. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster,move it to the height that is right for you. Impropershoulder belt height adjustment could reducethe effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash.See “Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment” later inthis section.

1-25

5. To make the lap part tight, pull up on theshoulder belt.It may be necessary to pull stitching on the safetybelt through the latch plate to fully tighten thelap belt on smaller occupants.

To unlatch the belt, push the button on the buckle.The belt should go back out of the way. When the safetybelt is not in use, slide the latch plate up the safety beltwebbing. The latch plate should rest on the stitching onthe safety belt, near the guide loop on the side wall.

Before you close a door, be sure the belt is out ofthe way. If you slam the door on it, you can damageboth the belt and your vehicle.

1-26

Shoulder Belt Height AdjusterYour vehicle has a shoulder belt height adjuster for thedriver and right front passenger position.

Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt iscentered on your shoulder. The belt should be away fromyour face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder.Improper shoulder belt height adjustment could reducethe effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash.

To move it up or down,squeeze the releasebuttons (A) together andmove the height adjusterto the desired position.

After you move the height adjuster to where you want it,try to move it down without squeezing the releasebuttons to make sure it has locked into position.

Safety Belt PretensionersYour vehicle has safety belt pretensioners for frontoutboard occupants. Although you cannot see them,they are part of the safety belt assembly. They can helptighten the safety belts during the early stages of amoderate to severe frontal or near frontal crash if thethreshold conditions for pretensioner activation are met.

Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in acrash, you will need to get new ones, and probably othernew parts for your safety belt system. See ReplacingRestraint System Parts After a Crash on page 1-76.

1-27

Rear Safety Belt Comfort GuidesYour vehicle may have rear shoulder belt comfortguides for the rear outside positions.

Rear shoulder belt comfort guides may provide addedsafety belt comfort for older children who have outgrownbooster seats and for some adults. When installed ona shoulder belt, the comfort guide positions the beltaway from the neck and head.

Here is how to install a comfort guide to the shoulder belt.

1. Slide the guide off of its storage clip locatedbetween the interior body and the seatback.

1-28

2. Place the guide over the belt and insert the twoedges of the belt into the slots of the guide.

3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat.The elastic cord must be under the belt and theguide on top.

1-29

{CAUTION:

A safety belt that is not properly worn may notprovide the protection needed in a crash. Theperson wearing the belt could be seriouslyinjured. The shoulder belt should go over theshoulder and across the chest. These parts ofthe body are best able to take belt restrainingforces.

4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt asdescribed previously in this section. Make surethat the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder.

To remove and store a comfort guide, squeeze the beltedges together so that you can take them out of theguide. Slide the guide back on its storage clip locatedbetween the interior body and the seatback.

1-30

Safety Belt Use During PregnancySafety belts work for everyone, including pregnantwomen. Like all occupants, they are more likely to beseriously injured if they do not wear safety 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 themother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it ismore likely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash.For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to makingsafety belts effective is wearing them properly.

Lap BeltThis part is only for the lap belt. To learn how to wear alap-shoulder belt, see Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 1-25.

You vehicle may have a center seating position.When you sit in the center front seating position,you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor.

To make the belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull italong the belt.

Buckle, position, and release it the same way as the lappart of a lap-shoulder belt.

1-31

To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shownuntil the belt is snug.

If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extenderon page 1-32.

Make sure the release button on the buckle is positionedso you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly ifnecessary.

Safety Belt ExtenderIf the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you,you should use it.

But if a safety belt is not long enough, your dealer/retailerwill order you an extender. When you go in to order it,take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender willbe long enough for you. To help avoid personal injury, donot let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat itis made to fit. The extender has been designed for adults.Never use it for securing child seats. To wear it, attach itto the regular safety belt. For more information, see theinstruction sheet that comes with the extender.

1-32

Child Restraints

Older Children

Older children who have outgrown booster seats shouldwear the vehicle’s safety belts.

The manufacturer’s instructions that come with thebooster seat, state the weight and height limitations forthat booster. Use a booster seat with a lap-shoulderbelt until the child passes the below fit test:

• Sit all the way back on the seat. Do the knees bendat the seat edge? If yes, continue. If no, return tothe booster seat.

• Buckle the lap-shoulder belt. Does the shoulder beltrest on the shoulder? If yes, continue. If no, try usingthe rear safety belt comfort guide. See “Rear SafetyBelt Comfort Guides” under Lap-Shoulder Belt onpage 1-25 for more information. If the shoulder beltstill does not rest on the shoulder, then return to thebooster seat.

• Does the lap belt fit low and snug on the hips,touching the thighs? If yes, continue. If no, return tothe booster seat.

• Can proper safety belt fit be maintained for length oftrip? If yes, continue. If no, return to the booster seat.

If you have the choice, a child should sit in a positionwith a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint ashoulder belt can provide.

1-33

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 canprovide. The shoulder belt should not cross the faceor neck. The lap belt should fit snugly below the hips,just touching the top of the thighs. This applies beltforce to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash. It shouldnever be worn over the abdomen, which could causesevere or even fatal internal injuries in a crash.

Also see “Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides” underLap-Shoulder Belt on page 1-25.

According to accident statistics, children and infantsare safer when properly restrained in the rear seatingpositions than in the front seating positions.

In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strikeother people who are buckled up, or can be thrownout of the vehicle. Older children need to use safetybelts properly.

{CAUTION:

Never do this.

Here two children are wearing the same belt.The belt cannot properly spread the impactforces. In a crash, the two children can becrushed together and seriously injured. A beltmust be used by only one person at a time.

1-34

{CAUTION:

Never do this.

Here a child is sitting in a seat that has alap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part isbehind the child. In a crash, the child wouldnot be restrained by the shoulder belt. Thechild might slide under the lap belt. The beltforce would then be applied right on theabdomen. That could cause serious or fatalinjuries. The child could also move too farforward increasing the chance of head andneck injury. The shoulder belt should go overthe shoulder and across the chest.

1-35

Infants and Young ChildrenEveryone in a vehicle needs protection! This includesinfants and all other children. Neither the distancetraveled nor the age and size of the traveler changesthe need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact,the law in every state in the United States and in everyCanadian province says children up to some age mustbe restrained while in a vehicle.

{CAUTION:

Children can be seriously injured or strangled ifa shoulder belt is wrapped around their neckand the safety belt continues to tighten. Neverleave children unattended in a vehicle and neverallow children to play with the safety belts.

Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles,they should have the protection provided by appropriaterestraints. Children who are not restrained properly canstrike other people, or can be thrown out of the vehicle.In addition, young children should not use the vehicle’sadult safety belts alone; they need to use a child restraint.

{CAUTION:

People should never hold an infant in theirarms while riding in a vehicle. An infant doesnot weigh much — until a crash. During acrash an infant will become so heavy it is notpossible to hold it. For example, in a crash atonly 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12 lb (5.5 kg) infantwill suddenly become a 240 lb (110 kg) forceon a person’s arms. An infant should besecured in an appropriate restraint.

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{CAUTION:

Children who are up against, or very close to,any airbag when it inflates can be seriouslyinjured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulderbelts offer protection for adults and older

CAUTION: (Continued)


children, but not for young children andinfants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt systemnor its airbag system is designed for them.Young children and infants need the protectionthat a child restraint system can provide.

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Q: What are the different types of add-on childrestraints?

A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by thevehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types.Selection of a particular restraint should take intoconsideration not only the child’s weight, height,and age but also whether or not the restraint willbe compatible with the motor vehicle in which itwill be used.

For most basic types of child restraints, there aremany different models available. When purchasinga child restraint, be sure it is designed to beused in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint willhave a label saying that it meets federal motorvehicle safety standards.

The restraint manufacturer’s instructions thatcome with the restraint state the weight and heightlimitations for a particular child restraint. In addition,there are many kinds of restraints available forchildren with special needs.

{CAUTION:

Newborn infants need complete support,including support for the head and neck. This isnecessary because a newborn infant’s neck isweak and its head weighs so much comparedwith the rest of its body. In a crash, an infantin a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint,so the crash forces can be distributed acrossthe strongest part of an infant’s body, the backand shoulders. Infants should always besecured in appropriate infant restraints.

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{CAUTION:

The body structure of a young child is quiteunlike that of an adult or older child, for whomthe safety belts are designed. A young child’ship bones are still so small that the vehicle’sregular safety belt may not remain low on thehip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settleup around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, thebelt would apply force on a body area that isunprotected by any bony structure. This alonecould cause serious or fatal injuries. Youngchildren should always be secured inappropriate child restraints.

Child Restraint Systems

A rear-facing infantseat (A) provides restraintwith the seating surfaceagainst the back ofthe infant.

The harness system holds the infant in place and, in acrash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint.

A forward-facing childseat (B) provides restraintfor the child’s bodywith the harness.

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A booster seat (C-D) is a child restraint designed toimprove the fit of the vehicle’s safety belt system.A booster seat can also help a child to see out thewindow.

Securing an Add-On Child Restraint inthe Vehicle

{CAUTION:

A child can be seriously injured or killed in acrash if the child restraint is not properlysecured in the vehicle. Make sure the childrestraint is properly installed in the vehicleusing the vehicle’s safety belt or LATCHsystem, following the instructions that camewith that restraint, and also the instructionsin this manual.

To help reduce the chance of injury, the child restraintmust be secured in the vehicle. Child restraint systemsmust be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or thelap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by the LATCHsystem. See Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children(LATCH) on page 1-43 for more information. A childcan be endangered in a crash if the child restraint isnot properly secured in the vehicle.

1-40

When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to theinstructions that come with the restraint which may beon the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to thismanual. The child restraint instructions are important,so if they are not available, obtain a replacementcopy from the manufacturer.

Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint canmove around in a collision or sudden stop and injurepeople in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secureany child restraint in your vehicle — even whenno child is in it.

Securing the Child Within the ChildRestraint

{CAUTION:

A child can be seriously injured or killed ina crash if the child is not properly secured inthe child restraint. Because there are differentsystems, it is important to refer to theinstructions that come with the restraint.Make sure the child is properly secured,following the instructions that came withthat restraint.

1-41

Where to Put the RestraintAccident statistics show that children are safer if theyare restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.

We recommend that children and child restraintsbe secured in a rear seat, including: an infant or a childriding in a rear-facing child restraint; a child riding ina forward-facing child seat; an older child riding ina booster seat; and children, who are large enough,using safety belts.

A label on your sun visor says, “Never put a rear-facingchild seat in the front.” This is because the risk to therear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.

{CAUTION:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint can beseriously injured or killed if the right frontpassenger’s airbag inflates. This is becausethe back of the rear-facing child restraintwould be very close to the inflating airbag.



Even though the passenger sensing system isdesigned to turn off the right front passenger’sfrontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facingchild restraint, no system is fail-safe, and noone can guarantee that an airbag will not deployunder some unusual circumstance, eventhough it is turned off. We recommend thatrear-facing child restraints be secured in arear seat, even if the airbag is off.

If you secure a forward-facing child restraintin the right front seat, always move the frontpassenger seat as far back as it will go. It isbetter to secure the child restraint in a rear seat.

See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-69for additional information.

1-42

{CAUTION:

A child in a child restraint in the center frontseat can be badly injured or killed by thefrontal airbags if they inflate. Never securea child restraint in the center front seat. It isalways better to secure a child restraint in arear seat.

Do not use child restraints in the center front seatposition.

When securing a child restraint in a rear seatingposition, study the instructions that came with your childrestraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle.

If your vehicle does not have a rear seat that willaccommodate a rear-facing child restraint, werecommend that rear-facing child restraints not betransported in your vehicle, even if the airbag is off.

Wherever you install a child restraint, be sure to securethe child restraint properly.

Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint canmove around in a collision or sudden stop and injurepeople in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secureany child restraint in your vehicle — even whenno child is in it.

Lower Anchors and Tethers forChildren (LATCH)The LATCH system holds a child restraint during drivingor in a crash. This system is designed to make installationof a child restraint easier. The LATCH system usesanchors in the vehicle and attachments on the childrestraint that are made for use with the LATCH system.

Make sure that a LATCH-compatible child restraintis properly installed using the anchors, or use thevehicle’s safety belts to secure the restraint, followingthe instructions that came with that restraint, and alsothe instructions in this manual. When installing a childrestraint with a top tether, you must also use either thelower anchors or the safety belts to properly secure thechild restraint. A child restraint must never be installedusing only the top tether and anchor.

In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, youneed a child restraint that has LATCH attachments.The child restraint manufacturer will provide you withinstructions on how to use the child restraint and itsattachments. The following explains how to attach achild restraint with these attachments in your vehicle.

Not all vehicle seating positions or child restraints havelower anchors and attachments or top tether anchorsand attachments.

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Lower Anchors

Lower anchors (A) are metal bars built into the vehicle.There are two lower anchors for each LATCH seatingposition that will accommodate a child restraint withlower attachments (B).

Top Tether Anchor

A top tether (A, C) anchors the top of the child restraint tothe vehicle. A top tether anchor is built into the vehicle.The top tether attachment (B) on the child restraintconnects to the top tether anchor in the vehicle in orderto reduce the forward movement and rotation of the childrestraint during driving or in a crash.

Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or adual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B)to secure the top tether to the anchor.

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Some child restraints that have a top tether are designedfor use with or without the top tether being attached.Others require the top tether always to be attached.In Canada, the law requires that forward-facingchild restraints have a top tether, and that the tetherbe attached. Be sure to read and follow the instructionsfor your child restraint.

If the child restraint does not have a top tether, onecan be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints.Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kitis available.

Lower Anchor and Top Tether AnchorLocations

i (Top Tether Anchor):Seating positions with toptether anchors.

j (Lower Anchor):Seating positions withtwo lower anchors.


j (Lower Anchor):Seating positions withtwo lower anchors.


Crew Cab — Rear Seat

Extended Cab — RearSeat

Front Seat — Regularand Extended Cabwithout Rear Seats

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For crew cab models, there are exposed metal loweranchors for each rear outboard seating position, locatedwhere the seatback meets the back of the seat cushion.

For extended cab models with rear seats, there areexposed metal lower anchors for each rear seatingposition, attached to the back wall, near the seatcushion.

To assist you in locating the lower anchors, place yourhand in a palm-up position and reach up betweenthe seat cushion and the seatback.

To assist you in locatingthe top tether anchors, thetop tether anchor symbolis located on the cover.

The top tether anchors in a crew cab model are locatedon the back wall behind each rear seating position.Be sure to use an anchor located on the same sideof the vehicle as the seating position where thechild restraint will be placed.

Crew Cab

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The top tether anchors in an extended cab model arelocated on the center of the back wall behind a removablecover for the rear seating positions. Be sure to use ananchor located nearest to the seating position wherethe child restraint will be placed.

For regular and extended cab models without rearseats, there is a top tether anchor located behind aremovable cover on the back wall behind the right frontpassenger seat. You may have to pull the seatbackforward to access the anchor.

Do not secure a child restraint in a position without atop tether anchor if a national or local law requires thatthe top tether be attached, or if the instructions thatcome with the child restraint say that the top tethermust be attached.

Extended Cab — Rear Seat Regular and Extended Cab without Rear Seats

1-47

Accident statistics show that children are safer if theyare restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.See Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-42 foradditional information.

Securing a Child Restraint Designed forthe LATCH System

{CAUTION:

If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached toanchors, the restraint will not be able to protectthe child correctly. In a crash, the child couldbe seriously injured or killed. Make sure that aLATCH-type child restraint is properly installedusing the anchors, or use the vehicle’s safetybelts to secure the restraint, following theinstructions that came with that restraint,and also the instructions in this manual.

{CAUTION:

Each top tether anchor and lower anchor inthe vehicle is designed to hold only one childrestraint. Attaching more than one childrestraint to a single anchor could cause theanchor or attachment to come loose or evenbreak during a crash. A child or others couldbe injured if this happens. To help preventinjury to people and damage to your vehicle,attach only one child restraint per anchor.

1-48

{CAUTION:

Children can be seriously injured or strangledif a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neckand the safety belt continues to tighten.Secure any unused safety belts behind thechild restraint so children cannot reach them.Pull the shoulder belt all the way out of theretractor to set the lock, if your vehicle hasone, after the child restraint has been installed.Be sure to follow the instructions of the childrestraint manufacturer.

Notice: Contact between the child restraint LATCHattachment parts and the vehicle’s safety beltassembly may cause damage to these parts. Makesure when securing unused safety belts behindthe child restraint that there is no contact betweenthe child restraint LATCH attachment parts andthe vehicle’s safety belt assembly.

Folding an empty rear seat with the safety beltssecured may cause damage to the safety belt orthe seat. When removing the child restraint, alwaysremember to return the safety belts to their normal,stowed position before folding the rear seat.

Crew Cab — Rear Seat

1. Put the child restraint on the seat.

2. If the child restraint manufacturer’s instructionsrecommends that the top tether be attached,attach the top tether to the top tether anchor (A).Refer to the child restraint instructions and thefollowing steps:

2.1. Pull the seatback forward to access the toptether anchors (A). See Rear Seat Operation(Extended Cab) on page 1-9 or Rear SeatOperation (Crew Cab) on page 1-10.

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2.2. Route the top tether according to your childrestraint instructions and the followinginstructions:

If the position you are usinghas a fixed headrest orhead restraint and you areusing a single tether, routethe tether over the headrestraint.

If the position you are usinghas an adjustable headrestor head restraint and youare using a single tether,raise the headrest or headrestraint and route thetether under the headrestor head restraint and inbetween the headrest orhead restraint posts.

If the position you are usinghas a fixed or adjustableheadrest or head restraintand you are using a dualtether, route the tetheraround the headrest orhead restraint.

2.3. Attach the top tether to the anchor (A). Makesure that you secure the top tether to thetop tether anchor and not to the seatbacklatch (B).

2.4. Push rearward on the seatback until it locksinto its upright position. Push and pull on theseatback to make sure it is secured properly.

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3. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to thelower anchors. If the child restraint does not havelower attachments or the desired seating positiondoes not have lower anchors, secure the childrestraint with the top tether and the safety belts.Refer to your child restraint manufacturerinstructions and the instructions in this manual.

3.1. Find the lower anchors for the desiredseating position.

3.2. Attach and tighten the lower attachments onthe child restraint to the lower anchors.

4. Tighten the top tether.

5. Push and pull the child restraint in differentdirections to be sure it is secure.

Extended Cab — Rear Seat

1. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to thelower anchors. If the child restraint does not havelower attachments or the desired seating positiondoes not have lower anchors, secure the childrestraint with the top tether and the safety belts.Refer to your child restraint manufacturerinstructions and the instructions in this manual.

1.1. Find the lower anchors (D) for the desiredseating position.

1.2. Put the child restraint on the seat.1.3. Attach the lower attachments on the child

restraint to the lower anchors (D) in thevehicle. The child restraint instructions willshow you how.

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2. If the child restraintmanufacturerrecommends that thetop tether be attached,attach and tighten the toptether to the top tetheranchor (C). Refer to thechild restraint instructionsand the following steps:

2.1. Pull on the finger access tab to remove thecover to access the top tether anchors (C).

2.2. Route the top tether (A) through the loop (B)at the top of the seatback to attach the toptether to the nearest top tether anchor (C).

3. Tighten the lower anchor attachments and the toptether. The child restraint instructions will showyou how.


Front Seat — Regular/Extended Cabwithout Rear SeatsYour vehicle has a right front passenger’s airbag anda passenger sensing system. The passenger sensingsystem is designed to turn off the right front passenger’sfrontal airbag when an infant in a rear-facing infant seat ora small child in a forward-facing child restraint or boosterseat is detected. See Securing a Child Restraint in theRight Front Seat Position on page 1-56 and PassengerSensing System on page 1-69 for important safetyinformation and additional information on installinga child restraint in the right front seat position.

1. See Securing a Child Restraint in the Right FrontSeat Position on page 1-56 for instructions oninstalling the child restraint using the safety belts.

2. If the child restraint manufacturer’s instructionsrecommends that the top tether be attached,attach and tighten the top tether to the top tetheranchor. Refer to the child restraint instructionsand the following steps:

2.1. Pull the seatback forward to access the toptether anchor. See Seatback Latches onpage 1-8.

2.2. Pull on the finger access tab to remove thecover to access the top tether anchor.

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2.3. Route the top tether according to your childrestraint instructions and the followinginstructions:

If the position you are usinghas a fixed headrest orhead restraint and you areusing a single tether, routethe tether over the headrestor head restraint.

If the position you are usinghas an adjustable headrestor head restraint and youare using a single tether,raise the headrest or headrestraint and route thetether under the headrestor head restraint and inbetween the headrest orhead restraint posts.

If the position you are usinghas a fixed or adjustableheadrest or head restraintand you are using a dualtether, route the tetheraround the headrest orhead restraint.

3. Attach and tighten the top tether according to yourchild restraint instructions.


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Securing a Child Restraint in a RearSeat PositionWhen securing a child restraint in a rear seatingposition, study the instructions that came with your childrestraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle.

If your child restraint has the LATCH system, see LowerAnchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-43for how to install your child restraint using LATCH. If yousecure a child restraint using a safety belt and it uses atop tether, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children(LATCH) on page 1-43 for top tether anchor locations.

Do not secure a child seat in a position without a toptether anchor if a national or local law requires thatthe top tether be anchored, or if the instructionsthat come with the child restraint say that the topstrap must be anchored.

If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system,you will be using the safety belt to secure the childrestraint in this position. Be sure to follow the instructionsthat came with the child restraint. Secure the child in thechild restraint when and as the instructions say.

If you need to install more than one child restraint in therear seat, be sure to read Where to Put the Restrainton page 1-42


2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulderportions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or aroundthe restraint. The child restraint instructions will showyou how.

3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.Make sure the release button is positioned so youwould be able to unbuckle the safety belt quicklyif necessary.

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4. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out ofthe retractor to set the lock.

5. If your child restraint has a top tether, attach the toptether to the top tether anchor. See Lower Anchorsand Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-43.

6. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint,pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lapportion of the belt, and feed the shoulder belt backinto the retractor. If you are using a forward-facingchild restraint, you may find it helpful to use yourknee to push down on the child restraint as youtighten the belt.

7. Tighten the top tether. See Lower Anchors andTethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-43.


To remove the child restraint, unbuckle the vehicle’ssafety belt and let it go back all the way. If the top tetheris attached to a top tether anchor, disconnect it.

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Securing a Child Restraint in theCenter Front Seat Position

{CAUTION:

A child in a child restraint in the center frontseat can be badly injured or killed by thefrontal airbags if they inflate. Never secure achild restraint in the center front seat. It isalways better to secure a child restraint ina rear seat.

Do not use child restraints in the center front seatposition.

Securing a Child Restraint in theRight Front Seat PositionYour vehicle has airbags. A rear seat is a safer place tosecure a forward-facing child restraint. See Where toPut the Restraint on page 1-42.

In addition, your vehicle has a passenger sensingsystem which is designed to turn off the right frontpassenger’s frontal airbag under certain conditions.See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-69and Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-28for more information on this, including important safetyinformation.


1-56

{CAUTION:




See Passenger Sensing System on page 1-69for additional information.

If your vehicle does not have a rear seat that willaccommodate a rear-facing child restraint, werecommend that rear-facing child restraints not betransported in your vehicle, even if the airbag is off.If your child restraint has the LATCH system, see LowerAnchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-43for how to install your child restraint using LATCH. If yousecure a child restraint using a safety belt and it uses atop tether, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children(LATCH) on page 1-43 for top tether anchor locations.Do not secure a child seat in a position without a toptether anchor if a national or local law requires thatthe top tether be anchored, or if the instructionsthat come with the child restraint say that the topstrap must be anchored.In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing childrestraints have a top tether, and that the tether beattached.You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure thechild restraint in this position. Follow the instructions thatcame with the child restraint.1. Move the seat as far back as it will go before

securing the forward-facing child restraint.When the passenger sensing system has turnedoff the right front passenger’s frontal airbag, the offindicator on the passenger airbag status indicatorshould light and stay lit when you start the vehicle.See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator onpage 3-28.

1-57


3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulderportions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or aroundthe restraint. The child restraint instructions will showyou how.

4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.Make sure the release button is positioned so youwould be able to unbuckle the safety belt quicklyif necessary.

5. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out ofthe retractor to set the lock.

6. If your vehicle does not have a rear seat and yourchild restraint manufacturer recommends using atop tether anchor, attach the top tether to thetop tether anchor. Refer to the instructions thatcame with the child restraint and to Lower Anchorsand Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-43for more information.

1-58

7. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint,pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lapportion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt backinto the retractor. If you are using a forward-facingchild restraint, you may find it helpful to use yourknee to push down on the child restraint as youtighten the belt.

8. Tighten the top tether. See Lower Anchors andTethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-43.


If the airbag is off, the off indicator in the passengerairbag status indicator will come on and stay on whenthe vehicle is started.

If a child restraint has been installed and on indicatoris lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the child restraint fromthe vehicle and reinstall the child restraint.

If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting thevehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure thatthe vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraintinto the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly reclinethe vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion ifpossible. Also make sure the child restraint is not trappedunder the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjustthe head restraint.

Remove any additional material from the seat such asblankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters or seatmassagers before reinstalling or securing the childrestraint.

If the off symbol is still not lit, secure the child in thechild restraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle,if one is available, and check with your dealer/retailer.

To remove the child restraint, unbuckle the vehicle’ssafety belt and let it go back all the way. If the top tetheris attached to a top tether anchor, disconnect it.

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Airbag SystemYour vehicle has the following airbags:

• A frontal airbag for the driver.• A frontal airbag for the right front passenger

Your vehicle may also have the following airbags:

• A roof-rail airbag for the driver and the passengerseated directly behind the driver.

• A roof-rail airbag for the right front passenger andthe passenger seated directly behind the rightfront passenger.

All of the airbags in your vehicle will have the wordAIRBAG embossed in the trim or on an attached labelnear the deployment opening.

For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear onthe middle part of the steering wheel for the driver andon the instrument panel for the right front passenger.

With roof-rail airbags, the word AIRBAG will appearalong the headliner or trim.

Airbags are designed to supplement the protectionprovided by safety belts. Even though today’s airbagsare also designed to help reduce the risk of injuryfrom the force of an inflating bag, all airbags mustinflate very quickly to do their job.

Here are the most important things to know about theairbag system:

{CAUTION:

You can be severely injured or killed in a crashif you are not wearing your safety belt — evenif you have airbags. Wearing your safety beltduring a crash helps reduce your chance ofhitting things inside the vehicle or beingejected from it. Airbags are “supplementalrestraints” to the safety belts. All airbags aredesigned to work with safety belts, but do notreplace them.

1-60

{CAUTION:

Frontal airbags are designed to deploy inmoderate to severe frontal and near frontalcrashes. They are not designed to inflate inrollover, rear crashes, or in many side crashes.

Roof-rail airbags are designed to inflate inmoderate to severe crashes where somethinghits the side of your vehicle. They are notdesigned to inflate in frontal, in rollover, orin rear crashes.

Everyone in your vehicle should wear a safetybelt properly — whether or not there is anairbag for that person.

{CAUTION:

Airbags inflate with great force, faster thanthe blink of an eye. Anyone who is up against,or very close to, any airbag when it inflatescan be seriously injured or killed. Do not situnnecessarily close to the airbag, as you wouldbe if you were sitting on the edge of your seat orleaning forward. Safety belts help keep you inposition before and during a crash. Always wearyour safety belt, even with airbags. The drivershould sit as far back as possible while stillmaintaining control of the vehicle.

Occupants should not lean on or sleep againstthe door or side windows in seating positionswith roof-rail airbags.

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{CAUTION:

Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer thebest protection for adults, but not for youngchildren and infants. Neither the vehicle’ssafety belt system nor its airbag system isdesigned for them. Young children and infantsneed the protection that a child restraintsystem can provide. Always secure childrenproperly in your vehicle. To read how, seeOlder Children on page 1-33 or Infants andYoung Children on page 1-36.

There is an airbagreadiness light on theinstrument panel, whichshows the airbag symbol.

The system checks the airbag electrical system formalfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electricalproblem. See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-27for more information.

1-62

Where Are the Airbags?

The driver’s airbag is in the middle of thesteering wheel.

The right front passenger’s airbag is in the instrumentpanel on the passenger’s side.

1-63

If your vehicle has roof-rail airbags for the driver, rightfront passenger, and second row outboard passengers,they are in the ceiling above the side windows.

{CAUTION:

If something is between an occupant and anairbag, the airbag might not inflate properlyor it might force the object into that personcausing severe injury or even death. Thepath of an inflating airbag must be kept clear.Do not put anything between an occupant andan airbag, and do not attach or put anythingon the steering wheel hub or on or near anyother airbag covering.

If your vehicle has roof-rail airbags, neversecure anything to the roof of your vehicle byrouting the rope or tie down through any dooror window opening. If you do, the path of aninflating roof-rail airbag will be blocked.

Driver Side shown, Passenger Side similar

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When Should an Airbag Inflate?Frontal airbags are designed to inflate in moderate tosevere frontal or near-frontal crashes to help reducethe potential for severe injuries mainly to the driver’sor right front passenger’s head and chest. However,they are only designed to inflate if the impact exceedsa predetermined deployment threshold. Deploymentthresholds are used to predict how severe a crashis likely to be in time for the airbags to inflate andhelp restrain the occupants.

Whether your frontal airbags will or should deploy is notbased on how fast your vehicle is traveling. It dependslargely on what you hit, the direction of the impact,and how quickly your vehicle slows down.

Frontal airbags may inflate at different crash speeds.For example:

• If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbagscould inflate at a different crash speed than if thevehicle hits a moving object.

• If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, theairbags could inflate at a different crash speed thanif the vehicle hits an object that does not deform.

• If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole), theairbags could inflate at a different crash speedthan if the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall).

• If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle, theairbags could inflate at a different crash speedthan if the vehicle goes straight into the object.

Thresholds can also vary with specific vehicle design.

Frontal airbags are not intended to inflate during vehiclerollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts.

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Your vehicle has seat position sensors which enablesthe sensing system to monitor the position of the driver’sseat and the right front passenger’s seat. Seat positionsensors provide information that is used to determineif the airbags should deploy at a reduced level or atfull deployment.

In addition, your vehicle has dual-stage frontal airbags.Dual-stage airbags adjust the restraint according tocrash severity. Your vehicle has electronic frontalsensors, which help the sensing system distinguishbetween a moderate frontal impact and a more severefrontal impact. For moderate frontal impacts, dual-stageairbags inflate at a level less than full deployment.For more severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs.

Your vehicle may or may not have roof-rail airbags.See Airbag System on page 1-60. Roof-rail airbags areintended to inflate in moderate to severe side crashes.Roof-rail airbags will inflate if the crash severity is abovethe system’s designed threshold level. The thresholdlevel can vary with specific vehicle design.

Roof-rail airbags are not intended to inflate in frontalimpacts, near-frontal impacts, rollovers, or rear impacts.Both roof-rail airbags will deploy when either side ofthe vehicle is struck.

In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbagshould have inflated simply because of the damage toa vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.For frontal airbags, inflation is determined by what thevehicle hits, the angle of the impact, and how quickly thevehicle slows down. For roof-rail airbags, deploymentis determined by the location and severity of the sideimpact.

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What Makes an Airbag Inflate?In a deployment event, the sensing system sends anelectrical signal triggering a release of gas from theinflator. Gas from the inflator fills the airbag causing thebag to break out of the cover and deploy. The inflator,the airbag, and related hardware are all part of the airbagmodule.

Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steeringwheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with roof-railairbags, there are airbag modules in the ceiling of thevehicle, near the side windows that have occupantseating positions.

How Does an Airbag Restrain?In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,even belted occupants can contact the steering wheelor the instrument panel. In moderate to severe sidecollisions, even belted occupants can contact theinside of the vehicle.

Airbags supplement the protection provided by safetybelts. Frontal airbags distribute the force of the impactmore evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stoppingthe occupant more gradually. Roof-rail airbags distributethe force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’supper body.

But airbags would not help in many types of collisions,primarily because the occupant’s motion is not towardthose airbags. See When Should an Airbag Inflate? onpage 1-65 for more information.

Airbags should never be regarded as anything morethan a supplement to safety belts.

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What Will You See After an AirbagInflates?After the frontal airbags inflate, they quickly deflate,so quickly that some people may not even realizethe airbags inflated. Roof-rail airbags may still be atleast partially inflated for some time after they deploy.Some components of the airbag module may be hotfor several minutes. For location of the airbag modules,see What Makes an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-67.

The parts of the airbag that come into contact with youmay be warm, but not too hot to touch. There may besome smoke and dust coming from the vents in thedeflated airbags. Airbag inflation does not prevent thedriver from seeing out of the windshield or being able tosteer the vehicle, nor does it prevent people from leavingthe vehicle.

{CAUTION:

When an airbag inflates, there may be dustin the air. This dust could cause breathingproblems for people with a history of asthma orother breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyonein the vehicle should get out as soon as it issafe to do so. If you have breathing problemsbut cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbaginflates, then get fresh air by opening a windowor a door. If you experience breathing problemsfollowing an airbag deployment, you shouldseek medical attention.

Your vehicle has a feature that may automaticallyunlock the doors (if equipped with power door locks),turn the interior lamps on, flash the hazard warningflashers, and turn off the radio when the airbag inflates.You can lock the doors again by using the door lock.The interior lamps and hazard warning flashers willdeactivate after approximately 15 minutes.

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In many crashes severe enough to inflate the airbag,windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.Additional windshield breakage may also occurfrom the right front passenger airbag.

• Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After anairbag inflates, you will need some new parts for theairbag system. If you do not get them, the airbagsystem will not be there to help protect you in anothercrash. A new system will include airbag modules andpossibly other parts. The service manual for yourvehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

• Your vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnosticmodule which records information after a crash.See Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy onpage 7-16 and Event Data Recorders on page 7-16.

• Let only qualified technicians work on the airbagsystem. Improper service can mean that the airbagsystem will not work properly. See your dealer/retailer for service.

Passenger Sensing SystemYour vehicle has a passenger sensing system for theright front passenger’s position. The passenger airbagstatus indicator will be visible on the instrument panelwhen you start your vehicle.

The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off, willbe visible during the system check. When the systemcheck is complete, either the word ON or the word OFF,or the symbol for on or the symbol for off, will be visible.See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-28.

The passenger sensing system will turn off the rightfront passenger’s frontal airbag under certain conditions.The driver’s airbags are not part of the passengersensing system.

United States Canada

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The passenger sensing system works with sensors thatare part of the right front passenger’s seat. The sensorsare designed to detect the presence of a properly-seatedoccupant and determine if the right front passenger’sfrontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or not.

Accident statistics show that children are safer if theyare restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.

We recommend that children be secured in a rear seat,including: an infant or a child riding in a rear-facingchild restraint; a child riding in a forward-facing childseat; an older child riding in a booster seat; and children,who are large enough, using safety belts.


{CAUTION:




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If your vehicle does not have a rear seat that willaccommodate a rear-facing child restraint, werecommend that rear-facing child restraints not betransported in your vehicle, even if the airbag is off.

The passenger sensing system is designed to turn offthe right front passenger’s frontal airbag if:

• The right front passenger seat is unoccupied.• The system determines that an infant is present in

a rear-facing infant seat.

• The system determines that a small child is presentin a child restraint.

• The system determines that a small child is presentin a booster seat.

• A right front passenger takes his/her weight off ofthe seat for a period of time.

• The right front passenger seat is occupied by asmaller person, such as a child who has outgrownchild restraints.

• Or, if there is a critical problem with the airbagsystem or the passenger sensing system.

When the passenger sensing system has turned off theright front passenger’s frontal airbag, the off indicatorwill light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is off.See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-28.

If a child restraint has been installed and the onindicator is lit, turn the vehicle off. Remove the childrestraint from the vehicle and reinstall the child restraintfollowing the child restraint manufacturer’s directionsand refer to Securing a Child Restraint in the RightFront Seat Position on page 1-56.

If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting thevehicle, the on indicator is still lit, check to make sure thatthe vehicle’s seatback is not pressing the child restraintinto the seat cushion. If this happens, slightly reclinethe vehicle’s seatback and adjust the seat cushion ifpossible. Also make sure the child restraint is not trappedunder the vehicle head restraint. If this happens, adjustthe head restraint. See Head Restraints on page 1-7.

Remove any additional material from the seat such asblankets, cushions, seat covers, seat heaters, or seatmassagers before reinstalling or securing the childrestraint.

If the on indicator is still lit, secure the child in the childrestraint in a rear seat position in the vehicle, and checkwith your dealer/retailer. If no rear seat is available, donot install a child restraint in this vehicle, and check withyour dealer/retailer.

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The passenger sensing system is designed to enable(may inflate) the right front passenger’s frontal airbaganytime the system senses that a person of adult size issitting properly in the right front passenger’s seat. Whenthe passenger sensing system has allowed the airbag tobe enabled, the on indicator will light and stay lit to remindyou that the airbag is active.

For some children who have outgrown child restraintsand for very small adults, the passenger sensing systemmay or may not turn off the right front passenger’s frontalairbag, depending upon the person’s seating postureand body build. Everyone in your vehicle who hasoutgrown child restraints should wear a safety beltproperly — whether or not there is an airbag for thatperson.

If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right frontpassenger’s seat, but the off indicator is lit, it could bebecause that person is not sitting properly in the seat.If this happens, turn the vehicle off, remove any additionalmaterial from the seat, such as blankets, cushions, seatcovers, seat heaters or seat massagers and ask theperson to place the seatback in the fully upright position,then sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion,with the person’s legs comfortably extended. Restart thevehicle and have the person remain in this position fortwo to three minutes. This will allow the system to detectthat person and then enable the right front passenger’sfrontal airbag.

Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on theseat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, which helpsthe passenger sensing system maintain the passengerairbag status. See “Safety Belts” and “Child Restraints” inthe Index for additional information about the importanceof proper restraint use.If you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all theway, you will engage the child restraint locking feature.This may unintentionally cause the passenger sensingsystem to turn the airbag(s) off for some adult sizeoccupants. If this happens, just let the belt go backall the way and start again.

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{CAUTION:

If the airbag readiness light in the instrumentpanel cluster ever comes on and stays on,it means that something may be wrong withthe airbag system. If this ever happens, havethe vehicle serviced promptly, because anadult-size person sitting in the right frontpassenger’s seat may not have the protectionof the airbag(s). See Airbag Readiness Lighton page 3-27 for more on this, includingimportant safety information.

A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket orcushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat covers,seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect how wellthe passenger sensing system operates. We recommendthat you not use seat covers or other aftermarketequipment other than any that GM has approved foryour specific vehicle. See Adding Equipment to YourAirbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-74 for moreinformation about modifications that can affect howthe system operates.

{CAUTION:

Stowing of articles under the passenger’sseat or between the passenger’s seat cushionand seatback may interfere with the properoperation of the passenger sensing system.

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Servicing Your Airbag-EquippedVehicleAirbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.There are parts of the airbag system in several placesaround your vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and the servicemanual have information about servicing your vehicleand the airbag system. To purchase a service manual,see Service Publications Ordering Information onpage 7-15.

{CAUTION:

For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is turnedoff and the battery is disconnected, an airbagcan still inflate during improper service. Youcan be injured if you are close to an airbag whenit inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They areprobably part of the airbag system. Be sure tofollow proper service procedures, and makesure the person performing work for you isqualified to do so.

Adding Equipment to YourAirbag-Equipped Vehicle

Q: Is there anything I might add to or changeabout the vehicle that could keep the airbagsfrom working properly?

A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’sframe, bumper system, height, front end or sidesheet metal, they may keep the airbag system fromworking properly. Changing or moving any partsof the front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensingand diagnostic module, steering wheel, instrumentpanel, roof-rail airbag modules, ceiling headlineror pillar garnish trim, front sensors, or airbag wiringcan affect the operation of the airbag system.

In addition, your vehicle has a passenger sensingsystem for the right front passenger’s position,which includes sensors that are part of thepassenger’s seat. The passenger sensingsystem may not operate properly if the originalseat trim is replaced with non-GM covers,upholstery or trim, or with GM covers, upholsteryor trim designed for a different vehicle.

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Any object, such as an aftermarket seat heater or acomfort enhancing pad or device, installed underor on top of the seat fabric, could also interfere withthe operation of the passenger sensing system.This could either prevent proper deployment ofthe passenger airbag(s) or prevent the passengersensing system from properly turning off thepassenger airbag(s). See Passenger SensingSystem on page 1-69.If you have any questions about this, you shouldcontact Customer Assistance before you modifyyour vehicle. The phone numbers and addressesfor Customer Assistance are in Step Two ofthe Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.See Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.

Q: Because I have a disability, I have to getmy vehicle modified. How can I find out whetherthis will affect my airbag system?

A: If you have questions, call Customer Assistance.The phone numbers and addresses for CustomerAssistance are in Step Two of the CustomerSatisfaction Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.

In addition, your dealer/retailer and the service manualhave information about the location of the airbag sensors,sensing and diagnostic module and airbag wiring.

Restraint System Check

Checking the Restraint Systems

Safety BeltsNow and then, make sure the safety belt reminder lightand all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractorsand anchorages are working properly.

Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt sy

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