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The 1998 Chevrolet Express Owner’s Manual

1-1 Seats and Restraint Systems

This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly.It also explains the air bag system.

2-1 Features and Controls

This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.

3-1 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your audio system.

4-1 Your Driving and the Road

Here you’ll find helpfulinformation and tips about the road andhow to drive under different conditions.

5-1 Problems on the Road

This section tells whatto do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated engine, etc.

6-1 Service and Appearance Care

Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running properly and looking good.

7-1 Maintenance Schedule

This section tells you when to performvehicle maintenance and whatfluids and lubricants to use.

8-1 Customer Assistance Information

This section tells you how to contact Chevrolet for assistance andhow to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects”on page 8- 10.

9-1 Index

Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.

i

We support voluntary
technician certification.

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, WE SUPPORT
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem and the VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN
name EXPRESSare registered trademarks of General CERTIFICATION THROUGH
Motors Corporation.
National Institutefor
This manual includesthe latest informationat the time it
was printed.We reserve the right to make changesin the AUTOMOTIVE
product after that time withoufturther notice. For SERVICE
vehicles first sold in Canada,substitute the name
“General Motorsof Canada Limited” for Chevrolet EXCELLENCE
Motor Division whenever it appears in this manual.
For Canadian OwnersWho Prefer a
Please keep this manual in your vehicle,so it will be French Language Manual:
there if you ever needit when you’re onthe road. If you
sell the vehicle, pleaseleave this manual in itso the new Aux proprietaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
owner can use it. procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en franqais chez
votre concessionaire ou au:

DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1577 MeyersideDr.

Mississauga, Ontario W T lB9

Litho inU.S.A. OCopyright General Motors Corporation 1997
C9814 B First Edition All Rights Reserved

ii

How to Use this Manual Safety Warnings andSymbols

Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning You will find a numberof safety cautions in this book.
to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you We use a boxand the wordCAUTION to tell you
do this, it willhelp you learn about the features and about things thatcould hurt you if you wereto ignore
controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find the warning.
that pictures and words worktogether to explain
things quickly. I A CAUTION: I

Index These mean thereis something that could hurt
you or other people.
A good place to look for what you needis the Index in
back ofthe manual. It’s an alphabetical list of what’s in
the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.

In the caution area, we tell you whatthe hazard is. Then
we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you or
others could be hurt.

iii

You will also find acircle In the notice area, we tell yoaubout something that can
with a slash throughit in damage your vehicle. Many timest,his damage would
this book. This safety not be coveredby your warranty,and it could be costly.
symbol means “Don’t,” But the notice will tell you whtaot doto help avoid
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t the damage.

Vehicle Damage Warnings When you readother manuals, you mightsee
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in differenctolors or
Also, in thisbook you will findthese notices: in different words.

NOTICE: You’ll also see warning labelson your vehicle.They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
These mean thereis something thatcould
damage your vehicle.

iv

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.

For example, These symbols These symbols These symbols These symbols Here are some
these symbols are important have to do with are on some of are used on other symbols
are used on an your lamps: your controls: warning and
original battery: for you and indicator lights: you may see:
your passengers eTURN WINDSHIELD
ACAUTION WIPER --COOLANT
whenever your SIGNALS TEMP
POSSIBLE vehicle is FUSE -%-
INJURY driven:
I
PROTECT DOOR LOCK
EYES BY UNLOCK
SHIELDING
BATTERY LIGHTER
CHARGING

CAUSTIC SYSTEM
BATTERY
FASTEN AHAZARD WINDSHIELD (a)BRAKE bHORN
xACID COULD SEAT DEFROSTER
CAUSE WARNING aCOOLANT
BURNS BELTS FLASHER WINDOW
DEFOGGER
AVOID bSPEAKER
SPARKS OR

FLAMES

SPARK OR ,111, ENGINE OIL h p3FUEL
FLAME PRESSURE W
COULD
$0FOG LAMPS VENTILATING (@)ANTI-LOCK
EXPLODE FAN BRAKES
BATTERY

V

Model Reference Cab and Chassis

This manual covers these models:
Passenger Van

cCargo Van

vi

Section 1 SeatsandRestraintSystems

Here you’llfind information about the seats in yourvehicle and how to use your safety belts properlyY. ou can also
learn about some things you shouldnot do with air bagsand safety belts.

1-2 Seats and Seat Controls 1-37 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children
1-11 Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone and Small Adults
1-16 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About 1-39 Center Passenger Position
1-41 Children
Safety Belts -- and the Answers 1-46 Child Restraints
1-58 Larger Children
1-17 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly 1-61 Safety Belt Extender
1-17 Driver Position 1-61 Checking Your Restraint Systems
1-25 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy 1-62 Replacing Restraint System Parts After
1-26 Right Front Passenger Position a Crash
1-26 Air Bag System
1-34 Rear Seat Passengers

1-1

Seats and Seat Controls The bucket seats can be adjustedforward or rearward
with the lever at thferont of the seat.
This part tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them,
To adjust the seat, pull the lever up to release the seat
take themout and put them back in. Iatlso tells you bottom and slide the seat whereyou want it. Then
about recliningfront seatbacks. release the lever and try to move the seat with your
body, to make sure the seatis locked into place.
Manual Front Seats

1You can lose controolf the vehicle if you try to

adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is
moving. The sudden movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a pedal wyhoeun
don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.

I

1-2

Power Seat (Option) You can raise and lower the front and rearof the seat. To
raise the front of the seat, move the rightlever up. To
lower it, move the right leverdown. To raise the rearof
the seat, move the left lever up. To lower it, move the
left leverdown.

Reclining Seatbacks

If your vehicle has a power seat on the driver’s or To adjust the seatback, lift the front of this lever, which
passenger’s side, you can adjust it with this switch at the is located at the inner edge of the seatcushion.
front center cushion of the seat.
Move the seatback with your body and release the lever
You can use these switches to move me seatto where to lock the seatback where you want it. Lean forward
you want it. To raise the seat, move the center knob up. and pull up on the fronotf the lever and theseatback
To lower the seat, move the center knob down. To move will go to an upright position.
the seat forward, move the center knob toward the right.
To move the seat rearward, move the center knob toward
the left.

But don’t havea seatback reclined if your vehicle I
is moving.
Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is
in motion can be dangerous. Evifenyou buckle
up, your safety belts can’t dthoeir jobwhen
you’re reclined like this.

The shoulder belt can’t idtsojob because it
won’t be against youbrody. Instead, it will be in
front of you. In a crash you could go into it,
receiving neckor other injuries.

The lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash the
belt couldgo up over your abdomen. The belt
forces would be there, naot your pelvic bones.
This could cause seriouinsternal injuries.

For proper protectionwhen the vehicle isin
motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well
back in the seat andwear your safety belt properly.

Rear Seats

Getting Into the Rear Seats
To make it easier for passengers to get into therear
seats, use thefastener strips on the headliner and safety
belt latch. These will keep the safety belts out of the way
while people getinto the rear seats.

1-5

Removing the Rear Seat

1. Disconnect the quick release latch platesfor the lap 2. Lift the carpedmat flap at the inboard side of the seat
shoulder belts on thebench seat to be removed. To base in the rear.
do this, press the tipof a keyinto the release hole
of the safety belt buckle while pulling ounpthe
safety belt.

1-6

3. Locate the red handle on the inboard side of the seat 5. Stow the locking pin on the rear of the seat base in
base and rotate it up. the hole that isprovided.

4. Once the red handle is rotated up, pull the handle to 6. Repeat this procedure for the pin on the other
remove the locking pin. seat base.

7. Pull the seat rearward about two inches (5 cm) and
then lift the seat from the floor rails.

8. Remove the seat from the vehicle.

9. Install the trim covers to the floor rails. These are
supplied in a cardboard box at delivery.

10. For the first rear seat,stow the safety belt latchby For the remaining rearseats, stow the safety belt
attaching the fastener strip on the safety belt latch latch plateon the clip at the window trim.
to the trim just inside the side door.There is also a
fastener strip provided for stowing the safety belt
latch for a four-passenger benchseat, if equipped.

1-8

Replacing the Rear Seat 2. Position the seat into the open slots in both rails.
Push the seat forward in the rail, hooking both seat
A CAUTION: bases onto the pinsinside of the rails.

A seat thatisn’t locked into place properly can 3. Both locking pins that locked theseat into place
move around in acollision or sudden stop. People must be installed before operating the vehicle.
in the vehicle could beinjured. Be sure tolock
the seat into place properly when installitn.g 4. To install thelocking pin atthe rear of the seat base,
pull the carpet/mat flap back on the inboard side to
locate the hole in the rail for the pin.

1 A-CAUTION: -
-

A safety belt thatis twistedor not properly
attached won’t provide the protection needed in a
crash. The person wearing the belt could be
seriously injured. After installing the seat, always
check to be sure that the safety belts are not
twisted and are properly attached.

1. Remove the trim covers from the floor rails and store 5. Remove the pin from its stowed position on the seat
for future use.
base whileholding the carpedmat flapback.

6. Insert the red handled locking pin into the seat 7. Rotate the red handle down until its in the
base, lifting theseat slightly to line up the pin with retaining clip.
the base.
8. Replace the carpet/matflap to its original position.

9. Repeat this procedurefor the other seat base.

10. Connect the quick release latch plates for thlaep
shoulder belts by inserting the latch plates into the
buckles attached at the outboard positionosf the
bench seat. Do not twist the belt.

Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone A CAUTION:

This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts It is extremely dangerous to ride aincargo area,
properly. It also tells you some things you should not do inside or outside of a vehicle. In acollision,
with safety belts.
And it explains the air bag system. people riding in these areas are mloikreely to be
seriously injured okrilled. Do not allow people to
Don’t let anyone ride where hoer she can’t wear ride in any areoaf your vehicle that is not
a safety belt properly.If you are in a crash and equipped with seats and safetybelts. Be sure
you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a
can be muchworse. You can hit things inside the safety belt properly.
vehicle or be ejected fromit. You can beseriously
injured orkilled. In the same crasyho, u might
not be if you are buckledup. Always fasten your
safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts
are fastened properlytoo.

1-11

Your vehicle hasa light that A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
comes on as a reminder to serious that even buckled upa person wouldn’t survive.
buckle up. (See “Safety But mostcrashes are in between.In many of them,
Belt Reminder Light” in people who buckle upcan survive and sometimes walk
the Index.) away. Withoutbelts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
In most states and Canadian provinces, the law saytso
wear safety belts. Here’s whyT: hey work. After more than30 years of safety belts in vehicles,
You never knowif you’ll be ina crash. If you do have a the facts are clear. In mosctrashes buckling up does
crash, you don’t know iift will be a bad one.
matter ... a lot!

1-12

Why SafetyBelts Work I

When youride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.

Put someone on it.

Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it's just a seat
on wheels.

1-13

I

Get it up to speed. Thenstop the vehicle. The rider The person keeps going until stoppedby something.
doesn’t stop.
In a real vehicle, it could be the windshiel.d..

1-14

or the instrument panel ... 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's why
safety belts make such good sense.

1-15

Here Are Questions Many PeopleAsk &: If I’m a good driver, andI never drive far from

About Safety Belts-- and the Answers home, why should I wear safety belts?

Q: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an A: You may be an excellent driver, butif you’re in an

accident ifI’m wearinga safety belt? accident -- even one that isn’t your fault-- you and

A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety your passengerscan be hurt. Being a good driver
doesn’t protectyou from things beyond your
belt or not. But youcan unbuckle a safety belt, control, such as bad drivers.
even if you’re upside down. And yourchance of
being conscious during and after an accident,so Most accidents occur within25 miles (40 km)
you can unbuckle and get out, ismuch greater if
you are belted. of home. And the greatest numbeorf serious
injuries and deathsoccur at speeds of less
Q: If my vehicle hasair bags, why should I have to than 40 mph (65 kmh).

wear safetybelts? Safety belts are for everyone.

A: Air bags are in many vehicles today and will be in

most of them in thefuture. But theyare
supplemental systems only; so they work with
safety belts-- not instead of them. Everyair bag
system ever offered for sale has required theuse of
safety belts. Evenif you’re in a vehicle that has air
bags, you still have to buckle utpo get the most
protection. That’s true not only in frontal collisions,
but especially inside and other collisions.

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly 3. Pick up the latch plate and pullthe belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.
Adults
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
This part is only for people of adult size.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If
Be aware that there are special things to know about the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety Belt
safety belts and children. And thereare different rules Extender” at the end of this section.
for smaller children and babies. If a child will be
riding in your vehicle, see the part of this manual Make sure the release button on the buckle is
called “Children.” Follow those rules for positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
everyone’s protection. safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

First, you’ll want toknow which restraint systems your 1-17
vehicle has.

We’ll start with the driver position.

Driver Position

This part describes the driver’s restraint system.

Lap-Shoulder Belt

The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s howto wear
it properly.

1. Close and lock the door.

2. Adjust the seat (to seehow, see “Seats” in the Index)
so you can sit up straight.

5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle The lap partof the belt should beworn low and snugon
end of the beltas you pull upon the shoulder belt. the hips,just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies
force to thestrong pelvic bones. And you'd be less likely
1-18 to slide under the lap belItf. you slid under it, the belt
would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt shouldgo
over the shoulder and across the chest. Thepsaerts of the
body are best ableto take belt restraining forces.

The safety beltlocks if there's a sudden stop or a crash.

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster To move it down, push in at the word PRESS and move
the height adjuster to the desired position.You can move
Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt the adjuster upjust by pushing up on the shoulder belt
adjuster to the height that is right for you. guide. After you move the adjustetro where you wantit,
try to move it down withoupt ushing in to make sure it
has locked into position.

Adjust the heightso that the shoulder portionof the beltis
centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from
your face andneck, but not fallingoff your shoulder.

1-19

@ what’s wrong with this? AI CAUTION:

You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder isbelt
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward
too much, which could increase injury. The
shoulder belt should fit against your body.

A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly

as much protection this way.

@ What's wrong with this? ,A Cn ITION:

t II I I 1 I I You can be seriously injured if your beltis
buckled in the wrong place like thiIsn. a crash,
A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place. the belt wouldgo up over your abdomen. The
belt forces would be there, naottthe pelvic
bones. This could cause seriouins ternal
injuries. Always buckle your belt inttohe buckle
nearest you.

@ What’s wrong with this? I

n You can beseriously injured if your beltgoes
over an armrest liktheis. The beltwould be much
~ ~~~~~ too high.In a crashy, ou can slide under thebelt.
The belt forcewould then be applied at the
A: The belt is over an armrest. abdomen, not at thpeelvic bones, and that could
cause serious or fatal injurieBse. sure the belt
goes under the armrests.

Q: What’s wrong with this?

You can be seriously injureidf you wear the
shoulder belt under your arm. aIcnrash, your
body would move toofar forward, which would

increase the chancoef head and neck injury.
Also, the beltwould apply too much force to the
ribs, which aren’t as strongas shoulder bones.
You could also severely injure internal organs
like your liver osprleen.

I 1III 1 1 II

A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should

be worn over the shoulder at all times.

12.' What's wrong with this? You can be seriously injurebdy a twisted belt. In
a crash, you wouldn't have the full widthof the
- A -. d belt to spread impact forceIsf.a belt is twisted,
make it straightso it can work properlyo,r ask
A: The belt is twisted across the body. your dealerto fix it.

1-24

I--

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. A pregnant woman shouldwear a lap-shoulder belt, and
The belt should go back out of the way. the lap portion shouldbe worn aslow as possible,below
the rounding, throughout the pregnancy.
Before youclose the door,be sure the beltis out of the
way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the
belt and your vehicle. mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more
likely thatthe fetus won’t behurt in a crash. For
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy pregnant women, as foranyone, the keyto making
safety belts effective is wearing them properly.
Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant
women. Like all occupants, they aremore likely to be 1-25
seriously injured if they don’t wearsafety belts.

Right Front Passenger Position

To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt
properly, see “Driver Position” earlier in this section.

The right front passenger’s safety belt worksthe same

way as the driver’s safetybelt -- except for one thing. If

you ever pull theshoulder portion of the belt out all the
way, you willengage the child restraint lockingfeature.
If this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and
start again.

Air Bag System

This part explains the air bag system.

If it says AIRBAG on the middle part of the steering
wheel and AIR BAG on the instrument panel in front of
the right front passenger’s seat,your vehicle has twoair

bags -- one air bag for the driver and another air bag for

the rightfront passenger.

If it says AIR BAG on the middle parot f the steering
wheel but it doesn’t say AIR BAGon the instrument
panel infront of the rightfront passenger’s seat, your
vehicle has an air bag for thedriver only.

If it says AIR BAG on the middle partof the steering
wheel, but thereis no rightfront passenger seat, your
vehicle hasan air bag for the driver only.

1-26

If it doesn’t say AIR BAG on the middle part of the Here are the most important things to know about the air
steering wheel, your vehicle doesn’t have air bags. bag system:

If your vehicle has an air bag for the driver, the air bag --You can beseverely injured or killed in a crash
is a “Next Generation’’reduced-force frontal air bag. If
your vehicle has anair bagfor the rightfront passenger if you aren’t wearing yoursafety belt even if
and there’s alabel on the driver’s side window, then you have air bags. Wearing yoursafety belt
your vehicle has a “Next Generation” reduced-force during a crashhelps reduce your chancoef hitting
frontal air bag for the right front passenger. If your things insidethe vehicle or being ejected from it.
vehicle has an air bag for the right front passenger but it Air bags are “supplemental restraints” to the
doesn’t have a label, then the rightfront passenger’s air
bag isn’t reduced-force. --safety belts. All air bags even reduced-force air

Reduced-force frontal air bags are designed to help --bags are designed to work with safety belts, but
reduce the risk of injury from the force of an inflating
air bag. But even these air bags must inflate very don’t replace them.Air bags are designed to work
quickly if they are to do their job and comply with only in moderate tosevere crashes where the front
federal regulations. of your vehicle hits something. They aren’t
designed to inflate at all in rollover, rear, sideor
low-speed frontal crashes. And,for unrestrained
occupants, reduced-forceair bags may provide
less protection in frontal crashes than more
forceful air bags have providedin the past..

--Everyone in youvrehicle should wear asafety

belt properly whether or nothere’s an air bag
for thatperson.

1-27

Air bags inflate withgreat force, faster thanthe CAUTION: (Continued)
blink of an eye. If you’re too closeto aninflating
air bag, it could seriouslyinjure you. This istrue lap-shoulder belts offer the best protectiofonr
even with reduced-forcefrontal airbags. Safety adults, but not for young childrenand infants.
belts help’keepyou in position beforeand during Neither the vehicle’s safetybelt systemnor its
a crash. Always wearyour safety belt, even with air bag system is designefdor them. Young
reduced-force air bags. The driver should sit as children andinfants need the protectionthat a
far back as possible while still maintaining child restraint system can provide. Always secure
control of the vehicle. children properly in youvrehicle. To read how,
see the part of this manual called “Childrena”nd
If your vehicle hasan air bag for the right front see the caution labels on the sunvisors tahned
passenger, please readthis: right front passenger’s safety belt.

r AIR There is an air bag readiness
BAG
A CAUTION: light on the instrument panel,

Children who are up against, or very close to, which showsAIR BAG.
an airbag whenit inflates can be seriously
injured or killed. This istrue even ifyour vehicle The system checks theair bag electrical system for
has reduced-forcefrontal airbags. Air bags plus malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in the Index
CAUTION: (Continued) for more information.

I 1-28

How the Air Bag System Works c

....

Where are the air bags? The right front passenger's air bagis in the instrument
panel on the passenger's side.
The driver's air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel. 1-29

If something is between an occupant and an air is about 11 to 16 mph (18 to 26 km/h). The threshold
bag, the bag might not inflate properolry it level can vary, however, with specific vehicle designs,o
might force the object intohat person. The path that itcan be somewhatabove or below this range.If
of an inflating air bag must be kecpltear. Don’t your vehicle strikessomething that will moveor deform,
put anythingbetween an occupant and an air such as a parked car, the threshold level will be higher.
bag, anddon’t attach or put anythinogn the The air bagis not designedto inflate in rollovers, side
steering wheel hub oron or near any other air impacts or rear impacts, because inflation would not
bag covering. And don’t hang anything from the help theoccupant.
assist handleon the passenger’s sideof the
instrument panel. In any particular crash, no oncean say whether anair
bag should have inflated simplbyecause of the damage
When should an air bag inflate? to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined bythe angle of the impact and
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe how quickly the vehicleslows down in frontal or
frontal or near-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate near-frontal impacts.
only if the impact speed is above the system’s designed
“threshold level.”If your vehicle goes straightinto a What makes an air bag inflate?
wall thatdoesn’t move or deform, the thresholdlevel
In an impact of sufficient severity, thaeir bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is ina crash. The sensing
system triggersa release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates theair bag. The inflator,air bag andrelated
hardware are all part of the air bag modulesinside the
steering wheel and inthe instrument panel infront of the
right front passenger.

1-30

How does an air bag restrain? When anair bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
In moderate to severe frontalor near-frontal collisions, people with a history of asthma or other
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the breathing trouble.To avoid this, everyone in the
instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection vehicle should get ouats soon asit is safe to doso.
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the forceof If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, of the vehicle after anair bag inflates, then get
stopping the occupant more gradually. Buatir bags would fresh air by opening a window or door.
not help you in many types of collisions, including
rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts, primarily because Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
an occupant’s motionis not toward those air bags. Air inflate, you’ll needsome new parts for your air bag
bags should never be regarded as anything more than a system. If you don’tget them, the air bag system
supplement to safety belts, and then onlyin moderate to won’t be thereto help protect you in another crash.
severe frontalor near-frontal collisions. A new system willinclude air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
What will you see after an air bag inflates? vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
that some people may noteven realize the air bag diagnostic module, which records information about
inflated. Some components of the air bag module -- the the air bag system. The module records information
steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, or the about the readinessof the system, when the sensors are
instrument panel for the rightfront passenger’s activated and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
bag -- will be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag
that come into contact with you may be warm, bunt ot
too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust
coming from vents in the deflated air bags. Airbag
inflation doesn’t prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.

Let only qualified technicians work on yourair bag Don’t let anyonestart the vehicle, even to tow it, unless
system. Improper servicecan mean that your air the battery cablesare first disconnected.
bag system won’t work properly. See yodueraler
for service. Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle

NOTICE: Air bags affecthow your vehicle should be serviced.
There areparts of the air bag system in several places
If you damage the covering for the driveorr’tshe around your vehicle.You don’t want the systemto
right frontpassenger’s air bag, the bag may not inflate while someone is workingon your vehicle.Your
work properly. You may have to replace the air dealer and theGM Service Manual have information
bag module in the steerinwgheel or both the air about servicing your vehicle and the air bag systemTo.
bag module and the instrument panel for the purchase a service manual,see “Service and Owner
right frontpassenger’s air bag. Do not openor Publications” in the Index.
break the air bacgoverings.
For up to10 minutes after the ignitiokney is
If your vehicleever gets into a lot of water -- such as turned off and the batteryis disconnected,an air
bag canstill inflate during improperservice. You
water up to thecarpeting or higher-- or if water enters can be injuredif you are close to anair bag when
it inflates.Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
your vehicle and soaks thcearpet, the air bag controller or yellow connectors. Theyare probably parotf
can be soaked and ruinedI.f this ever happens, and then the air bagsystem. Be sure tofollow proper
you start your vehicle, thedamage could make theair service procedures,and make sure the person
bags inflate, even if there’s no crash. You would have to performing work foryou is qualifiedto do so.
replace the air bags as well athse sensors and related
parts. If your vehicleis ever ina flood, or if it’s exposed The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
to waterthat soaks the carpet,you can avoid needless
repair costs by turning off the vehicle immediately.

Adding Equipmentto Your Air Q: Is there anythingI might add to the front of the
Bag-Equipped Vehicle
vehicle that could keep thaeir bags from
Q: If I add a push bumper oar bicycle rackto the working properly?

front of my vehicle, wiltlkeep theair bags A: Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
from working properly?
frame, bumper system, front end sheet metal or
A: As long as the push bumper or bicycle rack is height, they may keepthe air bag system from
working properly. Also,the air bag system may not
attached to your vehicle so that the vehicle’sbasic work properly if yourelocate any of the air bag
structure isn’t changed, it’s not likelyto keep the sensors. If you have anyquestions about this, you
air bags from working properly in a crash. should contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. (Thephone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are inStep Two
of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. See “Customer Satisfaction Procedure”
in the Index.)

Rear Seat Passengers Lap-Shoulder Belt

It’s veryimportant for rear seat passengers to buckle up! The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder
Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear belts. Here’s howto wear one properly.
seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.

Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions

1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.

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2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull upon the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
When the shoulder belt is pulled out all the way, it
will lock. If it does, let it goback all the way and
start again.
If the belt is not long enough, see “Safety Belt
Extender” at the end of this section.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be ableto unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle
end of the belt as you pullup on the shoulder part.

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You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward
too much, which could increase injury. The
shoulder belt should fit against your body.

h

The lappart of the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips,just touching the thighsI.n a crash, this applies
force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely
to slide under the lap belt.If you slid under it, the belt
would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go
over the shoulder and across the chest. Thpesaerts of the
body are best able to take belt restraining forces.

The safety belt locksif there’s a sudden stop ora crash. To unlatch the belt,just push the buttonon the buckle.

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Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for
Children and Small Adults

Your vehicle may have rear shoulder belt comfort guides.
This feature will provide added safety belt comfort for
children who have outgrown child restraints and for small
adults. When installed ona shoulder belt, the comfort
guide pulls the belt away from the neck and head.
There is oneguide for each outside passenger position in
the rear seats. To provide added safetybelt comfort for
children who have outgrownchild restraints and for
smaller adults, the comfort guides may be installed on
the shoulder belts. Here’s howto install a comfort guide
and usethe safety belt:

1. Remove the guide fromits storage clip on the side of
the seatback.

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2. Slide the guide underand past the belt. The elastic 3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted andlites flat.
The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide
cord mustbe under the belt.Then, place the guide
over thebelt, and insert the two edges of the beltinto on top.
the slotsof the guide.

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Center Passenger Position

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as
described in “Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions’’
earlier in this section. Make sure that the shoulder
belt crosses the shoulder.

To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the
belt edges together so that youcan take them out from
the guides. Slide the guide onto the storage clip.

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Lap Belt

If your vehicle has rear bencsheats, someone can sit in
the center positions.

To make the belt shorter, puiltls freeend as shown until
the beltis snug.

Buckle, positionand release it thesame way asthe lap

part of a lap-shoulder belt. If the belt isn’t long enough,

When you sit in a center seating position, you havea lap see ‘‘safety Belt Extendef’ at the end of this section.

safety belt, which has no retractoTro. make the belt Make sure the release buttonon the buckleis positioned
longer, tilt the latch plate and pullit along thebelt. so you would be ableto unbuckle the safety belt quickly

if you ever had to.

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Children Smaller Children andBabies (Except Cargo
Vans with Passenyr Air Bags)
Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! That includes
infants and all children smaller than adult size. Neither A CAU-TION: - I
the distance traveled northe age and size of the traveler
changes the need, for everyone, to use safetyrestraints. Children who are up against, or very close to, any
In fact, the law inevery state in the United States and in air bag whenit inflates can be seriouslyinjured
every Canadian province says children up to some age or killed. This itsrue even if your vehicle has
must berestrained while ina vehicle. reduced-force frontal air bags. Air bags plus
lap-shoulder belts offer the best protectfiorn
adults, but not for young childrenand infants.
Neither the vehicle’s safety belt systenmor its air
bag system is designefdor them. Young children
and infants need the protection that a child
restraint system can provide. Always secure
children properly in your vehicle.

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/\ CAUTION: Infants need complete support, including support for the

Smaller children and babies should alwbaeys head and neck. This is necessary becausean infant’s neck
is weak and its head weighsso much compared with the
restrained ina child or infant restraint. The rest of its body. Ina crash, an infant in a rear-facing
restraint settles into the restraint,so the crash forces canbe
instructions for the restrainwt ill say whether iits distributed across the strongesptart of the infant’s body,
the right type andsize for yourchild. A very the back and shoulders. A baby should be secured inan
young child’s hip bones arseo small that a appropriate infant restraint. This isso important that many
regular belt might not staloyw on thehips, as it hospitals today won’t release a newborn infantto its
should. Instead, the bewltill likely be over the parents unless there is an infant restraint available fothre
child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belwt ould apply
force right on thechild’s abdomen, which could baby’s first trip in a motor vehicle.
cause seriousor fatal injuriesS.o, be sure that
any child small enoughfor one is always properly
restrained in achild or infant restraint.

at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 124b.(5.5 kg) baby
will suddenly become a 240-1b. (110 kg) force on
your arms. The babywould be almost impossible
to hold.

Secure the baby in an infant restraint.

~~

Never hold a baby in your armwhsile riding in a

--vehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much until a

crash. During a crash a bawbyill become so
heavy you can’t hold it. For example, in a crash

CAUTION: (Continued)

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